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WESTERN MARYIM
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HISTORY
OF
WESTERN MARYLAND.
BEING A HISTORY OF
, llTGiEHy, CMKOLL, WASiliGll, ILLEGli!
COUNTIES
FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT DAY
INCLUDIXG
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
REPRESENTATIVE MEN.
J. THOMAS 8CHARF, A.M.,
AITHOR OF CHRONICLES OF BALTIMORE," " HISTORY OF BALTIMORE CITY AND COUNTY," " HISTORY OF MARYLAND;" MEMBF.R pT.THE
MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND ACADEMY OP SCIENCES; MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OP PENNSYLVANIA'; /
HONORARY MEMBER OF THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY; CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETIES ^
OF NEW YORK, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND VIRGINIA; OF THE HISTORICAL AND PHILO- ■']>'
SOPHICAL SOCIETY OF OHIO; OF THE NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC-GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, ETC., ETC. "•>"
IN TWO VOLUMES, ILLUSTRATED.
^OL. I.
PHILADELPHIA:
I.OUIS H. EVERTS.
188 2.
PRESS OF
J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.,
PHILADELPHIA.
7^^9^
Copyright, 1882, by Louis H. Everts.
A RUN AH S. A BELL, Esq.,
FOUNDER, >:i)ITOI!, AND PROPRIETOR OF THE BALTIMORE SUN,
THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED;
TARTLY IN TESTIMONY OF THE AUTHOR'S ESTEEM AND HIS ENDURING GRATITUDE FOR MANY
KINDNESSES, ANCIENT AND RECENT ; PARTLY. ALSO. AS A TRIBUTE OF THE
author's (JENUINE ADMIRATION FOR, AND APPRECIATION OF,
"THE SUN,"
the model newspaper of the United States. This great Structure, as it was Mr. Abell'-s creation, will also
become his monument. It is a Perfect Piece of Work, "not built by envious show," yet symmetrical in all
its Parts, and the Pride of the Generous Architect swells chiefly at the Fact that, as it was reared with no
man's ruin and to no man's hurt, so there are none who witness its Prosperity with Envy or wish its .solid
columns less stately in their vista. It is so built that there is always not only encouragement, but neces-
sity, for its expansion ; its influence in the community, always large and strong, and always increasing, must
ever be on the side of virtue, honor, justice, and enlightenment, since the public will never believe it
capable of utterance or suggestion on any other side.
The Founder's Sons may be expected to maintain in its pristine integrity, develop, enlarge, and beautify
the original work ; but neither They nor the Public will ever fail to uphold him for its creating and per-
fecting should he depart now, or should his life be spared to us for multiplied years, which all trust and
prav, none more ferventlv than
J. THOMAS SCHARF.
^v
PREFACE.
The preparation of such a work as the " History of Western Maryland" imposes a vast
responsibility and an immense amount of labor. Years of study devoted to the subjects embraced
in it, the encouragement of friends, and the enterprise of the liberal publisher induced the
author to undertake the work.
In the compilation of this history no authority of importance has been overlooked. The
author hiis carefully examined every source of information open to him, and has availed himself
of every fact that could throw new light upon, or impart additional interest to, the subject under
consideration. Besides consulting the most reliable records and authorities, over fifteen thousand
communications were addressed to persons supposed to be in possession of facts or information
calculated to add value to the work. Recourse has not only been had to the valuable libra-
ries of Baltimore, Annapolis, Frederick, and Hagerstown, but the author and his agents have
visited personally the entire territory embraced in the six counties of Western Maryland, spend-
ing much time in each district, examining ancient newspapers, musty manuscripts, family, church,
and society records, conversing with the aged inhabitants, and collecting from them orally many
interesting facts never before published, and which otherwise, in all probability, would soon have
been lost altogether. In addition to the material partly used in the preparation of his " Chroni-
cles" and " History -of Baltimore City and County" and " History of Maryland," the author has
consulted an immense number of pampiilets, consisting of county and town documents, reports of
societies, associations, corporations, and historical discoui-ses, and, in short, everything of a fugi-
tive character that might in any way illustrate the history of Western Maryland. From these
and a large collection of newspapers (more particularly a nearly complete file of the Hagerstown
Torcldight, Mail, Spy, and Herald, which were kindly loaned by Messrs. Mittag, Bell & Wil-
liams, and E. W. Mealey) great assistance has been derived.
With the aid of Prof. Philip R. Uhler, the topography and geology, as well as the geog-
raphy, of Western Maryland have received the attention which their importance demands.
Sketches of the rise, progress, and present condition of the various religious denominations, pro-
fessions, political parties, and charitable and benevolent institutions, societies, and orders form a
conspicuous feature of the work. Manufacturing, commercial, and agricultural interests have
also a prominent place. An account of the county school system is also given, and a history of
the various institutions of learning of which Western Maryland has every reason to be proud.
Many of the facts recorded, both statistical and historical, may seem trivial or tediously minute
to the general reader, and yet such facts have a local interest and sometimes a real importance.
An honest effort has been made to do justice to both sections in the relation of such events
of the civil war as come within the proper scope of a purely local history. The author has made
1 5
PKEFACE.
no attempt to obtrude his own political views upon the reader, and has constantly kept in mind
the purpose that has guided his labors, — to present a work free from sectional or partisan bias
which shall be acceptable to the general public.
Considerable space has been given to biographies of leading and representative men, living
and dead, who have borne an active part in the various enterprises of life, and who have become
closely identified with the history of Frederick, Washington, Montgomery, Allegany, Carroll, and
Garrett Counties. The achievements of the living must not be forgotten, nor must the memories
of those who have passed away be allowed to perish. It is the imperative duty of the historian
to chronicle their public and private efforts to advance the great interests of society. Their deeds
are to be recorded for the benefit of those who follow them j they, in fact, form part of the his-
tory of their communities, and their successful lives add to the glory of the Commonwealth.
A distinguishing feature of the work is its statistics of the various districts into which the
six counties of Western Maryland are divided. In them the reader is brought into close relation
with everv part of Western Maryland. The advantage of this method of treatment is obvious,
embracing, as it does, narratives of early settlements, descriptions of interesting localities, and per-
sonal reminiscences. The maps, views, and portraits are a prominent accompaniment, and add
interest and attractiveness to the subjects which they are designed to illustrate and explain. Our
acknowledgments are due to many friends, not only for a kindly interest shown in our labors, but
for much valuable information, furnished in many cases without solicitation.
In presenting the " History of Western Maryland" to the public the author feels conscious
that he sends it forth with many imperfections. In the preparation of a work of this char-
acter many minor inaccuracies and errors are almost unavoidable, the existence of which it is
impossible to discover until the book has been exposed to the light of general criticism. It may
not be considered presumptuous, however, to express the hope that its general conception and
execution will be satisfactory to the community for which it has been written, and that it will
prove useful and interesting to all classes of readers.
J. Thomas Schaep.
Baltimore, Feb. 10, 1882.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.
CHAPTER I.
PAGK
Topography and Geology 13
CHAPTER II.
The Aborigines 46
CHAPTER III.
The Early Settlers 58
CHAPTER IV.
The French and Indian War 74
CHAPTER V.
Logan and Cresap 101
CHAPTER VI.
Boundary Lines Ill
CHAPTER VII.
The War for Independence 121
CHAPTER VIII.
The Constitution and Union 161
CHAPTER IX.
The War of 1812 174
CHAPTER X.
The Civil War 194
CHAPTER XL
First Year of the Civil War 211
CHAPTER XI L
Maryland Campaign of 1862 227
CHAPTER XIII.
The Gettysburg Campaign 262
CHAPTER XIV.
Close of the Civil War 283
CHAPTER XV.
Record of Maryland Volunteers in the Union Army in the
War of 1861-65 298
CHAPTER XVL
Record of Maryland Commands in the Confederate Army
during the Civil War of 1861-65 329
CHAPTER XVII.
Political Progress 340
CHAPTER XVII L
Frederick County 358
CHAPTER XIX.
PAQK
Land Grants and Resurveys 371
CHAPTER XX.
The Bench and Bar 380
CHAPTER XXL
Early Court Proceedings 416
CHAPTER XXI L
Public Schools, Internal Improvements, and Agricultural
Societies 432
CHAPTER XXIIL
Distinguished Men of Frederick County 449
CHAPTER XXIV.
County Officers 476
CHAPTER XXV.
Frederick City 483
CHAPTER XXV L
Religious Denominations and Cemeteries of Frederick
City 501
CHAPTER XXVII.
Press of Frederick 527
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Banks and other Financial Institutions 538
CHAPTER XXIX.
Secret Orders, Benevolent Societies, etc 545
CHAPTER XXX.
Prominent Institutions and Events 562
CHAPTER XXXI.
Frederick County Districts and Villages 565
CHAPTER XXXI L
Montgomery County 640
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Courts and County Officials 657
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Educational and Miscellaneous Matters 669
:CHAPTER XXXV.
The District of Columbia 686
CHAPTER XXXV L
Internal Improvements in Montgomery County 696
CHAPTER XXXVI L
Montgomery County Districts 717
7
CONTENTS.
IILjLTJSTI^.^TIOIsrS I IT "V O Xj TJ Is^I E I.
Arms of William Penn and Lord Baltimore 116
Baker, Daniel facing 568
Baltimore City in 1800 166
Barney, Commodore Joshua ISS
Barnsley, Wm. B 780
Battle of South Mountain 234
Baughman, John W 532
Biggs, Joshua facing 580
Bowie, Richard J " 754
Braddock, Gen 81
Brooke, Roger facing 774
Brown, H. C, Residence of " 573
Barnside's Bridge 246
Cashell, Hazel B facing 719
Calvert, Charles. Fifth Lord Baltimore " 113
Carroll, Charles, of Carrollton " 125
Carroll, Charles, of Carrollton " 439
Chase, Samuel " 384
Clagett, Thomas, with Residence " 544
Clemson, John 603
Clemson, John, Residence of facing 603
Congress Hall 62
Cooke, Nathan facing 785
Culler, John 580
Davis, Allen B., Residence of facing 771
Davis, Eli '• 606
Davis, Henry W 387
Deaver, Capt. H. T., Residence of facing 622
Downey, William " 609
Dulany, Danie! " 382
Dunker Church 239
Feaga, Wm. M 559
Frederick, Sixth Lord Baltimore facing 360
Gaither, Henry C " 600
Gorman, Arthur P " 713
Gott, B. C " 730
Griffith, H " 737
Griffith, Lebbeus, Sr 604
Hanson. Alex. C 142
Hanson, John 450
Hobbs, Edward facing 601
Hopkin.o, Johns 681
Houck, Ezra facing 539
Houck, Geo, Residence of " 571
Howard, Gen. John E 176
Hughes, Hon. C, Jr 192
PAGE
Hutchinson, H. M., Residence of facing 644
Johnson, Reverdy 386
Johnson, Governor Thomas facing 389
Kenly, John R " 304
Key, Francis S " 399
Kunkel, Jacob M " 554
L.akin, D. T " 435
Lee, Gen. Henry 165
Lewis, C. M., Residence of facing 623
Lewis, Jacob, with Residence ** 572
Lynch, John A " 404
Map of Battle of Antietam " 240
Map of Western Maryland between 12, 13
Martin. Luther 383
McElfresh, John H facing 415
McMahon, John V. L 386
McMurray, Louis facing 492^
McSherry, James 413
O'Donnell, John C, Residence of facing 620
Palmer, William P " 778
Peter Cooper's First Locomotive 440
Peter, M.ij. George facing 732
Phillips, Lycurgus " 615
Pinknoy, William 384
Ray, Alfred facing 763
Riley, P. C " 783
Rouzer, John *' 630
Schaeffer, William A " 735
Scharf, J. Thomas Fronthpiece.
Schley, Fairfax facing 448
Shriner, E. A., with Residence " 624
Smallwood, Gen. William " 138
Smith, Gen. Samuel 167
Staley, Cornelius facing 557
Steiner, L. H " 488
Stocks and Pillory 420
Strieker, Col. John . 168
Taney, Roger B 394
Thomas, C. K., Residence of facing 574
Thomas, John H 341
Trail, Charles E facing 540
Urner, Milton G " 409
Williams, John T " 607
Winder, Gen. William H 187
Wirt, William 385
Young, Isaac facing 727
WESTIRN IttRYLAND
Sjtefraved ejepressli^ for Sclxcwi's Ki^taru
'RiiilTa\ed expi'essli) th]- Schnrfy HistoTy
HISTORY
OP
WESTEKN MAEYLAND.
CHAPTER I.
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.l
The section of country embraced in the following
descriptive outline is a long strip, running from east
to west, widened on the ends, and extending from
the western boundary of Baltimore County to the
extreme limits of Maryland next to West Virginia.
It consists of six large counties, among the most fer-
tile, varied, and populous in the State. These are
Frederick, Montgomery, Washington, Allegany, Car-
roll, and Garrett Counties. This region is bounded
on the north by Mason and Dixon's line, which
separates it from Pennsylvania, and on the south by
the Potomac River, whose bending channel breaks the
outline into a series of long and short curves, and cuts
it oflF from West Virginia and Virginia. It might
be regarded as of the form of a low bridge or arch,
the keystone of which would be placed at Hancock
(where the county is narrowed to a breadth of only one
and a quarter miles) ; the wider end would rest on
the District of Columbia, and the narrower end would
stand on the source of the north branch of the Poto-
mac River. The length of this strip is about one
hundred and forty miles, and the width is about fifty
miles, from north to south, across the east, and nearly
thirty-six miles, in the same direction, across the west
end.
It embraces almost every variety of surface within
the State, the lowlands at tide-water and the ocean
shores only being excepted. For convenience, the
region may be divided into four great sections,
marked by well-distinguished features of the surface,
and coinciding sufficiently with the groups of rocks
upon which it rests.
' Contributed by Prof. Philip R. Uhler, president of the
Maryland Academy of Sciences.
2
As no part of the Tide-water Belt strictly oc-
curs within this territory, the first to be noticed is the
Midland Belt. It begins about five miles back
of the inner limits of the tides in the rivers, such as
the Potomac and Patuxent, and extends westward to
an oblique line running from the mouth of the
Monocacy River to the sources of Piney Creek, in
Carroll County.
The second is the Blue Ridge Belt, which runs
from the basin of the Monocacy and the head-waters
of Piney Creek to the west side of the summit of the
Blue Ridge, or South Mountain range.
The third is the Great Valley, extending from
the western side of the summit of South Mountain to
the corresponding part of the summit of North Moun-
tain. It is occupied chiefly by the extension of the
Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania, which is widely
known as the Hagerstown Valley, and which, south-
west of the Potomac River, becomes the great Valley
of Virginia.
The fowth is the extensive Appalachian Belt.
This is pre-eminently the mountain region, and ex-
tends from the summit of North Mountain to the
western boundary of the State.
Each of these divisions includes smaller belts and
tracts of country, which may be recognized by a dif-
ference in the quality or color of the soil, and by the
kinds of native rocks which rest near the surface.
Midland Belt. — This embraces the greater part of
the two most eastward counties, Montgomery and
Carroll. The lowest lands occurring within its limits
belong to the southern extremity of Montgomery
County, where the primitive rocks dip beneath the
soil to stretch off under the deep basin of the Chesa-
peake Bay. These are tracts of clay, gravel, and
sand, the former resting directly upon the eroded
surfaces of granite, gneiss, and hornblende, and the
14
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
latter spread over the surface of the low hills of clay
and rock by floods and by the retreating tides of a
former ocean. Several of these areas reach back into
the country for a distance of nearly seven miles, while
the more gravelly portions are confined to a belt vary-
ing in width from two to five miles. The clay area
extends through the District of Columbia and Prince
George's County into this region, chiefiy along the
ancient valleys of the streams, spreading more broadly
from thence, and covering parts of the adjacent hills.
On the northwest of the former the surface rises grad-
ually by a series of rounded plateaus, until it cul-
minates about twenty miles back in the folds and
crest of Parr's Ridge. An altitude of about nine hun-
dred feet is now attained, and the backbone of this
range is seen to stretch away from near the Potomac
River on the southwest in a wavy line, through the
eastern part of Carroll County in a north-northeast
direction, then wi'h a backward bend as Westminster
is reached, and acioss the boundary into Pennsylvania.
It forms a high fold in the talcose slates, which, de-
composing, serve to furnish a fairly light and kind
soil, capable of being made very productive of all the
cereals and fruits of temperate eliiuates. A fine agri-
cultural tract is also seen to spread away on both sides,
presenting large farms of real fertility, and attesting
the thrift of the inhabitants, whose ample barns and
well-kept houses greet the eye on every hand. The
soils belonging to this system of rocks extend as far
as to the base of the Sugar-Loaf Mountain on the
west, interrupted in the west corner by the red sand-
stone soils, and on the east extend as far as to the
boundary of the archrean lands on Rock Creek. They
also send ofi' two tongues of the same kind of soil, the
one reaching to near the northern . angle of the Dis-
trict of Columbia, and the other running parallel
with the Putuxent River as far as to the source of
Paint Branch. The ridge forms the dividing line
between the creeks and rivers which flow towards the
east and south and those which course southwest and
west. • In most parts the scenery offers a pleasing va-
riety, but the wildest and most romantic spots are to
be met with in the thinly-settled section on the head-
waters of the various tributaries of the Patuxent River.
There the hills are abrupt, high, and broken, flanked
along the sides by lower and more rounded knobs,
which have lost their former angular summits by
reason of the softer and less resisting materials of which
they are composed. Deep, sudden ravines, set with
angular and piled-up rocks, are seen at frequent in-
tervals, and through these the limpid waters of the
rivulets and branches leap with never-ceasing activity
over moss-covered bowlders, amid the tangled branches
of flowering bushes and creeping vines. On these
ridgy hills, too, the principal forests still remain.
Second-growth trees of various kinds — oaks, hickory,
walnut, beech, maples, sour-gum, dogwood, tulip-pop-
lars, elm, hazel, a few pines, and numerous chestnut-
trees — still serve to cover the wilder places and store
: the moisture to feed springs and rivulets.
As usual, the dark-gray and silvery minerals com-
posing the rocks of this region are attacked by the at-
mosphere, frost, and heat ; they crack into slaty joints,
I change to a rusty color, and then disintegrate into a
pale-yellowish micaceous and aluminous soil. Moisture,
supplied by the morning and evening vapors, creeps
into these, in common with many other kinds of cleav-
j ing, cracking rocks, carries carbonic acid and other
! solvents into the interstices between the grains, and
j sets up chemical activities which rapidly reduce them
to powder.
Commencing in Montgomery, on the southeast, the
country rises by series of water-worn plateaus, or hills,
with shallow, narrow depressions intervening, giving
I the effect of interrupted table-lands. The roads in-
< tersect ledges and masses of granite, gneisses, horn-
[ blende schists, and, at the lowest levels, the black
hornblende rocks. As in Baltimore and Howard, so
here, this latter seems to be the bed-rock which un-
j derlies, holds, or gives rise to all the later ones of the
j formation. It crops out in the beds of the streams,
I such as Rock Creek, Paint Branch, and the tributaries
of the Potomac south of the Great Falls, and is also
indicated in places adjacent to the Patuxent. It un-
derlies the mica schists where in most places their
lower exposures are visible, and it forms bowlders on
! the sides of the hills and partly in the drift of the
I lower and central parts of this county.
I Crossing the rolling slope which descends immedi-
I ately west of Parr's Ridge, the valley of the Monocacy
River is reached, and the talcose slates become more
aluminous. Here and there chains of high domes
I stretch from the northeast towards the southwest, aud
L the higher swellings are seen to be composed of the
I tougher beds of the rock, while the lower undula-
. tions appear more shattered, broken next the surface
into small fragments, and exhibit marked evidences of
decay. Near the mouth of the river erosion and
frequent washings have opened out a wide basin,
I which is now covered by the alluvium of this stream.
i It has thus brought some of the best fertilizing ingre-
dients of the distant rocks within the reach of the
agriculturist, who has thus been enabled to profit by
the opportunity to secure most abundant crops of In-
dian corn, clover, hay, etc. On the northwestern side
of this county a broad belt of red sandstone hills runs
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
15
down to the bed of the Potomac River. They begin
a little east of Seneca Creek, and extend to within a
few rods of the mouth of the Monocacy River. These
rise in their more central parts in majestic piles, like
huge ranges of masonry, swelling to a height of more
than one hundred and fifty feet above the basin of the
Potomac. Colossal chimney-rocks stand up like tall
sentinels on the dark-brown walls of precipitous sand-
stone, and craggy peaks jut out at various angles over
the vast piles of overthrown blocks, which join to at-
test the power of the forces that have snapped them
apart and pitched their shattered fragments upon the
buttresses below. This is a section full of delightful
scenery, and beset with a multitude of surprises for
the attentive eye. It abounds in objects of the weird
and grotesque, and is quite unlike any other part of
the great triassic framework to which it belongs. The
great river itself spreads away in a silvery sheet
through solitudes broken only at distant intervals by
the lonely bird or the more fearless hunter or fisher-
man.
Montgomery County has an area of five hundred
and eight square miles ; it is the most southern of the
counties included in the present notice, and posses.ses
in an eminent degree those peculiarities of surface,
soil, and climate which contribute to the health and
prosperity of the inhabitants. It is about twenty-
eight miles long from northwest to southeast, by
about twenty-three miles wide on its northern bound-
ary, and seventeen miles across its southern ex-
tremity. No mountain ranges actually exist within
its limits, but, instead, the system of high hills known
as Parr's Ridge crosses it diagonally a few miles from
its northern border. The hills and plateaus already
described occupy the chief parts of its surface, and
serve to separate the numerous rivulets, branches, and
creeks which so abundantly water almost all sections
of its territory. Although large tracts of uncleared
lands appear on the uplands and undulations next
these water-courses, yet large farms have been cleared
in most parts of the county, and others of even greater
size form the larger part of the area in the more north-
ern and central divisions. The upper part of the great
plateau around Sandy Springs, which was originally
but little better than a sandy waste, has been almost
turned into a garden by the energy and intelligence
of the inhabitants. An almost endless variety of soils
appears as the different parts of the country are ex-
amined, and in nearly all the natural quality is well
adapted to the purposes of agriculture. The north-
ern and western portions are especially the home of
the grasses and cereals ; the warm hillsides promote
the growth of the grape and fruit-trees ; the small
fruits succeed well on the more loamy and sandy de-
pressions of the midlands and more southern sections,
and in the bottoms the native bushes, flowering shrubs
and plants form a varied and comprehensive collec-
tion.
In the expanded portions of the old beds of the creeks
the decaying leaves and other vegetable matter, drifted
down from the higher levels, joined to the washings
brought down by freshets and overflows, lias placed
vast beds of humus and rich soil within easy reach of
the florist and horticulturist. The more rocky streams
are decorated by the kalmia, or common laurel, which
grows in thickets between the gray rocks, in the loose,
rich soil. In the spring the golden blossoms of the
leatherwood, the sassafras, the clear lilac of the Hous-
tonia, and the delicate pink of the Chiytonia add a
cheerful brightness to the tender verdure of the open
woods, while the advancing summer is made rich by
the fragrant flowers of the magnolia and azaleas, the
showy sepals of the dogwood, the clustering bloom of
the snowy viburnum, the odor of the wild grape, and
the splendor pf the native lily. The waters, too, are
studded with the huge, fragrant rosettes of the pond-
lilies, and teem with the numerous varieties of pickerel
plants, water plantains, arrow-heads, and a host of
others too numerous to mention. Alders group them-
selves on the damp spots of the basins, the swamp-
maples spread their broad limbs over the pools, and
the greenbrier binds the crown of the bushes in a
maze of perpetual green.
Between the mouth of the Monocacy River and
Seneca Creek the brown sandstone hills were formerly
covered with a luxuriant growth of the sugar-maple.
An abundant supply of sugar was obtained from the
trees, and this industry was one of great importance
to the inhabitants. But now these forests are re-
placed by other kinds of trees, forming a later growth
of uncommon variety. Chestnut, red, black, and
other oaks, ash, hickory, elm, walnut, and, most of
all, false locust grow in thick woods, set with a dense
undergrowth of bushes, creepers, and grape-vines.
At intervals, where the hills are eroded to near the
water-level, wide lowlands stretch back into the coun-
try, the margins of which are occupied by large speci-
mens of the sycamore, sour -gum, and occasionally the
tulip-poplar. The vistas across these broad plains are
broken here and there by low spurs of hills, which
stand out like islands. These are usually wooded,
fade out imperceptibly into the lowlands, and form a
rich relief of dark color to the paler and yellower
greens of the grasses and cereals of the wide-spreading
fields. Usually the remote background, two or more
miles away, is formed by higher hills of similar dark
16
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
green, rendered more soft and blue by the distance,
while in the interval are large farms of high culture,
with excellent houses, immense barns, and numerous
haystacks. Herds of cattle, groups of horses, and
flocks of sheep have their appropriate places on the
open undulations and in the meadows, giving a pleas-
ant air of animation to the scene, and adding to the
enjoyments of rural life. Milk is abundant, and the
water is soft, pure, and plentiful. Little rills pursue
their way in unbroken steadiness through these
meadows, or burst with impetuosity from the rocky
hillsides to plunge into the creeks beyond.
Much of the successful farming of this county has
been due to the free use of lime. The soils being
naturally sour, require the addition of this sub-
stance or plaster of Paris. Some of the farmers
along the high-roads leading into the Frederick Val-
ley, or near the line of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal, transport the limestone to their farms, where
they burn it in kilns, and then oifer the surplus for
sale to their neighbors. The stone is brought either
from the western section of the red sandstone or from
the valley of the Monocacy, in Frederick, and is partly
of the variety known as calico-rock, or Potomac
breccia.
The region around Brookville and the valley of
Hawling's River have likewise been enriched by the
intelligent use of lime. Although naturally thin, and
being composed in part of the magnesian minerals de-
rived from serpentine and talcose slates, they have
been transformed into some of the richest and most
productive lands in the county. The region west of
this gradually changes into the ophiolite, or serpentine
formation. It consists of a series of rounded hills,
running from the ridge on which Damascus, Cracklin-
town,etc., are situated, and continued in sloping spurs
towards the basin of the Patuxent River. This belt
of country, which widens as it enters the county, pro-
ceeds southwestward, and maintains a breadth of about
three miles, until it fades out before reaching the Po-
tomac River. A wide strip of pine woods stretches
along the greater part of its length, occupying a chain
of low hills, on which the soil is the poorest and thin-
nest in the county.
The whole country is abundantly supplied with
streams of water, which rise in the uplands, and
stretch away towards the creeks and rivers by passing
through the bottoms and around the hills. Five prin-
cipal systems of drainage are found within its limits,
— the Patuxent on the east, the northwest branch of
the Potomac and Rock Creek on the south, Seneca
Creek on the west, and the Monocacy on the northwest.
The Patuxent Eiver rises in the corner of Parr's
Ridge next to Howard County, in a region of high
hills, very picturesque, and full of rugged rocks, dis-
posed in almost endless variety. More than a dozen
of its little tributary branches start from springs in
the dark rocks, push their way in tortuous threads, as
twisted as the arms of an octopus, leap over sharp
bowlders, and whirl along as rapids in the wider gaps,
until they have settled to a level low enough to unite
with the waters in the deeper trough of the river.
At first the river proper is a comparatively narrow
creek, forcing its way into deep ravines between the
hills, rushing violently through cracks in the rocks,
and forming cascades by plunging from the bowlders
which stand in its path. But after leaving the bar-
riers west of Triadelphia it rapidly widens, and be-
comes a strong, full stream, running with great rapid-
ity in a more steeply-cut channel. At occasional
intervals it spreads (where the softer rocks have given
way) into shallow basins, in the midst of a fine over-
growth of white and other oaks, and through almost
impenetrable thickets of bushes, shrubs, and vines of
various kinds. East of Sandy Spring the river has
piled up for hundreds of feet back beyond its present
channel vast areas of clay and reddish micaceous soil,
which stand like cliifs and barriers on either side.
From a remote period it has been the great sewer for
the drainage of a large part of this and the adjoining
(Howard) county.
During the great ice ages the amount of solid rock, in
the form of bowlders, gravel, mineral paste, grit, and
mud that it has contributed to the estuaries of the
former Atlantic Ocean is only to be estimated by the
enormous beds and deep deposits of these substances to
be seen in crossing the counties of Prince George and
Anne Arundel. Along the border of Montgomery
County it can only be estimated as a broad, rapid
creek ; but at a distance of twenty-five miles south of
this limit it becomes a large river, navigable for
schooners and vessels of moderate size.
The Potomac River bounds the whole length of
the western side of this county, and receives numerous
tributaries from the adjoining hills, but its description
properly belongs to the general belt of counties, in
and where it will be found.
The northwest branch of the Potomac River is but
a small creek in this county. It rises in two princi-
pal branches, fed by several small brooks in the re-
gion southwest and south of Sandy Spring. It runs
in a somewhat zigzag southeast course between the
sandy and clay hills, through a ratlier depleted coun-
try in which the red clay and heavy soil abounds.
After having pursued a course of about twelve miles
amidst the tangled bushes and low woods, it passes
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
17
beyond the boundary, two miles south of Burnt
Mills.
Kock Creek, — The next system of drainao-e to be
noticed is that of Rock Creek. This is an important
stream, carrying a large body of water, fed by several
tributaries along both bank.s, and supplying water-
power to numerous grist and saw-mills. It rises in
the region northwest of Brookville, in the midst of
craggy masses of talcose schists, which are traversed
by innumerable veins of white quartz. The rills
which form its source leap down from the silvery
rocks in frequent cascades, cool and limpid, shaded by
bushes, tangled vines, and canopies of ferns ; then
breaking into rapids as they strike the bowlders in
their path, they finally spread out in a broad, active
stream as the vicinity of Rockville is reached. The
creek passes through a pleasantly diversified country,
uncovering here and there along its margins the ledges
of hornblende, gneiss, steatite, and sienite which un-
derlie the soil. Along its banks the decomposing
rocks yield red and yellow lands of decided fertility ;
a large part of these have been cleared, and while
some parts have been worn out by crops of tobacco,
others now comprehend some of the best-tilled farms
in the county. The copious supply of water afforded
by this stream and its tributaries has fed the trees and
contributed towards the growth of a luxuriant vegeta-
tion. The original forests which here covered the
land were formed of the grand old white oaks, with a
numerous company of other oaks, of several kinds of
hickory, of walnuts, tulip-trees, maples, gums, syca-
more, and dogwood, with a varied retinue of bushes,
flowering shrubs, and creepers. Now their successors,
of less impressive size, still luxuriate in the rich allu-
vial soils of the bottoms, or spread along the misty
summits of the hills. Everywhere the horizon is
bounded by a stately belt of verdure, which gives
variety and freshness to the dull uniformity of the
plowed fields and denuded hillsides. After running
in a southwestern course for about fifteen miles, the
creek crosses into the District of Columbia, and finally
buries itself in the Potomac River within the limits
of Georgetown. A great part of its bed is clogged by
the bowlders of hornblende and gneiss which have
been torn from the sides of the uplands by the furious
floods which have penetrated the region.
Seneca Creek next claims attention as forming
another separate outlet for the waters of the county.
It rises by numerous tributaries in the high country
bordering the fork of Parr's Ridge, and is separated
from the head-waters of the Patuxent River by only
the outlying barrier of talcose slates which curves
from the vicinity of Damascus to Cracklintown, and
continues thence to Mechanicsville and beyond. Some
of its sources start in the dark mounds of serpentine
rocks which contain the chrome-iron ore. The tribu-
taries at its head bend in almost countless curves to
evade the frequent hills and swells of surface studding
that section. On the eastern side it receives three
large branches, — the Whetstone, Long Draught, and
Dawes' Branch, and on the western side the Little
Seneca and the Dry Seneca, all of which are fed by
copious and constant springs. Taken altogether, it is
a long and wide-reaching stream, extending nearly
across the entire width of the county, bending into
sudden loops towards the west until Dawsonville is
reached ; next with equal abruptness it stretches south
with fewer bends, and then straightening out, it emp-
ties into the Potomac River. It passes in most parts
through a country abounding in round-top single hills
and short knobs, although the whole system of swells
belongs to a broad fold of the surface whicli. runs
almost to the Potomac River, and includes two minor
folds, known as Oak Ridge and The Pines. This
higher district is peculiar to the eastern side of the
creek, and is chiefly built into the magnesian rocks,
with thin and lean soils. On the western side, north
of the Little Seneca, the rocks are chiefly talcose
slates of green and red tints, largely invaded by veins
of white quartz, and extensively shattered into joints
inclosing angular fragments. " Between the Little
Seneca and Buck-lodge branch the quartz is more
porous, the pores lined with black oxide of manga-
nese, and occasionally inclosing specular oxide of iron.
In this direction the talcose slate varies in color from
red to grayish and blue, assuming a more decidedly
slaty character, and finally passing into the true clay-
slate. About the region of the Dry Seneca, and
stretching to the mouth of the Seneca proper, the
rocks are red and gray sandstones and shales, whilst
near the mouth of the Monocacy River, and between
it and the Little Monocacy, the sandstone varies in
color from gray to red." This rock also assumes a
difference in texture and composition, ranging from a
fine-grained, uniform sandstone to a gritty and uneven
conglomerate. The creek, including its numerous
windings, has a total length of about twenty-six miles,
ar>d, together with its tributaries, drains an area of
more than one hundred and thirty-six square miles.
At its head-waters the country is wilder, much diver-
sified, and well pervaded with ledges and beds of
broken rocks, but as the creek widens and takes on
its well-settled form the region is more extensively
cleared, farms appear on every hand, and the wood-
lands are more restricted to the tops of the hills and
to the rocky alluvial basins of the stream. After
18
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
crassing the Rookville turnpike it becomes a creek
fully thirty feet wide, runuiiig through a well-defined
trough, extensively bounded by alluvial banks, and
continuing in a slowly widening channel until, near the
splendid aqueduct which crosses it and carries the
water of the canal, it becomes a full stream at least
sixty feet wide, and almost equaling the Monocacy in
its volume of water. The brown soil through which
it passes in its lower division imparts some of its color
to the creek, so that the stream is usually seen to have
a rusty brown tint.
Besides the larger streams already described, a mul-
titude of small branches pour into the Potomac River
from the ravines opening out on that side of the
county, and thus an abundant supply of water is seen
to be secured. But here as elsewhere the injudicious
clearing away of the forests has laid the surface open
to the sun, and the springs which formerly supplied
the rivulets that fed the creeks and rivers have become
dry, and a great volume of water has accordingly
disappeared from the larger streams.
The Monocacy River has several small tributaries
which rise in the slate-lands within the western part
of this county. But the only considerable one of these
is Bennet's Creek. It starts from many sources among
the broad, round, clay-slate hills southwest of Damas-
cus, and bending westwardly, passes behind the Sugar-
Loaf Mountain to empty into the river. Like most
of the other branches which have their sources in the
slates, it bursts forth from cavities in the midst of the
shattered rocks, and pursues its course in deep chan-
nels along narrow ravines, expanding but little in its
course, and finally passing out into the wider stream
through alluvial beds of its own construction.
The resources of Montgomery County are adequate
to the wants of a large and varied population. In-
dustries of nearly all kinds possible to an inland
country can be successfully conducted within its
limits. As already noticed, ample water-powers for
driving mills and machinery are present in nearly all
the larger streams. The Great Falls of the Potomac
pours the heaviest volume of water to be found in the
State. Broad belts of alluvial soil suitable for mea-
dows and fitted for the grazing of stock are present in
the northern and western sections, and the mild cli-
mate, pure water, and fresh air of the higher districts
supply the first requisites for a healthy and thriving
population. Gold, copper, and chrome occur in the
metalliferous range of formations bordering the central
belt of magnesian rocks ; brown sandstones, granites,
etc., for building purposes, abound within easy access
of the canal, and fruit culture can be conducted to an
immense extent.
The native animals of the region have been the
black bear, gray wolf, panther, wild-cat, gray and red
fox, raccoon, opossum, mink, marten, weasel, field hare,
ground-hog, skunk, fox-squirrel, gray squirrel, flying
squirrel, chipmunk or ground squirrel, common mole,
star-nosed mole, shrew, white-footed mouse, jumping
mouse, and several others of this group, the hoary and
two other kinds of bats, the otter and muskrat in the
waters, and the common rat and mouse in the barns
and houses. The wild beasts have been exterminated,
and so have the elk and caribou, but the red deer is
said to be still a casual visitor of the wilder sections
near the Potomac River.
The birds still form a numerous assemblage, rich
in species, attractive in habits and song, and finely
varied in plumage. The famous mocking-bird, with
the brown thrush and meadow-lark, are at home here,
with more than twenty varieties of warblers ; several
kinds of wading birds, and the belted kingfisher, the
blue heron, the white egret, the bittern, lesser heron,
night heron, fly-up-the-creek, and several other kinds
find congenial hunting-grounds along the shores of
the streams. The birds of prey, such as the golden
and bald eagle, the fish-hawk, and a score of hawks
and owls, add to the list, while the various swallows,
martins, swifts, pigeons, doves, and woodpeckers
serve to furnish a catalogue of forms of great diver-
sity and eminent beauty.
The reptiles and fish likewise comprise numerous
species of curious appearance or of value for food.
Among the former, the great snapping-turtle, the
slider, two kinds of mud-terrapins, the musk-turtle,
the land-tortoise, the gray swift, and six-lined skink
may be mentioned as conspicuous and well-known
creatures. Of the worm-shaped reptiles, the dreaded
rattlesnake and the copperhead still occur among the
low rocks in the wilder parts of the back country,
besides which three kinds of water-snakes, four vari-
eties of garter-snakes, the blowing viper, the chain
and milk-snakes, the great horse-runner and common
black snake, the delicate green snake, and a dozen
other species aflFect most parts of the region where
vegetation grows thickly. Of frogs, most of the kinds
common to the Atlantic region occur in moderate
numbers. Thus two forms of toad, two tree-toads,
the bull-frog, leopard frog, woods frog, savannah
cricket, and spring frog are numerous in most of the
low grounds and wet meadows. The Crustacea are
represented by four kinds of crayfish, the fresh-water
shrimp, and a host of sow-bugs, besides the minute
forms peculiar to the streams and ponds.
The insects form an almost countless assemblage of
both noxious and useful forms. Beautiful butterflies
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY".
19
of large size and brilliant colors abound in the fields of
clover, fly swiftly along the edges of the open woods or
settle upon conspicuous flowers standing by the river's
brink. Gay sphinxes protrude their long beaks into
the throats of the tubular flowers, and four kinds of
large silk-worm moths find a home in the forest or
field. Attractive but noxious wood-boring beetles
destroy the hickory, walnut, and oak trunks or limbs;
and the fruit-trees are sometimes attacked by the
^Eycri'a, plumb weevil, apple-moth, or web-weavers,
and measuring caterpillars of many varieties. Of horse-
flies more than a dozen kinds are more or less known ;
mosquitoes aflTect the country along the Potomac
River and larger creeks, and the other flies, many of
them studded with golden and silvery markings, make
a host too great to enumerate. The broad-winged
dragou-flies dash with unapproachable swiftness over
the surface of every pond and creek, and the crimson-
winged Httxrina balances itself over the waters of
Rock Creek and the canal.
The next part of this belt which claims attention
lies in Carroll County. It forms a triangular tract in
the southeastern corner of the county of about ten
miles from northeast to southwest, and of about six
miles from northwest to southeast. On the east it is
bounded by the north branch of the Patapsco River,
and on the south by the west branch of the same
river. It forms a part of the great archjean belt of
rocks which, crossing from Baltimore County, passes
through Howard into Montgomery. Here, however,
it is built into higher uplands, and is characterized by
the prevalence of granitic rocks. These rise in high,
broad domes, reaching to an altitude of more than
four hundred feet above the level of the sea. The
granites and gneiss are exposed in fine sections along
the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad near
Sykesville, standing at high angles in great dark, for-
bidding masses. These form but a few hills between
the serpentine formation on the northeast and the
metalliferous belt on the west. Taken altogether, it
constitutes a wedge of country embracing types of
most of the mineral aggregations belonging to the
oldest formations of the State. Within this small
area may be found copper, soapstone, limestone, white
quartz, and the minerals of the magnesian and chlo-
ritic series, in great abundance. Soapstone has been
excavated in considerable quantities from a large
quarry, and copper has been worked in the Spring-
field and adjoining mines. The limestone valley which
runs in a line continuous with Marriottsville is a valu-
able addition to the resources of the neighborhood in
supplying the lime as a fertilizer where it is much
needed. Crossing the ore-bearing belt, the talcose
and slaty rocks are reached, which characterize the
region in general.
Carroll County, of which the preceding tract forms
but a small corner, is one of the medium-sized but
very productive sections of the State. It possesses
an area of about four hundred and fifty square miles,
and has a form somewhat like that of an anvil with
the point broken off. On the north it is bounded by
Pennsylvania, on the east by Baltimore County, on
the west by Frederick, and on the south by Howard
County. The surface of the country is broken by
hills in ridges and domes, becoming higher towards
Parr's Ridge, and then decreasing in height after the
ridge is crossed. The hills are often very wide and
rather blunt on top, grouped more or less in chains
having a general southwest direction. Broad valleys
lie between these, usually running from the direction
of Pennsylvania, and intersecting smaller valleys and
ravines at frequent intervals. A very large proportion
of the county consists of cleared lands, on which are
located extensive and highly productive farms. Large
barns are to be seen in almost every section, surrounded
by numerous outhouses, and with comparatively small
dwelling-houses placed a few rods away, usually on
some hillside or slight swell of the ground. In the
near vicinity of these large hayricks or numerous
stacks are conspicuous, and in the adjacent fields or
meadows groups of well-kept cattle show the industry
and care of the inhabitants. Grazing farms are es-
pecially numerous near the public roads which inter-
sect the country in every direction, and along the
railroads; and a vast supply of milk, cream, and butter
is continually being transported to Baltimore and other
cities and towns. Ice cream is also one of the manu-
factures of the country near the Western Maryland
Railroad, and promises to become a great source of
income in the near future.
Meadow-lands, derived from the decomposition of
slate rocks, and, to a smaller extent, from limestone,
spread away in broad tracts near the brooks and rivu-
lets which intersect most parts of the county. The
entire region is watered by long streams of medium
width, but whose tributaries are so numerous that
large sections are charged with a network of con-
stantly running pure water. Almost every extensive
farm between Parr's Ridge and the new red sand-
stone has one or more springs, sending forth a steady
stream from a depression in the hillside or from the
head of a ravine. As many of these descend from
altitudes far above the general level of the surface,
they acquire a force which drives them over the rocks
in torrents and small cascades, and affords ample power
for the numerous mills, factories, and tan-yards. Parr's
20
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Ridge divides the county into two sections, the larger
and more irregular one of which lies on its west side,
stretching away to Sam's Creek and the Monocacy
River. Several very wild tracts still remain to point
out the original condition of the country. These are
chiefly on the head-waters of the branches of the Pa-
tapsco River, on the east side of the county, among
the outlying spurs of the ridge, but also in a few
places at the source of Bear Creek and Big Pipe
Creek. Approaching the ridge from that side, a
high backbone of hills appears, which bends into
broad curves and incloses wide, open basins of
alluvial soil, inclosed like amphitheatres. Through
these the various rivulets and brooks pass swiftly
over bottoms but little interrupted by the broken
rocks. But nearer their sources they pass through
the gaps, reach the ledges of dark and hard hydro-
mica schists, and at once begin to contend with the
rugged barriers that would arrest their farther ad-
vance. Here a scene of great attractiveness presents
itself Huge masses of angular rocks rest against the
sides and ends of the broken ridges, while above them
project the remnants of former ledges, sharp and
craggy, disposed at every angle. In the old bed of
the stream stand the great broken pieces which have
fallen from the crest above, and a scattered heap of
fragments of all sizes lies along the depression below.
Trees of numerous varieties, chief of which are the
oaks, maples, birches, and hickories, range in unbroken
lines along the upward slopes, casting deep shadows
over the sunny nooks, and giving shelter to a host of
shrubs, phints, and vines that intertwine and mix in
deep confusion among their piercing branches. On
every sheltered rock the green, gray, and purple lichens
have painted frescoes of marvelous elegance and beauty,
and, crowning all, a dozen forms of ferns have woven
their graceful chaplets of exquisite green over the
crown of each dripping bowlder. Sparkling little
springs sprinkle drops of limpid water upon the
slender grasses and delicate creepers, keeping all moist,
and adding their quota to the brook which aids to
swell the vigorous river. All the streams of water
in this region rise high up the slopes, rush down rocky
channels choked with loose fragments of stone, form
rapids, torrents, and cascades at frequent intervals,
and display unceasing activity in wearing their chan-
nels ever deeper as they descend. During times of
heavy rain they carry down immense quantities of
sediments, in conjunction with the washings from the
hills, and spread them in layers over the flat lowlands.
Thus the bottoms of these basins are rising year by
year, and the best ingredients of the forest humus
and the mineral soil are carried into these natural
meadows, to feed the grasses and wild plants. The
open spaces are covered deeply with the soft soil which
has been poured upon them through untold ages, and
in the dim, far-back past they formed a great chain of
fresh-water lakes, which stretched from beyond the
Pennsylvania boundary away down into Baltimore
County. While these were pent up within their rigid
bounds of earth and stone, broad marshes spread along
the edges of the barrier of archsean mountains on
the southeast that kept back the oceanic waters a few
miles north of Baltimore. Later, the melting of the
great ice mass, reaching through the broad, deep val-
leys farther north, sent such vast floods of water into
the midst of these lakes that an opening was made at
their southern end, through which the waters found
an outlet into the lower levels farther south. Thus
the surface features of this region have been toned
down near to the proportions that appear to-day, the
tops of the ridges have been broken away, and the
summits of the softer spurs washed into the form of
rounded domes.
The region in which Carrollton PostOflice is situ-
ated discloses a scene of uncommon wildness. There
the branches of the Patapsco River pursue their course
in bewildering complexity, bending and turning back
at unexpected intervals, and seeming to be ever in the
way of the traveler. They drain the country acro.ss
a width of more than ten miles, and carry a large vol-
ume of water into the north branch of the river. The
ridges here are narrow and abrupt, everywhere set
with broken rocks, some of the ledges of which stand
like huge piles of ruined masonry on the edges of pre-
cipitous heights. Viewed from a distant hill, these
broken ridges and spurs produce an efiect of grandeur
and variety. They stand in broken series, which
seem to fade into others at lower levels, while those at
the end terminate in spurs, which taper oif and become
lost in the general surface of the flat valleys. Crowned
with trees of every variety of green, they roll away
into the distance like the broken caps of huge waves
in a sea of boundless verdure. Proceeding northward
and westward, valleys of larger size appear in view.
These are usually long depressions between the higher
hills, underlaid by limestone, with deep soil of the
highest fertility, and well supplied with springs and
rivulets in which the water is clear, pure, moderately
hard, and delightfully refreshing to the taste. Baugh-
man's Valley is one well known for the fine farms
and well-kept homes of an industrious and thrifty peo-
ple. All the cereals and crops of the most favored
portions of the adjoining States grow here in excellence
and abundance. Fruit-trees of various kinds grow
with ease, and yield fine crops of the best quality, and
TOPOGKAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
21
the smaller fruits are grown with equal facility.
Grazing is practiced to a large extent, and large
quantities of produce, added to the butter and milk,
are transported from thence to the Baltimore market.
The soil on the hills is derived from the mica-slates
and talcose rocks, which, being decomposed, yield a
light and deep stratum, which readily admits of high
cultivation.
Between Westminster and Union Bridge is the
garden part of the county. Talcose schists form the
higher hills, the country rolls away in broad, flat-
tened domes, and the bottoms and ravines are always
traversed by streams of spring-water. The hills are
to a great extent cleared of woodland, and large farms
spread over uplands which are as carefully tilled as
the meadows below. Limestone ledges project from
the sides of the hills, and yield inexhaustible supplies
of the richest fertilizing lime.
The country between Little and Big Pipe Creeks,
and northwest of the latter, in which Middleburg and
Taneytown are situated, forms a strong contrast to all
the preceding districts. It rests upon and is derived
from the new red sandstone rocks. The latter jut out
in picturesque variety along the banks of the streams
just mentioned, and lie scattered in indescribable con-
fusion down the ravines through which they flow.
Heavy rains and freshets grind these rocks into fine
mud, which marks a trail wherever the floods carry
the waters, and which stains the streams for many
hours after they have subsided.
These sandstones, being soft and easily acted upon
by the atmosphere, have been extensively denuded by
moving water, consequently much rather flat coun-
try occurs where formerly the high domes uplifted
their summits. The hills now generally appear low,
wide, and separated by shallow bottoms. But along
the Little Bear branch and on the upper sections of
the Big Pipe Creek the hills are mixed with talcose
slates, remain much more elevated, and furnish valu-
able water-powers from their more abrupt flanks.
Taneytown occupies the centre of a tract about six
miles square, based upon a red sandstone, somewhat
mixed with slate. The resulting soil is thin, sandy,
and sour, but little valued, and which has commanded
relatively but a low price in the market. Careful
limeing has, however, worked wonders with some of
these depauperated lands, and brought them back to
their original flourishing condition.
Limestone aad Marbles. — These are so valuable,
occur in such vast quantities and in so many places west
of Parr's Ridge that they demand more than a pass-
ing notice in this place. Beginning with the section
a little northwest of Manchester, they continue south-
west towards the Frederick County line, and across it
to a short distance below New Market. At first they
seem to occupy but a narrow belt of country, but
gradually widen, until, near the line of the Western
Maryland Railroad, they stretch over more than one-
half the width of the county. Within this range an
extraordinary number of varieties may be found.
Every color between plain white and black veined
with white occurs. Most of them are stratified, while
a very few are so much contorted as to hide all trace
of their type of deposition. In general they are very
fine-grained, of close texture, strong, durable, and sus-
ceptible of a very high polish. Samples taken from
the exposed surfaces of beds in about fifty localities
have shown what a great treasure Carroll County pos-
sesses in these remarkable deposits. The weathered
superficial parts of the beds form good stones for burn-
ing, and when these are cleared away to a depth of a
few feet, varying according to the situation, new,
clean surfaces of the massive marble are reached, suit-
able for dressing, trimming, and decorating buildings.
On the western outskirts of Westminster large and
deep quarries of limestone have been opened and
worked to great advantage. Here they form the
flanks of prominent hills, and are accessible for twenty-
five or more feet above the level of the ground. These
are much cracked and jointed, and probably do not
yield large slabs or long monoliths, but they are very
prettily veined and variegated with black or . red
through the white body, and take a polish sufiiciently
good for out-of-door work. Some of these have been
used for doorsteps in the city of Baltimore, and they
have proved both acceptable and durable. But it is
chiefly as a fertilizer that these are most highly prized.
Vast quantities have been broken into small blocks
and transported in that form to great distances, or
have been calcined in the kilns near at hand and
shipped in the condition of lime. It is, however, a
few miles farther west that the marbles are found in
their finest and richest development. In the region
around Avondale and in the vicinity of New Wind-
sor the beds of marble seem to vie with each other in
putting on their most splendid dress. Several quar-
ries of wine-red rock, exceedingly close and fine-
grained, capable of a very high polish, marked with
veins or wavy lines of either black or white, resting
on massive layers of great extent, invite the builder
to employ that which in point of beauty and fineness
is one of the most admired of building stones. About
three-quarters of a mile north of Avondale, and in
the same beautiful valley, a quarry of the deep rich
red marble has been opened and excavated below the
surface of the ground. It forms a large and very com-
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
pact bed, of remarkably uniform texture. Blasting
the surface has shattered and cleft much of the ex- |
posed upper part, but from the general appearance and
disposition of the mass it seems capable of yielding
very large monoliths, and might also be worked into
slabs of almost any desired size. This bed seems to
be more uniform in color than most of the others, i
Its ground tint is of the richest wine- red, toning in a |
few points to almost madder purple. It takes an ex-
ceedingly fine polish, and is admirably adapted for |
pedestals, altar bases, mosaic pavements, and for the !
most elegant decorations of churches and palatial resi- j
dances. Another quarry, belonging to this same belt
of rock, and only a few rods distant from the former,
yields a bluish-purple or mauve-purple marble of sim- 1
ilar character and quality. It takes a surface as fine
as glass, and is varied by veins and wavy lines of ,
brown, gray, or black. Large blocks can be easily se- |
cured, and it deserves to be held in high esteem for
the richness and purity of its combinations of color.
From this point to New Windsor many other beds
of marble occur, chiefly of white, streaked, veined, or
spotted with some tint of gray, pink, red, or purple.
But a particularly marked quarry is a large one, ex-
tensively worked for lime, on the property of Mr.
Chew, in the first range of hills south of New Wind-
sor. There the strata dip at a moderately high angle,
spread from three to five feet in thickness, are quite i
long, and run deep into the earth. The upper layers '
are more or less stained with red, in many devices and !
patterns, while the more deeply-colored blocks are I
largely invaded by purple, somewhat mixed with green,
in zigzag and wavy combinations. These fade out
into greenish tints, becoming more blackish as they
descend, until the extreme reached is dark gray, varie-
gated, waved, and dappled with black, accompanied by
some white. The next very prominent quarry occurs
on the farm of Mr. Myers, situated about one mile
south of the former. The stone there is of the same
excellent quality, takes an equally good polish, and
while varj-ing somewhat as to the proportions of red,
purple, and pink, presents some wonderfully beautiful
patterns of color-figures on either a light or tinted
ground. These latter are somewhat noted for the red
pipe-clay which passes through them in belts between
the layers of marble. This is of the kind that was
formerly so much prized by the Indians, and tradition
points to their having resorted to these places for their
supply of the unwrought material.
From New Windsor to Big Pipe Creek the beds of
marble are both numerous and varied. Some of them
are small, and set into the earth rather than protruded
from the hillsides. But they are none the less rich
in stone of fine quality, and of peculiar and curious
patterns of deep colors. So little has been the de-
mand for these in the arts of construction and deco-
ration that they have shared the fate of the coarser
limestones in being broken and burnt for fertilizers.
The farms next to the boundary of Frederick County,
along Big Pipe Creek, are well provided with the finer
marbles of the Tennessee variety. These have com-
monly a mixture of reddish brown, with purple, red,
and white. Two patterns closely resemble the col-
ored Castile soap, the one having the smaller diagonal
spots arranged in loops and bends, while the other has
purplish waves of different shades disposed in belts
and irregular streaks. Some extremely fine, pure
white marbles also occur in this neighborhood, and
this region shares with the adjoining parts of Fred-
erick in these treasures which nature has depo.sited so
bountifully for the use of its inhabitants.
The limestones are properly the coarser and softer
rocks of the marble group, and often invade the ledges
of the more valuable and harder beds, but in general
they occupy the outward limits of the belt, more par-
ticularly on the ea.st, and yield lime of great strength
and permanence as a fertilizer. They are also much
used for plaster and building, giving a good surface in
plastering of rooms, and forming a tough and durable
cement in the construction of brick walls.
Iron Ores. — Every natural division of the State has
its peculiar types of iron ore, which are in general not
to be met with in places outside. Thus the ores of
the mica-slate and talcose belt of Parr's Ridge occur
in quartz veins in the hard rocks. The brown hfema-
tites of the midland belt belong to the earthy series,
and are confined, rather narrowly, to depressions in
the body of the limestone valleys. The carbonates
of iron of the hone series are peculiar to the clays of
the tide-water belt, while the carbonates of the coal-
fields are of the black band and ball type. Dozens
of other kinds occur within the limits of Western
Maryland, but these have not yet proved to be in suf-
ficient quantities nor of the proper quality for com-
mercial purposes. The midland belt possesses im-
mense deposits of brown hsematites and smaller ag-
gregations of specular oxide, and of magnetic oxide.
Brown hfematites abound in Baughman's Valley, and
on the west side of Parr's Ridge from the Pennsyl-
vania line to a point five or more miles south of
Westminster. This form of ore accompanies the
limestone formations, and generally occurs along the
margins of the valleys, near the point of contact of the
former with the talcose slates. It lies bedded in the
brownish or reddish clay soil overlying the lime-
stone. It has attracted a new attention within the
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
23
last few years, aud in consequence the old localities
have been revisited, profitable deposits have been re-
opened, high prices have been realized for neglected
ore-banks, and a wide-spread remunerative industry
has become established in this region. This widely-
known and highly-prized hematite is of the limonite
series, dark brown or blackish where oxydized, often
ochreous when freshly broken, and with a chalky or
earthy aspect when dried. It occurs in nodules,
chunks, and masses, varying from the size of a large
egg to that of a bushel measure. Pieces, and espe-
cially nodules, or shell-like lumps of about the size of
a quarter-of-a-peck measure, are quite common and of
great interest. These are apt to be mixed with the
least portion of earthy or foreign matters, and to yield
about sixty-one per cent, of pure iron. They are
composed of an outer shell of brown iron ore, simple
and clean, more or less rounded, and set all around
inside with sharp-edged loops, with bunches of knobs,
with slender, tapering, tubular stems, or with black-
berry-like lumps arranged in groups. Some of these
are of great beauty from the fine gloss and splendid
iridescence of their rich, deep purples, blues, greens,
and bronze. Frequently they are filled with a series
of chambers of a cavernous pattern, coated with a film
of glossy deep black. This ore is apt to be arranged
in more or less spherical shells, which exhibit a circle
or circles of denser minerals wherever the surface is
broken across. The lumpy masses partake also more
or less of this shelly character, and most of this class
of ores show that their development has proceeded
in somewhat concentric lines. Most of the diggings
thus far pursued have been superficial, very few of
them having penetrated below a depth of from
thirty to forty feet. The ore is extracted. from beds,
seams, or pockets in the limestone, or from spaces in
the talcose slates where the limestone formerly existed.
These ores seem to be inseparably connected with the
limestones. They were originally derived in part
from them, and in some places fade into them by
almost insensible degrees. Persistent search is con-
stantly revealing new localities in which these ores
occur, and wider experience is determining with in-
creased certainty the probability of their presence in
large deposits. Similar localities in Pennsylvania
have displayed practically inexhaustible stores of this
same class of ores, and doubtless some of the beds re-
cently opened in the central parts of Carroll County
will prove equally extensive.
A variety of this iron ore has been raised for several
years past from a deep shaft opposite Avondale, on the
line of the railroad. It has now penetrated to a depth
of over one hundred feet, and seems to be incalculably
productive. It is placed on the side of a limestone
basin, directly next to a high hill of shattered talcose
slate. A stream of water runs through the alluvial
basin which overlies the white and variegated lime-
stone. The ore is rather less nodular than that from
the northern part of Baughman's Valley, and is some-
what lumpy and less coherent than the former. It is,
however, a rich ore, and is shipped from the railroad
station in large quantities. The same kind of ore has
likewise been taken in large quantities from the sec-
tion lying about two and a half miles west of West-
minster, and also near the suburbs of that city. It
contains a certain proportion of manganese, and has
been worked from almost the first settlement of the
region. A brown hajmatite belonging to the same
group has also been found near Brighton, in Mont-
gomery County. The samples thus far exhibited are
rather extensively mixed with a gangue rock which
holds pockets and seams of the ore in close embrace.
It occurs in the metamorphic rocks, and has narrow
wedges and layers of limestone spread through the
mass. The deposits need deeper excavation in order
to prove the value and extent of the metal there
present.
The specular oxide (or red oxide of iron") also is
found within the limits ■ of Carroll County. The
metalliferous range which courses along the east side
of Parr's Ridge is the natural resting-place of this
form of the metal. The heavy talcose schists near
their line of contact with the older archaean rooks
are charged with great seams and beds of quartz. In
these the pockets and veins of this somewhat silvery-
looking oxide occur in great variety and beauty. The
highly-polished surface of the metal, as it branches
and spreads out through the milk-white quartz, presents
a very attractive appearance. Exposure to the atmos-
phere renders it more black and destroys the lustre of
its surface. No very extensive deposits of it have thus
far been reported, although it is quite widely distrib-
uted. It accompanies the copper-bearing veins at
Mineral Hill, it has been broken from quartz near
Sykesville, and is not infrequent in the rocks near
Carrollton Post-OIBce and southeast of Manchester.
It is a difficult and expensive ore to work, because of
the hard matrix in which it is imbedded, and has yet
to be found in larger mas.ses in order to prove a prof-
itable metal here.
The magnetic oxide of iron is a black or black-
gray mineral, often quite massive, and turning to a
black powder when crushed in the mill. It is one of
the richest of our iron ores, and sometimes yields as
much as seventy per cent, of the metal. Much of it
is mixed with the oxides of titanium and of manga-
24
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
nese, whicli lessen its purity and lower its value.
Some varieties are highly magnetic, and hence the
name magnetic is given to such as possess that prop-
erty. It belongs to the copper-bearing series of rocks,
is most extensively mined in the vicinity of Sykes-
ville, and is smelted at the furnace near that place.
The talcose rocks along the eastern side of Parr's
Ridge form its chief resting-place, but it has been
neglected or overlooked in most of the other localities
in this region. It is found in masses or pockets in
the metamorphic rocks, and occurs there also in the
form of grains or octahedral crystals.
Copper has been mined at the Springfield, Florence,
and Mineral Hill veins, and near Finksburg. It has
been at various times actively carried on at all of these
places, as well as at a few others in the neighborhood
of Sykesville, but since the rediscovery and opening
of the vast deposits at Lake Superior operations have
ceased at all of these mines. Other metals, such as
gold, silver, zinc, and lead, have been found in small
quantities in the metalliferous belt of both Carroll and
Montgomery Counties, but not as yet in profitable
quantities. Gold ore has been found near Brighton,
in the latter county, and a gold-mine is now being
worked west of Brookville, about two miles from the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
Frederick County. — The Blue Ridge Belt consists
of Frederick County alone. It forms a tract of country
extending from the Monocacy River and Little Pipe
Creek on the east to the summit line of the South Moun-
tain range on the west. The total area is about seven
hundred square miles. It is about thirty-two miles
in length from north to south, by twenty-five miles
from east to west. In form it is somewhat of an ir-
regular trapezoid, with an uneven triangle taken from
its eastern side next the north. The South Moun-
tain ridge separates it from Washington County,
while the Potomac River forms its southern bound-
ary. Montgomery County touches it along the south-
east, Carroll County stands next to it on the east, and
Pennsylvania on the north. The Catoctin range of
mountains runs through its whole length from north
to south, and forms the dividing line between two
great valleys of great beauty, diversity, and fertility.
That on the west is the Middletown Valley, while the
other on the east is the Frederick, or Monocacy Val-
ley. The former is not a deep trough scooped down
to the base of the mountains, but it is a series of in-
tervening foot-hills, which originally constituted the
minor elevations of the great group of ranges con-
necting the Blue Ridge with the Catoctin. At the
northern extremity these swellings rise to equal alti-
tudes with the primary ranges, and fade into them
by imperceptible degrees. The effect is to build there
one great mountain mass, with three principal ridges
rising only a few hundreds of feet above the inner de-
pressions, but inclosing minor valleys of enchanting
beauty, and throwing off spurs at intervals of from
one to three or more miles.
The valley slopes from the central part of Hauver's
District, widening as it runs towards the south, and
gradually expanding and lowering as it gets nearer to
the swellings of the Catoctin range. It is traversed
throughout two-thirds of its length by Catoctin Creek,
and is plentifully watered in all parts by rapid brooks
and branches originating in springs. An unlimited
supply of the purest mountain water, poured from the
sandstones and slates, is ever present, as well for run-
ning mills and factories as for the direct uses of man
and animals. Farmers are thus enabled to place their
dairies upon streams of perpetual cool water, and
every home is accordingly supplied with an abundance
of well-kept milk, cream, butter, and cheese. The
valley is one of great loveliness, and ranges over a
large tract. It is about thirty miles in length by
nine miles in its greatest breadth. Beginning at the
northern end, it seems to be contracted out of exist-
ence by the spurs of abrupt high ridges which press
into it from the right and left. But as it is followed
towards the south the hills gradually open, become
round-top broad swellings, falling lower at every
grade, until near the Potomac River they rise to
scarcely more than one hundred feet above the allu-
vial lowlands.
The soils are derived from the decomposition of
sandstones next the mountains, or of slates, talcose
schists, quartz, and trap rocks upon the more central
lines. On the north, and in a few places along the
flanks of the South Mountain, decomposing epidote
adds another ingredient to the soil, and contributes to
its fertility. The Catoctin Creek has built for itself a
path of surprising variety, with a tortuous channel
cut out of the hard sandstone and slate rocks. It
rises by half a dozen brooks of great activity, high
up the eastern flank of the South Mountain, in Catoc-
tin and Hauver's Districts. In the midst of untamed
grand scenery, where high peaks rise to an altitude
of more than two thousand feet above the level of the
sea, where the great white sandstone rock-masses have
been split and riven asunder with titanic violence, and
the dark heavy slates have been pitched into craggy
piles of threatening aspect, there the little streams
come creeping out of the clefts in the rocks, and leap-
ing, as freed spirits just escaped from prison, to the
terrace below, dash against the fragments and bowlders
which stand in their way, and force a deep and rugged
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
25
cliannel, ever widening as they run. Their advance
is strangely attractive. Not by one even and contin-
uous line of water do they quietly press along, but
basin by basin, as every new stage is reached, dashing
with impetuous force against broken ledges, leaping
over huge bowlders which have pitched from the
frightful chasm above, creeping between the tangled
branches of broken, fallen trees, then roaring beneath
the overlapping jaws of the precipice farther down,
and then bounding along still lower until the distant
valley is reached. Tributary rills add their quota to
these at every stage, running out of the mossy and
vine-clad banks, from the midst of dense thickets of
graceful shrubs and flowering bushes. Here the
beech grows, with its fresh lichen-painted gray and
white bark, its neighbor being the fringe-fingered
spruce, clad in scaly bark of deep brown, with its
companions, the birch, peeled by the tearing winds,
the chestnut, oak, the maple, and the tulip-tree.
Other branches come rolling into the widening
creek from between the sharp mountain spurs, bend-
ing around their rocky flanks to find a more peaceful
path, and distributing nourishment to the rank under-
growth in the little valleys which they have helped to
cut. The Catoctin riJns over a course of more than
twenty miles from its farthest source, becomes a moder-
ately wide, rapid creek after reaching the base of Mid-
dletown Hill, and thence continues widening and bay-
ing out in the bottoms until finally it enters the
Potomac River through an alluvial basin. Besides
the tributaries of the Catoctin, there are two long
branches, which rise, likewise, in the South Mountain
ridge, flow southeast, and empty into the Potomac.
The longest of these is the Little Catoctin. It is a
narrow but vigorous creek, with a full body of water
running swiftly between the rolling hills, and furnish-
ing power for several flour and saw-mills. That nearer
the mountain is an active little brook which runs
over the bowlders in the ravines of the farms next the
ridge, and conies out bright and clear along the road
running through Knoxville. All of these were origi-
nally the native places of the speckled trout, that found
a congenial home in the little gravelly basins and
deeper trenches in the dark sandstone or slate rocks.
At present the valley is mostly cleared, and belts of
trees rest here and there in rocky places, where the
surface is more abruptly broken, or where the soil is
too full of large surface bowlders to be made readily
available for tillage. The greatest proportion of the
Middletown Valley is covered by large farms in a high
state of cultivation. Wheat, rye, oats, Indian corn,
and forage plants are raised in vast quantities, and
large stores of hay, placed in stacks near immense
barns, indicate the extensive provision made for the
numerous horses and cattle kept by the industrious
inhabitants. Large distilleries have also been settled
in various parts of the valley, and the production of
whisky from the abundant cereals of the region fur-
nishes immense quantities of liquor for exportation.
Grazing is also carried on to a fairly large extent, and
extensive droves of beef-cattle may at all times be seen
in the fields fattening for home consumption, but
chiefly for transportation to Baltimore, Washington,
and other markets. The greater part of the region
is based upon the talcose slates. These are largely
invaded by veins of quartz, some of which are of
enormous thickness, and the surface of the fields in
many places is so full of the fragments of this white
rock as to be a great hindrance to the rapid cultivation
of the soil. Decomposition of the talcose rocks and
the less ready disintegration of the quartz yields a
soil more or less chocolate colored, but light, porous,
easy to till, and well supplied with the natural nourish-
ment of the cereals.
Wells cut into this rock to a depth of thirty feet or
more generally furnish a permanent and abundant
supply of water. This is often rendered a little hard
by the presence of magnesia ; but the taste is sweet,
and no unhealthful influences have been attributed to
its permanent use for drinking.
This is not one of the limestone valleys, such as
these on the other side of the ridge. It belongs to
an older system of rocks, and the only limestone yet
discovered within its limits is a small bed situated at
the western base of the Catoctin range, on the canal,
near the mouth of Catoctin Creek. Viewed from one
of the more central spurs at the entrance to some of
the gaps leading over the South Mountain, the valley
presents a picturesque and highly-attractive scene.
Instead of a monotonous trough with nearly level bed,
curving at the sides directly from the mountains, a
series of bold reliefs appear, varying in proportion
and arrangement as one or other side of the Catoctin
Creek is observed. At the upper end it forms an
acute triangle, and becomes lost in the high spurs
which stand in wavy lines to unite the Blue Ridge
with the Catoctin. Here the forests cover the prin-
cipal part of the higher ridges ; wave after wave of
varying green leads oif the perspective, until the dis-
tant horizon blends into the universal blue of earth
and sky. On the south the beautiful groups of
houses composing Middletown, with its white spires
standing up in the midst, rise out of the hollow and
from behind the hills, like a bird ready to take its
flight. Bolivar, Burkittsville, and a dozen other vil-
lages and little towns nestle between the rolls of sur-
i6
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
face, almost buried in the sea of waving grain, or only
half disclosed among the belts of tall oaks and other
woods which decorate the fields, while still more
southward the broad opening valley spreads its wide
mouth to receive the Potomac, and becomes lost to
view in the spreading channel of the mighty river.
North of this valley, but placed at a much higher
level, the truly mountain-valleys, but of small size,
find a place. The larger and nearer one of these
is Harbaugh's. It is situated to the east of the ex-
tremity of the former, and is separated from it by a
scalloped ridge, or series of knobs, terminating in
spurs. These taper acutely on their inner ends, and
thereby open a passageway for the streams and roads.
It is a diagonal eroded basin, having a northeast by a
southwest direction. Its base is only a few hundred
feet below the summit of the general high levels of
the Catoctin range. It has a length of about seven
miles by a width of one mile. In crossing its lower
end abrupt spurs appear on both sides. These rise in
terrible majesty, loaded with heavy projecting ledges
of gray, greenish, and blackish rocks, threatening to
fall at any moment from the startling precipices into
the road below. The mountains are heavily wooded
with numerous varieties of trees, of which the chest-
nut and oaks predominate. Chestnut-oak is here a
fine, abundant, and conspicuous tree. In the gap of
Owen's Creek, leading up to this beautiful valley, some
of the most romantic scenery in the county is to be
found. The Catoctin Mountain is cleft in a sinuous
line, broken at intervals by the downfall and erosion
of sandstones and slates ; huge masses of cracked and
pointed rocks slant off at every angle, or form beetling
cliffs of enormous size far overhead ; wide, open
spaces, strewn with fragments of rock and bowlders,
appear at frequent intervals, in the midst of which
the busy little creek comes tumbling down from the
terraces above, broken into foam by striking against
the ledges in its way, or pouring in cascades over the
sandstones blocking its path. The limpid water of
the stream shines like molten silver where the sun-
light strikes it in the openings between the trees, and
many a moss-covered bank projects from the terraced
slopes, where the beech-trees lend their graceful
branches to shade the pools in the quiet bayed-out
nooks. In the wider openings a few pines lend var-
iety to the woods, groups of hemlock offer a still
stronger contrast of fringy foliage in the midst of
broad-leaved trees, and the cucumber-magnolia deco-
rates the rich spots on which vines, creepers, and
ferns form luxuriant masses of fresh green.
The purity and coolness of the atmosphere in this
region, combined with the moist exhalations from the
tangled growths along its basins, offer most refreshing
retreats from the heat and dryness of the summer
temperature. A considerable part of the valley and
adjoining slopes is already occupied by farms of prom-
ising fertility, and the deep alluvium of the lower
levels is well watered and rich in elements most im-
portant to the growth of cereals and grasses. On the
very rocky ridges the trees grow far apart in the .soil
which has accumulated in the cracks and cavities, and
from these places the lumbermen and tanners derive
ample supplies of wood and bark. Leaving this re-
gion and passing towards the east, four other small val-
leys, running in the same general direction, occupy
the deep depressions between the spurs of the Catoc-
tin. These are Eylers, Hampton, and two smaller
ones which stretch off for a mile or more in the direc-
tion of Pennsylvania. The two former are the larger,
and are two miles or more in length by about a half-
mile in width. All of them are highly picturesque,
and placed in the midst of startling and romantic
scenery. They occupy the old cracks in the mountain
summits, where the floods and streams of past ages
have widened the gaps and ground the slate, sand-
stone, and epidote rocks into rich alluvial soil. Ac-
cordingly, pockets of rich earth along the sides of the
ridges, kept in place by ledges and fragments of rock,
support copious forests of many kinds of trees, while
the trough below receives the richest supply of plant
food in the transported sands, clays, and humus, and
responds in a vigorous outgrowth of ash, oaks, hick-
ory, maple, tulip-trees, etc., and an endless accom-
paniment of bushes, plants, vines, ferns, mosses, and
lichens. Leaving the valleys of the Catoctin side of
the mountain mass, proceeding towards the west, and
crossing the upper end of the Middletown Valley, the
roads traverse the eastern flank of the Blue Ridge.
Rising by steep grades the summit is reached, in the
midst of farms growing abundant crops of Indian
corn and well supplied with orchards of apples and
other fruits. A few straggling peach-trees have at-
tempted to develop in the corners of the fences, but
at best have only been able to struggle for existence,
and to yield small, unpalatable peaches of uninviting
aspect. A high, broad plateau stretches out before the
eye at this point, and the view is limited by the forest-
covered high knobs, connected with ridges, which
form the horizon. After ascending to the top and
going beyond the flat cultivated lands, the side of the
mountain slopes rather steeply into a lovely, well-tilled
basin, known as Mount Zion Valley. The common
milk-weed grows in astonishing abundance over the
cleared slopes, and showers its silky, plume-like seeds
all over the region reached by the drift of the winds.
i
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
27
A descent of about one hundred and forty feet readies
tlie bed of the valley, in the midst of clover-fields and
fertile meadows. This depression, placed so high in
the great chain of the South Mountain, is about two
and a quarter miles long by three-quarters of a mile
wide. The boundary line separating Frederick from
Washington County passes along the eastern flank of
this valley from north to south, consequently the
depression is all in the latter county, although still
within the limits of the Blue Ridge Belt. Several
fine brooks rise in the bed of the valley, and lend a
delightful moisture to the air while contributing to the
fertility of the soil and stimulating a most varied
growth of valuable timber-trees, such as hickory, oaks,
walnuts, and maples. A deep dark soil fills the moist
woods, where, in the midst of lichen-covered and
fern-set bowlders, a thousand bright flowers, rustic
vines and creepers adorn the varied scenery. Wild
grapevines grow luxuriantly here in the rich depres-
sions, and yield ample supplies of the native grapes.
A great gorge leads out between two high abrupt
spurs, traversed by an active stream of limpid water.
Crossing this stream a few rods farther on, in a south-
ern direction, the mouth of the gorge is passed and
another valley, of character very similar to the last,
is reached. Its bed is, however, rather more flat, and
the bounding ridges are very steep.
On the eastern side of this trough, known as the
Bull-Tail Valley, away up near the summit, stands the
celebrated Raven Rock. It is not black in color, but
derives its name from the ravens which made their
homes upon it when the country was first occupied.
These birds have long since changed their habitations,
and have fled away from the face of man by degrees
farther west, until not one seems left to represent the
species among the ranges of our eastern mountains.
The rock is an immense swelling of jointed white
Potsdam sandstone, projecting from the flank of the
abrupt mountain spur, in the midst of the thin chest-
nut forest. It has been rounded off by the heavy
storms and rains which have driven against its faces
and broken oif the sharp cliffs of its upper corners.
Time has softened the glaring whiteness of the rock,
and gray tints have been added by the fringes of ferns
and the patches of lichens which have settled in every
inequality of its surface. This little valley is scarcely
more than three miles long, by a half-m'ile wide, but
it is full of romantic scenery, shady dells, immense
craggy rocks of white, gray, green, and black, dis-
posed in the wildest confusion, in the greatly varied
forests or woodless gaps. Dogwood and pawpaw are
common growths in the lower parts of the basin, and
laurel abounds in thickets along the watered hillocks.
Coal has been dug from a bed of blackish slate in a
hillside near the northern end of this valley. It
served well for blacksmith's uses, and was reported to
resemble anthracite in its hardness and general ap-
pearance. Unfortunately, only a single deposit has
been discovered, but nowhere else than in the shaly
slate, and this was only excavated in a quite small
bed.
Mountains. — The mountain ranges of the Blue
Ridge Belt deserve especial mention because of the
important influence which they exert upon the ad-
jacent country. Standing up as barriers to the clouds,
they aid in giving direction to the masses of moisture
which form areas of precipitation of rain and snow.
On the western faces they rise in general quite precip-
itously, wliile on the eastern they mount by a series
of gradual slopes of fairly easy ascent. Only in the
most northern divisions are the roads excessively
steep, and there the gaps or chasms between the
spurs and knobs generally open out in a series of ter-
races, forming resting-places at occasional intervals.
Frequently an avenue rises gently along the project-
ing flank of a ridge, leading up to a chasm nearer the
summit, through which it passes to the next stage
above. The highest summits of the South Mountain
range, as it appears in this State, are met with on the
western side, overlooking the Hagerstown Valley.
There at the most northern extremity the well-known
High Rock rises beyond Pen Mar Park to an altitude
of two thousand feet above the level of the sea. The
view from this peak is very extensive, and takes in
a vast range of country, reaching out into the three
States of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. A
charming country lies spread out before the eye from
this point, including the richest regions in the great
valley which crosses the three States before men-
tioned, and takes in to the southward the most varied
and romantic parts of the Shenandoah basin. The
mountain-side is here strewn with huge bowlders and
fragments, the shattered remnants of colossal rocks of
the Alp that once rose far above any point now reached
by the loftiest pinnacle of this region. On this side
of the range, also, two or three high knobs, only a
few miles farther south, rise to altitudes of two thou-
sand two hundred to two thousand three hundred feet
above the level of the sea. Some of these are almost
flat on top, the shattered rocks which formerly rested
there having been carried away by the torrents and
tempests, and the summits thereby worn oflf and lev-
eled. On the outer limits of the chain short spurs
and ridges have been split off" from the ancient mass,
and these form the outliers from which the foot-hills
swell away into the broad valleys. The South Moun-
28
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
tain range, when viewed alone, appears to form an
undulating line of nearly horizontal ridges, sloping
gradually, for a few miles, to be successively more
rounded, and then by more abrupt summits, until the
whole series of swells is lost in the misty blue of the
distance. It is a series of high and very narrow par-
allel folds, which become a single ridge on the south,
and having a general width of less than a mile in
that part of its course. This view is, however, some-
what deceptive, since it presents only that part of the
system which rises above the beds of the high ad-
joining valleys. It forms what appears to be only the
larger western division of a great fan-shaped syn-
clinorium. or series of depressions, of which the Elk
Ridge is the extreme western member and the Sugar-
Loaf group the eastern. Both of these outer divi-
sions are superficially detached from the great central
body of upfolds, but formed of the same rocks, having
•continuity throughout along lines below the surface,
and produced by the same set of continental forces as
those which let down the valleys. The same tre-
mendous agencies have likewise squeezed together the
two great chains on the north, breaking enormous
cracks and chasms along and across their course,
throwing them into curving spurs running nearly east
and west, forcing the underlying older rocks, such as
the epidotes, porphyries, and amygdaloids, to the sur-
face in huge ranges, and twisting the whole series of
strata far out of place. At the southern end of the
South Mountain the ridges rise generally to a height
from eleven to thirteen hundred feet above the level
of the adjoining valley, while farther north several
of the more single knobs reach an altitude of nearly
five hundred feet higher.
The Catoctin forms a less elevated but wider, alter-
nately contracted and expanded ridge, sloping in gen-
eral rather gently along its eastern side, and, as usual,
more abrupt on the western. It is well buttressed by
swelling hills along its whole length, and rises very
slowly from the domes, which roll away and become
lost in the valley of the Monoeacy. It forms a highly
picturesque body of mountains as the upper part of
its course is pursued ; but the lower end, near the
Potomac, is rather monotonously blunt and flat, ex-
cept where relieved at the Point of Rocks by the
r.igged black slate mas^^es which have been torn
asunder by the terrific forces that opened a way
through them for the great river. The high billows
of the range are succeeded at occasional intervals by
sharp ridges and knobs. These rise with some irreg-
ularity from a height of about nine hundred feet
above the level of the sea, until nearly half-way up
the chain, at High Knob, an altitude of fifteen hun-
dred and thirty feet is reached, while two or three
outstanding knobs towards the north are reported to
rise to a height of sixteen hundred to seventeen hun-
dred feet. Probably the highest of these is Round-
Top, which towers in magnificent altitude at a distance
of about three and a half miles southwest of Emmitts-
burg. Eagle Mountain is another single spur, stand-
ing out from the great body of the range, on the right
of the grand gap of Owen's Creek. On the side of
the gap through which the turnpike runs from Fred-
erick to Middletown the Catoctin becomes lowered to
a level of about eight hundred and seventy feet above
tide. At least seven openings between the spurs
make easy entrances for the roads which cross into
the Middletown Valley. These rise through compar-
atively easy grades, are remarkably even and well
kept, and open out broadly wherever the swelling
terraces of the mountain permit. Only in the most
northern division, where the two ranges unite, are the
roads steep and difficult, and even there they are so
wide and excellent as to greatly facilitate the crossing
of such sudden heights. The most conspicuous rock
on the higher surfaces, and which lies broken and
scattered in endless confusion, is the Potsdam, with
its related sandstones. It forms enormous beds above
and in the gaps, and crops out at frequent intervals in
scattering crags and beetling summits. Hard, com-
pact talcose slates, grading into aluminous sandy rocks,
constitute the body of the mountain, while its central
core and inner base is found to be filled up with the
metamorphosed slaty porphyries, epidote, amygdaloids,
and quartz. These hard, almost volcanic rocks have
been so distorted and torn by the expansive power of
heat that their broken and disjointed fragments are
spread around in all directions, and in part may be
found in masses lying all along the flank of the higher
levels. At intervals of every few miles, and occasion-
ally near the gaps, spurs and knobs stand ofl", as if
monster sentinels to guard the approaches to the peace-
ful valleys below. These aflFord a wide view of the
lowlands beyond, each having its own peculiar pano-
rama, and no two presenting precisely similar features.
At the southern extremity the Potomac basin and
Sugar-Loaf Mountain bound the distance ; viewed
from nearer the middle of the range, the broad valley
and its many villages and towns, besides the pictur-
esque city of Frederick, form the central group,
while the Linganore hills, the winding Monoeacy,
and Parr's Ridge fill out the picture ; likewise towards
the north an almost interminable collection of short
ridges, hills, belts of forest, villages, and hamlets,
half concealing the network of slender streams, creeps
away into the red sandstone and gray slates on the
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
29
horizon. The lovely valley of the Monocacy lies in
full view from several of the high central prominences.
In the spring and early summer it is a country full of
beauty and bloom. Rich soils, more varied than can
be found in any other equal area within the State,
yielding abundant crops of all the cereals, fruits, and
products of the farm, luxuriant meadows, and exten-
sive dairies characterize the whole of this favored
region.
In addition to these, a healthful climate, an exhil-
arating atmosphere, and a permanent supply of pure
water in springs and streams renders the region best
calculated to support a large, healthy, and thriving
population. The valley is not a simple depression
between two ranges of heights, but is a broad, water-
worn basin, flat and rolling by turns, less elevated than
its counterpart on the other side of the mountains.
Swells of highlands and a few ridges push into it from
the Catoctin, and high billows range along the eastern
side of the Monocacy until they meet the higher up-
lift of the Sugar-Loaf It constitutes an area having
a width of ten to fifteen miles, and a length of about
thirty miles, the lowest level being in the bed of the
river, at an altitude of about two hundred and eighty
feet above tide. The general average of the surface
may be computed to be about four hundred feet above
the sea, with a gentle downward slope from the north
towards the south, and with a more decided pitch from
the sides towards the middle line. This causes the
drainage of the whole country to descend into the
river, which in its turn empties into the Potomac.
The Monocacy is the principal stream in the region.
It is a small but long river, not more than a creek in
the upper part of the county, but which becomes more
than one hundred feet wide in the part near its mouth.
It is a moderately sluggish stream in its lower divi-
sions, but rapid and full near its sources. In the
great springs near Gettysburg, Pa., are its principal
heads, and from thence it bends among the rocks and
hills in perpetual windings, until it finally has cut a
more decided channel out of the red sandstones of
Frederick County. After entering fully into that
system of rocks, it spreads out in frequent alluvial
basins, into which it has poured the sediments appro-
priated throughout its upper course. After receiving
the waters of Double Pipe Creek it becomes much
wider, and passes through a wide channel, bordered by
thick bushes, scattered trees, and thickets of green-
brier. It receives a greater number of tributaries
than any of the smaller rivers of Maryland, and thus
contributes an endless supply of moisture to the whole
valley through which it runs. Some of these creeks
are of large size and drain wide areas of country.
3
The principal ones on the east are Piney, Little and
Big Pipe, Israel's, Linganore, and Rennet's ; and on
the west Tom's, Owen's, Hunting, Fishing, Big and
Little Tuscarora, Carroll's, and Ballenger's Creeks.
Those of the latter division are chiefly rapid mountain
streams of great beauty and clearness. Most of the
northeasterly tributaries pass through the new red
sandstone soils, and carry down large quantities of red
sediment, which discolors their waters and stains the
country through which they flow. In the northern
part of the valley the red sandstone stretches across
its whole width, and on the east passes over into Car-
roll County. But after reaching the vicinity of Fred-
erick City it lies to the westward, becomes narrowed
to a width of about two miles, and finally thins out as
the Point of Rocks is approached. One of the prin-
cipal factors in producing the fertility and capabilities
of this charming valley is the boundless store of lime-
stone which rests beneath so much of its surface. On
the west side of the Monocacy a strip of blue, with
some white limestone begins near the Potomac River
(having a general breadth of two miles), and runs
north by a little east several miles, crossing the Mon-
ocacy at the mouth of Israel's Creek, and tapering to a
point in the vicinity of Woodsboro'. Besides this, the
beautiful breccia, or calico-marble, starts at Mechan-
icstown, in the midst of the red sandstone, runs south
for more than three miles, disappears, then reappears
in a new guise southwest of Frederick City, and
spreads out in a broad area reaching to the banks of
the Potomac River. In this southern end of the
valley it has become more silioious, includes larger
fragments of coarser rocks, and is not so homogeneous
in texture, and not always having the pebbles so firmly
cemented together as in that from the upper end.
East of the river Frederick County shares with Car-
roll in the beds of fine marble which pass southwest
across Sam's Creek to the vicinity of Union Bridge.
These form quarries of all possible dimensions, are
abundantly supplied with marbles which take a fine
polish, and which can be taken out in monoljths of
large dimensions. Only a few of them have been
opened deep and far enough to show their capabilities,
but such as have had enough of the surface mass re-
moved show bodies of generally solid, broad, and long
blocks in even strata. These are often of marvel-
ously beautiful colors and combinations of patterns.
Bright reds occur almost plain, and often veined or
variegated with black, brown, and white.
Salmon-colored or orange-yellow marbles also occur
of similar patterns, likewise the varieties commonly
known as Tennessee and Vermont marbles, and others,
such as the clear black veined with white, lead color
30
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
or mauve traced with black, and mottled, spotted, and ,
waved with brown, purple, liver-color, etc. Besides
these, there is a pure white statuary marble of fine
grain, massive and free from grit. Near Emmitts-
burg a green variety, resembling verd-antique, occurs in
large quantities ; while in and below Mechanicstown a
bewildering range of varieties of breccia, composed of
deep and clear-colored fragments of purple, yellow,
drab, brown, white, etc., and of all sizes, are easily ob-
tainable. These can be selected in pieces of almost
any useful size, and the supply seems to be practically
inexhaustible.
For many years these choice marbles have been
broken to fragments for burning in the lime-kilns.
Fashion has not yet called them into her celestial
train amidst the favored beauties of the decorative arts.
Builders send abroad for the blocks and slabs which
are to adorn palatial mansions, while these elegant ob-
jects, so cheap and easily obtained, are made to do the
service of coarse limestones in supplying nourishment
to the soil.
Iron, Copper, and Other Metals. — Iron ore is
found in large quantities in many parts of the valley.
It is chiefly some form of brown hsematite or limonite
which overlies the limestone and is imbedded in the
clay or in the ochreous soil. About three miles south
of Mechanicstown, near the foot of the Catoctin
Mountain, the fibrous and chambered variety occurs
in beds and deposits of vast extent. This has been
dug and smelted for a period of more than eighty
years, and still sustains a good reputation for quality
and for tractability in the furnace. The crude much
resembles that found in the limestone regions of Wash-
ington County. It has the same flaky layers, twisted
and rolled back in every direction, and a purplish
tinge to the fracture of the more solid parts. A
rusty powder rests between the layers or fills the
cavities of the cellular portion. It is also accompa-
nied in the beds by nodules of phosphate of iron
associated with brown ochre. In this region particu-
larly the ore is characterized by being mixed with an
appreciable amount of the carbonate of zinc, which
melts when the metal is being fused, and forms a coat-
ing on the inside of the furnace. This makes an
available form of the oxide of zinc, but it becomes a
serious obstacle in the manufacture of the iron unless
removed from the walls of the stack. The close
proximity of limestone for the flux, and of large
bodies of wood for the charcoal, make this deposit of
ore immediately available for smelting. A similar
deposit of brown hasmalite is found under almost
equally propitious circumstances near the base of the
same ridge of mountains, not far from the Point of '
Rocks. The primitive forests no longer remain, but
ample supplies of the ore might still be obtained from
the same set of beds. Much of this latter is of the
variety known as " pipe ore," the cavities of which are
more or less occupied by the earthy phosphate of iron.
A very compact and rich brown hematite is found in
quantities near the Monocacy, about four miles north-
east of Frederick City. It has a more metallic aspect
than those previously mentioned, is very heavy and
dense, and often incloses small crystals of opaque white
quartz.
Specular oxide of iron also occurs east of the Mon-
ocacy River, in the metalliferous belt passing through
the country from jMiddleburg, in Carroll County, to
New Market. Very rich specimens of this beautiful
ore have been extracted from pockets in the talcose
slates in the neighborhood of Liberty and New Lon-
don. These have not yet, however, been fully opened,
nor sufficiently laid bare to determine the amount of
ore possibly present. The absence of large tracts of
woodland from this section seems to prevent iron
manufacturers from erecting furnaces on the spot,
and a lack of active local interest hinders the develop-
ing of the mines, and so no attempt is made to trans-
port the ore to localities favorable for smelting. A
similar specular oxide has likewise been found along
the summit of the Catoctin ridge. These ores are rich
in iron, and would form important additions to the re-
sources of the county if they were shown to be present
in large quantities. The magnetic oxides of iron
have also been found in the copper-bearing belt which
passes to the south of New Market. These also occur
in pockets or masses in the talcose and slaty rocks, and
in the joints of the limestone. Some of the varieties
are very rich in metal, and might prove very profit-
able if discovered in large quantities. Copper is very
widely distributed through the quartz and next the
limestone beds in the talcose slates and new red sand-
stone formations east of the Monocacy and south of
Little Pipe Creek. It sometimes accompanies the
magnetic oxide of iron which enters with steatite
into the masses of mica-slate. The silicates and car-
bonates of copper are found near Middleburg, New
London, Liberty, etc., and between the two branches
of Pipe Creek. But the most promising region for
this metal is that drained by the Linganore Creek.
The principal rock there is the talcose slate, em-
bracing numerous detached beds and ledges of lime-
stone set into the strata. The latter are always asso-
ciated with the ore, and wherever they are found
stains of copper appear on their surface or in the
cracks. Good ore generally has a position between
these two kinds of rocks, but is commonly most abun-
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
31
dant near the outer limits of the limestone. Rich
ores have been extracted from the Dolohyde mine,
near Liberty, and at other points in this vicinity,
also near New London, in the same formation. The
oldest of these workings was begun as early as the
time of the Revolution, and has been continued at
intervals ever since. A lack of minute information
with regard to the relations and form of the masses
or pockets has proved an obstacle in the successful
development of these mines. New and particular ex-
periences with this class of deposits will alone deter-
mine how far these formations will prove profitable,
and to what extent the metal can be worked. Cop-
per exists also in the older rocks of the Catoctin sum-
mit. Pieces of the native ore have been picked up in
Harbaugh's Valley, one of which weighed fourteen
pounds. It is not to the native metal, however, that
attention need be called, since it is quite improbable
that deposits of it can be found in the class of rocks
prevailing in this part of the country. More reliance
may be placed upon the indications of sulphurets and
carbonates of copper, which here may prove to be
stored away in the central division of the mountain
chain.
Sulphuret of lead, or galena, has been detected in
the limestone region near Unionville; but only small
pieces have thus far been secured. It occurs, also, in
the Dolohyde copper-mine in small quantities. Oxide
of zinc is found associated with the brown haematites
of the Catoctin region, and it is obtained in large
quantities as a furnace product from the Catoctin
Iron- Works.
Gold and silver have been detected as minute
particles in some of the older slates and metamorphic
rocks, both of the metalliferous belt and mountain
range. The structure of these regions, however,
renders it very unlikely that either of these metals
will be found there in profitable amounts.
Roofing slates of good quality are present in several
localities within the talcose schist region on the eastern
side of the county. Among the Linganore hills
several quarries of chiefly local interest have been
opened, but near Ijamsville, directly on the line of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, large beds of even
texture and dark-blue color have been worked for
many years. These produce excellent thin plates of
good quality, which improve in size and firmness as
the beds are worked to greater depths. Slates of an
entirely different character occur both in the Catoctin
and Blue Ridge Mountains, next the roads leading
towards Hagerstown. These are tough and very
strong, easily and naturally split into slabs of four
inches or more in thickness, may be obtained in
pieces of the largest size, and are of a nature particu-
larly well fitted for pavements, caps of walls, sills, and
for the outside of buildings generally.
A remarkable feature of the county, and one of its
most curious monuments, appears in its southeastern
corner, near the Monocacy River. At that point
representative rocks of three great geological periods
centre, and a great fold of the surface has built an
isolated group of mountains. These are merely the
lateral outliers of the great upthrust produced by the
contracting force which raised the Catoctin and Blue
Kidge. But here it has assumed a mere local eleva-
tion, and constitutes a triple-crested mountain, with a
short ridge flanking it on the west. The summit
called distinctively Sugar-Loaf is the most south-
westerly, the intermediate one is called Round Top,
and that at the other end, or northeasterly, is Mount
Airy. About three-quarters of a mile to the west
stands the nearly straight hog-back called Green
Ridge, while beyond its northern end may be seen
three minor single knobs of much less altitude. This
section forms the place of junction of the primordial
series with the new red sandstone and rocks of the
Azoic formation, the former being represented by
the Potsdam sandstone, constituting the uppermost
layers of rocks and overlapping the talcose slates,
while the brown sandstone fills the intervening
valley, and conceals the ends of the great layers of
white sandstone. The grand Sugar-Loaf rises in
magnificent prominence to a height of thirteen hun-
dred and seventy feet above the level of the sea, and
gives a commanding view of all the country lying
east and south to nearly as far as Washington. It is
most appropriately named Sugar-Loaf, since it is built
from base to summit of the plain white sandstone,
which glistens with crystalline brightness in the sun-
shine.
The white rock is set together in vast walls of im-
mense thickness, forming a curved front bristling with
crags and rugged butttesses, like the torn flank of a
huge fortress. On top great piles of the rock stand
detached from the main mass, and project in frightful
crags over the abyss beneath. In spite of the solid
masonry which forms the whole body of the peak, it
is covered everywhere, even upon the summit, with
a growth of trees, which in the distance lends a rich
contrast to the white rocks and spots of brown soil.
Green Ridge is likewise well named, for it is a ver-
dant billow, standing with refreshing brightness in
bold relief beside the dark soils and light stream of
the Blonocacy. On the southwest side of the group
colored sandstones and silicious conglomerates form
large beds, and offer beautiful building-stones, which
32
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
would make superb substitutes for the much-used
Scotch granites.
Fauna and Flora. — Great diversity obtains in the
natural productions of the Blue Ridge Belt. Every-
where it has at some time supported a varied popula-
tion of great beasts, of the smaller animals and birds,
and of the unnumbered host of creeping things, while
a rich and abundant representation of the floral tribes
has added grace and beauty to the picturesque land-
scape. The great American elephant at one time
roamed over the fertile valleys, while the elk, caribou,
and red deer grazed in the open areas of the forests.
Besides those, the bear, panther, wild-cat, gray wolf,
two kinds of foxes, raccoon, opossum, ground-hog, and
most of the small animals now common to the eastern
side of the United States found a home in one or the
other parts of this varied region. The beaver espe-
cially was formerly abundant here, and built dams
across the creeks and river. Unhappily, with the in-
crease of population new demands for cleared lands
drove away many of the interesting animals, such as
the beaver and elk, and the cupidity of thoughtless
men caused the extermination of all the animals most
valued in the chase. Of the birds, a vast assemblage
once tenanted the lands where now only a few scores
can be met with in the longest trip. The wild pigeon
still returns in diminished numbers to the vicinity of
its former " roosts," but the great birds have chiefly
been destroyed, together with the raven, the Carolina
parrot, the large white heron, the fish-hawk, and a
large company of the sweet warblers and bright-feath-
ered songsters of smaller size, but of inestimable value
and gratification. Butterflies and brilliant insects
abound, the injurious as well as the useful. But the
removal of the forests has opened the way for a thou-
sand crawling enemies to agriculture, while the
thoughtless impulses of the population have destroyed
numerous species useful and ornamental.
Flora has been lavish in the beauty and variety of her
gifts, but the loose rich humus resting in the shadows
of the heavy old forest has been swept away, and with
it the primitive fairies which charmed the senses on
the mountain-side and in the open valley. In their
stead, however, still remain a remnant of the azaleas,
magnolias, kalmias, orchids, asters, and sunflowers, in
company with the blossoming thorns, viburnums, spi-
raeas, dogwoods, and other showy bushes. Judicious
planting of trees year by year will bring back some of
these lost beauties, but will do even more in retaining
and supporting the moisture so much needed to keep
the little streams, and through them the creeks, in
their former more active condition as sewers of the
country.
Coal, — Indications of the presence of coal have
been met with in various parts of the new red sand-
stone formation in the valley of the Monocacy. But
the chief localities which have given promise of de-
posits of this important fuel have been in the ridge of
hills at the foot of the Catoctin Mountain, sometimes
described as the red hills. This is at the head-waters
of the Tuscarora Creek, runs oiF in a southeast direc-
tion, and constitutes the Chapel Ridge. It is formed
chiefly of the breccia, or calico-marble, associated with
shale of the reddish- brown sandstone, penetrated more
or less by broken blocks of the blackish hornblendie
trap. The region extends to near the Point of Rocks,
where it blends with the talcose slates and becomes
lost. Specimens of anthracite coal have been exhib-
ited which were reported to have been taken from
some outcrops of blackish shale in these hills. Great
doubt has, however, been thrown upon the authentic-
ity of these deposits by the attempts of unscrupulous
persons to pass ofi' unquestionable specimens of foreign
coal as the products of this section. Carbonaceous
shales do undoubtedly occur at the Yellow Springs,
six miles northwest of Frederick City, between the
branches of Big and Little Tuscarora Creek, but these
do not belong to the true coal-bearing series of rocks.
The breccia and blue limestone, associated with mica-
ceous sandstone, inclose a bituminous shale, which is
charged with impressions and remains of carbonized
plants, including thin seams of apparently real anthra-
cite coal. This shale sometimes outcrops at the sur-
face of the ground, and elsewhere seems to be envel-
oped by the limestone and micaceous sandstone. The
ledges of breccia form extensive outcrops on the more
elevated places, and inclose a band of blue bituminous
limestone. The general direction of this formation
concurs with that of the adjoining mountain, and the
strata dip in a northerly direction at an inclination of
about forty-five degrees. It has been traced through-
out a length of three miles, and proved to have a width
of about one mile. Excavations have been made in it
to a depth of twenty feet, and the adjoining gray sand-
stone has been penetrated about forty feet. Horizontal
drifts have been run through various distances to the
belts of coal, but the thickest reached has not exceeded
two inches. Fuel of such a nature being so very
valuable in the vicinity of a large city might naturally
attract the attention of capitalists, but a very thorough
examination has shown that these beds do not belong
to the carboniferous, or true coal formation, and that
accordingly no large important deposits of this min-
eral need be expected in this region. The specimens
examined from other parts of the new red sandstone
belt have been fragments of calamites or other plants.
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
33
having the black color and somewhat the appearance
of coal, but possesising none of its most valuable
properties.
Washington County, and the Great Valley. —
This couuty is proportionally the longest and narrowest
in the State. It extends from the summit line of the
South Mountain chain to the western base of Sideling
Hill ; the creek of that name separating it from Alle-
gany County. It stretches from east to west over a
distance of forty-four miles, and its greatest length
from north to south is about twenty-eight miles. Penn-
sylvania bounds it on the north, and the Potomac
River separates it from Virginia on the south. Its
general outline suggests the shape of a boot, the heel
being at the bend of the South Mountain near its
northern extremity, the toe at the Potomac River next
to Elk Ridge, and the top of the leg at Sideling Hill.
The entire area of the county is about four hundred
and sixty-three square miles, of which more than three-
fourths are included in the Hagerstown Valley. At
Hancock the county is contracted to a width of about
one mile and a quarter by the great bend in the
Potomac River.
The county may be properly divided into two natu-
ral sections, of which the smaller and most western
belongs to the Appalachian Belt, while the eastern
and larger, forming one of the grand divisions closely
connected with the Blue Ridge Belt, is the Great
Valley.
The Great Valley. — This great feature of the cen-
tral mountain .system forms the most important part of
the territory of Washington County. It is a broad de-
pression lying between the SouthMountain range on the
east and the North Mountain on the west. Its breadth
between these two ridges is from twenty to twenty-
three miles, while its length from north to south is about
twenty-eight miles. That part of it within these limits
is known as the Hagerstown, or Antietam Valley. No
natural boundary separates this from its northern ex-
tension, called the Cumberland Valley, in Pennsyl-
vania, but on the south it is detached from the Shen-
andoah Valley by the basin of the Potomac River.
No depression of the surface of equal magnitude,
beauty, and fertility exists on the eastern side of the
United States. It forms also the principal valley
within the State of Maryland, and yields to none in
productiveness of the soil and in the grandeur and
variety of its scenery. It is not a simple trough cir-
cumscribed by two great elevations of surface, but
minor waves of uplift traverse it in various parts,
running mainly from north to south. Nor is it a
single hydrographic basin, for the Antietam River
runs through its principal depression on the east, and
the Conococheague River drains the section on the
west. On the northern end the eastern division is set
with high swells of surface, some of which rise into
spurs running parallel to the main body of the South
Mountain. The general level of the valley is prob-
ably somewhat more than five hundred feet above the
level of the sea, and in the more northern parts rises
to about seven hundred feet, while its southern ex-
tremity, near the Potomac River, slopes down to about
two hundred and seventy-five feet.
On the west the Conococheague River winds in
great loops through a somewhat less elevated basin,
but where the country rises into an abrupt ridge along
the belts of slate rocks. Almost the whole valley is
spread with large farms of unsurpassed fertility.
Being so generally underlaid by limestone, the soil is
particularly well adapted to raising cereals and grasses,
and accordingly it produces the largest crops of wheat
and other grain to be met with in the State.
The limestone is chiefly of the strong, compact,
dark-blue variety, invaded by seams and veins of
white; but in certain sections,. as between Sharpsburg
and Boonsborough, drab, yellowish-red, pale blue, and
white occur in large beds. Many of the varieties
from this section are very fine and massive, they take
a fine polish, and can be taken out in monoliths of
almost any required dimension. Between Keedys-
ville and Boonsboro' a very hard, dense, bluish,
wavy limestone forms a belt about five hundred feet
wide, running from northwest towards the southeast,
which may be removed in large slabs, and is highly
esteemed for pavements and for buildings. It is
called knuttle, is easily wrought, and proves to be
an attractive and most enduring building-rock. In
the neighborhood of Keedysville many varieties of
stone suitable for industrial purposes are quarried.
About one-half mile south of this place a species of
fine-grained calcareous rock, white or yellowish in
color, marked with wavy lines and zigzag streaks of
brown or black, is extensively quarried, sawed into
blocks, and dressed. It is a most novel variety, is
easily worked, takes a good surface, and may be taken
out in thick slabs of immense size. The ledges, an-
gular hills, and masses of limestone rock, particularly
in this part of the valley, are so striking as to arrest
the attention, and give a highly picturesque effect to
the landscape. A white, coarse-grained, distinctly
crystalline limestone also occurs in this vicinity. It
is really a hard marble, and is said to take a good
polish. South of Boonsboro' a fine variety of this
white marble abounds, which is remarkably free from
impurities and foreign elements. It equals the Tus-
can statuary marble in purity of color and evenness
34
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
of texture, while it takes a fine polish, and readily
admits the chisel of the sculptor. As these latter
rocks have not yet been sufficiently developed, it will
be necessary to penetrate deeper into their mass to
reach the large blocks best adapted for fine monu-
ments and sculpture. The auroral blue limestone,
which forms the underlying bed of nearlj' the whole
valley, the chief exceptions being the slates of the
Conococheague belt and of the base of the Elk Ridge
and South Mountain, belongs to the most extensive
formation of this rock in North America.
Caves and Caverns. — A great variety of curious
cavities occurs in this limestone, which lines the basin
of the Great Valley. This is of the same kind of rock
as that in which the Mammoth Cave, the Luray
caverns, and all the celebrated caves of the Eastern
United States occur. No correct idea can yet be
formed of the number and extent of the cavernous
spaces which lie concealed in the almost fathomless
rock which underlies this valley. Sink-holes and
openings in the surface of many farms, and particu-
larly in the neighborhood of Williamsport and Hagers-
town, attest the presence of a former deep underground
drainage ; and even now small streams of water are
said to disappear beneath the surface and become lost
to further observation. In the vicinity of Keedysville
the yellowish calcareous rocks are cavernous, and cav-
ities of a few feet in diameter are frequently discov-
ered. These have usually been excavated by currents
of spring and rain-water, carrying a certain amount of
carbonic or other acids in solution, and softening and
transporting the materials of the rock into which they
find an entrance.
The most considerable and well-known caves at
present accessible in this valley are those at Cave-
town, on the Western Maryland Railroad, about
seven miles east of Hagerstown. They are situated
in a ridge, along the flank of which the railroad runs,
the summit of which rises more than eighty feet
above the track. The limestone composing the hill
is of two kinds. The upper, or sandy strata, called
" rocklime" by the quarrymen, mixed with silicious
and other impurities, is from five to fifteen feet in
thickness; the lower and bed-rock of the country is
the well-known blackish-blue compact limestone, so
rich in lime, which is the most highly-prized fertil-
izer to be found in Washington County.
The entrance to the larger, or Bishop's, cave is a
hole formed by the falling in of the wall of rock,
leaving an aperture ninety-two feet wide and eight
feet high. It is entered at a point about twenty-five
feet above the level of the railroad, and is nearly one
hundred feet west of Cavetown Station. A great deal
of debris has fallen into the mouth of the cave, occu-
pying an area of at least one hundred feet wide by
thirty feet long and thirty deep. The first cavern en-
tered forms a large hall, fairly well illuminated by
daylight, sloping inward about twenty feet to a nearly
level floor. It is almost circular, has a diameter from
north to south of two hundred feet, a length of two
hundred feet from east to west, and a height varying
from thirty-five to forty-five feet. Formerly the walls,
ceiling, and floor were studded with an endless variety
of stalactites and stalagmites of almost every pattern
and peculiarity. Unfortunately, the easy access to
this cave made it ever open to the vandalism of curi-
osity-seekers, and accordingly it has been rifled of all
the smaller-sized specimens which once belonged to
it. Possibly by the planting of trees upon the hill,
and by the consequent return of dripping moisture,
it may be once more restored to its pristine beauty
and splendor. Fortunately, two objects of interest
still remain. The principal one of these is in the
southwest corner of this first hall. It consists of a
series of Venus' baths, arranged in terraces, rising to
a height of about twenty-five feet next the wall, and
covering an area of more than nine hundred square
feet. The larger basins composing the group are
placed above and behind , they are in the form of oval
rosettes, with a raised rim about one foot high form-
ing the borders, and the cavities in them about six to
nine inches deep, filled with limpid water. The
smaller ones gradually extend forward from these at
lower levels, and become shallower as they advance
stage by stage.
They are also scalloped, and taken together form a
piece of fountain-work only excelled by the great
basins of similar shape which adorn the valley of the
Yellowstone, in the United States National Park. In
this cave, however, these baths have been made by the
deposit of layers and rims of calcareous matter, while
in the latter the material deposited is partly silicious.
This group of basins is now badly disfigured by dirt
and mud-stains, which hide its chief beauties, but it
is capable of being made as clear and pure as it was
originally. The other object is a large stalagmite,
cylindrical, somewhat tapering, standing erect, and
being about six feet in diameter and ten feet in height.
It stands on the right, beyond the middle of the hall, a
solitary column, the sad and silent witness of the ravages
of the past. Going to the end of this first chamber, a
bole is reached, about four by seven feet in diameter,
leading into an uneven cavern, varying in width from
ten to forty feet, with a rising floor, the summit of which
contracts the cavity at a point two hundred feet from
its entrance, and forms a narrow passage with a down-
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
35
ward slope into the next room beyond." The floor of
this third cavern is somewhat scooped out, but has a
general downward slope towards the rear or western
end. The roof at this point descends, slopes nearly
concurrently with the floor, and thus produces a nar-
rower passage, which leads down to a cavern with a low
ceiling. This latter is situated about three hundred
and twenty-one feet from the mouth of the cave, and
is mostly occupied by a pond of clear and motionless
water.
Apparently this water occupies the whole basin of
this inner chamber ; it has no visible outlet, and the
rocks of the ceiling descend to within a very few feet
of its surface. Its bed slopes downward very rapidly
at an angle of scarcely less than 45°, so that it ap-
pears to be very deep at only a few feet from its first
accessible margin. The temperature of the water was
55°, while that of the air in the first hall was 59°,
and that outside of the cave 84°. In the second
chamber, and on its north side, is a hole leading to a
cavern a few feet distant, which runs parallel to the
large cave. This is a long, narrow chamber, which
descends and terminates at each end, like the bag of
a purse. It is one hundred and fifty feet long, about
thirty feet high, and from ten to fifteen feet wide.
Here, as in the larger one, the walls and floor have
been denuded of all their objects of interest, and now
only the stumps and vestiges of stalactites and stalag-
mites remain to indicate their former presence.
Close by this scene of wreck and ruin one almost
unmolested cavern still remains to attest the beauties
of these wonders of nature. It is entered from above
at a point above three hundred and fifty feet south of
Bishop's Cave, and is entirely disconnected from the
latter. The opening into it has been artificially en-
larged, and a series of steps broken into the limestone
to render the descent into it less diSicult. Upon enter-
ing, it is seen to be an enlarged horizontal crack in
the rock, about two hundred and forty feet in length,
but contracting so rapidly at intervals that a person
can hardly squeeze through into the open spaces be-
yond.
Although small, it is a perfect gallery of splendid
objects. In every direction the eye rests on beautiful
and bright forms of crystalline groups, which only re-
quire adequate illumination to bring them out in in-
describable brilliance. This gem-studded chamber
might well be styled the Crystal Grotto, for it is lit-
erally a cabinet of crystals of almost endless variety
and great expressiveness.
The fauna and flora of the caves are very limited.
In the first chamber of Bishop's Cave the common
striped squirrel, Taniias striatus, runs about in the
area reached by the light, and here, too, may be found
a few of the insects which belong to the limestone
region outside. But in the dark chambers the hoary
bat, Lasiurus cinereas, is the only animal occupant ;
while in the damp humus a few insects of the Th^-
sanuran, or springtail group are found in the vicinity
of a meagre growth of minute lichens. No living ob-
jects have yet been found in the waters of these cav-
erns, and they appear to be destitute of the wingless
crickets and various blind insects which occur in the
Mammoth and other caves.
Water-courses. — -The valley is well supplied with
brooks and rivulets running from springs or bursting
from fountains in the rocky hillsides. The latter are
remarkable for the large and strong volume of water
formed so near their sources. To this circumstance
the inhabitants are indebted for the superior water-
powers which drive their mills so near the heads of
the streams. As the porous nature of parts of the
limestone rocks forming the hills allows the formation
of large cavities, the underground drainage is caught
and .stored in places above the general level of the
region, and these pour a perpetual outflow through
the avenues worn along the old cracks, until an outlet
is reached in some ravine or depression at the point
of least resistance.
The xintietam River, which rises in Pennsylvania,
near Gettysburg, has its source in one of these vigor-
ous outbursts from the side of a hill. At all seasons
of the year, and in times of drought as well as during
the periods of rain, this class of streams supplies the
same abundance of limpid water, while similar
sources which simply swell up from the ground are
sensitive to prolonged changes of weather, and either
fail or flush, in conformity with prevailing physical
conditions. The former are evidently supplied in
large measure from the nearer mountains, and form a
portion of the surplus of the permanent underground
water-system. This supply is not derived chiefly from
the rainfall, although it may be increa.sed beyond the
average measure by additions from such sources. But,
as the water comes from distant localities, and from
considerable heights, it is found to rise high above its
external source, and to be steady in its supply. " The
Cold Spring, in the immediate vicinity of Ilagerstown,
possesses in these respects sufficient interest to deserve
the attention of tourists. It pours forth a large
steady volume of cold, clear water, sufficient to supply
the needs of a large bathing resort, and it is noted for
its purity and mineral strength. When exposed to
the influence of the sun, the excess of carbonic acid
which it contains, and which renders it a solvent of
the limestone rocks, escapes, and an eftlorescence of
36
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
neutral carbonate of lime is precipitated along its
course. It is probable that formerly these streams
were still more abundant than at present, for on both
sides of their actual course there are broad and deep
deposits of this calcareous sediment. Moreover, in
consequence of the copiousness and temperature of
the streams of this kind, they never freeze ; and the
Antietam, which is supplied in this way at every stage
of its progress through the country, furnishes a very
large amount of never-failing water-power." ' The I
tributaries of this river which belong to Washington
County rise chiefly between the outlying spurs of ;
South Mountain, the few branches that rise on the
west side being only two or three of quite small size,
and of little importance. On the northeast, however,
a large tributary, proceeding from the mountain chain
by several branches, passes through the Fourteenth and
Ninth Districts, and makes a fork with the main branch
of the river below Leitersburg. Next, and most im-
portant of them all, the rapid, romantic Beaver Creek
rushes from the mountains through more than a dozen
channels, drains a tract of coun'ry thirteen miles long, |
and carries a large stream of water into the river at ;
a point three miles north of Keedysville, The only
other tributary of much importance is the interesting,
but short. Little Antietam, It rises in several sources
from the limestone hills northeast of Rohrersville,
bends around to the northwest, and passing Keedys-
ville through a wide, stony channel, glides into the
greater Antietam. Probably the most romantic stream
in the valley is Israel's Creek. It rises in the ridges
adjacent to Rohrersville, pursues its way south be-
tween high ledges of broken rocks, over rapids and
miniature cascades, and finally rushes down the em-
bankment beneath the canal to enter the Potomac
River. The nest large water-system has its outlet
through the Conococheague River. It is not so broad
and extensive as the Antietam ; much of its course
lies in Franklin County, Pa., and it rises in that re-
gion. That part of it in Washington County is broad,
rapid, intensely winding, and full of sediment in its
lower course. It follows in part the division between
the limestone and the slate ; but in its upper division
it is not confined to either, and is deflected out of a
direct course by the hard layers in the limestones
with which it comes in contact on its way towards the
south. Abundantly supplied by short branches from
both sides, at intervals of every two or three miles it
is reinforced by new volumes of water, and after pass-
ing through the town of Williamsport it empties into
the Potomac River. The Little Conococheague is a
1 J. Ducatel, Geol. Report, 1S40.
small, long creek, which rises in a gap of the North
Mountain, receives another branch from the region of
Clear Spring, flows south, and also empties into the
Potomac. It runs through a picturesque region, in a
basin of its own construction, at an average distance
of about three miles from the base of the mountain
ridge, and receives several small tributaries at its head-
waters near the Pennsylvania line.
Williamsport is situated in the vicinity of a rich
agricultural region, where the limestone soils spread
out widely, where also the fertile bottom-lands of the
old bed of the Potomac stretch along the canal ; but
also next the slate ridge, where the surface soils are
thin and of less agricultural value. Timber of large
size and superior quality formerly covered the greater
part of the ridges and bottoms in this section ; but it
has been greatly thinned out within a quite recent
period, and is now replaced in part only by second-
growth trees of less value than their predecessors.
An important production of this region is the massive
black slate, which abounds at a distance of about five
miles below the town. It is compact, strong, of fine
texture, breaks into even slabs, and takes a high polish.
The choice limestone rocks of this vicinity share the
characteristics of some of those found on the eastern
side of the valley. They are white, or of some tone
of drab or yellow, appear fine-grained, take a good
polish, and are accessible in fairly large slabs. The
principal rock, however, is the blue limestone, which
rests in immense beds of unmeasured depth, and shows
evidences of being extensively cavernous. No large "
caves have yet been actually discovered there, but the
numerous sink-holes which exist in the farms extend
to unknown depths, and indicate a connection with an
extensive system of underground cavities, at present
apparently too dangerous for exploration. One of
these larger sink-holes, at the base of South Moun-
tain, near Cavetown, is remarkable for not being con-
nected with any visible outlet beneath, and accordingly
for being always nearly full of water. It consists of
a circular, funnel-shaped cavity in the limestone, about
one hundred feet in diameter, of unknown depth, filled
with clear water, which keeps an almost uniform level
regardless of the variations in the seasons.
The central parts of the valley are rolling, and the
folds of surface rise higher on both sides until the
mountain regions are reached. At the southeastern
extremity Elk Ridge rises in majesty, and forms the
western boundary of the narrow but charming little
basin known as Pleasant Valley. It is an old crack
between the two mountain uplifts, which has been
eroded and scooped out until it slopes down into a de-
pression somewhat lower than the Great Valley, of
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
37
which it is but a minor outlet. On the east the South
Mountain builds its boundary wall of the flinty sand-
stone, chert, and slate, while on the west Elk Ridge
piles its huge walls of white sandstone in a ridge
seven miles long, and then bends in a few rods to
contract the upper end of this romantic little inclo-
sure. Along these high walls of jointed rock bee-
tling cliffs stand out in threatening attitudes, while the
mountain base is buttressed by masses of heavy ma-
sonry. In the valley great bodies of dark slates and
cherty limestones raise their heads in startling atti-
tudes ; the surface is strewn with fragments of rock
which once fitted into the cliffs beyond ; the stream
threads its way with audible murmur among the sharp-
cornered .slates and sandstones, and the bowlders are
overhung by the branches of graceful shrubs and
trailing creepers. It is a fruitful corner, set in the
peaceful solitude of the mountain embrace. Daily
the mist curtain of early morn rests over it ; the dark
shadows of growing daylight deepen as the mountain
walls are brought into sharp relief; and later every
rock, spur, and cliff is lighted into glorious splendor
by the glowing flashes of the midday sun. Lovely
vistas delight the eye, both in the valley and on the
mountain-top. Towards the north the frowning brows
of the precipitous ridge project in severe contrast to
the open expanse of the widening valley, which
stretches off in endless variety of reliefs until lost in
the dim blue of the distant horizon. While away
off southwards the opening gap guides the eye out
to the basin of the broad Potomac, then up the wind-
ing gorge of the opposite mountains, until the scene
glides into the swelling waves of the hills beyond and
is lost in the dark borders of the far-reaching forests.
On the west the imposing summit is crowned by Mary-
land Heights ; here in the midst of crags and rugged
sandstone masses the eye takes in long miles of charm-
ing perspective on the channel of the shining river,
and over roll after roll of mountain and hill, resting
in peaceful sublimity and beauty, until distance levels
all into one universal tender gray.
The minerals of the valley are of but few kinds.
No copper, gold, or silver need be expected in profit-
able amounts, but iron ore of the brown haematite
variety abounds near the Potomac River, about two
miles west of Sandy Hook. It is of the species
called pipe ore, or sometimes limestone ore, and yields
metal of excellent quality, well adapted to the manu-
facture of bar-iron.
The animals of the county are essentially those of
the Blue Ridge Belt. The elephant, elk, caribou, and
beaver were formerly residents of the valleys and up-
lands, but they have long since disappeared. Among
the vegetable productions, the cucumber magnolia
and rhododendron are conspicuous, while the golden
lilies, asters, sunflowers, and the generally known
flowers and flowering shrubs of the eastern slope
of the continent are well represented. The usual
trees of the same region belong here, while on the
higher and more expo.sed mountain summits the
spruces and pines of a more northern climate begin
to appear.
Appalachian Region. — This great belt of coun-
try extends from the summit of the North Mountain
chain to the western extremity of the State. It in-
cludes the western end of Washington County and
the whole of Allegany and Garrett Counties. It
stretches from east to west in a direct line over a dis-
tance of eighty-five miles, and its greatest breadth
from north to .south is on its western boundary, and is
about thirty-six miles ; while on the east it is about
eight miles in Allegany, and narrows to one and
a quarter miles in the western part of Washing-
ton County. No less than fifteen mountain ranges
cross this long strip of country, and those in the
western division form the highest lands in Maryland.
The lowest levels appear next the basin of the Poto-
mac River at Cumberland, where they grade down to
a point scarcely five hundred feet above the sea. The
highest altitude attained is on the summit of the
Great Savage Mountain at Altamont, which rises to
an elevation of more than two thousand seven hun-
dred feet above high tide. West of Sideling Hill
until the city of Cumberland is passed the mountain
ridges are all broken into spurs or backbones of vari-
able length. They have been generally compressed
with great force, and are consequently high, narrow,
and abruptly elevated. The surface between them
forms elevated valleys of moderate simplicity, broken
only by slight swells, and traversed by water-courses
which have cut their' way through winding ravines
in deep channels, often encumbered by broken masses
of slate and sandstone. Every valley is supplied
with its stream of water, usually rapid and pure, run-
ning from the north over a rocky bed, increased by
several small tributaries near its source, and emptying
into the Potomac River. Some of these have cut
their way through gorges in the spurs, in the midst
of great rocky ledges, overhung by heavy cliffs, over-
grown with bushes, ferns, and trailing vines. Near
their sources they tumble in wild confusion over the
remnants of shattered rocks, in torrents and cascades,
and run through wild spots of indescribable attrac-
tiveness.
The beginning of the Appalachian region forms
the small western division of Washington Coutity.
38
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
After crossing the Hagerstown Valley and proceeding
towards the west, up the side of the North Mountain,
a point is reached on the summit near Fair View, at
an altitude of sixteen hundred feet above the level of
the sea. Here the eye may roam almost unobstructed
from the region of sunrise to where the sun sinks
below the western horizon. Viewed during the early
morn, the mist is seen hovering over valleys and
hiding in the water-courses ; a few purple and orange
clouds streak the sky beyond the mountains, and the
green foliage of the nearer forests seems moistened by
a bath of dew ; but as the sun lifts his golden face
above the edge of the higher uplands, the smoky fleece
rises from the streaks of water, the mountains unveil,
and the foliage glistens as if studded with countless
gems. On the west, in the nearer valley, the narrow
chasm of Licking Creek lies beneath the eye ; across
the broad, high valley, raised into swells and low
ridges, the town of Hancock now crops out on the
rounded hillsides and then settles down into the ad-
jacent ravine ; as the view is lifted a stage higher the
heavy back of Tonoloway Mountain, flanked by Round
Top beside the canal, arises ; and then still higher, be-
hind them all, the great lofty backbone of Sideling
Hill ridge sets up a forest-fringed barrier, beyond
which the vision cannot penetrate. A few miles to
the left the placid bosom of the Potomac River
gleams like molten silver in the clear light, while
along its margins the tall, spreading sycamores and
branching maples join with the dark oaks and glossy-
leaved gum-trees in tracing their images down into
the limpid water. In the neighborhood of Hancock
broken rocks, and occasionally bowlders of white sand-
stone, lie scattered over the flanks of the hills or rest
in piles along the beds of the ravines. Ridges of
brown, gray, and olive sandstones and slates project
with massive front from places where the torrents of
by-gone periods have torn their channels, while on
the precipitous sides of the ridges, and from the walls
of the frequent gaps, pale cliffs stand out with for-
bidding sharpness, or threaten to foil from the over-
hanging heights.
On the Virginia side of the Potomac the country
is very rugged, and broken by frequent low ridges of
the shattered sandstones and slates ; but it is wonder-
fully picturesque, and the hills are covered by forests
and verdure as far as the eye can reach. Frequent
shallows in the river open good fords, which form the
principal avenues of travel across the country. The
absence of bridges, which appears a serious obstacle to
the progress of the stranger, is apparently but little
felt by the inhabitants of the region. At most times
the stream seems to be only moderately rapid, and not
at all too swift to be crossed by horses and cattle ; but
when heavy rains fall on the mountains beyond, it
becomes a roaring flood which carries everything be-
fore it. Three miles west of Hancock the remarkable
knob called Round Top stands at the southeastern
angle of Tonoloway Ridge. It rises on that side
somewhat in the form of a rounded cone, but from
heights in the rear it is seen to be a short backbone
extending back in a gradual slope for more than a mile.
This detached dome is notable for the singular manner
in which its rocky mass has been folded, and for the
superior cement limestone that it contains. Here the
heavy limestone and sandstone layers forming the
roeky skeleton of this huge dome have been bent
back and up three times in the lower half of the mass.
The result has been to force the cement layers into
closely compressed loops, doubling and increasing its
thickness accordingly. At the same time the eastern
side of the beds has received a diagonal twist, which
has thrust them off in a projecting keel at nearly
right angles to the rest, and opened a seam along that
line.
These cement limestones are mainly of a bluish or
drab color, interstratified with other limestones, and
with drab and olive sandstones and slates. The ce-
ment rock is now excavated from nearly horizontal
drifts or tunnels, ranging from eight to twelve feet in
height, and fully as much in width, one of which
has been pursued quite through the end of the moun-
tain. A part of the great thickness of these layers
is owing to a double fold of the thickest portion of the
rock being brought in close contact with a second and
shorter one. The rock is closely bent together, and
fully exposed in at least six outcrops within a dis-
tance of scarcely more than six hundred feet along
the canal. It appears to be present in practically
inexhaustible quantities. The hydraulic cement is
calcined, ground, and prepared in a large mill, situ-
ated on the spot, and is sent from thence by canal and
railroad to all parts of the country. It has a high
reputation with United States engineers and master-
builders in various part of the country, who have
used it extensively in the construction of large build-
ings for the government, and for various public works,
besides those of the aqueducts, locks, and walls of
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Nearly half-way
up the steep front of this mountain there is a thick
layer of calcareous spar of great purity. It is chiefly
ribbed with parallel series of narrow, columnar crys-
tals, remarkable for their length. Above this stratum
of spar, a nearly square hole leads into a cavern hol-
lowed out of the upfolded limestone by the tre-
mendous forces which have crushed the mountain
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
39
and split wide open the beds of stone. This cave
lias never been adequately explored. It is reported
to have been the abode of a family of black bears, which
were traced into it and finally destroyed. It is sup-
posed to be of enormous length, and to be formed in
part of vast fissures extending to fearful depths.
This region varies greatly as to its capacities for
agriculture. On the sides of the slate hills the soil
is thin, and not supplied with the moisture necessary
for the production of large crops. This is also the
case in a less marked degree of the blunt ridges
capped by the white conglomerate. But on the lime-
stone bottoms and throughout the alluvial basins a
deep fertile soil prevails, which yields abundant crops
of clover, cereals, and Indian corn. The streams here
are of small size, although springs are numerous, and
send forth little brooks in many directions. Three
creeks wind in tortuous channels across this narrow
belt of country, and contribute their quota of fertil-
izing elements to the narrow vallej's through which
they run. They are the Big and Little Tonoloway
and Deep Creek. Like all the other streams of this
region, they run in deep channels through the wind-
ing gullies and ravines between the hills, are mod-
erately rapid, and flow for the most part over broken
rooks and scattered bowlders.
The majestic Sideling Hill ridge, which forms the
most westward summit .of Washington County, is a
grand, high backbone of red and brown sandstone,
capped and flanked by the Oneida white sandstone,
and is picturesque, precipitous, and in places almost
inaccessible. Its summit near the turnpike rises above
an altitude of sixteen hundred feet, and affords some
of the finest views of scenery to be had in this country.
Looking east the eye takes in the whole range of the
Potomac Valley as far as North Mountain, and rests
successively upon three or more prominent and beau-
tiful mountain groups set in the intervening landscape.
The minerals of this section are' of few species, and
have not yet been discovered in large quantities.
Most important of them all is the specular oxide of
iron, which occurs near Sideling Hill, in the calca-
reous shales. It has not yet been properly developed,
but future investigations may determine its presence
in profitable amounts. The general color of«this ore
is red, while bright scales of the dark metal project
from the surface of the lumps.
Coal has always been an object of special interest
to the people of this part of Washington County. It
has been frequently reported as occurring in various
places where the black shale crops out at the surface
of the ground. Notwithstanding the adverse reports
of several competent geologists, extensive drifts were
pierced into the precipitous flank of Sideling Hill, next
to where the grand, picturesque gorge of the creek
opens into the basin of the Potomac River. Several
of these have been excavated at a great height above
the bed of the creek, and at a heavy expenditure of
money and time. The result has been an accumula-
tion of large piles of black, bituminous, decomposed
slate and shale, which has proved but a poor substitute
for the much-coveted anthracite coal. No true coal-
measures exist in this county ; the position of the geo-
logical scries would place them above all the formations
found within its limits, and hence they would occur
upon the surface and not below.
Sulphuret of iron is met with in small pieces, or in
crystals bedded in the slate and limestone rocks, but
it has not been found in masses or quantities large
enough for commercial purposes.
Gold, silver, zinc, copper, and lead have not thus far
been discovered in useful amounts, and the formations
peculiar to the country are not in favor of their being
so found.
Limestones suitable for agricultural purposes,
besides the cement rock, appear in immeasurable de-
posits, but no true marbles belong to this region.
Purple, brown, olive, and white .sandstones of compact
texture and fine grain abound, and can be obtained of
any workable size. Glass-sand of pure white color is
found, both in the rock and disintegrated, in vast beds
along the western flanks of Tonoloway and of Side-
ling Hill.
Allegany County has an area of about five hun-
dred square miles, and extends from Sideling Hill
Creek on the east to the ridge of the Great Savage
Mountain on the west. Its general outline is some-
what that of a bent gourd, with the bowl on the east
and the handle running diagonally on the west. It is
bounded on the north by Pennsylvania, and separated
on the south from West Virginia by the Potomac
River. Its length from east to west is about thirty-
two miles, and its greatest width from north to south
is twenty miles. The surface of the country on the
east is frequently broken by abrupt, moderately ele-
vated mountain ridges, with intervening narrow val-
leys ; but on the west it rises to nearly the highest
elevation reached in the State.
The first stream reached after crossing Sideling
Hill is the romantic Sideling Hill Creek. It rises in
Somerset County, Pa., runs along the base of the
mountain, and has pierced through numberless ob-
structions of rock, bluff', and bowlder until it has con-
quered a deep wide channel all the way to the Poto-
mac. At intervals along its path masses of the
heavy-jointed brown sandstone stand in solid masonry
40
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
as majestic bluffs, while next beyond a broad bayed- I
out basin rests as it has been worn from the strata by
the power of the rushing floods. Occasionally the '
great mountain swells push into its channels, throw-
ing out huge buttresses of rock, and forming tre-
mendous precipices of the jointed white Oneida sand-
stone, where the struggling creek labors to force its
way through the labyrinths of stone. For wild, un-
disturbed solitude the basin of this stream has scarcely i
a counterpart in the State of Maryland. Id the midst
of half- concealed hollows, from which there seems no
outlet, Nature has lavished unnumbered gifts. On
the one side a glen appears, overgrown with the lithe
forms of varied shrubs, penetrated by alleys bordered
with richly-colored flowers. Beyond this, the green I
banks, which bend over the ledges of rocks, overflow
with the fringy ends of trailing vines, while water, trick-
ling down through the tangled moss, feeds the roots
of broad tufts of graceful ferns. In the open avenues
whole beds of the rich rhododendron grow, next to
where the groves of maple and birch luxuriate in the i
moisture-laden breezes. There, too, on the slopes of i
rich humus, along the ravines, the kalmias and azaleas
grow in company, and interlace their branches in end-
less confusion. [
A broad, gradually rising valley stretches from this i
creek to Town Hill, a distance of about five miles.
The bed of the whole section is brown sandstone,
yielding a soil productive of ample crops of Indian
corn and oats. The ridge is a repetition of Sideling
Hill, but rather less elevated. Beds of black decom-
posing shale, similar to those previously mentioned,
are also met with in this ridge, and have likewise
tempted adventurers to dig for coal. But these do
not belong to the coal-bearing series, and will not be
found to yield that mineral.
Beyoml this .several ranges of lower mountains, of
similar character, enter the county from Pennsylva-
nia, and cross this entire width of region. Of these.
Green Ridge, Polish Mountain, and Warrior Moun-
tain stand in close proximity to each other beyond
Town Hill, and between these narrow, high, uneven
valleys rest, through which small creeks run and
transport the drainage of the country into the Poto-
mac. The ridges are composed of closely-pressed strata
of the same blue and drab limestones, red sandstones,
and variously colored slates as those previously no-
ticed, and on their summits occurs the white sand-
stone or gray conglomerate. Most of the valleys are
two miles or less in width, while that between War-
rior and Martin's Mountains is expanded to a breadth
of about four miles.
In the latter the red slaty sandstones prevail, and
they are also found in the succeeding valleys until the
city of Cumberland is reached.
Warrior Mountain is largely built of the massive
cavernous limestone, and contains numerous species of
fossils peculiar to this formation.
The caverns are known to form subterranean reser-
voirs of large size, storing the water which finds an
outlet at the base of some ridge or hill. In such
cases vigorous and permanent springs burst forth, and
produce streams which afford the only reliable water-
power of the region. Usually the temperature of
these springs during the cold season is higher than
that of the surrounding atmosphere, and accordingly
they are rarely found to freeze, even in the severest
weather. This important condition permits the run-
ning of the mills throughout the whole winter, at
times when it is found impossible to do so in many
other localities. Murley's Branch is one of the
streams which rises under similar conditions at the
western base of Warrior Mountain. After supply-
ing power for several mills, and flowing through a
flourishing region, it bends around to the east to pass
through the gap in that mountain, then winds south
and unites with Town Creek in the pleasant valley
below Gilpintown. The upper parts of this and the
next two adjoining valleys are distinguished by the
presence of mineral springs, both sulphur and chalyb-
eate. Adjoining Flintstone, at the base of the gap in
Warrior Mountain, a white sulphur spring of ample
volume and of great clearness and mineral strength
appears. Several others of the same type are also
present between Green Ridge and Polish Mountain,
particularly on the Carroll estate. Four of these issue
from a fossiliferous slate rock which forms the bed
of the valley, and although appearing limpid and free
from sediment, nevertheless precipitate all along their
margins the deposit known as " white sulphur." The
temperature of these springs is 47° or 48° F., and a
chemical analysis by experts establishes the presence
of carbonic acid gas in large proportion, of sulphuret-
ted hydrogen, and of useful proportions of magnesia,
muriate of soda, sulphate of lime, carbonate of lime,
and of chlorides in small quantities.
Situated as these springs are in the fertile and
beautiful valley of Fifteen-Mile Creek, at a distance
of about sixteen miles east of Cumberland, in the
midst of a region of invigorating and pure air, to-
gether with the facilities offered by the proprietor of
the establishment there, should make the locality one
of the chief resorts for invalids and tourists who seek
for health and pleasure in more distant and far less
accessible places. Most of the valleys are seated at
an elevation of seven hundred to seven hundred and
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
41
fifty feet above the sea. These and the cleared parts
of the ridges are covered with farms, on which good
crops of wheat, rye, Indian corn, oats, and potatoes
are commonly raised. Apples, pears, and the common
kinds of small fruits succeed well, and the alluvial
bottoms are adapted for the grazing and raising of
cattle and farm-stock. Springs are numerous along
the flanks of the ridges, where they usually give rise
to active little brooks which transport their waters to
tlie larger creeks. The mountains are still overgrown
with ample forests on their summits and sides, and
these are composed of the yellow and spruce pines,
with some groves of white pine and large areas of
chestnut. On the deeper and moister soils the white,
chestnut, and other oaks, together with the magnolia
or cucumber-tree, the sycamore, sour-gum, tulip-tree,
linden, walnut, hickory, maples, and especially the
false locust, grow luxuriantly.
The sugar-maple still grows abundantly in some
localities, from which the farmers obtain their 'annual
supply of the maple-sugar. Various flowering trees
and small shrubs abound in the sheltered parts of the
mountain gaps and in the ravines, among which the
dogwood, fringe-tree, hawthorn, haw, Judas-tree, and
calico-bush are very conspicuous. But the most mag-
nificent of all, the great rhododendron, forms extensive
thickets in the avenues among the trees, and adds its
massive bloom to the sweet scent of the delightful
azaleas. Along the alluvial levels of the Potomac the
region is made gay by groups of bright heads of the
native yellow lily, and by numerous varieties of pink,
purple, and golden crowns of the ever-present asters
and sunflowers. The Virginia creeper, clematis, green-
brier, and other cli'nbing and trailing vines overspread
the rocky nooks with waves of refreshing verdure.
Beyond Evitt's Mountain the city of Cumberland
rests in an open amphitheatre, set around with high
hills and prominent blunt mountain-domes. The Po-
tomac Eiver in making its long bend to pass around
Knobby Mountain touches this city and receives the
waters of Will's Creek. The latter occupies the bed
of the great and startling gap in Will's Mountain, on
the western side of Cumberland. This tremendous
chasm has a width of five hundred feet at its base,
and the abrupt mountain flank on its east side rises to
a height of eight hundred feet above the creek. On
this side the red sandstone lies at the base and stands
up like a great wall, while on the opposite shore the
white sandstone is seen in long, heavy walls of im-
mense thickness, which are continuous with the side
of the mountain and curve over its summit. The
blue limestone forms the end of this ridge next the
city, and crops out at various points on the hill beyond
the creek. At this point, also, a large bed of the
black magnesian limestone stands out prominently,
and is quarried for the purpose of making hydraulic
cement. This is calcined in kilns near the spot, and
is then packed in barrels for exportation. Some of
the limestones are slightly bituminous, and are often
crossed by wide seams of quartz, which more strongly
resist the atmosphere and elements, and are thus left
standing in prominent belts, while the adjoining rock
is worn away. Such features often constitute great
buttresses of fantastic shapes, extending down from
great elevations, and always form attractions to the
observant and curious. One of these, of more than
usual interest, is situated on the northwest slope of
Wills Mountain, only a few miles beyond Cumber-
land. It has been a standing object of awe to the
ignorant and superstitious, who dread to be near it
during the evening or night, and who have given it
the significant name of Devil's Sliding-place.
Crossing Will's Mountain through the valley of
Braddock's Run, the higher ridge of Davis Moun-
tain is reached, and then a descent is made into the
great Potomac and Allegany coal-basin. It is an
oval valley, sloping from the north towards the south,
with the rocky sides curving upwards to form the
crests of the mountains. On the western boundary
the great Savage Mountain forms the highest ridge,
while on the eastern side Dan's Mountain rises to a
somewhat less elevation. Between these the pre.sent
general surface of the valley drops down to a depth
of five hundred feet below the summits of the ridges.
In this county, between the Pennsylvania line and the
Potomac River, it has a length of about twenty miles
and a width of five to six miles. This is the centre
of Allegany's greatest activity, and along its slopes
and swells the miners' houses crop out at frequent
intervals, where the rugged surface has been denuded
of the forests which once gave shade and moisture to
the earth. In the midst of the rocks, on the hard, thin
soil, the miner's family lives and manages to raise a
few potatoes and some vegetables to eke out the scanty
fare which the region supplies. All summer long, and
until the icy cold of winter has stopped the canal, he
works beneath the ground, cutting out the black min-
eral for transportation to other and distant places.
Square holes in the sides of the mountains and in the
ravines, kept open by supports of timber, lead to the
beds from which the coal is taken. About twenty-
seven square miles of area were originally occupied by
the seams of this fuel, of which the main stratum, or
great bed, fourteen feet in thickness, is the eighth in
the descending order, and rests at a distance of about
two hundred and seventy-seven feet below the surface.
42
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Enormous quantities of this important mineral are
being removed every year, and tlie rate of excavation
is so rapid as to make it appear likely that this prin-
cipal bed will be exhausted within the next half-cen-
tury. The coal is of the semi-bituminous kind, con-
taining from seventy-two to eighty-three per cent, of
■carbon, is jet-black and glossy, and is taken out in
blocks often as large as a man can handle.
The valley is traversed by a number of streams, the
■principal of which is a fine large one, the George's
Creek, that winds and bends in a deep channel from
north to south, and empties into the Potomac River.
The other streams are chiefly its tributaries, and gen-
erally rise on the mountain flanks, both east and west,
wearing their way though deep channels in the hard
sandstones and shales, until they finally become merged
with the creek. Towards the northern end of the
valley Jennings' Creek and Braddock's Run have cut
their way in deep channels through gaps in Dan's and
Will's Mountains, and dashing over broken rocks in
the midst of startling scenery, they unite with Will's
Creek in the great chasm a few miles from Cumber-
land. The mountains of this region are all quite mas-
sive, have been folded into chains of high, broad
domes by the enormous pressure which raised them
into the air chiefly after the coal period ; but before
that time marshes bordering the ancient ocean per-
mitted the growth of a dense and rank vegetation,
which supplied the material for the beds of carbona-
ceous mineral, since proved to be such useful fuel.
This part of the country is of little interest as to its
agricultural capacities, but it is full of remarkable
scenery, and contains an ample store of carbonate of
iron in connection with its coal-measures.
Garrett County. — Upon crossing the summit of
the great Backbone Mountain, Garrett County is
reached. It is the most elevated and compact moun-
tain region in the State ; the surface is all greatly ele-
vated, and its outline is that of a broad triangle, whose
hypothenuse is on the southeast, and is bounded there
by the Potomac River. Its western boundary is a
straight line, about forty miles long next to West Vir-
ginia ; on the north it is equally straight, stands next
to Pennsylvania, and is about thirty-two miles long.
It has an area of about six hundred and seventy
square miles, and is traversed from northeast to south-
west by six long chains of mountains and two or three
spurs running off from their sides. The country is
■ supplied with great numbers of small brooks, most of
which are torrents ; and its principal river is the
Y'^oughiogheny, a rapid stream that rises at the fork of
the Little Savage Mountain, and winding northwest
. through Pennsylvania, empties into the Monongahela
River. At least two important coal-basins occur in
this region, both of which are now being developed.
The most easterly lies between Meadow Mountain and
Negro Mountain, forming a long triangular trough,
whose widest part is on the north, next Pennsyl-
vania, and the narrow end is on the south, intersected
by the valley of Deep Creek. It is about seventeen
miles long by from two to five wide ; and, like the
coal-bearing valley of Allegany, is a downward curve
of broad and narrow strata of shale, sandstone, coal,
limestone, conglomerate, and iron, resting one above
the other in a regular series. The same is the case
with the deeper and wider coal-basin which occupies
the northwestern section of the country between Key-
ser's Ridge and Briery Mountain. It is an extremely
uneven basin, broken into many .small divisions by
Winding Ridge and various spurs and knobs, and is
traversed from south to north by the Youghiogheny
River. This valley extends across the boundary lines
of both Pennsylvania and West Virginia ; but within
the limits of Garrett County it varies in width from
five to eight miles, while its length is co-extensive with
the width of the western boundary of the State.
The former of these valleys is known as the
Meadow Mountain coal-field, and the latter derives
its name from the Youghiogheny River, which runs
through its lowest level. Neither of these basins
contains strata of coal at all comparable to the great
fourteen-fect bed of the Allegany Valley, and in
some parts of each of the former the eroding waters
have carried away vast sections of the coal-rocks ; but
at least four strata of coal have been detected in both,
three of which beds average four or more feet in thick-
ness. Besides the coal .strata so important to this sec-
tion, argillaceous iron ore occurs in large quantities.
On Bear Creek a good quality of the oxide of mangan-
ese is present, apparently in large quantities, and on the
western flank of Winding Ridge an extensive deposit
of clay contains nodules of the carbonate of iron in
connection with a layer of calcareous earth. At the
.same place may also be found a mineral composed of
lime, clay, and the oxide of iron, well adapted for the
production of a strong hydraulic cement.
The country is one of great attractiveness, from the
fine resorts for health and pleasure which abound
everywhere in the midst of fine scenery and pure air
and water. Beautiful meadows of fresh green called
glades are present almost everywhere along the moun-
tain-tops, and the speckled trout still lives in the
limpid streams which course through these uplands.
During the warm seasons these glades are decked
with a numerous collection of showy and bright flow-
ering plants, which delight the eye and continually
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
43
attract the attention. Among these the yellow lily,
cardinal flower, phlox, asters, and smaller sunflowers
may be cited, together with the fine flowering shrubs
and trees, such as the cucumber magnolia, collinso-
nia, senothera, monarda, and rudbeckia. The sugar-
maple also flourishes upon the mountain-sides, and yields
its annual supply of syrup to the farmers who collect
it. Wild beasts were formerly numerous in the rugged,
rocky ravines and forests of the mountain-sides, but
these have been mostly exterminated ; and now in
their stead may be occasionally found the red deer,
raccoon, opossum, rabbits, and several varieties of
squirrels. The wild turkey and pheasant are still
tenants of the more secluded woods, and small game
is yet to be found in the wilder spots. The glades
produce rich grasses in great abundance, upon which
the sheep and cattle are fed, and consequently the
country is noted for the superiority of its mutton, as
it is, also, for the fine quality of its well-named
" Glades butter." Rattlesnakes are still to be found
in the wild rocky parts of the ravines, and a general
list of the reptiles of the region would include most of
those common to the Allegany belt at large. But
the tops of the highest ridges are tenanted by crea-
tures, although becoming more uncommon, such as
the Canada porcupine, the white rabbit, and some
mice, which belong properly to the Canadian fauna.
The flora also, as represented by its trees, has much
the same character, and may be distinguished by the
northern spruces, hemlocks, and pines which grow in
the exposed woods. Fish formerly abounded, among
which the native trout was the most beautiful and de-
sired, but over-fishing and neglect of the rivulets have
depleted the streams, so that only small numbers can
now be found where formerly the waters were almost
overstocked with them. Rye, buckwheat, and oats
are leading productions of the farms, and tobacco is
raised to some extent on newly-cleared lands. Cattle
are raised in large numbers for export, and may be
seen grazing in herds on the wide-spreading meadoivs,
while long trains of cars are continually being sent ofi'
loaded with well-fattened stock from this county.
Thus, with ail its peculiarities of surface and soil,
built upon and out of the massive rocks which lie but
a few feet beneath ; with bracing breezes, pure air,
good water, and extensive ranges of grandly pic-
turesque scenery along the valleys and across the
mountains, joined to its immense mineral resources,
Garrett County possesses first-class advantages for at-
tracting and sustaining a large and healthy popula-
tion, while capable of receiving and providing for the
ever-increasing number of summer residents and tour-
ists who crowd thither for health and pleasure.
Potomac River. — Connecting all the counties
which form the principal body of this great western
tract, the historic and celebrated Potomac is at once
the grandest and most remarkable surface feature of
Maryland. It is in most respects both a river and a
bay. Two great divisions, marked by peculiar indi-
vidualities, distinguish it into the Upper and Lower
Potomac. The former lies outside of the territory
included within the foregoing description ; but it may
be briefl}' noticed as the estuary or bay-portion of the
river, or that subject to the rise and flow of the tides
of the ocean. It extends from the city of George-
town to Chesapeake Bay, a distance of one hundred
and twenty-five miles.
Below Alexandria it expands to a width of nearly
two miles, and all along its winding course receives
the waters of wide creeks, which increase its breadth,
and spread out into broad, picturesque estuaries upon
the lower levels. Some of these bodies of water are
from three to five miles wide in conjunction with the
river, while the outlet of the Potomac at its mouth
forms a bay nearly eight miles wide, which stretches
from Point Lookout to the opposite shore in Virginia.
In the first part of its course below Washington the
banks are composed of clay and sand blufl"s, which
rise to a height of fifty or sixty feet; but as it pro-
ceeds the high border lands gradually slope and wave
lower, and finally fade out in points and bars. Before
entering this bay-like division the river has left the
region of primitive rocks, and from that point to its
mouth passes only through alluvial and earthy beds
of the upper secondary and tertiary periods.
But that part of it which belongs to the region
included in the western counties is the river proper,
usually called the " Upper Potomac." It remains at
present all beyond the reach of the tides, and probably
it has never been affected by them.
Swift and powerful, it rushes in imperturbable
grandeur through a channel of its own construction,
cut out of the largest mountains in the State. In
forming almost the entire western boundary of Mary-
land, it constitutes also the water border of the west-
ern counties. Away up among the high mountain
summits where West Virginia touches the great Back-
bone range, marked by the Fairfax stone, this youngest
of our great rivers bursts forth from the sandstones
and shales of the carboniferous strata. The region is
one of marked interest from the variety of striking
objects which it presents. Hilltops of mountain
height, and loftier than the Blue Ridge, shaped by
the tremendous floods of past periods, stand between
the crests of the summit ridges. Broad belts of hem-
lock, spruce, and the northern pines bound the highest
44
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
horizon, and form a dark background for the oak,
chestnut, maples, birches, and poplars of the less
elevated positions. A most picturesque scene stretches
out before the eve as it takes in the winding valley
with its silvery thread of water, here and there ar-
rested by a ledge of dark rocks, then flashing the
sunlight from the torrent or rapid, or leaping in foam-
stirring cascade to the basin scooped in the rocks be-
low. In the deep solitude of the wilderness, where
broken masses of rock lie spread around in endless
confusion, where the forests are choked with the trunks
and branches of the fallen trees, and the moistened slopes
are covered with the matted foliage of the vines and
creepers ; there, too, where the flowering shrubs and
sweet-scented ferns weave chaplets and plumes of the
tenderest green over the crowns of the weather-worn
bowlders, this bright streak of water pursues its on-
ward course, ever forward and downward, with a
ceaseless impulse towards the sea. It is the great out-
let for the waters which reach the surface in a terri-
tory nearly two hundred miles in length, while its
tributaries on the north side cross nearly or quite the
entire width of the State, its great South Branch in
Virginia, with the Shenandoah and a dozen smaller
rivers and creeks, draining an area fully twice as great.
Indeed, the South Branch is the principal member of
the upper river, and to it is largely due the wide ex-
panse of water which it discloses before passing be-
yond the high mountains. Soon after leaving the
head-waters it has worn a deep trough into the firm
rocks, torn away huge pieces from the hard ledges,
and resistlessly rasped and dug its way downward along
the flank of the huge Backbone Mountain until the
foot of the great coal-basin has been reached. Its
course has hitherto been northeast, it has spread out
into a broad creek with shallow but limpid water,
running over a strong and pebbly bed, now it makes
a broad curve around to the west, then resuming the
former course and bending north it receives the waters
of a fine branch, the Savage River; another bond is
made and the George's Creek adds its narrow stream
to the quickened flood which rushes on with new
energy. It is now a vigorous and strong creek, able
to contend with the obstructions that press in its way.
Two miles above the former it had taken a new direc-
tion, going in a general southeast course ; this is pur-
sued for a distance of about eight miles, during which
tearing its way across the end of Dan's Mountain,
and then flows on to New Creek. The slope of the
country now favors another change of direction, and
accordingly the river rushes away northeast through
its shallower trough, interrupted by frequent rapids
between the ridges of Dan's and Knobby Mountains,
a distance of twenty miles, when it bends abruptly
around the spur of the latter mountain and touches
the city of Cumberland. Will's Creek now adds its
quota of water, and the river passes down on the east
side of Knobby Mountain. Here it is charged with
islands near the Virginia shore, and soon bends into
the form of the letter S, to pass through the gorge in
Evitt's Mountain. It is now in the very heart of
high, abrupt ridges, where barriers must be crossed at
right angles. Running in a straighter line towards
the southeast, it rushes through the gorges of Mar-
tin's, Warrior, and Town Hill Mountains, surrounded
by most romantic scenery, decorated in all directions
by a boundless stretch of verdure-clad hill and dale.
In the interval it has been joined by the great South
Branch, and the two have united their waters to dash
on with renewed energy in rending the hills and dis-
tributing nourishment into the valleys farther away.
Having passed Town Hill, it flows in long uneven
loops towards the northeast, cutting its way through
the dense body of Sideling Hill, and gliding in per-
fect silence over the wreck of mighty ledges of rock,
now lying as scattered bowlders over its bed, it bends
once more and runs down the valley of the Tonoloway
to where the little town of Hancock stands out upon
the hills.
The beautiful dam which feeds the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal has been passed, the arched rocks
and the cement-beds of the Round Top have been left
behind, and the beautiful, clear river, as smooth and
placid as a lake, glistens in the sunshine, and reflects
the images of the grand old sycamore-trees that line
its banks. Still broad and shallow, pursuing its
course over the planed edges of the saudstones, slates,
and limestones that lie across its path, it makes a long
sweep towards the east, by a little south, until the
spurs of the North Mountain are reached. At this
point it has broken through a deep gorge, in the
midst of a wild, rugged, and most romantic country,
to become involved in diflBculties which it could only
surmount by passing suddenly around the unyielding
rocks and forming a long narrow loop. After bend-
ing twice more, it strikes the heavy slates at Wil-
liamsport, admits the copious current of the Cono-
cocheague River, is unable to penetrate farther in the
same direction, and is obliged to turn west and retrace
nearly three miles of the distance previously gained.
A great struggle for mastery now goes on between the
river and the limestone-beds, with their layers of chert
and strata of dense slate. Thus the river is com-
pelled to run diagonally in a general southeast direc-
tion, and to bend back upon itself six times before its
conflict with these hard rocks is over. Through an
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
45
expanse of country more than twenty-five miles in
length it has gained and lost, and at best has been
obliged to follow the course of the Great Valley, and to
submit to its conditions. But now, after Harper's
Ferry is reached, the great rapid stream is favored by
the tremendous down-slide which split the South
Mountain from summit to base, and an avenue is
open into the region on the east. Objects of fresh
interest now appear on every hand. On the north
side the majestic pile of castellated rocks, chimney
peaks, the profile of the giant face, and the great
arching strata of Maryland Heights rise in overpow-
ering grandeur overhead. On the opposite shore the
town of Harper's Ferry is seen straggling up, as if to
reach the summit of the mountain bluffs, on the side
of which the celebrated Jefferson's Rock is perched.
Across the Shenandoah, more than a quarter of a
mile distant, the spur called Short Ridge slants pre-
cipitously to the brink of the rapids, covered to the
very top with close-set trees, between which huge
piles of the mountain sandstone lie in indescribable
disorder. As far as the eye can reach in this direc-
tion spurs, ridges, and peaks stand thrust together in
close proximity, hiding all but the two lovely valleys
through which the waters of the two great rivers find
their outlet. An enormous but unimproved water-
power now appears in view, the Potomac becomes
fully one-third of a mile wide, and a heavy flood
passes over a sloping but nearly flat channel.
The prospect down the river is now indescribably
beautiful. The South Mountain, rock and tree clad,
stands in silent majesty in the foreground ; the Point
of Rocks rises as a rocky bluff upon which to rest
the eyes ; the opposite shore waves away in vast,
rounded swells of upland ; the mighty river rolls in
silvery brightness, losing itself in the mist-softened
verdure of the fiir-off landscape, while all the features
of hill, valley, woodland, and plain blend into the
tender blue of the scarce bounded distance. Still
gradually widening as it runs, and preserving a south-
east direction, the river receives the Monooacy at the
outlet of the delightful Frederick Valley. A wide,
open tract enlarges the view of a luxuriant and
picturesque region. The splendid viaduct for the
canal over the Monocacy, the highly-cultivated hills
on the borders of Montgomery County, and the triple
crown of white sandstone of the Sugar-Loaf Moun-
tain stand out as if sculptured monumental objects
in the midst of the soft-toned landscape. The river
now makes a wide bend in passing the hard slate
rocks, and then enters the brown hills of the new red
sandstone formation. From this point the slopes
gradually increase in steepness, and for a distance of
eighteen miles rise and fall in long serpentine waves.
About four miles from the beginning of this sandstone
its extreme altitude is reached in rocks which rise
abruptly to an altitude of more than one hundred fee
above the river. A new surprise now bursts upon the
senses. The summits of the ridge are made of up-
lifted crags and chimney-rocks, reaching far above
the tops of the tallest trees, resting upon long lines of
natural brownstone masonry, and decorated at every
turn by tufts, plumes, and festoons of lovely plants,
ferns, and creepers. Long wall-like ridges of this
pictures((ue rook, set in a background of far-reaching
foliage, appear at frequent intervals along both shores
of the river, and here its waters are interrupted at
three or four stages by islands which have settled in
its path. After passing the new red sandstone a
region in strong contrast with the former is reached.
The uniform wall-like structure of the hills gives place
to the bent, twisted, and upturned ridges of silvery
gray or blackish rock. Tremendous forces have been
at work here on a grand scale. For a distance of two
miles the whole bed and surface of the country has
been pressed together with such violent force that the
former body of a huge mountain has been shattered
into jointed fragments, in part carried away, and only
its broken base left in the trough of the river.
Throughout this distance rapids succeed each other
in such quick succession that the bed of the stream
is gradually lowered to a depth of eighty feet.
The Great Falls of the Potomac now appear at the
lower end of this scene of ruin. A fall, thirty-five
feet in height, now precipitates an enormous volume
of water ; this is divided into three principal cascades
of uncommon grandeur, which, after boiling and
chafing amidst the terrible rocks of the deep basin
beneath, dash with uncontrollable violence through
canons of their own digging, and sweep out in a
broad torrent through the channel below.
On either shore of this great scene of desolation
piles of shining rock thrown on end project high into
the sky, and send off craggy ledges from the base of
every towering peak. The jointed rock fills the
whole region as far as the eye can reach, and the
prospect is rendered still more wild and impressive by
the thinly spread-out forests which straggle over the
broken ledges. Nowhere else in the State, if indeed
anywhere on the eastern side of the continent, can a
more sublime and awe-inspiring spectacle be seen. It
is of such an unusual type in this part of the United
States, and so remarkable, that the mind is directed
first to the region of the Rocky Mountains to find its
counterpart in structure and sublimity. The remain-
der of this division of the river keeps on for fourteen
46
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
miles, which take it to Georgetown. In this part of
its course it has steadily forced its way through the
granitic rocks, spread out into a deep channel nearly
three-quarters of a mile wide, until, after gathering
into a series of cascades at its lower falls, and gliding
along over bowlders and broken stones, it finally be-
comes lost in the waters of the alluvial basin at the
head of tide-water.
The most characteristic expressions of this river
are in the freshness, vigor, and variety which it every-
where displays. It crosses the Appalachian region in
a direction which brings it in direct contact with every
geological formation that belongs to the eastern slope
of the continent. It winds its way through them all,
or only yields where harmony is indispensable, in con-
formity with unalterable physical conditions. As a
continental force its career seems but of yesterday.
The ages had been steadily preparing for its advent.
Cool morn of a long geological day, succeeded by the
glowing heat of an equally protracted noontide, had
been followed by the long evening twilight of the
carboniferous era. Heavy mists and long periods of
rainfall had saturated the low hills and set rivulets to
running in the ravines and bottoms. But now the
mighty mountains are upfolded, an axis separating
the basins of the east from those of the west is built
high into the air, and cracks have opened in its flanks
to let loose the imprisoned waters of the subterranean
cavities. From the end of one of these the young
giant arose and burst fortli with all the energy of a
new life. Pushing aside the deep soil which rested
around, and forcing apart the bits of rock that stood
in the way, it soon worked a deep path out and along
the dark mountain-side. Plunging, butting, and leap-
ing against the ridges standing in its path, a narrow
trough was cut away up in the midst of the highest
uplands, and then gradually working, forced its way
down to the lower levels, until the sea was reached
beyond the lower hills. As the ages have rolled on
it has pursued its onward course in nearly the same
direction, ever deepening its channel and spreading so
wide that it has been at one time a roaring flood of
more than two miles in breadth.
From the time of Washington to the present it has
been recognized as the great avenue leading to the
West, and its great usefulness in the future will de-
pend upon the skill and judgment with which it is
employed to facilitate commercial relations between
the two sides of a continent.
CHAPTER II.
THE ABORIGINES.
The Algonquin Stock — The Iroquois — Warlilie Susquehan-
noughs — Capt. Fleet's Expedition — The Jesuit Mission.aries
— Treachery of Trueman and Washington — Murder of Sus-
quehannough Chiefs and Bacon's Rebellion — The Senecaa
and Shawnees of Western Maryland — Indian Manners and
Customs.
The Indians anciently occupying the vast expanse
of country lying between the Atlantic and the Mis-
sissippi, and reaching from the St. Lawrence to the
Gulf, have been classified by ethnologists, according
to the aSinities of language, into three great stocks.
The first was the Algonquin stock, the most numerous
and wide-spread of all, whose territories extended
north as far as Hudson's Bay, and south to Pimllco
Sound, and from the coast to the Mississippi, and in
the northwest as far as Lake Winnipeg. The tribes
of this stock were numerous. Among the most im-
portant were the great nation of Lenni Leoape, or
Delawares, the Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawatomies,
Mohegans, and Shawnees. To them also belonged
all the New England tribes, and most of those of
Maryland and Virginia. South of the Algonquins,
occupying part of North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, and the Gulf region, was the Muscogee
stock, comprising the Natchez, Uchees, and Creeks,
forming the Muscogee Confederacy, and the Yamas-
sees, Cherokees, Choctaws, Chiekasaws, and Seminoles.
In the midst of the Algonquin territories, thrust in
like a wedge, its base resting on the St. Lawrence and
Lake Huron, and its apex reaching North CaroHna,
was the powerful Iroquois stock, comprising the fa-
mous confederacy of the Five Nations, the Mohawks,
Oneidas, Onondagoes, Cayugas, and Senecas. To the
same stock, though not confederate with them, be-
longed the Hurons, the Susquehannoughs, and the
Tuscaroras, which last tribe in 1712 joined the con-
federacy, which was thenceforth known as the Six
Nations.'
The Iroquois, though less numerous, were the bravest,
the fiercest, and the most intelligent of all, and were
the terror of the surrounding tribes. It is these who
have furnished the typical Indian of romance ; grave,
taciturn, patient in sufi'ering, untiring in action,
fiant in death ; faithful to friends, remorseless to foes ;
adroit in all the arts of the chase ; cunning in strategy,
surprises, and ambuscades ; fierce and vindictively cruel
in war. They possessed a higher degree of political and
military genius than the rest ; and their famous league
1 See the writer's " History of Maryland," vol. i. p. 83, et seq^
THE ABOKIGINES.
47
or confederacy of the Five Nations was far more firmly
organized than the loose Algonquin federations, and
carried dismay as far west as Lake Superior, and as
far south as North Carolina. The Iroquois were of a
nobler and more martial appearance than their neigh-
bors, and all early travelers were struck with the tall,
sinewy forms, stern but commanding features, and
majestic demeanor of their warriors. Those whose
personal knowledge of the Indian is confined to the
degraded remnants still lingering in the North, or the
wretched savages of the far West, can form no idea
of a Mohawk or Cayuga chief as he was seen two
hundred years ago. Native tradition assigns the
origin of this people to the far Northwest, whence
they removed to the upper waters of the St. Lawrence
and the mountainous region about the Saranac Lakes.
As they increased in numbers they spread over the
high forest country in Northern and Middle New
York, where game was abundant, and a fertile soil
and a milder climate yielded them an ample supply of
maize. Skillful boatmen, their war-fleets descended
the Hudson, the Delaware, the Susquehanna, and
carried fire and slaughter among the coast tribes,
many of whom they subjugated, and among the rest
the once powerful Delawares, whom — probably in
mockery of their proud name of Lenni Lenape, or
" Manly Men" — they reduced to the condition of
" women," — that is, forbidding them to undertake wars,
meddle with military matters, or alienate the soil.
Some confusion has arisen from the various names
they bore; they were called Mingoes in some regions,
and in others Nadoues, Nattoways, or Nadowassies, a
name said to signify " cruel." Smith mentions one
of their nations, probably the Mohawks, under the
name of Massawomekes.
" Beyond the mountains, from whence is the head of the
liver Patawomeke (Potumac), the Salvages report inhabit their
iiK'st mortall enemies, the Massawomekes, upon a great salt
water, which by all likelihood is either some part of Cannada,
some great lake, or some inlet of some sea that falleth into the
South Sea. These Massawomekes are a great nation and very
populous. For the heads of all those rivers, especially the Pat-
towamekes, the Pautuxuntes, the Susquesahanocks, the Tock-
woughes, are continually tormented by them : of whose cruel-
ties they generally complained, and very importunate they were
with me and my company to free them from these tormentors.
To this purpose they offered good conduct, assistence, and con-
tinuall subjection."
The importance of the Iroquois was so great that
they were included in all the early treaties made by
the white colonists. During the English and French
wars they were almost constantly allied with the
English, who sought their friendship to use them
against the Chippewas, Ottawas, Sbawnees, and other
tribes of Algonquin stock who were the firm allies
of the French. Although the Susquehannoughs, the
most powerful tribe in Maryland, belonged to this stock,
they were not members of the Iroquois confederacy,
but, on the contrary, were their fiercest enemies.
It is probable that the Susquehannoughs separated
from the Iroquois about the time when the latter mi-
grated eastward from the far northwest, and coming
south, established themselves on the fertile and well-
wooded shores of the great river that still bears
their name. The Susquehannoughs being hunting
Indians changed their abodes as game grew scarce,
and so scattered themselves over a large extent of
country. When Capt. John Smith in the summer
of 1608 penetrated the territory of Baltimore County,
he found it inhabited by the Susquehannough Indians,
whose chief settlement was about twenty-one miles
northward from the mouth of the Susquehannough
River. At this time the tribe numbered about fifteen
hundred fighting men, and exercised dominion over a
considerable part of the eastern and western shores
of the Chesapeake Bay, being the lords of some and
the allies of other tribes and confederacies. The Sus-
quehannoughs were one of the fiercest and most war-
like nations on the Atlantic coast, and kept all the
tribes within their reach in a state of almost continual
alarm. Their warlike appearance, grave and haughty
carriage, and sonorous speech seem to have strongly
impressed the early voyagers, for Smith describes
them as very noble specimens of humanity. He
speaks of them as a race of giants. " Such greate
and well-proportioned men are seldome seene, for they
seemed like giants to the English, yea, and unto their
neighbours." He speaks of them as in other respects
the " strangest people of all those countries." They
were of a simple and confiding temper, and could
scarcely be restrained from prostrating themselves in
adoration of the white strangers. Their language
seemed to correspond with their proportions, " sound-
ing from them as avoyce in a vault." They were clad
in bear and wolf-skins, wearing the skin as the Mex-
ican his poncho, passing the head through a slit in the
centre, and letting the garment drape naturally around
from the shoulders.
" Some have cassocks made of beares' heads and skinnes
that a man's head goes through the skinne's neck, and the
eares of the beare fastened to his shoulders, the nose and teeth
hanging down his breast, another beare's face split behind him,
and at the end of the hose hung a pawe ; the halfe sleeves com-
ming to the elbowes were the necks of the beares, andthearmes
through the mouth with pawes h.anging at their noses. One
had the head of a wolfe hanging in a chaine for a Jewell, his
tobacco pipe three-quarters of a yard long, prettily carved
with a bird, a deere, or some such devise at the great end, suf-
I ficient to beat out one's braines."
48
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Smith has given us a spirited slcetch of one of
these gigantic warriors, " the greatest of them,"' thus
attired :
'*The calfe of whose leg was three-quarters of a yard about,
and all the rest of his Itmbes so answerable to that proportion,
that he seemed the goodliest man we ever beheld. His hayre,
the one side was long the other shave close, with a ridge over
his crowne like a cock's combe. His arrows were five quarters
long, headed with the splinters of a white chrystall-like stone,
in forme of a hearte an inche broad, and an inche and a balfe
or more long. These he wore in a wolve's skinne at his baeke
for his quiver, his bow in the one band and his club in the
other, as is described."
All the territory now comprised in Cecil, Harford,
Baltimore, Howard, Carroll, Frederick, and Blont-
gomery Counties was the favorite hunting-ground of
this formidable tribe, which scoured all the country
between the Delaware and the Potomac, and spread
terror and dismay through the distant and less warlike
tribes of Southern and Western Maryland and parts
of Virginia. i
About the year 1621 the pinnace ''Tiger." with i
twenty-six men, was sent from Jamestown, under the i
direction of an experienced trader named Spilman, to
trade for corn with the Indians near the head of nav-
igation on the Potomac. Arriving opposite the present
site of Washington City, Spilman left five men on
board of his vessel, and with the remainder landed
among the Nacostines, or Anascostan Indians, who
lived in that vicinity.' Soon after, he was attacked
by the Indians, and all of his party were either killed
or taken prisoners, and among the latter was Capt.
Henry Fleet. Remaining in captivity for several
years. Fleet returned to England, where a contempo-
raneous writer thus mentions him :
"Here is one, whose name is Fleet, newly come from Vir-
ginia, who being lately ransomed from the Indians, with whom
he hath long lived, till he hath left his own language, reporteth
that he hath oftentimes been within sight of the South Seas;
that he hath seen Indians besprinkle their paintings with
powder of gold; that he had likewise seen rare precious stones
among them, and plenty of black fox, which of all others is the
richest fur."
By his flattering representations he induced, in
September, 1627, William Cloberry, a prominent
merchant of London, to place the pinnace " Para-
mour," of one hundred tons burden, under his charge.^
He returned to the Indian town of Yowaccomoco
(afterwards St. Mary's City), where he had lived with
the Indians, and traded largely with them for furs.
He made a number of voyages across the Atlantic
1 The suburb opposite the navy-yard is now called Anacostia,
and Mason's Island is often called Analostan, both designations
derived from the name of this tribe.
2 Bruce's " British State Papers."
with cargoes of fur, and, with Gov. Leonard Calvert,
before landing his company, made a reconnoissance of
the Potomac as far as Piscataway. From his "Jour-
nal of a voyage made in the bark ' Virginia' to Vir-
ginia and other parts of the continent of America,"
it is evident that his tradiug operations brought him
into communication with many of the most powerful
Indian tribes of Southern and Western Maryland.^
Arriving at Yowaccomoco, he learned that one Charles
Harman had been trading with the Indians of that
region for furs during his absence, and had succeeded
in securing three hundredweight of beaver-skins by
representing that Fleet was dead.
"This relation," he says, "did much trouble me, fearing
(having contrary winds) that the Indians might be persuaded
to dispose of all their beaver before they could have notice of
my being in safety, they themselves having no use at all for it,
being not accustomed to take pains to dress it and make coats
of it. Monday, the 21st of May (1632), we came to an anchor
at the mouth of the river, where hastening ashore I sent two
Indians in company with my brother Edward to the Emperor,
being three days' journey towards the Falls."
By the 26th of May he " came to the town of
Patomack" (Potomac Town, supposed to be, at the
mouth of Potomac Creek, in Virginia), and on the
1st of June, "with a northwest wind, we set sail, and
the 3d we arrived at the Emperor's." There was but
little friendship. Fleet relates, between the Emperor
and the Nacostines, ■' he being fearful to punish
them, because they are protected by the Massomacks,
or Cannyda Indians." The 13th of June Fleet
"had some conference with an interpreter of Massomack, and
of divers others Indians that had been lately with them, whose
relation was very strange in regard to the abundance of people
there, compared to all the other poor number of natives which
are in Patomack and places adjacent, where are not above five
thousand persons, and also of the infinite store of beaver they
use in coats. Divers were the imaginations that I did conceive
about this discovery, and understanding that the river was not
for shipping, where the people were, not [nor] yet for boats to
pass, but for canoes only."
The neighboring Indians endeavored to dissuade
Fleet from his design of penetrating into this new
country, but he declined to listen to their representa-
tions, and sent his brother and two trusty Indians
with presents to the chiefs of this region.
"I find the Indians of that prosperous place," he says, "are
governed by four kings, whose towns are of several names, —
Tonhoga, Mosticum, Shaunetowa, and Moserahak, — reported
above thirty thousand persons, and that they have palisades
about the towns, made with great trees, and with scaffolds
upon the walls. On Monday, the 25th of June, we set sail for
the town of Tohoga, where we came to an anchor two leagues
short of the Falls,* being in the latitude of 41°, on the 26th of
3 This voyage was commenced on the 4th of July, 1631.
* Nine miles above Washington,
THE ABORIGL\ES.
49
June. This place, without all question, is the most pleasant
and healthful plnce in all this country, and most convenient for
habitation, the air temperntc in summer and not violent in
winter. It aboundeth with all manner of fish. The Indians,
in one night commonly, will catch thirty sturgeons in a place
where the river is not above twelve fathoms brood. And as for
deer, bufifaloes, bears, turkeys, the woods do swarm with thera,
and the soil is exceedingly fertile, but above this place the
country is rocky and mountainous like Cannida, The 27th of
June I manned my shallop and went up with the flood, the
tide rising about four feet in height at this place.
" We had not moved above three miles, but we might hear
the Falls to roar about si.x miles, by which it appears that the
river is separated with rocks, but only in that one place, for
beyond is a fair river. The 3d of July my brother with the two
Indians came thither, in which journey they were seven days
going and five days coming back to this place. They all did
aCBrm that in one palisado, and that being the last of thirty,
there were three hundred .houses, and in every house forty skins
at least, in bundles and piles."
On the 11th of July he received a visit from
"seven lusty men, with strange attire," of haughty
language and demeanor, who called themselves Mos-
tikums, but who, as Fleet afterwards learned,
*' were of a people three days* journey from there, and were
called Herecheenes (Iroquois?), who .with their own beaver,
and what they get of those that do adjoin upon them, do drive
a trade in Cnnnida at the plantation, which is fifteen days
journey from this place."
The Susquehannoughs, or Minquas, or Andastes,
or Conestogues, or Gaudastogues, as they were some-
time.s called, were engaged in active hostilities against
the colonists and friendly tribes from the first settle-
ment of the colony on March 27, 1634. The policy
of the early settlers of Maryland was to treat the In-
dians with justice, moderation, and kindness, and to
buy the land from them. The settlement of St.
Mary's was purchased by Leonard Calvert for a quan-
tity of axes, hoes, and broadcloth, articles of real value
to the Indians, who, indeed, were the more ready to
part with the territory from the fact that they were
suiFering from the continued inroads of the fierce Sus-
quehannoughs, who had harassed them so cruelly that
they had already determined to abandon their lands
and seek safer homes elsewhere.' Some were allowed
to remain on part of the purchased territory, and their
wives and children were employed as servants in the
settlers' families; others were allotted reservations,
with full rights of hunting and fishing in the woods
and streams. They very cheerfully submitted to the
dominion of the whites for the sake of the protection
against the Susquehannoughs, which their ancestors
tried to purchase from Smith with the offer of per-
petual subjection. The friendly Indians were pro-
tected against their enemies and secured in the en-
1 Father White's Narrative, pp. 36, 37.
joyment of their rights, and many of them, such as
the Yaocomicos, Potopacos, Piscataways,^ Patuxents,'
and others, rarely wavered from their amicable rela-
tions. The two strong and warlike tribes of Mary-
land — the Nanticokes and Susquehannoughs — pre-
served an independent existence, and at the time of
the first settlement of the province there was a
feud between them, and the former, as well as the
latter, were often invaded by the Iroquois. As if
this were not enough, the Nanticokes were frequently
embroiled with the whites, and war was several times
declared against them. Under this double pressure
they yielded at last, and requested to be put on the same
footing as the Piscataways. The Iroquois, however,
continued to harass them, and finally brought them
under subjection. About the middle of the eighteenth
century, by advice or command of the Six Nations
(who stipulated in a treaty with the province that the
Nanticokes should be permitted to leave Maryland
and settle where the Six Nations should appoint), a
portion of the tribe left the province, carrying with
them the bones of their ancestors, and removed to
Otsiningo (now Binghamton, N. Y.), where they
joined some fragments of the Shawnees and Mo-
hickanders, and made a league under the name of the
Three Nations. Others seem to have settled in Wy-
oming, Pa., and others again, if the theory be correct
which identifies the Conoys, or Kanawhas, with the
Nanticokes, to have removed to the vicinity of the
rivers which now bear their name. As late as 1852
a remnant of the tribe (about one hundred) was living
on Grand River, north of Lake Erie, in Canada
West.
The interposition of the colonists in behalf of the
peaceable and friendly tribes of Piscataways, Patux-
ents, and Yoamaeos had from the first secured the hos-
tility of the Susquehannoughs, who took occasion as
they followed the war-path against their savage ene-
mies of the south, or the back settlers of Virginia, to
strike a blow at the unprotected Marylanders ; and at
times they organized expeditions with the express
purpose of surprising the frontier plantations, mur-
^ Mr. Davis, in his " Day-Star," says " the territory of the >
Piscataways, whose prominent chief bore the title of emperor,
was bounded in one direction by the country of the Susquehan- '
Doughs, in another by the region of the Patuxents. It also
embraced a part of the country bordering upon the Patapsco ,
and upon the Potomac, including Piscataway Creek, and prob-
ably the sites both of Washington and of Baltimore." The
confederates of the Piscataways were the Doags, Mattawomans,
Chapticos, .and the Mattawas. The latter tribe inhabited the
lands near Baltimore.
3 The Patu,xents, whose principal seat was upon the river of
that name, included a large number of smaller tribes, remark-
able for their friendliness towards the whites.
50
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
dering their occupants and plundering their dwellings.
Even the devoted and fearless Jesuit missionaries who
were engaged in converting the Indians to Chris-
tianity began seriously to think of abandoning their
station on the Patuxent River and establishing them-
selves at Potupaco (Port Tobacco), which was less
exposed to the ravages of this cruel and warlike tribe.
Friendly relations having been re-established in the
beginning of 1639 with the Patuxent Indians, the
Jesuit missionaries immediately improved the favora-
ble circumstance by dispersing themselves among the
Indians in such places as seemed to be most favorable
for the general diffusion of Christianity. The annual
letter of 1639 says, —
''Father Andrew White is distant" from St. Mary's City
"one hundred and twenty miles, to wit: at Kittamaquindi, tlie
metropolis of Paseatoe, having lived in the palace of the king
himself of the place, whom they call Tayac, from the month of
June, 1639. . . . The salvation of Maquacomen being despaired
of, Father Andrew White betook himself to him [the Tayac],
and being treated by him very kindly at the first interview, so
attached the man to him that he was afterwards held by him
in the greatest love and veneration; of which thing this is the
strongest proof that he was unwilling that the father should
use any other hospitality than of his palace. Nor was the
queen inferior to her husband in benevolence to their guest, for
with her own hands (which thing the wife of our treasurer also
does willingly) she is accustomed to prepare meat for him and
bake bread, with no less care than labor.
"So not long after the coming of Father White to his palace,
the Tayac was in danger from a severe disease; and when forty
conjurers had in vain tried .every remedy, the father, by per-
mission of the sick man, administered medicine, to wit: a cer-
tain powder of known efficacy mixed with holy water, and took
care, the day after, by the assistance of the boy whom he had
with him, to open up one of his veins for blood-letting. After
this ihe sick man began daily to grow better; not long after
became altogether well. Restored from the disease entirely, of
himself he resolved, as soon as possible, to be initiated in the
Christian rites; not himself only, but his wife also and two
daughters; for as yet he has no male offspring. Father White
is now diligently engaged in their instruction; nor do they
slothfully receive the heavenly doctrine, for, by the light of
heaven poured upon them, they have long since found out the
errors of their former life. The king has exchanged the skins,
with which he was heretofore clothed, for a garment made in
our fashion ; he makes also a little endeavor to learn our lan-
guage.
"Having put away his concubines from him, he lives con-
tent with one wife, that he may the more freely (as he says)
have leisure to pray to God. He abstains from meat on the
days in which it is forbidden by the Christian laws; and men
that are heretics who do otherwise, or are of that name, he
thinks ought to be called bad Christians. . . . But the greatest
hope is, that when the family of the king is purified by bap-
tism, the conversion of the whole empire will speedily take
place."
The writer then proceeds to describe the execution
of an Indian convicted of the murder of an English-
man. The culprit was converted to Christianity be-
fore his death, which he met with fortitude, and his
remains were buried with the solemn rites of the
Catholic Church. The writer adds, —
" No one, however, was more vehemently moved at the sight
of the dying neophyte than the Tayac, who afterwards earn-
estly insisted that he too should receive the gift of baptism.
The thing being considered in council, it appeared that it would
be for the greater glory of God if it be deferred a little until it
could be performed with splendid display, in the greatest solem-
nity, and in the sight of his countrymen ; his wife also, and
his children, coming to a participation of his joy and gladness.
The king, at length, won over by the attentions of the Catho-
lics, and greatly delighted with their prolonged hospitality,
returned home, the same Father White being his attendant,
whither as soon as he came he gave command to his people to
prepare the church by next Pentecost, the time appointed for
the next baptism. On that day, at Kittamaquindi, the Gov-
ernor and other distinguished men of the colony contemplated
honoring by their presence, and by whatever other means they
can, the Christian sacraments and the second better birth of the
Tayac, a merciful God causing this thing to turn out to the
good of all, — to his glory, to our reward, and to the salvation
of the whole tribe,"
The Tayac mentioned in the last letter as king or
emperor of Piscataway was also called Chitomacon,
or Chitomachen. The latter appears to have been
his proper name, and Tayac an appellation expressing
his rank or dignity. He had been represented as a
chief of great power, exercising authority over several
of the neighboring tribes. His capital, called Kit-
tamaquindi, was at or near tlie present village of
Piscataway, about fifteen miles from Washington City.
The annual letter of 1640 gives an account of the
baptism and marriage of this barbaric prince. So im-
portant was the event considered, that we find Gov-
ernor Calvert and others of the principal men in the
colony making a journey into the wilderness to be
present at it. As an incident in history it may be
placed beside the baptism of Pocahontas, which has so
often inspired the artist's pencil. As that ceremony
secured for Virginia the friendship of the great
chief Powhatan, so the baptism of the Tayac gained for
the infant colony of Maryland the good will and alli-
ance of the most powerful of the neighboring chief-
tains, without whose friendship its existence would
probably have been seriously imperiled. The letter
" In this mission this year have been four priests and one
coadjutor. We stated last year what hope we had conceived
of converting the Tayac, or the emperor of what they call Pas-
eatoe. From that time, such is the kindness of God, the event
has not disappointed the expectation, for he has joined our
faith, some others also being brought over with him, and on the
5th of July, 1640, when he was sufficiently instructed in the
mysteries of the faith, in a solemn manner he received the
sacramental waters in a little chapel, which, for that purpose
and for divine worship, he had erected out of bark, after the
manner of the Indians. At the same time the queen, with an
infant at the breast, and others of the principal men, whom he
THE ABORIGINES.
51
especially admitted to his councils, together with his little son,
were regenerated in the baptismal font. To the emperor, who
was called Chitomachen before, was given the name of Charles ;
to his wife, that of Mary. The others, in receiving the Christian
faith, had Christian names allotted to them. The Governor
was present at the ceremony, together with his secretary and
many others; nor was anything wanting in display which our
means could supply.
" In the afternoon the king and queen were united in matri-
mony in the Christian manner; then the great holy cross was
erected, in carrying which to its destined place the king, Gov-
ernor, secretary, and others lent their shoulders and hands;
two of us in the mean time chanting before them the litanj' in
honor of the Blessed Virgin."
Id the mean time the Susquehannough Indians con-
tinued their depredations, for the reeords exhibit for
many years lamentable accounts of the murders,
house-burnings, and robberies committed by them
upon the inhabitants of the territory now embraced in
Montgomery, Ann Arundel, Prince George's, Balti-
more, Harford, Cecil, and Kent Counties. In 1662
the colonists were at peace with the Susquehannoughs,
but both of these were at war with the Senecas, who
were devastating the few scattered settlements of the
English along the western tributaries of the Chesa-
peake Bay.
In the spring of 1662 they penetrated as far south
as the head of South River, which seems to have
alarmed the Council, for they ordered all the powder
and shot to be seized for the use of the colony, and
that scouts should be sent to the head-waters of all
rivers emptying into the head of the bay, with orders
to arrest or kill all Indians found there. The troubles
with the Senecas grew worse, and on July 4, 1663,
the Council was informed by the inhabitants of Balti-
more County at the head of the bay that the Indians
had recently murdered two of the settlers, and another
near Patapsco River, with two youths whom it was
believed they had either killed or carried off. For
nearly twelve years a fierce war was kept up between
the Susquehannoughs and Senecas, success being
mostly on the side of the former tribe ; but a more for-
midable enemy than even the Senecas had by this time
invaded them, — the smallpox, which first appeared
among them in 1661, and whose ravages became i
terrible. In 1673 they only numbered about three I
hundred warriors, while ten years before they had
been able to muster seven hundred ; and probably the
mortality was even greater among the women and
children.
When the Hurons, who were of Iroquois stock,
were finally overthrown, the survivors fled for refuge
to the Andastes, or Susquehannoughs, from whom they
had before received promises of assistance. The pro-
tection thus afforded seems to have been resented by
the Iroquois Confederacy, or Five Nations, and war
being declared between them and the Susquehan-
noughs in 1662, the warriors of the latter tribe car-
ried such devastation into the land of the Senecas (one
of the Five Nations) that these were forced to seek the
aid of the French. The Dutch writers, under date of
1661-62, relate that the Susquehannoughs, or Min-
quas, though they had suffered severely from the
smallpox, had engaged in a war with the Senecas,
and that " in May, 1663, an army of sixteen hundred
Senecas marched against the Minquas and laid siege
to a little fort defended by a hundred men, who,
armed with firearms and even cannon, relying, too, on
speedy aid from their countrymen, and from the
Marylanders, with whom they had really made peace,
defended themselves vigorously, and at last compelled
the Senecas to raise the siege." The war between the
Andastes and Iroquois oontiuued for many years, with
almost constant victory for the former. But disease
accomplished what the Five Nations could not, and
the reduced tribe was finally defeated, the Relation of
1676-77 speaking of the Andastes as utterly exter-
minated after a resistance of twenty years. That
Maryland took part in the final defeat of this heroic
nation is evident from the language of the Iroquois
deputies at the treaty of Lancaster in 17-1-I:. " We
do not remember," they say, " that we have ever been
employed by the Great King to conquer others ; if it
is so, it is beyond our memory. We do remember
we were employed by Maryland to conquer the Con-
estogues (Susquehannoughs), and that the second time
we were at war with them we carried them' off."
The Susquehannoughs having been reduced by dis-
ease and warfare to about three hundred warriors,
in 1674 were terribly defeated by the Senecas, and
driven from their homes at the head of the Chesa-
peake to the territory formerly occupied by the Pis-
cataways, near the Maryland and Virginia boundary,
the latter tribe having been removed by the Assem-
bly to lands on the Potomac River, near the present
site of Georgetown, afterwards in Frederick County.
Here they establislied themselves in an old Indian
fortification. Here the Senecas pursued them, and
did some damage to the plantations on both sides of
the river.
In the summer of 1675 a white man was found
lying covered with wounds at the door of his house
near Stafford, Va., and the corpse of a friendly In-
dian by his side. Before dying he declared that In-
dians had been the murderers. Col. Mason and Capt.
Brent at once collected a party of militia, and followed
the trail up the Potomac and across that river into
Maryland.
52
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Here the party divided ; the detachment under
Brent found a wigwam belonging to some of the
Doage tribe, surrounded it, and summoned the inmates
to come forth. A chief obeyed, and was at once shot
dead by Brent. The others within rushed forth, and
all, ten in number, were shot down, only a boy being
spared. In the mean time Mason's party had also
found and surrounded a wigwam, and as the Indians
came out at his summons they were fired on and four-
teen killed, the firing only ceasing when a chief run-
ning up to Mason called out that they were Susque-
hannoughs and friends. The survivors denied all
knowledge of the murder, which they said had been
done by a marauding band of Senecas. Shortly
after this several other murders were committed on
both sides of the river, and terror and excitement
prevailed. Disbelieving the innocence of the Susque-
hannoughs, or desirous of ridding themselves of their
neighborhood, the Marylanders and Virginians organ-
ized a joint attack upon their fortress, the Virginia
troops being led by Col. John Washington (great-
grandfather of Gen. George Washington), Col. Mason,
and JLij. Alderton, and the Marylanders by Maj.
Thomas Trueman, one of the Governor's Council. The
Maryland force wei'e assisted by Piscalawaj', Chaptico,
Matawoman, Pamunky, and Nansemy Indians. On
Sunday morning, Sept. 25, 1G75, the Maryland troops
appeared before the fort, summoned the chiefs to a
parley, and charged them with the recent murders,
which they solemnly denied, laying the blame on the
Senecas. These, they said, were now near the head
of the Patapsco, and they ofi'ered guides for their pur-
suit. Duiing the conference the Virginians had
joined the Marylanders, and their commanders reiter-
ated the charges, which the Indians persisted in de-
nying, insisting that they were friends, and as proof
of their assertions showing a silver medal with a
black and yellow ribbon — the Baltimore colors — and
certain papers which had been given them by Gov-
ernor Calvert as a safe-conduct and pledge of amity.
Trueman, it is said, professed himself satisfied of their
innocence, and promised that no harm should befall
them. On the following morning, however, Capt.
Allen, who had been sent to one of the scenes of
recent murder, returned, bringing with him the bodies
of the victims, and arrived at the camp while the con-
ference was being hell with the chiefs. The passions
of the militiamen were roused to fury by the sight of
the mangled bodies, and the Virginia officers demanded
the instant execution of the chiefs. Col. Washington,
according to the testimony of a witness, being par-
ticularly furious, shouting, " What ! should we keep
them any longer? Let us knock them on the head."
Despite the reluctance of Trueman, five of the chiefs
were bound, led away, and tomahawked, one only
being spared. The remainder in the fort bravely de-
fended themselves for six weeks, after which time,
their provisions giving out, they made their escape by
night.
For this breach of faith Maj. Trueman was cited
before the bar of the Lower House, and Robert Car-
ville, attorney-general, Messrs. Burgess, Cheseldyn,
Stephens, and others brought in articles of impeach-
ment against him, addressed to the proprietary, and
supported by affidavits. These charge, first, that he
caused the chiefs to be seized and executed after they
had come out under assurance of safety, and had
shown the paper and medal as evidence of their being
friends to Maryland. Secondly, that he caused the
execution without previously obtaining the proprie-
tary's authority. Thirdly, that he failed to procure a
signed declaration of the Virginia officers that the
execution was by their advice and consent. They
therefore conclude that Trueman had broken his com-
mission and instructions, and pray his lordship and the
Upper House " to take such order with the said Maj.
Thomas Trueman as may be just and reasonable."
These articles and depositions being laid before
the Upper House, Trueman was brought to trial on
May 27, 1G76, before the Lord Proprietary, Col.
Samuel Chew, chancellor and secretary, and Cols.
Wharton and Tailler, sitting as a court of impeach-
ment, and it was voted, nemiiie confradicetite, that
the accused was guilty of the first article of im-
peachment, and the Upper House was requested to
send a message to the Lower House, desiring them to
draw a bill of attainder against him. The bill was
at once drawn and sent to the Upper House, which
on the 1st of June responded by a message saying
that the penalties therein prescribed were far too light
for " so horrid a crime" and breach of the public
faith. That if Trueman escaped so lightly the jus-
tice and dignity of the province would be brought
into contempt, and the Indians set an example of bad
faith likely to have disastrous consequences. That,
moreover, the Assembly will be looked upon as coun-
tenancing rather than abhorring the acts of Trueman.
To this the Lower House replied that circumstances
were shown at the trial that extenuated the conduct
of the accused ; for instance, " the eager impetuosity
of the whole field, as well Marylanders as Virginians,
at the sight of the Christians murdered at Mr. Hin-
son's," the identification of several of the chiefs as
the murderers, and the necessity of the act to prevent
a meeting. They therefore refused to recede from
their former position.
THE ABORIGINES.
5:{
The Upper House on the 12th answered that the
bill was an attainder only in name ; that they never
would consent " to inflict a pecuniary punishment
upon a person accused of murder by one house and
condemned by the other; and that it was against
their privileges for the bill to be pressed on them any
further." The Lower House unanimously decided that
Trueman, though guilty of the charge, was not de-
serving of death, and the Upper House remaining
firm, he escaped his deserved punishment. He was,
however, dismissed from the Council.
It has been said that the Indians left in the fort
after the massacre of the chiefs defended tliemselves
until their provisions gave out and then escaped by
night. They went with the fires of rage and revenge
burning in their hearts, and marked their southward
march by a track of devastation and slaughter. At
least sixty settlers paid the penalty of that deed of
treachery and cruelty. One of them was a servant of
Nathaniel Bacon, of Virginia; and this aroused Bacon,
a man of bold and adventurous spirit, to apply for a
commission to raise and command a force against the
Susquehannoughs, the consequences of which were
the utter crushing of the tribe and the revolt which
bears Bacon's name in Virginian history.
A remnant of the Susquehannoughs that had been
carried off by the Iroquois in a war with that nation
must have maintained a separate existence, for we find
that Penn,in 1701, entered into a regular treaty with
Conoodagtok, king of the Susquehannoughs, Min-
quays, or Conestoga Indians ; but it would seem that
on this occasion a representative from the Onondago
tribe was present. As a subject tribe we meet with
the Susquehannoughs for many years in the negotia-
tions of the league, and though some of them appear
to have been removed to Onoghguage, a little band
remained at Conestoga, where, joined by some Nanti-
cokes, they formed a small village. In 1763, we are
told, " they were still at their old castle, numbering
only twenty, inhabiting a cluster of squalid cabins,
living by beggary and the sale of baskets, brooms, and
wooden ladles. An Indian war (Pontiac's) then deso-
lated the frontier, and the Paxton boys, suspecting
these poor wretches, and finding in the Bible sufficient
commission to destroy the heathen, attacked the vil-
lage, and killed six of them, the only occupants at the
time. The fourteen survivors were taken to Lancas-
ter by the sheriff, and shut up in the jail-yard for pro-
tection, but they could not escape the Paxton boys,
who, while the townspeople were at church, burst into
the jail and hiassacred the helpless objects of their
fury." Thus perished at the hands of a cowardly mob
the last remnant of that once powerful and noble tribe
which had lorded it over the whole of Maryland, and
which had often vanquished the fiercest and most for-
midable of the Indian confederacies.
The Indians that roamed over the upper counties
of Western Maryland belonged to the Shawancse
tribe, a subdivision of the Algonquin group. Ac-
cording to a tradition of recent origin, the Shawnees,
or Shawancse, were primarily identical with the Kick-
apoo nation ; but they moved eastward, and a part are
said to have remained in 1648 along the Fox River,
while the main body, mot south of Lake Erie by the
Iroquois, were driven to the banks of the Cumberland
River.
The basin of the Cumberland River is marked by
the earliest geographers as the locality of the Shaw-
nese, who connected the southeastern Algonquins with
the western,' and there is authority for the statement
that they were inhabitants of this territory before the
settlement of the Europeans on the continent. In
1682, when Penn made his celebrated treaty with the
Indians, in the neighborhood of the present city of
Philadelphia, the Shawnees were a party to the treaty
in common with other tribes who composed the great
nation of Algonquins, and they must have been con-
sidered a very prominent band from the fact of their
having preserved the treaty in their own po.ssession, as
we are informed that at a subsequent conference held
with them and the Mingoes many years afterwards,
probably in 1701, by the Governor of Pennsylvania,
the Shawnees produced this treaty written on parch-
ment.
It would seem that after the treaty of 1682 a part
of the Shawnees lived near Winchester, Va , but that
the principal band removed from their hunting-ground
in Kentucky, on the Cumberland River, to the head-
waters of one of the great rivers of South Carolina,
perhaps the Congarec ; and at a later day four hun-
dred of them who had wandered in the woods for
four years were found a little north of the head-waters
of the Mobile River, on their way to the country of
the Muscogees, or Creeks.
In the year 1684, La Salle, a, Frenchman, set out on
a second expedition for the discovery of the mouth of
the Mississippi, but before he had effected his object
he was murdered by the Indians. In 1694, M. Iber-
ville set out on a voyage of the same character, and
on the 14th of August a basket was found in the
possession of some Indians containing a paper upon
which the names of many individuals belonging to La
Salle's expedition were written, and a letter addressed
to M. D. Zanti, from which it was learned that he had
^ Harvey's "History of the Shawnee Indians."
54
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
descended to the sea with twenty Canadians and thirty
Shawnee Indians from the river Wabash. This ap-
pears to have been on the first expedition of La Salle,
whicli was of course prior to the one above mentioned,
which was in the year 1684, but how long before is
unknown. Thus it seems that previous to the year
1G84 some of the Shawnees lived on the Wabash,
but what became of the thirty Shawnees who accom- i
pauied La Salle we are not informed ; it is thought,
however, that they made their way into Florida or ,
Texas, and never returned to the Wabash country. I
About 1678 seventy families of the Shawnees removed
from South Carolina and settled on the Susquehanna
River, in Pennsylvania. Others of the same tribe
soon followed, so that the number of fighting men of
this tribe in Pennsylvania in 1732 amounted to seven I
hundred, half of whom were from the South. This [
number, it is presumed, only included the band that
had gone to South Carolina ; but as it is evident that
these seven hundred warriors did not include all the
Shawnees, the remainder can be accounted for by }
another band, referred toby Cadwallader Colden, who,
after remarking, in 1745, that the Shawnees were the
most restless of all the Indian tribes, says that one
tribe of them had gone to New Spain (now Florida).
This band of four hundred and fifty, who were found
north of the head-waters of the Mobile River, prob-
ably never returned to Pennsylvania, while the band
which had lived near Winchester probably removed
to the Alleghany, near Fort Duquesne, and afterwards
to Cape Girardeau, between the Whitewater and Mis-
sissippi Rivers.
The Iroquois claimed sovereignty over the Shaw
nees, and drove them to the West, where they took
active part in the various Indian wars that from time
to time broke forth in vain attempts to stay the prog-
ress of white civilization. In 1731, rejecting the
English missionaries, they negotiated with the French,
and gave early aid to them in the final struggle ; but
in 1758 they were won over by the appearance of
Gen. Forbes. After the fall of Canada they joined
Pontiac, and were actiye in hostilities till subdued by
Bouquet. In 1774 they participated in the battle of
Point Pleasant, and in 1771) twice repulsed the attacks
of Col. Bowman. They joined in the peace of 1786,
but under English influence took part in the Miami
war, in the campaigns against Gens. Harmar and St.
Clair, till they were finally reduced by Gen. Wayne,
and submitted under the treaty of Greenville in 1795.
The main party were at this time on the Scioto, but
some had crossed into Missouri, where the Spaniards
gave them land. Another band moved South. In
the war of 1812 some of the bands were won by the
English. Urged by Tecumseh and his brother, the
Prophet, they endeavored to unite all the Indians of
the West against the Americans, but those in Ohio
remained faithful. The Missouri band ceded their
lands to the government in 1825, and the Ohio band
in 1831. In 1854 the band of Shawnees proper in
that part of the Indian Territory now included in
Kansas numbered nine hundred, on a reservation of
one million six hundred thousand acres ; but by treaty
the tribal relation was ended, and the lands were di-
vided in severalty. Besides these, there were in 1872
ninety in the Quapaw agency, and six hundred and
sixty-three in the Sac and Fox agency.
Of the region bordering on the Upper Potomac,
however,
"there is no history," says a distinguished writer, "either writ-
ten or oral, to enlighten us as to the events of an epoch earlier
than about 1728.
" At that date there was located in the province of Maryland,
at the junction of two streams known as the Cuhongaronta and
the Caiuctucuc, an Indian town, which also bore the latter name.
The town of Caiuctucuc was built on the ground lying between
these streams, from their confluence to a point some distance up
the river Cohongaronta, the greater portion of the town being
located upon the site of the west side of the present city of
Cumberland. Other towns were dotted along the river's bank
for a distance of more than forty miles, the most easterly being
the present site of Oldtown, Allegany Qo., Md. A century
ago the settlement at that point was called ' Shawanese Old-
town,' but of late years the explanatory prefix has been entirely
dropped, and the place is now simply known as Oldtown. Other
villages were scattered about between the Virginia and Penn-
sylvania lines, two of which were not far distant from Caiuc-
tucuc. One of these was located in the narrow valley, three
miles westward, on the banks of Braddock's Run, on what is
now known as the Eckles' place, and within a few yards of the
line of the present National read, just where it is crossed by
the Eckhart Railroad. Within the memory of men now living
there were many relics of this village in existence,
" The ground was heavily timbered throughout that valley,
and a clearing of several acres had been made there, in which
were still to be seen the remnants of the small huts used by the
natives. Just across the ridge, in Cash Valley, was another
village of the same character, and still another of greater di-
mensions was situated near the spot on which Cresaptown
stands, probably a little nearer the river. The date of the de-
cline and fall of the town of Caiuctucuc is left to conjecture,
but it was abandoned prior to 1751, as is shown by the earliest
map of this region, made in that year, which simply marks the
I territory in question as ' Abandoned Shawanese Lands,' and
at that time ' many bands of Indians of other tribes, with scat-
tered lodges, were found here by the hardy pioneers, whose
venturesome spirits led them so far beyond the limits of civil-
ization, while the Shawanese thickly peopled the hanks of the
; Ohio and the Monongahela west of the AUeghanies.' " i
In its day and generation, however, Caiuctucuc was
a town of respectable dimensions, built after the fash-
ion of Indian villages in general. It was simply an
I 1 Lowdermilk's " History of Cumberland."
I
THE ABORIGINES.
55
aggregation of cabins or wigwams, constructed by fix-
ing saplings in the ground in a circle and tying the
flexible ends together at the top, so as to form a con-
ical cage or frame-work, which was covered with skins
or sheets of bark. A better style of house, such as
the chiefs used, was constructed by inclosing an ob-
long space in the same manner. Holes were cut in
the sides for windows, and an opening left at the top
to allow the smoke to escape, the fireplace occupying
the centre part of the floor. Mats of grass or rushes
were sometimes used to partition ofi' an apartment.
The mode of fortification was by inclosing the whole
town, or a part of it, including the chief's house, with
a strong and close stockade. Within this stockade
was the council-fire, around which they gathered to
discuss public matters or for religious ceremonies.
The land about the village was held in common,
but to each family a portion was allotted for cultiva-
tion, the agricultural tasks devolving upon the women.
Each family delivered a part of the crop to the chief,
and it was placed in a general store-house to be used
for the chief's subsistence, for the entertainment of
guests, and as a reserve in case of scarcity or siege.
They cultivated maize, beans, tobacco, and several va-
rieties of the melon and gourd. The confederate
tribes exercised common rights of forestry over the
surrounding wilderness ; but certain natural bounda-
ries, such as rivers and streams, distinguished the
territory of each from its neighbors.
The tribe was subject to its chief, who had absolute
power over his people, and whose authority descended
in the female line. When the chief died he was suc-
ceeded by his brother of the same mother, or failing
a brother, by his sister's son ; the alleged reason being
that descent derived through the mother is certain,
while that through the father was uncertain. This
custom would seem to point to a time when conjugal
fidelity was rarer among the women than the early
writers represent it. Next to the chief, or " king," of
the tribe was the werowance, or general, who had com-
mand of all expeditions, whether peaceful or hostile.
Such warriors as had distinguished themselves in
council or battle were honored with a title which the
early travelers and historians give as cockaroiise, and
these, with the chief, the werowance, and a " medicine-
man," or conjuror, formed the ordinary council of the
tribe.
This medicine-man was a person of great impor-
tance, combining in himself the functions of physician
and magician, as is generally the case among savage
tribes, who look upon disease as the result of a hostile
incantation or the anger of a malignant or offended
spirit. They were usually initiated into their profes-
sion by a long period of preparation, including pro-
tracted fasting, solitude, severe penances, and fre-
quently the administration of narcotic drugs. This
regimen produced hallucinations, in which medicines
or charms were revealed to them by spirits, and a hys-
terical or epileptic tendency superinduced, which,
under nervous excitement, readily gave rise to parox-
ysms.
Their modes of poimoowiiii/ were various, but
usually began with drum-beating, shaking of rattles,
and chanting by the assistants, and furious dancing
and gesticulation on the part of the conjuror, until he
was seized with convulsions, real or simulated, and
rolled upon the ground with face distorted and mouth
foaming. Sometimes he howled forth his oracle in
this condition, and then it was understood to be a
spirit that possessed him speaking with his voice ; at
other times he fell prostrate and apparently lifeless,
and did not deliver his oracle until he recovered his
senses, when he announced that his soul had quitted
his body and journeyed to the world of spirits,
whence it brought the desired answer. In their med-
ical practice they combined these conjurations with
treatment of a more orthodox sort, administering
drugs, using scarification, cauterization, and other
remedies ; and in both capacities they were regarded
with great veneration. These medicine-men also took
a prominent part in the religious ceremonies, solemn
fasts, and other rites. These had mostly reference to
the change of seasons and other events, the chief
feast being at the maize-harvest, while others signal-
ized the return of certain sorts of migratory game,
the ripening of certain fruits, etc. Their festivals
were celebrated with various ceremonies of a symbol-
ical character, with singing, dancing, and a grand
banquet.
Neither at these festivals nor in their ordinary life
did these Indians use any beverage but water, some-
times sweetened with the sap of the sugar-maple,
unti^ after they had learned the use of spirituous
liquors from the whites ; and to these, Father White
tells us, the Maryland Indians had at first a great re-
pugnance, though afterwards drunkenness became a
prevalent vice with them. The custom of smoking
tobacco was universal among the tribes at the time of
the first arrival of the whites. It was regarded, how-
ever, in a far di3"erent light from the same practice
among ourselves. Tobacco was a sacred herb, a
precious gift of the Great Spirit to his children, and
the act of smoking had always something of a cere-
monial or even religious character. In some tribes
the chief, standing at the entrance of his cabin at sun-
rise, saluted the first appearance of the solar disk
56
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
with solemn wafts of smoke from his pipe. In coun-
cils and other ceremonies the calumet played an im-
portant part. It was solemnly lighted by the chief,
who gave a few whiffs, sometimes directing these to
the four cardinal points, and then opened the matter
for consideration ; the pipe was next handed to the
second in rank, who in turn took two or three whiffs,
and then delivered his opinion, and thus the pipe
made the circuit of the assembly. A large and or-
namental pipe was kept in each village for the cere-
monious reception of strangers, whose peaceful or
hostile intentions were known by their reception of it.
The chief of the village filled and lighted the peace-
pipe in the presence of the visitors, and after smoking
a little handed it to their principal men. If he re-
fused to smoke, it meant that their intentions were
hostile, but if he received and smoked it, it was a
sign of peace, and it was passed alternately according
to rank between hosts and guests. These pipes were
adorned with feathers and wings of birds, and what-
ever other ornament their fancy could devise, and
served also as credentials to traveling ambassadors,
and, like the herald's tabard of feudal times, was a
safe-conduct even among foes.
At the time of the arrival of the first colonists the
Maryland Indians clothed themselves in skin, mostly
of the deer, which the women had the art of dressing
extremely soft and pliant. Some, according to Smith,
used ingeniously-woven mantles of turkey-feathers.
Their weapons were bows and arrows, pointed with
pieces of deer-horn, the spurs of the wild turkey, or
flints skillfully chipped to the requisite shape and keen-
ness ; hatchets of hard grit-stone ground to an edge
and grooved for the attachment of a handle, and War-
clubs of hard wood, sometimes edged with flints. As
defensive armor they had shields of bark, and Smith
mentions a kind of light target used by the Massa-
womekes, made of small sticks woven between strings
of hemp and silk grass, and proof against arrow-shots.
The introduction of firearms, however, rendering
these simple contrivances useless, they were grad-
ually abandoned. They soon learned to buy improved
arms. Implements, and clothing from the Europeans,
giving in exchange furs and peltries, and getting
coarse, heavy cloths, hatchets and knives of steel,
guns and ammunition, and pieces of iron out of which
they cut lighter and better heads for their arrows.
Though iron ore was abundant, none of the Indians
had the art of melting it, their skill in metallurgy
being limited to the manufacture of rude articles out
of native copper, and occasionally gold. Penn's de-
scription of Indian manners and customs is as graphic
as it is accurate.
"Of their manners and customs," he says, "there is much
to be said. I will begin with children. So soon as they are
born they wash them in water, and while very young, and in
cold weather to choose, they plunge them in the river to harden
and embolden them. Having wrapped them in a cloth, they-
lay them on a straight thin board, a little more than the length
and breadth of the child, and swaddle it first upon the board
to make it straight, — wherefore all Indians have fiat heads, —
and thus they carry them at their backs.
*' The children will go very young, at nine months old com-
monly. They use only a small cloth round their waist till they
are large. If boys, they go a-fishing till ripe for the woods,
which is about fifteen ; then they hunt, and after giving some
proofs of their manhood, by a good return of skins, they may
marry, else it is a shame to think of a wife. The girls stay
with their mothers and help to hoe the ground, plant corn, and
carry burthens ; and they do well to use them young, which they
must do when they are old, for the wives are the true servants
of their husbands. Otherwise the men are very affectionate to
them.
" When the young women are fit for marriage they wear some-
thing on their heads for an advertisement, but so as their faces
are hardly to be seen but when they please. The age they
marry at, if women, is about thirteen or fourteen ; if boys,
seventeen or eighteen ; they are seldom older.
" They are great concealers of their own resentments, brought
to it, I believe, by the revenge that hath been practiced among
them; in either of these they are not exceeded by the Italians.
In sickness they are impatient to be cured, and for it give
everything, especially for their children, to whom they are ex-
tremely natural. They drink at those times a teran, or concoc-
tion of roots in spring water ; and if they eat any flesh, it must
be the female of any creature. If they die, they bury them
with their apparel, be they men or women, and the nearest of
kin fling in something precious with them as a token of true
love ; their mourning is blacking of their faces, which they con-
tinue for a year. They are choice of the graves of their dead,
lest they should be lost by time and fall to common use. They
pick off the grass that grows upon them, and heap up the fallen
earth with great care and exactness. These poor people are
under a dark night in things relating to religion ; to be sure the
traditions of it they have only, yet they believe in a God and
immortality without the help of metaphysics; for, say they,
there is a great king that made them, who dwells in a glorious
country to the southward of them, and that the souls of the
good shall go thither, where they shall live again. Their wor-
ship consists of two parts, sacrifice and cantico ; their sacrifice
is their first fruits, the first and fattest buck they kill goeih to
the fire, where he is all burnt, with a mournful ditty of him
that performeth the ceremony, but with such marvelous fer-
vency and labor of the body that they will even sweat to a foam.
The other part is their cantico, performed by round dances,
sometiines words, sometimes songs, then shouts; two being in
the middle tent begin, and by singing and drumming on a
board direct the chorus.
" Their postures in the dance are very antique and diS'ering,
but all keep measure. This is done with equal earnestness and
labor, but great appearances of joy. In the fall, when the corn
Cometh in, they begin to feast one another. There have been
two great festivals already, to which all come that would. I
was at one myself. Their entertainment was a great seat by a
a spring, under some shady trees, and twenty fat bucks with
hot cakes of new corn, both wheat and beans, which they make
I up in square form, in the leaves of the stem, and bake them in
the ashes, and after that they fall to dancing. But they that
I go must carry a small present in their money ; it may be six-
THE ABORIGINES.
57
pence, which is made of the bone of a fish; the blnck is with
them as gold, the white, silver. They call it all wampum.
The justice they have is pecuniary; in case of any wronger evil
fuct, be it murder itself, they atone by feasts and presents of
their wampum, which is proportioned to the otfense or person
injured, or of the sex they are of; for in case they kill a woman,
they pay double, and the reason they render is that she can
raise children, which men cannot do. It is rare that they fall
out if sober, and if drunk forgive it, saying it was the drink
and not the man that abused thetn."
Their mode of warfare was altogether of the guerrilla
sort, consisting chiefly of surprises and ambuscades,
in which they displayed great skill and cunning.
Such a thing as a pitched battle between two
armies in the open field was contrary to all their
notions of good strategy. When a hostile expedi-
tion had been determined on by the chief and leading
warriors in council, it was made known to the tribe,
who celebrated the occasion by a solemn dance, in
which the warriors, bedizened in paint and feathers,
stated their past or projective exploits, and imitated
in expressive pantomime the shooting, tomahawking,
and scalping of their foes. On the appointed day
they set out in one or more parties, moving, as they
approached their destination, with extreme warine.ss
to prevent discovery, marching often by night in sin-
gle file, slipping from shadow to shadow, or gliding
through the forest so stealthily that hardly a twig
snapped or leaf rustled under tlie tread of a moo-
casined foot, until at a given signal they burst upon
the village with terrific war-whoops. Those of their
foes who survived after the rage of slaughter was
glutted they made prisoners, and reserved for death by
the most cruel tortures their ingenuity could devise ;
in inventing and enduring which the Iroquois — who,
indeed, have the credit of introducing the custom
•seem to have surpassed all others. Instances are
'recorded of the tortures of distinguished warriors
I lasting for days, a sort of contest arising between the
(power of cruelty to inflict and that of fortitude to en-
dure. In the intervals of torment the victim would
I sometimes smoke his pipe and talk on indifferent
[matters with his tormentors; while amid his suffcr-
jing he sang his own exploits, or derided tlie unskill-
I fulness of his torturers, and taught them devices for
[inflicting more exquisite pain. Women were some-
j times tortured, but usually they were tomahawked
i or shot, unless the captors wanted women, in which
I case they were adopted into the tribe.
j One of the most noted species of ornament, which
I answered all the purposes of a circulating medium
jamong the Eastern Indians, was wampum. This
consisted of small circular bits of sea-shell, smoothly
ground and polished, with a hole drilled through the
centre of each, by which it might be strung or attached
ornamentally to the belt or other parts of the dress.
The " quahog," or round clam, fiirnished the principal
material for this coin, the variegated purple portions
of the shell being much the most valuable. The
great labor in preparing it was the boring, which was
efl^ected by a sharp flint.'
" The wompompeague," says Gookin, " is made principally by
the Block Islanders and Long Island Indians. Qpon the sandy
flats and shores of those coasts the wilk shells are found. With
this wompompeague they pay tribute, redeem captives, satisfy
for murders and other wrongs, purchase peace with their potent
neighbors, as occasion requires; in a word, it answers all occa-
sions with them, as gold and silver doth with us."
To effect a clearing and secure a crop with such
rude implements of stone as they possessed appears to
us almost an impracticable undertaking ; but we are
assured by early writers that they obtained as large a
yield from a given quantity of ground as can be pro-
duced by the assistance of all modern conveniences
and contrivances.'
Two dishes greatly in vogue among the Indians,
says Brownell, have maintained their popularity amono-
their European successors. Green corn, the ripening
of which was celebrated by a national dance, is sought
as eagerly as when it supplied a grateful refreshment
to the red men, emaciated, as Smith describes them,
by their spring diet of fish and roots. A preparation
denominated " succotash," consisting of maize boiled
with beans and flavored with fat bear's meat or fish,
still remains a favorite dish.
It is a singular fact that the use of milk should
have been entirely unknown before the advent of the
whites, although there were various animals in the
country from which it might have been procured.
This fact has been adduced as a strong an'ument
against the hypothesis that immigrants from the
nomadic tribes of Tartary have mingled with the red
race in comparatively modern times.
A favorite article of diet was a cake made of maize
beaten as fine as the means at command would per-
mit, mixed with water, and baked upon a flat stone,
previously heated in the flre. These cakes, it is said,
were called " Shawnee cakes," the name, in the course
of a few years, being corrupted into the " Johnny-
cake" so well known in the South and other sections
of the country at thep resent day.^
1 Brownell's " Indian Races of North and South America "
2 Ibid.
3 Lowderniilk. It must be confessed, however, that this deri-
vation is more plausible than probable, and will scarcely stand
the test of criticism. "Johnny-cake" is more probably a
corruption of "Journey-cake," an article cooked hastily for
travelers, or upon the spur of a hurried and une.xpected
journey.
58
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
"The lands in the vicinity of Cumberland,'' says Lowdermilk,
" are rich in Indian relics, and an interesting collection of stone
pipes, tomahawks, rings, tablets, quoits, etc., has been made by
F. M. OfFutt. These were taken from graves which were opened
by various persons. Along the banks of the Potomac the curious
may still find these graves, and the writer has himself assisted
in the exploration of a number of them. The custom of the In-
dians was to lay their dead upon the surface of the earth, and
to deposit beside them their bows, arrows, tomahawks, and
food in jars or crocks of pottery made of clay mixed with finely-
crushed flint, and burned. The friends then deposited such
articles as they chose, and the bodies were afterwards covered
with stones, which were laid on to the height of about two feet.
Usually the stones used were bowlders from the bed of the
river. It is probable that the graves thus constructed were
those of parties who were on the war-path, or traveling from
one place to another, as usually not more than two or three
graves are found together. This is rendered more probable
from the fact that few such graves are found in the vicinity of
their towns. At Brady's Mills a number of skeletons were
unearthed some years ago by workmen who were excavating
the ground for the production of a distillery built there by
Samuel Brady. These were, beyond doubt, the remains of In-
dians, and were buried in a sitting posture some depth below
the surface. This was doubtless the burial-ground of the In-
dian village which lay between that place and Cresaptown.
On the farm of Mr. Christopher Kelly, fourteen miles below
Cumberland, one of these stone-piles was opened recently, and
a beautiful serpentine pipe of green tinted stone, besides rings,
etc., taken therefrom. In that neighborhood, and on the op-
posite side of the river, are several^ other graves of a similar
character, while in the valley of the South Branch they have
been discovered in great numbers, and hundreds of relics taken
from them have found their way to the Smithsonian Insti-
tute. The articles thus recovered were all of stone or bone, the
latter being used freely as ornaments."
CHAPTER III.
THE EARLY SETTLERS.
The First Pioneers — German Immigration — Herman anil the
Labadists — Germans in the Revolution — Palatine Refugees —
Their Religious Character— The English and Scotch— Irish '
Settlements — Primitive Manners and Customs of the Early (
Settlers.
It was many years after the first settlement of
Maryland before the advance of white civilization
reached the western section of the province. The '
population of that region was so sparse that it was not
until 1748 that it was considered suiBcient to justify
the formation of another county, and even then the
new county of Frederick was so thinly settled that it
was made to embrace the whole territory now included
in Montgomery, Washington, Allegany, Garrett, and
part of Carroll Counties, besides that comprised at
present within its own limits, forming about three-
fourths of the land area of Maryland. Although i
traders and hunters had penetrated the wilds of West- '
ern Maryland as early as 1715, and perhaps fifteen
years earlier, few attempts at white settlements were
made in the remoter portions of this region for
many years afterwards. In 1732, Joist Hite, with
his family and his sons-in-law, George Bowman,
Jacob Chrisman, and Paul Froman, with their fami-
lies, accompanied also by Robert McKay, Robert
Green, William Dufl^, Peter Stephens, and several
others, numbering in all sixteen families, removed
from Pennsylvania, cutting their road from York,
and crossing the Cohongoronton about two miles above
Harper's Ferry. Hite settled on Opequon, about five
miles south of Winchester, on the great highway
from Winchester to Staunton. Peter Stephens and
several others settled at Stephensburg and founded
the town ; Jacob Chrisman, at what was afterwards
called Chrisman's Spring, about two miles south of
Stephensburg; Bowman, on Cedar Creek, about six
miles farther south ; and Froman, on the same creek,
eight or nine miles northwest of Bowman. Robert
McKay settled on Crooked Run, eight or nine miles
southeast of Stephensburg. Hite and his party were
probably the first immigrants who settled west of the
Blue Ridge, but it was not long before they were fol-
lowed by others.'
Benjamin Allen, Riley Moore, and William White
had settled upon the Monocacy, in Maryland, prior
to 1734, and in the same year Richard Morgan ob-
tained a grant for a tract of land in the immediate
neighborhood of Shepherdstown, on or near the Co- |
hongoronton. Among the first settlers on this water-
course and its vicinity were Robert Harper (from
whom Harper's Ferry derives its name), William
Stroop, Thomas and William Forester, Israel Friend,
Thomas Shephard, Thomas Swearengen, Van Swear-
engen, James Forman, Edward Lucas, Jacob Hite,
John Lemon, Richard Mercer, Edward Mercer,
Jacob Vanmeter and brothers, Robert Stockton, Rob-
ert Buckles, John Taylor, Samuel Taylor, Richard
Morgan, and John Wright. The first settlers on
the Wappatomaka (South Branch) were Coburn,
Howard, Walker, and Rutledge.
The more southern part of Western Pennsylvania
(Greene, Washington, Fayette, and part of Somerset,
which were supposed to be within the boundaries of
Virginia) was visited by adventurous settlers from
Maryland prior to 1754. Among them were Wendel
Brown and his two sons, and Frederick Waltzer, who
settled four miles west of Uniontown, Pa. David
Tygart had settled in the valley which bears his name
in Northwestern Virginia, and several other families
^ Kercheval's " History of the Valley of Virginia."
I
THE EAKLY SETTLERS.
59
joined him a few years afterwards. These, with those
of Gist, Cresap, and several others, of whom more
will be said hereafter, were probably the only settle-
ments (west of the Blue Ridge Mountains) attempted
prior to Braddock's defeat, and those made immedi-
ately afterwards or before 1760 were repeatedly mo-
lested by the Indians, and alternately abandoned and
reoccupied.
William Jacob settled at the mouth of Redstone
Creek in 1761, but was obliged to remove on account
of the Indians in 1763, and in 1769 applied for a
location. James Gondin erected a house at Eleven-
Mile Run in 1762, and in the same year William
Shearer and Harry Shrihack made improvements in
this region by order of Col. Bouquet. From the ap-
plication of James Burd, in 1769, we learn that a
house had been erected at a place called Somerset, five
or six miles from Fort Pitt, as early as 1760, and in
1762, Casper Toup, by permission of Col. Bouquet,
improved land four miles from the present site of
Pittsburgh. Among the early settlers of this territory,
then claimed by Virginia, was Col. Crawford, who
was the intimate friend of Washington. He settled
in the valley of the Youghiogheny, on the river, pre-
cisely at the place where Braddock's army had crossed.
Whether Col. Crawford fixed upon this location by
design or accident is not known ; but it was un-
doubtedly an excellent selection. It was then on the
only road leading to this remote section of the country,
and he was thus enabled to see all travelers visiting
the Indian country ; and being an intelligent and hos-
pitable man, his house was made the stopping-place
of the weary pioneer. Gen. Washington was fre-
quently an inmate of his humble dwelling during his
frequent visits to the western country, and more than
once refers to him in his journal. A considerable
number of emigrants from Maryland, about 1768,
settled on the Youghiogeny, Monongahela, and its
several tributaries, and the settlements in West-
ern Pennsylvania, Western Maryland, and Western
Virginia began to attract attention. " The forts at
Redstone, now Brownsville, and at Wheeling were
among the first and most conspicuous ; the route the
settlers pursued was the scarce practicable path called
' Braddock's trail,' which they traveled with no better
means of conveyance for their furniture and provi-
sions than that offered by pack-horses.^ The great
object of most of these persons was to obtain posses-
sion of the lands, the title to which cost little more
than the payment of office fees. The Indian title was
not then considered by individuals as presenting any
' Hall's " Sketches of the West," p. 193.
obstacle, and Virginia (whose charter, it was then
supposed, embraced this region of country) confirmed
the titles of settlers with no other restrictions than
such as were necessary to prevent the confusion of in-
terfering claims. At an early period that colony ap-
pointed three commissioners to give certificates of set-
tlement rights, which were sent with the surveyor's
plot to the land-ofiice, where they remained six months
to await the interposition of caveats by other claimants
to the same land. If none were offered within that
period the patents were issued. There was an in-
ferior kind of title invented by those rude borderers
called a ' tomahawk-right,' which was made by dead-
ening a few trees near a spring, and marking others
by cutting in the bark, by the person who thus took
pftssession. This ceremony conferred no legal prop-
erty, but was respected by the settlers as establishing
a priority of claim with which it was thought dis-
creditable to interfere. These rights were, therefore,
often bought and sold, because those who wished to
secure favorite tracts of land chose to buy the toma-
hawk improvements rather than quarrel with those
who had made them."
To the German immigrants from Pennsylvania and
the Palatinate, however, must be ascribed the largest
share of honor in that wonderful development of the
fertile plains and valleys of Western Maryland which
has added so much to the general growth and prosperity
of the State. As in other portions of the country so in
Western Maryland, the German element has played an
important part from the earliest period of colonial
history, and at the present day, woven in by time
with the general prosperity and progress, forms one
of the chief constituents of the industrial, agricultural,
moral, and iutellectual well-being of Western Mary-
land, as well as of other portions of the State. Even
before Penn and his followers made their settlement
upon the Delaware, certain German Protestants, in
quest of a refuge from religious oppression, had come
into the province and had been hospitably received.
Among the earliest German emigrants was Augus-
tine Herman ( Harman, Heermans, as the name is
variously spelled), a Bohemian surveyor, a man of
culture and influence, a native of Prague, and very
probably a sectary of the school of Huss or Jerome.
In early youth he had left his native country and set-
tled in Holland. From Holland, in 1647, he emigrated
to New York as clerk to John and Charles Gabry,
of Amsterdam. He acquitted himself so well that
he soon got to be a member of the Dutch Council,
and in that capacity was sent to St. Mary's to confer
with the provincial Governor in regard to the claims
of Maryland to the territory on the Delaware Bay.
60
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
After this mission had been completed he removed
to Maryland, and in 1663 took up land on Elk River,
novF Cecil, but then Baltimore County, where " Bohe-
mia Manor" and " Port Herman" still preserve his
memory. Various reasons have been assigned for his
removal from New York, but the true cause seems to
have been some disagreement with Governor Stuyves-
ant. At all events, it is certain that about 1661 he
proposed to Lord Baltimore to make an exact map of
the country, if his lordship would be pleased to grant
him " a certain tract of land as an inheritance to his
posterity, and the privileges of a manor." This offer
was accepted, and the land patented to him Oct. 12,
1663, under the name of Bohemia, or Bohemia
Manor. By subsequent additions it was increased to
nearly twenty thousand acres, lying in both Maryland
and Delaware and just east of Elk River. In 1666
he and his family were naturalized by an act of As-
sembly, the first act of the kind passed in the colonies.
In 1670 his map was published, and copies of it are
still extant. It is adorned with his portrait, represent-
ing a gentleman of about fifty years of age, of rather
saturnine but not unpleasing features, set off bj' the
full-bottomed periwig of Charles the Second's time,
the whole surrounded by the legend, " Augustine
Hermann, Bohemensis."
Herman seems to have taken up his residence on
what is now known as the Ferry farm, near the pres-
ent Bayard mansion, but no trace of his house now
remains, nor can even its site be definitely located.
It cannot have been fiir from the stream, however, for
Dankers and Sluyter tell us in their journal that the
screeching of the geese and other wild fowl in the
Bohemia River, before the door, greatly disturbed
their rest at night. Herman probably resided on the
manor for more than twenty years, during which time,
it is said, he once rode to New Y'ork on the back of
his favorite horse to reclaim his long-neglected posses-
sions there. He found his land occupied by " squat-
ters," who not only declined to vacate it, but impris-
oned him in their round-house, which was built with
high steps for better protection against the Indians.
He was sentenced to death, but " a short time before
he was to be executed he feigned himself to be de-
ranged in mind, and requested that his horse should
be brought to him in prison." The horse ascended
tlie steps without difiBculty, much to the astonishment
of Herman's captors, and was mounted by his master,
who, while pretending to be performing military exer-
cises, suddenly " bolted through one of the large win-
dows that was some fifteen feet above ground, leaped
down, swam the North River, ran his horse through
Jersey, and alighted on the bank of the Delaware
opposite New Castle, and thus made his escape from
death and the Dutch." This daring feat, tradition
says, he had transferred to canvas, himself represented
as standing by the side of his charger, from whose
nostrils the blood was flowing. It is said a copy of
this painting still exists. Herman never suffered this
liorse to be used afterwards, and when he died had
him buried, and honored his grave with a tombstone.
Herman's death is said to have occurred in 1686 ;
but two years before, on Aug. 11, 1684, he conveyed
by deed to Peter Sluyter a/ias Vorsman, Jasper
Dauckeats alias Schilders, of Friesland, Petrus Bay-
ard, of New York, and John Moll and Arnoldus de
la Grange, of Delaware, jointly, three thousand seven
hundred and fifty acres of land, bounded on the west
by Long Creek, north by the great cart-road leading
to Reedy Island, in the Delaware, east by the Appo-
quinimink path leading from the great cart-road to the
head of Bohemia River, and south by Bohemia River,
known afterwards as the Labadie tract. The whole
of this tract, with the exception of a few acres, lay in
Cecil County, the line between Delaware and Mary-
land crossing its eastern extremity just before reaching
the Bohemia River. The grantees in the deed from
Herman were members of a religious community at
the small village of Wieward, in Friesland. The sect
was founded by and named after Jean de Labadie, a
French enthusiast, who had left the order of the
Jesuits and founded this new " Evangelical Church"
in Amsterdam about 1669. Owing to the opposition
met with in Amsterdam, De Labadie and his adher-
ents removed to Erfurt, from whence they removed in
1672 to Altona, where De Labadie died. From this
point they were compelled to remove to Wieward, in
Friesland, and at length, in the hope of securing a
safe and permanent retreat, they turned their eyes
towards America. Jasper Dankers and Peter Sluyter,
two of the leading members of the community, were
sent in advance on a tour of observation, and to select |
a proper location for a colony, and being attracted by '
the situation and advantages of Bohemia Manor, they
resolved to settle there, and accordingly obtained from
Herman the tract of land which has been mentioned. '
A company of men and women, including several
families, shortly afterwards arrived from Wieward, and
were joined " by a few persons from New York. •
Sluyter declared himself bishop, and sent to Friesland
for his wife, whom he installed as a kind of abbess
over the female portion of the establishment. The
members belonging to this community did not at any
time greatly exceed one hundred men, women, and
children. They had all their possessions in common,
so that none could claim any more right than another
THE EAELY SETTLERS.
61
to any part of the property. They worked at different
employments in the house or on the land, such as the
manufacture of linen, the cultivation of corn, tobacco,
flax, and hemp. Their meals were eaten in silence,
the men by themselves and the women by themselves,
the former with their heads covered, exSept during a
short season spent in inaudible thanksgiving. They
slept in the same or adjoining buildings, but in diflFer-
€nt rooms, which were not accessible to each other.
Their dress was plain and simple. Gold and silver
ornaments, jewelry, carpets, lace, and other fancy work
were prohibited. But the seeds of dissolution were
developing themselves, and as early as 1698, Peter
Sluyter, who had become sole proprietor of the lands
of the colony, resolved to divide the property. He
conveyed three of the four necks of land embraced in
the tract to Herman van Berkels, Nicholas de la
Montaigne, Peter de Koning, Derrick Kolckman,
John Moll, Jr., Hendrick Sluyter, and Samuel Bay-
ard, and retaining one of the necks himself, became a
wealthy man in his own right." In the year 1722
Sluyter died, and the Labadist colony expired about
the same time.
It was, however, in the western portion of the State
that the first considerable settlement of German refu-
gees was made. In common with the neighboring
province of Pennsylvania, Maryland was the favorite
goal of the Protestants, who were forced to flee from
the relentless persecution which devastated some of
the fairest portions of France and Germany in the
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. During the
reign of Queen Anne many of these exiles were at-
tracted to Penn.sylvania, not only by the promise of
religious toleration, but probably through the kindly
intervention of the queen her,self, who displayed so
keen solicitude for them, and contributed so liberally
to their relief, as to provoke the criticism that she was
encouraging pauperism. The reproach was most un-
just, for these exiles were skillful artisans, who after-
wards contributed immensely to the development of
British manufactures in the colonies. At first the
German immigrants settled in the vicinity of Phila-
delphia, but gradually advancing westward, soon
spread over the southern counties of Pennsylvania,
and crossed the border into Maryland. The en-
viable reputation which the latter province had en-
joyed, by reason of its. toleration of different religious
creeds, had been seriously marred by the proscription
of the Catholics, which followed the Puritan revolu-
tion, and which was revived under William and Mary,
Anne, and the first two Georges. In the reign of
William, on the other hand, the Dissenters had en-
joyed especial favor and immunity, and under George
5
II. we find Methodism making rapid headway in
Maryland, though here and there antagonized and
threatened by occasional outbursts of fanaticism on
the part of individual members of the Established
Church. To this, however, must be opposed the
fact that Methodist ministers were permitted, and
even invited, to preach in the Anglican (Episcopalian)
churches in various portions of the province. To
the special toleration thus accorded Protestants, to-
gether with their remoteness from the centres of cleri-
cal and legislative authority, the German settlers in
Western Maryland doubtless owed the immunity from
persecution which they enjoyed from the first. Doubt-
less, too, the authorities of the province were wise
enough to see that it would be impolitic in the high-
est degree to molest the brave pioneers, whose axes
were constantly ringing in the western forests, clear-
ing through the hitherto untrodden wilderness a path
to the virgin plains of the Ohio and Mississippi Val-
leys. Whatever the reason, the German settlements
were permitted to worship God in their own fashion
without let or hindrance, and new sects sprang up
among them on every side. The Germans who had
settled chiefly in the vicinity of Lancaster and York
drifted westward and southward, dotting the fertile
country with smiling and thrifty settlements, and as
early as 1748 had taken possession of many valuable
tracts along the Monocacy River and the Catoctin
Creek. They were also very numerous in the north-
ern part of Frederick County, and in a few years had
established settlements in various portions of what are
now the election districts of Hauver's, Mechanicstown,
Catoctin, Creagerstown, and Emmittsburg. In 1735
the Schleys, with about one hundred families from
Germany, Switzerland, and France, established them-
selves on the Monocacy, the first house in Frederick
Town being erected by Thomas Schley. The younger
members and descendants of these families were the
pioneer Germans in Baltimore, and contributed more
largely towards building up that city than any other
nationality.
In the words of one of Baltimore's representative
German citizens, it may be said that " Germans were
among the founders of this city, Germans sat at her
cradle, German merchants helped to develop her com-
merce, German industry contributed to establish her
renown abroad, and the thrift and enterprise of our
German mechanics have done much to secure for
Baltimore the prosperity she enjoys. I can assert
with pride to-day that German blood flows in the
veins of every second resident of our city, that every
third name in our city directory is of German origin,
that every fourth Baltimorean is descended in one
62
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
way or the other from Germans, that every fifth one
understands German, and every sixth can read and
speak that language." '
Among the Germans who removed to Baltimore
from Frederick County were the Schleys, Steiners,
Shrivers, Slingluffs, Warners, Pipers, Raborgs, Rine-
harts. Lurmans, Miltenbergers, Yeisers, Littigs, May-
ers, Ramsburgs, Hoifmans, Mantzes, Baltzells, Gists,
Baers, Harbaughs, Strickers, and Amelungs. Peter
Hoffman, founder of the well-known HoflFman family
of Baltimore, came from Frankfort-on-the-Main and
settled in Frederick, whence he removed to Baltimore
in 1778 and established a flourishing dry-goods«trade.
Peter Hofi"man was a commissioner of Baltimore Town
along with Engelhardt Yeiser and George Linden-
berger, and was one of the founders of Calvert Street
Spring, at one time a fashionable resort. About the
time of Hoffman's arrival there was an important ac-
cession of young and enterprising immigrants, who
came direct from different portions of Germany, and
fi-om the towns of Hamburg, Bremen, Frankfort, etc.
They were attracted by the fact that the Germans of
Frederick imported largely of German goods by way
of London. Baltimore was the port for the arrival
and shipment of goods to and from the rich and floiir-
ishing settlements of Western Maryland, Southern
Pennsylvania, and the Cumberland Valley, and many
of the immigrants accordingly located there, while
others decided to push their fortunes in the interior
towns of the province.
This was in 1774, on the eve of the Revolution,
and we find the well-known names of Frick, Dif-
fenderfer, Raborg, Leypoldt, Schultze, Heide, and
Schaeffer as among Germans who came to us from
Europe just as the war broke out. The part which
our German fellow-citizens took in that great strug-
gle was manly, patriotic, distinguished. They fur-
nished a great many soldiers, and the Baltimore,
Frederick, and Lancaster Germans fought face to face
with the Hessians on many a bloody field. The ma-
jority of the battalions of sharpshooters which Daniel
Morgan and Michael Cresap took to Cambridge as
soon as Bunker Hill was fought was recruited from
among the Germans in Frederick, Conococheague, and
the Valley of Virginia. Maryland had nearly a full
German regiment in service during the whole war, and
Western Maryland always had one company and
sometimes two in this regiment. These brave fellows
were among the steadiest and sternest fighters under
the banners of Smallwood and Gist. Among the
officers of the Second Brigade we find the names of
1 Sesqui-Centennial Oration of Col. Frederick Raine.
Lieut.-Col. George Strieker, Maj. Ludwig Weltner,
Captains George Hubley, William Keiser, Henry
Fisher, Philip Graybill, Peter Boyer, Charles Baltzell,
William Keeports, Bernard Hubley, Michael Boyer,
and Martin Schugardt, and Lieuts. Christian Meyers,
Adam Hoops, Jacob Reybold, Jacob Gomath, George
Lora, Jacob Kotz, Samuel Gerock, Adam Smith, Wil-
liam Ritter.
But the Germans who did not draw the sword did
the civil state quite as valuable and indispensable ser-
vice. In Baltimore, John Deaver, Barnet Eichelber-
ger, Isaac Griest, and George Lindenberger were on
the first Committee of Safety and Correspondence ;
Isaac Griest and Isaac Van Bibber were on the com-
mittee to watch vessels in port, and both these gen-
tlemen were particularly active in keeping up the
patriot spirit and in making it " hot" for the Tories.
Griest and Loudenslager were appointed to build the
water-battery on Whetstone Point, now Fort Mc-
Henry, and Peter Hoffman, Anthony Houck, and
George Warner, new-come Germans, were full of
zeal. Jacob Fite lent his new building, southwest
corner of Sharpe and Baltimore Streets, thence called
Congress Hall, to the Continental Congress in 1776,
and some of his descendants still own the property.
In the militia home guards of Baltimore we find
George Lindenberger, Isaac Griest, and Henry Schae-
fer among the commissioned officers.
In 1782 Baltimore had a sort of municipal gov-
ernment set up, the first she had ever enjoyed, and
of the seven commissioners composing the board,
three — Engelhart Yeiser, George Lindenberger, and
Peter Hoffman — were Germans. In this year an- .'
other German, Gabriel Vanhorn, established a stage- -
line to Philadelphia.
After the war everybody went to work with intense j
energy, immigration flowed in in a full tide, and the ',
State advanced on wheels. There was a most valua-'
ble influx of young merchants from the towns in the,'
Hanseatic Bund and the other commercial cities of i
Germany and Holland. We had flour and tobacco.;
to export in immense quantities, and JIaryland to-
bacco was just what the Germans wanted. We had
THE EARLY SETTLERS.
63
potash also, roasted bark, raw-hidos, hemp, flax, lumber,
hard-wood, etc., to export. It was at this time that
our intimacy with Bremen and Bremen merchants,
so long and so honorably sustained, was first estab-
lished. A great number of merchants came in from
other parts of the country, among whom we find the
names of Van Wyck, StouflFer, Slubey, Kimmell,
Starck, Solomon, etc ; while among those who came
from Bremen and Hamburg, etc., occur the honored
names of Brune, Brantz, Schroeder, Von Raps', See-
kamp, ZollicofiFer, Leib, and Konig. Among the jus-
tices of the peace of the day are named the leading
Germans who took part during the Revolution.
It is a significant fact that nearly all the German
immigrants who came into Maryland soon established
themselves in permanent homes, and in almost every
instance took rank at once as thrifty and enterprising
citizens. The greater number were skilled in agricul-
ture, but there was a large percentage of first-rate me-
chanics, harness-makers and saddlers, weavers, tailors,
tanners, shoemakers, paper-makers, butchers, watch-
makers, bakers, smiths, iron-workers, etc. It is a
generally recognized fact that the Protestant popula-
tion of France and Germany supplied the best class
of workmen in the various branches of manufacture.
Thus we are told by the historian Lecky that " twenty
thousand Frenchmen, attracted to Brandenburg by the
liberal encouragement of the elector at the time of
the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, laid the foun-
dation of the prosperity of Berlin and of most of the
manufactures of Prussia." The same is true in a
greater or less degree of all the Protestant refugees,
and it would be difficult to overestimate the industrial
value to our own country of the successive immigra-
tions of whole communities from the different German
states.
At first the immigration of Germans into Pennsyl-
vania was confined to the sectaries, the Quietists, and
the other religious denominations who, on account
of their extreme views, found it difficult to get along
with their more conservative Protestant brethren.
The Labadists, for instance, were followed by the
Menoonites, who took up much land and formed
many communities in York, Lancaster, and Adams
Counties; by the Seventh-day Baptists, who estab-
lished their monastery at Ephrata ; by the Voetists
and the Cocceians, and by the hundred other sects of
the day. But after these sectaries came the deluge.
The Germans had found out that there was a land of
peace on the other side of the Atlantic, and they
knew by sad experience that their own country was
a land of war. The peace of Westphalia had turned
out to be only a hollow truce after all, as far as Prot-
estant Germany was concerned. A man was not only
deprived, practically, of the enjoyment of his own
religion, he was robbed also incessantly of the fruits
of his labor. No matter how forehanded, how indus-
trious he might be, he could not certainly lay aside
anything again.^t a rainy day. This was a state of
things which he naturally rebelled against, and emi-.
gration afforded him a relief.
The religious fanaticism of Louis XIV., which so
long desolated the Low Countries, and which deprived
that monarch (when he revoked the Edict of Nantes)
of half a million of his best and most thrifty sub-
jects, broke in upon the Palatinate in the shape of
the most desolating war of which we have any au-
thentic record in history. What is told of Tamer-
lane was practiced by the "enlightened" monarch and
his able but savage lieutenants. Turenne, Saxe, Ven-
dome, Villars, Villeroy, Taillard, Marsin, Berwick,
Noailles, Luxembourg, each in his turn helped to
desolate the Palatinate and to contribute immigrants
to the colonies. The homeless and ravished peoples of
Germany sought and found homes in the new land of
peace and plenty. At one time the immigration of
German Palatines into Pennsylvania and Maryland
was in excess of all other immigration.
In " A Memorial of the Case of the German Emi-
grants settled in the British Colonies of Pennsj'lvania
and the Back Parts of Maryland, Virginia, etc.," pub-
lished iu London in 1754, it is stated that
"by the most authentic accounts, for many years last past
very large numbers of Germans have transported themselves
into these British provinces of North America; the greatest part
of them from Svvitzerland and the Palatinate, many from WUr-
temberg, Swabia, Julien, and Berg, and other places along the
Rhine, and some few lately from the lower Saxony; above
thirty thousand of them within the last ten years, and in one
single year, 1760, more than ten thousand.
"The causes of their removal from their native countries
were various. Some of them fled from the severe persecutions
they were e.Kposed to at home on account of their being
Protestants; others from the oppressions of civil tyranny and
attracted by the pleasing hopes of liberty under the milder in-
fluence of the British government; others were drawn by the
solicitations of their countrymen, who had settled there before
them; but for the greatest part by the prospect they had of
relieving themselves under their deep poverty, and providing
better for themselves and their families, in the provinces to
which they respectively retired. In the single colony of Penn-
sylvania the inhabitants, exclusive of the Indian natives, are
reckoned to be about one hundred and ninety thousand ; amono-st
these are above one hundred thousand Germans, or Hi^h Dutch
of whom about thirty thousand are of the Pi-otestant Reformed
religion, near as many of them Lutherans, above twelve thou-
sand papists, and the rest of them Baptists, Hereuhutters, and
of various other sects and denominations."
As a rule, the Germans brought their own means
with them, but sooner than not immigrate they were
64
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
glad to indenture themselves as redemptloners. Many
hundreds thus came into Maryland, many thousands
into Pennsylvania. They came chiefly from the har-
ried Palatinate, but also from Alsace, Suabia, Saxony,
and Switzerland. There vpere Wittenbergers, and
people from Darmstadt, Nassau, Hesse, Eisenberg,
Franconia, Hamburg, Mannheim, — all classed as
" Palatines." They brought the Heidelberg Cate-
chism with them, even if they brought nothing else,
and many of them were so plundered hi transitu that
they were not able to bring anything else.
The number of these immigrants was prodigious.
In 1731 there were fifteen thousand members of the
German Reformed Church in Pennsylvania from the
Palatinate. Rupp and Kapp note, in order to show
the rapid rate of the depopulation of these provinces
on the Rhine, that in 1709, from the middle of April
to the middle of July, there arrived in London eleven
thousand two hundred and ninety-four German Prot-
estants, males and females, who were vine-dressers and
husbandmen, bakers, masons, carpenters, shoemakers,
tailors, butchers, millers, tanners, weavers, locksmiths,
barbers, coopers, saddlers, lime-burners, glass-blowers,
hatters, brick-makers, smiths, potters, turners, etc.
More than one-half of these came to this country.
In 1790 there were one hundred and forty-five thou-
sand Germans in Pennsylvania, the total population
not exceeding four hundred and thirty-five thousand.
These included the sectaries above referred to, the
Palatines, the Dunkers, and the Hessian soldiers who
preferred not to be exchanged after the Revolution.
These German huel/s truppen, or subsidiary troops,
were bought in Brunswick, Hanau, Anspach, Wal-
deck, Anhalt, Hesse-Cassel, Hesse-Darmstadt, Bran-
denburg, etc., in large numbers. They cost George
III. eight million one hundred thousand dollars, and
eleven thousand of them died or perished in battle.
A great many of these people settled in Pennsylvania,
Maryland, and the Valley of Virginia after the war.
The other immigrants were German Calvinists, Mora-
vians, Schwenkenfelders, Omishites, Dunkers, Men-
nonites, and Separatists (or Seventh-day Baptists).
Up to about 17G0 the Germans in Maryland were
supplied from these plentiful sources. A good many
Palatines came in by direct consignment to Chesa-
peake Bay, but the great majority of the Germans
drifted down from York and Lancaster. They came
into Baltimore County in small parties, but they
settled in Frederick County and the Valley of Vir-
ginia by the wholesale. It was the custom in Ger-
many for all young mechanics to make a " peregri-
nation" of one or more years in order to perfect
themselves in their trades, and this and other regula-
tions of the trade-guilds produced a class of workmen
of a very superior character. But this must be ap-
parent at once when we reflect that the German im-
migrants in many cases reached our shores with little
or nothing, and often so destitute that, as previously
stated, they were forced to bind themselves and their
children to masters for a term of years in order to ob-
tain the money to pay for the passage over. " Many
who at home," says Rupp, the Pennsylvania historian,
" had owned property and converted it into money,
were robbed in transitu by ship owners, importers,
sea-captains, and Neulaender. The emigrants' chests,
with their clothes and sometimes their money, were
put on other vessels or ships and left behind. These
chests were rifled of their contents. The German
immigrants thus treated, on their arrival at Philadel-
phia, were obliged to submit to being sold as Loskaeu-
flinge Redemptioners, they and their children, to pay
the passage-money. In not a few cases persons who
still had means were held responsible to pay the pas-
sage for the poorer. This was the practice for more
than fifty years. In this way persons of substance
were necessitated, and did become very frequently
common beggars." According to Dr. Benjamin Rush,
in his " Manners of the Germans of Pennsylvania,"
" a few pieces of silver coin or gold, a chest with
clothes, a Bible and Prayer or Hymn Book, consti-
tuted the whole stock of most of them. ... A
clergyman always accompanied them when they came
in large bodies." Dr. Rush also gives a vivid de-
scription of the customs and characteristics of the
early Germans of Pennsylvania, which answers for
the Germans of Western Maryland. " The Ger-
mans, ' he says, " taken as a body, especially as far-
mers, are not only industrious and frugal, but skillful
cultivators of the earth." " The German's farm,"
says Rupp, " was easily distinguished from those of i
others by good fences, the extent of orchard, the ,'
fertility of soil, the productiveness of the fields, the J
luxuriance of the meadows." They always provided I
the best accommodations for their horses and cattle,
and paid special attention to the cultivation of grass. '
They were great economists in the use of wood, and '
almost invariably lived frugally with respect to diet, ;
furniture, and apparel. They seldom permitted them- :
selves to get in debt, and saved considerable sums by j
the cultivation of a variety of vegetables, which en- {
abled them to be sparing consumers of meat. The '
work on the farm was done almost exclusively by the,
family, the women often assisting the men.
The German mechanic possessed the same char-:
acteristics of frugality and industry, and his first!
object was to save up suflicient money to purchase.a;
THE EARLY SETTLERS.
65
home of his own. As merchants the early Germans
of Pennsylvania and Maryland were also very success-
ful. In fact, whatever they essayed to do was done
thorouj;hly and well. It was one of their distin-
guishing traits to settle as near one another as possi-
ble, not only from a kindly fellow-feelinp;, but in order
that they might enjoy the advantages of proximity to
a common place of worship and to a school-house.
" Their churches," says Dr. Rush, " are . . . large,
and furnished in many places with organs. The
clergy belonging to these churches have moderate
salaries, but they are punctually and justly paid. . .
The Lutherans and Presbyterians (German Reformed)
live in great harmony with each other, insomuch that
they preach in each other's churches, and in some
instances unite in building a church, in which they
both worship at different times." Dr. Rush sums up
the general character of the German population in
the following pregnant sentence: " If it were possible
to determine the amount of all the property brought
into Pennsylvania by the present German inhabitants
of theState and their ancestors, and then compare it
with the present amount of their property, the contrast
would form such a monument of human industry and
economy as has seldom been contemplated in any age
or country." Among the German .sects the Mennon-
ites, Moravians, German Brethren, German Seventh-
day Baptists, and Schwenkfelders held war to be un-
christian and unreasonable, and it is worthy of note
that the German Friends of Germantown, as early as
1688 (ten years before the passage of the act by the
British Parliament for the encouragement of the
slave-trade, by throwing it open to all British subjects
and exempting cargoes of negroes from the African
military tax), addressed the Philadelphia Yearly
Meeting, protesting against buying, selling, and hold-
ing men in slavery, and declaring it in their opinion
an act irreconcilable with the precepts of the Christian
religion.
Of these denominations, the first to emigrate to
America appears to have been the Mennonites. This
sect had been persecuted in Switzerland, and forced to
leave that country. Some bad fled to Alsace, above
Strasburg, and others to Holland. A number of those
about Strasburg, with other Germans, attracted by the
toleration extended to all religions by William Penn,
set out for Pennsylvania in 1683, and on reaching the
colony on the Delaware located themselves at what is
now the suburb of Germantown. The greater part
were naturalized in 1709. A few years previous the
people of Heidelberg and vicinity had just been
delivered from the persecutions of the French army,
which had twice destroyed the town, only to be made
the victims of still more cruel oppression by the Cath-
olic Elector Palatine, their prince. To the number of
six thousand they fled to England, drawn thither by a
proclamation of Queen Anne offering them protection
and aid. Many more had determined to seek a refuge
in America. Christopher de Graffenried and Louis
Michelle were sent out by the canton of Berne, with
instructions to inspect the unoccupied districts of
Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Carolina. Michelle had
previously visited America, and is believed to have
built a fort not far from Connejahera, "many miles
above Conestoga," in Penn.sylvania. In 1709 the
refugees from Berne sailed for America. They landed
in New York, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. In
the same year a company of Mennonites left Stras-
burg and sailed for America. Those who emigrated
to Pennsylvania came from the cantons of Zurich,
Berne, and Schaffhausen, in Switzerland. In their
new homes they not only enjoyed toleration, but prac-
ticed it towards other denominations, resembling in
this respect the early colonists of Marylaud and the
followers of Roger Williams and of Penn. Before
leaving Europe they had made an agreement with
William Penn for lands to be taken up. Several
families from the Palatinate emigrated to America and
settled in Lancaster County in 1709. In the same
year a Swiss company procured a grant of ten thou-
sand acres on the north side of Pequa Creek, in Lancas-
ter County, and settled there. Among the settlers at
Pequa we find the familiar Maryland names of Fonts,
or Foutz, Zimmerman, Funk, Hoover, Stouffer, Boyer,
Hostater, Darby, Miller, Mayer, Witmer, Kaufl'man,
Faber, Boehm, Kaufmann, Baughman, Steiner, and
Beatty. So well pleased were the settlers with the
country around them that they decided to send one of
their number back to Europe to induce others of their
denomination to share their fortunes. Martin Kendig
was selected, and embarked at Philadelphia. Return-
ing from Europe, he brought with him a number of
immigrants, who joined the colony at Pequa. The
settlers were surrounded by Indians, but were not
molested, and " mingled with them in fishing and
hunting." So successful was the little colony (num-
bering some thirty families in all) that German and
French refiagees were attracted to it. Among these
were the Ferrees, Isaac Lefevre, and the Slaymakers,
who had been driven by religious persecution from
the Palatinate. The mother of Hon. Abraham
Schriver, of Frederick County, was a Ferree. Her
name was Rebecca, and she was the wife of David
Schriver. The name is variously spelled, in the early
colonial records, Ferree, Ferrie, Ferie, Fiere, Fierre,
and Firre. In the wake of these two companies
6(3
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
came numerous bands of German, Swiss, Dutch, and
Huguenot immigrants, who scattered themselves over
Southern Pennsylvania and crossed the border into
Maryland. During 1727 twelve hundred and forty
Palatines arrived in Pennsylvania. In the two years
that followed, however, the number of German immi-
grants was greatly diminished.
Among those who came over about this time was
Michael DiefFenderfer, father of David Dieffenderfer,
and one of the earlier settlers of Lancaster. David
Dieffenderfer served in the Revolutionary army under
Col. George Strieker, father of Gen. Strieker, who
was prominent in the defense of Baltimore in the
war of 1812. In 1725 or 172G was commenced the
Dunker or Tunker settlement of Kphrata, in Lancas-
ter County. The Dunkers were seceders from the
German Baptists, and one of their distinctive tenet.s
was the practice of baptism by immersion. In 1725
a number of them, under the leadership of Conrad
Beissel, separated from the others owing to their con-
viction that there was an error among the Dunkers in
the observance of the Sabbath, and that the seventh
day was the true Sabbath. In 1732 a monastic so-
ciety was established by Beissel and his followers, and
the habit of the Capuchins, or White Friars, was
adopted by both brethren and sisters. In 17-tO there
were thirty-six single brethren and thirty-five sisters
in the cloister, and the community, including mem-
bers living in the vicinity, numbered nearly three
hundred. A school was established, which attracted
general attention, and which numbered among its
pupils young men from Philadelphia and Baltimore.
The sect was known to the outside world as the Sev-
enth-day Baptists. George Thomas, an Antigua
planter, who was appointed Governor of Pennsylvania
in 1737, visited Ephrata in 174:1. He was accom-
panied by " a retinue of twenty horses and a large
number of distinguished gentlemen from Maryland
and Virginia ; they were all honorably received by
the brethren." Among the descendants of members
of the society are the Urners, the Negleys, the Funks,
the Hoehns, the Weisers, and the Gorgases.
Among the Germans and other foreigners who set-
tled in Lancaster County prior to 1735 were the
Hoffmans, Bezores, Byerlys, Owens, Emmets, Snevelys,
Newcomers, Longneckers, Stakes, Zieglers, Snyders,
Koenigs, Graafs, Herseys, Templemans, Fultons,
Meixells, Baughmans, Haineses, Lightners, Mc-
Kimms, Boyds, Alexanders, Lloyds, Buchanans,
McUlures, and Hugheses. All these names have
long been familiar in different portions of Maryland.
About 1732 and subsequently the people living
along the border in Pennsylvaula and Maryland be-
came involved in a serious quarrel, arising out of the
boundary difficulties. The first difficulty was occa-
sioned by the arrest of Daniel and William Lowe,
two Marylanders who had settled in Pennsylvania, by
a Pennsylvania constable for killing a horse which
had strayed to their farm. Capt. Thomas Cresap, the
famous Indian-fighter and scout of Frederick, pur-
sued the constable and attempted to rescue the pris-
oners. His party wounded John Hart, one of the
constable's assistants, but were forced to desist, and
the Lowes were carried safely to Lancaster. This
affair was followed by more " unhappy frays," which
finally culminated in a formidable raid of the Lancas-
ter people against Cresap and other Marylanders.
According to Rupp, Cresap's party were beaten and I
driven out of Pennsylvania. At this time Lancaster
County embraced the present boundaries of York,
Adams, Franklin, Cumberland, and Perry Counties,
or, in other words, the whole of Pennsylvania border-
ing on Western Maryland. The boundary between
Maryland and Pennsylvania had not been accuraiely
defined as yet, and the absence of such definition
gave rise to serious disputes, which are treated more
at length in this work in the chapter on " Bounda-
ries." A large number of Germans had settled in
what is now York County, Pa., under Pennsylvania
titles, but in order to avoid paying taxes imposed by
that province they accepted titles from Lord Balti-
more, but subsequently becoming satisfied " that ad-
hesion to him might ultimately prejudice their inter-
ests, they formally renounced their allegiance and
sought protection from Pennsylvania." The Maryland
settlers across the border were greatly incensed at
this and determined to eject the " miscreants" from
their holdings. " The German settlers," says Rupp,
" were harassed perpetually, in many instances driven
from their farms, and in others deterred from any
attempt to plant or improve."
In 1738 a number of Swiss and Germans in Lan-
caster County were naturalized upon their own applica-
tion. Among them were Michael and William Albert,
Jacob Bare, or Baer, Casper Stump, George Klein, or
Kline, and Frederick Eighelberger, or Eichelberger,
The immunity of the German settlers both in Penn-
sylvania and Maryland from Indian attacks was sen-
sibly increased by the treaty with the Six Nations,
which was signed by representatives of Pennsylvania,
Maryland, and Virginia at Lancaster in 1745. The
Six Nations, or Iroquois, engaged to prevent the
French and Indians from marching through their
country to attack the English settlements, and to give
the earliest information of the enemy's design. They
also surrendered their titles to the lands settled by the
THE EARLY SETTLERS.
67
English in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.
Six hundred pounds were paid by the thi'ee colonies
in consideration of the concessions made by the In-
dians. This treaty did not, however, secure the set-
tlers from the attacks of Indians who had been
wronged or defrauded by traders and unprincipled
men ; and while free from organized incursions up to
the period of the French and Indian war, they were
compelled to be continually on the alert, especially in
the more exposed and isolated frontier settlements.
They found ample time, however, to thoroughly cul-
tivate the rich virgin soil on which they had settled,
and to develop the manufacturing industries which
are mentioned elsewhere as those most successfully
undertaken by the German colonists in Maryland.
The same distinguishing characteristics of the Ger-
mans in Pennsylvania, as noted by Dr. Rush and Mr.
Rupp, were conspicuous among the Maryland Pala-
tines. Like their neighbors and brethren over the
border, they preferred to build the most modest dwell-
ings in order that they might erect commodious and
comfortable quarters for their stock. Usually the
settler in the Monocacy region was content to live in
a log cabin, the spaces between the logs being closed
up with mortar or clay, and the chimney built outside
the structure and of the rudest materials. " The
favorite style of building of the stout Germans and
Palatines of Frederick County and Western Maryland
contemplated a house that was seldom more than one
story high, but had large garret-rooms and a deep
cellar well filled. The chimney, an immense stack,
was in the middle of the building to accommodate the
kitchen, which was also the liviug-room, and had a
great fireplace, furnished with pot-hooks and cranes
of massive construction. . . . The bedrooms in these
houses were not very elaborately furnished, . . . but
the housekeeping was always neat and clean, and the
larder liberally supplied." The German farmers were
prudent, far-seeing men. They never spent more
than they could afford, and while they lived in com-
fort, were careful not to indulge in excess of any kind.
The result was that their lands and cattle soon waxed
fat, and they were enabled to transmit to their chil-
dren the heritage not only of material prosperity, but
of an unblemished reputation for honest dealing and
patient industry and thrift. Their descendants at the
present day are scattered all over Western Maryland,
and the old methods, except where they have had to
be discarded in obedience to the necessities of modern
improvement, are still adhered to with the best re-
sults. To the German housewife and maiden of
these early times is due a large portion of the credit
attaching to the immigrants as a class, for the women
of the family did not hesitate to lend a hand in the
field, and were always busy within-doors, either at the
spinning-wheel or in the dairy, or at the kitchen fire.
The productive capacity of the Germans was therefore
immense, and as they were economical and cautious,
though seldom niggardly where liberal expenditure
was advisable or when their benevolent impulses were
appealed to, it was inevitable that they should outstrip
the rest of the province in prosperity.
Of the religious denominations among the Germans,
the Lutherans and German Reformed were the most
numerous and influential, and, as in Pennsylvania,
these two bodies fraternized cordially, and while main-
taining their distinctive principles and tenets, wor-
shiped in meeting-houses erected by the joint efforts
of both congregations. Besides these there were the
Moravians and the other sects already enumerated.
As a rule, the members of all these denominations
were strict in the observance of their religious duties,
and to this fact doubtless is to be ascribed in great
part the preservation of the virtues of morality, tem-
perance, and industry which have always distinguished
the population of Western Maryland, and which have
contributed so much to its prosperity.
" Frederick," says one of its distinguished citizens, " was laid
out by an English gentleman, but its lots and the rich farms
immediately surrounding it were soon taken up by a host of
honest, thrifty, laborious German emigrants, who had fled from
the oppressive restrictions of their own fatherland to seek a
refuge here for themselves and their families, and whose names
underwent many a distortion and mutilation at the hands of
the English representatives of the Lord Proprietor, as they
labored to write them down from sound upon the pages of our
early records. The (5erman was spoken one hundred years ago
more freely and frequently upon the streets of Frederick than
the English, two of their congregations had their service en-
tirely in that language, the children were instructed in both
languages in the schools, the style of houses and barns intro-
duced was that of German rather than of English origin, and,
in various degrees of modification, had so held its place here
that strangers who have had the opportunity of European
travel invariably notice how much Frederick resembles a con-
tinental town. But these emigrants brought with them more
than their mother-tongue and familiar forms of worship and
architecture. They brought also German thrift, industry, and
j honesty, with ardent love of home — wherever it might be,
whether native or adopted, — they brought laborious habits,
virtuous lives, truthful tongues, unflinching courage, and an
intense longing to do their duty to their families, the commu-
I nity, and the State. And of such ancestry a large number of
this assembly may proudly boast, — a nobility of origin worth
more than that which is based upon deeds of violence and
unrestrained lawlessness. Says a German traveler who vis-
ited this place, May 6, 1747, of one of its congregations, 'It
appears to me to be one of the purest in the whole country, and
one in which I have found the most traces of the true fear of
God."'i
1 Address by Dr. Lewis H. Steiner at the Frederick Centen-
nial Celebration, June 28, 1876.
HISTOKY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
In the immense and constant stream of emigration
which the Old World is pouring into America, no
element forms a larger or more important part than \
that which is contributed by the German race. In
all the splendid empire of territory which stretches
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Canadian
border to the remotest southern limits, there is not a
city, a town, or hamlet of the United States which
lias not been vitalized by the energizing and quicken-
ing influences of German enterprise and industry.
The brief and imperfect recital that has been given of
the part which the German population of Western
Maryland have borne in the development of this rich
and important section of the State, is but a poor tri-
bute to the all-pervading influence which they have
exercised in every period of its history and at every
stage of its progress. In the limited space of a notice
like the present it is impossible to do justice to a
theme so rich in facts as well as suggestions, and the
writer must dismiss this portion of the subject with
the hope that the time may not be far distant when
some more eiScient chronicler will record at the length
and with the careful detail they deserve the history
and achievements of the German population of West-
ern Maryland. But until that task has been accom-
plished they can at least draw some measure of satis- '
faction from the reflection that their history has already
been written in enduring characters in the progress
and prosperity of the section in which they live.
While the large majority of the early settlers in
Western Maryland were of German origin, other ,
nationalities were not unrepresented. Settlers of i
English birth or descent had made their way towards
the western boundary of the province in small num-
bers at a comparatively early period, and, like Cresap
and other pioneers of the same nationality, soon made
themselves prominent in the new section by their bold
and adventurous dispositions, and the courage and de-
termination with which they addressed themselves to
the difficult and dangerous duties of border life. From
Pennsylvania also flowed in a considerable stream of
Scotch-Irish emigrants, many of whom passed into
the Valley of Virginia, settling along Back Creek, the
North Mountain, and Opequon, while many others
remained to try their fortunes in Western Maryland.
The ancestors of the Glasses, Aliens, Vances, Ker-
foots, etc., were among the earliest settlers on the
upper waters of the Opequon. The ancestors of the
Whites, Russells, etc., settled near the North Moun-
tain. There was a mixture of Irish and Germans on
Cedar Creek and its vicinity, the Frys, Newells, Black-
burns, and Wilsons being among the number. The
proximity of these early Scotch-Irish settlements in '
the Valley of Virginia to settlers of the same nation-
ality and religious creed in Western Maryland natur-
ally caused more or less communication between them,
and by frequent intermarriages families which origi-
nally settled on one side of the border have since been
transferred to the other, and have now their represen-
tatives both in Maryland and Virginia.
By the treaty of Paris, in 1763, a large territory
was ceded to England, within which it became neces-
sary to organize colonial governments. For this and
other purposes the king, on the 7th of October, 1763,
issued a proclamation, by which the colonial govern-
ments generally were prohibited from granting any
lands lying west of the sources or heads of any of the
rivers flowing into the Atlantic from the west and
northwest. On the 16th of April, 1764, instruc-
tions were issued to the judges of the land-office,
setting forth that the proprietary was desirous of
having reserved for him ten thousand acres of land
in the western part of Frederick County, to be held
as a manor ; and that he had therefore directed the
surveyor of that county not to execute any warrant
on any lands lying beyond Fort Cumberland until
this reserve had been selected. In the mean time
Governor Sharpe thought proper to survey five
diflFerent tracts of land, aggregating one hundred
and twenty-seven thousand six hundred and eighty
acres, from which his lordship might make his selec-
tion. This general interdict of the crown, and the
reserve to the proprietary, each had a tendency to
check the progress of settlements in the direction of
the debatable territory. In March, 1774, the sub-
ject of the reserve on the lands lying westward of
Fort Cumberland being brought before the proprie-
tary's board of revenues, it determined that the object
of the reserve had been accomplished in the surveys
actually made for the proprietary, and therefore took
off the reserve. Large grants of land on the reserve
were immediately made, and continued to be made
until October, 1774, when instructions were received
from the proprietary directing the judges of the land-
office to suspend all further grants of the reserved
lands. Two years later the proprietary's rights and
reservations were swept away by the Revolution, and
Washington and Montgomery Counties were created.
When the barriers erected by the crown and the pro-
prietary had been removed, new settlements at once
began to be made in the territory thus thrown open.
Among those who flocked into what had been the for-
bidden land were a number of the representatives of
some of the oldest families of Maryland. Among them
were Samuel Ringgold, who patented a tract of twenty
thousand acres in Washington County ; William Fitz-
THE EARLY SETTLERS.
69
hugh, who also purchased a large estate ; Nathaniel
Rochester, after whom Rochester, N. Y., was called;
Charles Carroll, of Duddington ; Otho H. Williams,
who owned all the land in the neighborhood of the
present town of Williamsport ; Frisby Tilghman, of
the noted Eastern Shore family of that name ; and
many others whose descendants are now among the
most prominent citizens of Western Maryland.
Manners and Customs of the Early Settlers. —
Most of the early settlers were an industrious, fru-
gal, and temperate people, and especially well qualified
for the dangerous and difiBcult task of subduing the
splendid but wild territory upon which they had en-
tered, and of driving out before them the savage tribes
which they encountered.
As has been truly said, the task of making new
establishments in a remote wilderness in time of pro-
found peace is sufficiently difficult, but when the farmer
must be at the same time both a warrior and a hunter,
must earn his bread not only with sweat but with
blood, and must constantly defend by force what his
energy and enterprise have won, his position is one
which demands the highest degree of human courage
and fortitude. Such was the condition of the first
settlers of Western Maryland; making their way into
the very heart of a hostile country and in the face of
a savage foe, far from friendly succor and exposed to
constant danger of Indian attacks, they reared their
humble structures in the wild wastes with the pride
and confidence of monarchs, and with the rifle in one
hand and plowshare in the other, — the weapons of
war side by side with the implements of peace, — went
forth into forest and field to make good the sovereignty
which they claimed.
Their buildings were generally of the rudest char-
acter, but were substantially constructed, and were
not without a sort of solid comfort. When after a
painful and dangerous journey of weeks, and perhaps
months, the emigrant had reached his destination, he
selected a spot for his new residence, and calling to-
gether his neighbors, if he had any, proceeded at once
with its erection. If he were the first settler in the
neighborhood, he had to rely upon his own skill and
resources, and upon the aid of the male members of
his family. But the early emigrants generally traveled
in parties, so as to render each other mutual assistance
in the tasks and difficulties of their new life, and if
there was no one to help them in their forest homes,
they were men who could help themselves. The first
step in the erection of their dwelling was the felling
of trees of proper size and character for the purpose,
and while this was being done, and the logs were being
hauled or carried to the place selected, the carpenter
of the party would be in search of a straight-grained
tree for making clapboards for the roof The boards
were split four feet long with a large frow, and as
wide as the timber would allow, and were used without
planing. While this work was in progress others
were employed in getting puncheons for the floor of
the cabin ; this was done by splitting trees eighteen
inches in diameter, and hewing the faces of them with
a broad-axe. They were half the length of the floor
they were intended to make. These were the usual
preparations for the first day. The second day the
neighbors collected, raised and finished the house.
The third day's work generally consisted of "furni-
turing" the house, — supplying it with a clapboard
table, made of a split slab, and supported by four raised
legs set in auger-holes. Some three-legged stools
were made in the same manner. Some pins stuck in
the logs at the back of the house supported some clap-
boards, which served for shelves for the family furniture,
consisting of a few pewter dishes, plates, and spoons,
but mostly of wooden bowls, trenchers, and noggins.
If these last were scarce, gourds and hard-shelled
squashes made up the deficiency. The iron pots,
knives, and forks were brought from the east side of
the mountains, along with salt and iron on pack-
horses.'
A single fork, placed with its lower end in a hole
in the floor, and the upper end fastened to a joist,
served for a bedstead, by placing a pole in the fork,
with one end through a crack between the logs of the
wall. This front pole was crossed by a shorter one
within the fork, with its outer end through another
crack. From the first pole, through a crack between
the logs of the end of the house, the boards were put
on which formed the bottom of the bed. Sometimes
other poles were pinned to the fork a little distance
above these, for the purpose of supporting the front
and foot of the bed, while the walls were the support
of its back and its head. A few pegs around the
walls for the display of the coats of the women and
hunting-shirts of the men, and two small forks, or
buck's horns, to a joist, for the rifle and shot-pouch,
completed the carpenter-work. The cabin being fin-
ished, the nest ceremony was " the house-warming,"
which consisted of a dance of a whole night's dura-
tion, prior to the occupation of the new abode. Hog
and hominy, johnny-cake and pone, milk and mush,
with such wild meats as the forests ofi^ered and the
trusty rifle supplied, was the diet upon which the
early settlers mainly lived, and which made strong
men and buxom women.
^ Doddridge, chap. v. p. 134.
70
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Their dress partook both of the Indian and the
European styles, and, like their lives, was a combina-
tion of the savage and the civilized. The hunting-
shirt was in universal use, and was a sort of loose
frock, coming half-way down the thighs, with large
sleeves, open before, and so wide as to lap over a foot
or more when belted. The cape, which was large,
and sometimes handsomely fringed with a raveled piece
of cloth, added to the comfort of the wearer as well
as to the appearance of the garment. The bosom of
this convenient dress furnished a receptacle where the
hunter might deposit a small stock of provisions, his
tow for cleaning the barrel of his rifle, and any other
article necessary in a short march or journey. To the
belt, which held the shirt closely to the body of the
wearer, were suspended the tomahawk and scalping-
knife, the former on the right side and the latter on
the left, while the bullet-bag sometimes hung from
the front. The hunting-shin was made of various
materials, generally of linsey, sometimes of coarse
linen, and occasionally of dressed deerskin, which
latter, however, were cold and uncomfortable in wet
weather. The shirt and jacket were made after the
common fashion, while the drawers or breeches and
leggings, with the moccasins, of dressed deerskin,
with cap or hat of various form and material, com-
pleted the attire.
The moccasins were generally made of a single
piece, with a gathered seam along the top of the foot,
and another from the bottom of the heel without
gathers, reaching as high as the ankle-joint, or a little
higher. The moccasin was lined with deer's hair, or
dry leaves in cold weather, and flaps on each side
reaching some distance up the legs, and tied with
deer-thongs, gave warmth to the extremities, and pro-
tected the feet from the entrance of dust, gravel, and
snow.
In the latter part of the French and Indian war
many of the young whites adopted the Indian costume
in its entirety, with the exception of the match-coat.
" The drawers," Dr. Doddridge tells us, " were laid
aside, and the leggings made larger, so as to reach the
upper part of the thigh. The Indian breech-clout was
adopted. This was a piece of linen or cloth, nearly
a yard long and eight or nine inches broad. This
passed under the belt before and behind, leaving the
ends for flaps hanging before and behind over the belt.
These flaps were sometimes ornamented with some
coarse kinds of embroidery work. To the same belt
which secured the breech-clout, strings, which sup-
ported the long leggings, were attached. When this
belt, as was often the case, passed over the hunting-
shirt, the upper part of the thighs and part of the hip
were naked. The young man, instead of being abashed
by his nudity, was proud of his Indian-like dress. In
some instances I have seen them go into places of
public worship in this dress. Their appearance,
however, did not add much to the devotion of the
young ladies."
The women wore linsey petticoats and bed-gowns,
going barefooted in warm weather, and in cold cov-
ering the r feet with moccasins, overshoes, or shoe-
packs.
The wardrobes of the family were hung in full
view upon the walls of the cabin, and while often
serving to stop a crack and keep the wind away, also
proclaimed the wealth or poverty of the occupants.
" Many of the early sports were imitations of the
exercises and stratagems of hunting and war. Boys
were taught the use of the bow and arrow at an early
age ; but, although they acquired considerable adroit-
ness in the use of them, so as to kill a bird or squirrel
sometimes, yet it appears to me that, in the hands of
the white people, the bow and arrow could never be
depended upon for warfare or hunting, unless made
and managed in a diiferent manner from any speci-
mens of them which I ever saw. One important
pastime of our boys was that of imitating the noise
of every bird and beast in the woods. This faculty
was not merely a pastime, but a very necessary part
oi education, on account of its utility in certain cir-
cumstances. The imitations of the gobbling and
other sounds of wild turkeys often brought those
keen-eyed and ever-watchful tenants of the forest
within reach of the rifle. The bleating of the fawn
brought its dam to her death in the same way. The
hunter often collected a company of mopish owls on
the trees about his camp, and amused himself with
their hoarse screaming. His howl would raise and
obtain responses from a pack of wolves, so as to in-
form him of their neighborhood, as well as guard him
against their depredations. This imitative faculty was
sometimes requisite as a measure of precaution in war.
The Indians, when scattered about in a neighborhood,
often collected together by imitating turkeys by day
and wolves or owls by night. In similar situations
our people did the same. I have often witnessed the
consternation of a whole neighborhood in consequence
of a few screeches of owls. An early and correct use
of this imitative faculty was considered as an indica- :
tion that its possessor would become in due time a
good hunter and a valiant warrior.
" Throwing the tomahawk was another boyish sport
in which many acquired considerable skill. The tom-
ahawk, with its handle of a certain length, will make
a given number of turns in a given distance. Say in
THE EAKLY SETTLERS.
71
five steps it will strike with the edge, the handle down-
wards ; at the distance of seven and a half, it will strike
with the edge, the handle upwards, and so on. A
little experience enabled the boy to measure the dis-
tance with his eye when walking through the woods,
and strike a tree with his tomahawk in any way he
chose. The athletic sports of running, jumping, and
wrestling were the pastimes of boys in common with
the men. A well-grown boy at the age of twelve or
thirteen years was furnished with a small rifle and
shot-pouch. He then became a fort soldier, and had
his port-hole assigned him. Hunting squirrels, tur-
keys, and raccoons soon made him expert in the use
of his gun. Dancing was the principal amusement of
our young people of both sexes. Their dances, to be
Bure, were of the simplest forms, — three or four-handed
reels and jigs. Country-dances, cotillons, and minuets
were unknown. I remember to liave seen once or
twice a dance which was called ' The Irish Trot,'
but I have long since forgotten its figure. Shooting at
a mark was a common diversion among the men when
their stock of ammunition would allow it. This,
however, was fiir from being always the case. The
present mode of shooting oiF-hand was not then in
practice. This mode was not considered as any trial
of the value of a gun, nor indeed as much of a test of
the skill of a marksman. Their shooting was from a
rest, and at as great a distance as the length and
weight of the barrel of the gun would throw a ball on
a horizontal level. Such was their regard to accuracy
in those sportive trials of their rifles, and of their own
skill in the use of them, that they often put moss or
some other soft sub.stance on the log or stump from
which they shot, for fear of having the bullet thrown
from the mark by the spring of the barrel. When
the rifle was held to the side of a tree for a rest, it was
pressed against it as tightly as possible for the same
reason. Rifles of former times were different from
' those of modern date ; few of them carried more than
I forty-five bullets to the pound. Bullets of a less size
I were not thought sufilciently heavy for hunting or
1 war.
i " Dramatic narrations, chiefly concerning Jack and
the Giant, furnished our young people with another
source of amusement during their leisure hours.
Many of these tales were lengthy, and embraced a
considerable range of incident. Jack, always the
hero of the story, often encountering many difficul-
ties and performing many great achievements, came
off conqueror of the Giant. Many of these stories
were tales of knight-errantry, in which some captive
virgin was restored to her lover. These dramatic
narrations concerning Jack and the Giant bore a strong
resemblance to the poems of Ossian, the story of the
Cyclops and Ulys.ses in the ' Odyssey' of Homer,
and the tale of the Giant and Greatheart in ' Pil-
grim's Progress.' They were so arranged as to the
different incidents of the narration that they were
easily committed to memory."
Singing was another but not very common amuse-
ment among our first settlers. Their tunes were rude
enough, to be sure. Robin Hood furnished a number
of our songs, the balance were mostly tragical. These
last were denominated " love-songs about murder ;" as
to cards, dice, backgammon, and other games of chance,
we knew nothing about them. As a general rule, the
early settlers married young. There was no distinc-
tion of rank, says Dr. Doddridge, and very little of
fortune. On these accounts the first impression of
love resulted in marriage, and a family establishment
cost but a little labor and nothing else. In the first
years of the settlement of the country a wedding en-
gaged the attention of a whole neighborhood, and
the frolic was anticipated by old and young with eager
expectation. This is not to be wondered at when it
is told that a wedding was almost the only gathering
which was not accompanied with the labor of reaping,
log-rolling, building a cabin, or planning some scout
or campaign. On the morning of the wedding-day
the groom and his attendants assembled at the house
of his father for the purpose of reaching the home of
his bride by noon, which was the usual time for cele-
brating the nuptials, and which for certain reasons
must take place before dinner. Let the reader imagine
an assemblage of people without a store, tailor, or
mantua-maker within a hundred miles, and an assem-
blage of horses without a blacksmith or saddler within
an equal distance. The gentlemen dressed in shoe-
packs (tanned leather), moccasins, leather breeches,
leggings, linsey hunting-shirts, and all home-made.
The ladies dressed in linsey petticoats, and linsey of
linen bed-gowns, ooar.se shoes, stockings, handkerchiefs,
and buckskin gloves, if any. If there were any buckles,
rings, buttons, or ruflles, they were the relics of olden
times, family pieces from parents or grandparents.
The horses were caparisoned with old saddles, old
bridles or halters, and pack-saddles, with a bag or /
blanket thrown over them ; a rope or string as often
constituted the girth as a piece of leather.
The march, in double file, was often interrupted by
the narrowness and obstructions of our horse-paths,
as they were called, for we had no roads, and these
difficulties were often increased, sometimes by the good
and sometimes by the ill will of neighbors, by fallen
ti'ees, and tying grapevines across the way. Some-
times an ambuscade was formed by the wayside, and
•72
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
an unexpected discharge of several guns took place,
so as to cover the wedding-party with smoke. Let
the reader imagine the scene which ollowed this dis-
charge : the sudden spring of the horses, the shrieks
of the girls, and" the chivalrous bustle of their part-
pers to save them from falling. Sometimes, in spite
of all that could be done to prevent it, some were
thrown to the ground. If a wrist, elbow, or ankle
happened to be sprained, it was tied with a handker-
chief, and little more was said or thought about it.
The ceremony of the marriage preceded the dinner,
which was a substantial backwoods feast of beef, pork,
fowls, and sometimes venison and bear-meat, roasted
and boiled, with plenty of potatoes, cabbage, and
other vegetables. During the dinner the greatest
hilarity always prevailed, although the table might be
a large slab of timber hewed out with a broad-axe,
supported by four sticks set in auger-holes, and the
furniture some old pewter dishes and plates, the rest
wooden bowls and trenchers; a few pewter spoons,
much battered about the edges, were to be seen at
some tables. The rest were made of horns. If knives
were scarce, the deficiency was made up by the scalp-
ing-knives, which were carried in sheaths suspended
to the belt of the hunting-shirt. Every man carried
one of them. After dinner the dancing commenced,
and generally lasted till the next morning. The
figures of the dances were three and four-handed
reels, or square sets and jigs. The commencement
was always a square four, which was followed by
what was called "jigging it off;" that is, two of the
four would single out for a jig, and were followed by
the remaining couple. The jigs were often accom-
panied with what was called "cutting out;'' that is,
when either of the parties became tired of the dance,
on intimation the place was supplied by some other
person without interruption to the dance. In this
way a dance was often continued until a musician was
heartily tired of his situation. Towards the latter part
of the night, if any of the company, through weari-
ness, attempted to conceal themselves for the purpose
of sleeping, they were hunted up, paraded on the floor,
and the fiddler ordered to play " Hang Out Till To-
Morrow Morning." About nine or ten o'clock a depu-
tation of the young ladies stole off the bride and put
her to bed. In doing this it frequently happened that
they had to ascend a ladder instead of a pair of stairs,
leading from the dining and ball-room to the loft,
the floor of which was made of clapboards lying loose.
This ascent, one might think, would put the bride
and her attendants to the blush ; but as the foot of
the ladder was commonly behind the door, which was
purposely opened for the occasion, and its rounds at
the inner ends were well hung with hunting-shirts,
dresses, and other articles of clothing, the candles
being on the opposite side of the house, the exit of
the bride was noticed by but few. This done, a dep-
utation of young men in like manner stole off' the
groom, and placed him snugly by the side of his bride.
The dance still continued ; and if seats happened to
be scarce, which was often the case, every young man,
when not engaged in the dance, was obliged to offer
his lap as a seat for one of the girls, and the offer
was sure to be accepted. In the midst of this hilarity
the bride and groom were not forgotten. Pretty late
in the night some one would remind the company that
the new couple must stand in need of some refresh-
ment ; black Betty, which was the name of the
bottle, was called for, and sent up the ladder ; but
sometimes black Betty did not go alone, but was ac-
companied by as much bread, beef, pork, and cabbage
as would afford a good meal for half a dozen hungry
men. The young couple were compelled to eat and
drink more or less of whatever was offered. It often
happened that some neighbors or relations not being
asked to the wedding took offense, and the mode of
revenge adopted by them on such occasions was that
of cutting off the manes, foretops, and tails of the
horses of the wedding company.
On returning to the infare, the order of procession
and the race for black Betty was the same as before.
The feasting and dancing often lasted several days, at \
the end of which the whole company was so ex-
hausted with loss of sleep that a long rest was neces-
sary to fit them to return to their ordinary labors.^
The custom of stealing the bride's shoe while at
dinner, though perhaps of later date, was one which
long prevailed, and which afforded great amusement
to the wedding guests. She was protected fi'om the
attacks by the waiters (or, as we call them nowadays, \
groomsmen and bridesmaids), and to succeed in accom-
plishing the theft the greatest dexterity was required ; j
and if they failed to defend her successfully, they
were in honor bound to pay a penalty for the rederap- ,
tion of the shoe. This penalty was a bottle of wine i
or one dollar, which was commonly the price of a :
bottle of wine ; and as a punishment to the bride, she '
was not permitted to dance until the shoe was re- ■
stored. The successful thief on getting the shoe held 1
it up in triumph to the view of the whole assemblage, \
which was generally pretty numerous. This was al- ;
most exclusively a German custom, but that of throw- I
ing the stocking was also known to the Irish, and is
celebrated by an Irish poet in his " Irish Wedding." ;
■
' Dr. Doddridge.
THE EARLY SETTLERS.
73
After the bride and groom had been put to bed, the
young people were admitted to their room, and a stock-
ing rolled into a ball would be given to the young
women, who one after the other would go to the foot
of the bed, stand with their backs towards it, and
throw the stocking over their shoulders at the bride's
head ; and the first that succeeded in touching her
cap on her head was the next to be married. The
young men then took up the stocking and threw it at
the groom's head, the greatest earnestness and eager-
ness being shown by both sexes to prove successful.'
The race for the bottle, already alluded to, was one
of the most interesting and exciting incidents of the
•wedding. A bottle of the best spirits that could be
obtained was prepared at the bride's residence and
ornamented with a white ribbon, and when several
miles distant the competitors in the race would start,
on even terms, and with their horses at full speed,
disdaining rocks, stumps, and ravines, and disregard-
ing all impediments, would dash madly forward for
the tempting prize. The father, or next friend of the
bride, expecting the racers, stood, bottle in hand, ready
to deliver it to the successful contestant. On receiv-
ing it, he immediately returned to meet the bridal
party, and presented the bottle first to the bride, next
to the groom, and then to the rest of the company,
all of whom, both men and women, were required to
give it a hearty salute.
In the earlier days of the settlements, and upon
the frontiers, and in positions especially exposed to
attack, self-preservation required the erection of places
of defense, to which the harried inhabitants might
retire upon the approach of hostile Indians. The
forts of these early days were, however, not simply
fortified points of refuge, but often the residence of a
small number of families of the same neighborhood.
As the Indian mode of warfare was an indiscriminate
slaughter of all ages and of both sexes, it was as re-
quisite to provide for the safety of the women and
children as for that of the men.^ The fort consisted of
cabins, block-houses, and stockades, a range of cabins
commonly forming at least one of its sides, divisions
or partitions of logs separating the cabins from each
other. The walls on the outside were ten or twelve
feet high, the slope of the roof being wholly inward.
The block-houses were built at the angles of the stock-
ade inclosure, and projected about two feet beyond the
outer walls of the cabins and stockades. Their upper
stories were about eighteen inches larger in every way
than the lower, leaving an opening at the beginning of
the second story, so that the inmates could shoot from
' Kercheval's •' History of the Valley of Virginia."
» Dr. Doddridge.
above upon an enemy attempting to climb the walls.
But one door opened into these rude structures, and
that was always very strong, so as to defy entrance by
any ordinary means of assault. In some cases the
angles of the stockades were furnished with bastions
instead of with block-houses. A large folding-gate,
made of thick slabs, nearest the spring, closed the
fort. The stockades, bastions, cabins, and block-house
walls were provided with port-holes at proper heights
and distances, and the whole of the outside was made
completely bullet-proof The whole of this work was
accomplished without the aid of a single nail or spike
of iron, and for the very good and sufficient reason
that there were none to be had.'
In some places less exposed a single block-house,
with a cabin or two, constituted the whole fort. Such
defenses, though wholly insufficient for protection
against artillery, answered all the purposes of the
times, and were seldom attacked and scarcely ever
taken by the Indians.
Although, according to a distinguished writer,
" there was, for many years after the settlement of the
country, neither law nor gospel" among the frontier
communities, there was an unwritten code, both of
morals and property, to which general obedience was
cheerfully accorded. The want of legal government
in the extreme western frontier was due to the dis-
pute as to sovereignty between Virginia and Pennsyl-
vania, and for a long period the people of that section
knew nothing of courts, lawyers, magistrates, sheriffs,
or constables. Public opinion was the sole and the
supreme tribunal, but it was one which was univer-
sally respected, and whose decrees were always en-
forced. " The punishment," says Dr. Doddridge,
" for idleness, lying, dishonesty, and ill-fame gener-
ally was that of ' hating the offender out,' as they ex-
pressed it. This mode of chastisement was like the
atiniia of the Greeks. It was a public expression in
various ways of a general sentiment of indignation
against such as transgressed the moral maxims of the
community to which they belonged. This commonly
resulted either in the reformation or banishment of
the person against whom it was directed. At house-
raisings, log-rollings, and harvest-parties, every one was
expected to do his duty faitlilully. A person who did
not perform his share of labor on these occasions was
designated by the epithet of ' Lawrence,' or some
other title still more opprobrious ; and when it came to
his turn to require the like aid from his neighbors,
the idler soon felt his punishment in their refusal
to attend to his call. Although there was no legal
' Dr. Doddridge.
74
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
compulsion to the performance of military duty, yet
every man of full age and size was required to do his
full share of public service. If he did not do so he
was ' hated out as a coward.' Even the want of
any article of war-equipments, such as ammunition, a
sharp flint, a priming-wire, a scalpiug-knife or toma-
hawk, was thought highly disgraceful.
" Debts, which make such an uproar in civilized life,
were but little known among our forefathers at the
early settlement of the country. After the deprecia-
tion of the Continental paper they had no money of
any kind ; everything purchased was paid for in prod-
uce or labor. A good cow and calf was often the
price of a bushel of alum salt. If a contract was not
punctually fulfilled, the delinquent's credit was at an
end. Any petty theft was punished with all the in-
famy that could be heaped on the offender. The first
settlers had a kind of innate or hereditary detestation
of the crime of theft, in any shape or degree, and their
maxim was, ' a thief must be whipped.' If the theft
was of something of some value, a kind of jury of the
neighborhood, after hearing the testimony, would con-
demn the culprit to Moses' law, that is, to forty stripes
save one. If the theft was of some small article, the
offender was doomed to carry on his back the flag of
the United States, which then consisted of thirteen
stripes. In either case some able hands were selected
to execute the sentence, so that the stripes were sure
to be well laid on. This punishment was followed by
a sentence of exile, the offender being told that he
must decamp in so many days on penalty of having the
number of his stripes doubled.
" If a woman was given to tattling and slandering her
neighbors, she was punished by common consent with
a kind of patent right to say whatever she pleased
without being believed. Her tongue was then said to
be harmless, or to be no scandal.
" With all their rudeness, these people were given to
hospitality, and freely divided their rough fare with a
neighbor or stranger, and would have been offended
at the offer of pay. In their settlements and forts
they lived, they worked, they fought and feasted or
suffered together in cordial harmony.
" They were warm and constant in tlieir friendships.
On the other hand, they were revengeful in their re-
sentments. And the point of honor sometimes led
to personal combats. If one man caljpd another a
liar, he was considered as having given a challenge,
which the person who received it must accept or be
deemed a coward, and the charge was generally an-
swered on the spot with a blow. If the injured per-
son was decidedly unable to fight the aggressor, he
misrht get a friend to do it for him. The same thins;
took place on a charge of cowardice or any other dis-
honorable action. A battle must follow, and the per-
son who made the charge must fight either the person
against whom he had made the charge or any cham-
pion who chose to espouse his cause. The mode of
single combat in those days was dangerous in the ex-
treme. Although no weapons were used, fists, teeth,
and feet were employed at will ; but, above all, the
detestable practice of gouging, by which eyes were
sometimes put out, rendered this mode of fighting
frightful indeed. Instances of seduction and bastardy
did not frequently happen in our early times."
CHAPTER IV.
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
The Ohio Company — The Cresaps — Frontier Forts — Braddock's
Defeat — Indian Outrages — Capture of Fort Du Quesne —
Pontiae's War.
Difficulties between England and France had
arisen at intervals since the peace of Utrecht (1713),
though not assuming the character of war. In the
North and East, France was sparing no effort to ex-
tend her power and crush that of England. This
vexatious contest was continued witli feeble efforts and
various success almost down to 175G. It came at last
to be distinctly understood, or fully believed, that a
preponderating ascendency in America must decide
the long and arduous contest between those rival
powers. It was a singular phenomenon, that a great
question of national aggrandizement between the
courts of London and Paris should be decided in the
interior of America. Such, however, was the fact;
and the banks of the St. Lawrence, and the shores of
the American lakes, and the borders of Maryland and
Virginia were destined to be the theatre on which
the great prize was to be contended for. The vigor of
the contest was proportionate to the magnitude of the
stake. The efforts of England wore cheerlully and
promptly seconded by those of her colonies through
four successive years, until at length the Plains of
Abraham witnessed the triumph of their united valor,
and the gallant and lamented Wolfe planted the cross
of St. George upon the ramparts of Quebec. The
peace of Fontainebleau, which soon followed, secured
the conquest which valor and perseverance had won.'
France relinquished her pretensions, and left Great
Britain without a rival upon this great field of glory
and enterprise. The first signal of alarm to the
French was the grant of five hundred thousand acres
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
75
of territory on the south side of the Ohio, between
the Monongahela and Kanawha Rivers, and west of
the AUeghanies, made by the English government in
1749 to a small number of Marylanders and Virgin-
ians of wealth and influence, styling themselves the
" Ohio Company."
By its charter the company was required to select
a large portion of its lands immediately, to settle
upon them one hundred families within seven years,
to erect a fort, and maintain a garrison against the
Indians. They at once set about the exploration of
the country, and employed for the purpose Christo-
pher Gist, of Maryland, an energetic, fearless pioneer,
and a man of considerable intelligence. Gist was
instructed to examine the quality of the lands, keep
a journal, draw plans of the country, and report in
full. He arrived at Will's Creek in October, 1749,
and on the 31st started on his mission, following an
Indian trail, his only guide through the wilderness.
His explorations occupied several months, and took
him almost to the falls of the Ohio, near the present
site of Louisville, Ky., and included the region bor-
dering on the Miami River. Gist also succeeded in
obtaining from the Indian tribes friendly assurances,
which, by his influence and that of George Croghan,
a popular trader, were reiterated at the Council held
at Logstown in 1752.^
^ " Christopher Gist was of English descent. His grandfather
of the same name was one of the earliest settlers of Baltimore
County, where he died in 1691. His grandmother was Edith
Cromwell, whose death occurred in 1694. Their only child,
Richard, was surveyor of the Western Shore, one of the com-
missioners appointed to lay off Baltimore Town, and presiding
magistrate in 1736. In 1705 he married Zipporah Murray,
and Christopher, the alile agent of the Ohio Company, was one
of three sons. He married Sarah Howard; his brother Na-
thaniel married Mary Howard ; and Thomas, the third brother,
married Violetta Howard, aunts of Gen. John Eager Howard.
From either Nathaniel or Thomas descended Gen. Gist, who was
killed at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., near the close of the late
civil war. Christopher had three sons— Nathaniel, Uichard, and
Thomas — and one daughter, — Nancy, — none of whom, e.xcept
Nathaniel, were married. Because of his knowledge of the
country on the Ohio, and his skill in dealing with the Indians,
Christopher Gist was chosen to accompany Washington on his
mission in 175;',, and it was from his journal that Sp.arks and
Irving derived their account of that expedition. With his sons
Nathaniel and Thomas he was with Braddock on the fatal field
of Monongahela, and for his services received a grant of 12,000
acres of land from the king of England. Richard was killed
in the battle of King's Mountain. Thomas lived on the plan-
tation, and was a man of note in his day, presiding in the
courts till his death, about 1786. Nancy lived with him until
his death, when she joined her brother Nathaniel, and removed
with him to the grant in Kentucky about the beginning of the
present century. Nathaniel, the grandfather of the Hon.
Montgomery Blair, of Maryland, married Judith Carey Bell, of
Buckingham County, Va., a grandniece of Archibald Carey, the
mover of the Bill of Rights in the House of Burgesses. Na-
In 1750 the Ohio Company built a small store-house /
at Will's Creek, and stocked it with goods for the \
purpose of trading with the Indians, and in the fol- /
lowing year, 1751, Col. Thomas Cresap, wlio still [ /'^/./l
lived at Oldtown, laid out and marked a road from
Will's Creek to the mouth of the Monongahela, the
present site of Pittsburgh. He was assisted by a
friendly Indian named Nemacolin, and the work was
so well done that Gen. Braddock with his army after-
wards pursued the same route, which thenceforward
took the name of Braddock's road. Col. Cresap was
one of the earliest settlers of Western Maryland, and
it may be said without exaggeration was one of the
most remarkable men of his day. He emigrated to
America from Yorkshire, England, when only fifteen
years of age, and about fifteen years afterwards married
a Miss Johnson, and settled on the Susquehanna River,
either at or near Havre de Grace, in Harford County.
He subsequently removed higher up the river, to
Wright's Ferry, opposite the town of Columbia, where
he proceeded to take passession of a tract of five hun-
dred acres of land obtained under a Maryland patent.
The land, however, was part of the debatable ground
claimed by both Penn and Lord Baltimore, and Cre-
sap soon found that it was necessary to make good his
title by force of arms. He appears to have been no-
thing loath to engage in the border troubles that
ensued, and took so active a part in defense of Lord
Baltimore's claim that he soon came to be regarded
as an especially dangerous enemy by the Pennsyl-
vanians, who resorted to the basest means to compass
his destruction. " An Indian was hired to assassinate
him in his own house ; yet, won by his kindness and
hospitality, the savage disclosed the plot and was par-
doned for his meditated crime." At length, however,
a regular battle took place between the factionists, and
Cresap's party having wounded several of Penn's par-
tisans, gained the day and kept the field.
The Pennsylvanians, however, soon returned to the
attack, and coming upon Cresap by night laid siege to
his house, which he defended with his customary
boldness and vigor.
thaniel was a colonel in the Virginia line during the Revolu-
tionary war, and died early in the present century at an ad-
vanced age. He left two sons, Henry Carey and Thomas Cecil.
His eldest daughter, Sarah Howard, married the Hon. Jesse
Bledsoe, United States senator from Kentucky, and a distin-
guished jurist; his grandson, B. Gratz Brown, was the Demo-
cratic candidate for Vice-President in 1872. The second daugh-
ter of Col. Gist, Anne (Nancy), married Col. Nathaniel Hart, a
brother of Mrs. Henry Clay. The third daughter married Dr.
Boswell, of Lexington, Ky. The fourth daughter married
Francis P. Blair, and they were the parents of Hon. Montgom-
ery Blair and Francis P. Blair, Jr. The fifth daughter mar-
ried Benjamin Gratz, of Lexington, Ky." — Lmcdennllk, p. 28.
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Finding they were unable to carry the position by
assault they set fire to the house, and Cresap being
forced to leave the burning building, was taken pris-
oner after a desperate struggle, in which one of his
assailants was wounded.
His captors carried him in triumph to Philadelphia,
where, as he was marched through the streets before
the assembled citizens, he taunted the crowd by ex-
claiming, half in derision, half in earnest, " Why,
this is the finest city in the province of Maryland !"
After more than a year's confinement he was re-
leased by the king's order, and returning to Mary-
land removed to Antietam, to a valuable farm called
the Long Meadows, afterwards owned by the Sprigg
family, in Washington County. Here he built over
a spring a house of stone, which was designed not
only for a residence, but as a fort, as the locality
was then on the frontier, in advance of white popu-
lation and exposed to the danger of Indian attack.
Obtaining a loan of five hundred pounds from Mr.
Dulany, he commenced to trade in skins and furs,
and shipped a large quantity to England, which,
however, were captured by a French vessel on the
way over, to the financial ruin of the unfortunate
trader. But he was not the sort of man to be frowned
down by fortune, and so settling his indebtedness to
Mr. Dulany by transferring to him his farm of four-
teen hundred acres, he removed to what is now known
as OldtowD, in Allegany County, but which he called
Skipton, after the place of his nativity, where he took
up his permanent residence, and where he acquired an
immense landed estate, lying in both Maryland and
Virginia. Col. Cresap having thus made his way to
the extreme outposts of civilization, soon became one
the most distinguished pioneers of the West, and his
name was a household word not only among the whites,
but the Indians as well.
"In early times," says Jacob, "when there were but few
taverns, and these few were very indifferent, his house at Old
Town was open and his table spread for all decent travelers,
and they were welcome. His delight was to give and receive
useful information; nor was this friendly disposition limited to
the white people only. The Indians generally called on him
in pretty large parties as they passed and repassed from north
to south in their war expeditions, and for which special purpose
he kept a very large kettle for their use; and he also generally
gave them a beef to kill for themselves every time they called,
and his liberality gained for him among them the honorable
title of the 'Big-spoon.' "
In person Col. Cresap was not large, but firmly set,
and of very great muscular strength ; he had a sound
constitution, and lived to the age of one hundred and
five or six. When seventy years old he made a
voyage to England, where he was commissioned by
Lord Baltimore to run the western line of Maryland,
in order to ascertain which of the two branches of the
Potomac was the larger, and which was actually the
fountain-head of that river. On his return home he
employed surveyors to uin the line, and flie map of
this work, prepared by Col. Cresap, was the first ever
made to show the course and fountains of the north
and south branches of the Potomac River. When
more than eighty years of age he married his second
wife, and at the age of one hundred performed a jour-
ney, partly by sea and partly by land, from his resi-
dence at Oldtown to an island near the British
province of Nova Scotia, and returned in safety.
When ninety years of age he " conceived and digested
a plan to explore as far west as the Pacific, and no-
thing but his advanced years prevented the accom-
plishment of an enterprise which he described with
the enthusiasm of an early borderer."' From this his
enthusiastic biographer is justified in declaring, —
*' that had Providence placed Col. Cresap at the head of our
army, or state, or kingdom, he would have been a more con-
spicuous character. He was not inferior to Charles XII., of
Sweden, in personal bravery, nor to Peter the Great, of Russia^
— whom in many things he much resembled, — in coolness or
fortitude, or that peculiar talent of learning experience from
misfortune, and levying a tax upon damage and loss to raise
him to future prosperity and success."
Col. Thomas Cresap had five children, three sons —
Daniel, Tliomas, and Michael — and two daughters, —
Sarah and Elizabeth.^
Michael, the youngest son of Col. Thomas Cresap,
was no less distinguished than his father in the early
history of Western Maryland. He was born in that
part of Frederick which is at present Allegany County,
on the 29th of June, 1742, and was sent to the cele-
brated school of Rev. Thomas Craddock, in Baltimore
County. Not fancying the restraints of school-life,
' Jacob's " Life of Cresap."
* On the 14th of September, 1751, Christopher Gist, Michael
Aldridge, and James Martin made affidavit "that four captains
of Indian warriors, with their men, consisting of fifty or there-
abouts, camped in said Col. Thomas Cresap's pasture. They
killed several of his hogs, took his corn, his flour, and bread,
which made the said Cresap fall into a passion .and threaten to
load his guns and shoot among them at night." They persuaded
him not to do so, but to complain to the Governor.
Several Indians made affidavit about the same time that
"Brother Cresap" of late seemed angry, and "did not give us
victuals so cheerful as usual. Our young men went out and
killed sundry of his hogs, at which he flew into a passion.
" 'As the white people has killed up the deer, buffaloes, elks,
and bears, there is nothing for us to live on but what we get
from the white people ; and having no white people on the road
from Onondaga to our brother Cresap's house, we are often very
hungry, and stays three or four days to rest ourselves, and our
young men very unruly goes into the woods and kills our
brother Cresap's hoggs and sometimes cattle."
THE FRENCH AxND INDIAN WAR.
77
young Cresap left his preceptor and made his way
back to his father's house, traveling alone one hun-
dred and forty miles through a dangerous wilderness
to reach his destination, where, however, he received
only a flogging for his pains, and was returned to his
teacher, with whom he remained until the completion
of his studies.
Soon after leaving school he married Miss White-
head, of Philadelphia, and set up as a trader. His
operations were not successful, however, and "urged
by necessity as well as a laudable ambition," early in
1774 he engaged six or seven active young men, and
" repairing to the wilderness of the Ohio commenced
the business of- building houses and clearing lands,
and being among the first adventurers into this ex- !
posed and dangerous region, he was enabled to select
some of the best and richest of the Ohio levels."'
Here, on or near the present site of Brownsville,
Ky., he built himself a house of hewed logs, with a
shingled roof nailed on, which is believed to have
beeu the first shingled house west of the Alleghany
Mountains. He retained the title to this land for
years, and at last disposed of it to Thomas and Basil
Brown, two brothers from Maryland, from whom the
present town of Brownsville takes its name. This
point became an attractive place to the whites as it
had evidently been to the savages, as we may judge
from the ingenious works with which they for-
tified it. This post, known in border history as Red-
Stone Old Fort, became the rallying-point of the pio-
neers, and was familiar to many an early settler as his
place of embarkation for the " dark and bloody
ground." In the legends of the West, Michael Cresap
is connected with this Indian stronghold. In those
mountains Cresap is spoken of as remarkable for his
brave, adventurous disposition, and awarded credit for
often rescuing the whites by a timely notice of the
savages' approach, a knowledge of which he obtained
by unceasing vigilance over their movements. This
fort was frequently Cresap's rendezvous as a trader,
and thither he resorted with his people, either to in-
terchange views and adopt plans for future action, or
for repose in quieter times when the red men were
lulled into inaction, and the tomaliawk was temporarily
buried.-
Michael Cresap was prominently engaged in all the
border conflicts with the Indians, and has been por-
trayed in a celebrated piece of Indian rhetoric as the
instigator if not one of the chief actors in the massa-
cre of Logan's family, — a charge which has been suf-
ficiently refuted by Jacob in his " Life of Cresap,"
and by Brantz Mayer in his " Taj-Gah-Jute, or Logan
and Cresap." Nevertheless the war of 1774 has often
been called " Cresap's War," and although Cre.sap was
entirely guiltless of all connection with the butchery
which brought it on, he rendered good service while
it was in progress, under a captain's commission from
the Governor of Virginia. After its conclusion, Cre-
sap returned to Maryland, spending the autumn of
1774 and the following winter with his family, and
early in the spring of 1775 proceeded again to the
Ohio to complete the work begun the preceding year.
Ill health, however, compelled him to retrace his steps
to Maryland, and while on his way he was met by a
messenger, who informed him that he had been ap-
pointed by the Committee of Safety at Frederick to
take command of one of the two rifle companies re-
quired to be raised in Maryland by a resolution of the
Continental Congress. In spite of bad health Cresap
accepted the commission, and joined Washington at
Boston in August with the first company of riflemen
raised in Maryland. His illness increased, and after
about three months' service he was compelled to leave
the army, with the intention of returning to his home ;
but he was unable to proceed farther than New York,
where he died of fever on the 18th of October, 1775,
at the early age of thirty-three. His remains, at-
tended by a vast concourse of people, were interred with
military honors in Trinity churchyard. New York.
His tombstone bears the following inscription, beneath
the rude sculpture of a winged head :
"lET MEMORY OF MICHAEL CEESAP FIRST
CAP' OF THE RIFLE BATALIONS, AND SON
OF CO' THOMAS CRESAP, WHO DEPARTED
THIS LIFE OCTOBER THE 18", 1775."
In June, 1752, Mr. Gist, as agent of the Ohio Com-
pany, with Col. Fry and two other gentlemen, went to
Logs-town, about seventeen miles below the Forks,' and
made the treaty with the Indians to which allusion
has been made By this treaty the Indians bound
themselves not to disturb any .settlement on the south-
east side of the Ohio. After the treaty at Logstown
Gist was appointed surveyor for the company, and
was directed to lay ofi' a town at Shutee's Creek, a
little below the present site of Pittsburgh, on the east
side of the Ohio, and four hundred pounds were
appropriated to pay for the construction of a fort.
Gist, with several other families, then settled in the
valley of the Monongahela, not far from the creek
above named. During the same year the company
erected another post on the Virginia side of the river,
which was known as the " New Store-house," and was
1 Jacob's *' Life of Cresap."
2 M.ayer's *' Logan and Cresap.'
3 Pittsburgh.
78
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
located " at the foot of the bluff on which now stands
the beautiful residence of Capt. Roger Perry, very
near the point occupied by the abutment of the Po-
tomac bridge at Cumberland." The first store-house
was located on the west side of Will's Creek, north of
the river, and the ground on both sides of the creek
was surveyed and laid off into a town, with streets,
lines, etc., and called Charlottesburg in honor of Prin-
cess Charlotte Sophia, afterwards wife of George III.'
The territory granted to the Ohio Company, how-
ever, was claimed by the French, and the establish-
ment of the trading-posts described was followed by
prompt and decisive measures of reprisal on the part
of the French military commanders. Some of the
English traders among the Indians were seized and
imprisoned, and several of the trading-posts of the
company were reduced and pillaged. Indignant at
these outrages, Governor Dinwiddle introduced upon
the theatre of aifaire a youth — George Washington —
to perform an important and hazardous mission for
his native colony, and to prepare himself to serve the
whole country. Col.. Washington was dispatched to
the French commandant to protest against his pro-
ceedings and to demand the evacuation of the terri-
tory.
On the 30th of October, 1753, Washington set oif
from Williamsburg on his dangerous mi.ssion through
a hostile Indian region with that courage, zeal, and
perseverance which afterwards, in a higher station,
made him the savior of his country. He reached
Will's Creek on the 14th of November, where he
engaged Col. Nathaniel Gist, the intrepid pioneer, to
accompany him on the expedition. The demands of
Virginia were rejected, and nothing was left but a
recourse to hostilities. In the war which ensued
Maryland became involved simply in self-defense and
for the assistance of the sister colonies, while Vir-
ginia and Pennsylvania were contending for the
acquisition of a large and fertile territory.
The intentions and movements of the French being
understood, the Governor of Virginia prepared for
immediate war. He summoned the House of Bur-
ges.ses to meet at an early day, and also wrote letters
to the Governors of the other provinces calling on
them for aid, drawing a vivid picture of the common
danger, and making moving appeals to their patriotism !
and sense of duty to their sovereign. The English
government recognized the dangerous consequences
likely to result to her possessions from these encroach-
ments unless they were instantly repelled, and re-
sponded fully to the spirit of Virginia. Upon repre-
1 Lowdermilk.
sentations made by Governor Dinwiddle to the Earl
of Holderness (then Secretary of State) circulars
were addressed to the English colonies to repel by
force all attempts by the French to intrude upon the
settlements within the colonies. That addressed to the
province of Maryland was submitted to its Assembly,
October session, 1753, but its requisitions, although
sustained and urged by its Executive, were without
elFect. The Lower House assured the Governor
" that they were resolutely determined to repel any
hostile invasion of the province by any foreign power,
and that they would cheerfully contribute to the defense
of the neighboring colonics when their circumstances
required it, but they did not deem, this a pressing
occasion." At the next session of the Assembly, held
in February, 1754, the Upper House expressed its
willingness to concur in proper measures of defense.
In the mean time the French had not been idle.
In the spring of 1753 they had built at Presque Isle,
on Lake Erie, a strong fort, and, leaving a large gar-
rison there, they marched to the Riviere aux Boeufs,
where they erected another fort, cutting a wagon-road
twenty-one feet in width between the two. Here gar-
risons were maintained during the winter of 1753-54,
and here a strong force gathered in 1754, fully pre-
pared to march to and occupy the head of the Ohio.
On the 17th of April, 1754, M. de Contrecceur, the
French commander, at the head of from five hundred
to a thousand men, with eighteen pieces of artillery,
captured the defenseless works afterwards known as
Fort Du Quesne, which occupied the spot where now
stands the city of Pittsburgh. Washington was at
Will's Creek (now Cumberland, Md.) when the news
reached him of the surrender of the fort. He resolved
to proceed to the mouth of Red Stone Creek (Browns-
ville, Pa.), and there to erect a fort, and await the ad-
vancing foe. He arrived at the Great Meadows on
the 28th of May, and encountered a detachment of
thirty-five men, under M. de Jumouville, sent out
from Fort Du Quesne as ambassadors, as was alleged
by M. de Contrecoiur, to warn him to witiidraw.
W^ashington, however, mistook their character, and a
sharp skirmish ensued, in which M. de Jumonville
and several of his men were killed, and the rest sur-
rendered, and were sent under guard to the Governor
of Virginia. Having heard of large reinforcements at
Fort Du Quesne, and expecting an attack, Washing-
ton retreated to the Great Meadows, where he com-
menced the erection of a fort, to which was given the
suggestive title of Fort Necessity. While thus en-
gaged, they were surprised by the approach of a supe-
rior French force, and, after a conflict of some hours,
obliged to surrender on honorable terms. On the 4th
I
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
79
of July, 1754, tlie little garrison evacuated its feeble
fort and retreated to Will's Creek, and the unprotected
frontiers of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia were
exposed to the plundering bands of French and In-
dians. Leaving his force at Will's Creole under the
command of Col. Innes, Washington hastened to Wil- ;
liamsburg, to communicate in person to Governor
Dinwiddle the result of his expedition, while mes-
sengers were dispatched with letters to the Governors
of Maryland and Pennsylvania, explaining his weak ;
and exposed situation, and soliciting aid. Governor
Sharpe, however, aware of the situation of affairs, had I
already convened the Assembly, which met in An- 1
napolis on the 17th of July. The news of the defeat
of Col. Washington reached Annapolis the day after
the Assembly had met. and created great surprise and
alarm, and it had the effect of hastening the action of
the Legislature, which, on the 25th of July, appro-
priated six thousand pounds
*' to his excellency Horatio Sharpe, Esq., for his majesty's use,
towards the defence of the colony of Virginia, attacked by the
French and Indians, and for the relief and the support of the
wives and children of the Indian allies that put themselves
under the protection of this government."
Immediately upon the passage of this act. Gov-
ernors Sharpe notified Governor Dinwiddle, who rec-
ommended that a company of one hundred soldiers be
raised in the province, to act in conjunction with the
forces then gathering at Will's Creek, to serve under
the command of Col. Innes. Governor Sharpe issued
a commission to Capt. Thomas Cresap, who had be-
haved himself on all occasions as a good servant to
the government, " to raise a company of riflemen to
serve beyond the Allegany Mountains." In August
the Governor gave orders that two additional com-
panies should be raised to join Col. Innes, and on the
15th the Gazette announced that we "are now raising
recruits to go against the French on the Ohio" The
privates were to receive eight pence a day, and clothes,
arms, and accoutrements. On the 23d of September
a part of' a company left Annapolis, under the charge
of Capt. Forty, on their way to Frederick, and on the
30th another detachment marched for the same place,
under the command of Lieut. John Bacon. John
Ross also enlisted a company. All were to serve
under the command of Capt. Dagworthy.
Col. Innes, who commanded a few companies of
North Carolina troops, was ordered, after the battle
of the Great Meadow;-, to march to Will's Creek, and
to construct a fort, which would serve as a rallying-
point and a defense to the frontiers.
On his arrival at Will's Creek he commenced the
construction of fortifications, and selected for the
purpose the hill lying between the Potomac River
and the creek, near the mouth of the latter. This
work, which was commenced on the 12th of Septem-
ber and completed about the middle of the following
month, was built of stoccadoes, and called by Col.
Innes " Fort Mount Pleasant." Log houses were
then built for the men, which were finished by the
25th of December, and soon after their completion
Governor Dinwiddle received instructions from Eng-
land to erect a fort at Will's Creek " of such dimen-
sions and character of construction as the importance
of the position seemed to require." Gov. Dinwiddle
transmitted these instructions to Col. Innes without
delay, and the fort was erected and garrisoned during
the winter of 1754-55. At the request of Gen.
Braddock it was named Fort Cumberland, in honor
of the captain-general of the British army. The
troops engaged in its construction were Rutherford
and Clarke's independent companies of foot from New
York, Demerie's independent company from South
Carolina, and three independent companies under the
command of Col. Innes from North Carolina, assisted
by a Maryland company, which arrived on the ground
in November. Fort Cumberland stood upon the bank
of Will's Creek, near its junction with the Potomac,
" opposite to the new store," ' on the site of the pres-
ent city of Cumberland, in Allegany County. " The
citizens of our city," says Lowdermilk, in his interest-
ing history of Cumberland,
•'have for generations past pointed out the spot upon which
this fort was located, but they bad no information or conception
of the size, shape, and character of the work or its surround-
ings. Fortunately a sketch of the fort was found by the author
among the king's manuscripts in the library of the British
Muceum in London. A photograpliic copy of this sketch was
secured. It was drawn by one of the officers in the fort at the
time of Gen. Braddock's arrival. The fortifications were drawn
to a scale, but the proportions were not preserved in mapping
out the river, creek, and surrounding grounds. This fact made
it somewhat difficult to establish the exact lines of the work,
and compelled a resort to the memory of our oldest inhabitants.
Mr. Jesse Korns has a distinct recollection of climbing over the
remaining earth-works when a boy, and he fi.ves the easterly
line of the fort — that portion of it which runs to a point nearest
Will's Creek— some forty feet east of Emmanuel Church. The
conformation of the ground at that spot is strongly confirmatory
of his opinion, as well as other circumstances, which fi.\ the
western line near the boundary of Prospect Street. The greater
portion of Fort Cumberland was a palisado work, — all of it, in
fact,, except the small bastioned work on the western end. The
palisades were logs cut to a length of eighteen feet, and planted
ill the earth to a depth of six feet, forming a close wooden wall
twelve feet in height. These logs were spiked together with
strips and pins on the iuner side, and the wall was pierced with
openings for musketry along its entire face. Two water g.ates
are shown in the plot, and from each of these a trench was ex-
cavated leading to the creek, so that the men might secure
' Pennsylvania Colonial Records, vi., p. ISO.
so
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
therefrom a supply of water without being exposed to the fire
of the enemy. In 1756, after Braddock's defeat, the Indiana
became so numerous and so bold as to approach near enough to
shoot those who ventured to the water's edge, and in conse-
quence tjaereof a well was sunk inside of the palisade near the
main gate on the south side. This well was in use not many
years since, and is still in existence on the property of Hon.
Hopewell Hebb. It was about eighty feet in depth, and within
the memory of the writer was furnished with an immense wheel
and two buckets, by which excellent cold water was drawn from
it. About the year 1799 this well was first cleaned out after
the abandonment of the fort, and the father of Mr. John B. Wide-
ner was present when part of a gun-carriage, a wheel, and a
large quantity of cannon-balls, musket-balls, etc., were taken
therefrom.
*' Inside the stockade were built barracks sufficient to furnish
quarters for two hundred men and the company officers. Be-
sides, there was a parade or drill-ground for the companies.
At the west end of the stockade was built a fort with bastions,
parapets, and ditches, where sixteen guns were mounted, which
commanded all the ground north, west, and south, as well as
the north and south lines of the stockade. These guns were of
different calibre, four of them being twelve-pounders and twelve
four-pounders. Besides these there were several swivels. A part
of this armament was ships' guns, brought from Admiral Kep-
pel's fleet. On the west face was a sally-port, and inside the fort
were the houses used as quarters for the commanding officer,
for storing provisions, and for the guard details while on duty.
The entire work was four hundred feet in length and one hun-
dred and sixty in width, extending from the point indicated
below Emmanuel Church to within a short distance of Prospect
Street, the northern line extending along nearly the centre of
Washington Street. The fort proper occupied almost the iden-
tical spot on which now stands the residence of Mr. James A.
Millholland, known as the * Hoye House.' This fortification
was of considerable strength, and commanded the approaches
from the north, east, and south. The ground to the northwest
was somewhat higher, but a small earth-work of a temporary
character was constructed on the crest, on the site of the resi-
dence of the late James W. Jones, Esq. The ground on the
south side of the river, opposite the fort, was high enough to
overlook the work, and somewhat interfered with its efficiency.
The company parade and drill-ground was inside the pali-
sades, but the dress parades were held on the ground now occu-
pied by the court-house and academy. Quite a number of log
houses for barracks were built near the crest, and as far back
as Smallwood Street, but these were made use of only when
there was present a greater force than could be accommodated
in the fort and the barracks immediately adjoining.''
In October, 1754, the Virginia House of Burgesses
made an appropriation of twenty thousand pounds for
the public service, and with the grant of ten thousand
pounds and supply of arms made by the home gov-
ernment. Col. Washington contemplated an extensive
expedition against Fort Du Quesne. At the same
time, '• for settling the ranks of the officers of his
majesty's forces when serving with the provincials in
North America," the king directed, — -
•' That all oflicers coQimissioned by the king or his general
should take rank of all officers commissioned by the Governors 1
of the respective provinces; and further, that the general and j
field officers of the provincial troops should have no rank when
serving with the general and other commissioned officers com-
missioned by the Crown, but that all captains and other infe-
rior officers of the royal troops should take rank over provincial
officers of the same grade having senior commissions."
The effect of these instructions was to reduce
Washington from the rank of colonel to that of cap-
tain. This humiliation he was not content to submit
to, but resigned his commission and retired to private
life. The Duke of Newcastle, upon learning of the
resignation of Col. Washington, issued a commission
to Governor Horatio Sharpe, appointing him com-
mander of the provincial forces at Fort Cumberland.
Immediately on the receipt of the information that
the vessel bearing it had arrived, Governor Sharpe
proceeded to Williamsburg and " received his majesty's
commission appointing him comniander-in-ehief of all
the forces that are or may be raised to defend the fron-
tiers of Virginia and the neighboring colonies, and to
repel the unjustifiable invasion and encroachments of
the French on the river Ohio."
After an interview with Governors Dinwiddle and
Dobbs, of North Carolina, who brought out the com-
mission, he returned to Annapolis, November 3d. It
was concluded to raise immediately seven hundred
men, with whom and the independent companies the
French fort should be attacked and reduced before
reinforcements could be brought from Canada or
Louisiana. This eflFected, that post and another,
which he thought would be necessary to erect on a
small island in the river, were to be held for the kino-.
To garrison these and Fort Cumberland would require
all his forces, and he concluded it would be useless for
them to attempt anything further against the enemy
on La Riviere aux Boeufs and Lake Erie " with-
out they be supported with such a body of troops
from home as he dare not presume to hope for the
direction of"
Governor Sharpe, who was now commander-in-chief
of all the forces against the French, with instructions
to make his headquarters in Virginia, attended by
some officers of the Virginia regiment and a few per-
sonal friends, set out from Annapolis on the 12th of
November to take command of the army. Durin^
the occasions of his absence in visiting the military
posts and in attending to his official duties as Gov-
ernor, Col. Fitzhugh, of Virginia, was to have charge
of the forces.
Knowing the value of Col. Washington's experi-
ence and reputation, Sharpe at once took steps to in-
duce him to reenter the army, and before he left An-
napolis he requested Col. Fitzhugh to induce him to
change his resolution. Washington, however, who
was deeply wounded at what he thought an act of
deep injustice, was not to be persuaded.
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
81
An officer writing from Fort Cumberland on No-
vember 21st, thus speaks of the arrival of Governor
Sharpe at that place :
" We now have got a fort completed, with barracks for our
men at the back of it, well built, comfortable for the winter.
We had the pleasure of being joined three days ago by his Ex-
cellency Col. Sharpe, with one company from Maryland. Mr.
Sharpe appears to be a stirring, active gentleman, and by his
method of proceeding I believe a very good soldier; cheerful
and full of good conduct, and one who won't be trifled with. In
the spring, if we have a good body of men, I make no doubt
but we shall be able to do something to the puri>ose. By the
present situation of the French, they are not to be driven out
of their forts unles.s our numbers are greatly increased."
Governor Sharpe now carried on with vigor the
preparations for the spring campaign. Military stores,
ordnance, etc., were collected in Frederick and Alex-
andria, and the militia were properly organized and
disciplined.
Indeed, an unwonted energy seems at this time to
have inspired the people of the province. Finding
the militia law defective, the Governor convened the
Assembly on December 24th, when they passed an act
to levy troops for the following campaign. As an in-
ducement to the enlistments, they enacted •' that if
any citizen of the province shall be so maimed in the
service as to be incapable of maintaining himself, he
should be supported at the public expense." In the
ensuing session of February, 1775, they regulated the
rates of transportation of military stores, and the
mode of quartering soldiers in the province, and pro-
hibited by severe penalties any inhabitant from sup-
plying the French or their Indian allies with stores,
ammunition, or provisions. Governor Sharpe, how-
ever, did not find it difficult to procure volunteer sol-
diers, for he had more applications than he could pro-
vide for. As an instance, the Maryland Gazette of Feb.
6, 1755, says, " We are assured that in Chestertown, in
Kent County, several men enlisted immediately upon
the arrival of the officer in that town, before the drum
was beat, and that the officer, who wanted but thirty
men, got his complement and marched with them."
The Gazette adds, —
" Such is the commendable spirit of that place." " They are
gone for Will's Creek, and some young Maryland gentlemen
(patriots) are gone from thence as volunteers; the mother of
one of them at parting took leave of him, saying, ' My dear
son, I shall with much greater pleasure hear of your death than
your cowardice or ill conduct,' and Governor Sharpe, in a letter
to Lord Baltimore, dated Jan. 12, 1755, also says, —
'* ' As to levying any number of men, I conceive we shall not
find it difficult . . . but the difficulty will be to get money from
the Assemblies after they are raised for their support; indeed,
this I look upon as impracticable, or not to be expected without
the Legislature of Great Britain shall make a law to be binding
on all these several colonies, and oblige them to raise such a
fund as may be thought expedient for the support of their
own troops."
The appointment of Governor Sharpe to the chief
command was but a measure of temporary expediency.
His friends would have persuaded the king to have
retained him, urging in his behalf his exceeding
honesty, while compelled to admit he was not pos-
sessed of remarkable ability. " A little less honesty,"
replied the king, " and a little more ability might,
upon the present occasion, better serve our turn."
The government, although still amusing the French
with their professions of peace, had decided to main-
tain vigorously all its pretensions on this continent,
and with this view to .send out an adequate force
under one of the bravest and most accomplished sol-
diers of the empire. Such, in the opinion of the
Duke of Cumberland, captain-general of the army, was
Maj.-Gen. Edward Braddock, whom Horace Walpole
describes as " desperate in his
fortune, brutal in his bthiv
ior, and obstinate in his sen
timents," but admits that he
was still " intrepid and oipi
ble." Gen. Braddock was
ordered to proceed to Vii
ginia, as commandor-in thief
of all the British troops \u
North America, on Sept 24
1754, but did not sail until
the 21st of December. He
set sail in the " Norwich,"
convoyed by the " Centurion,'
dore Keppel, and arrived in Hampton Roads on the
20th of February. He was soon followed by the rest
of the fleet, with two regiments, each of five hundred
men, one under Col. Sir Peter Halket, and the other
under Col. Thomas Dunbar. Two more regiments,
each of one thousand men, were to be raised in the
colonies at the king's expense, and commanded by Sir
William Pepperell and Governor Shirley, of Massa-
chusetts. These, with the independent companies,
the levies expected of the several colonies, and such
Indians as enlisted, it was thought would make up
an eifective force of not less than twelve thousand
men. When Governor Sharpe received information
of the appointment of Gen. Braddock, he proceeded,
on the 13th of January, 1755, on a tour of inspection
to the scene of anticipated operations, in the neighbor-
hood of Will's Creek. In one week after his arrival
he was joined by Sir John St. Clair, lieutenant-colonel
of O'Farrell's Twenty-second Regiment of Foot, and
quartermaster-general of all the British forces in
America, who was then actively engaged in visiting
GENERAL BKAODOCE.
flag-ship of Commo-
82
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
military posts, making contracts for supplies, and ac-
quainting himself generally with the scene of his
future operations.^ Having procured from every
source all the maps and information that were ob-
tainable respecting the country through which the
expedition was to pass, he and Governor Sharpe de-
scended the Potomac River two hundred and fifty
miles in a canoe, and reached Annapolis on the 2d of
February, whence they went to Williamsburg, Va.,
to await Gen. Braddock's arrival, which was hailed
with great joy by the people of Virginia, Maryland,
and Pennsylvania, as they looked forward with con-
fidence to the defeat of the French and the early ter-
mination of the war, and possibly thought that the
cost of the undertaking would mainly fall where it
justly belonged, upon the mother-country.
On the 10th of March Gen. Braddock forwarded
letters to the Governors of the diflFerent colonies, de-
siring them to meet him at Annapolis on the 1st of
April for consultation and to settle a plan of opera-
tions. On the 26th, accompanied by Governor Din-
widdle and Commodore Keppel, he arrived at Alex-
andria, where the troops were encamped, and issued
his first general order the next day. Here Governor
Sharpe paid him a visit on the 28th. On the 3d of
April the general, with a numerous suite, arrived at
Annapolis, but, owing to the absence of Governors
Shirley, De Lancey, and Morris, the council was post-
poned till the 14th, the place of meeting being changed
to Alexandria. On the 11th and 12th, Governors
Shirley, of Massachusetts, De Lancey, of New York,
and Morris, of Pennsylvania, arrived at Annapolis,
and, in company with Governor Sharpe, proceeded to
the general's headquarters at Alexandria, where, on
the 14th, he laid before them his instructions and his
plans for the summer's operations. He proposed to
proceed in person against Fort Du Quesne, while
Shirley commanded an expedition against Niagara,
and Sir William Johnston one against Crown Point.
The plan having been agreed upon, and the details
arranged, the council broke up, and Governors Shir-
ley, De Lancey, and Morris returned to Annapolis on
the 17th with Governor Sharpe, whose hospitality
they enjoyed for several days.
Gen. Braddock had written to the Duke of New-
castle from Williamsburg on the 1st of March, that
he should be beyond the Alleghanies by the end of
April ; and, in compliance with this promise, he now
hurried his arrangements for a forward movement.
By Col. St. Clair's advice, it was decided to march
1 Sir John's Station on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and
Sir John's Run and Sir John's Road, in Berkeley County, Va.,
are named after Sir John St. Chiir.
from Alexandria in two divisions : one regiment and
a portion' of stores were to be sent to Winchester, Va.,
whence a new road was nearly completed to Fort Cum-
berland, and the other regiment, with the remaining
forces, were to move by the way of Frederick, Md.
Accordingly, on the 8th and 9th of April the pro-
vincials and six companies of the Forty-fourth Regi-
ment, Sir Peter Halket, set out for Winchester, Lieut.-
Col. Gage and four companies remaining to escort the
artillery. On the 18th of April the Forty-eighth
Regiment, under Col. Dunbar, marched for Frederick,
detaching a company to the mouth of the Conoco-
cheague Creek fa large stream which flows into the
Potomac in Washington County) to hasten the for-
warding of the stores gathered there. Arriving at
Frederick, Col. Dunbar found there was no road
through Maryland to Fort Cumberland, and he ac-
cordingly, on the 1st of May, crossed the Potomac at
the mouth of the Conococheague, and took the Win-
chester route. For the purpose of expediting the ne-
cessary preparations for transporting the supplies. Gov-
ernor Sharpe, on the 22d of April, went to Frederick,
where a portion of the army was then quartered. At
this point, on the 24th of April, he met Gen. Brad-
dock, Col. Washington, and Benjamin Franklin, the
two latter having met for the first time. Washing-
ton had been invited by Gen. Braddock to serve as
one of his aides-de-camp in the campaign. Franklin,
then the British postmaster-general of the colonies,
had met Braddock here for the purpose of concerting
apian for forwarding supplies, and learning the scarcity
of wagons, undertook to furnish them from Pennsyl-
vania. By adroit means he succeeded in obtaining
from the counties of Lancaster, York, and Cumber-
land one hundred and fifty wagons with four horses
to each, and fifteen hundred pack- or saddle-horses
needed for the expedition. Besides this assistance,
Governor Sharpe tells us Gen. Braddock did
" not scruple in enlisting and taking away a good many servants
from the inhabitants of Frederick, Prince George's, and Balti-
more Counties, as well as impressing their wagons, horses, team-
sters, carriages, and carriage horses."
To such an extent were the seizures made that the
contractors for the new court-house, which was then
being erected in Frederick, found it impossible to ob-
tain horses to haul the materials to the site of the
building. " He was extremely warm and angry" at
this time, " and stormed like a lion rampant."
Braddock, while at Frederick, purchased of Gov-
ernor Sharpe an English chariot, with six horses, in
which he rode, and on the 1st of May, accompanied
by his stafi" and guard of light-horse, he left Freder-
ick for Will's Creek, by the way of Winchester, the
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
83
road along the north side of the Potomac not being
yet made. The discomforts of the rough road were
increased for Gen. Braddock by his mode of traveUng,
which was not suited to the mountainous country
through which he was passing. Accompanied by his
staff, he overtook Dunbar's division near Will's Creek,
his body-guard of light-horse galloping on each side
of his chariot, the drums beating the Grenadier's
March as he passed. In this style, too, he arrived at
Fort Cumberland on May 10th, amid a thundering
salute of seventeen guns.
By this time he discovered that he was not in a
region fitted for such display, and his traveling
chariot was abandoned at Fort Cumberland ; other-
wise it would soon have become a wreck among the
mountains beyond.
On arriving at the fort on the 10th of May,
Braddock found Sir Peter Halket already there, with
six companies of the Forty-fourth, with which he had
marched from Alexandria. The remaining four com-
panies of his regiment, which had been left with
Lieut.-Col. Gage to escort the artillery, were still de-
layed, but by the 22d of the month all the forces
were assembled at the appointed rendezvous, with the
exception of a North Carolina company, which did
not reach there until the 30th. Braddock now mus-
tered two thousand effective men.
The regiments of Dunbar and Halket, originally
one thousand strong, were now increased to fourteen
hundred by volunteers and conscripts, principally pro-
cured in Maryland ; and besides these there were the
two independent companies from New York ; five com-
panies of rangers, and two of carpenters and pioneers,
principally from Virginia; one company of rangers
from Maryland, two companies of rangers from North
and South Carolina, and thirty seamen, under a lieu-
tenant of the navy, furnished by Admiral Keppel,
having four pieces of cannon, which they were to
assist in dragging over the mountains. Among the
officers present who afterwards distinguished them-
selves in the Revolution were Thomas Cresap, Hugh
Mercer, George Washington, Daniel Morgan, Thomas
Gage, and Horatio Gates.'
^ The route of march of the army after leaving Frederick, on
the 28th of April, was as follows : On the 1st of May, Col. Dun-
bar, after building a bridge over the Antietam, crossed the Po-
tomac at the mouth of the Conocooheague, so as to strike the
Winchester road. On the 5th he crossed the Little Cacapon,
and on the Sth was again ferried over the Potomac to Mary-
land from a spot near the mouth of Cacapon, which has since
that day borne the name of the Ferry Fields. Thence along
the riverside, through Old Town, the dwelling place of Col.
Thomas Cresap, it passed through the narrows at the foot of
Will's Mountain into Cumberland. The house of Cresap, the
Being at last ready to undertake the long and tedi-
ous journey that was before him. Gen. Braddock gave
orders for the army to advance. On the 30th of May,
Sir John St. Clair, with Maj. Chapman and six hun-
dred men of the Forty-fourth Regiment, were sent
forward to clear the road to the Little Meadows, on
the Youghiogheny, thirty miles distant, where they
were to erect a fortified camp. The army followed in
three divisions: the first, under Col. Halket, on the
7th of June ; the next, under Liout.-Col. Gage, on
the Sth ; and the third, under Col. Dunbar, on the
10th, when Braddock also set off, with his aides-
de-camp and others of his staff and his body-guard of
light-horse. Fort Cumberland, with the hospital
filled with invalids, was left under the care of Col.
Innes.
Braddock's army consisted of the Forty-fourth
Regiment of (English) Infantry, Col. Sir Peter Hal-
ket ; the Forty-eighth, Col. Thomas Dunbar; sundry
independent (colonial) companies ; a company of
horse, another of artillery, a company of marines,
etc. ; in all, two thousand one hundred and ninety,
besides the usual train of non-militants who always
accompany an army. The other field-officers were
Lieut.-Cols. Burton and Gage (of Bunker Hill noto-
riety) ; Majs. Chapman and Sparks ; Maj. Sir John
St. Clair, deputy quartermaster - general ; Matthew
Leslie, his assistant; Francis Halket, brigade-major ;
William Shirley, secretary ; and Robert Orme, Roger
Morris, and George Washington, Esqs., aides-de-camp
to the general. Among the captains were : Stephen,
Lewis, Poison, Hogg, Peyronie, Mercer, and Wag-
oner. These commanded provincial troops, chiefly
from Virginia. The New York independent compa-
nies were commanded by Capts. Rutherford and Ho-
ratio Gates, the Gen. Gates to whom Burgoyne sur-
rendered at Saratoga. Christopher Gist and his son
Nathaniel accompanied the army as guides ; George
Croghan, the Indian agent of Aughwick, with Mon-
tour, interpreter, also accompanied the army, trying
to be useful in the Indian department, aided by Mo-
nacatootha and Capt. Jack, the " wild hunter of the
Juniata."
Among the Virginia surgeons were Drs. James
Craik and Hugh Mercer, men of imperishable fame.
ruins of which are still standing near the canal, was half dwelling
and half fortress. To this strongly fortified cnstle the settlers
in this section of the province repaired whenever there was
danger of an Indian attack. Cresap then called the place Skip-
ton, after the place of his nativity in England. It is situated
on the north fork of the Potomac, a few miles above the junc-
tion of the north and south branches of the Potomac. The
residence of his son, Michael Cresap, a large stone building, is
still standing in the centre of the town.
84
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
They were both Scotchmen, the latter having fled to
Virgijiia from the fatal field of CuUoden. Dr. Craik
had followed Washington in his campaign of 1754,
was his companion in his journey to the West in
1770, and was his physician at his death. Dr. Mercer
became a field-officer in the Revolution, and fell at
Princeton in January, 1777.
Some idea of the difficulties Braddock's forces en-
countered may be had when it is stated that they
spent the third night only five miles from the first.
The place of encampment, which is about one-third
of a mile from the toll-gate on the National road, is
marked by a copious stream bearing Braddock's name.
For reasons not easy to divine, the route across Will's
Blountain, first adopted for tbe National road, was
selected, instead of the more favorable one through
the narrows of Will's Creek, to which the road was
subsequently changed for the purpose of avoiding
that formidable ascent. The traces are very distinct
on the east and west slopes, the modern road crossing
it frequently. From the western foot the route con-
tinued up Braddock's Run to the forks of the stream,
where Clary's tavern now stands, nine miles from
Cumberland, when it turned to the left in order to
reach a point on the ridge favorable to an easy descent
into the valley of George's Creek. It is surprising
that having reached this high ground, the favorable
spur by which the National road accomplishes the
ascent of the Great Savage Mountain did not strike
the attention of the engineers, as the labor requisite
to .surmount the barrier from the deep valle}' of
George's Creek must have contributed greatly to those
bitter complaints which Braddock made against the
colonial government for their failure to as.sist him
more effectually in the transportation department.
Passing then a mile to the south of Frostburg, the
road approaches the east foot of Savage Mountain,
which it crosses about one mile south of the National
road ; and thence by very favorable ground through
the dense forests of white pine peculiar to this region,
it got to the north of the National road, near the
gloomy tract called the " Shades of Death." This
was the 15th of June, when the dense gloom of the
summer woods, and the favorable shelter which these
enormous pines would give an Indian enemy, must
have made a most sensible impression on all minds of
the insecurity of their mode of advance. This doubt-
less had a share in causing the council of war held at
the Little Meadows next day. To this place, distant
only about twenty miles from Cumberland, Sir John
Sinclair and Maj. Chapman had been dispatched on
the 30th of May to build a fort, as we have already
seen, aud the army having been seven days in reaching
it, it follows, as the line of march was upwards of three
miles long, the rear was just getting under way when
the advance were lighting their evening fires.
Here it may be well enough to clear up an ob-
scurity which enters into many narratives of these
early events from confusing the names of " Little
Meadows" and " Great Meadows," " Little Crossings"
and " Great Crossings," which are all distinct locali-
ties.
The " Little Meadows" have been described as at
the foot of Meadow Mountain ; it is well to note that
the " Great Meadows" are about thirty-one miles
farther west, and near the east foot of Laurel Hill.
By the " Little Crossings" is meant the ford of
Casslem:in's River, a tributary of the Youghiogheny
itself The Little Crossing is two miles west of the
Little Meadows, and the Great Crossing seventeen
miles farther west.
The conclusion of the council was to push on with
a picked force of twelve hundred men and twelve
pieces of cannon, and the line of march, now more
compact, was resumed on the 19th.
While these events were occurring in the western
part of Maryland, the Governor and the Lower House
of Assembly were quarreling over the requisitions
made by Gen. Braddock for supplies for his army.
On June 28th the Governor sent to the Lower
House the following message :
"Gentlemen op the Lower House of Assembly:
" I have just received letters from Col. Innes at Fort Cum-
berland, and from the back inhabitants of Frederick County,
advising me that a party of French Indians last Monday morn-
ing (June 23) fell on the inhabitants of this province, and killed
two men and one woman (who have been since found dead), eight
other persons they have taken prisoners and carried off. The
names of the persons who were murdered and left are John
Williams, his wife, and grandson, and with their bodies also was
found that of a French Indian. The persons carried off are
Richard Williams (a son of John who was murdered), with two
children, one Dawson's wife and four children. Richard Wil-
liams' wife and two brothers of the young man that is killed have
made their escape. This accident, I find, has so terrified the dis-
tant inhabitants that many of them are retiring and forsaking
their plantations. Another letter from Winchester, in Virginia,
informs me that a party of Indians have also attacked the back
inhabitants of that province, of whom they have killed eleven
and carried away many captives. Apprehending the French
would proceed in this manner as soon as Gen. Braddock and the
troops under bis control should have passed the mountains, and
being confirmed in my opinion by an intimation in the gen-
eral's letter, I issued a proclamation near a month since,
cautioning the distant and other inhabitants of this province
to be on their guard, and unite for their common defence and
safety. At the same time I sent peremptory orders and in-
structions to the ofiicers of the militia of Frederick County
frequently to muster and discipline their several troops and
companies, once a fortnight at least, and in case of alarm that
the enemy was approaching or had fallen on the inhabitants, to
m.arch out and act either offensively or defensively, and use all
THE FKENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
85
means to protect and defend the inhabitants from the devasta-
tions of the French or Indians. However, I find neither the proc-
lamation nor instructions will be effective unless the militia can
be assured that they shall receive satisfaction, and be paid for
the time they are out on duty. I should consider it highly proper
for us to have about one hundred, or at least a company of men,
posted or constantly ranging for some time on the frontiers for
our protection. In this I desire your advice, and that you will
enable me to support such a number.
" Gentlemen :
"At the general's request, and that I might receive early
intelligence at this time from the camp and back inhabitants,
I have engaged several persons between here and Will's Creek
to receive and speedily convey any letters that shall come to
them directed for the general or myself. I doubt not that you
will be convinced of the necessity of such a measure, and pro-
vide for the expense thereof."
The House, on the same day, took into consider-
ation the Grovevnor's message, and immediately passed
the following resolutions :
'^ lieHolved, That this House will make suitable arrangements
for the maintaining of eighty men, including ofSccrs, for four
mouths (if occasion) for ranging on the frontiers of this prov-
ince, to protect the same against the incursions or depredations
that may be attempted or made by the French or their Indian
allies.
" Resolved, further, That this House will defray the reasonable
expense of conveying intelligence from Will's Creek to An-
napolis and back thither for four months."
With some slight amendments the Upper House
agreed to the resolutions, and two thou.sand pounds
were appropriated for the purposes therein mentioned.
On the 5th of July the Governor sent another
message to the Lower House informing them that
bands of hostile Indians were entering the province,
and that fifteen persons in Frederick County on their
way to Fort Cumberland for protection had been
killed or captured by the savages.
During all this time the possibility of Braddook's
defeat had been as little dreamed of by the colonists
as by that confident commander himself. The im-
mense superiority of the English over French troops
had become, since Marlborough's time, an article of
the British creed, and to the regulars at least their
Indian allies, who knew nothing of drill or discipline,
who never met a foe in the open field, and carried
into warfare the tactics and strategy of the forest
hunter, seemed beneath contempt, and only formidable
to sentinels, stragglers, and " raw militia-men." The
colonists, however, knew them better, and the general
had been warned of the possibility of a surprise, and
had received the caution with the scorn he had be-
stowed on the militia and all their doings. But even
of the provincials, only a few who were with the army
thought any disaster possible ; elsewhere victory was
regarded as settled. Preparations were made in
Philadelphia and Annapolis for celebrating the as- •'
sured triumpli, and money was freely subscribed for
illuminations and general festivities as soon as the
couriers should bring the joyful news.
Resuming the march, and passing over ground to
the south of the Little Crossing and of the village of
Grantsville, which it skirted, the army spent the night
of the 21st of June at the Bear Camp, a locality
supposed to be about half-way to the Great Crossings,
which it reached on the 23d. The route thence to
the Great Meadows, or Fort Necessity, was well
chosen, though over a mountainous tract, conforming
very nearly to the ground now occupied by the Na-
tional road, and keeping on the dividing ridge between
the waters flowing into the Youghiogheny on the one
hand, and the Cheat River on the other. Having
crossed the Youghiogheny, the army was now on the
classic ground of Washington's early career, where
the skirmish with Jumonville and the battle of Fort
Necessity had occurred the year before. About one
mile west of the Great Meadows, and near the spot
now marked as Braddock's Grave, the road struck off
more to the northwest, in order to reach a pass
through Laurel Hill, that would enable them to strike
the Youghiogheny at a point afterwards known as
Stewart's Crossing, and about half a mile below the
present town of Connellsville. This part of the route
is marked by the farm known as Mount Braddock.
One month was spent in the march from Fort Cum-
berland to the fatal field. The route as far as Gist's
was that of Washington the year before ; and although
Washington had marched from Will's Creek to the
Meadows in twenty-three days, making the road as
he went, yet it took Braddock eighteen days to drag
his slow length along over the same distance, and
Duubar eight days longer. Truly did Washington
say that " instead of pushing on with vigor, without
regarding a little rough road, they were halting to
level every mole,-hill and erect bridges over every
brook." This needless delay, like everything else in
this campaign, contributed its share to the disastrous
result ; for while Braddock was halting and bridging the
enemy was collecting a force for resistance and attack
which three days' prompter movement would have an-
ticipated. At the Little Meadows (Tomlinson's) a divi-
sion of the army in the march was made : the general
and Col. Halket, with select portions of the two regi-
ments and of the other forces, lightly incumbered, going
on in advance, being in all about fourteen hundred.
Col. Dunbar, with the residue, about eight hundred
and fifty, and the heavy baggage, artillery, and stores,
were left to move up by " slow and easy marches," an
order which he executed so literally as to earn for
himself the sobriquet of " Dunbar the tardy." When,
86
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
on the 28th of June, Braddock was at Stewart's
Crossing (Connellsville), Dunbar was only at the Lit-
tle Crossings. Here Washington, under a violent
attack of fever, had been left by Braddoek, under the
care of his friend Dr. Craik and a guard, two days
in advance of Dunbar, to come on with him when
able, the gallant aide requiring from the general a
" solemn pledge" not to arrive at the French fort until
he should rejoin him ; and as Washington did not re-
port himself until the day before the battle, this pledge
may be some apology for Braddock having consumed
eighteen precious days in marching about eighty miles.
According to Capt. Orme's journal, the encampments,
etc., of Braddock in Fayette County, Pa., were as fol-
lows :
On the 24th of June he marched from Squaw's
Fort (near Somerfield) six miles to a camp east of the i
Great Meadows, near the " twelve springs." He
crossed the Yough without bridging about half a
mile above where the National road now crosses it.
In this day's march they passed a recently-abandoned
Indian camp, indicating by the number of huts that
about one hundred and seventy had been there.
" They had stripped and painted some trees, upon
which they and the French had written many threats
and bravadoes, with all kinds of scurrilous language."
This encampment of Braddock was between Mount
Augusta and Marlow's road, south of the National
road.
June 25th. The army moved about seven miles,
and encamped in what is now the Old Orchard, near
and northwest of " Braddoek's Grave," called then,
two miles west of Great Meadows, — the general riding
in anticipated triumph over the very spot which in
twenty days was to be his last encampment. The
army seems to have passed the ruins of Fort Neces-
sity without a halt or a notice. It is singular they
did not encamp there, for Orme says they were late
in getting to their ground, because that morning,
about a quarter of a mile after starting, they had to
let their carriages down-hill with tackle. In this
day's march three men were shot and scalped by the
enemy, and the sentinels fired upon some French and
Indians whom thej' discovered reconnoitering their
camp, — an annoyance now become so frequent that on
the next day Braddock offered a bounty of five pounds
for every scalp that his Indians or soldiers woiild
take.
June 26th. They marched only about four miles
by reason of the " extreme badness of the road,"
arriving at what Orme calls Rock Fort, on Laurel
Hill, a place now known as the Great Rock, near
Washington Spring and the Half King's old camp.
being a little more than two miles southward of Dun-
bar's camp. " At our halting-place," says Orme,
" we found another Indian camp, which they had
abandoned at our approach, their fires being yet burn-
ing. They had marked in triumph upon trees the
scalps they had taken two days before, and many of
the French had written on them their names and
sundry insolent expressions. We picked up a com-
mission on the march, which mentioned the party
being under the command of the Sieur Normanville.
This Indian camp was in a strong situation, being
upon a high rock, with a very narrow and steep
ascent to the top. It had a spring in the middle, and
stood at the termination of the Indian path to the
Monongahela at Redstone. By this pass the party
came which attacked Mr. Washington last year, and
also this which attended us. By their tracks they
seem to have divided here, the one party being
straight forward to Fort Du Quesne and the other
returning by Redstone Creek to the Monongahela.
A captain's detachment of ninety-four men marched
with guides, to fidl in the night upon the latter divis-
ion. They found a small quantity of provisions and
a very large batteau, which they destroyed, but saw
no men, and the captain joined the general the next
day at Gist's."
June 27th. " We marched from the camp at Rock
Fort to Gist's Plantation, which was about six miles,
the road still mountainous and rocky. Here the ad-
vancing party was relieved, and all the wagons and
carrying horses with provision belonging to that de-
tachment joined us." This advanced party consisted
of about four hundred, under Lieut.-Col. Burton, who,
with Sir John St. Clair, had been sent in advance to
cut and make the road, taking with them two six-
pounders, with ammunition, three wagons of tools,
and thirty-five days' provisions, all on pack-horses.
June 28th. The army marched from Gist's, where
the encampment was near Washington's of the pre-
vious year, to a camp near to and west of Stewart's
Crossing of the Yough, a short half-mile below New
Haven, on land subsequently belonging to Daniel
Rogers, formerly Col. William Crawford. It has been
commonly supposed that a division of the army here
took place, the English troops, etc., crossing the river
and bearing northward, while the Virginia or colonial
forces went down the river and crossed at the Broad
Ford, thenc&bearing more to the west, crossing Jacob's
Run at Stouffer's mill, the two divisions reuniting at
Sewickley, near Painter's Salt- Works. Orme's jour-
nal has no notice of any such division. The Broad
Ford route may be that which was traversed by the
detachments or convoys of provisions, etc., from Dun-
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
87
bar's divisioD, which were from time to time sent up
to the main army ; one of which, Orme says, came up
at Thicketty Run, a branch of Sewickley, on the 5th
of July. Another detachment of one hundred men,
with pack-horse loads of flour and some beeves, ac-
cording to Washington's letters, left the camp west of
the Great Meadows on the 3d of July, with which
he went, joining the army on the 8th, the day before
the battle, " in a covered wagon." This convoy took
up the one hundred beeves which were among the
losses in the defeat. It is a noticeable fact that
Washington, enfeebled by a consuming fever, was so
invigorated by the sight of the scenes of his discom-
fiture the previous year as to seize the opportunity of
celebrating its first anniversary by hastening on to
participate in an achievement which, as he fondly
hoped, would restore to his king and country all that
had been lost by his failure.
June 30th. The army to-day crossed the Yough at
Stewart's Crossing or Ford in strict military style,
with advanced guard first passed and posted. There
is here a little confusion in Capt, Ornio's journal. Not
only does he make the west to be the east side of the
Yough, but he says, " We were obliged to encamp
about a mile on to the west (east) side, where we
halted a day, to cut a passage over a mountain. This
day's march did not exceed two miles !" It would
seem the halt was on the 29th, before crossing the
river, for the march is resumed on the 1st of July.
This " mountain" is the bluff known as the " Nar-
rows," below Davidson's mill. The camp is not cer-
tainly known, probably on land late of Robert Long,
deceased; perhaps south of the Narrows, on Mr. Da-
vidson's land.
July 1st. Says Orme, " We marched about five
miles, but could advance no farther by reason of a
great swamp, which required much work to make it
passable." The course was northeastward. The
swamp can be no other than that fine-looking cham-
paign land above the head-waters of Martin's Creek
and Jacob's Creek, north and east of the Old Chain
Bridge, embracing lands formerly belonging to Col.
Isaac Meason, and afterwards to George E. Hogg and
others.
July 2d. The army moved in the same direction
(east of north) about six miles, to " Jacob's Cabin."
The localities of this and the last preceding camp
cannot be precisely fixed, and the curious reader and
topographer is left to his own conclusion fiom the
data given. Jacob's cabin was doubtless the abode
of an Indian, who gave his name to the creek on which
he trapped and hunted.
July 3d. " The swamp being repaired, we marched
about six miles to Salt-lick Creek." This Salt-lick
Creek is Jacob's Creek, and the camp at the end of
the day's march was near Welshouse's mill, about a
mile below Mount Pleasant. From Welshou.se's mill
the course was northward, passing just to the west of
Mount Pleasant ; thence crossing Sewickely (Thick-
etty) Run near Painter's Salt- Works ; thence bearing
a little westward, it crossed the present tracks of the
Pennsylvania Railroad and turnpike, west of Greens-
burg, to the Bush Fork of Turtle Creek'. Here Brad-
dock abandoned his wise design to approach the
French fort by the ridge route, or Nemacolin's path,
being deterred by the difiieulties of crossing the deep
and rugged ravines of the streams. Turning, at
almost a right angle, westward, he got into the valley
of Long Run at or near Stewartsville, and went down
it past Samson's mill, encamping on the night of the
8th of July, where Washington joined him, about two
miles east of the Monongahela. The army moved
from this encampment early next morning, turning
into the valley of Crooked Run, which they followed
to its mouth, and crossed the river at " Braddock's
upper ford," below McKeesport; thence down the
river on the west side about three miles to Braddock's
lower ford, just below the mouth of Turtle Creek and
Dam No. 2, where they recrossed to the fatal encounter
of the 9th of July. This double crossing of the river
was to avoid the intervening narrows.
Braddock had conducted the march hitherto with
most commendable care and with signal success; and
now, as he neared the object of his labor and ambition,
he took all the precautionary measures to avoid sur-
prise and disaster which his military education sug-
gested. But, unfortunately, he knew nothing of In-
dian strategy or backwoods tactics. He was sensible
that his near approach was known at the French fort,
and that all his movements were closely and secretly
watched. Hence at the crossings of the river he had
his advanced guards well posted, and having caused
his soldiers to be well appareled and their arms bright-
ened, he made a display well calculated to strike terror
into the enemy. Washington was wont to say that
he never saw a more animating sight than the army's
second crossing of the Monongahela. Nevertheless,
Sir Peter Halket, Mr. Secretary Shirley, and Maj.
Washington were not without anxious forebodings.
Controcoeur, the commandant of the fort, frightened
at the exaggerated reports of the numbers of the Eng-
lish, had prepared to surrender or to fly, as his suc-
cessor did before Gen. Forbes in 1758. Indeed, he
reluctantly yielded assent to any resistance. And
when, on the 8th, MM. Beaujeau, Dumas, and De
Lisneris sought a detachment of regulars and Indian
HISTOKY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
aid, it was merely to dispute the river passes, and to
annoy and retard the march of the English. They had
caused the ground to be thoroughly examined, and
knew well the ravines, or natural trenches, which so
well served them for attack and protection in the con-
flict. To comprehend the nature of the action and
the inevitableness of Braddock's defeat one must visit
the ground. He will there, even yet, see the two
ravines, dry, with almost perpendicular banks, just
high enouifh to conceal, protect, and fire from, capable
of containing an army of two thousand men. And if
he will imagiae the second bank to be densely wooded,
and covered with a thick and tangled web of pea-vine
and other undergrowth, with a newly-cut road, twelve
feet wide, passing about midway between the ravines,
and at no place more than eighty yards distant from
one or the other, he will have fully before him the
scene of the disaster. The French and Indians were
about nine hundred strong, the latter being more than
two-thirds of the force. They arrived on the ground
too late to dispute the passage of the river. The army
had crossed, formed its line of march, and was moving
— marching into the snare — when the enemy appeared
right in front, and near the heads of the ravines.
As if by magic, at a preconcerted silent signal from
M. Beaujeau, the chief in command, the Indians at
once disappeared right and left into the excavations,
leaving only the little French line visible. These
were engaged with spirit and success by Lieut.-Col.
Gage, and until the Indians began to pour in their
invisible deadly shots fortune seemed to incline to the
English. It soon changed, and no eflForts could re-
store it. Even tree-fighting could not have saved the
doomed English soldiery, who held their ground,
fought well, and obeyed their officers as long as they
had ofiicers to command them. They were in the
jaws of death, and nothing could have delivered them
except perhaps a raking fire of grape or round-shot
up and down the ravine. The excuse for not essay-
ing this expedient is that the ravines were unknown
and invisible. Even yet, when all is clear around
them, you do not discern them until you are almost
upon them.
In the narrow road, but twelve feet wide, the men
were huddled into a confused mass, firing at random
into the trees, while the enemy, whom they could not
see, but whose numbers seemed multiplied tenfold by
their hideous yells and whoopings, mowed them down
by a well-directed fire. Frantic with rage and excite-
ment, Braddock endeavored to restore order and ex-
tricate his force from this slaughter-pen ; and four
horses were shot under him as, reckless of his own
life, he flew from point to point. His officers dis-
mounted and formed into platoons, to set their men
an example, and thus made themselves fair marks for
the Indians' rifles, but their self-devotion was fruit-
less. The provincials, skilled in forest-fighting, at
once sheltered themselves behind trees, and the regu-
lars would have followed their example had Braddock
allowed it, but he refused to give the order ; and such
was the force of discipline, or the bewildering effects
of panic, that the men were mowed down as they
stood, neither flying or taking cover. Many were
slain by the fire of their own comrades, who had lost
the power of distinguishing friend from foe.
Thus for hours the slaughter went on. The am-
munition was giving out ; the officers were nearly all
killed or wounded, not a .single aide but Washington
being left ; more than half the army had fallen, and
the rest could do nothing where they were but die.
Braddock gave the order for retreat, and almost at
the same moment a ball pierced his right arm and en-
tered his lungs, inflicting a mortal wound. The
retreat became a headlong flight, which the dying
general in vain attempted to check. A few men
gathered around him, bore him from the field, and
obeyed his orders ; and despite his agonies he em-
ployed every remaining moment of his life in endeav-
ing to provide for the safety of the survivors, repair
in what slight measure he could the disaster his rash-
ness had caused, and bring back the shattered remnant
of his great army to Great Meadows, where he died.'
Of the fourteen hundred and sixty, besides women
and other camp-followers who crossed the Mononga-
hela, four hundred and fifty-six were killed, four hun-
dred and twenty-one wounded, many of them mortally.
Out of eighty-nine commissioned ofiicers, sixty-three
were killed or wounded.
i It is uncertain whether Braddock was killed hy the enemy
or by one of liis own men. There is a strong probability that
he was killed in revenge by Thomas Foss-it, a Pennsylvania
provincial, whose brother Joseph, it is said, Braddock struck
dead with his sword fcr having taken shelter behind a tree dur-
ing the battle. Braddock was buried about two miles west of
Fort Necessity, near the banks of a small stream, immediately
in the road, a short distance from the present National road.
About 1824, says Lowdermilk, a party of workmen, engaged in
repairing the old road, came upon the remains of a human
skeleton, supposed to be that of Braddock. The remains were
carried to a point about one hundred and fifty yards eastwai-d,
and buried in a field at the foot of a large oak-tree, some
twenty-five yards from the National road. By the direction of
Hon. Andrew Stewart the spot was marked by a board, upo^
which was inscribed the fact that this was the last resting-place
of Maj.-Gen. Edward Braddock, and this board was nailed to
the tree. Some twelve years ago the tree was blown down,
leaving nothing but a portion of the trunk to mark the place.
In 1871 a party of English visitors had the spot inclosed with
a strong board fence.
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
The Gentleman s Magazine, of August, 1755, gives
the following list of officers who were present, and of
those who were killed and wounded in this disastrous
engagement :
STAFF.
Edward Braddock, Esq., General and Commander-in-Chief,
mortally wounded.
Hobert Orme, Esq., Roger Morris, Esq., George Washington,
Esq., Aides-de-Camp ; wounded.
William Shirley, Esq., Secretary; killed.
Sir John St. Clair, Deputy Quartermaster-General; wounded.
Matthew Leslie, Gent., General Assistant Quartermaster-Gen-
eral ; wounded.
Francis Halket, Esq., M.^jor Brigade.
FORTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.
Officers' Names. Kank. Killed or Wounded.
Sir Peter .Halket Colonel Killed.
Gage, Esq Lieut. -Colonel Wounded.
Tatton Captain Killed.
Hobson "
Beckworth "
Githins " Killed.
Falconer Lieutenant.
Sittler " Wounded.
Bailey "
Dunbar " Wounded.
Pottenger "
Halket " Killed.
Treby " Wounded.
Alien ' " Died of wounds.
Simpson " Wounded.
Lock *' ;. '*
Disney Ensign "
Kennedy " "
Townsend " Killed.
Preston "
Clarke *'
Nortlow " Killed.
Pennington "
FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.
Burton, Esq Lieut. -Colonel Slightly wounded.
Sparks, Esq Major.
Dobson, Esq Captain.
Cholmondeley ** Killed.
Bowyer, Esq " Wounded.
Ross, Esq " "
Barbult, Esq Lieutenant. "
Walsham, Esq **
Crymble, Esq " Killed.
Widman, Esq " "
Hansard, Esq " *'
Henry Gladwin, Esq... " Wounded.
Hotham, Esq **
Edmund Stone, Esq.... " Wounded.
Cope, Esq "
Brereton, Esq " Killed.
Stuart, Esq " "
Montresore Ensign Wounded.
Dunbar "
Harrison "
Colebatt "
Macmullen ** Wounded.
Crowe " "
Stirling " *'
VIRGINIA OFFICERS.
Wounded.
Killed.
Stevens Captain
Waggoner "
Poison "
Peyronie "
Stewart **
Hamilton Lieutenant Killed.
Woodward ■'
Wright " Killed.
Spittdorph " "
Stewart " Wounded.
Officers' Names. Bank.
Waggoner Lieutenant.,
McNeill
Killed or Wounded.
..Killed.
INDEPENDENTS.
Gates Captain
Sumani Lieutenant
Miller
Haworth "
Grey **
Wounded.
Killed.
ARTILLERY.
Orde Captain.
Smith Capt. -Lieutenant.. ..Killed.
Buchanan Lieutenant Wounded.
MeCloud
McCuIlor '■ Wounded.
ENGINEERS.
McKeller. Esq Major Wounded.
Gordon, Esq Captain *'
Williamson, Esq Capt. -Lieutenant.... "
NAVAL OFFICERS.
Spendelowe Lieutenant Killed.
Haynes Midshipman.
Talbot " Killed.
VOLUNTEERS.
.Killed.
.Wounded.
Stone Captaiu
Hager "
Capt. Evan Shelby's name was omitted by the
Gentleman's Magazine, by mistake no doubt. He
was a captain of rangers, and participated in the bat-
tle. He was a Welshman by birth. He subsequently
served in Forbes' expedition with great honor, and
was the father of Gen. Isaac Shelby, a distinguished
Revolutionary officer. Lieut. Henry Gladwin, of the
English Forty-eighth Regiment, afterwards was deputy
adjutant-general in America.
All the artillery and ammunition, baggage, pro-
visions, wagons, and many horses were lost. The
general lost his military chest, containing, it is said,
£25,000 in specie (§125,000) and all his papers.
Washington also lost many valuable papers. In
short, the officers and soldiers who escaped the car-
nage lost nearly everything except the clothes on
their backs and the arms in their hands, many aban-
doning even the latter. Capt. Orme saved his journal,
now almost the only authentic continuous record of
this most disastrous campaign.
Braddock displayed, in the perplexing circumstances
of the action, great activity and courage. He had
four horses shot under him, and after having mounted
a fifth, while in the act of issuing an order, near the
head of one of the ravines, and near the end of the
conflict he received a mortal wound, the ball shatter-
ing his right arm and passing into his lungs. He fell
to the ground, " surrounded by the dead and almost
abandoned by the living ;" and had it not been for the
devoteduess of his aide, Capt. Orme, and the almost ob-
stinate fidelity of Capt. Stewart, of Virginia, who com-
90
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
niauded the light-horse, the fallen general would have
had his wish gratified, — that the scene of his disaster
should also witness his death. He was borne from
the ground at great risk, at first in a tumbril, then on
a horse. Every ofiBcer above the grade of a captain
was now either killed or disabled except Washington,
who escaped unhurt, though two horses were shot under
him and his clothes pierced with balls, so feeble and
emaciated that day (from his late sickness with the
fever) that he had to ride upon a pillow. The drums
had beat a retreat before Braddock fell, and now
Washington undertook to give it whatever of order it
was susceptible of, for it was a headlong flight.
The retreat was by the same route as the advance,
crossing the river at the same fording. The enemy
did not pursue, but remained to riot in scalps and
plunder. Braddock was carried with the little rem-
nant of his army that could be held together. It is
not probable that the panic-stricken fugitives all re-
turned to Gist's by the same path, many, through
fear of pursuit, betaking themselves to the woods and
by-ways. The Pennsylvania wagoners, it is said, es-
caped to a man, astride their fleetest horses. Certain
it is, by ten o'clock next morning several of them
were in Dunbar's camp, on Laurel Hill, nearly forty
miles distant, with the tidings, and one or two
wounded ofiicers were carried into the camp before
noon of that day.
After crossing to the west side of the river in the
flight, a rally was eflFected of about one hundred men,
with whom were Braddock, Burton, and Washington.
From this point Washington was sent to Dunbar for
aid and wagons to convey the wounded. The road
was then new, and hard to find in the night. There
had been a coldness between the general and Dunbar,
hence it was deemed necessary, to insure obedience,
that Washington, as aide-de-camp, should go with
orders. Weak and exhausted as he was, he shrank
not from his duty. He set out with two men, in a
night so wet and dark that frequently they had to
alight from their horses and grope for the road.
Nevertheless, they reached Dunbar's camp about
sunrise. Braddock and his followers reached Gist's
about ten o'clock that evening.
Nathaniel Gist, son of Christopher, with " Gist's
Indian," were dispatched from the battle-field to Fort
Cumberland with tidings of the overthrow, but with
instructions to avoid passing by or disturbing the re-
pose of Dunbar. They traveled afoot and through
unfrequented paths to avoid the Indians. While
snatching some repose during the first night of their
journey, in a thicket of bushes and grapevine on
Cove's Run, a branch of Shoutis Run, within view of
the camp-fires of Dunbar, they mistook the noise of
the movement of some bird or beast for Indians, and
taking to flight, became separated in the darkness.
But each wended his way cautiously alone. When
nearing their destination, upon emerging from the
bushes into the open road. Gist saw ahead a few rods
his long-lost Indian, who had also just taken to the
highway. Although the sufferings of Braddock in
mind and body were intense, he was not unmindful
of his wounded soldiers. Upon the arrival, on the
morning of the J.lth, at Gist's of some wagons and
stores from Dunbar, he sent off' a convoy of provisions
for the relief of those supposed yet to be behind, and
ordered up more wagons and troops from the camp,
to bring off" the wounded.
It is probable these humane provisions were avail-
able but to few, except the general officers, and per-
haps a few others. All the badly wounded were left
on the bloody field to the merciless cruelties of the
savages, or perished in its vicinity. In after-years
human bones were found plentifully all around, some
as far off" as three miles. Having made these arrange-
ments, had their wounds dressed, and taken some
food, Braddock and the remnant of his command, on
Friday, the 11th, moved up to Dunbar's camp.
Dunbar, as will be remembered, was at the Little
Crossings on the 20th of June, with about eight hun-
dred and fifty of the army, and the heavy artillery
and the stores. On the 2d of July he passed the
Great Meadows, and on the 10th is found at his
camp on the top of Laurel Hill. How long he had
lain there is uncertain, probably several days.
It is, perhaps, ample apology for the slow move-
ments of Dunbar that, besides the rugged and steep
passes of the mountains, the troops he had with him
were the refuse of the army, very many of whom
sickened and died on the way with the flux and for
want of fresh provisions.
The Indians and French constantly annoyed his
march and beset his camps, and having got in his
rear, cut off" much of his scanty supplies. But the
great cause of delay was the want of horses to move
his heavy train. After one day's toil at half the
wagons and other vehicles, the poor jaded beasts had
to go back the next day and tug up the other half,
often moving not more than three miles a day, and
consuming two days at each encampment. So ex-
hausted were the horses that an officer of the train es-
timated it would require twenty-five days for Dunbar
to overtake Braddock from the Great Meadows.
And in the council of war held by Braddock at
Jacob's Creek, on the 3d of July, to consider Sir
John St. Clair's suggestion to halt and send back all
THE FKENCH AND INDIAN WAR
91
their horses to bring up Dunbar's division, it was | which had been brought hither at such great labor and
adjudged that with this aid he could not be brought : expense, were destroyed. Nothing was saved beyond
up in less than eleven days, so weak were all the ', the actual necessities of a flying march. These in-
horses. Besides, it was never designed that Dunbar ' eluded two six-pounders and some hospital stores,
ht>rses and light wagons for the sick and wounded, of
whom there were three hundred. The rest of the
artillery, cohorns, etc., were broken up, the shells
burst, the powder thrown into the spring basin, the
provisions and baggage scattered, and one hundred and
fifty wagons burned. A few days afterwards some of
the enemy came up and completed the work of de-
struction.
It has been a current tradition, based upon contem-
porary statements, that some of the field-pieces and
other munitions of war, and even money, were buried
or concealed near the camp, and much time and labor
have been spent in fruitless search for them. This
story, it seems, reached the ears of Dunbar while on
his retreat from Will's Creek through Pennsylvania,
and he and all his officers, in a letter to Governor
Shirley, dated Aug. 21, 1755, expressly contradict it
in these words : " We must beg leave to undeceive
you in what you are pleased to mention of guns being
buried at the time Gen. Braddock ordered the stores
to be destroyed, for there was not a gun of any kind
buried." However, such things as cannon-balls, bul-
lets, brass and iron kettles, crowbars, files, some shells,
irons of horse gears and wagons, etc., have been found
by the early settlers and other explorers.
The remains of the reunited army encamped on
the night of the 13th of July at the old orchard
camp, " two miles west" of Fort Necessity. Here
Braddock died, having, before he expired, it is said,
but rather apocryphally, bequeathed to Washington
his favorite charger and his body-servant. Bishop.
Mr. Headley has endeavored to give to Braddock's
funeral the romantic interest of the burial of Sir John
Moore, — " darkly, at dead of night," by the light of
a torch, instead of "' lanterns dimly burning," and with
the addition of Washington reading the funeral ser-
vice. But he was buried in daylight, on the morning
should overtake Braddock until the fort was captured
And this setting apart of him, his officers, and sol-
diers to an ignoble service — making it a " foregone
conclusion" that they were not to share the honors
or spoils of victory — soured their tempers and relaxed
their exertions.
Dunbar's camp was situated southeast of the summit
of Wolf's Hill, one of the highest points of Laurel
Hill Mountain, and about three thousand feet above
the level of the ocean. The site is in full view of
Uniontown, to the eastward about six miles distant,
and is visible from nearly all the high points in Fayette
County and the adjacent parts of Greene and Wash-
ington Counties, Pa. The camp was about three hun-
dred feet below the summit, and about half a mile's
distance on the southern slope. It was then cleared of
its timber, but has since become much overgrown with
bushes and small trees. Near it are two fine sand
springs, below which a dam of stones and earth, two
or three feet high, was made to afford an abundant
supply of water. This dam is still visible, though
much overgrown by laurels. Into this spring, pool,
or basin, it is said, when Dunbar's encampment was
broken up, fifty thousand pounds of powder, with
other material of war, were thrown, to render them
useless to the enemy. Old Henry Becson, of Union-
town, used to relate that when he first visited this
locality, in 1767, there were some six inches of black
nitrous matter visible all over this spring basin.
The Turkey's Foot, or " Smith's road," from Bed-
ford, crossed Braddock's, or Nemacolin's road just at
this camp. Both are yet plainly visible, and the re-
mains of an old stone chimney near the cross-roads
indicate the site of an ancient tavern, where many a
pioneer halted and many an old emigrant and settler
took his ease.
When the remains of Braddock's division rejoined
Dunbar here, on the 11th of July, the camp was i of the 14th, in the road near the run and old orchard,
found in great confusion and disorder. Many had
fled the day before on the first tidings of the slaughter
of the 9th, and as had been the case upon that dis-
aster, the wagoners and pack-horse-drivers were among
the first to fly, and were the earliest messengers of the
defeat to Governor Morris, of Pennsylvania, then at
Carlisle superintending the forwarding of supplies.
Orders still continued to be issued in Braddock's
name, though his life was fast ebbing away. Retreat
became inevitable. The camp was abandoned on the
12th. All the stores and supplies, artillery, etc..
id the march of the troops, horses, and wagons passed
over the grave to obliterate its traces, and thus pre-
vent its desecration by the enemy. The tree labeled
" Braddock's Grave" indicates the place, near by,
where were reinterred, about 1820, some of the bones
of a man supposed to be Braddock. The military
accompaniments said to have been found with them
indicate that they were. They had been dug out of
the bank of the run in 1812, in repairing the old
road. These may or may not have been the bones of
Braddock. Several of the bones were carried off be-
92
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
fore the reinterment at the tree, many of which, it is
1
said, were afterwards collected by Abraham Stewart
(who was the road supervisor when they were dug
out) and sent to Peale's Museum at Philadelphia as
curiosities. Col. Burd says he found the spot of his I
interment about " twenty rods from a little hollow,"
etc., when he came out in 1759. But Washington
says that when he buried him " he designed at some
future day to erect a monument to his memory, which
he had no opportunity of doing till after the Revolu-
tionary war, when he made, in 1784, a diligent search
for his grave, but the road had been so much turned,
and the clear land so extended, that it could not be
found."
On July 11th, Col. Innes, who had been appointed
by Braddock governor of Fort Cumberland, received
the first unfavorable news of a great reverse to the
army, and hurried away expresses to the neighboring
provinces. On the 16th the tidings reached Annap-
olis, and on the next day Governor Sharpe set out for
Fort Cumberland, accompanied by his secretary, Mr.
Ridout, Lieut. Gold, and Ensign Russel, of His Ma-
jesty's forces, and a band of volunteers who had taken
up arms to aid in the defense of the frontier. When
the Governor reached the fort all was alarm and con-
fusion. Numbers of the terrified inhabitants had
hastened to its walls for safety from the now defense-
less frontier, and to complete their misery Col. Dun-
bar had announced his intention of abandoning every-
thing and retreating to Philadelphia, a resolution
which he carried into effect in spite of all the remon-
strances and pleadings of the Governor.'
This pusillanimous retreat excited the greatest in-
dignation and alarm throughout the colonies, for it
left the whole frontier uncovered, and the enemy now
harried at his pleasure all the western borders of Mary-
land, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, plundering and
murdering everywhere. To add to the alarm, the
Shawanese and Delaware Indians, who had hitherto
continued faithful, now went over to the French side,
and began to ravage and slay the unhappy colonists.
The outposts were everywhere driven in, some of the
smaller forts taken, and universal panic prevailed.
Fort Cumberland was still held by the provincials,
under Capt. Dagworthy, but this isolated post could
afford no protection against the roving bands of sav-
ages, who plundered the country round, and the gar-
rison themselves were subject to frequent annoyance.
There are two high knobs of the mountain, one on
1 On the return of the Maryland troops from their expedition
against the Indians, under Braddoclt and Washington, Capt.
Evan Shelby, who commanded a company of Frederick County
Rangers, was received with every demonstration of joy.
the southern or Virginia side of the Cohongornton,
and the other on the Maryland side, within a short
distance of the fort, from which the Indians fre-
quently fired into it. On one occasion a rather large
party of savages were posted on the knob on the
Maryland side, and had given considerable annoyance,
when a captain and seventy men volunteered to dis-
lodge them. On a very dark night they sallied out
from the fort, surrounded the knob, and cautiously
ascending until they were within musket-shot of the
foe, waited for daybreak. As soon as it was light
they opened a brisk fire upon the Indians from all
quarters, which threw them into utter confusion.
Not knowing which way to escape, they were killed
almost to a man, and the knob to this day bears the
name of " Bloody Hill." Shortly after this " Kill-
buck," a distinguished chief, attempted to take the
fort by stratagem. He approached it at the head of
a large force of warriors, and pretending that they
came as friends and allies, asked to be admitted. The
commander appeared to be deceived by the stratagem
and opened the gates, but no sooner had the chief and
his principal warriors entered than the gates were
closed and the wily savage caught in a trap. The
commander charged him with his treachery, and as a
punishment dressed his prisoners in women's clothes
and drove them from the fort, a humiliation which,
to the haughty savage, was more bitter than a tortur-
ing death.
The alarm which the disaster on the Monongahela,
the flight of the British troops, and the advance of
the enemy occasioned spread over the whole prov-
ince. Many of the inhabitants of the western settle-
ments fled to Baltimore, and preparations were even
made by the people of that town to place the women
and children on board the ves.sels in the harbor and
send them to Virginia, while some of the Virginians
were so alarmed as to think there was no safety short
of England itself. But there were others of firmer
temper who proposed to meet the coming danger. In
September, Lieut. Stoddert, assisted by fifteen pio-
neers from the surrounding settlements, erected a
stockade fort, which served as a rallying-point for
the settlers around. All those who lived beyond Ton-
alloway Creek abandoned their habitations, and the
country, as far east as thirty miles east of Col.
Cresap's, who lived about five miles west of the
mouth of the South Branch of the Potomac, was de-
serted. Col. Thomas Cresap himself moved down the
river to the plantation of his son, Michael Cresap,
who lived near the Conococheague. The two Cresaps
were distinguished among the hardy frontiersmen for
courage, intelligence, and skill in Indian warfare.
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
93
They were always on the alert, and their timely warn- I
ings saved many of their neighbors from massacre, i
Their block-bouse, which was strong enough to resist
the savages, served as a place of refuge in case of an
invasion, and as a rendezvous for the settlers in more
peaceful times, where they met to hear and tell their
news, to try their skill as marksmen, or engage in
friendly trials of strength or dexterity, and at night,
seated around a huge log fire, they would tell adven-
tures of war or the chase, and if by good luck any i
of them possessed a jewsharp or fiddle, and had the
cunning to awaken its harmony, the evening wound
up hilariously with a dance.
So now the frontiersmen gathered at Cresap's and
strengthened his block-house for defense ; others
sought protection at Fort Cumberland and Frederick.
Governor Sharpe, as we have already seen, had raised
a' number of volunteers at this town when on his way
to the fort, and to defray their expenses subscriptions
were raised throughout the province, Annapolis and
the surrounding country alone furnishing in a very
few days one thousand pounds. The people of Bal-
timore raised a large sum, with which they purchased
arms and ammunition, and established a public armory
in the town. The news from the frontiers, telling of
Indian raids and massacres, kept up the alarm. In
the Blari/land Gazette of October 9th we have the
following account of affairs in the West :
" By a person who arrived in town last Monday {October 6th)
from Col. Cresap's, we are told that last Wednesday (October
1st) morning the Indians had taken a man prisoner who was
going from Frazier's to Fort Cumberland, and had also carried
off a woman from Frazier's plantation, which is four miles on
this side Fort Cumberland. The same morning they fell in
with a man and his wife who had left their plantations, and
were retiring into the more populous part of the country; they
shot the horse on which the man was riding, but as it did not fall
immediately he made his escape. The woman, it is supposed,
fell into their hands, as neither she or the horse on which she
was riding have been seen since or heard of. The same party
of Indians also have carried off or killed Benjamin Rogers, his
wife, and seven children, and Edmund Marie, one family of
twelve persons, besides fifteen others, all in Frederick County.
On Patterson's Creek many families have within this month
been murdered, carried away, or burnt in their houses by a party
of these barbarians, who have entirely broke up that settlement.
" Another person, who left Stoddert's fort last Sunday, ac-
quaints us that the inhabitants in that part of the country were
in the greatest consternation. That near eighty persons were
fled to the said fort for protection, and many more gone off in
the greatest confusion to Pennsylvania. This, it seems, had been
occasioned by a dispatch sent to Lieut. Stoddert and the
neighborhood by Col. Cresap, advising them that a party of
seventeen Indians had passed by his house and had cut off some
people who dwelt on the Town Creek, which is a few miles on
this side of Cresap's. One Daniel Ashloff, who lived near that
creek, is come down towards Conococheague, and gives the
same account. He says also that as himself and father, with
7
several others, were retiring from their plantations last Saturday
they were attacked by the same Indians, as he supposes, and
all but himself were killed or taken prisoners. It is said that
Mr. Stoddert, who has command of fifteen men, invited a few
of the neighbors to join him and to go in quest of the enemy,
but they would not be persuaded, whereupon he applied him-
self to Maj. Prather for a detachment of the militia, either to
go with a party of his men in pursuit of the savages, or gar-
rison his fort while he made an excursion. Wo hope there will
he no backwardness in the militia to comply with such a rea-
sonable request, especially as any party or person that shall
take an enemy prisoner will be rewarded with si.i pounds cur-
rency, and the person who will kill an enemy, with four pounds,
provided he can produce witnesses, or the enemy's scalp, in
testimony of such action."
In consequence of these outrages. Governor Sharpe,
on the 18th of October, called out the militia of the
province. At the same time Capt. Alexander Beall
and Lieut. Samuel Wade Magruder with thirty vol-
unteers from the lower part of Frederick County, and
Col. Henry Ridgely with tliirty more from Anne
Arundel County, hastened to the invaded district.
A few days afterwards sixty more volunteers, fully
armed and equipped, went from Prince George's
County to the West at their own expense. They ar-
rived too late to punish the marauders, who had al-
ready made off' with their booty and prisoners, but
they remained to protect those who were left from
further outrage.
Meanwhile, the alarm increased, and the wildest
rumors were afloat. It was reported early in Novem-
ber that a large body of French and Indians were ad-
vancing upon the interior settlements, and this rumor
reaching Frederick Town on Sunday, November 2d,
the inhabitants, expecting an immediate attack, rang
the bells as an alarm, and dispatched messengers to
Baltimore and Annapolis for help. Several companies
of volunteers at once mustered in Baltimore and the
neighborhood, and marched without delay. The In-
dians came to within about fifteen miles of Frederick
Town.
Governor Sharpe ordered ioto service the militia of
Frederick, Prince George's, Baltimore, Cecil, Anne
Arundel, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's Counties, to
rendezvous at Frederick, Oct. 10, 1755. The troops
were to march to Frederick, where James Dickson was
to furnish them with provisions for five days ; thence
they were to march to the mouth of the Conoco-
chearrue, where George Ross was to furnish provisions
to subsist them for eight days, or till they could reach
Col. Cresap's, where they were to assist in the pro-
tection of the frontier.
In Aut^ust, 1755, Col. Nathaniel Wickham com-
manded the militia of Frederick County, and ordered
all to be called to the protection of the frontier. Some
y^
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
of the sealping-parties approached within thirty miles
of Baltimore, and though many of them were killed,
terror spread from the very fact of their approach ;
but in the West the peril was real and constant ;
scarce any out-door labor was carried on except under
the protection of the troops, or of armed bodies of
settlers. It was at the risk of life that any one ven-
tured a few rods away from his door ; women visiting
their sick neighbors were shot down or carried off;
children bringing in the cattle from the field were
tomahawked and scalped by the ambushed murderers.
The plantations were being deserted, and homes and
property abandoned to plunder or the torch, and all \
the remoter settlements were fast becoming a wilder-
ness. Washington, harassed by want of sufficient
support, and deeply pained by the scenes which he
witnessed, wrote to Governor Dinwiddle, April 16,
1756,—
" I have done everything in my power to quiet the minds of [
the inhabitants by detaching all the men I have any command ,
over to the places more exposed. There also have been large
detachments from Fort Cumberland in pursuit of the enemy
these ten days past, yet nothing, I fear, will prevent the people
from abandoning their dwellings and flying with the utmost
precipitation."
Six days later he writes, —
"The supplicating tears of the women and moving petitions
of the men melt me into such deadly sorrow, that I solemnly
declare, if I know my own mind, I could offer myself a willing
sacrifice to the butchering enemy, provided that would con-
tribute to the people's ease."
On the 24th he writes, —
''The deplorable situation of this people is no more to be
described than uiy anxiety and uneasiness for their relief. You
may expect by the time this comes to hand that, without a con-
siderable reinforcement, Frederick County will not be mistress
of fifteen families. They are now retiring to the securest parts
in droves of fifties."
In consequence of this state of things, Governor
Sharpe authorized Prather to organize all the forces
on the frontiers, except those at Fort Cumberland,
and operate between the Potomac and the Pennsyl-
vania line. By the 11th of March, Prather had
under his command one hundred and fifty efficient
and hardy backwoodsmen skilled in Indian fighting.
Capt. Alexander Beall, who commanded a company
of volunteers, was also authorized to raise a force of
one hundred men and join Maj. Prather. Extracts
from the papers of the times will show the state of i
afiairs and the public excitement. The Maryland '
Gazette of the 4th of March says, — ■
" Our accounts from the westward are truly alarming. All >
the slaughters, scalpings, burnings, and every other barbarity !
and mischief that the mongrel French, Indians, and their i
chieftain, the devil, can invent are often perpetrated there, and I
approach us nigher and nigher. '
I "By a person come to town this day from Frederick County
we are told that last Sunday two boys, near Lawrence Wilson's,
in that county, were killed and scalped, and a son of one Mr.
j Lynn was found dead and scalped, himself and three more of
! his family missing. At the Little Cove all the houses were
; burned last week. The house of Ealph Matson, about half a
I mile from Stoddert's Fort, was burned on Tuesday, last week.
Some sheep which were in the pen near the house the Indians
j flung in the fire alive, others they killed, and some they scalped."
And on March 11th the Gazette published this
extract from a letter dated Conococheague, February
29th:
" My last was of the 26th instant. On our march to Toonalo-
ways, about five miles this side Stoddert's Fort, we found John
Meyers' house in flames, and nine or ten head of large cattle
killed. About three miles and a half farther up the road we
found a man (one Hynes) killed and scalped, with one arm cut
oflT and several arrows sticking in him ; we could not bury him,
having no tools with us for that purpose. Half a mile farther
(within a mile of Stoddert's Fort) we found Ralph Watson's
house burnt down, and several hogs and sheep killed. When
we came to Stoddert's Fort we found them all under arms, ex-
pecting every minute to be attacked. From thence we went
to Combe's Fort, where we found a young man about twenty- two
years of age killed and scalped ; there were only four men in
this fort, two of which were unable to bear arms, but upwards
of forty women and children, who were in a very poor situation,
being afraid to go out of the fort, even for a drink of water.
The house caught fire during the time the Indians were sur-
rounding the fort, and would have been burnt down, but luckily
there was some soapsuds in the house, by which they extin-
guished it. The young man mentioned above was one Lynn's
son, and was sitting on the fence of the stockyard with Combe's
son, when they discovered the Indians, upon which they ran to
get into the fort, and before they reached it Lynn's sou was
shot down, and an Indian pursued the other man with a toma-
hawk within thirty yards of the fort, but he luckily got into
the fort and shot the Indian. We searched the woods to see if
we could discover where the Indian was buried (as they sup-
posed him to be mortally wounded). We found in two places
great quantity of blood, but could not find the body. We saw
several creatures shot, some dead, and others going around with
arrows sticking in them. About half a mile on this side Mr.
Kenney's (in Little Toonaloways) we found a load of oats and
a load of turnips in the road, which two boys were bringing
to Combe's, and it is imagined the boys are carried off by the
Indians. When we came to Mr. Kenney's we saw several
sheep and cattle killed. From thence we went to one Lowther's,
about two miles farther, where we found his grain and two
calves burnt, two cows and nine or ten hogs killed, and about
fifty yards from the house found Lowther dead and scalped, and
otherwise terribly mangled; his brains were beat out, as it is
supposed, with his own gun-barrel, which we found sticking in
his skull, and his gun broken ; there was an axe, two scythes,
and several arrows sticking in him. From here we returned
to Combe's and buried the young man, and left ten of our men
here to assist them to secure their grain, which soon as they
have done they purpose to leave that fort and go to Stoddert's,
from hence we went to Stoddert's Fort, where we laid on Friday
night and yesterday. On our way down here we buried the
man we left on the road.
" Isaac Bakek."
Under date of March 11th the Gazette reports that
" one Mrs. Inglis, who was taken prisoner by the
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
95
Shawanese when Col. Patton was killed, had made a
wonderful escape from the Lower Shawnee Town, and
that she was fourteen days in the woods on her way
home, was naked all the time, and lived on chestnuts."
The murders and burnings continued without abate-
ment, and on April 8th the Gazette recites the " dep-
osition" of James Tucker, who related that he was
" at Capt. Waggoner's Fort in Virginia, and heard some of Capt.
Waggoner's company say that Mr. John Bacon, lieutenant of
Capt. Dagworthy's company, was killed and scalped by the In-
dians about four or five miles from Cumberland Fort, and also
that two men with Lieut. Bacon were wounded, but made their
escape to the fort. That he had heard that five men under the
command of Capt. Ashby were killed by the enemy, and that
the Indians had attacked one Cox Fort, but were repulsed. By
the same express we have deposition of Aaron Ryley, taken
yesterday (April 7, 1756), to the following efTect : that he was
at Adam Hoop's on the 5th in.stant, where he saw an express
who broujiht letters to several people there, which he did not
hear read, but was told by the man who brought them that on
the 1st instant William M. Coard's Fort, within about five miles
from Col. Chambers' Fort, which he thinks is about thirty miles
from Fort Lyttleton, was taken, and thirty people were there
killed and taken. Upon the news of this, Capt. Alexander
Culverson marched from among the inhabitants with a party of
men in pursuit of the Indians, and were joined by another
party from Fort Lyttleton, the whole amounting to about fifty
men. That the Indians were about twelve miles from Fort Lyt-
tleton. That they came up with the Indians, fired upon them
and killed several, and at length put them to flight; that they
were so eager in pursuit that, though Indian Isaac, our friend,
advised them to cut loose some of the prisoners which they had
tied to trees, yet they omitted it. That the party had not pur-
sued far before the Indians were joined by fifty more, as they
supposed, who soon routed the white men, and of the whole
fifty only fifteen were returned to Fort Lyttleton .Sunday night
last (April 4th)."
At the burning of Coard's Fort " one of the young
women was very big with child, whom they ripped
open, and scalped the infant."
While the Indians were thus laying waste the
frontier settlements, a heartless attempt was made by
some white adventurers on the border to turn the
general alarm to their own advantage by pillaging
the distres.sed inhabitants. In March (1756),
"Thomas Mills, who came from Conococheague the beginning of
last week, says that the inhabitants of that part of Frederick
County were lately thrown into the greatest consternation by
some parties firing guns and b.Tllooing, with a design to terrify
the inhabitants and make them desert their habitations. He
further says that upon the people's flying, the villains went and
robbed their houses, and some of them have been since ap-
proached, and confessed what is above mentioned."
In the mean while the people of Frederick, Prince
George's, and Baltimore Counties assailed the Lower
House of Assembly with petitions. A memorial
from Frederick Town urged them to decline unneces-
sary disputes, and deiuanded that means should be
afforded them to defend their lives and protect their
property, as the destructive inroads of the enemy
were now compelling them to desert their homes.
On the 25th of April, 175G, forty-one persons, — six
men, five women, and thirty children, — with a small
portion of their cattle, to avoid the fury of the enemy
deserted their cabins and clearings near Conoco-
cheague and came to Baltimore. Their houses were
destroyed and their cattle killed. And on the 23d of
April, 1756, Thomas Cresap, Jr., and Daniel Cresap,
sons of Col. Thomas Cresap, with sixty riflemen,
" dressed and painted like Indians," with " red caps,"
started on an expedition " to kill the women and
children in the Indian towns and scalp them, while
the warriors are committing the like destruction on
our frontiers." The result of this expedition is given
in the Maryland Gazette as follows :
" On the 23d of April, as Thomas Cresap, Jr., lay in ambush
near the Little Meadow, they saw a party of Indians coming
by them, but one of the party firing too soon alarmed them,
and they fled as fast as possible into thickets, leaving their
horses and baggage, which our people took and brought off
with them. Among their baggage one scalp was found. One
of the Indians taking a different course from the rest, Mr.
Cresap and two others ran after him near a mile; when the In-
dian found that Jlr. Cresap gained on him and would overtake
him, he dodged behind a large tree, and Mr. Cresap stopped
behind one smaller, and they fired at one another so near to-
gether that it could not be distinguished which fired first.
Cresap was shot with large shot in the breast, and the others of the
party coming up, he told them not to mind him, he was a dead
man, but to pursue the enemy, and then dropped down dead.
The Indian was shot through the right breast, but was not
dead when they came up to him, so they dispatched him with
a tomahawk and scalped him. Mr. Cresap's body they buried
as privately as they could. He was a young widower, and left
two little children, and his death was lamented by all who
knew him."
This account was not quite correct. Cresap was
shot with a bullet and seven buckshot, the ball going
through his breast, and he was not shot behind a tree,
but in an open space while he was pursuing his foe.
Col. Cresap's men were dressed in red caps, and in
July " four Indians dressed in the same made a foray
among the inhabitants near Conococheague, and killed
and scalped two persons and then made off. A party
of forty-six men started in pursuit, but were unable
to overtake them."
Col. Cresap soon got together another band of vol-
unteers, " and with his two surviving sons, Daniel
and Michael, and a negro of gigantic stature,
marched acain, taking the same route on Braddock's
road. They advanced this time as far as Negro
Mountain, where they met a party of Indians. A
running fight took place; Cresap's party killed an
Indian, and the Indians killed the negro ; and it was
this circumstance — the death of the negro on the
96
HISTOKY OP WESTERN MARYLAND.
mountain — that has immortalized his name by fixing
it on this ridge forever." '
On the 30th of June, 1756, Col. Cresap, with a
party of thirteen young men, had a skirmish with
the Indians, in which Abraham Johnson, Jacob Ash-
croft, and James Lowry were killed, the Indians
losing two of their number.
After the defeat of Braddock, the inhabitants of
Western Maryland inaugurated for their defense a
series of private forts or block-houses, which were
occasionally garrisoned by companies of rangers.
Each of the forts were generally in charge of a few
men, but they only afforded protection to those who
fled to them for safety. Separated as they were from
each other by so great a distance, the Indians in their
incursions readily avoided them, and still found a
wide field for their inhuman warfare, where they
could strike a deadly blow and retreat to the moun-
tains before the settlers could be gathered together in
pursuit. The butchery continued for seven long years,
and the Indians boasted that they had killed fifty
white people for every Indian killed. While there
was great truth in the boast, it scarcely conveys an
accurate impression of the prowess of the red men,
for they always avoided equal and honorable combat,
and butchered men, women, and children in cold
blood, for whose scalps they were liberally paid by
the French. It is scarcely possible to convey in
words a correct idea of the deplorable condition of
Western Maryland at this period. Families were
surprised in their dwellings at midnight, every mem-
ber murdered and scalped, their houses and crops
burned, and their cattle gathered together in the
lurid light of the fiames, and driven off to the moun-
tains. Delicate women were carried into captivity
worse than death ; little children, driving cattle to the
fields, were killed and scalped in sight of their homes.
The ground was plowed, the seed sown, and the
harvest gathered in constant dread of the tomahawk
and rifle. Scarcely any out-door work was attempted,
unless some of the laborers carried arms in their
hands ; and the men usually plowed or harvested
in companies, that they might defend each other.
In November, 1755, a band of Indians, under
Shingas, the Delaware chief, attacked the frontier
settlements of Western Maryland and Pennsylvania,
burned the houses, and murdered or made prisoners
of those of the inhabitants who did not escape.
Shingas was the most cruel and blood-thirsty warrior
of his tribe. His exploits form a sickening record of
the murder and torture of innocent victims, equaled
1 Jacob's "Life of Cresap."
in fiendish malignity by those of no other human
being on the North American continent. He is said
to have been small in stature, but in point of courage
and activity and in savage prowess was equaled by
few. A settler speaking of this inroad of Shingas,
said, " Last night I had a family of upwards of
one hundred women and children, who fled for suc-
cor. You can form no just idea of the distress and
distracted condition of our inhabitants, unless you
saw them and heard their cries." Another says,
" The cries of widows and fatherless children were
heart-rending, while those who escaped with their
lives had neither a mouthful to eat, nor a bed to lie
on, nor clothes to cover their nakedness or keep them
warm ; all they had being consumed in their burning
dwellings." Fifty persons at this time were killed or
taken prisoners, twenty-seven houses were burned,
a great number of cattle were killed or driven off,
and out of ninety-three fomilies on the borders of
Maryland and Pennsylvania who settled in what was
called the two " coves," members of forty-seven fami-
lies were either killed or captured, and the remainder
deserted their homes, so that the settlements were en-
tirely broken up. One woman, over ninety years of
age, was found lying dead with her breasts torn off
and a stake driven through her body. The infuriated
savages caught up little children and dashed their
brains out against the door-posts in presence of their
shrieking mothers, or cut off their heads and drank
their warm blood.
The cold indifference of the Lord Proprietary, who
refused to allow his immense estates to bear a share of
the tax demanded for the purpose of raising troops
and money for the defense of the frontier, awoke the
deepest indignation throughout Western Maryland
against him and the Assembly. The patience of the
western settlers was worn out with the interminable
disputes between the Governor and Assembly, and
they threatened to adopt the emphatic measures of
their friends in Pennsylvania.^
The resolute men of Western Maryland, under the
leadership of Col. Thomas Cresap, who appears to be
at this time the guardian genius of the frontier set-
tlements, assembled in Frederick Town and threatened
to march with guns and tomahawks to Annapolis and
compel the Assembly to cease their unseasonable
2 The dead bodies of three people that had been murdered
and scalped by the Indians were brought down to Philadelphia
by the distant inhabitants and hauled about the streets, with
placards announcing that these were victims of the Quaker
policy of non-resistance. A mob of four thousand people sur-
rounded the House of Assembly, placed the dead bodies in the
doorway, and demanded immediate relief for the people on the
frontier, which was granted.
THE FKENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
97
wranglings and come to their relief. The Assembly
immediately acquiesced in their demands, and not-
withstanding the prognostications of the Governor,
appropriated £40,000 for purposes of defense. Of
this sum £11,000 were to be applied to the erection
of a fort and block-houses on the frontier, and for
raising, arming, and maintaining a body of two liun-
dred men to garrison them ; £3000 were appropriated
for engaging the services of the Southern Indians, for
which purpose two commissioners, Col. Benjamin
Tasker and Charles Carroll the younger, were ap-
pointed to take charge of the fund and conduct the
negotiations. One thousand pounds were allotted as
bounties for Indian scalps or prisoners, at the rate of
£10 for each ; £25,000 were set apart for the pro-
posed joint expedition against Fort Du Quesne. Wil-
liam Murdock, James Dick, and Daniel Wolstenholme
were appointed agents to pay out these sums, with a
commission of two and a half per cent.
Though England and France had kept up hostili-
ties in the colonies since 1754, the peace was not
openly broken in Europe until the 17th of May,
1756, when a formal declaration of war was made.
New exertions were now made to put the frontiers in
a state of defense. Under the act passed at the pre-
vious session (1755-56) of the Assembly, Governor
Sharpe purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land
near the present town of Hancock, and began to erect
a substantial stone fort, which he named Fort Fred-
erick. It had barracks for the accommodation of two
hundred men, and on an emergency could contain
twice that number. It had bastions and curtains
faced with stone, and on each bastion was mounted a
six-pounder. It was built upon an elevated plateau
about a quarter of a mile from the Potomac, which
was navigable from thence almost to Fort Cumberland.
The fort was quadrangular in shape, its walls being
strengthened with earth embankments, and each of
its exterior lines was three hundred and sixty feet in
length. It was expected to cost only about two thou-
sand pounds, but cost three times that sum when
completed. By the middle of August, 1756, it was
so far completed as to receive a garrison of two hun-
dred men, under command of Capt. Dagworthy. The
walls of this fort are still standing, firm and strong,
covered with wild vines. It is thirteen miles'east of
Hancock, and may be seen from the railroad cars in
passing over the Baltimore and Ohio road, near Green
Spring Run station.
During this time the audacity of the Indians had
increased with their success. A party of Indians ad-
vanced within a short distance of Frederick, and em-
boldened by the success of their confederates on the
head-waters of the Ohio, the forks of the Mononga-
hela and the Alleghany, made their way even to the
neighborhood of Emmittsburg, assailed that then
thinly-settled region, and after shooting a man named
Alexander McKeasy near his own house, and cap-
turing his sou, made good their escape without any
loss. At this critical juncture, according to Wash-
ington's report to Lord Fairtiis, the whole settlement
of Conococheague had fled, and there only remained
two families between that point and Frederick Town."
" That the Maryland settlements are all abandoned,"
says Washington, "is certainly a fact, as I have had
the accounts transmitted to nie by several hands, and
confirmed yesterday by Henry Brinker, who left Mo-
nocacy the day before, and who also afiirms that three
hundred and fifty wagons had passed that place, to
avoid the enemy, withi^i the space of three days." In
consequence of this alarming condition of aiFairs, the
people below Conococheague raised a subscription suf-
ficient to arm and equip a patrol of twenty men, under
Lieut. William Teagard, of Capt. Bench's company of
militia, for their protection. Their services were soon
demanded, for on August 18th the enemy plundered
the settlers near Baker's Ridge, and on the 20th at-
tacked a funeral train, killing two persons (George
Hicks and Lodovick Claymour). They were followed
by a party of thirteen of Teagard's men, under Luke
Thompson, until they came within two miles of the
mouth of Conococheague, on the Pennsylvania road,
when five shots were heard about three hundred yards
in advance, which threw the pursuing party into some
confusion ; but Matthias NichoUs, " a young lad of
eighteen, iusi.sted they should run up and come upon
the enemy while their pieces were unloaded, and set
off immediately." The others, however, ran off, but
he continued the pursuit, and rescued William Postle-
waite, who had been seriously wounded by the In-
dians, and conducted him in safety to Col. Cresap's.
An effort was made at this time by Washington to
secure the consent of Governor Dinwiddle to the
abandonment of Fort Cumberland, the former regard-
ing the post as of no value in a military point of view,
and as a source of useless expense and anxiety. After
1 A beautiful young lady, well known in those days as a
daring heroine, was taken prisoner by the Indian freebooiers
on the farm where Henry Vf. Dellinger now lives, and after a
desperate struggle broke loose from her captors. After running
for some distance, with the Indians in close pursuit, she dodged
behind a tree to escape the arrows of her pursuers, when her
I flowing hair caught in the bark and stopped her flight. At
! this moment one of the Indians threw his tomahawk at her
, head, but the weapon, missing its aim, severed her hair and set
her free, when she again took to flight and m.ad
' escape.
her
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
considerable correspondence on the subject, however,
Washington's advice was rejected, and by Dinwiddie's
order the garrisons were withdrawn from the smaller
frontier posts and sent, with most of the troops from
Winchester, to Fort Cumberland, which was made the
headquarters of the army. On the 29th of i\pril,
1757, a body of Cherokee Indians arrived at Fort
Frederick and offered their services to Governor
Sharpe, and the Governor's secretary, John Ridout,
and Daniel Walstenholme were sent as commissioners
to Fort Frederick to treat with these Indians, carry-
ing with them a wagon-load of presents and two hun-
dred pounds in goods for the scalps of four hostile
Indians, whom the Cherokees had killed while waiting
for an answer.
The enemy, however, still kept up their forays,
almost under the walls of the forts, and the settle-
ments west of the Blue Ridge were well-nigh deserted.
In the summer of 1757 there was a general flight
from the upper waters of the Potomac, and on the
18th of June the report came that a large force of
French and Indians, with artillery, were advancing on
Fort Cumberland. Sharpe immediatelv called out the
militia, and gathering a body of volunteers, started to :
relieve the threatened post, but on reaching Frederick
fo.und that it was a false alarm.
William Pitt, appointed Secretary of State the
previous June, resolved that the campaign of 1758 '
should be conducted after a different fashion, and it
was determined that another expedition should be
sent against Fort Du Quesne, under Gen. Forbes. In i
June the forces of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Vir- '
ginia received orders from Gen. Forbes to begin their
march upon Fort Du Quesne. The troops destined
for this expedition numbered between six and seven
thousand, of whom Maryland furnished a contingent
of about five hundred, under Lieut.-Col. Dagworthy.
Early in July the Maryland and Virginia troops were
assembled at Fort Cumberland, and the Pennsylvanians
at Raystown (now Bedford), in their own province,
about thirty miles from the fort. An army of seven
thousand men had now assembled under the command
of Gen. Forbes, who, disregarding the advice of
Washington to advance by the road already opened
by Braddock, ordered a new road cut from Raystown.
The working-party, under the command of Col. Bou-
quet, to whom this task was assigned, had early in Sep-
tember arrived at Loyal Hanna, ten miles beyond Laurel
Hill, and on the 21st of September Maj. Grant, of
Montgomery's battalion, with eight hundred High-
landers, a part of Washington's regiment, eighty-one
Marylanders, and a number of Pennsylvanians were
detailed from this advanced post to reconnoitre the
enemy's position at Fort Du Quesne. The French
commander of that fort, observing the want of pre-
caution with which Grant executed his orders, took
speedy measures to punish him. Having posted
Indians in ambuscade on his enemy's flank, he made
a sudden sally from the fort, and soon spread dismay
and confusion among the ranks of the British soldiers.
With gleaming knives and brandished tomahawks the
Indians rushed yelling from the thickets, and fell
upon the astonished Highlanders with terrible effect.
Hand to hand they fought until, overpowered, the
whole detachment fled in dismay, pursued by the
furious savages. The Highlanders for a time stood
their ground well, but the Marylanders and Virginians
bore the brunt of the battle, the Pennsylvanians
breaking at the first fire. The Slarylanders behaved
with the greatest gallantry, and gave evidence of the
thorough manner in which they had been trained for
border warfare. Out of eighty-one men, their loss
was twenty-seven privates and one ofiScer — Lieut.
Duncan McRae — killed, and nearly one-half of their
whole force missing.
" The Marylanders," .says the Maryland Gazette,
" concealing themselves behind trees and the brush,
made a good defense, but were overpowered by num-
bers, and not being supported, were obliged to follow
the rest." The total loss . was two hundred and
seventy killed and forty-two wounded.
The fugitives were rallied by Capt. Bullitt, who
checked the enemy until the whole force could retreat
out of danger. Capt. Ware, Lieut. Riley, and Ensign
Harrison brought ofi' in safety the remaining Mary-
landers. On the 12th of October the enemy, who
had watched the movements of the army, thinking it
a favorable time to strike another blow and complete
their victory, attacked Col. Bouquet at Loyal Hanna.
After a few hours' struggle, during which the English
lost sixty-seven officers and men killed and wounded,
the enemy were repulsed. In this engagement Lieut.
Prather and two privates of the Maryland troops were
killed. Ensign Bell and six privates wounded, and
eleven missing. In another skirmish, on the 12th of
November, near Loyal Hanna, Capt. Evan Shelby, of
Frederick County, killed with his own hand one of
the greatest chiefs of the enemy. With fifty miles of
road to" open across the forests, the winter rapidly
approaching, and the disheartened troops beginning to
desert, it was decided that it was inexpedient to pro-
ceed further in the campaign. Fortunately, Capt.
Ware, of the Maryland troops, with a scouting-party,
brought in three prisoners, from whom information
was obtained of the actual condition of Fort Du
Quesne. They learned the weakness and distress of
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
99
the French garrison, and nerved by this intelligence,
Gen. Forbes determined to make a vigorous effort to
gain pos.session of the place before it could be rein-
forced. Leaving their tents and heavy baggage at Loyal
Hanna, they advanced within a few hours' march of
the fort, when the French garrison set fire to the works
and retreated down the Ohio. Gen. Forbes took
possession of the abandoned fort, caused the works
ii'Vto be repaired, and gave it the name of Fort Pitt, in
^Konor of the prime minister, assigning a garrison of
four hundred and fifty men, taken from the Maryland,
Pennsylvania, and Virginia troops, for its defense.
The contest which commenced in America between
England and Prance was ended by a treaty signed at
Paris on the 10th of February, 1763, and as there
appeared to be safety for settlers west of the moun-
tains, emigration began to move over those hitherto
impassable barriers of civilization. These encroach-
ments aroused Pontiac, a sagacious Ottawa chief, who
went secretly from tribe to tribe among the Indians,
and obtained their solemn pledges to a confederation,
whose object was the expulsion of the English from
all the forts and settlements on the frontier. So
adroitly were their plans matured that the commanders
of the Western forts had no suspicion of the conspiracy
until it was ripe and the first blow had been struck,
in June, 1763. Their plan was that the border set-
tlements were to be invaded during harvest, the men,
corn, and cattle to be destroyed, and the outposts to
be reduced by famine. Pursuant to these plans, the
Indians massacred traders whom they had invited
among them, and seized their property ; and large
scalping-parties advanced to the frontiers of Mary-
land, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, marking their way
with blood and devastation. The most remote out-
posts were attacked about the same time, and within
a fortnight all those west of Oswego, except Niagara,
Fort Pitt, and Detroit, fell into their hands. The
whole country west of Fort Frederick became the
prey of the savages, who burned barns and houses,
and surprised and massacred the settlers in the fields
or asleep in their dwellings. " Another tempest has
arisen upon our frontiers," Washington wrote to a
friend, " and the alarm spreads wider than ever. In
short, the inhabitants are so apprehensive of danger
that no families remain above the Conococheaguo
road, and many are gone below. The harvests are,
in a manner, lost, and the distresses of the settlements
are evident and manifold."
On the 15th of July, 1763, Col. Thomas Cresap
wrote from Old Town to Governor Sharpe, as follows :
*' I take this opportunity in the highth of Confu.sion to ac-
quaint you with our unhappy and most wretched Situation at
this time, being in Hourly E.xpeotation of being ninnsacrcd by
our Barberous and Inhumane Enemy the Indians, wo having
been three days successively attacked by them, viz. : the 13, U,
and this Instant. On the 13th, as 6 men were shocking some
wheat in the field, 5 Indians Bring on theui us they came to do
it and others Running to their assist,ance ;— on the Nth 5 In-
dians crept up to and tired on about 16 men who were silting
and walking under a Tree at the entrance of my Lane, about
100 yards from my House, but on being fired at by the white
men, who much wounded some of them, they Immediately Run
off, and were followed by the white men about a mile, all which
way was a great Quantity of Blood on the (iround. The white
men got three of their Bundles, containing sundry Indian Im-
plements it Goods. About 3 Hours after several gunns were
fired in the woods, on which a party went in Quest of them and
found 3 Braves Killed by them. The Indians wounded one
man at their first fire, the' but Slightly. \
"On this Instant, as Mr. Samuel Wilder was going to a
house of his about 300 yards Distant from mine with four men
and several women, the Indians rushed on them from a rising
Ground, but they perceiving them coming, Hun towards my
House hollowing, which being heard by those at my house,
they run to their assistance, and met them and the Indians at
the entrance of my lane, on which the Ifldiaus Immediately
fired on them to the amount of 18 or Twenty, and Killed Mr.
Wilder. The party of white men Returned their fire, and killed
one of them dead on the Spot antl wounded .^Jeverall of the
others, as appeared by Considerable Quantity of Blood strewed
on the Ground as they Run off, which they Immediately did,
and by their leaving behind them 3 Gunns, one pistole, and
Sundry other Emplements of warr, Ac., &c. I have Inclosed a
List of the Desolate men. Women, and Children who have fled
to my house, which is Inclosed by a small stockade for safety,
by which you'll see what a number of poor Souls, destitute of
Every necessary of Life, are here penned up and likely to be
Butchered without Immediate Relief and assistance, and can
expect none, unless from the province to which they Belong.
I shall submit to your wiser .ludgemcnt the Best and most
Effectu.^1 method for such Relief, and shall conclude with
hoping we shall have it in time."^
The inhabitants of Frederick Town did all in their
power to relieve the unhappy fugitives, a large part
of whom were women and children, who had lost their
all, and crowded the streets in a state of destitute
misery. Their immediate necessities were relieved by
food and shelter, and a considerable sum for their re-
lief was subscribed throughout the province. An in-
teresting contemporary account of the state of things
in and about Frederick is given in the following letter
published in the Gazette, written from Frederick
Town, under date of July 19, 1763 :
" Every day, for some time past, has offered the melancholy
scene of poor distressed families driving downwards through
this town with their effects, who have deserted their plantations
for fear of falling into the cruel hands of our savage enemies,
now daily seen in the woods. And never was panic more
general or forcible than that of the back inhabitants, whose
terrors at this time exceed what followed on the defeat of Gen.
1 The Maryland Gazette of July 21, 1763, informs us that the
colonel was nbt yet cut off by the savages, though it is feared
he would be if not quickly relieved. Subsequent accounts show
that ten men were sent to Cresap's assistance.
100
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Braddock, when the frontiers lay open to the incursions of
both French and Indians. Whilst Conococheague settlement
stands firm we shall think ourselves in some sort of securitj
from their insults here. But should the inhabitants there give
way, you would soon see your city and the lower couniies
crowded with objects of compassion, as the flight would in that
case become general. Numbers of those who have betaken
themselves to the fort, as well as those who have actually fled,
have entirely lost their crops, or turned in their own cat-
tle and hogs to devour the produce, in hopes of finding them
again in better condition should it hereafter appear safe for them
to return. The season has been remarkably fine, and the har-
vest iu general afforded the most promising appearance of
plenty and goodness that has been known for many j-ears.
But alas! how dismal an alteration of the prospect! Many
who expected to have sold and supplied the necessities of others
now want for themselves, and see their warmest hopes defeated,
the fruits of their honest industry snatched from rhem by the
merciless attack of these blood-thirsty barbarians, wliose treat-
ment of such unhappy wretches as fall into their hands is ac-
companied with circumstances of infernal fury, too horrid and
shocking for human nature to dwell upon even in imagination.
We were so sensible of the importance of Conococheague set-
tlement, both as a bnlwark and supply to this neighborhood,
that on repeated notice of their growing distress Capt. Butler,
on Wednesday last, called the town company together, who ap-
peared under arms on the court-house green with great una-
nimity. Just as the drum beat to arms we had the agreeable
satisfaction of seeing a wagon sent up by his excellency ^ whose
tender care for the security of the province raised sentiments
of the highest gratitude in the breast of every one present)
loaded with powder and lead, — articles of the greatest impor-
tance at this critical juncture, when the whole country had been
drained of those necessary articles by the diligence of our In-
dian traders, who had bought up the whole for the supply of
our enemies, to be returned, as we have dearly experienced, in
death and desolation among us. A subscription was then set
on foot and cheerfully entered into, in consequence of which
twenty stout young men immediately enlisted under Mr. Peter
Grush to march immediately to the assistance of the back
inhabitants, and with other volunteers already there raised,
to cover the reapers, in hopes of securing the crops. Had
not the Governor's supply arrived so seasonably it w.as doubted
whether the whole town could have furnished ammunition
sufficient for that small party, half of which marched back-
wards in high spirits on Thursday, and the remainder on
Friday morning. And on Sunday subscriptions were taken
in the several congregations in town for sending up further as-
sistance. On Sunday afternoon we bad the pleasure of seeing
Mr. Michael Cresap arrive in town with mokosins on his legs,
taken from an Indian whom he killed and scalped, being one-of
those wh<) had shot down Mr. Wilder, the circumstances of whose
much-lamented murder and the success of Col. Cresap's family
you no doubt have received from other hands. Money has
been cheerfully contributed iu our town towards the support of
the men to be added to Col. Cresap's present force, as we
look upon the preservation of the Old Town to be of great im-
portance to us, and a proper check to the progress of the
savages; but notwithstanding our present efforts to keep the
enemy at a distance, and thereby shelter the whole province,
our inhabitants are poor, our men dispersed, and without a
detachment from below it is to be feared we must give way,
and the inundation break upon the lower counties."
In consequeuce of these outrages, the Governor
convened the Assembly on the 4th of October, 1763,
and further provision was made for the protection of
the frontiers. The commissioners of the loan-office
having £2120 still unexpended of the several sums
appropriated by the act of 1756, were directed to pay
to Daniel and Michael Cresap, John Walker, Nathan
Friggs, William Young, Abraham Richardson, and
Ezekiel Johnson fifty pounds fur the scalp of an In-
dian taken by them in July, and the same amount to
James Davis, of Virginia, who, in August, with a
party of frontiersmen, had pursued a party of Indians
from Cape Capon, on the south side of the Potomac,
to George's Creek, in Maryland, where they overtook
the savages, killing one, and rescuing James Coniston
and his wife, whom they were carrying off as pris-
oners.
On July 25, 1764, two women were killed by the
Indians near Fort Loudon, and on the following day,
at a school-house near Capt. Potter's, in Conococheague.
Kobert Brown and nine children were scalped by four
Indians, and four children carried off prisoners. Two
of the nine children scalped were left living. The
schoolmaster was killed.
Fort Pitt was in the mean time surrounded and cut
off from all communication with the interior. In
July, Gen. Amherst directed Col. Bouquet to proceed
with five hundred men to reinforce it and drive back
the savages. At Bushy Run Bouquet's command
was attacked by Indians on the 5th of August, and
the fight continued all day without decisive result.
On the next day the contest was renewed, and the
Indians were put to flight. Four days later Bouquet
reached Fort Pitt.
In Col. Bouquet's expedition against the Mingoes,
Delawares, and Shawuees in 1764 there were two
companies of Maryland volunteers, one consisting of
" forty-three brave woodsmen, besides officers, all of
them well equipped with good rifles, and most of them
born and bred on the frontiers of Frederick County,"
under Capt, William McClellan, and the other under
the command of Capt. John Wolgomatt. In his
letter to the Governor, dated Forks of Muskingum,
Nov. 15, 1764, after giving a detailed account of his
expedition. Col. Bouquet says, " As such a public spirit
ought to be encouraged in our colonies, I beg leave
to recommend them to your notice, that they may
obtain pay, if possible, from your Assembly. Their
conduct has given me great satisfaction, and it would
be very agreeable to me if they could receive some
gratification, as they (Capts. McClellan and Wolgo-
matt) have put themselves to considerable expenses to
equip the men."^
1 The following are the muster-rolls of the two companies :
Wm. McClellan, captain ; John Earl, James Dougherty, lieu-
LOGAN AND CRESAP.
101
Although the scenes of 1763 were never a^ain re-
peated within the limits of Maryland, it was many
years before the settlements on the western frontiers
of the province were entirely relieved from the danger
of savage inroads. In 1778 the Indians commenced
hostilities on the frontiers, and it was found necessary
to call into service the Washington County militia,
under Col. Beatty, in conjunction with the militia of
Virginia and Pennsylvania. In the following year
(1779) we learn by a letter from Washington County,
dated April 20th, that the Indians about two weeks
previously " struck the settlement of the Yock
[York?] Glades, about ten or twelve miles within the
State line. It appears that as five men were covering
a cabin they were fired on ; four were killed on the
spot, the other escaped, and says the number of In-
dians was about thirty-five. A large number of sav-
ages were discovered lurking about the Horse-shoe
Bottom, no doubt with hostile intentions."'
CHAPTER V.
LOGAN AND CRESAP.
Logan's Speech — Murder of his Family — The Cresaps — Massa-
cre at Baker's Fort — Jefferson's Charge Refuted — He Re-
tracts — Vindication of Capt. Michael Cresap.
The massacre of the family of the great Indian
chief, Logan, in the early part of the year 1774, has
been so frequently discussed from the time when Mr.
tenants; Joseph Hopewell, Henry Grajbill, sergeants; David
Blair, John Moran, Edmund Moran, ensigns; Privates, David
Shelby, George Rout, Wm. Beadles, John Dean, Richard Ar-
sheraft, Nicholas Carpenter, Thomas Vaughan, James Ross,
Isaac Flora, Joshua Young, George Mattison, Isaac Wilcocks,
Wm. Hanniel, John Dougherty, Wm. Colvin, Wm. Flora,
Thomas Edington, James Bradmore, Richard Coomore, Wm.
Sparks, Thos. Clemens, John Sealon, John Doughland,
Patrick O'GuUen, Robert Ford, Joseph Clemens, James Small,
Wm. Lockhead, James Ware, Thos. Williams, John Masters.
John Murray, Felix Leer, Bartholomew Pack, Charles Hays,
and Wm. Polk.
John Wolgomatt, captain; Matthew Nicholas, lieutenant;
John Blair, ensign ; Privates, James Booth, .lames Dulany,
Wm. Fife, Wm. Dunwidie, Peter Ford, Thomas Davis, David
Johnson, Samuel McCord, Robert Blackburn, Abraham Knocks,
James Myres. Wm. Marshall and James Fo.\.
1 The Maryland Journal of June 26, 1789, contains the fol-
lowing : " Last week a person passed through this town on his
way from Kentucky, who informs us that on the 22d of May
last he and eleven persons were in company, at the distance of
four days' .journey from the Crab Orchards, in the wilderness, and
were fired upon by a party of Indians. Five of the company
were killed; the rest made their escape, but lost all their horses
except two. A young man by the name'of Funk, from Funk's
Town, another of the name of Lewis Myers, from Pike Creek,
Jefferson first sought to place the responsibility upon
Col. Michael Cresap, that the evidence and argument
have grown too voluminous to be presented in full in
such a work as the present.
The narrative of the Indian wars in Western Mary-
land and on the frontier would be incomplete, how-
ever, without at least a brief reference to a subject
which has become one of the celebrated questions of
Indian history, and which is closely connected with
one of the most prominent figures in the early settle-
ment of this portion of the State. The charge as
originally made by Mr. Jeiferson in his " Notes on
Virginia," published in 1787, was as follows :
" Col. Cresap, a man infamous for the many murders he had
committed on those much injured people (the Indians), collected
a party and proceeded down the Kanhaway in quest of ven-
geance. Unfortunately, a canoe of women and children, with
one man only, was seen coming from the. opposite shore un-
armed, and unsuspecting an hostile attack from the whites,
Cresap and his party concealed themselves on the bank of the
river, and the moment the canoe touched the shore singled out
their objects, and at one fire killed every person in it. This
happened to be the family of Logan, who had long been distin-
guished as a friend of the whites. This unworthy return pro-
voked his vengeance. He accordingly signalized himself in
the war which ensued. lu the autumn of the saiue year a de-
cisive battle was fought at the mouth of the Great Kanhaway,
between the collected forces of the Shawnees, Mingoes, and
Delawares and a detachment of the Virginia militia. The In-
dians were defeated and sued for peace. Logan, however, dis-
dained to be seen among the suppliants. But lest the sincerity
of a treaty should be distrusted from which so distinguished a
chief absented himself, he sent by a messenger the following
speech to be delivered to Lord Dunmore :
■* ' I appeal to any white man to say if ever he entered
Logan's cabin hungry and he gave him not meat, if ever he
came cold and naked and he clothed him not. During the
course of the last long and bloody war Logan remained idle in
his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the
whites that my countrymen pointed as they passed and said,
" Logan is the friend of white men." I had even thought to
have lived with you but for the injuries of one man. Col.
Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood and unprovoked, murdered
all the relations of Logan, not sparing even my women and
children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of
any living creature. This called on me for revenge. I have
sought it; I have killed many; I have fully glutted my ven-
geance. For my country, I rejoice at the beams of peace. But
do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy c)f fear. Logan
6eTer felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life.
Who is there to mourn for Logan ? Not one.' ''
The charge thus brought by Mr. Jefi'erson was not
known to the Cresap family until 1797, when Luther
and a Mr. Blayer, from near Harper's Ferry, were among the
unfortunate victims. As this fact is to be depended upon, it
induces us to credit the many various reports that have been
lately so much circulated respecting the horrid murders and
depredations committed by the Indians upon the frontiers, and
makes humanity shudder at thehleaof the bloody consequences
which must ensue from a war with those barbarians."
102
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Martin, who married a daughter of Michael Cresap, |
published his defense, and since his day many- able
writers have taken up the pen in answer to Mr. Jef-
ferson, and in vindication of the character of Cresap.'
Cresap himself could make no answer to the charge, for
he had yielded up his life in defense of his country at
the very outbreak of the Revolutionary struggle ; but
fortunately he left behind him many friends and wit-
1 Thomas Cres.ip, the father of Col. Michael Cresap, was
named in the treaty between the Six Nations and the province
of Maryland, dated the 30th of June, 1744, as having " a hunt-
ing or trading cabin, about two miles above the uppermost fork
of Congorontan, or Potomac, on the north branch of said fork."
This Thomas Cresap, usually called "the English colonel," was
a much trusted agent of Charles, Lord Baltimore (the fifth of
that title), and was .sent to that portion of the province to guard
the interest of Lord Baltimore against the claim of Lord Fair-
fax. The family of Col. Cresap was therefore one of the oldest
Maryland families in that section of the State, and from the
time of "the English colonel" to the present have occupied a
high position among "the first families" of Western Mary-
land. "The English colonel" built a stone house, since known
as Cresap's Fort, where his trading cabin stood, opposite the
Green Spring Run, a station of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company, which is still standing and occupied, and can be seep
from that station. At an early day settlers built around it, and
so near that on any alarm being given all fled to the fort for
protection. Col. Thomas Cresap called the place "Skipton,"
after the place or village of his residence in England. The
village is now called "Old Town," situated on the Potomac,
about sixteen miles east of Cumberland. Col. Michael Cresap (in
Mr. Jefferson's " Notes on Virginia"), said to be '* a man infu-
nwHK for hiH many Indian mnrders," had three daughters and
two sons. At the time of this publication the eldest daughter
was the wife of the celebrated Luther Martin, a lawyer of whom
Maryland has always been justly proud. He was one of the
counsel for Aaron Burr, who was tried for treason, and was de-
nounced by Jefi'erson as " the Bulldog of the Federal Party."
The second daughter married his brother, Lenox Martin, a
lawyer of that portion of Maryland, who raised a large and
respectable family, still residing in Allegany County. The
third daughter married Osborn Sprigg. Their children were
the Hon. Michael Cresap Sprigg, a member of Congress from
Allegany County, and whose descendants now hold "a first
position" in society in this State. Michael C. Sprigg was also
at one time president of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Com-
p.any. There was no higher-toned gentleman or man of fairer
character in Western Maryland in his day than Michael C.
Sprigg. The Hon. James C. Sprigg, his brother, was a mem-
ber of Congress from Kentucky. His son, James Cresap, w;ls
a man of high standing, who married (his second wife) the
widow of Capt. Van Bibber, a most accomplished and excellent
lady, by whom he had one son, Luther Martin Cresap, a worthy
and respectable gentleman, who now resides near Old Town, in
the old family residence. A man of unexcentionable character,
with a liberal education, and, Cresap-like, of a mild and amiable
disposition. The widow of Col. Michael Cresap married John
I. Jacobs. Their son, Hon. J. J. Jacobs, ex-Governor of West
Virginia, is a man of no ordina.ry ability, and now holds a high
position among the citizens of that State. Such was, has
been, and now is the position of the Cresap family in Western
Maryland for over a century. — Thtnnas J. McKvitj, hi his MS.
noteii to the author.
nesses, who came promptly forward to defend his name
from the infamy with which it was sought to be asso-
ciated. Falsehood and slander, however, run at a
swifter pace than truth, and it was long before the
latter was enabled to overtake the false charge and
nail it to the counter. Thus for many years the war
which followed the massacre of Logan's relatives was
known as " Cresap's war," and be was represented as
guilty not only of butchering in cold blood and unpro-
voked cruelty an unprotected party of women and
children, but as responsible for all the horrors of the
Indian hostilities which followed. Of both counts in
this historical indictment it has been demonstrated
beyond the shadow of a doubt that Michael Cresap
was wholly guiltless ; but it is clear from the history
of that period that even were it possible to fix upon
Cresap the guilt of the massacre, it could not be shown
that the war which ensued was the result of that deed
of blood. In point of fact, hostilities had already com-
menced before Logan's family was slaughtered, and
although that piece of indefensible barbarity may have
added fresh fuel to the fires of Indian animosity
and vengeance, war had been declared in the fashion
of that period by such overt acts as shooting and scalp-
ing, and would inevitably have followed whether Lo-
gan's relatives had fallen or not. " During the ten
years," says Mr. Mayer, "subsequent to the treaty
made by Bouquet, the gradual advance of the whites
to the West had been a constant source of alarm to the
Indians. Collisions and violent disputes were the
natural and necessary results. The slow, eager, resist-
less encroachments of civilization brought the two un-
congenial and incongruous races face to face in con-
tact, and the slightest breath was sufficient to fan into
conflagration the fire that smouldered in the hearts of
each. Besides this, there had been no scrupulous ful-
; fiUment of Bouquet's treaty on the part of the Indians ;
I and I am informed by one of our ablest border histo-
rians and scholars that in these ten years of nominal
peace, but in truth of T(uasi-war, more lives were sac-
rificed along the Western frontiers than during the
! whole outbreak of 1774, including the battle of Point
Pleasant." So lightly did the Indians regard this
treaty that the Shawanese refused to surrender their
white prisoners. Red Hawk, one of that tribe, insult-
ing Col. Bouquet with impunity, and another Indian
j killing the colonel's servant on the very day after the
nominal peace was concluded. In the following year
further murders were committed by the Indians on
New River, and not long afterwards others were way-
laid and killed while on their way to Illinois ; and fol-
lowing these outrages, "a number of men employed
' in slaughtering cattle for Fort Chartres were slain, and
LOGAN AND CRESAP.
103
their rifles, blankets, and accoutrements carried to the
Indian villages." And thus, as it has been well
pointed out, " the Indian hatchet was never buried.
The summer after Bouquet's treaty the savages killed
a white man upon the Virginia frontiers ; the next
year eight Virginians were butchered on the Cumber-
land, and their peltries brought to the Indian towns,
where they were sold to Pennsylvania traders. Some
time after, Martin, a Virginia trader, with two com-
panions, was killed by the Shawanese on the Hock-
hocking, only, as it was alleged by Lord Dunmore,
because they were Virginians, at the same time that
the savages allowed a certain Ellis to pass simply be-
cause he was a Pennsylvanian. In 1771 twenty Vir-
ginians and their party of friendly Indians were robbed
by savages of thirty-eight horses, as well as of weapons,
clothes, and trappings, which they delivered to Cal-
lender and Spears, and certain other Pennsylvania
traders, in bheir towns. In the same year, within the
jurisdiction of Virginia, the Indians killed two remote
settlers, and in the following year Adam Stroud, an-
other Virginian, with his wife and seven children, fell
beneath their tomahawks and scalping-knives on the
waters of the Elk. In 1773 the savages were still
engaged in their work of destruction. Richards fell
on the Kanawha, and a few months after, Russell, an-
other Virginian, with five whites and two negroes,
perished near the Cumberland Gap, while their horses
and property were borne oflF by the Indians to the
towns, where they fell a prey to the Penn-sylvania
traders. These and many other butcheries and rob-
beries of a similar character were committed in the
savage raids and forays anterior to the year 1774, and
long before Shawanese blood was wantonly shed in
retaliation by the irritated people. A Dutch family
was massacred on the Kanawha in June of 1773, and
the family of Mr. Hog and three white men on the
Great Kanawha early in April, 1774.
" On the 25th of April, 1774, the Earl of Dunmore,
at Williamsburg, his seat of government in Virginia,
issued his proclamation, which, as dates are of great im-
portance in this narrative, we should regard as unveiling
other causes of border difficulty besides the Indian
hostilities which were then occurring. In this proc-
lamation of the 25th of April, 1774, before there
could have possibly been a communication of any re-
taliatory murders on the Ohio, committed by the
whites upon the Indians, the British earl, then at
Williamsburg, declares, that inasmuch as there is
trouble within his jurisdiction at Pittsburgh, and the
authorities in that place and its dependencies will en-
deavor to obstruct His Majesty's government thereof
by illegal means, and inasmuch as that ' settlement
is in danger of annoyance from Indians also,' he has
thought proper, with the advice and consent of His
Majesty's counsel, to require and authorize the militia
officers of that district to embody a sufficient number
of men to repel any assmdt wJialrver. The events
that caused the is.suiDg of this proclamation must
necessarily have occurred both among the white and
the red men a considerable time before, so as to have
allowed the messenger to cross the mountains prior to
the 25th of April."
Withers, in his " Chronicles of Border Warfare,"
expres.ses the decided opinion that the hostilities of
1774 were not the result of the outrages of that year
alone, but of injuries repeated and continued through
a long period of time, and the following letter from
Lord Dunmore to Gen. Haldimand, written from
Williamsburg on the 24th of December, 1774, " isgood
authority at least for the fact that it was no ' Cre-
sap's war,' as it has been called by some writers :"
" You have been very much imposed upon by the account
given you, which you have thought fit to transmit to his
Majesty's minister. There is no other Col. Cresap than an
old man of ninety years of age, who has not removed from his
habitation for many years, — for some from my own knowledge,
and for the rest from incontestable authority. There is, in-
deed, one Michael Cresap (not a colonel, but a trader), who
with others Is said to have killed those Indians (not on a scout,
but) returning from the back settlements, where he hadheen on
hia private business, and where he found the Indians ravaging
the country, and murdering every white man they could lay their
hands on, and, there/ore, very far from being the cause of a war
as you suggest, or even of hostilities. It was the consequence
of repeated hostilities committed by the Indians on the peojile
of our frontiers; and both these Cresaps are not Virginians,
or even inhabited Virginia, but belonging to Maryland ; with
respect, however, to which, or the cause of the war with the
Indians, I conceive it not necessary for me to send you
proofs."
Early in 1774, Michael Cresap, who had emigrated
from Maryland to the new lands of the Ohio with
the hope of mending bis broken fortunes, was en-
gaged, with the help of laborers brought from his
native province, in opening and locating farms in the
vicinity of Pittsburgh and Wheeling. His errand was
an eminently peaceable one, and his course through
all this exciting period .shows that he was especially
anxious to avoid hostilities with the Indians. While
thus engaged he " suddenly received a summons
which terminated his agricultural projects in the
West. After this region had been explored in 1773,
a resolution was formed by a band of hardy pioneers,
among whom was George Rogers Clark, who after-
wards, as a general officer, became so celebrated in the
annals of Kentucky, to make a settlement during
the following spring ; and the mouth of the Little
Kanawha was appointed as the place of general ren-
104
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
dezvous, whence the united party should descend the i
river. Early in 1774 the Indians had done some of
their habitual mischief. Reports of further and per-
haps meditated dangers were rife along the river, as
coming from the Indian towns. Many of the prom-
ised settlers, alarmed by the news, remained at their
homes, so that at the appointed time not more than
eighty or ninety men assembled at the rendezvous.
In a few days the anticipated troubles with the sav-
ages commenced. A small party of hunters, en- 1
camped about ten miles below Clark's emigrants, was
fired on by the Indians ; but the red men were re-
pulsed, and the hunters returned to camp. This
hostile demonstration, coupled with the rumors already ;
spoken of, satisfied the Americans that the savages
were bent on war. Accordingly, the whole band was
enrolled for protection ; yet it was resolved to adhere
to the original project of settling in Kentucky, inas-
much as the camp was amply furnished with every-
thing needful for such an enterprise. An Indian
town called the Horse-head Bottom, on the Scioto, near
its mouth, lay in the pioneers' way, and they forth-
with resolved to cross the country and surprise it.
But when the question arose who should command
so perilous an adventure, it was found that in the
whole band no one possessed sufficient experience in
Indian warfare to be intrusted confidently with the
fortunes of his companions. It was known, however,
that Michael Cresap dwelt on the river about fifteen
miles above the camp, engaged with certain laborers
in settling a plantation, and that he had resolved to
follow this band of pioneers to Kentucky as soon as
he had established his people. His experience of
frontier life was notorious. The eager settlers with
one voice resolved to demand his services in the hour
of danger, and a messenger was forthwith dispatched
to seek him. lu half an hour he returned with
Michael, who learning of the unwise resolution to at-
tack the Indian town, had already set out to visit the
pioneer camp. The emigrants at once thought their
army, as they called it, complete, and the destruction
of the savages certain. But a council was called, and
to the surprise of all, the intended commander-in-chief
promptly dissuaded his companions from the medi-
tated enterprise." In his address to the pioneers he
especially called their attention to the fact that though
outrages had been committed, war had not actually
commenced, and that the course they meditated would
unquestionably provoke an outbreak of hostilities.
Cresap's advice was considered so wise that it was de-
termined to return to Wheeling and await further in-
telligence. On their way to this point they met Kill-
buck, a celebrated Indian chief, who had been con-
cerned in many of the previous Indian wars, and had
" a long but unsatisfactory" interview with him in
regard to the anticipated trou'oles. During this in-
terview Cresap remained on the opposite side of the
river, " declaring that he was afraid to trust himself
with the Indians, especially as Killbuck had frequently
attempted to waylay and murder his father in Mary-
land, and tiiat if they met his fortitude might forsake
him, and he might put the savage to death.'' All
this shows how anxious Cresap was to avoid every-
thing which might give the Indians a pretext for the
inauguration of a regular war. When the party
reached Wheeling, they found the inhabitants of that
section greatly alarmed by the apprehension of an
Indian attack, and Cresap's party was soon greatly
augmented by the large numbers of farmers, hunters,
and woodsmen who flocked to the camp, both to
obtain and aiford protection. The general apprehen-
sion was soon increased by an express from Connolly,
Lord Dunmore's representative at Pittsburgh, to Capt.
Cresap, informing him that messengers returned from
the Indian country announced war to be inevitable,
that the savages would begin operations as soon as the
weather permitted, and " begging him to use his in-
fluence with the party to cover the country with
scouts until the inhabitants could fortify themselves."
This message was received about the 21st of April,
and its reception, says Gen. George Rogers Clark, a
member of the party,
" was the epoch of open hostilities with the Indians. The War
Post was planted, a Council Called and the Letter re.ad and the
ceremonies used by the Indians on so important an occasion
acted, and War was formally declared. The same evening two
scalps were brought into camp. The following Day some
Canoes of Indians were discovered descending the River,
taking advantiige of an Island to cover themselves from our
View. They were chased by our men 15 miles down the River,
they were forced ashore and a Battle ensued, a few were
wounded on both sides and we got one scalp only ; On examin-
ing their Canoes we found a considerable quantity of ammuni-
tion and other Warlike .Stores. On our return to Camp a
Resolution was passed to march next Day and attack Logan's
Camp on the Ohio, about 30 miles above Wheeling. We actu-
ally marched about live miles, and halted to take some Re-
freshment, here the Impropriety of executing the proposed
Enterprize was argued, the Conversation was brought forward
by Cresap himself; it was generally agreed that those Indians
had no hostile Intentions, as it was a hunting Camp composed
of Men, Women & Children with all their StuflF with them.
This we knew iis I myself and others then present had been at
their Camp about four weeks before that time on our way down
from Pittsburg ; In short every Person present particularly
Cresap (upon reflection) was opposed to the projected Measure.
We returned and on the Same evening Decamped and took the
Road to Red-Stone. It was two Days after this that Logan's
Family was killed."'
1 Some time before these events, William Butler had sent off
' a canoe loaded with goods for the Shawanese towns, and on the
LOGAN AND CKESAP.
105
But while Cresap and his men had thus abandoned
the proposed attack, his prudent and friendly advice
was not heeded by others, and on the 30th of April,
1'774, the murder of Logan's family was committed.'
Logan's camp, as has been said, was about thirty
miles above Wheeling, near the mouth of Yellow
Creek, and on the opposite side of the Ohio, near the
river-bank, was the cabin of a certain Baker, " who
sold rum to the Indians, and of course received fre-
quent visits from them. This man had been particu-
larly desired by Cresap to remove his liquors, and
seems to have prepared to take them away at the time
of the murder."
In the latter part of April, 1774, Michael Myers
and two companions, who had been called forth to
guard the frontier at Baker's Bottom, crossed the
Ohio in order to examine the country along the banks
of Yellow Creek. While thus engaged tjiey discov-
ered an Indian endeavoring to steal their horse,
whereupon Myers fired upon and killed him. A sec-
ond Indian appeared and shared the same fate, when
the whites, fearing to remain longer in this dangerous
neighborhood, recrossed the Ohio and took refuge in
Baker's cabin. The evening or night before the trag-
edy a squaw came over to Baker's from the Indian
camp on the opposite side of the river, and after some
reluctance confessed that the Indians had resolved to
kill the white woman and her family the next day.
16th of April, some ten days before the formal declaration of
war by the whites, it was attacked about forty miles below
Pittsburgh by three Cherokees, who killed one of the white men
composing the party and wounded another, the third maliing
his escape, and the boat falling into the hands of the assailants.
1 There is some contiict of testimony as to the date of the
massacre. Benjamin Tomlinson, in his testimony, in Jacob's
" Life of Cresap," places it on " the third or fourth of Mt\y ;" but
John Sajipington's statement in the 4th appendix to .Jefferson's
" Notes on Virginia" fixes it on the 24th of May. Mr. Mayer,
to whose "Tah-Gah-Jule" the author is indebted for much of
the information contained in this sketch, says, ** I am satis-
fied the massacre occurred on the 30th of April, 1774, and that
Sappington's date of the 24th May, given from memory, after
a lapse of twenty -six years, is inaccurate. An examination of
Washington's MSS. in the archives of the State Department at
Washington has disclosed a letter from Valentine Crawford to
Col. G. Washington, from Jacob's Creek, on the Monongaheln,
and dated ' May 7, 1774.' " The following is an extract from
it. After describing some of the Indian and pioneer tights
before the Yellow Creek massacre, he adds, —
"And on Satnrdai/ last, about twelve o'clock, there was one
Greathouse and about twenty men fell on a party of Indians at
the mouth of Yellow Creek, and killed ten of them, and brought
away one child a prisoner, which is now at my brother William
Crawford's." By reference to the almanac for 1774, it will be
seen that the Saturday before the 7th of May of that year, the
date of Valentine Crawford's letter, was the 30th of April.
Valentine Crawford was Washington's land agent in the
West."
In consequence of this information. Baker, says Mr.
Mayer, "summoned a number of his neighbors, who
all reached his house before morning, when it was
resolved the strangers should conceal themselves in a
back apartment, whence the assailing Indians miuht
be watched. It was also determined that if they de-
meaned themselves peaceably they should not be mo-
lested, but if hostility was manifested they should
show themselves and act accordingly. Early in the
morning a party of eight Indians, composed of three
squaws, a child, and four married men, one of whom
was Logan's brother, crossed the river to Baker's
cabin, where all but Logan's brother obtained liquor
and became excessively drunk. No whites except
Baker and two of his companions appeared in the
cabin. After some time Logan's relative took down
a coat and hat belonging to Baker's brother-in-law,
and putting them on, set his arms akimbo, strutted
about the apartment, and at length coming up ab-
ruptly to one of the men, addressed him with the
most oifensive epithets and attempted to strike him.
The white man, Sappington, who was thus assailed
by language and gesture, for some time kept out of his
way, but becoming irritated, seized his gun and shot
the Indian as he was making to the door, still clad in
the coat and hat. The men, who during the whole of
this scene had remained hidden, now poured forth and
without parley slaughtered the whole Indian party ex-
cept the child. Before this tragic event occurred, two
canoes, one with two and the other with five Indians,
all naked, painted, and completely armed for war,
were descried stealing from the opposite shore, where
Logan's camp was situated. This was considered as
confirmation of what the squaw had said the night
before, and was afterwards alleged in justification of
the murder of the unarmed party which had first ar-
rived. No sooner were the unresisting drunkards
dead than the infuriated whites rushed to the river-
bank, and ranging themselves among the concealing
fringe of underwood, prepared to receive the canoes.
The first that arrived was the one containing two war-
riors, who were fired upon and killed. The other
canoe immediately turned and fled, but after this two
others, containing eighteen warriors, painted and pre-
pared for conflict as the first had been, started to as-
sail the Americans. Advancing more cautiously than
the former party, they endeavored to land below
Baker's cabin, but being met by the rapid movements
of the rangers before they could effect their purpose,
they were put to flight with the loss of one man,
although they returned the fire of the pioneers."'
' All accounts appear to agree in representing the victims of
this massacre to have been under the influence of "fire-water"
lot)
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
According to the statement of John Sappington,
the only relative of Logan killed at Baker's was his
brother ; none of the squaws slain was his wife ; two
of them were old women, while the third, whose infant
was spared, was the wife of Gen. Gibson, who was at
that time an Indian trader, " and subsequently took
care of the child as if it had been his own." It is
probable, however, that his mother and sister wore
also among the slain. Logan's wife was a Shawanese
woman, was not present at Baker's on the day of the
tragedy, and lived for many years afterwards. She
never had any children by Logan. Tod-kah-dohs, or
" The Searcher," and probably a son of Logan's sister,
did not die until about 1844, at the Cold Spring, on
the Allegany Seneca reservation ; " so that, in spite
of Logan's speech, some of his ' blood' still ' ran' in
human veins ninety years after the Yellow Creek
tragedy."
Such, as far as they can now be learned, were the
circumstances connected with this famous, or rather
infamous, incident in border warfare. It fully mer-
ited all the indignation which it aroused at the time
and all the denunciation which it has since received,
and excited a universal feeling of horror even at a
period when deeds of violence and death were of
€very-day occurrence. But the truth of history as
well as the demands of justice require that the re-
sponsibility for the deed should be clearly placed
where it belongs, and that the character of an inno-
cent man should not be made the victim of posthu-
mous vengeance. In considering the evidence on
which Mr. Jefferson based his charge against Michael
Cresap, it is impossible to repress surprise at the in-
sufficiency of the testimony on which he made it. In
point of fact, the only evidence against Cresap is. the
unsupported statement of Logan, who at the time of
the massacre was on the other side of the Ohio, and
who based his belief in Cresap's guilt solely upon the
fact that he had recently been at the head of a large
war-party of white settlers. Of the fact that Logan [
considered Cresap the chief actor in the tragedy there
cannot be any reasonable doubt. Apart from the
statement of Gibson, in whose presence Logan pro-
nounced his celebrated speech, and who declares that
Logan insisted in charging Cresap with the murder, :
at the time of its occurrence; is it not just possible that the
whites may have been in the same condition? This would ac-
count for and to a certain e.xtent palliate the wanton and bar-
barous murder of. the women. It should be remembered also,
in considering the weight of the provocation or excuse for the j
attack upon the unarmed and helpless party of Indians, that
we have only the testimony of lohite witnesses to the occurrence, I
who would naturally endeavor to put the best face upon the 1
the Indian chief himself left unmistakable record of
his conviction in another place and another way.
During the open war which blazed forth without con-
cealment or disguise after the affair at Yellow Creek,
Logan destroyed the family of a settler named John
Roberts, and left in the house of the murdered family
the following note, written in " gunpowder ink," and
attached to a war-club :
" Capt. Ceesap, — What did you kill my people on Yellow
Creek for ? The white people killed my kin* at Conestoga a
great while ago, and I thought nothing of that. But you
killed my kin again on Yellow Creek, and took my cousin a
prisoner. Then I thought I must kill too, and I have been
three times to war since ; but the Indians are not angry, only
myself.
" Captain John Logan.
"July 21, 1774."
Against this unsupported statement of a man who
had no possible opportunity of obtaining the real facts
in the case there is a large mass of positive evidence
showing the entire innocence of Cresap.
Gen. George Rogers Clark, to whom reference has
already been made, and who was one of the party
which had sought the advice of Cresap, and under
his command returned from their projected expedition
against Logan's camp, in response to inquiries on the
subject wrote as follows, under date of June 17, 1798 :
" I was of the first and last of the active Ofiicers who bore
the Weight of that War, and on perusing some old Papers of
that Date I find some Memoirs, but independent of them I
have a perfect Recollection of every Transaction relative to
Logan's Story. The Conduct of Cresap I am perfectly ac-
quainted with; be was not the Author of that Murder, but a
family of the Name of Greathouse. But some Transactions
that happened under the Conduct of Capt. Cresap a few days
previous to the murder of Logan's Family gave him sufiBcient
Ground to suppose it was Cresap who had done him the Injury."
After relating the " incidents which gave rise to
Logan's suspicions" — Cresap's command of the party
of proposed emigrants to Kentucky, which returned at
his suggestion to Wheeling — Gen. Clark continues, —
"The war now raged with all its Savage Fury until the fol-
lowing fall, when a Treaty of Peace was held at Dunmore's
Camp within five Miles of Chilicothe, the Indian Capital on
the Siotho. Logan did not appear. I was' acquainted with
him, and wished to be informed of the Reason of his absence
by one of the Interpreters. The Answer he gave to my En-
quiry was ' that he was like a Mad Dog, that his Bristles had
been up and were not yet quite fallen — but that the good Talks
now going forward might allay them.' Logan's Speech to Dun-
more now came forward, as related by Mr. Jetferson, and was
generally believed, and indeed not doubted to have been genuine
and dictated by Logan. The Army knew it was wrong so far
as it respected Cresap, anti'afforded an Opportunity of rallying
that Gentleman on the subject. I discovered that Cresap was
displeased, and told him that he must be a very great Man, that
the Indians shouldered him with every Thing that had hap-
pened — he smiled, and said he had a great mind to tomahawk
LOGAN AND CRESAP.
107
Greathouse about the iDatter. "What is here related is Fact. T
was intimate with Cresap, and better acquainted with Logan
at that Time than with any other Indian in the Western Coun-
try, and had a Knowledge of the Conduct of both Parties.
Logan is the Author of the Speech, as related by Mr. Jefferson,
and Cresap's Conduct was such as I have related."
The testimony of Jacob Tomlinson, the brother-in-
law of Baker, is of the same positive character. " The
attacliing party at Baker's Bottom," he says, " had no
commander. I believe Logan's brother was killed by
a man named Sappington ; who killed the others 1
know not, but this I know well, that neither Capt.
Michael Cresap nor any other person of that name
was there, nor do I believe within many miles of the
place." The testimony of Col. Gibson, to whom Lo-
gan's speech was delivered, of Gen. John Minor, Dr.
Wheeler, and, in short, of every one who has been
called upon to give evidence in this celebrated histori-
cal cause, completely exonerates Cresap from all con-
nection with the Yellow Creek tragedy.
Col. Thomas J. McKaig, of Allegany County, who
was born in 1804, at Steubenville, Ohio, about thirty
miles below the place of the murder, in a recent com-
munication to the writer, furnishes some interesting
i'acts bearing upon this subject.
" Baker's Fort, as it was called," says Col. Mc-
Kaig,—
" was nothing more than a comfortable, well-built log cabin,
in which Mr. Baker and his wife resided at the time of the
murder. The house remained standing for many years, and
'Could be seen from steamboat or rail-car in passing up or down
the river. When I was but a small boy my father removed
from Steubenville and made him a home on the West Forli of
Beaver, some fourteen miles from where it empties into the
■Ohio, below Wellsville". I resided with my father until I was
over twenty years of age. I was therefore well acquainted
with the 'settlers' both on the Ohio and Virginia sides of the
river. I was familiar with the story of the murder of Logan's
family from my earliest recollection, and had heard it told and
retold by those who at the time of the murder lived in our
neighborhood. I have heard all the particulars of the murder
when a boy from Adam Poe, who resided at the time of the
murder a few miles farther up the river. I spent a night with
his elder brother, Andrew Poe, who resided at the old homestead
in the Virginia Neck, some few miles above Baker's house,'where
■the murder was committed. In the course of the evening he
gave me the particulars of his terrible tight, on the banks of the
Ohio, with the Indian ' Big Foot' and his companion. He
also, on that evening, told me the story of the murder of Lo-
gan's family, the same as I had heard it frequently from his
brother Adam, who lived, from my earliest recollection, within
a mile of my father's house in Ohio. The fact is unquestion-
able that all the particulars of the murder of Logan's family,
and who was responsible for that murder, and who were present
when the murder was committed were perfectly and univer-
sally known to all the settlers of that region of country,
and there was no dispute about who were the perpetrators for
they were all known. Benjamin Sappington and his party,
from Buffalo Creek, in Washington County, Pa., about fifteen
miles from ' Baker's Fort,' perpetrated the murder. This
was the universal understanding, denied by none in that region
of country. The veracity of the Poes was unquestioniTblc.
They were men of large size and of unusual bodily strength,
and he would have been a bold man that dared to question the
truth or veracity of cither, for they were men of unimpeach-
able character.
" Adam Poe was the grandfather of the Rev. Adam Poe, who
with the eloquent Bascum, opened with prayer the convention
at Baltimore in 1840 that ratified the nomination of 'Tippe-
canoe and Tyler too.'
" But more especially have I heard ' Old Pew' (for I forget
his Christian name, everybody called him 'Old Pew') defend-
ing himself and the party who was with him. He lived, when
I knew him, in the ' Virginia Neck,' not far from Andrew Poe.
He was old and poor, but I never heard his veracity questioned.
When a boy I had a great admiration for ' Old Puw,' for his In-
dian stories, for his fights, and his hairbreadth escapes from
the rifle-ball and the tomahawk of the Indian. Whilst I
listened I could have e.\olaimed with Horace, 'Oh, that the
first earth had borne me amongst those heroes !'
"The old man. Pew, told me he was one of Ben Sap-
pington 's party ; was present at the murder, and knew every
man of the party, and I know he lived in that neighborhood
until his death at a very advanced age. He never denied his
presence at the murder, nor his participation in it. I well re-
member his justification of the act. The Sappington party
were residents of a portion of the country that lay some fifteen
miles distant from the Ohio River, and on that account had
but little intercourse with the Indians, for the public highway
of the Indian, 'the trail,' as we called it, was by the valley of
the Ohio River. Nor did those pioneers of Buffalo Creek un-
derstand the absolute necessity that lay upon the sparse ."cttlcrs
of the Virginia side of the Ohio River to cultivate the friend-
ship of the Indian. A quarrel with the Indian was denth to
the sparse settler un the banks of the Ohio. The settlers
were but few, the Indians were numbered by the hundred.
The settlers could make no resistance if the Indians, for any
offense or outrage by the whites upon one or more of these
people, were e.fcited to revenge. This party from Buflfalo, not
understanding the position of the settlers on the Ohio, thought
that the killing of Logan's family was justifiable in anticipation
of the reported attack on Baker's Fort.
" Mr. Pew said it was reported that an attack would be made
that morning upon the fort; that it was said and believed that
it was the custom of the Indians to send the families of their
chiefs before the attack was made to the point to be attacked,
that they might be the first to share the plunder. That morn-
ing the family of Logan, the Mingo chief, came to the fort, and
they e.\pected every moment to see the boats of the attacking
party push off from the opposite side of the river. There was no
time for consultation. They considered the danger imminent,
and they killed those that had arrived, knowing that they were
the family of their chief. Mr. Pew, therefore, to the day of his
death insisted that they were justified in the act under all the
circumstances. Unfortunately for the whites, they killed their
friends, and brought upon themselves the swift vengeance of
all the surrounding savages, the Indian war of the summer
of 1774. I never heard Mr. Pew or the Poes speak of Michael
Cresap, nor do I believe that Mr. Pew ever knew or saw him.
Cresap's settlement was at Grave Creek, more than seventy
miles below Baker's Fort, and in the West I never heard Cre-
sap's name connected with the murder of Logan's family.
" In October, 1826, after receiving my baccalaureate from
Washington College, Pennsylvania, I came to Cumberland, Md.,
where I obtained the position of principal of the Allegany
County Academy. Being poor but proud, I was fortunate
108
HISTORY OP WESTERN MARYLAND.
enougli to ]irocure board with Mrs. Mary Cresap, the widow of
James Cresap, the son, as before stated, of Col. Michael Cresap,
one of the most amiable and accomplished ladies I ever met.
^' I was admitted into the family, not because her circum-
stances required her to take boarders, but because she wanted
her son, the present Luther Martin Cresap, of Allegany
County, to be under my personal control in the academy. At
Mrs. Cresap's house I made the acquaintance of all the Cresaps,
* much ])eople,' for the connection was a large one, and in
point of rank and character second to none in Western Mary-
land. Among the many, not the least, was that excellent old
man, the Rev. J. J. Jacobs, the father of ex-Governor Jacobs,
of West Virginia. 'Father Jacobs,' as everybody called him,
had been brought up from boyhood in the family of Capt.
Michael Cresap, was his man of business, knew, I might
say, all the acts of his life, and after bis death married his
widow, and had then in the press his defense of Capt. Cresap,
a small volume of about one hundred and twenty pages, now on
my desk. Here I first saw Jefferson's ' Notes on Virginia,* and
heard Capt. Michael Cresap's name in connection with the
murder of the Logan family. To charge that * Col. Michael
Cresap/ as my ancestors would have said, 'the chief and hero
of the clan,' after he had given his life for his country, and
after he had rested over twenty years in an honored grave, ' was
a man famous for his many Indian murders' was certainly a
cruel and grievous charge, and was so regarded by his friends
and by all the community who had known him. It is there-
fore not ' wondrous strange' that it was resented with so much
bitterness. It was utterly repugnant to the well-known char-
acter of Col. Cresap, and to every trait of character that be-
longed to the Cresap family.
'■ Some short time after I came to Cumberhind to reside I
paid a visit to Benjamin Tomlinson, an old gentlei
then resided on his farm some four miles north of Cui
Mr. Tomlinson at that time (the close of the year
would say, from bis appearance, must have been ov
years of age, of fine personal appearance, large statu
great dignity of character ; his character for truth and vei
' unimpeached und unimpeachable.' No man in that commu-
nity stood higher than Benjamin Tomlinson. l>uring the
course of our conversation it occurred to me that in passing
and repassing from my home in Ohio to Washington College,
Pennsylvania, I had frequently crossed a run in the ' Virginia
Neck' which old Mr. Pew called ' Tomlinson's Run.' I asked
him if he knew anything about it, or how it got its name. lie
answered, ' Oh, yes ; when I was a young man I had my hunting
camp on that run, and it was called after me.' I then said to
him, as that run is but a few miles from ' Baker's Fort,' you may
know something of the murder of the Logau family. His answer
was emphatic. * I know all about it. I know every man who
was present at the murder. Mr. Baker was my brother-in-law.
He built the house called Baker's Fort, and resided in it with
his wife, my sister, at the time of the murder. He had settled
at that place and built the house for a permanent home.
or fifteen miles. I cannot now recall the names of any of tbe
party except the names of Benjamin Sappington, Daniel
Greathouse and his two sons, and Mr. Pew, ray old acquaint-
ance, " Old Pew." They were much excited, and said that it
was reported in th^r settlement that " Baker's Fort" would be
attacked by the Indians that morning.*
"Mr. Tomlinson said he assured Sappington and his party
that he did not think that there was any danger of an attack,
that there had been some uneasiness felt amongst them on ac-
count of the killing of an Indian in a canoe down the river
towards Steubenville, but the Indians knew that the settlers had
nothing to do with it. The Indian was shot in his canoe by some
strolling hunters out of mere wantonness. For the conse-
quences the passing huntsmen cared nothing. The vengeance
of the Indians could not affect them, and that the Indian knew
this as well as the settler. They seemed, as Mr. Tomlinson
said, to be much relieved, and said thej' would return to their
homes. Mrs. Baker said as they had come so far to defend
them, they must not go until she had prepared breakfast. To
this all agreed. Mr. Baker, my brother-in-law, said Mr. Tom-
linson, was very near-sighted, and could not see an animal at
any time in the forest, so he asked me to go with him to
bring in the horses while my sister got the breakfast. We were
but a short time in the forest, not far distant from the house,
when we heard the report of several rifles towards the house.
We ran with all our speed for the house. When we got there
we found Sappington and his party had shot the Logan family.
When I heard their story I drew my rifle on Ben Sappington,
and would have killed him had not others interfered. It ap-
peared, said Mr. Tomlinson, that within a few minutes from
the time we left, a canoe pushed off from the Ohio side contain-
ing Logan's mother, brother, and sister, the wife of a renegade
who ^white man, Simon Girty, who had a child in her arms that
I was not killed. Their object apparently was to visit Baker's
I house, and they crossed the river directly, went to the house,
I and sat down, when Sappington's party shot and killed the
\ mother, brother, and sister, believing, as they said, that they
were the advance of the attacking party. There was no break-
, fast that morning, Sappington and his party left, and we knew
I that it was death to the settler or instant flight. We took with
i us the child and what we could convemently carry, and fled for
: an unexposed settlement that saoie morning.* That this is a
! correct statement of the facts and circumstances under which
the murder was committed, I have no doubt. It agrees with
I what was universally believed, and held to be the truth in all
I that portion of the country where the murder was perpetrated.
I I asked, * was Michael Cresap present at the murder V Mr.
' Tomlinson said he was not, nor was he at that time in that por-
i lion of the country. If on the Ohio at all, he was at his settle-
ment at the flats of Grave Creek, seventy-four miles lower
I down the river. No settler would have done a deed of that
I kind, for the settlers on the Ohio at that time were too few to
I defend themselves against the Indians on the opposite bank of
the Ohio."
'* ' I made my home with my sister at that time. On the I ™, . , • p p /-, it
• wuf^i, 1 ^ A c y ' T ' The evidence in favor or Cresap was so overwheim-
night before the murder, as was my usual mode of sleeping, I . v.<'l^^v- ^^ if
lay down before the fire, with my rifle at my side on the floor, ing that Mr. Jefferson felt it necessary to substantiate
wrapped in my blanket. At early dawn I was awakened by a or correct his statement, and on the 21st of March,
knock at the door. I sprang up, seized my rifle, and called jgQQ ^iQ addressed a letter to Col. Gibson, in which
out, ** Wbo is there?" A voice from without answered, "Is
thatjou, Ben?" The voice w,is familiar, and I proceeded to "^ ^^^^i
uberland
1826), I
er eighty
*e, and of
:ity
he voice wa;
open the door by removing the cordwood which was placed
with the end of the wood against the door. When the door
was opened I found at the door Benjamin Sappington and a
party, some fifteen in number, who lived at a settlement on
Buffalo Creek, in now Washington County, Pa., distant fourteen
"I was within a day or two of putting into the press the
evidence I had collected on this subject. I have been long in
collecting it, because of the distance and dispersion of those
acquainted with the transaction. However, I have at length
that of a dozen or fifteen persons who clear up the mystery
/ . ■ '
:^ K-i ^H'^^-'^ K ^ i^j^ft^ |tt*i>^ JVisui^^*^ ^ ^
LOGAN AND CRESAP.
109
which threw doubt on this piece of history. It appears that
instead of one, there were four diiferent murders committed on
the Indians. The first by Cresap and his party, a little above
"Wheeling, on two Indians. The second by the same persons, on
the same or the next day, on a party of Indians encamped
below Wheeling, at the mouth of Grave Creek, among whom
were some of Logan's relatives. The Indians here returned
the fire, and wounded one of Cresap's party. The third by
GrealJiouae and Toiullmoii, a few days after. Thli wne a huntinij-
party of Indian men and women, encamped at the mouth of Yel-
low Creelc, opposite to Baker's Bottom. Grreathouse went to their
camp as a friend, found them too strong, and invited them over
to Baker's to drink. They came over, were furnished with as
much rum as they would drink, and, when the men were quite
drunk, Greathome's paitij fell on and massacred the whole ex-
cept a little girl, Logan's cousin, whom they made prisoner.
Here his sister was murdered and some of his relations. The
Indians over the river, alarmed at the guns, sent over two canoes
of men to seek for their friends. Greathouse and his party re-
ceived them as they approached the shore with a well-directed
fire, and killed and wounded several. The pojiuliir report at a
distance from the scene had blended all these together and
made only one transaction of it; and passing from one to
another unacquainted with the geography of the transaction,
the Kanhawa had been substituted for the Ohio. Hence, too,
arose tlie doubt whether it was not Greathouse instead of Cresap
who killed Logan's relations. Tiie prli}eipal murder wna by
Greathouse, at Yellow Creek, but some of them had been killed
a few days before, by Cresap, at Grave Creek."
In this letter Mr. Jeiferson directly acquits Cresap
of all participation in the Yellow Creek massacre, but
endeavors to support his previous assertion that Cresap
had been concerned in the murder of Logan's relatives
by reference to the aifair at Grave Creek, where he
alleges some of Logan's relatives had been killed a few
days before by Cresap's party. As a matter of fact
there is no proof that any of Logan's relatives were
killed in that encounter. Logan, in the note left at
the house of John Roberts during the war, charges
that the murder of his people occurred " on Yellow
Creek," and refers to that alone as the cause of his
anger. As regards the two Indians killed " a little
above Wheeling," it appears from a contemporaneous
account published in Philadelphia, that a man of the
name of Stephens with two Indians were descending
the Ohio in a canoe, in which one white man had been
killed and another wounded a few days previous by
three Cherokees, as he (Stephens) alleged ; that they
saw another canoe with some persons in it, whom he
supposed to be Indians ; that he tried to avoid them
by crossing the river, and was fired upon and the two
Indians killed. To this account Stephens added that
" he suspects the murder was committed (not by Cresap
himself), but by persons in confederacy with him."
That was the first case of " murder" referred to by
Mr. Jefferson, and yet Stephens does not charge Cre-
sap with any participation in it, but " suspects it was
doneby some persons in confederacy with him." Even
if this murder was committed by members of Cresap's
party, could he be held responsible for the acts of a
set of wild borderers, among whom the restraints of
military discipline were not recognized ?
The second afi'air mentioned by Mr. Jefferson in
his letter of " confession and avoidance" was a fight
between Cresap and fifteen men with fourteen Indians,
who were concealed at the mouth of a creek " with
the expectation of being attacked." Certainly there
is no resemblance between a fair battle between men
and the treacherous and bloody massacre of unarmed
women and children. In the last edition of his " Notes
on Virginia," Jefferson substituted the following in
place of the original charge made against Cresap :
" Capt. Michael Cresap and a certain Daniel Great-
house, leading on these parties, surprised at different
times traveling and hunting-parties of the Indians,
having their women and children with them, and
murdered many. Among these were unfortunately
the family of Logan, a chief celebrated in peace and
in war, and long distinguished as a friend of the
whites." This, as Mr. Mayer observes, " is certainly
a mitigation of the charge against Capt. Cresap, but
it leaves altogether indefinite the fact as to whether
Greathouse and Cresap conjointly directed these par-
ties, or which of the two murdered Logan's relatives.
It relieves Cresap, however, altogether from the charge
of murdering the Logan family in canoes on the Ka-
nawha." As already pointed out, .Mr. Jefferson, in
his letter to Col. Gibson, had previously abandoned
the charge that Cresap had committed the murders at
Yellow Creek, and had shifted his ground to the as-
sertion that a party under his command had killed a
brother of Logan in an open fight at Grave Creek.
The authenticity of Logan's speech has often been
called in question, and its genuineness may, perhaps,
still admit of doubt. While it is unnecessary in this
connection to enter into a full discussion of the
probability or improbability of its being the produc-
tion of the person to whom it is credited, it is not
irrelevant to the subject under consideration to call
attention briefly to the evidence which tends to es-
tablish it as the original production of Logan, and to
that which has been collected against its authenticity.
The first witness oh this point is John Gibson, who
on the 4th day of April, 1800, twenty-six years after
the event occurred, made affidavit that while the
treaty of peace was under consideration by Lord
Dunmore and the Indian chiefs, Logan "came to
where this deponent was sitting and asked him to
I walk out with him ; that they went into a copse of
wood, where they sat down, when Logan, after shed-
I dino- abundance of tears, delivered to him the speech
110
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
nearly as related by Mr. Jefferson in his ' Notes on the
State of Virginia;' that he, the Ae^oxxant, told him then
that it was not Col. Cresap who had murdered his
relatives, and although his son, Capt. Michael Cresap,
was with the party who had killed a Shawanese chief
and other Indians, yet he was not present when his
relatives were killed at Baker's, near the mouth of
Yellow Creek, on the Ohio ; that this deponent, on his
return to camp, delivered the speech to Lord Dun-
more ; and that the murders perpetrated as above ivere
considered as ultimately the cause of the war of 1774,
commonly called Cresap's war." The testimony of
Gen. George Rogers Clark, on the same side, has
already been given, and according to his evidence it
appears that Cresap's name was in Logan's speech as
read by Lord Dunmore. James Dunlap, of Pitts-
burgh, in a letter to Mr. Brantz JMayer, declares that
he frequently heard Col. Gibson give the same account
of the speech as contained in his affidavit, with the
addition that Gibson stated '' he returned at once to
his friends and wrote down the language of Logan
immediately, and delivered it to Lord Dunmore in
council." " The message or speech," says Mr. Mayer,
" was circulated freely at Williamsburgh immediately
after Dunmore's return from his campaign in the
winter of 1774, and was published then in the FtV-
giiiia Gazette on the 4th of February, 1775, and in
New York on the 16th of February, 1775." William
McKee testifies in the IVth Appendix to Jefferson's
" Notes," that being in the camp on the evening of the
treaty made by Dunmore, he heard " repeated con-
versations concerning an extraordinary speech made
at the treaty, or sent there by a chieftain of the In-
dians named Logan, and heard several attempts at a
rehearsal of it."
Against the authenticity of the speech, there is, in
the first place, the argument of Luther Martin, son-
in-law of Capt. Michael Cresap, dated the 29th of
March', 1797, which maybe found in the Olden Time
Magazine, vol. ii. p. 51. Withers, in his " Chroni-
cles of Border Warfare," says, " Two interpreters
were sent to Logan by Lord Dunmore, requesting his
attendance ; but Logan replied that ' he was a warrior,
not a counselor, and would not come.' " Mr. Withers,
commenting on this, says, " Col. Benjamin Wilson,
Sr., then an officer in Dunmore's army, says that
he had conversed freely with one of the interpreters
(Nicholson) in regard to the mission to Logan, and
that neither from the interpreter, nor from any other
one during the campaign, did he hear of the charge
preferred in Logan's speech against Capt. Cresap as
being engaged in the affair at Yellow Creek. Capt.
Cresap was an officer in the division under Lord
Dunmore; and it would seem strange, indeed, if
Logan's speech had been made public at Camp
Charlotte, and neither he (who was so naturally in-
terested in it, and could at once have proven the
falsehood of the allegation it contained) nor Col.
Wilson (who was present during the whole conference
between Lord Dunmore and the Indian chiefs, and at
the time when the speeches were delivered sat im-
mediately behind and close to Dunmore) should have
heard nothing of it until years after." Mr. Neville
B. Craig, in the second volume of the Olden Time,
says, " We will state that many years ago, Mr. James
McKee, the brother of Alexander McKee, the deputy
of Sir William Johnson, stated to us distinctly that
he had seen the speech in the handwriting of one of
the Johnsons, whether Sir William or his successor,
Guy, we do not recollect, before it tvas seen by Logan."
The following testimony of Benjamin Tomlinson, of
Allegany County, Md., and a brother-in-law of Baker,
given in Cumberland on the 17th day of April, 1797,
twenty-three years after the occurrence to which it
relates, is of the same positive character :
'' Logan was not at the treaty. Perhaps Cornstalk, the chief
of the Shawanese nation, mentioned among other grievances
the Indians killed on Yellow Creek; but / believe neither
Cresap nor any other person were named as the perpetrators ;
and I perfectly recollect that I was that day otBcer of the guard,
and stood near Dunmore's person, that consequently I saw and
heard all that passed ; that also, t'Do or three days before the
treaty, when I was on the outguard, Simon Girty, who was
passing by, stopped with me and conversed; he said he was
going after Logan, but he did not like the business, for he was
a surly fellow ; he, however, proceeded on, and I saw him re-
turn on the day of the treaty, and Logan was not with him; at
this time a circle was formed, and the treaty began. I saw
John Gibson, on Girty's arrival, get up and go out of the circle
and talk with Girty, after which he (Gibson) went into a tent,
and soon after returning into the circle drew out of his ])ocket
a piece of clean new paper, on which was written in his own
handwriting a speech for and in the name of Logan. This I
heard read three times, once by Gibson, and twice by Dunmore,
the purport of which was that he, Logan, was the white man's
friend; that on his journey to Pittsburgh to brighten this friend-
ship, or on his return thence, all his friends were killed at Yel-
low Creek ; that now when he died who should bury him, for
the blood of Logan was running in no creature's veins; but
neither was the name of Cresap or the nnme of any other person
mentioned in this speech. But I recollect to see Duumore put
this speech among the other treaty papers."
There are many letters and documents of a highly
interesting character throwing further light upon the
subject, but more than enough has been adduced to
convince the reader of Cresap's entire innocence of
all participation in the massacre at Yellow Creek.
That some Indians may have been killed by the party
under Cresap's command is not denied, but they were
killed after the commission of similar outrages by the
Indians themselves, after information from the most
BOUNDARY LINES.
Ill
reliable sources that the Indian tribes had determined
upon and were about inausuratiug hostilities, after the
formal declaration of war by the whites, and in a fair
encounter between men, in which there was no sur-
prise or treachery, and for which both sides were
prepared.
In regard to Logan's speech, Mr. Mayer, after an
impartial consideration of all the testimony, expre.sses
the opinion that " Gen. Clark's letter seems to prove
conclusively that Cresap's name was in the message
when read in the camp, for he jeered him with his
asserted importance in originating the war, whereupon
Cresap broke forth in bitter invective against Great-
house ; and, moreover, it is evident that Logan had
previously charged Cresap with the murder, as will be
seen by reference to the note addressed to ' Capt.
Cresap,' which the Indian left in the house of
Roberts, whose family he had murdered in 1774."
Col. Gibson, upon whose testimony the authenticity
of the speech mainly rests, " was always regarded,"
says Mr. Mayer, " as an honest and truthful person.
He enjoyed the confidence of Washington, who in
1781 intrusted him with the command of the Western
military department. In 1782, when Gen. Irvine
had succeeded him, Gibson was intrusted with the
command during the general's absence, which con-
tinued for several months. Jefferson, Madison, and
Harrison respected him. He was a major-general of
militia, secretary of Indian territory under the adminis-
trations of Jefferson and Madison, member of the Penn-
sylvania Convention in 1778, and an associate judge
of the Court of Common Pleas of Alleghany County,
Pa. Chief Justice Gibson and Gen. George Gibson,
sons of Col. George Gibson, who was mortally wounded
at St. Clair's defeat, are his well-known and esteemed
nephews."
In a letter dated " Alleghany, March 8, 1848,"
addressed to J. W. Biddle, of Pittsburgh, fte*-. Wil-
liam Robinson, Jr., says, " I knew Gen. Gibson from
my earliest childhood. He was one of the most art-
less and unsophisticated men in the world, and the
last man on earth that would make a false statement
in narrating events. He was a pretty good English
scholar, with a remarkable memory, yet without any
fancy or imagination, though watchful and observant
of all around him."
In a letter to Lyman C. Draper, written in Novem-
ber, 1846, John Bannister Gibson, chief justice of
Pennsylvania, and a nephew of Col. John Gibson,
says, —
'* At his return to camp, Mr. Gibson made an accurate trans-
lation of it (Logan's speech), which, as it was much admired,
was probably preserved by Lord Dunmore among the archives
of the government. After the lapse of almost half a century,
Gen. Gibson would not assert that the speech published by Mr.
Jefferson was a literal copy of his translation ; but he was sure
it contained the substance of it. Here it is proper to remark
that he was as competent as Mr. Jefferson, or any one else, tu
give it the simple dress in which it appears. But whoever was
entitled to the merit of it, Gen. Gibson said it was a poor pic-
ture of the original, uttered, as it was, in accents dictated by
an abiding sense of his wrongs, and in tones expressive of the
hopeless desolation of his heart. It was its last passionate
throb. The man was done with impulses, even of revenge. Ho
sunk into apathy from intemperance, and in the course of a
year was murdered in a drunken fray." '
X
CHAPTER VL
BOUNDARY LINE.S.
Dutch and Swedes on the Delaware — Border Warfare — Penn-
sylvania Squatters — Capture of Col. Thomas Cresap — Wm.
Penn's Duplicity — Mason and Dixon's Boundary Line —
Southwestern Virginia Boundary — Mason and Dixon's Line.
The territory granted by Charles I. on June 20,
1632, to Cecilius Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore,
under the name of the province of Maryland, was
bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and Dela-
ware Bay and river, on the north by the fortieth
parallel of north latitude, on the west by a line
drawn from the northern boundary southward to the
most western source of the Potomac River, and
thence down the southern bank of that river to the
Chesapeake Bay, and on the south by a line running
from the last point to Watkins' Point, on the Eastern
Shore of the bay, and thence east to the ocean. It .
will at once be perceived that these boundaries of the
province are not those which now define the limits of
the State. By examination of the original boundary
of Maryland, it will be seen that the State has been
deprived of the whole State of Delaware, and a strip
of territory about twenty miles wide now forming
part of the State of Pennsylvania, including in its
limits the present city of Philadelphia, and a great
part of Che.ster, Delaware, Lancaster, York, Adams,
Franklin, Fulton, Bedford, and Somerset Counties.
The whole number of acres of territory lost to Mary-
land may be summed up thus : to Delaware, one and
a quarter millions ; to Pennsylvania, two and a half
millions ; and to Virginia, half a million ; making a
total loss of four and a quarter millions of acres, be-
sides about one hundred and fifty thousand acres
1 The precise manner of Logan's death seems involved in
some obscurity. By one account he is represented as having
been killed by bis nephew, Tod-kah-dahs.
(Mv^ru-ji.*.
112
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
" left out" between Onancock River and the Scar-
borough line on the Eastern Shore.
Of the most of this valuable territory Maryland
was deprived on the alleged ground that the Swedes
and Dutch had established settlements in Delaware
before Lord Baltimore's charter was obtained ; and
this plea was not only urged by the Penns, but has
been repeated by historians, without any authentic
proof of the assertion on which it is founded.' It is
certain no settlements of any kind had been made
upon the territory granted to Lord Baltimore down
to the time he received his charter, eithei* under the
authority of the crown or of the charter governments,
except the trading-post established by Claiborne on
Kent Island and the unauthorized settlements of the
Dutch on the Delaware in 1631, which were aban-
doned in Blarch of the following year. No perma-
nent settlements were made upon the Delaware until
the arrival of the Swedes in 1638, when disputes
arose between them and the Dutch at Manhattan
(now New Yoik), who in 1655 finally succeeded in
conquering " New Sweden." A number of the
Swedes fled to Maryland, where they were kindly
received.
Lord Baltimore, hearing of the proceedings of the
Dutch, ordered Col. Nathaniel Utie, of Baltimore
County, to notify the settlers on the Delaware within
the limits of his grant that they must depart the prov-
ince or submit to his government. This proceeding
led to considerable negotiations between the contending
parties for the settlement of their difficulties, without
any definite result. On the 19th of October, 1659,
the government of Maryland gave an answer to the
Dutch ambassadors appointed by Governor Stuyvesant
to wait upon the Maryland authorities at Patuxent,
insisting on the right of the proprietary to the terri-
tory on the Delaware, and refusing to submit the
matter in dispute to the governments of England and
Holland. This refusal of Maryland to recognize the
authority of the Dutch to treat with the province
about the disputed territor}* bordering on the Dela-
ware was Ibllowed by constant collisions between the
Dutch and Maryland settlers near the disputed land.
In the mean time doubts had arisen in the Council
of Maryland whether the Dutch settlement at New
Amstel, on the Delaware, was really below the fortieth
degree of north latitude, and as the Dutch West In-
dia Company appeared determined to maintain their
possessions by force, while tliere was no prospect of
any aid from the colonies should a forcible reduction
1 See a full review of the boundary troubles in the writer's
" History of Maryland," vol. i. pp. 230, 395, etc. '
be attempted, all further action was deferred until the
will of the proprietary could be ascertained. Lord
Baltimore, however, took care to obtain from the
king, on July 21, 1661, a confirmation of his patent.
Charles II., provoked by the continued encroach-
ments of the government of New Netherlands, deter-
mined to effect the conquest of the whole settlement.
To accomplish this, on the 12th of March, 1664 (0.
S.), he granted to his brother James, Duke of York
and Albany, all that tract of country extending from
the west banks of the Connecticut River to the east-
ern shore of Delaware Bay (including Long Island).
The duke took possession in September, not only of
the settlement on the Hudson, but of those on the
Delaware south of forty degrees of north latitude,
which, as we have seen, were within the limits of Lord
Baltimore's charter. By the terms of capitulation
the Dutch colonists were admitted to all the rights
and privileges of English subjects. Under the new
government the name of the town of New Amstel
was changed to that of New Castle, and Altona to
that of Christiana, while the river and the bay into
which it flows lost their old names, and received the
English name of Delaware. From this period until
the grant by Charles II. to William Penn, on the 4th
of March, 1681 (0. S.), of the territory of Pennsyl-
vania, the settlements on the Delaware were depen-
dencies of the government of New York, although
clearly within the limits of Maryland. The singular
definition of the southern boundary in Penn's charter,
which left open the question whether the boundary
circle was to be a circle of twelve miles in circum-
ference, or to be drawn around a diameter of twelve
miles passing through New Castle, or with a radius of
twelve miles beginning at New Castle, was the origin,
of the present boundary line (" Mason and Dixon's ")
dividing the North and South, and was one of the
principal sources of the contention between Baltimore
and Penn. The latter soon discovered that if his
province extended no farther south than the fortieth
degree he would not have a good port for ships ; so
he managed to have the southeast corner of his
province fixed at twelve miles north of New Castle,
and thus within Lord Baltimore's land. He then
further obtained from the Duke of York the grant
of the counties south of New Castle, or what is now
the State of Delaware, which the duke had no right
to convey, as these also were included in the charter
of Maryland. Penn, however, claimed this territory
on the ground that Baltimore's charter called for " un-
cultivated land," whereas a portion of this, he asserted,
was cultivated by the Dutch at the time that charter
was granted. This, as we have seen, was not the case.
CHARLES CALVERT, FIFTH LORD BALTIMORE.
BOUNDARY LINES.
113
The Board of Trade, however, decided in favor of
Penn.
On the 20th of April, 1681, Penn commissioned
his cousin, William Markham, as deputy governor, and
in May following he was dispatched to the province.
He arrived at Upland, now Chester, Delaware, about
July, 1681, and in December, 1682, Penn, who had
arrived on the 27th of October, had an interview with
Lord Baltimore at the house of Col. Thomas Tailler,
in Anne Arundel County, to settle the disputed ques-
tion of their boundaries. Though both charters fixed
the fortieth parallel of north latitude as the line be-
tween Maryland and Pennsylvania, Penn tried hard
to persuade Lord Baltimore to let the line be run
farther south, so as to give him a tract of land about
twenty miles wide running along the northern border
of Maryland, while Lord Baltimore was to repay him
self by taking from Virginia a small strip of the nar
row peninsula below what is now Worcester County,
Lord Baltimore naturally refused to make such an un
fair bargain as this, or to rob Virginia for the benefit
of Penn, and so the matter remained unsettled until
1732, when John, Richard, and Thomas Penn by some
means succeeded in obtaining from Charles, fifth
Lord Baltimore, a writteri agreement conceding to the
Penns all their claims.
A large strip of territory about twenty miles wide,
now forming part of the State of Pennsylvania, and
running westward along the northern border of West-
ern Maryland, was a portion of this disputed region,
and in the troubles which arose from the antagonistic
claims of the two provinces many of the principal
citizens of this section of the province were involved.
As early as December, 1732, Lord Baltimore, who
had come to Maryland to settle the disputes, wrote to
Governor Patrick Gordan, of Pennsylvania, calling
his attention to the fact that " a most outrageous riot
had lately been committed in Maryland by a great
number of people calling themselves Pennsylvanians."
John Lowe, of Baltimore County, his wife and family,
were the victims of this border raid, which seems to
have been entirely without justification or excuse, as
far as Lowe, at least, was concerned. The dwellers
on the Maryland side of the border, as may be sup-
posed, were not slow in retaliating, and in May, 1734,
John Hendricks and Joshua Minshall from their set-
tlements on the Susquehanna, and two others from
the borders of New Castle County, were carried off by
the Maryland authorities and confined in the Annap-
olis jail. These troubles, however, would seem really
to have begun with Penn s first settlement in the
province, for we learn from the Pennsylvania records
that at a council held at Philadelphia in 1684 a
letter from one Samuel Lands was read " concerning
Col. George Tallbot's goeing with three musqueters
to y" houses of Wm. Ogle, Jonas Erskin, and
Andreis Tille, and tould them if they would not
forthwith yield Obedience to y" Lord Baltimore, and
Own him to be their Proper, and pay rent to him, he
would Turne them out of their houses and take their
Land from them.'" And from the same source we
learn that, in 1686, " y" Marylanders have lately re-
inforced their fort at Christina, and would not suffer
John White to cut hay, but thrittcnd those he im-
ployed to do it with their gunns presented against
them, and that what hay they had cut y'' Marylanders
sayd they would throw it into river." Moreover,
it appears that about this same time one Maj. English
"came into y' county of New Castle with about fourty
armed horsemen ; left them at John Darby's whilst
Maj. English and a Marry Land Capt. came to New
Castle, where John White meeting him, made com-
plaint to him of the abuses don him byy' Mary Landers
at y" fort. Maj. English tould him that if thou wilt
say 'you drunken dogg, Ned EJnglish, lett me cutt hay,'
I will give you leave."
Inroads and exasperations of this character con-
tinued on both sides for a long period, and appear not
to have ceased even after the king himself had com-
manded the peace. In 1717 we hear complaints of
"certain persons from Maryland who had lately sur"
veyed out lands not far from Conestoga, and near the
thickest of our settlements to the great disturbance of
the inhabitants there ;" and in 1722 " the secret and
underhand practices of persons" from Maryland are re-
ferred to with virtuous indignation in the minutes of
the Pennsylvania Councils, — " these secret and under-
hand practices" consisting apparently in an attempt to
survey and take up lands on the west side of the Sus-
quehanna. In the same year Governor Keith sent
a letter to the Governor of Maryland, in which he
refers to a report that " two magistrates of Pennsyl-
vania, with some others, had been taken prisoners by
a party of men in arms from Cecil County and carried
before the justices of Kent County, who detained
them in custody two days, and afterwards dismissed
them upon a verbal promise to appear there next
court."
In 1735, William Rumsey, a surveyor of Mary-
land, was apprehended by the sheriff of New Castle
County and taken before the Governor of Penn.syl-
vania, charged with committing and causing others to
commit great abuse and violence against several in-
habitants of Chester and Lancaster Counties, for no
other reason " than that those persons asserted the
jurisdiction of this province [Pennsylvania] in those
lU
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
parts where they live." In 1736, Governor Ogle
directed Thomas White, deputy surveyor, to lay out
two hundred acres of land in the disputed territory
of Baltimore County, and lying on the west side of
the Susquehanna, for each of the following persons :
Henry Munday, Edward Leet, Charles Higgin-
botham, James Kaine, John Smith, Hugh Kaine,
James Nickleson, Robert Trotter, Robert Rowland,
William Miles, William Greenlee, Stephen White,
John Cross, John Kaine, Sr., John Kaine, Edward
Ryly, Patrick Savage, Arthur Browlee, James Love,
Anthony Dixon, Benjamin Dixon, James Morrow,
Thomas King, Ralph Higginbotham, John McNabb,
James McGee, Barnibe Clarke, Thomas Moore, Rich-
ard Ryan, George Bond, Thomas Linass, William Li-
nass, John Linass, John Coats, Robert Jesson, George
Moore, Robert 3Ioore, Gibbons Jennings, Thomas
Scarlet, William Carpenter, Richard Pope, Thomas
Charlton, John Charlton, Sr., Edward Charlton, John
Charlton, Thomas Charlton, Jr., Arthur Charlton,
Henry Charlton, Jr., Richard Sedgwick, William
Betty, William Betty, Jr., William Webb, Thomas
Dawson, and John Dawson. Henry Munday and
Edward Leet, however, were arrested by the Penn-
sylvania authorities, and the design to occupy the
debatable land fell through. Among those who suf-
fered in these border frays was Elisha Gatchel, a
member of the Society of Friends, and a justice of
the peace for the county of Chester, who was car-
ried off by a party of Marylanders under Capt. Charl-
ton, taken across the line, and made to give bail to
answer the charge of speaking disrespectfully of Lord
Baltimore. The most striking incident of these
border feuds was the attack upon the house of
Thomas Cresap, a citizen of Maryland, which was
made by a body of armed men from Pennsylvania,
who set fire to the house in which himself and family
and several neighbors had taken refuge, and attempted
to murder them as they made their escape from the
flames. In this sharp contest one of Cresap's men
was killed and himself wounded. He was also made
prisoner, and conveyed to Philadelphia, where he was
lodged in jail.
The Governor of Pennsylvania, in his report to his
Council, gives the following account of the arrest of
Cresap, who lived at this time at Wright's Ferry, op-
posite the town of Columbia, now Pennsylvania,
where he obtained a Maryland title to five hundred
acres of land :
'' The sherif of Lancaster, having called to his assistance
twenty-fuur persons, went over Susquehannah on Tuesday
night, the twenty-third of Xovember [1736], in order to be at
Cresap's early next morning and to have taken him by surprise,
but they being discovered, Cresap secured himself in his house,
and having six men with hira he stood on his defense ; that the
sherif read the warrant to Cresap and required him to sur-
render, but he and those with him swore they would defend
themselves to death; that the sherif finding all persuasive
means ineffectual sent for more assistance, but Cresap had so
fortified his house and fired so furiously on the sherif and his
company that they could nut storm the house without the ut-
most hazard, there being near a hundred firearms in it ; that
they had taken an oath to stand by one another, with a resolu-
tion to kill any one that offered to c.apituliite ; one, however,
found means to desert him by getting out at the chimney;
that the sherif and his assistants having waited till near sun-
set and finding they must either return without executing
their warrant or destroy the house to come at him, they set fire
to it, but offered to quench it if he would surrender ; he never-
theless obstinately persisted in his refusal, neither would he
suffer his wife or children to leave the house, but fire at those
who proposed ; that when the fire prevailed and the floor was
ready to fall in, those with him rushed forth loaded with arms,
which as they fired at the sherif and his assistants they threw
away, and in the confusion one of Cresap's men, Jlichael
Reisner, shot down by mistake another of the gang, named
Lauchlan Malone, on whose body the coroner was taking an
inquisition ; that Cresap was at length apprehended."
Cresap before his capture had formed, with the
knowledge of Governor Ogle, an association of about
fifty men for the purpose of driving out the German
settlers on the west side of the Susquehanna, and in
the prosecution of their design they killed one Knowles
Dant, who had resisted them. Cresap was then at-
tacked, as related, made prisoner, and carried to
Philadelphia, where the streets and doors were
thronged with spectators to see the " Maryland ]\Ion-
ster," who taunted the crowd by exclaiming, half in
earnest, half in derision, " Why. this is the finest city
in the province of Maryland !"
Before the formation of Cresap's association the
sheriff of Baltimore County, with the sanction of the
Maryland authorities, had marched with three hun-
dred men at his back to eject the German settlers
from their possessions, but was persuaded to relinquish
his design on a pledge from the Germans that they
would consult together, and give an answer to Lord
Baltimore's requisition to acknowledge his authority.
The attack upon Cresap added fresh fuel to the bitter
feeling already prevailing, and Governor Ogle, after
in vain demanding the release of Cresap, " ordered
reprisals, and four German settlers were seized and
carried to Baltimore, and a band of the associates,
under one Higginbotham, proceeded forcibly to expel
the Germans. Again the Council of Pennsylvania
ordered out the sheriff of Lancaster and the power of
his county, with directions to dispose detachments in
proper positions to protect the people ; when the
sheriff entered the field the invaders retired, but re-
turned as soon as his force was withdrawn. Captures
BOUNDARY LINES.
115
were made on both sides ; the German settlers were
harassed perpetually, in many instances driven from
their farms, and in others deterred from every attempt
to plant or improve." In October, 17.37, sixteen
Marylanders, under the leadership of Richard Lowder,
broke into the jail at Lancaster and released Lowdor's
brother and a number of others who had been appre-
hended by the sheriff of Lancaster County.
This fierce border warfare at len2;th attained so
alarming a character that the Governor and both
Houses of Assembly of Maryland found it necessary
to make a true representation to the king and the
proprietary " of the impious treatment which this
Province in general, and more particularly your Ma-
jesty's subjects residing on the northern borders
thereof, have of late suffered from the Government
and inhabitants of the Province of Pennsylvania."
Prom this address it appears that the German set-
tlers, of whom so much has been said, had in the
first place applied to the authorities of Maryland for
permission to settle on the land in dispute, that con-
siderable quantities of land had been allotted to them
(in what is now York County, Pa.), and that for a
time they had paid taxes to the government of Mary-
land, and in every other way acknowledged its juris-
diction. The address charged, however, that they
had been seduced from their allegiance by emissaries
from Pennsylvania, who had promised them lighter
taxes under that province, and they had accordingly
refused to yield any further obedience to Maryland,
under the pretense that their lands were within the
limits of Pennsylvania. It was to reduce these people
to submission and to maintain the proper authority
of Maryland that Cresap's association was formed,
and it was in the attempt to defend her territory
from encroachment that he was subjected to the
violence and imprisonment for which the Gover-
nor and Assembly now sought redress. This ad-
dress had the effect of drawing from the King an or-
der in Council, dated Aug. 18, 1737, in which the
Governors of Maryland and Pennsylvania were com-
manded, on pain of His Majesty's highest displeas-
ure, to put a stop to the tumults, riots, and outrageous
disorders on the borders of their respective provinces.
The dangerous situation of affairs in the two prov-
inces at this time, and the desire to conciliate the
crown, produced a ready compliance with this order,
and an agreement was made in 1738 providing for the
running of a provisional line between the provinces,
which was not to interfere with the actual possessions
ofthe settlers, but merely to suspend all grants of the
disputed territory as defined by that line until the
final adjustment of the boundaries. Col. Levin Gale
and Samuel Chamberlaine on the part of Maryland,
and Richard Peters and Lawrence Snowden on the
part of Pennsylvania, were appointed commissioners
to run the line, and began operations in the spring of
1739, when Col. G:ile was called away by sickness in
his family, and Mr. Chamberlaine declining to pro-
ceed in the absence of his colleague, the Pennsylva-
nia commissioners, by the order of Governor Thomas,
continued the work alone, and ran the line westward
of the Susquehanna " to the most western of the
Kittochtinny hills" (now called North Mountain).
Though this provisional line put a stop to the bor-
der troubles, the boundary question remained a subject
of contention until the 4th of July, 1760, when it
was finally determined by an agreement between the
Penns and Lord Baltimore. In 1763 the east-and-
west line between Maryland and Pennsylvania, known
as Mason and Dixon's line, from the names of the
surveyors, Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, was
established. Mason and Dixon, whose services had
been secured by Lord Baltimore and Thomas and
Richard Penn in London, arrived in Philadelphia on
the 15th of November, 17C3, and having settled upon
their " tangent point, they proceeded to measure on
its meridian fifteen miles from the parallel of the
most southern part of Philadelphia, the north wall
of a house on Cedar Street, occupied by Thomas
Plumstead and Joseph Huddle." They thus deter-
mined what was to be the northeastern corner of
Maryland, the beginning of the parallel of latitude
that had been agreed upon as the boundary between
the provinces.
On the 17th of June, 1765, the survej'ors had
carried the parallel of latitude to the Susquehanna
River, and thereupon received instructions to continue
it " as far as the province of Maryland and Pennsyl-
vania were settled and inhabited." On the 27th of
October they had reached North Mountain, and they
record in their journal that they got Capt. Shelby to
go with them to its summit, " to show them the course
of the Potomac," when they found that they could
see the Allegany Mountains for many miles, and
judged it " by its appearance to be about fifty miles'
distance, in the direction of the line." On the 4th
of June, 1766, we find them on the summit of the
Little Allegany, and at the end of that summer's
work. The Indians were now troublesome, and the
surveyors and their assistants began to feel alarmed
for their safety. In 1767 the surveyors began their
operations late in the season. A negotiation with the
Six Nations was necessary, which Sir William John-
son had promised to conduct ; but this was not con-
cluded before May, so that it was not until the 8th
116
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
of June that the surveyors reached their halting-place
of the preceding year, on the summit of the Little
Allegany Mountain. On the 14th of June they had
advanced as far as the summit of the Great Allegany,
where they were joined by an escort of fourteen In-
dians, with an interpreter, deputed by the chiefs of
the Six Nations to accompany them. On the 25th
of August the surveyors note that " John Green, one
of the chiefs of the Mohawk nation, and his nephew,
leave them in order to return to their own country."
The roving Indians of the wilderness, regardless of
the escort, began also to give the white men uneasiness,
and on the 29th of September twenty-six of the as-
sistants quit the work for fear of the Shanees and
Delawares. Mason and Dixon had now but fifteen
axemen left with them ; but, nothing disheartened, they
sent back to Fort Cumberland for aid, and pushed for-
ward with the line. At length they reached a point
two hundred and forty-four miles from the river Dela-
ware, and within thirty-six miles of the whole distance
to be run. And here, in the bottom of a valley, on
the borders of a stream marked Dunkard Creek on
their map, they came to an Indian war-path winding
its way through the forest. And here their Indian
escort told them that it was the will of the Six Nations
that the surveys should be stayed. There was no alter-
native but obedience, and retracing their steps, they
returned to Philadelphia, and reporting all these facts
to the commissioners under the deed of 1760, they
received an honorable discharge on the 26th of De-
cember, 1767. Subsequently, and by other surveyors,
the line was carried out to its termination. A cairn
of stones some five feet high, in the dense forest not
far from the Board Tree Tunnel on the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, now marks the termination of Ma.son
ARMS OF LJRD BALTIMORE
and Dixon s line, calling by that name the southern
boundary of Pennsylvania.
The boundary line thus run between Maryland and
Pennsylvania was directed by the agreements of the
parties to be marked in a particular manner, and the
surveyors accordingly planted at the end of every
fifth mile a stone, graven with the arms of the Penns
on the north side, and of Frederick, sixth Lord Bal-
timore, on the south side. The intermediate miles
were marked with smaller stones, having a P on the
north side, and an M on the south. The stones with
the sculptured arms were all sent from England.
These were planted on the parallel of latitude as far
as Sideling Hill ; but here, all wheel transportation
ceasing in 1766, the further marking of the line was
the vista of eight yards wide, with piles of stone on
the crests of all the mountain ranges, built from six
to seven feet high, as far as the summit of the Alle-
gany, beyond which the line was marked with posts,
around which stones and earth were thrown, the better
to preserve them.
The Southern and Western Boundary. —Having
adjusted lier eastern and northern boundaries, Mary-
land next turned her attention to the settlement of
her southern and western boundaries. This related
to, and grew out of, the description of " the first
fountain of the Potomac," as the terminus of the
western and southern boundaries of Maryland. This
was predicated upon a grant made by Charles II., in
the first year of his reign, to Lord Hopton, Lord Jer-
myn, Lord Culpeper, Sir John Berkeley, Sir Wil-
liam Morton, Sir Dudley Wyatt, and Sir Thomas Cul-
peper, of " all that tract of land lying and being in
America, and bounded within the heads of the rivers
Rappahannock and Quiriough. or Potomac (the
courses of the said rivers as they are commonly called
and known by the inhabitants), and the Chesapeake
Bay." The validity of the grant was subsequently
drawn in question, when it was surrendered, and a
new one given in May, 1669, to the Earl of St.
Albans, Lord Berkeley, Sir William Morton, and
John H. Trethaway; Subsequently the title of this
grant was vested in Thomas, Lord Culpeper, to whom
a new patent was granted of the northern neck of
Virginia by King James II. in the fourth year of
his reign, and from him it descended to his daughter
and only child, who was married to Lord Fairfax, and
thus passed into the Fairfax family. This grant of
the northern neck called for the lands lying on the
south side of the Potomac to its head, while the
charter of Lord Baltimore called for all the land to
the fountain or source of the Potomac, which was of
course its head. At first there were no disputes
about the true location of the common call, but as
soon as the settlements began to extend towards the
head of the Potomac, jealousies and difficulties broke
out between the two proprietaries. Lord Baltimore,
who claimed from the head of the South Branch of the
BOUNDARY LINES.
117
Potomac, its first fountain, remonstrated at a very
early period with the Virginians, who had undertaken
to define his limits by granting lands to the North
Branch. Notwithstanding these protests, from the
year 175.3, Fairfax continued to adhere to the line
as adjusted by him, and the proprietary of Maryland
continued to assert his claim to the first fountain as
provided by his charter.
For some years after the controversy was opened
the attention of the government of the province was
wholly engrossed with its internal concerns, and its
efforts, in common with the other colonies, in the
prosecution of the French and Indian wars ; but these
being terminated by the definitive treaty of peace,
concluded at Paris in February, 1763, it is probable
that the settlements of Maryland would soon have
been pushed to its extreme limits. Had this occurred,
there would soon have ensued a collision between the
grants of the proprietary and of Fairfax, and this col-
lision would at once either have brought about an
amicable adjustment of the boundaries, or have forced
it for determination before the King in Council. At
this moment, when the conflict seemed inevitable, two
causes for its suspension arose, which held this differ-
ence in abeyance until the Revolution came to convert
it into a contest between free and independent States.
By the treaty of Paris, in 1763, a large territory
was ceded to the English, within which newly-ac-
quired territory it became necessary to organize
colonial governments. For this and other purposes a
proclamation was issued by the king on Oct. 7, 1763,
by which, and to enable the English government to
carry into effect its engagements to the Indians, the
colonial governments generally were prohibited from
granting any lands lying west of the sources or heads
of any of the rivers flowing into the Atlantic from
the west and northwest. On the 16th of April, 1764,
instructions were issued by Governor Sharpe to the
judges of the land-office, which set forth that the
proprietary was desirous to have reserved for him ten
thousand acres of land in the western part of Fred-
erick County, to be held as a manor ; and that he had
therefore instructed the surveyor of that county not to
execute any warrant on any lands lying beyond Port
Cumberland until that reserve was taken oft'. Until
the manor of Lord Baltimore should be ascertained.
Governor Sharpe thought proper to survey, in lieu
thereof, five different tracts, containing in the whole
127,680 acres. This general interdict of the Crown,
and the reserve to the proprietary, each tended to
check the progress of the settlements in the direction
of the debatable territory, and the proprietary and his
officers now waited for the first favorable opportunity
of bringing the question before the council which
might present itself. In 1771 the first actual exam-
ination and survey of the two branches of the Poto-
mac was made by Col. Thomas Cresap, under the di-
rection of the proprietary, and he decided that the
South Branch was the most western source, and there-
fore the first fountain.
In March, 1774, the subject of the reserve, on
the lands lying westward of Fort Cumberland, being
brought before tlie proprietary's board of revenue,
which had been organized in 1766-67, that board
determined that the object of the reserve had been
accomplished in the surveys actually made for the
proprietary, and therefore took off the reserve. This
determination led to a correspondence between them
and Daniel (of St. Thomas Jenifer), his lordship's agent
and receiver-general, which fully establishes the fact
that Lord Baltimore always claimed the South Branch
of the Potomac as the most western source, and there-
fore the first fountain, and the point at which the
meridian for the western boundary ought to start, and
that he was only waiting for a favorable opportunity
of bringing it before the King in Council. The board,
however, still adhered to their determination, and
large grants of land on the reserve were immediately
made, and continued to be made, until October, 1774,
when instructions were received from the proprietary
directing the judges of the land-ofiice to suspend all
further grants of the reserved lands, and to prepare
and transmit to his guardians an accurate list of all
warrants issued under the order of the preceding
March; and of all settlements and locations made
within the territory thrown open by that order since
the year 1763.'
From the year 1753 to the Revolution the pro-
prietary and liis government continued to assert the
Maryland claim, and were restrained from making
grants of the disputed territory- only through the
apprehension of the interference of the Crown, and
because of the adjustment between the Crown and
Lord Fairfax. And if any doubts could arise from
the possession of Fairfax, anterior to the Revolution,
they are all removed by the constitution of Virginia
adopted in June, 1776, which in its twenty-first ar-
1 " The titles acquired under warrants issued between the 22d
of March and the 6th of October, 1774, to affect lands lying
westward of Fort Cumberland, were saved by the act of 1784,
chap. Ibr—McMahm's Hlntwy ofMunjUiml.
' At the time of the Revolution the following manors belong-
ing to Lord Baltimore were undisposed of in Western Mary-
land : Monocay manor and the reserves (hereon, as returned
by the surveyor of Frederick County, 13,143 acres ; My Lord's
two manors and reserves, westward of Fort Cumberland, Alle-
gany County, 125,130 acres.
118
HISTORY OP WESTERN MARYLAND.
tide, after making certain reservations as to the navi-
gation and use of the Potomac and Pocoraoke, etc.,
expressly cedes and confirms to the State of Maryland
" all the territory contained within its charter, with all
the rights of property, jurisdiction, and government,
and all other rights whatsoever, which may at any time
heretofore have been claimed by Virginia." Thus,
then, at the Revolution, by the express conce.ssion of
the State of Virginia, the claims of Maryland to her
charter limits existed in their full force, and are sus-
tained by an express surrender of all counter-claims
which Virginia might have. On the 6th of October,
1777, after the recognition by Virginia of the right
of Maryland "to all the territory contained within its
charter," by a resolution of the Assembly of Mary-
land Daniel (of St. Thomas) Jenifer, Thomas Stone,
and Samuel Chase were appointed commissioners on
the part of Maryland for the purpose of adjusting with
the commissioners on the part of Virginia (George
Mason and Alexander Henderson) " the navigation
of, and jurisdiction over, that part of the Chesapeake
Bay which lies within the limits of Virginia, and
over the rivers Potomac and Pocomoke," subject to
the ratification of the General Assembly. The result
of the conferences of these commissioners was a com-
pact, formed at Mount Vernon on the 28th of March,
1785, which accomplished all the purposes of their
appointment, and which received the ratification of the
Legislatures of both States at their next session.'
The compact contains a series of commercial regu-
lations, constituting a treaty of commerce predicated
upon the basis of free and equal rights in the naviga-
tion of these rivers, to be maintained for their com-
mon benefit by their common eflTorts, and at their
joint expense, and securing these in a manner emi-
nently calculated to promote and establish an harmo-
nious and beneficial intercourse. These regulations
have been superseded by the adoption of the Consti-
tution of the United States, which devolved upon
Congress the power of regulating commerce with
foreign nations, and among the several States ; but
they are worthy of all commendation-, says McMahon,
and deserve to be the most cherished part of our his-
tory, when we remember that to these may be traced
the germ of the causes which called that Constitution
into being.
Thus by this compact, irrevocable, except by the
a.sseut of both States, all diff'erences were ended which
could arise about the rights reserved by Virginia
under her constitution ; and Maryland was now, by
^ See a full review of this question in the writer
of Maryland," ii., p. 529, etc.
' History
the concessions of that very constitution itself, as well
as by the intrinsic efficacy of her charter, confessedly
entitled to all the territory which fell within her
chartered limits, subject to the compact. Had she
known and pursued her interests, this compact would
never have been formed without making the adjust-
ment of the western boundary a part of it ; and had
the consideration of it been introduced into the negotia-
tion, and its .settlement insisted upon by Maryland, it
would doubtless have been conceded. Virginia was
too much alive to the deep interests which she had
staked upon that negotiation, and which might be
lost by its failure, to have hazarded all for an interest
comparatively so unimportant as her claim to mere
jurisdiction over a portion of what was then her re-
mote territory. That it should have been pa.ssed by
whilst a subject so intimately connected with it was
under consideration, and that it should not have been
brought up, even as a subject-matter for negotiation,
until 1795, is truly surprising. In that year, by a
resolution of the General Assembly of Maryland,
Messrs. William Pinkney, William Cooke, and Mr.
Key were appointed commissioners on the part of
Maryland to meet such commissioners as might be
appointed on the part of Virginia, with power to adjust,
by compact between the two States, the western and
southern limits of Maryland, and the dividing lines
and boundaries between it and Virginia, and also any
claim of either State to territory within the limits of
the other ; and in the event of agreement, the com-
pact was to be reported to the Legislature for its con-
firmation. Delay still followed delay, Mr. Pinkney
having left the province, and Mr. (^ooke having de-
clined acceptance. In 1796, Charles Carroll of Car-
rollton and J. T. Chase were appointed in their stead.
Mr. Key removed from the State, and Messrs. Carroll
and Chase declined acceptance, and thus the State
was again left without commissioners until 1801,
when, by a resolution of that year, the power of ap-
pointment was given to the Governor and Council.
Messrs. Duvall, McDowell, and Nelson were now ap-
pointed commissioners, and a correspondence upon the
subject took place between Governors Mercer and
Monroe. The result of it was that a resolution was
passed by Virginia authorizing the appointment of
commissioners to meet those appointed on the part of
Maryland, but limiting their powers to the adjust-
ment of the western line. Virginia was unwilling
even to enter into a discussion of her right to the ter-
ritory between the two branches, whilst Maryland
went upon the broad principle of referring the whole
subject to the commissioners. The power of the
Virginia commissioners being thus restricted. Gov-
BOUNDARY LINES.
119
ernor Mercer deemed it unnecessary to request a
meeting, and the negotiation ended. At December
session, 1803, this correspondence and the acts and
resolutions of the two States to which it related
were referred to the consideration of a committee
of the House of Delegates of Maryland, by whom
a report was made recommending the running of
a provisional boundary line (by agreement with
Virginia), to start from the extreme western source
of the North Branch, which should be held to be
the boundary line of the two States until further
and definitive measures could be taken to ascertain
the southern boundary. This report was not acted
upon, and the subject does not appear to have been
revived until 1810, when another resolution was
passed similar to that of 1801, under which nothing
was done, and the subject again slept until it was re-
vived by Maryland in the act of 1818.
Maryland had now become wearied with her efforts
to reclaim the territory south of the North Branch,
and hence this act of 1818, in proposing to Virginia
the appointment of commissioners, agrees to adopt the
most western source of the North Branch as the point
from which the western boundary shall start. At
December session, 1821, of the Assembly of Virginia,
an act was passed which purported to meet and recip-
rocate this proposition of the State of Maryland, but
was, in fact, materially variant from it. The Virginia
act did, in fact, beg the whole question, and left nothing
open for negotiation. The act itself undertook to
determine the point from which the line should start,
and left nothing to the commissioners but the power
of locating it, in conformity to its instructions. They
were specially instructed to commence the western
boundary at a stone planted by Lord Fairfax on the
head-waters of the Potomac, and thus they were tied
down to the old adjustment between Fairfax and the
Crown.^
' "This adjustment, which was the only one that ever took
place, was one growing out of controversies between Fairfax
and the government of Virginia, having reference solely to the
conflictipg territorial claims, and concluding by proceedings
to which Lord Baltimore was in nowise a party, and of the
existence of which he and his government appear to have had
no knowledge before they were terminated. It appenrs that in
173.3 a petition was preferred by Fairfax to the King in Coun-
cil, praying that a commission might issue for running and
marking the dividing line between his grant and the province
of Virginia, and that the commission was accordingly issued, and
the survey made and reported in August, 17.37. In December,
1738, the several reports were referred to the consideration
of the Council for plantation affairs, by whom a report was
made in 1745, which determined the head-springs of the Rap-
pahannock and Potomac, and directed that a commission should
issue to extend the line. The report was confirmed by the
King in Council; and the line being adjusted in conformity to
The Virginia act was, therefore, entirely different
from that of Maryland, which directed the commis-
sioners to begin at the most western source of the
North Branch, be that where it might, and being dis-
similar, it did not justify the appointment of commis-
sioners on the part of Maryland. The Maryland act
of 1818 expressly directed that the appointment, on
the part of this State, should be made only after Vir-
ginia had embraced its propositions by the passage of
a similar act ; and no act could be considered similar
which did not confide to their commissioners the same
powers of adjustment and adopt the same basis of
settlement. This was, however, overlooked by the
Executive of Maryland, and commissioners were ap-
pointed on the part of both States, who assembled on
the head-waters of the North Branch in the summer of
1824. The commissioners who acted on this occasion
on the part of Maryland were Ezekiel Chambers and
James Boyle.
Chancellor John Johnson, who was joined with
them in the commission, died at Hancock, Wash-
ington Co., when on his journey to the place of as-
.semblage, to the deep regret of his fellow-citizens,
among whom he was conspicuous for his abilities as
it, an act was passed by the General Assembly of Virginia in
the year 1748 which adopts the order in Council, and confirms
all previous grants made by the Crown of lands lying within
the limits of the Fairfax grant. The line thus settled adopted
the North Branch of the Potomac as the first head of that river,
by which location of it, thus pi\ssing over the Fairfax grant to
this branch, without even considering, much less respecting,
the claims of the proprietary of Maryland, each of these in-
terested parties were to be benefited at his expense. On the
one hand the territory subject to the jurisdiction of Virginia
was enlarged, and on the other Fairfax gained a more valuable
territory lying between the North and South Branch thiin that
which he lost lying east of the head of the South Branch, and
between it and a meridian passing over the head of the North
Branch. During all this period the situation of the propri-
etary of Maryland afi'orded to those parties the most favorable
opportunity for practicing the usurpation of his rights. His
petition for the confirmation of his grant, so as to exclude the
claims of the Penns, was then pending before the King in
Council, to await the issue of the proceedings in chancery upon
the agreement of 1732, which was all the while progressing.
The momentous character of that proceeding was well calcu-
lated to engross his attention, and to divert it entirely from
these ex-jntite transactions on the part of Fairfax, which did
not upon their face even profess to interfere with his grant,
and to the purpose of which he was awakened only by the
knowledge of the actual location from the North Branch. His
death shortly afterwards prevented the proprietary from adopt-
ino- any decisive measures for the vindication of his rights,
but the instructions of his successors in 1753, immediately after
his accession to the proprietaryship, excluded all inference of
acquiescence in these unwarrantable acts, and manifested a
full determination on his part to exclude all settlements which
might be attempted under them upon his territory."— JtfcA/a-
hnna AfarjUaid, p. 54.
120
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
a lawyer and his worth as a man. His body is buried
in a marble tomb in the cemetery at Hancock.
Upon the instant of the assemblage of the boundary
commissioners, it was discovered that the positive
instructions to the Virginia commissioners would
operate as a bar to all further proceedings. The Mary-
land commissioners came instructed to locate the west-
ern line from the most western source of that branch,
whilst those on the part of Virginia were limited to
Fairfax's location, without regard to the inquiry
" whether it was or was not so located." Fairfax's
stone is not, in fact, planted at the extreme western
source ; and even had it been so situated, it was scarcely
consistent with the rights and dignity of Maryland
to have entered into an adjustment with commis-
sioners who were thus restricted without regard to
the question of right. Maryland having by her act
offered to relinquish all claim to the territory south
of the North Branch, it was not to be expected, after
this concession, that she should adopt as the source
of that branch a point determined as such by her in-
terested adversaries during the progress of the contro-
versy. The spirit of amity and concession which had
characterized all her proceedings in her repeated efforts
to close this controversy had been met at every step
by one of obstinate adherence on the part of Virginia
to the full extent of her pretended claims, and it did
not become her dignity as a State to submit herself
implicitly to any terms which the latter might dictate.
Her commissioners, therefore, properly insisted that
the whole question as to the true source of the North
Branch should be thrown open for investigation, and
this being declined the negotiations ended.
So rests the controversy even to this day, and the
proffer of Maryland to confine herself to the North
Branch, as contained in her act of 1818, being thus
rejected by Virginia, she is remitted to her original
rights. Hitherto the course of Maryland has never
contemplated aught but an amicable adjustment, and
she has already made every advance towards this ex-
cept that of unqualified submission to the demands of
Virginia. Every effort has failed, and the inhabitants
of our western borders begin to feel more sensibly
every day the consequences of the protracted struggle.
It is a matter of reproach to the two States that this
boundary, so extensive and important, should be un-
settled to this day ; and to Maryland it especially be-
longs to redeem herself from this reproach by adopting
on the instant some legal or equitable decisive meas-
ures to bring about its adjustment. Our citizens
would deeply regret the necessity of an adversary
proceeding against a sister State which has held so
high a place in our affections, yet in reviewing the
conduct of our State they will find no cause for
censure. As to the chartered extent of Maryland
there can be little room for doubt. " The first foun-
tain of the Potomac' is evidently a descriptive term
intended to designate the most westerly source, and
applies to the South Branch, the source of which lies
considerably west of that of the North Branch. The
extent of territory lying between the two branches is
estimated at half a million of acres, including some of
the most fertile lands in Mineral, Grant, Pendleton,
and Hampshire Counties in West Virginia. In the
event of adversary proceedings, the claims of Mary-
land will of course extend to her chartered limits, and
the sovereignty over this extensive country will be the
high prize for the victor. The citizens of our sister
State will, perhaps, smile at pretenisions so extensive,
yet that they were once well founded can scarcely be
doubted, and if so, it will be difEcult to show in what
way they have been lost. If this be admitted, Vir-
ginia can rest her claims only upon prior occupancy
and long-continued possession, and these will avail her
but little in such a case as the present.'
1 The distinguished lawyer and historian, John V. L. Me-
Mahon, in summing up this question, says, " The claim of
Maryland, as the successor to the proprietary rights, extends
both to the right of soil and the jurisdiction, and it seems to be
now well settled that where there is a controversy between
States involving the right of soil the Supreme Court of the
United States has original jurisdiction over it, and one State
may in that court enforce such a right against another State of
the Union. It has been doubted whether, upon such a right as
that of mere sovereignty or jurisdiction, a State could proceed
at law, but even in such a case it has been held that there is at
least an equitable remedy by bill praying to be quieted as to
the disputed boundaries. Besides this direct mode of bringing
the question to an issue, there is also an indirect mode of pro-
ducing a decision of it which would eventually be equally as
efficacious. It is but necessary for the State of Maryland to
make a grant within the disputed territory, upon which a suit
could immediately be instituted against those claiming it under
a Virginia grant, and the question of superior right to grant
would at once come u]j. It being then a case of conflicting
claims under grants of different States, it might be at once
transferred to the proper Circuit Court of the United States,
and thence (if of suflicient value) to the Supreme Court for
final determination. These are the modes of proceeding open
to Maryland, and if she t^till retains and intends to adhere to
her original claim, she should be prompt in the prosecution of
it. All further hopes of obtaining it by concession are at an
end, and whatever course she may resolve to adopt should be
at once determined upon. 117ia( the boundary line may be is
not a matter of such moment to her citizens as that it ahould be
definite and nndinputed. In any issue of the contest, it would
be the duty of Maryland to confirm all the anterior grants from
the proprietaries of the neck. No attempt would be made to
disturb titles so derived, and the contest would be mainly for
the sovereignty of the territory. Thus respecting and proteet-
I ing private rights, her claim would be stripped of all its harsh-
ness, and, if successful, whilst it enlarged and enriched her ter-
ritory, would be a monument of her justice."
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
121
CHAPTER VII.
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
The Stamp Act — Declared Unconstitutional in FreJerick — The
Sons of Liberty — Cresap's Riflemen — The Maryland Line —
Connolly's Treason — Hanging of Tories in Frederick — Peace I
and Independence.
The treaty of Paris of Feb. 10, 1763, gave to
Great Britain all the territory east of the Mississippi,
from the Gulf of Mexico to Hudson's Bay, and to the
American colonies peace along the western borders
with the savage enemies who had for nearly a century
made them the scenes of pillage, devastation, and
murder.
In their joy and exultation it is not wonderful that
the colonists believed that a brighter day was about to
dawn, and that a future of happiness and prosperity
was opening before them. Patriotic and loyal ad-
dresses were sent to the king, and public sentiments
of gratitude were offered. Yet in the midst of all
their happiness and hope lay the amarum ah'quid, the
drop of bitterness which was in time to turn all the
sweetness to gall.
The main objects of the parliamentary measures
which followed the peace of 1763, were to relieve the
financial embarrassments of Great Britain, and to pun-
ish the colonies for the reluctance and insubordination
they had shown in meeting her demands. The man-
ner in which the royal requisitions had been canvassed
in the provincial Legislatures, and particularly in that
of Maryland, had exhibited a growing spirit of free-
dom in the colonial governments which was by no
means pleasing to the mother-country, and which it
was now resolved to repress before it should be too
late.
It had long been the avowed right as well as the
policy of England to keep to herself the colonial
trade, and many acts of Parliament had been framed
with this view. The Navigation Act of 1651 has
been generally supposed to have been the beginning
of that system which bad for its object the suppression
of the colonial carrying trade ; but this is an error.
Long before this period, in consequence of the heavy
duties and impositions levied by the Crown, the South-
ern planters sent their tobacco to Holland, to the con-
siderable detriment of English revenue and commerce.
To counteract this an order was issued by the King in
Council " that no tobacco or other productions of the
colonies should thenceforth be carried into any foreign
ports until they were first landed in England and the
duties paid." This was the beginning of a system
of commercial monopoly which continued until the
American Revolution.
But though the system of monopoly proved as
prejudicial to those who bore its restraints as it was
profitable for those for whose benefit it was imposed,
it was yet professedly for the regulation of trade
and not for the acquisition of revenue. The funda-
mental principle of exemption from the taxation of
England was not only established by the express words
of the charter of Maryland, but had been the uninter-
rupted practice of the colony from the first settlement.
The war with France in 1754, however, revived the
proposition to tax the colonies; and it was accordingly
resolved -'to raise funds for American affairs by a
stamp duty and a duty on products of the West In-
dies imported into the continental colonies." A tax
upon " stamped paper" was also suggested, and these
projects were pressed upon Pitt immediately upon his
accession to the ministry, but he " scorned to take an
unjust and ungenerous advantage" of the colonies.
Others with less lofty ideas of national principle and
policy were found to carry out these purposes, and on
the 22d of March, 1765, the Stamp Act received the
royal assent.
It provided that all bills, bonds, leases, notes, ships'
papers, insurance policies, and legal documents, to be
valid in the courts, must be written on stamped paper,
which was to be sold by public officers at prices that
constituted a tax. In America the announcement of
the passage of the Stamp Act aroused a strong spirit
of indignation and determined resistance to its man-
dates. Public assemblies put forth protestations the
most eloquent, resolves the most determined in oppo-
sition, while the merchants of the larger cities, whose
patriotism preferred the public weal to private emolu-
ment, entered into engagements not to import goods
from England until the act should be repealed ; and
from one end of the continent to the other the love
of civil liberty strengthened the nerve and animated
the hearts of the colonists. The Elnglish ministry
selected as stamp distributor lor Maryland, — Zachariah
Hood, a native of the province, and a merchant of
Annapolis. In no section of the province was more
determined opposition manifested to the obnoxious
measure than in Western Maryland, and on Aug. 29,
1765, the new stamp distributor was burnt in effigy
by tlie people of Frederick Town. While public feel-
ing was thus agitated, the Governor called the As-
sembly together to take such measures as might be
deemed advisable, and Frederick County, which at that
time constituted the whole of Western Maryland,
sent as her representatives in the important delibera-
tions of this body, Thomas Cresap, Joseph Chaplaine,
Fielder Gantt, and James Smith.
The Assembly appointed delegates to the Conti-
122
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Dental Congress proposed by Massachusetts, and
adopted resolutions protesting against the Stamp Act;
but the bold and a^jgressive temper of the hardy fron-
tiersmen of the western section of the province did
not suffer them to await the uncertain result of peti-
tions, protestations, and deliberations. An opportu-
nity of manifesting their spirit and determination was
soon presented. The fall term of the Frederick
County Court commenced on the 1 5th of November,
1765, and among those present were the worshipful
justices Thomas Beatty, William Luckett, Charles
Jones, Thomas Price, and David Lynn ; Sheriff, George
Murdoch, and Clerk, John Darnall. On the 18th
Justices Joseph Smith, David Lynn, Charles Jones,
Samuel Beall, Joseph Beall, Peter Bainbridge, Thomas
Price, Andrew Hugh, William Blair, William Luckett,
James Dickson, and Thomas Beatty were present, and
ordered the following resolution and opinion to be re-
corded among the minutes of the court :
'' Upon application of Michael Ashfurd Dowden, bail of
James Veach, at the suit of a certain Stephen West to surrender
said James Veach in discharge of himself, which the court or-
dered to be done, and an entry of the surrender to be made ac-
cordingly, which John Darnall, Clerk of the Court, refused to
make, and having also refused to issue any process out of his
office, or to make the necessary entries of the Court proceed-
ings, alleging that he conceives there is an Act of Parliament
imposing stamp duties on all legal proceedings, and therefore
that he cannot safely proceed in exercising his office without
proper stamps,
'' It is the unanimous resolution and opinion of this Court that
all the business thereof shall and ought to be transacted in the
usual and accustomed manner, without any inconvenience or
delay to be occasioned from the want of Stam^jed Paper, Parch-
ment, or Vellum, and that all proceedings shall be valid and
effectual without the use of Stamps, and they enjoin and order
all Sheriffs, Clerks, Counsellors, Attorneys, and all officers of the
Court to proceed in their several avocations as usual, which
Resolution and Opinion are grounded on the following and
other reasons :
*' 1st. It is conceived that there has not been a legal publica-
tion yet made of any Act of Parliament whatever imposing a
Stamp Duty on the Colonies. Therefore thisCourt are of opinion
that until the existence of such an Act is properly notified, it
would be culpable in them to permit or suffer a total stagnation
of business, which must inevitably be productive of innumer-
able injuries to individuals, and have a tendency to subvert all
principles of civil guvernment.
" 2d. As no Stamps are yet arrived in this Province, and the
inhabitants have no means of procuring any, this Court are of
opinion that it would be an injustice of the most wanton op-
pression to deprive any person of a legal remedy for the re-
covery of his property for omitting that which it is impossible
to perform."
The clerk of the court, apprehending damage to
himself if he made any entry or issued any process
without stamped paper, refused to comply with the ,
order of the court, upon which it passed the ibllow- I
intr order : '
I " Ordered, that John Darnall, clerk of this Court, be com-
mitted to the custody of the sheriff of this county for a con-
I tempt of the authority of this court, he having refused to com-
ply with the foregoing order of this Court relative to the
execution of his office in issuing processes and making the
necessary entries of the Court's proceedings; and that he
stands committed for the above offense until he comply with
the above mentioned order."
' The clerk then submitted to the order of the court,
and upon paying the costs was discharged.
The decision of the court was celebrated in Fred-
erick Town on the 30th of November in a manner
most ch-aracteristic of the times.
The following amusing description of it is pub-
lished in the Maryland Gazette. o? Dec. 16, 1765:
" The Stamp Act having received a mortal wound by the
hands of justice on Saturday last gave up the ghost, to the
great joy of the inhabitants of Frederick County. The lifeless
body lay exposed to public ignominy till yesterday, when it
was thought proper, for preventing infection from its stench,
to bury it in the following manner: The Sons of Liberty assem-
bled at the house of Mr. Samuel Swearingeu in the afternoon,
and the coffin was taken up exactly at three o'clock.
" Form of the Funeral.
" 1. The colors of the Town Company.
"2. Drums.
"3. The banner displayed with this inscription in large
characters : * Constitutional Liberty asserted by the Magis-
trates of Frederick County, 22d Nuvember, 1765.'
"4. The Cap of Liberty mounted on a staff with the several
following inscriptiuns : * Magna Charta, Charter of Maryland,
Trials by Juries Restored, Oppression Removed, Liberty and
Loyalty.'
" 5. Conductors.
•'6. The coffin with this inscription on the lid: * The Stamp
Act expired of a mortal stab received from the genius of lib-
erty in Frederick County Court, 23d November, 1765, Aged 22
days.' On the ends, sides, and ledges of the coffin appeared
several inscriptions, which were all together deposited in the
ground as appendages to the Stamp Act, viz.: 'Tyranny,' —
' Villeuage,' — ' Military Execution,' — 'Soldiers quartered in
Private Houses,' — 'Court of Vice-Admiralty,'^* Guarda de
Costas to Prevent Corruption in North Americans from a Re-
dundancy of Spanish dollars,* — * Britons Employed in Fasten-
ing Chains on the Necks of British Subjects.' — 'Fines,' — ' Im-
prisonment,' — ' Ruin,' — ' Desolation,' — ' Slavery taking Posses-
sion of America in order to Extend Her Dominion over Great
Britain.'
"7. Z H , Esq. (Zachariah Hood), as sole mourner,
carried in an open chariot. His countenance pale and dejected,
his dress disorderly, unsuitable to his rank, and betraying
great inward distraction of mind, and his tottering situation
(being scarce able to keep his seat) demonstrated the weak-
ness to which he was reduced, and plainly indicated the mel-
ancholy catastrophe which shortly ensued.
"8. Sons of Liberty, two and two.
"During the whole procession, which marched through the
principal streets till it arrived at the gallows erected ou tbe
Court-house Green, the bells continued ringing; and on every
huzza by the crowd, or loud laugh of female spectators, Z
H , Esq., was observed to nod, or drop his head into his
bosom, in token of the utmost sorrow and confusion.
" On their arrival at the gallows, under which the grave was
THE WAR FOE INDEPENDENCE.
123
dug, the drums ceasing, and proclamation made for silence,
Z H , Esq., was observed to be struck with such aston-
ishment that tho' he seemed to demand audience by a weak
motion of his head, he was not able to utter a word, and hia
features were fixed as death. Being asked whether he had
anything to say, he made no answer, but a paper iijipearing in
his bosom, was taken out j and it being demanded whether that
paper contained the substance of what he had to say on the oc-
casion, ho continued silent, but was seen to make a faint nod
of approbation.
" The paper, which was ordered to be read, contained the
following words, and appears to have been composed by him
by way of funeral oration or lamentation over the body of that
beloved act which had engrossed his whole mind and affec-
tions: 'Good people, — for countrymen I dare not call you,
having forfeited all claim or title to that appellation, — wonder
not at my hesitation of speech, or my sighs and groans on this
sad occasion, the powers of utterance being, in a great meas-
ure, taken from me by the sight of that mournful object!
Cursed be the day, that direful day, in which my eyes beheld
the fatal cjitastrophe of the beloved of my soul ! May the 23d
November be struck out of the Calendar, and never be reck-
oned in the future annals of time ! And shall a record appear
to eternize the downfall of my beloved, naked and unadorned
with the beautiful stamp which ouglit to have been annexed
hy my influence ? Can I possibly survive the dreadful thought ?
And must all my hopes perish, my schemes for advancing my
fortune at the ex])ense of my country be blasted, and public
emolument triumph over private gain ? Shall Maryland freely
export her wheat and corn and find out markets for her flour
and provisions without my participation in the fruits of the
toil and sweat of her laborious t^ons ? Shall the press continue
free, and exist only to publish my disgraces, and instill notions
of constitutional rights and liberties into the minds of North
Americans? Shall the power of taxing the poor (who are
chiefly involved in the duties of the Stamp Act), by imposing
an arbitrary price on stamped paper, be wrested from me? and
instead of lording it over my countrymen, must I need be re-
duced to the state of an exile, a fugitive, and a vagabond on
the face of the earth ? Forbid it, all ye black infernal powers
of tyranny, avarice, and oppression ! For to you have I de-
voted myself! But, soft! Your powers are enervated and
your dominiofi blasted by the bold Sons of Liberty, before
whom I now stand. Pardon, good people, this last testimony
of my afi'eetion to the deceased. For her I despised country
humanity, friendship, kindred, and all the ties of honor, nature,
gratitude, and honesty. For her was every motive of justice,
benevolence, piety, and compassion banished from my breast,
For her could I have sacrificed the good of the public, the hap
piness of individuals, and (encircled in her embnicesj have
smiled at the curses of the poor, the tears of the orphan, the
cries of the widow, the groans of the oppressed, and without
one pang of remorse have viewed the hind of my birth gnash-
ing her teeth under the load of bondage, whilst I enjoyed the
sunshine of ministerial influence, and decked myself in the
spoils of the wretched and unfortunate! Dear object of my
warmest wishes ! thou art now expired under the hand of Jus-
tice. The same spirit animated us both, and the cold grasp
of fate is now upon me ! My faculties sink together with thee,
and death freezes my stagnating fluids I Let me be buried to-
gether with thee, and one grave receive our breathless re-
mains! I hope, good people, you will not refuse this last re-
quest of a dying person. And, Ob ! Oh! Oh !'
" No sooner had the person appointt'd to read it come to the
*0h! Oh!' Jcc, than Z H , Esq., was seen to sink sud-
denly down and tumble out of the chariot, his body becoming
instantaneously cold and stifi', so violent an assault had grief
made on all his vital faculties, and left him a lifeless figure
scarce resembling humanity. As he was falling, a Son of Lib-
erty, with a voice like thunder, cried out, 'Let him die like a
dog!' A loud huzza and roll of the drums immediately fol-
lowed, and, according to his own request, his corpse was depos-
ited in the earth together with thut of his beloved.
"The grave being filled up, and acclamations repeated, the
comi)any marched in their former order, with colors, banner,
^c, to the house of Mr. Samuel Swearingen, where an elegant
supper was prepared, and a ball given to the ladies, who made
a brilliant appearance on the occasion. Many loyal and patri-
otic toasts were drank, and the whole concluded with the utmost
decorum !"
The opposition against the government was now
organized into a compact and enterprising party,
strengthening itself throughout the province, and
making itself known by its influence over the action
of representatives in the Assembly. In Maryland its
more aggressive members, under the name of " Sons of
Liberty," — a phrase used by Barre in his celebrated
speech in Parliament in February, 1765, — by a series
of bold and defiant attacks upon the government of
the province, soon increased their power and steadily
sapped the reverence for British law and legislative
authority. In October (1765) the Sons of Liberty
in Frederick County formed an organization under
the leadership of Col. Thomas Cresap, and in Decem-
ber about three or four hundred of them, "armed
with guns and tomahawks," assembled at Frederick-
town, and threatened to " march down in companies
to Annapolis, in order to settle the disputes between
the two Houses of Assembly." ^
The bold example of Frederick Court, and the firm
^ Dr. David Ross, in his deposition, submitted to the Assem-
bly, said that about the 27th or 29th of October a " writing
addressed to the Lower -House of Assembly" was circulated in
Frederick County for signatures, which was in substance as fol-
lows: "It expressed a satisfaction of the conduct of the Lower
House in opposing the Stamp Act, and intimated a reliance
that they would endeavor, like the renowned, true, ancient Ro-
man Senate, to suppress any future attempts to deprive them
of their liberty; it also expressed that the signers were in-
formed that a very large unjust claim in tobacco was made
against the public by particular gentlemen in Annapolis [al-
luding to the Governor and his Council, who insisted on the col-
lection of the twelve pence per hogshead on tobacco exported
under the act of 1704, and which the Lower House, since 1739,
had constantly and ineffectually declared that his lordship had
no right to collect], preventing the payment of other just claims,
and desiring that if the said unjust and dishonorable claim
should still be insisted upon the Lower House would give speedy
intelligence, in order that the signers might come down and
cause justice to take place." These threats produced consider-
able excitement in Annapolis, as it was rumored at one time
that some of the "Sons" were already at Elk Ridge, on their
march to the capital. The Governor became alarmed, and im-
mediately summoned his Council together, and laid the whole
matter before them. (See House Journal, Dec. 11, 1765.)
124
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
and determined spirit of the yeomanry of Western
Maryland, inspired the Sons of Liberty in other sec-
tions, and on the 31st of March, 1766, the Provincial
Court at Annapolis, yielding to the stern demands of
these representatives of the people, passed the follow-
ing order, which was at once obeyed by the public
officers, and the detested Stamp Act was in Maryland
forever null and void :
'' It is by the court here ordered that the clerk of this court
from henceforth issue all manner of process, file all pleadings,
give copies, and transact all business whatsoever in his office
for which application shall be made to him by any inhabitant
of this province, as usual, without stamped paper,^'
The universal opposition in the colonies provoked by
the Stamp Act, and the injury resulting from it to
English commerce and manufactures, caused its re-
peal on the 18th of March, 1766, and the news of its
repeal, which was received in Annapolis on the 22d
of May, was celebrated with every manifestation of
private and public delight in Western Maryland and
every other part of the province.
The first exultation that followed the repeal of the
Stamp Act was not destined to be of long duration.
In May, 1767, Charles Townshend, Chancellor of the
Exchequer, introduced in Parliament a series of rev-
enue acts, the principal of which passed and received
the royal assent on June 29th, to go into effect on the
20th of November. These acts, in brief, imposed
duties on glass, paper, pasteboard, white and red lead,
painters' colors, and tea imported into the colonies ;
established a board of customs at Boston to collect
tlie revenue throughout America, and legalized writs
of assistance. This new scheme of taxation at once
revived the spirit of resistance in Maryland, and led
to the reorganization oi the non-importation associa-
tions which had sprung into existence during the pre-
vious agitation. The Maryland non-importation as-
sociation was sustained in vigorous operation by special
committees, appointed by kindred associations in each
of the counties, who were charged with the duty
of inquiring into and reporting the facts of every case
of actual or suspected violation of the agreement,
and was continued up to the breaking out of the Rev-
olutionary war. In October, 1769, a number of
wagons of contraband goods, valued at three hun-
dred pounds, were shipped from Pennsylvania to
Frederick, and not being accompanied with the
proper certificates, they were stored at the risk and
cost of the owners. Meetings were held in all parts
of the province to give expression to the popular
feeling in regard to the despotic course of the govern-
ment. The first meeting held in Frederick County,
as published in the Marijland Gazette at Annapolis,
was convened at the old school-house, not far from
Troxell's mill, on Tom's Creek, on Sunday, the 28th
of August, 1770. The meeting was largely attended
by the old inhabitants, who were deeply impressed by
the situation. There were present on that occasion
William Blair, an old resident of Scottish descent,
James Shields, Sr., William Shields, Charles Rob-
inson, Patrick Haney, Robert Brown, Henry Hock-
ersmith, William Elder, son of Guy, Samuel West-
fall, Moses Kennedy, Alexander Stewart, William
Curran, Jr., Charles Carroll, William Koontz, Chris-
tian Hoover, John Smith, Daniel McLean, John
Faires, John Long, Arthur Row, John Crabs, Moses
Ambrose, George Kelly, Walter Dulany, Thomas J.
Bowie, James Park, Robert Agnew, John Corrick,
Frederick Troxell, Rudolf Nead, Octavius S. Taney,
George Ovelman, Dominick Bradley, Thomas Hughes,
Philip Weller, Jacob Valentine, William Brawner,
Thomas Martin, Daniel Morrison, William Munroe,
Henry Brook, and others. It was agreed by a "show
of hands" that William Blair should be called to the
chair, and John Faires appointed secretary. The
meeting was then addressed by Walter Dulany and
William Elder, son of Guy, who concluded by offering
the following resolution :
" Resolved, by (he inhabitants of Tom's Creek, Frederick
County, in the province of Maryland, loyal to their king and
country, that we reaffirm the great Magna Charta of our Civil
and Keligious Rights, as granted by Charles of England to Lord
Baltimore and the inhabitants of this colony, as reaffirmed on
the first landing of the Pilgrim Fathers of Maryland, that there
shall be a perfect freedom of conscience, and every person be
allowed to enjoy his religious and political privileges and immu-
nities unmolested."
The resolution was read and re-read and adopted by
a " showing of hands." It was further
'* Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published
in the Annapolis Gazette 3.ui Bradford's paper at Philadelphia."
In the mean time local causes of complaint served
to intensify public feeling and increase the general
opposition.
The Assembly having failed to provide for the fees
of public officers, or for the assessments for the sup-
port of the clergy. Governor Eden undertook to regu-
late the former by proclamation, leaving the latter to
be collected under an old act of 1702, which he
claimed had been revived by the failure of the As-
sembly to legislate on the subject. Governor Eden's
action was a virtual assumption of the legislative pre-
rogative of taxation, and involved in a measure the
principle at stake in the contest with the mother-
country. It immediately gave rise to great public
excitement, warm advocates appeared on either side
of the question, and the discussion assumed a tone of
CHARLES CARROLL OF CARROLLTON.
i
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
125
much bitterness and animosity. Among the cham-
pions of the proclamation appeared a writer who put
forth his views in a dialogue between two citizens,
one of whom attacked the obnoxious measure, and the
other defended it, the victory being given to the
" Second Citizen," its defender. The great ability
and adroitness of his article marked it as the produc-
tion of no common mind, and called forth an antagonist
of corresponding strength. Charles Carroll of Carroll-
ton stepped forward on February 4tb, and assumed the
cause and the signature of the " First Citizen," where-
upon Daniel Dulany, the provincial secretary, and the
ablest lawyer in the province, became Mr. Carroll's
antagonist, under the signature of " Antilon." The
elections held in May, 1773, during the progress of
this discussion, were attended with great excitement,
#nd resulted in the complete triumph of the anti-
proclamation party. Immediately after the result had
been announced the people of Frederick and other
counties celebrated the victory with great rejoicings ;
and at a public meeting the thanks of the people of
Frederick were ordered to be formally presented by
their delegates to the " First Citizen" for the patri-
otic service which he had rendered to the popular
cause in his discussion with "Antilon," which was
accordingly done in the following communication :
"May 25, 177.3.
" To THE First Citizen :
"Sir, — The freemen of Frederick County (to so few of whom
you are personally known) are generally acquainted with your
merit. The service you have done your country in plainly and
clearly stating and evincing the illegality of the late proclama-
tion for ofKcers' fees appears to them justly to claim their thanks,
they have therefore directed us, their representatives, to make
known their sentiments to you, and we with pleasure take this
early opportunity of returning you the thanks of the freemen
of Frederick County for your spirited, manly, and able opposi-
tion to that illegal, arbitrary, and unconstitutional measure.
'* We are, Sir, with the greatest respect, your most obedient
servants,
" Thomas Sprigg Wootton,
" Charles Beatty,
" .Jonathan Hagar,
"Henry Griffith." i
• On Saturday, May 22, 1773, the polls closed in Frederick
County, and Messrs. Thos. Sprigg Wootton, Charles Beatty,
Jonathan Hagar, and Henry Griffith were declared duly elected.
On the afternoon of that day a numerous and very respectable
body of the freemen of the county assembled at the coffee-house,
when the proclamation was read, and unanimously declared il-
legal, unconstitutional, and oppressive, and sentenced to be car-
ried to the gallows and hanged thereon, and afterwards to be
buried face downwards, that by every ineffectual struggle it
might descend still deeper into obscurity. The proclamation
was then put in a coffin prepared for the purpose and carried to
the place of execution, attended by a large concourse of at least
• one thousand people, who moved in slow and regular order, at-
tended with drums, lifes, bag-pipes, playing slow music suitable
The non-importation policy of tlic colonists had
been so generally adopted and so fiuthfully observed
that very little tea (upon which article alone the duty
had been retained) was imported into the country.
One of the great markets of the East India Company
being thus closed, a heavy stock of tea accumulated
in their warehouses. To relieve them of this, while
at the same time maintaining the principle of taxa-
tion, seemed to the government a master-stroke of
policy ; and it was proposed to accomplish this by allow-
ing the company on tea exported to America, a draw-
back of the duties paid in England. As soon as it
was announced in America that the Tea Act was to
be carried into effect, it was generally denounced as a
scheme to establish the right of Parliament to tax the
colonies and to give the East India Company the
monopoly of their trade. On the 28th of November,
1773, a vessel containing the tea arrived in the har-
bor of Boston, and in a few days was followed by two
others. On December 16th a party disguised as In-
dians went on board the vessels, and warning their
officers and those of the custom-house to keep out of
the way, opened the hatches, hoisted the chests of tea
on deck, cut them open, and hove the tea overboard.
This action provoked the " Boston Port Bill," intro-
duced in the House of Commons on the 14th of
March, 1774, which interdicted all commercial inter-
course with Boston, and prohibited after the 1st of
June following the landing or shipping of any goods,
wares, or merchandise whatsoever at that port. On
the arrival of the news of the passage of these meas-
ures, the people of Maryland made common cause
with those of Massachusetts, and in various ways ex-
pressed their sympathy for the inhabitants of Boston.
Frederick County, which had been foremost in the
opposition to the Stamp Act, was not slow at this
crisis in giving expression to her sentiments of sym-
pathy for Bo.ston and hastility to the oppressive course
of the British government. On the 11th of June a
large meeting of the inhabitants of the lower part of
Frederick County was held at Charles Hungerford's
tavern, at which Henry Griffith was chosen modera-
tor, and the following resolutions adopted :
" Resolved, unanimonsti/. That it is the opinion of this meet-
ing that the town of Boston is now suffering in the common
cause of America.
"Resolved unanimously. That every legal and constitutional
measure ought to be used by all America for procuring a repeal
of the act of Parliament for blocking up the harbor of Boston.
" Resolved, unanimously, That it is the opinion of this meet-
ing that the most effectual means for the securing American
to the occasion. The sentence was executed, to the universal
joy and satisfaction of the spectators, under a general discharge
of small-arms.
126
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
freedom will be to break oflf all commerce with Great Britain
and the West Indies until the said act be repealed, and the
right of taxation given up on permanent principles.
''Resolved, unanimous} }j, That Mr. Henry Griffith, Dr.
Thomas Sprigg Wootton, Nathan Magruder, Evan Thomas,
Richard Brooke, Richard Thomas, Zadok Magruder, Dr. Wil-
liam Baker, Thomas Cramphin, Jr., and Allen Bowie be a com-
mittee to attend the general committee at Annapolis, and of
corresp<mdence for the lower part of Frederick County, and
that any six of them shall have power to receive and commu-
nicate intelligence to and from their neighboring committees.
'' JieJiohed, unanimomltf, That a copy of these our senti-
ments be immediately transmitted to Annapolis, and inserted
in the Maryland Gazette.
"Signed per order.
" Archibald Orme, Clerk.''
On the 20th of June a meeting of the citizens of
Frederick County was held at the court-house in
Frederick Town, at which the following resolutions
were adopted, John Hanson presiding:
"I. ReBolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that
the town of Boston is now suffering in the common cause of
America, and that it is the duty of every colony in America to
unite in the most efiectual means to obtain a repeal of the late
act of Parliament for blocking up the harbor of Boston.
** II. That it is the opinion of a great majority of this meet-
ing that if the colonies come into a joint resolution to stop all
imports from, and exports to. Great Britain and the West Indies
till the act of Parliament for blocking up the harbor of Boston,
as well as every other act oppressive to American liberty, be re-
pealed, the same may be the means of preserving to America
her rights, liberties, and privileges.
*'III. That, therefore, this meeting will join in an associ-
ation with the several counties in this province and the prin-
cipal colonies in America to put a stop to all exports to, and
imports from, Great Britain and the West Indies, shipped after
the 26th day of July next, or such other day as may be agreed
on, until the said acts shall be repealed, and that such associ-
ation shall be upon oath.
" IV. That we, the inhabitants of Frederick County, will not
deal or have any connections with that colony, province, or
town which shall decline or refuse to come into similar reso-
lutions with a majority of the colonies.
" V. That no suit shall be commenced after the stop shall be
put tu imports and exports for the recovery of any debt due to
any person whatsoever, unless the debtor be about to abscond,
or being appealed to shall refuse to give bond and security.
"VI. That Messrs. John Hanson, Thomas Price, George
Scott, Benjamin Dulany, George Murdock, Philip Thomas,
Alexander C. Hanson, Baker Johnson, and Andrew Scott be
a committee to attend the genersil congress at Annapolis, and
that those gentlemen, together with Messrs. John Gary, Chris-
topher Edelen, Conrad Groth, Thomas Schley, Peter Hoffman,
and Archibald Boyd, be a committee of correspondence to re-
ceive and answer letters, and in any emergency to call a general
meeting, and that any six shall have power to act.
''Ordered, thai these resolves be immediately sent to Annap-
olis, that they may be printed in the Maryland Gazette.
"Signed per order.
"Archibald Bovr, CI. Com."
Another meeting was held at Elizabeth Town on
the 2d of July, of which the Maryland Gazette
gives the followin": account :
"On Saturday, the 2d of July, 1774, about eight hundred of
the principal inhabitants of the upper part of Frederick
County, Md., assembled at Elizabeth Town, and being deeply
impressed with a sense of the danger to which their niUural
and constitutional rights and privileges were exposed by the
arbitrary measures of the British Parliament, do think it their
duty to declare publicly their sentiments on so interesting a
subject, and to enter into such Resolutions as may be the means
of preferring their freedom. After chosing John StuII, Esq.,
their Moderator, the following resolves were unanimously en-
tered into :
" I. That the Act of Parliament for blocking up the harbor
of the Town of Boston is a dangerous invasion of American
liberty, and that the town of Boston is now suffering in the
common cause, and ought to be assisted by the other Colonies.
" II. That the stopping all commercial intercourse with
Great Britain will be the most effectual means for fixing our
Liberties on the footing we desire.
" III. That a general congress of Delegates from the several
colonies to effect a uniform plan of conduct for all America is
highly necessary, and that we will strictly adhere to any meas-
ure that may be adopted by them for the preservation of our
Liberties.
"IV. That the surest means for continuing a people free and
happy is the disusing all luxuries, and depending only on their
own fields and flocks for the comfortable necessaries of Life.
" V. That they will not, after this day, drink any Tea, nor
suffer the same to be used in their Families, until the Act for
laying duty thereon be repealed.
" VI. That they will not, after this day, kill any sheep under
three years old.
"VII. That they will immediately prepare for manufactur-
ing their own clothing.
"VIII. That they will immediately open a subscription for
the relief of their suffering Brethren in Boston.
" After choosing John Stull, Samuel Hughes, Jonathan Hager,
Conrad Hogmire, Henry Snebley, Richard Davis, John Swim,
Charles Swearingen, Thomas Brooke, William McGlury, and Elie
Williams as a committee, they proceeded to show their disap-
probation of Lord North's Conduct with regard to America by
Hanging and burning his Effigy, after which a subscription was
opened for the relief of the Poor of Boston. In consequence of
the Fifth Resolve, a number of mercantile Gentlemen solemnly
declared they would send off all the Tea they had on hand,
and that they would not purchase any more until the Act laying
a duty thereon be repealed, among which number was a certain
John Parks." ^
1 As indicating how the poor, out of their limited means,
contributed to these subscriptions, we append an interesting
memorandum :
"LiNGANORK, FrEDKRICK CoPNTY,
"April 3, 1775.
" As much for the satisfaction of the subscribers to this paper,
as the contradicting malicious reports lately propagated in this
county to the detriment of the character of the collector of this
place, he has thought proper to give the public a state of his
collections, with the receipt of the treasurer (appointed by the
committee for said county) for the money, as may appear below.
A copy of the subscription paper, with the subscribers' names
affixed to it, as followeth : ' We. the subscribers, inhabitants of
Frederick County, have paid to David Moore the sums of money
affixed to our names, in consequence of an unanimous resolve
of the committee for the middle part of said county, to make
up, by the first Monday of next January, the sum of one hun-
dred dollars currency, to be sent immediately to Boston, there
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
127
The following correspondence, which occurred a
few months later, shows how generously these prom-
ises of assistance were redeemed :
" Frederick Town, Frederick Co., Md.,
"17th February, 1775.
"To the Hon. Thomas Cushing, Esq.:
"Sir, — We, the Committee for the middle part of Fredericli
County, Maryland, have this day forwarded £200 currency to
Messrs. William Lux and Samuel Purviance, of Baltimore, who
are directed to forward the same to you for the relief of the
poor of your place, either specie or bills, as mny appear to
them most advisable. A line from you acknowledging the re-
ceipt of the money will oblige the Committee, as it will serve
to convince the people from whom it was collected that it had
been applied to its proper use.
"Signed for order and in behalf of the Committee.
"John Hanson, /'
NSON, I'resideiit.'
N, M'ch 15, 1775
" Boston,
"To Mr. John Hanson, in Frederick Town, Md. :
" Sir, — I am to acknowledge your letter of the 17 of Febru-
ary last, directed to Mr. Cushing, who is a member of the com-
mittee appointed by the Town to receive and distribute the
donations from our friends to the sufTerers by Act of Parliament,
commonly called the Boston Port Bill, and to acquaint you
that agreeable to your directions Mr. Samuel Purviance, Jr.,
has remitted in a bill of exchange the sum of two hundred
pounds, your currency, being a contribution from the gentle-
men of the Middle Division of Frederick County, in Maryland,
for that charitable purpose. You will be pleased to return the
hearty thanks of our committee to those gentlemen for their
generous donations, and to assure them th.at it will be applied
to its proper use.
"It will doubtless afford them satisfaction to be informed
that their brethren in this place endure the sufferings inflicted
upon them by that unrighteous and barbarous edict with pa-
tience and fortitude, and that they continue to bear oppi
to be divided among the families whose means of sustenance
have been so long and cruelly cut off by an Act of British Par-
liament. We consider the people of Boston as standing in the
gap, where tyranny and oppression are ready to enter, to the
destruction of the liberties of all America, and that therefore
it is the duty of every individual in America to contribute as
largely as his circumstances will admit to their support.
"'Nov. 30, 1774.
" ' Wm. Winchester, 7«. 6d. ; John Chamberlain, 7«. 6^. ; .John
Chrisman, lOs.; William Carey, Is. 8rf. ; Christian Efrey,
3s. 9rf.; William Kende, Is. 3d.; John Becrast, 4s.; John
Weaver, 5s.; John Umsteat, 5«.; J. McDaniel, Sr., 7». 6rf. ;
Charles Wood, 7s. 6(/. ; James Frazer, 98.; Sol. Longworth, 5s.;
Enoch Moore, 3«. 9d.; Francis Mathews, 7s. 6d.; John Lind-
sey, 2s. 6rf. ; John Henckle, 2s.; James Hoops, 2». ; Conrad
Carkess, 38. ; Peter Kemp, 58. ; Gerrard Davis, 28. 6rf. ; Jacob
Hosier, 28.; Green Shurcar, Ss. ; Anthony Linscy, 5s.; Edward
Hodgskiss, 5s.; John Chamberl.iin, 5s.; W. AVinchester, Jr.,
5s.; James Winchester, bs.; Hugh McKniel, 2s.; Thomas
Wheeler, 5s.; Joshua Grimes, 28. 6d.; Aran Richards, 5s.;
Geo. Becra.st, 58. 4rf. ; John Lawrance, £1 ; Joseph Wood, Sr.,
5«. 8rf. ; J. McDaniel, Jr., 5s. 8d.; Edward Evans, 5s. Sd.;
Francis McDaniel, as. ; William Condon, 3s. 9d. ; Amos Wright,
38. 9d.; David Moore, £1 68. 5c/. Total, £11 lOs.'
"Received, Jan. 26, 1775, of Mr. David Moore, the sum of
£11 IDs., a sum collected by him for the support of the poor in
Boston.
and count it all joy so to do, rather than to stain (heir reputa-
tion by a base compliance with the demands of arbitrary
power.
"With very great regard, I am, in behalf of the committee,
your obliged and affectionate friend and countryman,
"S. Adams, Chairman."
On the 22d of June, 1774, deputies from all the
counties assembled in -general convention at Annapo-
lis and adopted nonimportation resolutions of the
strongest character. The convention adjourned on
the 25th, but it was not long before a seriou.s inliinge-
ment of the non-importation agreement occupied pub-
lic attention. In August the brigaiitine " Mary and
Jane," Capt. George Chapman, arrived in St. Mary's
River from London with eleven chests of lea, con-
signed to Robert Findlay, a merchant of Biadensburg,
Robert Peter, of Georgetown, and several other mer-
chants at Norfolk, Va. In consequence of this
" alarming" intelligence the Committee of Correspond-
ence of Frederick County held a meeting on the 11th
of August, and requested these gentlemen to appear
before them. After hearing their statements the
committee unanimou.sly resolved " that the importa-
tion of any commodity from Great Britain liable to
the payment of a duty imposed by an Act of Parlia-
ment is in a high degree dangerous to our liberties, as
it implies a full assent to the claim asserted by the
British Parliament of a right to impose la.xes for the
purpose of raising a revenue in America." And in
order " to discourage the pernicious practice" the
committee determined that the '' detestable plant"
should not be landed in America, but that " it should
be sent back in the same ship."'
On the 5th of September, 1774, the Continental
Congress, which was first proposed by Maryland, and
to which she elected the first set of delegates, as-
sembled at Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia, and adopted
a plan " for carrying into effect the non-importation,
non-consumption, and non-exportation" association.
At a meeting of the inhabitants of Frederick
County " qualified to vote for representatives," held
at the court-house, on Friday, the 18th of November,
the following resolutions were adopted :
"Resolved, That Charles Beatly, Henry Griffith, Thos. Sprigg
Wooton, Jacob Hunk, Nath. Miigruder, Richard Thomas, Evan
■ The women of Wistern Maryland were by no means be-
hind the men in patriotic support of all the measures looking
to the protection of American rights and liberties. Madeline
Sheffey, a woman of fine mind and strong chanicter, and the
mother of the celebrated D.aniel Sheffey, of Staunton, Va.,
speaking for the women of Frederick County, said, "We have
resolved to drink no more tea for years to come, — not until Ihe
war is ended ; but we will eat mush and milk, drink water, and
live frugally until our fathers, sons, husbands, and brothers
achieve a brave victory."
li
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Thomas, Richard Brooke, Zadock Magruder, ■William Baker,
Thomas Cramphin, Jr., .John Murdock, Thomas Jones, Allen
Bowie, .Jr., William Deakins, .Jr., Bernard O'Neal, Brook Beall,
Edward Burgess, Charles G. Griffith, Henry Griffith, Jr., Wm.
Bajley, Jr., Samuel W. Magruder, Xath. Offutt, Archibald
Orm, Joseph Threlkeld, Walter Smith, Thos. Beall of George,
Richard Crab, William Luckett, William Luckett, Jr., Green-
bury Griffith, Samuel Griffith, John Hanson, Thomas Price,
Thomas Bowles, Conrad Grosh, Thomas Schley, Jonathan Wil-
son Francis Deakins, Casper Schaaff, Peter Hoffman, George
Scott, Baker Johnson, Philip Thomas, A]e."cander C. Hanson,
Archibald Boyd, Arthur Nelson, Andrew Scott, George Strieker,
Adam Fisher, Wm. Ludwick, Weltner Van Swearengen, William
J. Beall, Jacob Young, Peter Grosh, jEneas Campbell, Elias
Bruner, Frederick Kemp, John Haas, John Romsburg, Thomas
Hawkins, Upton Sheredine, John Lawrence, Basil Dorsey,
Charles Warfield, Ephraim Howard, Joseph Wells, David
Moore, Joseph Wood, Norman Bruce, William Blair, David
Schriver, Roger Johnson,fHenry Cock, Robert Wood, William
Albaugh, Jacob Mathias, Henry Crawle, Jacob Ambrose,
David Richards, Wm. Winchester, Philip Fishburn, William
Hobbs, Thomas Cresap, Thomas Warren, Thos. Humphreys,
Richard Davis, Jr., Charles Clinton, James Prather, George
Brent, James Johnson, James Smith, Joseph Chapline, John
Stull, Samuel Beall, Jr., William Baird, Joseph Sprigg,
Christian Orendorf, Jonathan Hager, Conrad Hogmire,
Charles Sweareno-en, Henry Suavely, Richard D.avis, Samuel
Huo-hes, Joseph Perry, John Jugerhorn, Joseph Smith,
Thomas Hog, Thomas Prather, William JlcClary, John Swan,
Eli Williams, Stophall Burkett, and Thomas Brooke be a com-
mittee to represent this county to carry into execution the as-
sociation agreed on by the American Continental Congress, and
that any five have power to act.
"Jiesohecl, That Charles Beatty, Thos. Sprigg Wooton, John
Hanson, Thomas Bowles, Caspar Shaaff, Thomas Price, Baker
Johnson, Philip Thomas, George Murdock, Alexander C. Han-
son, Thomas Cramphin, Jr., William Bayley, Jr., Evan Thomas,
RichardBrooke, Thomas Johns, Walter Smith, William Deakins,
John Murdock, Bernard O'Neal, John Stull, Samuel Beall, Jr.,
James Smith. Joseph Chapline, Joseph Sprigg, Charles Swear-
engen, Rich. Davis, Jonathan Hager, and Joseph Perry be a
committee of correspondence for this county, and that any
five have power to act.
"Beaoh-ed, That Charles Beatty, Henry Griffith, Thos. Sprigg
Wooton, Jacob Funk, Evan Thomas, Richard Brooke, Upton
Sheredine. Baker Johnson, Thomas Price, Joseph Chapline,
and James Smith attend the provincial meeting on the 21st
inst. according to appointment, and that any five have power
to act and represent this county "
This convention, after an adjournment from the
21st of November to the Sth of December, adopted
resolutions encouraging the colonies to rely upon the
products of their own fields and their own industry, and
recommending "such of the inhabitants of this prov-
ince as are from sixteen to fifty years of age to form
themselves into companies of sixty-eight men ; to choose
a captain, two lieutenants, an ensign, four sergeants,
four corporals, and one drummer for each company,
and to use their utmost endeavors to make themselves
masters of the military exercise. That each man be
provided with a good firelock and bayonet fixed
thereon, half a pound of powder, two pounds of lead,
and a cartouch-box or powder-horn, and a bag for
ball, and be in readiness to act in any emergency."
It was further recommended that £1333 should be
raised in Frederick by subscription to be expended
by the committee of the county in the purchase of
arms and ammunition.
At a meeting of the inhabitants of Frederick
County, held at the court-house, on Tuesday, the 24th
of January, 1775, John Hanson, chairman, Archibald
Boyd, clerk, the association and resolves of the Amer-
ican Congress and the proceedings of the last Provin-
cial Convention were read and unanimously approved.
It was also
" I. Resolved, That Messrs. Charles Beatty, Henry Griffith,
Thomas Sprigg Wooton, Jacob Funk, and Nathan Magruder,
Richard Brooke, Zadock Magruder, William Baker, Thomas
Cramphin, Jr., Alexander Bowie, .Jr., William Deakins, Jr.,
John Murdock, Thomas .Johns, Bernard O'Neal, Brooke Beall,
Edward Burgess, Charles G. Griffith, Henry Griffith, Jr., Wil-
liam Bayley, Jr., Samuel Magruder, Nathaniel Offutt, Archibald
Orme, Joseph Threlkeld, Walter Smith, Thomas Beall of
George, Richard Crabb, William Luckett, William Luckett,
Jr., Greenbury Griffith, Samuel Griffith, John Hanson, Thomas
Price,Thomas Bowles, Conrad Grosh, Thomas Archley. Jonathan
Wilson, Francis Deakins, Caspar Schaaff, Peter Hoffman, George
Scott, Baker Johnson, Philip Thomas, Alexander C. Hanson,
Archibald Boyd, Arthur Nelson, Andrew Scott, George Strieker,
Adam Fisher, Wm. Ludwick, Weltner Van Swearingen, Wm. M.
Beall, Jacob Young. Peter Grosh, ^Eneas Campbell, Elias Brun-
ner, Frederick Kemp, John Haas, John Remsburg, Thomas
Hawkins, Upton Sheredine, Basil Dorsey, John Lawrence,
Charles Warfield, Ephraim Howard, Joseph Wells, David
Moore, Joseph Wood, Norman Bruce, William Blair, David
Schriver, Roger Johnson, Henry Cock, Robert Wood, William
Albaugh, Jacob Mathias, Henry Crawle, Jacob Ambrose,
David Richards, William Winchester, Philip Fishburn, Wil-
liam Hobbs, Thomas Cresap, Thomas Warren, Thomas Hum-
phreys, Richard Davis, Jr., Charles Clinton, James Prather,
George Bent, James Johnson, James Smith, Joseph Chapline,
.John Stull, Samuel Beall, Jr.. William Baird, Joseph Sprigg,
Christian Orendorff, Jonathan Hager, Conrad Hogmire, Chas.
Swearingen, Henry Suavely, Richard Davis, Samuel Hughes,
Joseph Perry, Joseph Smith, Thomas Hog, Thomas Prather,
AVilliam McClary, John Swan, Eli Williams, Christopher
Burkett, Thomas Brooke, Michael Raymer, Niehol.as Tice, John
Adium, Samuel Norwood, Bartholomew Booth, Jacob Buyer,
Michael Grosh, Jacob Miller, Andrew Bruce, John Darnall,
John Remsburg, William Dorran, John Key, John Beall, John
McCallister, Charles Beall, Lewis Kemp, John Stoner, Thomas
Beatty, Thomas Gilbert. Abraham Hoff, P. Henry Thomas,
Jacob Good, Westel Ridgely, Samuel Carrick, Abraham Hos-
teler, Baltzer Kelcholumer, Samuel Emmet, John Gary, Chris-
topher Edelin, Amos Riggs, John Grimber, Leonard Smith,
Nicholas Hower, Richard Northcraft, John Herriot, Richard
Smith, Zacharias Ellis, Azel Waters, JIartin Cassil, James
Johnson, George Bai'e, Benjamin Johnson, and Abraham Paw
be a committee of observation, with full powers to prevent any
infraction of the said institution, and to carry the resolves of
the American Congress and of the Provincial CoDvention into
execution ; that any seventy-five of those gentlemen have power
to act for the county, and any five in each of the larger dis-
tricts be authorized to act in any manner that concerns such
Division only.
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
129
" ir. Resolved, That the gentlemen appointed at the last
meeting of this County a committee of Correspondence be hereby
continued, and that the duration of their authority be limited
to the second Tuesday in October next.
" III. lieaolvedf As the most convenient and effectual method
of raising the sum of $1333, being this County's proportion of
the $10,000 which the provincial convention has appointed to
be raised for the jjurchaseof arms and ammunition, that a sub-
scription be immediately opened in every part of the County,
and the following gentlemen be appointed to promote such sub-
scriptions in their several Hundreds :
" For Salisbury Hundred, .Jonathan Hager, Henry Suavely,
and Jacob Sellers.
" For Upper Catoctin, Peter Bainbridge, Benjamin East-
burn, Caspar Smith, and Thomas Johnson.
" For the Lower part of New Foundland, Edward Burgess,
Walter Beall, .Joseph Perry.
'• For Skipton, Thomas Cresap, Moses Rawlings, and Richard
Davis, Jr.
"For Georgetown, William Deakins, Thomas Johns, Walter
Smith.
" For Sharpsburg, Joseph Chapline and Christian Oren-
dorf.
" For Lower part of Potomack Hundred, William Bayley,
Samuel Wade Magruder, Andrew Hugh, and Charles Jones.
" For Tom's Creek Hundred, William Blair, William Shcales,
and Benjamin Ogle.
" For Catoctin Hundred, George Strieker, William Luekett,
Jr., and Westel Ridgely.
" For Upper Antietam Hundred, Jacob Funk, Conrad IJog-
mire, Joseph Perry, John Ingram.
"For Linton Hundred, Martin Johnson and Joseph Flint.
" For Cumberland Hundred, Charles Clinton.
"For Middle Monooacy, Thomas Beatty, Malhias Ringer,
Christopher Stull, and T. Flemming.
"For Rock Creek Hundred, Thomas Cramphin, Zadock Ma-
gruder, W. Baker, and Allen Bowie.
"For Sugar Loaf Hundred, Francis Deakins, R. Smith, L.
Plunmer, Z. Waters, and Z. Linthicum.
" For Burnt Woods Hundred, Ephraim Howard, Charles War-
field, David Moore, John Lawrence, Henry Crowle, and William
Hobbs.
" For Lower Antietam Hundred, Thomas Hog, Henry Butler,
and Thomas Cramphin.
" For Linganore Hundred, John Beall, Charles G. GriiBth,
Nicholas Hobbs, Basil Dorsey, and William Duvall.
"For Conococheague, David Jones, Isaac Baker, and Jacob
Friend.
"For Piney Creek Hundred, Jacob Good, John McCallister,
Samuel McFarren, Abraham Hiter, and John Key.
" For Lower Monocacy Hundred, Lewis Kemp, John Darnall,
Thomas Nowland, and Leonard Smith.
" For Northwest Hundred, Samuel Harwood, Peter Becraft,
and Richard Beall, of Samuel.
"For Marsh Hundred, Charles Swearingen, Eli Williams,
James Smith, Richard Davis, and George Swimley.
" For Upper Part of Potomac Hundred, Brooke Beall, Samuel
West. Nathaniel Offutt, and Alexander Clagett.
"For Seneca, Charles Perry, Richard Crabb, Gerard Briscoe.
" For Pipe Creek Hundred, Andrew Bruce, William Win-
chester, David Schriver, and Nathaniel Norris.
"For Manor Hundred, William Beatty, Joseph Wood, Jr.,
Azel Waters, John Remsbury, Abraham Hoff, and Valentine
" For Upper Part of Monocacy Hundred, Henry Co.\, Roger ;
Johnson, Richard Butler. I
"For upper part of New Foundland Hundred, Henry Grif-
fith, Richard Brooke, nnd Henry Gaithcr, Sr.
" For Elizabeth Hundred, John Stull, Otho Holland Williams,
John Swan, and John Bench.
"For Fredericktown Hundred, Phil. Thomas, Thomas Price,
Baker Johnson, Peter Hoflfman, and Ludwick Weltner.
"For Fort Frederick Hundred, Ezekial Co.\.
" For Sugar Land Hundred, .^ncas Campbell, John Fletcher,
John Luekett, Alexander Whitaker, and Solomon Simpson.
"The said gentlemen are instructed to apply personally, or
by Deputy, to every freeman in their respective Districts, and
to solicit a generous contribution.
"They are ordered to state accounts of money received, and
pay it to the Committee of Correspondence, which is hereby
appointed to meet at Fredericktown, the 23d day of March next :
and they are further ordered to report to the said Committee the
names of persons (if any) who shall refuse to subscribe.
"IV. That Messrs. Thomas Johnson, William Deakins,
Charles Beatty, George Murdock, John Stull, and John Swan,
or any one of them, be empowered to contract, in behalf of the
Committee of Correspondence, for any quantity of powder and
Lead, to be paid for on the said 23d day of March.
" V. In order that a committee of observation may be more
conveniently chosen, and a more proper representation of the
people may be had, the several collectors in each Hundred are
desired to give notice to those qualified by their estates to vote
for Representatives of some time and place of meeting in the
Hundred, to elect members for a Committee, agreeably to the fol-
lowing regulation :
"When the number of taxables exceed two hundred, and
amounts to not more than four hundred, the District shall elect
three members. The Collectors are ordered to return such Repre-
sentatives to the Committee of Correspondence on the said 23d
day of March; the Committee so chosen shall then meet, and
the authority of the present Committee of Observation shall be
dissolved.
" VI. Resolved, That Messrs. John Hanson, Charles Beatty,
Upton Sheredine, Baker Johnson, Philip Thomas, Jacob Funk,
Samuel Beall, Joseph Chapline, John Stull, James Smith,
Henry Griffith, Thomas Sprigg Wootton, Richard Brooke, Wil-
liam Deakins, and Thomas Cramphin, or any five of them, shall
represent this County to any Provincial convention to be held at
the city of Annapolis before the second Tuesday of October
next. A petition from the People called Dunkers and Menno-
nists was read. They express a willingness freely to contribute
their money in support of the common cause of America, but
pray an exemption from the Military Exercise on the score of
their Religious Principles.
"Resolved, That this petition be referred to the Committee
to be chosen agreeably to the fifth Resolve. In the mean time
it is strictly enjoined that no violence be offered to the person
or property of any one, but that all grounds of complaint be
referred to said Committee.
" Arch. Bovn, Clerk." ^
On the 15th of June, 1775, Col. George Washing-
ton, one of the Virginia delegates in Congress, was
nominated by his friend and associate, Thomas John-
• As arms became necessary, a gun-lock factory was ordered
by the convention in December, 1775, to be erected in Frederick,
and the land was purchased. (Land Record B. D., No. 2, folio
471.) The site of the factory is now occupied by the coal-yard
of Mr. Groshon, Messrs. Tyson & Son's warehouse, and J. E.
Gifl'ord's marble-works. By the act of 1778, ch. 4, it was
ordered to be sold.
130
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
son, of Frederick, to be commander-in-chief of the
Continental forces, and he was unanimously chosen.
Havinj; accepted his commission from the " United
Colonies," Washington left Philadelphia on the 21st
of June to take command of the army.
On the 17ih of June the battle of Bunker Hill
was fought, and from this hour the colonists were
fully roused. In Maryland all was vigilance and
activity. The manufacture of gunpowder, arms, and
ammunition of every kind was encouraged. The two
companies, assigned as the quota of the province under
the resolution of Congress, were raised witli the utmost
spirit and dispatch in Frederick County, which then
embraced, besides its present territory, all of Wash-
ington, Montgomery, Allegany, Garrett, and part of
Carroll Counties. x\t a meeting of the Committee
of Observation of Frederick, held in the court-house
in Frederick Town on the 21st of June, a letter was
read by John Hanson, chairman, from the delegates
of Maryland in Congress, accompanied by the resolu-
tion passed on the 14th. The latter represented that
two companies of expert riflemen were required of
the county to join the army at Boston, " to be there
employed as light infantry." The committee there-
upon
" liesoh-ed. That agreeable to the resolution of the Congress,
and on the terms by ihem proposed, two companies of expert
riflemen be forthwith raised and officered hv the following gen-
tlemen : Of the first company — Michael Cresap, captain;
Thomas Warren, Joseph Cresap, Jr., Richard Davis, Jr., lieu-
tenants. Of the second company — Thomas Price, captain;
Otho Holland Williams, John Ro?s Key, lieutenants; another
lieutenant to be chosen by Capt. Price and approved by the
committee."
By the terms of enlistment the captains were to
receive S20 per month; the lieutenants, S13i ; the
sergeants, $8; the corporals, §7}; the drummers,
STi; and the privates, S6|- ; "that they find their
own arms and clothes ; that each company consist
of a captain, three lieutenants, four sergeants, four
corporals, a drummer, and sixty-eight privates; that
the form of enlistment be as follows:
**I, A. B., have this day of voluntarily enlisted
myself as a soldier in the American Continental Army for one
year, unless sooner discharged. I do bind myself to conform
in all instances to such rules and regulations as are or shall
hereafter be established for the government of the said Army."'
The character and appearance of the riflemen^ and
their skill as marksmen, excited the curiosity of a
gentleman in Frederick, who, in a letter to a friend
in Philadelphia, dated Aug. 1, 1775, thus describes
them before they left Frederick :
" Notwithstanding the urgency of my business, I have been
detained in this place by an occurrence truly agreeable. I
have had the bajipiuess of seeing Capt. Michael Cresap march-
ing-at the head of a formidable company of upwards of 130
men from the mountains and backwoods, painted like Indians,
armed with tomahawks and rifles, and dressed in hunting
shirts and moccasins; and though some of them had traveled
near eight hundred miles from the banks of the Ohio, they
seemed to walk light and easy, and not with less spirit than at
the first hour of their march. Health and vigor, after what
they bad undergone, declared them to be intimate with hard-
ships and familiar with danger. Joy and satisfaction were
visible in the crowd that met them. Had Lord North been
present, and could have been assured that the brave leader
could raise thousands of such to defend his country, what think
you? — would the hatchet and block have intruded upon his
mind? I had an opportunity of attending the captain during
his stay in town, and watched the behavior of his men and
the manner in which he treated them; for it seems that all
who go out to war under him do not only pay the most willing
obedience to him as their commander, but in every instance of
distress look upon him as their friend or father. A great part
of his time was ?pent in listeulng to and relieving their wants
without any apparent sense of fatigue and trouble. When
comphiints were before him he determined them with kindness
and spirit, and on every occasion condescended to please with-
out losing his dignity.
"Yesterday the company were supplied with a small quan-
tity of powder from the magazine, which wanted airing, and
was not good for rifles. In the evening, however, they were
drawn out to show the gentlemen of the town their dexterity
at shooting. A clapboard, with a mark the size of a dollar,
was put up; they began to fire off-hand, and the bystanders
were surprised, so few shots being made that were not close to
or in the paper.
** When they had shot for a time in this way, some lay on their
backs, some on their breast or side, others ran twenty or thirty
steps, and, firing, appeared to be equally certain of the mark.
With this performance the company were more than satisfied,
when a young man took up the board in his hand, not by the
end, but by the side, and holding it up, his brother walked to
the distance, and very coolly shot into the white; laying down
his rifle, he took up the board, and, holding it as it was held
before, the second brother shot as the former had done.
"By this exercise I was more astonished than pleased. But
will you believe me. when I tell you, that one of the men took
the board, and placing it between his legs, stood with his hack
to the tree, while another drove the centre? What would a
regular army of considerable strength, in the forests of Amer-
ica, do with one thousand of these men, who want nothing to
preserve their health and courage but water from the spring,
with a little parched corn, with what they can easily procure
in hunting, and who, wrapped in their blankets, in the damp
of night, would choose the shade of a tree for their covering and
the earth for their bed ?"
At the time Cresap was appointed to command the
Western Maryland Rifles, he was returning to his
home at Old Town, now Washington County, from his
settlement on the Ohio. He was met, it is said,
near Cumberland, by a faithful friend with the mes-
sage that he was chosen to command one of the two
rifle companies.
**When I communicated my business," says the messenger,
"and announced his appointment, instead of becoming elated,
he became pensive and solemn, as if his spirits were really de-
pressed, or as if he had a presentiment that this was his death-
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
131
warrant. He said he was in bad health and his afiairs in a
deranged state, but that, nevertheless, as the committee had
selected him, and as he understood from nie his father had
pledged himself that he should accept of this appointment, he
would go, let the consequences be what they might. He then
directed me to proceed to the west side of the mountains, and
publish to his old companions in arms this his intention. This
I did, and in a very short time collected and brought to him,
at his residence in Old Town, about twenty-two as fine fellows
as ever bandied a rifie, and most, if not all, of them completely
equipped."
The rifleiBen set out from Frederick Town on the
18th of July, 1775, on their march to Cambridge,
Mass., and after traveling five hundred and fifty miles
over the rough and difficult roads of that period, they
arrived on the 9th of August at their destination,
thus making the journey in twenty-two days without
the loss of a man.'
Cresap's company was the first from the South to
reach Cambridge, and although in bad health, ho
marched on the 13th of August with Capt. Daniel
Morgan's company of Virginia riflemen to Roxbury,
on the south side of Boston, where they joined the
American army under the command of Gen. Wash-
ington. Mr. Thatcher in his military journal of
August, 1775, in noticing their arrival, says, —
" They are remarkably stout and hardy men, many of them
exceeding six feet in height. They are dressed in white frocks,
or rifle shirts, and round hats. These men are remarkable for
the accuracy of their aim, striking a mark with^great certainty
at two hundred yards' distiince. At a review, a company of
them, while on a quick advance, fired their balls into objects of
seven inches diameter at the distance of two hundred and
fifty yards. They are now stationed on our lines, and their
shot have frequently proved fatal to British officers and soldiers,
^ Extract from a letter from a gentleman in Frederick Town
to his friend in Baltimore Town, dated July 19, 1775:
" On Monday last, July 17th, Capt. Morgan, from Virginia,
with his company of riflemen {alt chosen), marched through
this place on their way to Boston. Their appearance was truly
martial, their spirits amazingly elated, breathing nothing but
a desire to join the American army and to engage the enemies
of American liberties. They were met a mile out of town by
three companies, viz. : Capt. Price's company of riflemen, Capt.
Grosh's and Capt. Beatty's companies of militia, and escorted
a few miles out of town, amidst the acclamation of all the in-
habitants who attended them. And yesterday Capt. Price with
his company also marched, and surely never were two finer
companies raised in any country more determined to conquer
or die than those two companies are. Capt. Cresap also with
his brave company have marched. I need not say anything of
Capt. Cresap's undaunted couriige. Not an American but
knows him to be an intrepid warrior, and of course he knows
his men, and has culled them from the many. We are also in
hourly expectation of Capt. Stinson with his company in this
town, on his way to Boston. Gnd grant him a speedy and
happy arrival there. So many oifered to join the above com-
panies, that not one of them but might have had one hundred
men at least."
who expose themselves to view, even at more than double the
distance of common musket-shot." 2
McCurtin's journal gives some interesting particu-
lars of the earlier experiences of these representatives
of Western Maryland in the theatre of war. On the
15th (of August'), he says, " we had a most amazing
shout of cannon thunders, which at this time seemed
strange and shocking to our young soldiers, during
this our first alarm." Tiiree days later he relates that
as " he was at breakfast in the former dwelling-house
of Dr. Williams they (the British) fired four thirty-
two-pounders at the house, one of which rushed
through the room and dashed one side out of the
chimney, broke two partitions, and filled our dishes
with plastering, ceiling, and bricks. George Switcher,
Sergt. Torrel, and William Johnson were in the room
when this happened. Any man may judge whether
or no this did not surprise us four young heroes ;
however, as I cannot say for the minds of them who
were in company with me, but I know, to the best of
my thinking, that I went down two pair of stairs of
three strides without a fall, and as soon as I was out
of doors ran to the breastwork in great haste, which
is our place of safety, without the least concern about
my breakfast, to James McCancie's amazement." '
In 1776 these companies were incorporated in a
rifle regiment, of which Stephenson, of Virginia, was
appointed colonel, Moses Rawlings, of Old Town,
Frederick (now Washington) County, lieutenant-
colonel, and Otho Holland Williams, of Frederick
(now Williamsport, Washington County), major.
Upon Stephenson's death the command devolved
upon Rawlings, and the regiment formed part of the
garrison of Fort Washington, in the State of New
York, at the time it was attacked by Sir William
Howe. In this attack the rifle regiment behaved with
splendid courage, but were made prisoners of war
with the rest of the command on the capture of the
fort.
2 Capt. Cresap, as we have before stated, after about three
months' efficient service in the neighborhood of Boston, was forced
by continued illness to obtain leave to return home ; but, finding
himself too sick to proceed, stopped in New York, where he died
of fever on the 18th of October, 1775, at the early age of thirty-
three. On the following day his remains, attended by a large
concourse of people, were buried with military honors in Trinity
Churchyard. Mr. Brantz Mayer says that on a visit to the
churchyard of Trinity on the 2d of June, ISGd, he discovered
the long-neglected grave and gravestone of the pioneer imme-
diately opposite the door of the north transept of the church.
It was of sandstone, and when last seen, in 1865, was broken
off near the ground and propped up.
3 On the 30th of August William Norris, a member of one of
the rifle companies, died " with a long sickness, .and was buried
in as genteel a manner as we could get it done."
132
HISTOKY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
In the mean time the citizens of Frederick were
not idle. At a meeting of the freeholders and others
of the freemen of the middle district of Frederick
County at the court-house in Frederick Town, the 12th
of September, 1775, agreeable to the resolve of the
last Provincial Convention, the following gentlemen
were chosen a Committee of Observation of said dis-
trict, viz. : George Strieker, Charles Beatty, Christo-
pher Edelin, Upton Sheredine, Baker Johnson, Wil-
liam Blair, Dr. Adam Fisher, Conrad Grosh, John
Hanson, George Murdock, John Adlum, Michael
Raymer, Dr. Philip Thomas, William Luckett, John
Haas, Joseph Wood, Jr., John Stoner, and made
choice of Messrs. Charles Beatty and Baker Johnson,
by a ballot, to attend the Provincial Convention.
At a meeting of the middle district committee of
Frederick County, the 14th of September, 1775, there
were present Messrs. George Strieker, Charles Beatty,
Christopher Edelin, Upton Sheredine, Baker John-
son, William Blair, Adam Fisher, William Beatty,
Conrad Grosh, John Hanson, George Murdock, John
Adlum, Michael Raymer, Dr. Philip Thomas, William
Luckett, John Haas, Joseph Wood, and John Stoner.
On the 12th of September a meeting of the free-
men of the upper district of Frederick County was
held for the purpose of choosing a Committee of Ob-
servation and delegates to the Provincial Convention,
and the following persons were elected : for the Com-
mittee of Observation, John Stull, Charles Swearingen,
Andrew Rench, Jonathan Hager, John Sellars, Col.
Cresap, James Smith, John Rench, Ezekiel Cox,
Samuel Hughes, William Baird, Joseph Smith, Wil-
liam Yates, Conrad Hogmire, Christian Orendorff,
George Zwingly, Joseph Chaplain, and Col. James
Beale. Delegates, William Beard and John Stull.
The committee met for the first time on the 14th
of September, 1775, when the following members
were present: John Stull, Esq., president; Samuel
Hughes, secretary ; James Smith, John Rench, Con-
rad Hogmire, William Rench, Z. Cox, George Zwingly,
C. OrendorflF, Andrew Rench, John Sellars, W. Baird,
Charles Swearingen.
A letter being received from the Committee of Cor-
respondence for the middle district of the county rela-
tive to the raising of two companies of minute-men.
the committee of the upper part of the county met
for that purpose on Monday, the 18th of September
1775, at Elizabethtown (now called Hagerstown) with
the following persons present : John Stull, Esq, presi-
dent ; Samuel Hughes, secretary ; Capts. Hogmire,
Smith, Hager ; Messrs. John Rench, John Sellars.
Andrew Rench, George Zwingly, Charles Swear-
ingen. It was
"Resolved, That Messrs. Henry Shryock and James Chap-
lain be appointed to enroll two companies of minute-men, being
the number allotted for this district; and they are hereby ap-
pointed for that purpose."
The committee then adjourned to the first Monday
in October, 1775.
The following persons were also appointed to serve
as a committee for licensing suits in Frederick County :
James Smith, Samuel Hughes, Conrad Hogmire, Col.
Beall, John Rench, John Sellars, and Charles Swear-
ingen. Capt. Jonathan Hager was appointed to re-
ceive all sums of money that might be voluntarily
given for the public good. It was also
" Ordered, That the following persons carry the association
to all freemen resident in this district, and require their sub-
scription to the same : Linton Hundred, Thomas Hynes; Fort
Frederick, Benj. Johnson ; Conococheague, Thomas Swearin-
gen, David Jones, Isaac Baker; Salisbury, Doct. Schnebly,
Henry Cellar; Elizabeth Town, Danl. Clapsadle, Ludwick
Young, Andrew Link : Upper Antietam, Daniel Perry, Chris-
tian Lantz, Geo. Dement; Lower Antietam, Tbomas Crampton,
Conrad Schnebly ; Sharpsburg, Doct. Cruse, John Reynolds,
Jr. ; Marsh Hundred, Richard Davis, Ignatius Sims, Peter
White. Application being made to the committee by the com-
mittee of George's Creek, on the Monongahela, for Ammuni-
tion, it was
"Ordered, That Mr. Stull deliver unto Mr. J. Swearingen, for
the use of the said committee, seventy-four pounds of gun-
powder, at .Ss. 6(/. per pound, and eighty pounds of lead, at
6f/. per pound, and receive the money for the same, and keep it
until further directions from this committee.
" Resolved, That each member of this committee shall pay
5». fine for each day's non-attendance without a lawful excuse;
Col. Cresap excepted.
" Resolved, That each member pay his club of the expense*
attending this committee, present or absent."
The committee then adjourned to the first Monday
in October, 1775.
From the proceedings of the Committee of Observa-
tion for Elizabethtown (now Hagerstown) district we
make the following interesting extracts, which show
that the hearts of the colonists of this section of the
province were full of sympathy for the patriotic cause,
and that their hands were full of aid:
" The committee met according to adjournment. Present,
.loseph Smith, Esq., in the chair; Samuel Hughes, secretary;
James Smith, C. Orendorff, Z. Cox, C. Swearingen, Capts.
Hager and Stull, C. Hogmire, G. Zwingly, J. Sellars, W.Yates,
W. Rench, and W. Baird.
" It appears to this committee (from the representation of
some of the members who have endeavored to get their neigh-
bors to enroll in companies of militia) that the greatest number
refuse in consequence of several religious sects being excepted by
the resolves of the convention.
" Resolved, That this committee is of opinion that it is highly
reasonable that every person who enjoys the benefit of their
religion and protection of the laws of this free country ought
to contribute, either in money or military service, towards the
defence of these invaluable rights.
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
133
'^Resolved, That two shillings and sixpence, currency, per
week (for all those who are constrained by religious principles
from contributing their proportion in military service) would
be equal to mustering, agreeable to the directions of the con-
vention.
*^ Resolved, That a remonstrance be sent to the next conven-
tion, setting forth the cause and substance of the above resolve.
" Ordered, That the commissioned officers of the militia com-
panies in this district attend at Elizabeth Town on the third
Monday of this month, in order to vote for persons to be rec-
ommended to the council of safety, as field-officers.
"The committee adjourns till the 16th October,
" The committee met according to adjournment. Present,
John Stull, Esq., in the chair; Samuel Hughes, secretar}';
George Zwingly, James Smith, J. Rench, C. Orendorff, C.
Swearingen, and W. Rench, Capt. Hager, W. Baird, John Sel-
lars, Z. Cox.
'* On a motion being made and seconded, it was
" Ordered, That a letter should be written to the committee
of correspondence in the middle district that it is the opinion
of this district that the battalion of minute-men for this county
would receive great advantage by being kept together and in-
structed, and that this committee are desirous such a plan
should be adopted, and that a meeting of the three districts of
this county Would be advisable; and, in case such meeting
should be appointed, Messrs. James Smith and Samuel Hughes
are appointed to attend at said meeting, with full power to act
for this committee in the aforesaid busines3\
" Ordered, That all those who have enrolled with Mr. Brook
and Mr. Dement, do join and form one company, and immedi-
ately proceed to the choice of officers.
"On motion of Mr. Thomas Frinck, Sr., of the Upper Dis-
trict of Frederick County, that he hath been often jostled by
the residents of the upper part of Frederick County by re-
fusing to pay their public dues, it is the opinion and advice of
this committee that they ought to pay their levies and all their
public dues for the support of the civil government.
"A motion being made by a member of the committee that
as sundry companies of the militia that are not yet made up
and ordered according to the directions of the provincial con-
vention, and as the numbers of the said companies appointed
to be raised do not amount to make up two battalions, it is
*^ Resolved by the committee, in order to satisfy the popu-
lace, that an election be held for the Hagerstown battalion on
the 22d day of October, 1775, and for the lower battalion on
I the 30th day of October; and that the said lower battalion
shall transmit a full and clear copy of their election to the
committee of correspondence for the said district, in order that
they may transmit the same to the Council of Safety of this
province that they may take order therein.
" Committee adjourns to 23d.
"The committee met on the 11th of November, 1775, Col.
Joseph Smith in the chair.
" Agreed, That Capts. Stull, Hogmire, Baker, Rench, Hughes,
Kershner, Shryock, Clapsadle, be the first battalion; Capts. j
Orendorff, Shelley, Williams, Davis, Smith, Demond, Swear- ,
ingen, Walling, be the second battalion. I
" Whereas it hath been represented to this committee by Mr.
John Swan that his character has been much aspersed by a i
certain John Shryock, as having said that he suspected the said j
Mr. Swan of having been an enemy to America, the said John ,
Shryock being called to this committee, and making nothing
appear against him, the said John Swan is honorably acquitted 1
by this committee of said charge.
"The committee adjourns to Monday the 20th inst.
*'At the meeting of the committee on the 20th of November, I
1775. Present, Mr. James Smith, president; Messrs. Stull,
Baird, Swearingen, A. Rench, Zwingly, John Rench, and S.
Hughes. Doct. John C [Connolly], of Fort Pitt, and cer-
tain persons called Doctor S [Smith], and M. C [Cam-
eron] were bro't before the committee and accused of being
inimical to the liberties of America.
''Resolved, unnnhnousli/. That the said doct. C (from cer-
tain papers produced to this committee, and acknowledged to
have been written by bim) is a dangerous enemy to the colo-
nies, and as such shall be sent to the council of safety or con-
vention for further trial.
" It was also ReHolved, That the aforesaid Doctor S and
M. C being found guilty of many equivocations, and com-
ing in company with the aforesaid Doct. C from the dan-
gerous councils of Lord Dunmore, that it is the opinion of this
committee that the said S and C shall be sent to the
council of safety or convention for further enquiry. The com-
mittee adjourns till the 1st Monday in December.
"The committee met accordingly. Present, Mr. Jas. Smith
in the chair; Christian Orendorff, John Uonch, Andrew Rench,
C. Swearingen, George Zwingly, S. Hughes. By order the
committee appointed Daniel Ileaster to arbitrate and award on
an affair of controversy now depending betwixt William Sits-
ster and Christian vShneakenberger, in the room of Capt. Jona-
thnn linger, dec'd.
" Ordered, That Samuel Hughes and Andrew Rench do attend
at Mr. Harry's on Thursday next, in order to receive the ac-
counts of necessaries supplied the rifle companies, and trans-
mit the same to the treasurer in Philadelphia for payment.
"The committee adjourn till the fourth Monday in this
month.
"December the 18th, 1775, the committee mot: Jos. Smith
in the chair.
"Christian Orendorff, Andrew W. Rench, George Zvvingly,
John Rench, John Sellars, Conrad Hogmire.
'^Agreed, That Capt. Shryock is to have one pound of pow-
der and four pounds of lead, for which he was out in taking
C .
" Agreed, That each captain of the two battalions is to have
two pounds of powder and six pounds of lead, to be applied
only to the use of the public in case of an invasion, and to be
returned if demanded.
''Agreed, That if Capt. H comes home before the first
day of .January next, and does not come to this committee upon
the complaint of Lieut. William Hyser, Adam Smith, and John
Oster, he then shall be sent for.
"The committee was called on the 10th of January, 1776,
Samuel Hughes in the chair.
" Capts. Hogmire, Smith, Swearingen, aud Rench, Messrs.
Zwingly, Sellars, John Rench. Dr. S , who made his es-
cape from Frederick Town, was brought before the committee,
and several letters of consequence from Dr. C to the ene-
mies of America in the back country were found with him.
" Resolved, That the said Dr. S be sent under safe guard
to the congress.
"The committee adjourns till Monday next.
"The committee met, according to adjournment, January 15.
Present, Joseph Smith in chair; John Rench, C. Hogmire,
James Smith, A. Rench, John Sellars, C. Orendorff, G. Zwingly,
S. Hughes.
" Ordered, That Henry Yost be supplied with six pounds of
powder to prove his muskets with.
" The committee adjourned until the first Monday in Febru-
ary.
"The committee met, according to adjournment, on Mon-
day, Feb. 5, 1776. Present, John Stull, Esq., in the chair; A.
13-t
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Rench, John Sellars, C. Hogmire, C. Swearingen, G. Zwingly,
Saml. Hughes. John Rench, E. Cox, Win. Yates, Win. Baird.
" Orderctf. That Thomas Brooke be clerk to this committee.
The committee proceed to the trial of Capt. S- H . and
after examination of the evidence do honorably acquit him,
they not being able to make anything appear against him.
Henry Y having been charged with making use or eelling
the powder allowed him by this committee to prove his mus-
kets, is honorably acquitted, as be has fully satisfied the com-
mittee he is clear of the charge.
*' Ordered, That Basil Prather be recommended by this com-
mittee as a captain, and Henry Prather as lieutenant, to the
Continental Congress.
*' The committee adjourns to the third Monday in this month.
"The committee met, according to adjournment, the 19th
February. Present, Maj. Joseph Smith, in chair; Col. John
Stull, Majs. C. Swearingen and A. Rench, Capts. J. Sellars, C.
Orendorff, C. Hogmire, Mr. John Rench.
" Capt. John Sellars and Lieut. M'Laughlin appointed to
enquire what number of the country's arms are in the bands
of Capt. Baker, and to know what order they are in.
** Ordered, That Capt. S. Hughes have nine pounds of powder
to prove one of the cannon.
'^Ordered, That Mr. Moses Chapline be recommended by this
committee to the Continental Congress as a fit person to take
the command of a company as a captain in the service of his
country.
" Ordered, That Lieut.-Col. Smith, of the Thirty-sixth Bat-
talion, be recommended to the council of safety or convention of
this province as first colonel to said battalion in the place of
Col. Beall, who has refused his commission ; and Capt. Oren-
dorff as lieutenant- colonel to said battalion, and Jno. Rey-
nolds captain, and George Kefer first lieutenant to Capt. Oren-
dorff's company.
"The committee adjourns to the first Monday in March.
" The committee met, according to adjournment, the 4th
March, 1776. Present, Capt. Conrad Hogmire in the chair;
Col. John Stull, Capt. J. Sellars, John Rench, Capt. Samuel
Hughes, Col. A. Rench, G. Zwingly.
" Orderedj That the following persons hand about the asso-
ciations: Thomas Brooks, George Demont, John Charlton,
Joshua Barnes, Jas. Walling, J. Rench, J. Sellars, David
Jones, John Barnett, J. Stull, Saml. Hughes, Peter Shelley,
Daniel Perry, John Reynolds.
" Ordered, That the captains of each hundred take an asso-
ciation paper and present it to the inhabitants of their hundred
for signing, and make an exact account of those that sign and
those that refuse, with their reasons for refusing, Conocheague
hundred excepted, David Jones, J. Barnett, Balsar Mondy, and
Matthias Oats being appointed for that purpose.
" Ordered, That Col. J. Stull, Capt. S. Hughes, and Col.
Joseph Smith be judges of the election for the choice of six
members in the place of Capt. Hager (deceased). Col. Samuel
Beall, Col. Thomas Cresap, Mr. Joseph Chapline (who refused),
Messrs. Cox and William Yates, who are taken into the upper
hundred.
** Ordered^ That Henry R be kept under a guard of six
men until sent to the Council of Safety for trial ; but, in case
be shall sign the association, enroll into some company, ask
pardon of this committee, and give good security for his good
behavior for the futui-e, to be released.
" Ordered, That the sheriff of Frederick County obtain a
general warrant on his list of public levys and clergy for the
last year.
"The committee adjourns to the third Monday in this
month.
"The committee met on Monday, the 18th March. Present,
William Baird in the chair; John Stull, Conrad Hogmire, A.
Rench. Michael Foekler, William Heyser.
"The committee was called the 6th uf April. Present, Henry
Shryock in the chair; Col. A. Rench, Capts. Michael Foekler,
J. Sellars, William Heyser, Messrs. J. Rench, C. Lantz. Was
brought before this committee E and P 6 , for
speaking unbecoming word against the association, acknowl-
edged their fault, and signed.
"The committee adjourns to the 8th of April, nine o'clock.
*'The committee met. according to adjournment, on the 8th
of April. Members present. Col. Beall in the chair; Charles
Swearingen, M. Foekler, A. Rench, J. Sellars, C. Orendorff,
W. Heyser, Henry Shryock, John Rench, G. Zwingly, C.
Lantz, .John Stull, Joseph Smith, C. Hogmire, J. Chapline,
William Baird.
"'In Council of Safety, Annapolis,
"•March 2.% 1776.
*^' Gentlemen, — The great diffirulty we find in providing
blankets for the regular fnrces raised for the defence of this
province obliges us to apply to the committee of oliservation
for the several counties and districts, earnestly requesting that
they would use thejr endeavors to procure from the house-
keepers in their respective counties and districts all the
blankets or rugs that they can with any convenience spare, for
which the council will pay such prices as the committees
shall agree on, as well as auy expense that may arise in col-
lecting them together: and when you have procured any quan-
tity, you will send them to Anna])olis, to Col. Smallwood, or,
in his absence, to the commanding officer on this station, who
will receive the same, and give orders on the council for the
payment thereof.
" * We hope that the friends to our cause in the county will
contribute everything in their power to the comfortable sub-
sistence of the soldiery in this respect; it will be an act of great
humanity, and render an essential service to the public.
" ' We are. Gentlemen, your most O'^' servants. By order.
" ' Daniel, of St. Thos., Jennifer, P.'
"In consequence of the preceding letter from the honorable
the council c'f safety of this province, we have, agreeably to their
request, furnished them with what quantity of blankets and
rugs the inhabitants of this district can with any convenience
spare, and a price estimated on them bj' this committee as fol-
Wm. Baird, 1 blanket
John Parks. I rug
Andrew Rench, 1 blanket
Simon Mver. "
Philip Rymeby, 3 coverlets 2
Geo. Fry, 1 blanket
Felty Safety, 1 blanket
Jacob Lazear, "
Joseph Birely, 1 coverlet 1
1 blanket
Richard Davis. "
Thos. Prather, "
Ch'n Rhorer, "
Leonard Shryock, "
Robci't Guthrie, 1 coverlet 1
Christian Miller, " 1
Jacob Prunk, I blanket
Jacob Rohrer, "
Eilen Miller. "
Chas. Swearingen, 1 blanket
Ch'n Eversole, "
" " 1 quilt
" " 1 covt-rlet
John Ingram. 1 blanket
Adam Grimer, 2 blankets 1
Wm. Douglatfs, 1 blanket
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
135
Mntthias Need, 1 blanket.,
Michael Ott, "
Jdhn Feagen, "
Jerentiah Well.s, "
.Joseph Rench, "
Zfich'h Spires, *'
Mntthias Neiul, "
Henry Startzmnn, **
Geor-e Swingly, "
Genrge Hoff'rann, "
Jnenb Brumbaugh, "
Michaol Miller,
George Hartte, '•
Jnhn Roltrer, "
Chrisl'r Burgnrd, "
Jnenb Gon.l. 1 rug
.John Rench. 1 blanket
John Stull, "
"Received of Conrad Sheilz forty-four blankets for the use
of this province, which were delivered him by the committee of
Observation of Elizabeth Town district.
"Received by me this 12th day of April, 1776.
"Geo. Stricker.
"Col. John Stull, Received the remaining seven blankets, for
the use of the province. Col. Stull delivered 112 lbs. Powder
(belonging to the public) to Capt. Burgess, in order to prove
the cannon at D. & S. Hughes* works.
^'Ordered, That the said quantity remain in the possession
of D. & S. Hughes until this committee gives further order
thereon.
"The committee adjourns till Saturday next, two o'clock.
"The committee met according to adjournment. Present,
Col. Samuel Benll in the chair; Joseph Smith, John Keller,
Mich'l Fockler, Wm. Heyser, John Stull, Henry Shryock, A.
Rench, Christian Lantz, G. Zwingly, J. Rench, Conrad Hog-
mire.
" The committee orders that Major Henry Shryock and Capt.
Michael Fockler shall receive of Mr. Daniel Heister what
money is in his hands, for arms and other necessaries pur-
ohased here for Capt. Mich'l Cresap's company, signed and
ordered by the committee.
"The committee adjourns to the 29th day of April.
"April the 29, 1776, the committee met according to adjourn-
ment. Present, Col. J. Smith, Geo. Swingly, S. Hughes, Wm.
Baird, John Rench, Saml. Boall, Jr., C. Swearingen, Ch'n
Lantz, Wm. Heyser, Christian Orendorff, John Sellars, John
Stull, Conrad Hogmire. Samuel Beall, Jr., chosen chairman,
and James Clark appointed clerk. Appeared Maj. Henry
Shryock and Joseph Chaplin.
" Resolred, That this committee do pay the clerk seven shil-
lings and si.\pcnce for each day that he shall attend, and
that he consider himself under the ties of honor not to disclose
or reveal the secrets of the said committee.
"The committee adjourns to three o'clock in the afternoon.
"The committee met according to adjournment. On motion.
Resolved, That the several returns of non-enrollers and non-
associators be considered [here follow sundry li.sts of the names
of persons who refused to enroll or associate]. On motion
that the committee sit at Sharpsburg once in three times, the
committee concurs therewith.
"The committee adjourns until the first Tuesday in May.
"May 7, committee met according to adjournment. Mem-,
bers present. Col. S. Beall in Ihe chair; Andrew Rench, G.
Chaplin, Henry Shryock, C. Hogmire, P. Hughes. Wm. Heyser,
John Sellars, Chs. Swearingen, George Swingly, John Stull.
James Clark continued as clerk. It was resolved that no per-
sonal disputes and reflections should pass in committee. No
questions to he put and voted to without a motion being made
and .seconded. The committee adjourn.
" Reenlneil, That con.siderntion be had of the summonses
issued at the last committee for the appearance of sundry per-
sons before them this day, to show cause why they do not en-
roll and ns.sociatc, and deliver up their arms, in which the com-
mittee concurred, and proceeded to examine the returns made
thereon, when it appeared that sundry persons had due notice
accordingly, and were called in turn.
"And as such as have appeared not, or are not able to
give any satisfactory reasons to this committee, why they did
not or do not enroll and associate, and deliver up their arms,
according to the resolve of the late convention in December
last, be fined and proceeded against,
" The committee adjourned for half an hour, met accordingly,
and adjourns to the morrow, to meet at 9 o'clk A.M.
"Wednesday, 8 May. 1776. The committee met according to
adjournment. — all the members ])resent as on yesterday, except
Capts. Hughes, Hogmire. and Sellars. Appeared Mr. John
Rench.
"Ordered, That the sundry persons do pay the sums annexed
to their name? in one month from the date hereof, and deliver
up their fire arms immediately, if they have any, except pistols,
to the several persons appointed to receive the same." [Here
follows a long list of names, with the lines annexed.]
"This day Col. J. Stull made known to this committee that
he received from the treasurer, Thomas Harwood, by order of
the council of safety, £137 9«. 6d. current money, it being the
sum due for 51 blankets purchased by the committee for the
use of the province, by order of the council of safety.
"Ordered. That Captains Jtimes Walling, P'r. Reed, Basil
AA'illiams, Michael Fockler, Martin Kershncr, John Sellars, S.
Hughes, and C. Hogmire be empowered by Warrant to receive
the sundry .sums of money heretofore assessed by this commit-
tee against the several persons, as per lists to be made and an-
nexed thereto, who have not enrolled, and the fire arms they
may have from those who liave not associated, agreeably to the
resolution of this convention in December last, within each of
their districts, to he made out in manner and form following:
" ' You are hereby authorized or empowered to receive from
sundry persons the sums of money annexed to each of their
several names, as per list hereunto annexed, at the end of one
month from the date hereof, and such fire arms immediately,
except pistol.s, that are or may be in their possession, or other-
wise may be their or either of their properties, whenever found,
and make return thereof; to sit next after the time afore-
said, being the sums levied and assessed on them and each of
them for not enrolling and associating, agreeably to the direc-
tions of the convention of December last. And this shall be
your authority. Given under my hand this 8 of May 1776, by
order of the committee.'
"The above warrant, with the separate lists of names and
sums annexed to the several gentlemen appointed for that pur-
pose, to be by them collected, agreeably to the order of the
committee.
" The committee adjourned to the first Tuesday in June."'
> Great difliculty v^is experienced at the beginning of the
war in obtaining supplies ; the arsenal at Annapolis was almost
empty. To overcome these dilEcuUies Ihe convention gave
encouragement and gratuities for the manufacture of saltpetre,
materials for clothing, and munitions of war. Powder-mills
were erected, and Col. Hughes, of Washington County, agreed
to furnish cannon for the province, and established a foundry
on the Potomac River, one mile above Georgetown, where the
136
HISTOllY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
^
While lier sons were rendering gallant service to 1
the cause of American liberty in a distant section of
the country, Frederick itself was threatened with a
formidable danger. As early as July, 1775, John
Hanson, Jr., wrote to Peyton Randolph, of Virginia,
the first president of the " Continental Congress :"
" There is too much reason to believe that, an expedi-
tion will be set on foot by the British and Indians in
Canada against the western frontiers of this State
(Maryland), Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Agents and
allies of the king and parliament, of Gen. Gage and
Lord Dunmore, it is believed in this place, are now
operating with the Delaware and Shawnese Indians in
Ohio, and bands in Kentucky and Canada, with a
view to destroy our frontier towns and desolate our
homes and firesides. We are determined to keep a
vigilant eye on all such agents and emissaries, but it
would be highly prudent to take early measures to
supply the arsenal and barracks at Fredericktown with
arms and ammunition, to enable the male population
to defend all the inhabitants, in case the emergency
should arise in which it will become our solemn duty
to act." These fears were not without foundation.
Governor Dunmore, of Virginia, who had been mak-
ing ineffectual elForts to maintain the royal authority
in that colony, being at length forced to fly from
Williamsburg, sought refuge on board an English
man-of-war, and inaugurated a predatory warfare upon
the coast, extending his operations to Maryland. In-
stigated by a ferocious spirit of revenge he reduced
the town of Norfolk to ashes, and with the double
design of cutting ofi" communication between the
Northern and Southern colonies, and of compelling a
division of the Continental army under Washington,
employed Dr. John Connolly, a native of Lancaster,
Pa., to incite the Indians to a war upon the fron-
tier and to raise an army at Detroit, which was to
seize Pittsburgh, and from this base invade the back
settlements of Virginia and Maryland. After estab-
lishing a strong post at Cumberland it was proposed
to seize Alexandria, where Governor Dunmore was to
meet them with a fleet and a body of runaway slaves
from the lower part of the Potomac. Alexandria was
to be strongly fortified, and communication cut oif be-
tween the Northern and Southern colonies.
first cannon were made in this country. A portion of the old
stone building still remains, while broken fragments of cannon
are at this time to be found in the stream of water that flows
at the base of the building. Daniel and James Hughes, of
the Antietam Iron-Works, in Washington County, and John
Yoast, of Georgetown, also made cannon for the Revolution.
Shells and cannon were also manufactured at Catoctin Furnace,
in Frederick County, by James and Thomas Johnson during
the Revolution, and some were used at the siege of Yorktown.
Connolly was born and bred near Wright's Ferry,
Pa., and according to Ormsby, led a roving life
in the Illinois country " till he could subsist there
no longer." He appeared at Pittsburgh a few years
before the commencement of the Revolution, where
he was introduced to Lord Dunmore, " who traveled
through the western country to sound the inclinations
of the inhabitants as well as the Indians. Connolly,
like a hungry wolf, closed with Dunmore a bargain
that he would secure a considerable interest among the
white inhabitants and the Indians on the frontier.
In consequence of this agreement my lord made him
a deed of gift of two thousand acres of land at the
Falls of Ohio." Connolly showed himself a service-
able agent in the border troubles between Virginia and
Pennsylvania, and when the struggle with the mother-
country began, willingly lent himself to the designs of
Lord Dunmore. On the 25th of July, 1775, Con-
nolly, who had been stationed at Fort Pitt, joined Lord
Dunmore on board the " Fowey" man-of-war, where
the plan of attack already described was formed. Lord
Dunmore feeling that it was necessary to secure the
indorsement and authority of Gen. Gage, sent him to
Boston, where Connolly presented the following pro-
posals to the British commander :
" Proposals for raising an Army to the Weatioardf and for eifeji-t-
uaUy obstructing a Communication between the Souther it and
Xortheru Governments.
" As I have, by direction from his Excellency Lord Dunmore,
prepared the Ohio Indians to act in concert with me against
his Majesty's enemies in that quarter, and have also dispatched
intelligence to the different olficers of the militia on the fron-
tiers of Augusta County, in Virginia, giving them Lord Dun-
more's assurances that sucli of them as shall hereafter evince
their loyally to his Majesty by putting themselves under my
command, when I shall appear among them with proper au-
thority for that purpose, of a confirmation of titles to their
lands, and the quantity of three hundred acres to all who
should take up arms in the support of the constitution, when
the present rebellion subsided, I will undertake to penetrate
through Virginia, and join his Excellency Lord Dunmore at
-Alexandria early next spring, on the following conditions and
authority ;
" 1st. That your Excellency will give me a commission to act
as Major-commandant of such troops as I may raise and em-
body on the frontiers, with a power to command to the west-
ward and employ such serviceable French and English parti-
sans as I can employ by pecuniary rewards or otherwise.
" 2d. That your E.tcellency will give orders to Captain Lord
on the Illinois to remove himself, with the garrison under his
command, from Fort Gage to Detroit, by the Aubache, bringing
with him all the artillery, stores, ic, itc, to facilitate which
undertaking he is to have authority to hire boats, horses,
Frenchmen, Indians, &c., &e., to proceed with all possible ex-
J)edition on that route, as the weather may occasionally permit,
and to put himself under my command on his arrival at De-
troit.
"3d. That the commissary at Detroit shall be empowered to
furnish such provision as I may judge necessary for the good
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
137
of the service, and that the commanding officer shall be in-
structed to give every possible assistance in encouraging the
French and Indians of tiiat settlement to join nie.
"4th. That an officer of artillery be immediately sent with
me to pursue such route as I may find most expedient to gain
Detroit, with orders to have such pieces of light ordnance as
may be thought requisite for the demolishing of Fort Dunmore
and Fort Fincastle, if resistance should be made by the rebels
in possession of those garrisons.
" 5th. That your Excellency will empower me to make such
reasonable presents to the Indian cliiefs and others as may urge
them to act with vigor in the execution of my orders.
" 6th. That your E.xcellency will send to Lord Dunmore such
arms as may be spared, in order to equip such persons as may
be willing to serve his Majesty at our junction, in the vicinity
of Alexandria, Ac, Ac. If your Excellency judges it expedient
for the good of the service to furnish me with the authority
and other requisites I have mentioned, I shall embrace the
earliest opjiortunity of setting off for Canada, and shall imme-
diately dispatch Lord Dunmore's armed schooner, which now
awaits my commands, with an account of what your Excellency
has done, and that I shall be ready, if practicable, to join your
Lordship by the twentieth of April, at Alexandria, where the
troops under uiy command may fortify themselves under the
cover of the men of war on that station.
•' If, on the contrary, your Excellency should not approve of
what I propose, you will be good enough to immediately honor
ine with your dispatches to the Earl of Dunmore, that I may
return as early as possible."
Gen. Gage approved the design, and on the I4th
or 15th of September, Connolly left Boston, and in
October again joined Dunmore, who, in accordance
with the instructions of Gen. Gage, on the 5th of
November granted him a commission as lieutenant-
colonel commandant of the Queen's Royal Rangers,
to be raised " in the back parts and Canada." About
the 13th of November he left Lord Dunmore on his
way to Detroit, where he expected to meet his com-
mission and instructions. He was accompanied by
Allan Cameron and Dr. John Smith. The former, a
native of Scotland, had left his country on account of
an affair of honor, and had come to Virginia with the
intention of purchasing lands in that colony ; but
finding it difficult to pass through the back country,
encouraged by Lord Dunmore and the promise of ad-
vancement, he agreed to accept a commission as first
lieutenant in the regiment to be raised by Connolly.
Dr. Smith, also a native of Scotland, had left Charles
County, Md., for political reasons, intending to go to
the Mississippi, but finding it impracticable he re-
turned to Norfolk, where he was induced by Lord
Dunmore by promises of preferment to accept the
appointment of surgeon under Connolly.
The party, consisting of Connolly, Cameron, Smith,
land a servant, departed from Norfolk on a flat-bot-
jtomed schooner, intending to proceed in this vessel
I up the Chesapeake into Potomac River, and laud if
possible near to Dr. Smith's house (about two miles
below Cedar Point), on Port Tobacco Creek, and to
pass through the country on horseback until they
reached Detroit.
Fortunately, the people of Frederick County were
on the alert, and to their vigilance was duo the dis-
covery and frustration of this well-conceived plot.
Patrols and minute-men were constantly scouring the
country, ready to apprise the inhabitants of the first
signs of danger, and Connolly and his companions
happening to fall in with one of these parties near
Hagerstown, and not being able to give a satisfactory
account of themselves, were arrested on suspicion and
taken to Frederick. Connolly had concealed his papers
in the mail pillion-sticks, which were hollow, encased
in tin plates covered with canvas.
"When we arrived at Frederick," says Smith, "wo were
stripped and searched again, and examined separately before
the committee, where one of the most illiberal, inveterate, and
violent Rebels, named Samuel Chase (son of a respectable and
very worthy clergyman of this Province), a lawyer and a member
of the Congress, presided. At this place we were not a little
alarmed lest they should discover our instructions, papers, Ac.,
as they examined everything so strictly as to take our saddles
to pieces, and take out the stuffing, and even rip open the soles
of our boots, in vain, for the object of their search was not
found, although they so frequently handled what contained it.
However, by some neglect of Col. Connolly's servant, an old
torn piei^e of paper was found in his portmanteau, which dis-
covered some part of our design; and then Col. Connolly, to
prevent our falling immediate sacrifices to a fr.antick mob, ac-
knowledged our commissions. The servant, however, who was
faithful to his trust, being allowed to go at large from the first
of our confinement, took care to destroy the mail pillion-sticks
containing the papers, commissions, and instructions, which
we dreaded so much being discovered, as soon as he could effect
it with safety, which put an end to our anxiety and alarms on
that account."
On the following day John Hanson, Jr., chairman
of the Committee of Observation, transmitted to the
president of Congress copies of the examinations of
the prisoners, a letter to John Gibson, an early resi-
dent of the region, a speech of Lord Dunmore to
White-Eyes, an Indian chief, and Connolly's pro-
posals to Gen. Gage.
In the latter part of December, Connolly was sent
to Philadelphia under guard of Dr. Adam Fisher and
ten privates. Smith made his escape just before this,
but was recaptured in January, 1776, at Little Mead-
ows, with a number of letters from Connolly to British
ofiicers and others, which he had written while in con-
finement at Frederick. Connolly was kept imprisoned
for more than a year in Philadelphia, and was after-
wards removed to Baltimore. He was subsequently
released on parole, but remained a prisoner until near
the close of the war.
Among the companies raised in Frederick County
in 1775 were those of Capts. William Blair, William
i
138
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Shields, Jacob Ambrose, and Benjamin Oiile. The
" game-cock" company of Capt. Blair, which went
first to the front, was officered as follows :
William Blair, captain ; Jncob Hockersmith, ensign; George
Hockersmith, first lieutenant; Henry Williams, second lieuten-
ant; William Curran, Jr., George Kelly, John Smith, Christian
Crabbs, sergeants ; John Crabbs, George iUatihcws, Arthur Row,
James Park, corporals; Daniel McLean, drummer; and fifty-
four priv;ites.
The Second Company, raised in 1775, William Shields, cap-
tain ; John Faires, first lieutenant: Michael Hockersmith, sec-
ond lieutenant; John Shields, ensign; Charles Kobinson,
James Shields, Sr., Patrick Haney, Robert Brown, sergeants;
Moses Kennedy, John Hawk, John Long, Thomas Baird, cor-
porals; and fifty-two privates.
The Third Company, raised in 1775, Jacob Ambrose, cap-
tain: Peter Shover, first lieutenant; Henry Biizell, second
lieutenant; John Weller, ensign; Martin Bartz, Frederick
Schultz, John Gump, Casper Young, sergeants; John Pr^itz-
nian, George Kuhn, Dominick Bradley, Lawrence Creager,
corporals; John Shaw, drummer; Philip Weller, fifer; and
fifty privates.
The Fourth Company, raised in 1775, Benjamin Ogle, cap-
tain ; Henry Matthews, first lieutenant : George Nead, second
lieutenant; James Ogle, ensign; John Syphers, Lawrence
Prutzman, Peter Leonard, Conrad Matthews, sergeants; Jacob
Valentine, Adam Knautf, Daniel Protzman, William Elder, son
of Guy, corporals; John Roche, drummer; Daniel Linebaugh,
fifer; and fifty-two privates.
These companies formed portions of the battalions
which were raised in Frederick County, and they were
conspicuous during the war for their ardent devotion
and steady valor.'
On the 7th of December, 1775, the Maryland Con-
vention assembled, and immediately set about the
formation of a military force for the protection of the
province. After appointing Messrs. Charles Beatty,
James Johnson, and John Hanson, Jr., a committee
to establish a gun-lock manufactory at Frederick, they
resolved on the 1st of January, 1776, that fourteen
hundred and forty -four men should be raised for the
defense of the province, that eight companies of the
troops, of sixty-eight privates each, should be formed
into a battalion, and that the remainder should be
divided into companies of one hundred each. Wil-
1 On the Sih of December, 1775, the Convention, by resolu-
tion, appropriated two hundred pounds currency for building a
strong log jail in Fredcricktown, thirty feet long, twenty
broad, to be lined with two-incli planks, two stories, with split
logs and plank floors, the upjier story to be divided into three
rooms, with a stove in each. That a small house be built lor a
keeper and guard, and that the treasurer of the Western Shore
pay to James Johnson and Thomas Beatty the said sum. The
jail was huilt as directed on Second Street, a few perches east of
the present Meeh.inics' Bank, and the logs were fastened by
iron bolls made by Frank M.antz, a Tory blacksmith, and was
used as such during the continu.ance of the war, after which it
was converted into a stable, a part of which remained standing
in 1846.
Ham Smaliwood was elected colonel of the first bat-
talion, Francis Ware lieutenant-colonel, Thomas Price
(who commanded the second company of Frederick
riflemen) first major, and Mordecai Gist (of Balti-
more) second major. The province was then divided
into districts, and a brigadier-general was assigned to
the command in each. Frederick County constituted
the Third District, and was placed under the command
of Thomas Johnson, Jr., who ranked as the first
brigadier-general. The officers of militia for Frederick
County were as follows :
^trst BaUalinn. — Charles Beatty, colonel ; William Beatty, lieu-
tenant-culonel; Ludwick Weltner, first major; Benjamin
Johnson, second; Louis Bush, quartermaster. Second
Bnti'illun. — James Johnson, colonel ; Joseph Wood, lieu-
tenant-colonel ; Benjamin Ogle, first major; Roger John-
son, second; Azel Waters, quartermaster. Third Bat-
taluni. — Jacob Good, colonel ; William Blair, lieutenant-
colonel ; Samuel Shaw, first major; William Shields,
second; Joseph McKillip, quartermaster. Fourth But-
tati'on. — Baker Joiinson, colonel ; AVilliam Luckett, lieu-
tenant-colitnel ; Jacob Miller, first major; Henry Darnall,
second ; Nicholas Tice, quartermaster. Lower District
— L''VJ€r Bntial'im. — John Murdock, colonel ; Thomas
Johns, lieutenant-colonel; Richard Brooks, first major;
William Deakins, second; Richard Thompson, quarter-
master. Vp2>er BattaUun. — Zadock Miigruder, colonel;
Charles G. Gi-iflith, lieutenant-colonel; Francis Deakins,
first miijor; Richard Crabb, second; Samuel Duvall,
qu;irterraaster. Upper District— J^('rs( Battalion. — John
Stull, colonel : Andrew Rench, lieutenant-colonel; Henry
Sbryock, first major; George Woltz, seoimd ; Elie Wil-
liams, quartermaster. Second Botfa/ion. — Dr. Samuel
Beall, colonel: Joseph Smith, lieutenant-colonel; Rich-
ard Davis, first major; Charles Swearingen, second; James
Chapline, quartermaster.^
Independence of Great Britain was not generally
desired at the beginning of the troubles. All the con-
ventions of the province had, down to June, 1776,
met and adjourned without the expression of a single <
opinion in its favor. Time was requisite to convince i
the great mass of the people of the necessity of a ,
complete separation from the parent-country andj
the establishment of independent governments. The
ablest pens were employed throughout the colonies in i
the winter and spring of 1776 on this momentous
subject. In Maryland, under the influence of Chase,
Paca, Johnson, and Robert Goldsborough, the strong-;
est opposition was gradually waning.'
2 In March, 1776, powder belonging to the province was
stored in the m:irket-house at Frederick. The first prisoners
confined in Frederick arrived there from North Carolina in*
May, 1776.
' As an illustration of the determined spirit which animated'
the representative men of Western Maryland at this period
the following incident is worthy of preservation. Sometime
after the commencement of hostilities, but long before the
Declaration of Independence, Mr. Eden, the last proprietary
GEN. WILLIAM .SMALLWOUD.
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
139
On the 7th of June, 17*76, Richard Henry Lee, of
Virginia, submitted to Congress a resolution declaring
" Tliat the United Colonies are and ought to be free
and independent States; that they are absolved from
all allegiance to the British crown ; and that all polit-
ical connection between thera and the State of Great
Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved." On
the 11th of June, Matthew Tilghuian, Thomas Stone,
and John Rogers wrote to the Council of Safety for
instructions, and asking that the county committees
call the people together to express their sentiments
on the question of independence. In response the
freemen of Fiederick County, June 17th, unani-
mously resolved, " That what may be recommended
by a majority of the Congress, equally delegated by the
people of the United Colonies, tee. will, at the hazard
of our lives and fortunes, support and maintain ; and
that every resolution of the Convention tending to
separate this Province from a majority of the colonies,
without the consent of the people, is destructive to
our internal safety and big with public ruin." The
freemen of the upper district of Frederick County
"resolved unanimously" that they would "support
the union of the colonies" with their " lives and for-
tunes."
The same spirit was manifested in all the counties,
and urged forward by these expressions of the popular
will, the Convetjtion repealed its former resolutions
and authorized the Maryland representatives in Con-
gress to concur with the other United Colonies in
such measures as should be "adjudged necessary for
securing the liberties of America." These iustruc-
Goveinor of Maryland, requested Barrister Carroll to invite
Thomas Juhnsim, afterwards of Frederick, and Samuel Chase,
to dine at the Government House. Wr. Chase and Mr.
Johnson were among the most distinguished of the Whig
leadiTs of the time, and the invitation oecasioned some little
embarras.-ment. The diiScult.y was finally solved by invit-
ing the Governor, Messrs. Johnson and Chase, and other
distinguished gentlemen to Mr. Carroll's. Shortly after the
oouiiiany sat down to dinner the Governor said, ''It is un-
dersiuod in Enghmd that ihe Congress are about forming a
treaty of alliance with France" A momentary silence pre-
vailed, when Mr. Johnson answered, "Governor, we will an-
swer your question, provided you will answer one for us." The
Governor assenting to this proposition, Mr. Johnson said,
"Well, sir, we will candidly acknowledge that overtures have
been made to France, but that they are not yet accepted.
N..W, sir, we under.-tand that the king, your master, is about
subsidizing a large body of He.-sians to Join his forces to come
over to cut our throats." He answered that he believed the
report was true Mr. Johnson immediately rejoined in the fol-
lowing words, " The first Hessian soldier that puts his foot on
the American shore will ahsoh e me from all allegiance to Great
Britain. ' Chase exclaimed, " By G— d, 1 am f.ir declaring our-
selves independent." The Governor immediately dropped his
knife and fork, and did not eat another mouthful.
tions were followed on the 4th of July by the adop-
tion by Congress of the Declaration of Independence,
and the decisive step having thus been taken, Mary-
land at once proceeded to strengthen her military
force. The Convention determined to raise 3405
men — the proportion authorized by Congress — to form
a flying camp to act with the militia of Pennsyl-
vania and Delaware in service in the Middle Depart-
ment (from New York to Maryland, both included)
until the 1st of December following. This force was
to be divided into four battalions of nine companies
each, of which nine were to be furnished by Frederick
County, five by Anne Arundel, four by Baltimore,
three by Prince George's, two each by Charles, Har-
ford, Cecil, Kent, Queei: Anne's, and Caroline, and
one each from St. Mary's, Calvert, and Talbot ; the
whole to be commanded by Brig.-Gen. Thomas John-
son, Jr.'
On the 4th of July, the Convention " being of the
opinion that it is of very great importance to the wel-
fare of this province that it should not be deprived of
the advice and assistance of the said Thomas John-
son in the public councils of the United Colonies, and
that his place can be supplied with less inconvenience
in the military than in the civil department, therefore,
resolved, that a brigadier-general should be elected by
ballot in the room of the said Thomas Johnson, Esq.,"
and John Dent was elected to fill the vacancy. He
resigned shortly afterwards, and Gen. Beall was
chosen. Otho H. Williams was elected colonel of
the Frederick County battalion, but declined the ap-
pointment, because of his previous acceptance of a
commission as major in a United States rifle bat-
talion.
The battalion composing Frederick County's con-
tribution to the Flying Camp was largely composed of
Germans, and rendered valuable service in the en-
suing campaign. -
In addition to this battalion, the Convention by
another resolve, in obedience to a requisition of Con-
gress, passed on the 27th of June, directed two com-
panies of riflemen to be raised, one in Harford County,
and the other in Frederick, and four companies of
1 The parade-ground and place of rendezvous of the Frederick
County troops was Gantt's Common, near Frederick Town.
2 Many of the descendants of the brave soldiers composing
the battalion are to be found in Frederick, Washington, and
Carroll Counties. Jacob Sheets, who built Sheets' mill on
Piney Creek, in Carroll County, was a priv.ate in Capt. Balt-
zell's company. His descendants reside in the Tom's Creek
Valley, near Emmittsburg. Among the German families promi-
nent in the Revolutionary annals of Western Maryland are the
Hoekersmiths, the Williamses, the Baltzells, the Creagers, the
Steiners, and the Millers.
140
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Germans, two in Baltimore County and two in Fred-
erick.^
In the battle of Harlem Heights, on the 16th of
September following, Griffith's and Richardson's regi-
ments, of Gen. Beale's brigade of the Maryland Fly-
ing Camp, with Maj. Price's three independent compa-
nies, greatly distinguished themselves. A letter from
headquarters, dated September 17th, says, "Never
did troops go to the field with more cheerfulness and
alacrity, when there began a heavy fire on both sides.
It continued about one hour, when our brave South-
ern troops dislodged them from their posts ; the enemy
rallied, and our men beat them the second time.
They rallied again ; our troops drove them the third
time, and were rushing on them, but the enemy got
on an eminence, and our troops were ordered to re-
treat, the general considering there might be a large
number of the enemy behind the hill concealed, which
was the case."
On the 1 9th of September, by a general order, the
sis independent companies under Maj. Price were
attached to the battalion. By the army returns of
September 21st, Gen. Beale's brigade of militia, con-
sisting of Griffith's, Hall's, Richardson's, and Ewing's
regiments, had a total rank and file of 2189 men,
of which number only 1717 were present and fit for
duty. At this time over half the Maryland troops
were sick and unfit for service, but those who were
able to take part in the campaign did not fail to
render a good account of themselves in every enirage-
ment with the enemy. After the battle of White
Plains, in which Beale's brigade displayed great nerve
and steadiness, Col. Moses Rawlings' rifle regiment
was sent to reinforce Fort Washington.
This regiment was composed of four companies of
Virginians and four of Marylanders, and were at first
commanded by Col. Stephenson, of Virginia, who was
succeeded by Lieut.-Col. Rawlings. Two of the com-
panies were those raised in Frederick by Cresap and
Price at the beginning of hostilities, and were subse-
quently commanded by Capt. Philemon Griffith and
Capt. Richard Davis. The other two companies were
commanded by Capt. Thomas Beale and Capt. Smith,
and were raised the former in Frederick, the latter in
Harford County. Fort Washington was attacked on
the 16th of November (1776) by a large force of the
enemy, and captured after a struggle, in which the
1 The four companies of Germans raised were commanded
respectively by Capts. Heiser, Graybill, Fister, and Keeports.
Together with four companies raised in Pennsylvania they
formed a regiment, and were oflicered by Col. Hansegger, of
Pennsylvania, and Lieut.-Col. Geo. Strieker and Maj.Weltner,
of Frederick County.
Frederick County riflemen displayed all the nerve
and courage of veterans. About four hundred Mary-
landers were taken prisoners, among whom were Col.
Rawlings, Maj. Otho H. Williams, and Lieut. Peter
Contee Hanson, who died a prisoner in New York.
Lawrence Everhart, of Frederick, and some of his
men escaped in a boat after the surrender. The loss
of the enemy was nearly nine hundred killed and
wounded, more than half of which was sustained in
the attack upon Rawlings' riflemen. Some authori-
ties put the loss even higher. Gordon in his " His-
tory of the American Revolution," says, " it cost
Knyphausen ' near upon eight hundred men' to force
the 'single regiment of Rawlings' back.' "
In Green's " Life of Greene" the author says, " Had
Rawlings been supported, Knyphausen could not have
gained the north lines. But the men refused to man
them, and crowded into the redoubt, where they be-
came a compact mass for the enemy's guns. The de-
fense on the east was still more irresolute, and there
are questions connected with that on the south which
will, it is probable, never be solved. But had it been
like that of Rawlings' riflemen it would have well-
nigh crippled the enemy." Gen. Washington, in a
letter to his brother, John A. Washington, dated Nov.
19, 1776, in referring to the capture of Fort Wash-
ington, only mentions the services rendered by Raw-
lings' regiment. He remarks, " The enemy have
suffered greatly on the north side of Fort Washington.
Col. Rawlings' regiment (late Hugh Stephenson's)
was posted there, and behaved with great spirit."
While the representatives of Western Maryland
were thus winning distinction where the soldiers of
some other sections only earned disgrace, many im-
portant events had occurred at home. The shadow
of the proprietary government having vanished by
the departure of Governor Eden, the Convention, in
pursuance of instructions from the several counties,
resolved upon the establishment of a permanent form
of government. For this purpose a new Convention
was to be elected, consisting of four representatives
from each district of Frederick County, four from
each of the other counties, and two each from An-
napolis and Baltimore Town. In pursuance of these
resolutions, elections were held throughout Maryland
on the 1st of August, 1776, for delegates to a Con-
vention, which assembled at Annapolis on the 14th of
the same month, for the purpose of framing a State
constitution and bill of rights. On the 6th of Sep-
tember the Convention divided Frederick County, and
erected out of parts of it the new counties of Wash-
ington and Montgomery ; the former named after the ,
commander-in-chief of the army, and the latter after
THE AVAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
141
Gen. Richard Montgomery, who was killed in the at-
tack on Quebec. The declaration of rights and the
constitution having been formally adopted, the new
government was organized on the 13th of February,
1777, by the election of Thomas Johnson, afterwards
of Frederick County, as the first Governor of the State.
In the mean time Congress, dismayed by the successive
disasters which had overtaken the American arms, had
adjourned to Baltimore, and a general feeling of de-
spondency prevailed. Washington's troops were re-
duced to a mere handful, and it was uncertain whether
he would be able to obtain reinforcements. Disap-
pointed in his hopes from New Jersey, where the
spirit of disaffection was prevalent, he could not tell
what reliance could be placed on Pennsylvania and
Maryland. In the latter State he was not disap-
pointed, and so soon as intelligence was received of
bis retreat through the Jerseys every preparation was
made to sustain him. Congress dispatched Col.
Ewing, of the Maryland Flying Camp, on the 9th of
December, to the Maryland Council of Safety with
the news of the disasters that had overtaken the
army, and immediately the militia of Cecil, Balti-
more, Harford, and Frederick Counties were put in
motion for the seat of war.
On the 1st of December (1776), the term of en-
listment of Gen. Beall's Maryland Brigade of the
Flying Camp expired, and, owing to the unpopularity
of their commander, Washington was compelled to
discharge the greater portion in the face of the enemy.
Some few remained as volunteers, and many re-enlisted
after their return to the State. Maj. Gist's regiment,
however, the seven independent companies, and the
two artillery companies, with the Maryland part of the
rifle and German regiments, — four companies in each,
— making a total of 2280 men, all re-enlisted for three
years on the Continental plan. On the 19th of Janu-
ary, 1777, Washington made another appeal for rein-
forcement, and on the 25th the militia of Frederick and
other counties, under the command of Thomas Johnson,
were ordered to join Gen. Washington at once in the
Jerseys. The Legislature also immediately took steps
to raise recruits, and barracks were ordered to be
erected in Frederick and at other points for their ac-
commodation while preparing for the army. In con-
sequence of an apprehended attack, all the powder
and military stores were removed in February from
Annapolis to Frederick, and the prisoners confined at
Baltimore were sent to the same point, and placed in
charge of Lieut. William Beatty.'
As the spring of 1777 opened the urgent necessity
of reinforcing the army became apparent, and in ac-
cordance with Washington's request Maryland raised
five full regiments of infiintry, in addition to the two she
already had in the field. These seven regiments, with
the German battalion, part of which had been raised
in Frederick County, were divided into two brigades;
one, composed of three regiments and the German
battalion, was placed under the command of Chevalier
Deborre, and the other, formed of the four remaining
regiments, was assigned to Gen. Smailwood.'
These troops all participated in the campaign of
1777, and well sustained the reputation of the Mary-
land line.
Early in the following year, 1778, in accordance with
the earnest request of Congress, the Legislature pa.ssed
an act to rai.se 2902 men, including the two artillery
companies already in camp and the volunteers already
on hand within the State. To insure their speedy
enlistment, the Legislature apportioned to each county
the number of men required according to the number
of militia in each. The proportion assigned to Fred-
erick was 309, to Washington 120, and to Montgomery
156.
About this period hostilities broke out along the
Western frontier with the Indians, Tories, refugees,
and other border desperadoes. To suppress the out-
rages committed by them, Washington fitted out three
expeditions, — the first from Fort Schuyler, under
Col. Van Schaick, the second under Gen. Sullivan,
and the third under Col. Brodhead, from Pittsburgh,
up the Allegany, — against the Mingo, Muncey, and
Seneca tribes. The force under Brodhead consisted
of the militia of Washington and Montgomery Coun-
ties, in Maryland, under the command of Col. Beatty,
and the militia of Virginia and Pennsylvania. To
supply this force with provisions Maryland pressed
into service fifty wagons, and on the 5th of August
' In August, Lieut. Beatty was promoted to a captaincy in
the First Maryland Regiment, and joined the army under
10
Washington. He was succeeded by Col. Rawlings, and in
August the prisoners were removed to Sharpsburg and placed
in charge of Lieut. Charles Hughes.
2 Late in December, 1T77, the commander of Frederick, CoL
Beatty, received one hundred prisoners, whom he was com-
pelled to confine in jail until Fort Frederick was filled up for
their reception. Late in the afternoon of Christmas-day they
set fire to the jail, and upon the alarm being given the colonel
ordered every man to arm himself as quick as possible, and
upon reaching the jail-yard the gate was opened by the jailer,
and about one-third of the prisoners attempted to make their es-
cape, which compelled the small party of militia to charge them
and knock them down with their arms, which had the effect of
driving them back. They were finally removed lo the Tory
House and the fire put out, with little damage. A few days
after this they threatened to break out, but were lold that they
would be sacrificed, which put an end to the disturbance.
142
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
(1778) loaded them with stores, etc., in Washington
County, and sent them to Carlisle, Pa.'
Early in December, 1778, Washington distributed
his troops in winter-quarters in a line of cantonments
from Long Island Sound to the Delaware. The Mary-
landers, under Lord Stirling, were near Middlebrook,
in the Jerseys, and Frederick and Hagerstown were
occupied by Baylor's regiment of cavalry. In May,
177y, Col. Moses Rawlings was ordered to march to
Fort Pitt,*and in consequence of the refusal of Gen.
Washington to place the German regiment under his
command he resigned, and Capt. Beale was placed in
command at Frederick. The German battalion and
Rawlings' rifle regiment during the same year were
merged into one regiment, known as the Eighth
Maryland. The Frederick troops were actively en-
gaged in the campaign of 1779, and were transferred
with the rest of the Maryland line in 1780 to the
South, where they once more illustrated the quality
of Maryland courage.'
After the defeat of Gen. Gates and the advance of
Lord Cornwallis into the interior of North Carolina,
on the 16lh of October, 1780, Gen. Leslie sailed
from New York with about three thousand troops,
with orders to penetrate into Virginia and await the
orders of Lord Cornwallis. Leslie entered the Ches-
apeake, and took possession of Norfolk and Ports-
mouth. His expedition formed part of a design to
invade the Western frontier and to release a large
J After the Maryland militia returned from New Jersey, a
draft was ordered of one company from each regiment in the
State. The regiment commanded by Col. James Johnson, in the
up[ier part of the county, was mustered on the appointed day,
when a sufficient number of men turned out, and double the
required number of officers, among whom were two captains
named Smith and Creager. The question now arose who should
tiike command of the company, and it was agreed to be decided
by throwing up a dollar. Accordingly it was done, and Creager
was the fortunate winner. With a magnanimity worthy of im-
itation he addressed himself to Smith: *' Sir, I have won the
command, but, as you are the oldest and most experienced offi-
cer, you must take the command, and I will act as your lieu-
tenant." The arrangement was reluctantly agreed to, and the
company so otJicered marched to headquarters.
2 In March, 1778, Gen. Greene accepted the appointment of
quartermaster-general of the army, and soon after established
his department in Maryland for the collection of military sup-
plies fur the army. On the 10th of September, 1779, he ap-
pointed Thomas Richardson assistant commissary of purchases
for Montgomery, Prince George's, Charles, and St. Mary's;
George Murdock for Frederick ; and Moses Rawlings for Wash-
ington County. On September 13th, Gen. Greene appointed
Charles Beatty deputy quartermaster-general for Frederick
County ; on the following day, Richard Butler and Nicholas
Tice deputy quartermasters for Frederick j on the 17th, John
Greer assistant deputy quartermaster-general for the lower part
of Frederick and the upper part of Baltimore Counties, and
Henry Shryock the same for Washington County.
number of British prisoners who were confined at
this time in Winchester, Strasburg, Leesburg, Sharps-
burg, Fort Frederick, and Frederick. Gen. Johns-
ton, with a large force of the enemy, was to operate in
the neighborhood of Pittsburgh, while Col. Connolly,
who had been exchanged for Lieut.-Col. Nathaniel
Ramsey, with the aid of Gen. Leslie and the Tories
and refugees on the frontiers and the Eastern Shore,
was to co-operate with him. And to procure the aid
and assistance of the loyalists in the campaign of
1781, in pursuance of instructions from the king, Sir
Henry Clinton in February issued a commission to
William Franklin, Governor of New Jersey, Josiah
Martin, Governor of North Carolina, Timothy Rug-
gles, Daniel Coxe, George Duncan Ludlow, Edward
Lutwyche, George Romer, George Leonard, Anthony
Stewart, and Robert Alexander, constituting them a
board of directors for the control and management of
tlie '■ Associated Loyalists of America." The board
of directors of this association were authorized to
employ " such of his majesty's faithful subjects in
North America as may be willing to associate under
their direction, for the purpose of annoying the sea-
coasts of the revolted provinces and distressing their
trade, either in co-operation with his miijesty's land
and sea forces, or by making diversions in their favor
when they are carrying on operations in other parts."
Large numbers of the Tories were enrolled on the
frontier, on the Eastern Shore, and in the neighbor-
ing States to execute the royal commission of robbing
and murdering the inhabitants, when the conspiracy
was providentially discovered at Frederick. It is
stated that a disguised British officer was to meet a
messenger of the enemy at a designated place, to put
him in possession of all the plans relating to the con-
spiracy. The watchfulness of the Americans deterred
the officer from fulfilling his
appointment, and the papers
fell into the hands of a patri-
otic officer, " who, by a sin-
gular coincidence, was at that
moment standing where the
Tory messenger expected his
correspondent." The plot and
the names of the prominent
conspirators were at once dis-
closed, and secret and efficient
measures were instantly taken ^lkxander coxTiiF. hassox
to put them under arrest.
Numbers were accordingly arrested and imprisoned,
and on the 25th of July, Peter Sueman, Nicholas
Andrews, John George Graves, Yost Flecker, Adam
Graves, Henry Shett, and Casper Fritchie were
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
143
brought to trial before a special court at Frederick-
town, consisting; of Alexander Contee Hanson, after-
wards Chancellor of the State, Col. James Johnson,
and Upton Sheredine. After an impartial trial they
were found guilty of high treason, in " enlisting men
for the service of the king of Great Britain and ad-
ministering an oath to thein to bear true allegiance to
the said king, and to obey his officers when called on.''
The following sentence was delivered by Judge
Hanson :
" Peter Sueman, Nicholas Andrews, John George Graves,
Yost Flecker, Adam Graves, Henry Shett, Casper Fritchie, at-
tend. It has been suggested to the court that notwithstanding
your guilt has been ascertained by an impartial jury, you con-
sider the proceedings against you notliing more than solemn
mocltery, and have adopted a vain idea, propagated by the
enemies of this country, that she dare not punish her un-
natural subjects for engaging in the service of Great Britain.
From the strange nsensibilily you have heretofore discovered,
I was iudeed led to conclude that you were under a delusion,
which might prove fatal to your prospects of happiness here-
after. I think it is my duty, therefore, to explain to you your
real situation. The crime you have been convicted of, upon
the fullest and clearest testimony, is of such a nature that you
cannot, ought not, to look for a pardon. Had it pleased
heaven to permit the full e.'cecution of your unnatural designs,
the miseries to be experienced by your devoted country would
have beeu dreadful even in the contemplation. The ends of pub-
lic justice, the dictates of policy, and the feelings of humanity
all require that you should exhibit an awful example to your
fellow-subjects, and the dignity of the State, with everything
that can interest the heart of man, calls aloud for your punish-
ment. If the consideration of approaching fate can inspire
proper sentiments, you will pour forth your thanks to that
watchful Providence which has arrested you at an early state
of guilt. And you will employ the short time you have to
live in endeavoring, by a sincere penitence, to obtain pardon
from the Almighty Being, who is to sit in judgment upon you,
upon me, and all mankind.
■* I must now perform the terrible task of denouncing the
terrible punishment ordained for high treason.
''You, Peter Sueman, Nicholas Andrews, Yost Plecker, Adam
Graves, Henry Shett, .lohn George Graves, and Casper Fritchie,
and each of you, attend to your sentence. You shall be carried
to the gaol of Fredericktown, and be hanged therein ; you shall
be cut down to the earth alive, and your entrails shall be taken
out and burnt while you are yet alive, your heads shall be cut off,
your body shall be divided into four parts, and your heads and
quarters shall be placed where his e-xcellency the Governor
shall appoint. So Lord have mercy upon your poor souls."
Three of the number were executed in the court-
house yard at Frederick, the remainder having been
pardoned.^
^ At various times judgment of outlawry for treason was
i rendered in the General Court at Annapolis against about one
I hundred leading Tories, among whom were Daniel Dulany, of
Daniel, Daniel Dulany, of Walter, Lloyd Dulany, Jonathan
Boucher, Henry Addison, William Edmiston, John Montgom-
ery, Bennett Allen, Anthony Stewart, Walter Dulany, Philip
Key, of Frederick County, and William Dickson, of Mont-
gomery County.
The Southern campaign of 1781 under Gen.
Greene turned the tide of war in favor of the Amer-
ican cause. The brunt of this campaign was borne
by the Maryland line, and although it does not come
within the scope of the present work to follow in de-
tail the operations which resulted in the virtual recov-
ery of the South from the British armies, it can be
said without exaggeration that no troops contributed
so largely to the accomplishment of these important
ends as tliose from Maryland. The Maryland line
was the " Stonewall" legion of every contest, and
came out of every conflict with fresh honors and dis-
tinction. In the battle of Eutaw Springs, which was
one of the most desperate battles of the war, they
displayed a gallantry that drew from Gen. Greene the
highest expressions of admiration, and to their charge
" exceeding anything he ever saw," he a.scribed the
success which attended the Americans in the earlier
part of the day. The following letter from a gallant
soldier who took part in that engagement will be found
interesting in this connection :
" High Hills, Santee, Sept. 25, 1781.
"Dear Brother, — I expect before this reaches you you
will hear of the severe action th.at happened on the 8th instant
with a body of British troops at the Eutaw Springs, com-
manded by Col. Stewart I also expect you will have the par-
ticulars of the action before this reaches you, so shall say noth-
ing concerning it, only inform you of the loss of officers killed and
wounded in our Line. I have the misfortune myself to be one
of the latter. We had 4 killed, which are as follows: Capts.
Dobson and Edgerly, of the 2d Regiment, Lieuts. Duvall and
Gould, of the 1st Regiment. Wounded: Lt.-Col. Howard, Lt.
Ewing, Lt. AVoolford, Lt. Moore, and myself, of the 2d Re^i-
ment,*of the 1st, Capts. Gibson and Hugon. My wound is in
the left leg and has much shattered the big bone. Its between
the calf and ankle. I have had no fevers these several days.
The Doctor has taken, I believe, at least forty pieces of bone
out of it, though the most of them were very small. The
wound has a very good appearance, and I have not the least
doubt but that I shall be able to go upon crutches in the course
of two months. Col. Howard's wound is through one of his
shoulders, and is mending fast; Capt. Gibson's through the
right arm, and like to do well ; Capt. Hugon's in the right
groin, and like to do well ; Lt. Ewing has two of his ribs broke,
was shot through the left thigh, and, I believe, will do well •
Lt. Moore has the end of his right thumb shot off, and is doing
well. We were brought here upon litters from near the field of
action, which is 50 or 60 miles from this place, and are to move
again to-morrow to the Warsaw Settlement, about 70 miles
from this place, — a very healthy country, where I expect we
shall Btay till we get well. If you can possibly send me some
hard cash do it, for I am in great want of it. I have had no
money since last fall. I shall want as much as will purchase
mc a horse. If I could ride I have no horse ; and I have no
hat, and had none to wear all the summer but an old borrowed
one. If you can procure me one, do send it by the first safe
hand, and two or three pairs of stockings. You will please ex-
cuse the incorrectness of this letter, for I can write no other
w.ay than as I lie upon my side. I can't sit up with any ease.
Y'ou'U make my love to my Mother and Sisters, and George,
144
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
to Col. Brooke and Little Nancy, and to all the neighbours.
Tell them I expect to be with them in the course of this winter.
Adieu.
"¥■■ Affect" Brother, J.Lynn.
" P. S. — Tell my Mother not to make herself uneasy upon
my account. For I would not regret the other leg being broke
to give the enemy such another drubbing.
" To Capt. David Lynn, Montgomery County, Maryland.
•' By Capt. Bruff."
In compliance with the request of Congress, Wash-
ington, on the 20th of February, 1781, directed La-
fayette to march southward for the purpose of cap-
turing Arnold and checking the enemy's operations
in Virginia, and he accordingly set out on his march
two days later. To expedite his progress, Thomas
Beatty, of Frederick, George Murdook and Thomas
Beall, of Montgomery, and the lieutenants of other
counties were instructed to seize all the salt and fresh
meats in their districts, and impress all the wagons,
carriages, teams, drivers, etc., and send them to the
head of the Elk for the purpose of transporting the
troops, cannon, stores, and baggage to Virginia.^
This assistance was promptly rendered, but after a
short campaign in Virginia Lafayette was obliged to
abandon Richmond and retreat towards Fredericks-
burg before the superior forces of Lord Cornwallis.
Continuing his retreat, he crossed the Rapidan, where
he was joined on the 7th of June by Gen. Wayne,
who had passed through Frederick on the 31st of
May with about one thousand troops to join him.
The retreat of Lafayette towards Maryland excited
apprehensions of invasion, and on the 4th of June
the lieutenant of Frederick County was ordered
immediately to arm and equip five hundred militia,
the lieutenant of Montgomery two hundred and
fifty, and of Prince George's two hundred and
fifty, and march with them to Georgetown. The
troops of horse in Frederick, Baltimore, and Kent
Counties received similar orders, and such was the
alacrity of the people that two new regiments were
formed in a few day.?, the third under Lieut.-Col.
Peter Adams, and the fourth under Lieut.-Col.
Thomas Woolford. The Frederick troop of horse
was commanded by John Ross Key, who, on the 10th
of June, 1781, transmitted the following letter to
the Governor :
"SiR^ — I have the Honor and S.atisfaetion to inform Your
Excellency that the Frederick Co. Troop of Horse under my
Command are now on their Rout to George Town, where I ex-
pect to arrive this evening. We are tolerably well mounted
and Equipped, and with pleasure Assure you I find a Desire
1 On the 29th of June, 1777, the General Assembly appointed
Charles Beatty lieutenant of Frederick, Daniel Hughes lieu-
tenant of Washington, and Charles Greenbury Griffith lieuten-
ant of Montgomery.
and Anxiety prevails among the men that compose the Troop
to render every Service in their Power to their Country, and
wish to join the acting Army should your Excellency think it
necessary.
" I am with every Sentiment of Respect and Esteem your
Excellency's Most Ob« S«
" Jn" Ross Key.
"Road to George Town, 10' June, 1781."
In company with the " Baltimore Light Dragoons,"
under Capt. Nicholas Ruxton Moore, the " Frederick
Light Dragoons" crossed the Potomac on the 18th of
June, and joined Lafayette on the 6th of July.
About the time Lafayette was encamped near the
Rapidan, intelligence was received that Tarleton was
on his way to Winchester to liberate the British pris-
oners who, to the number of several hundred, were
then confined in the place. By order of Lafayette
they were removed without delay to Fort Frederick,
in Maryland, and placed in charge of Col. Moses
Rawlings, deputy commissary-general of prisoners.^
On the 30th of August, when Washington was on
his southward march towards Yorktown, the Gov-
ernor called upon the commissaries of the several
counties, directing them to purchase supplies, and to
procure from each county a certain number of cattle,
the quota of Frederick being 400, of Montgomery
300, and of Washington 300. At the same time war-
rants were issued to Thomas Beall, at Georgetown,
and other quartermasters throughout the State, di-
recting them to impress all vessels capable of trans-
porting troops or military stores ; and James Calhoun
was ordered to impress all the wagons and teams in
Frederick and Washington Counties to haul flour and
* " A meeting was called in Frederick County, at the court-
house in Frederick Town, on Friday, the 17th of August, 1781,
in consequence of public notice for that purpose (Col. Thomas
Price in the chair). The resolutions entered into by the meet-
ing on the 7th, respecting the new paper money, were read and
approved. It being represented from the chair that Messrs.
James Smith, John Neil, and Adam Jacobs were refusing the
same paper money, they were sent for, and appeared, and on ex-
amination acknowledged they had for some days stopped re-
ceiving it, from a persuasion that it did not circulate freely in
Baltimore Town, but declared they were not aware that such
conduct would be considered a breach of the resolutions of the
first meeting, whereupon they were dismissed upon promising
respectively to comport themselves in future as good citizens,
and to receive the paper money aforesaid at par with silver and
gold in all future transactions until, by some future meeting of
the people, agreeable to the said resolutions of the 7th instant,
they shall be authorized to discontinue so doing.
•'On motion, Resolved unanimously, that we will exert our
utmost endeavors in supporting the credit and circulation of
the said new paper money at par, and we will punish by Tar-
ring and Feathering, and expulsion from the county, any per-
son who shall hereafter be so hardy as to act contrary to the
tenor of the aforesaid mentioned resolutions of the 7th instant,
and that these proceedings be published in the newspapers."
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
145
military supplies to Georgetown. At this time all
was activity in Maryland. The arrival of Washing-
ton, and the prospect of capturinn; Cornwallis, re-
awakened the spirit of the people, and measures of co-
operation were effectually and promptly carried out.
The third regiment of Continentals was speedily com-
pleted and dispatched to the scene of action, while the
fourth regiment, under Maj. Alexander Roxburgh,
mustering upwards of six hundred men, rank and
file, and " said to contain the best men who had
enlisted from this State since the war," marched from
Annapolis on the 4th of September to join Lafayette.
, After the surrender of Cornwallis the Maryland
Continentals were sent to the support of Gen. Greene
in the South, and the British prisoners were marched
to Fort .Frederick, Md , and Winchester, Va. Those
confined at the former point were subsequently re-
moved to Lancaster, Pa. The triumph at Yorktown
virtually ended the war and freed the people of Mary-
land from further serious apprehension. No section
of the State contributed more generously to the com-
mon defense than Western Maryland, and none were
represented in the armies by braver or better soldiers.'
The declaration of peace was celebrated with
public demonstrations of joy in Frederick Town and
in all parts of the western section of the State.
On the 25th of April (1783) it is related that a
number of the people living on Israel's Creek
"met at Kocky Hill Chapel, having previously engaged a
clergyman, instead of the Hesaian Bond, thinking it their duty
before they gave loose to the effusions of joy, so natural on being
relieved from the calamitous circumstances under which they
had so long labored, to pay the tribute due to the Supreme Dis-
penser of all good by offering up their most grateful and hearty
thanks for blessed interference in favor of the American cause,
and for his having been pleased to conduct us through the war
in so miraculous a manner, and at the conclusion of the same to
make us free, sovereign, and independent States. To pray for
bis Divine blessings, etc., after which there was delivered an
o.xcellent sermon, much to the purpose. Upon leaving the
chapel they were all most kindly invited to Col. Wood's, where
there was a most elegant entertainment prepared. After dinner
the following toasts were drank :
' In looking over the old records of the clerk's office of Freder-
ick County the following criminal proceedings, among others,
were discovered in the prosecutions of Tories, instituted near the
close of the Revolutionary war: State against one A. C. pre-
sented for saying " he wished all persons who went about warn-
ing people on militia duty might be .all hanged, not by the necks
but by the heels." Fined £25 specie. State against J. H.,
presented for "damning Gen. Washington and the Congress of
the United States of America." Fined £15 specie. Slate
against E. L., presented for "drinking health to King George,
and damnation to Gen. Washington." Fined £5 specie. The
minutes of the court show numerous orders passed by the court
appropriating money for the support of the wives and the
children of the soldiers in the Maryland line.
" 1. The United States of America.
"2. Gen. Washington and the Northern army.
" 3. Gen. Greene and the Southern army.
"4. The King of France.
" 5. The King of Spain.
" C. The United Provinces.
" 7. The Marquis de Lafayette.
"S. Count de Grasse and his fleet.
" 9. Count Rochambeau and his army.
"10. The American ambassadors in Europe.
"11. The French ambassadors at Congress.
"12. I'eace, Liberty, and Independence.
" 13. May the peace now concluded be perpetuated.
"During the times the toasts were going around there wor«
fired thirteen platoons, and as many cheers given by nearly
two b'lndred people, in whose countenance you might see joy
and gladness. In the evening the colonel's (Wood) house was
illuminated and bonfires made. The whole was concluded with
propriety and decorum."
The Soldier Lands. — To discharge the engage-
ments of the State towards its officers and soldiers for
their services during the Revolution, the General
Assembly, at the November session of 1781, appro-
priated all the vacant lands westward of Fort Cum-
berland (within the present limits of Allegany and
Garrett Counties), reserved or otherwise, except so far
as they were fairly covered by warrants, etc., to fulfill
these obligations. By this act it was also provided
that there should be a land-office for the Western
Shore at Annapolis, and another on the Eastern Shore,
where the General Court was held. In April, 1787,
the Legislature passed a resolution authorizing the
Governor to employ a competent person to lay out the
vacant lands belonging to the State westward of Fort
Cumberland, in lots of fifty acres each. In pursuance
of this resolution, Francis Deakins was appointed,
and at the November session of the Legislature of
1788, having finished a general plat of the lands, he
reported to the General Assembly, whereupon an act
was passed " to dispose of the reserved lands west-
ward of Fort Cumberland." To each of the Mary-
land officers who had served in the Revolution were
assigned four lots, and to each private one lot, as
follows :
LIST OF OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS ENTITLED TO LOTS
WESTWARD OF FORT CUMBERLAND.
Bank. Names. Numbers.
Captain George Armstrong 2367, 2368, 2.395, 2396
Captain Richard Anderson 3249, 3252, .3253, 3221
Lieutenant.. ..William Adams 2379, 2.380, 2381, 2.382
Captain James BrulT. 2711, 2712, 2713, 2714
Colonel Peter Adams, 1st Regt 2312, 2313, 2314, 2317
Major Archibald Anderson 2391, 2392, 2393, 2394
Chaplain Jan.es Armstrong 2589, 2590, 2591, 2592
Major Benjamin Brooks 2383, 2.384, 2385, 2386
Captain William Beatty 2421, 2422, 242.3, 2424
Captain Lloyd Beall 2773, 2774, 2767, 3310
146
HISTORY OF WESTEEN MARYLAND.
Bank. Names.
Captain Jacob Brice 3222,
Major William Brown 1664,
Captain Joseph Burgess 2603,
Major William Dent Beall 2489,
Captain William Bruce 2387,
Captain Perry Benson 1635,
Lieu tenant.... Thomas Boyd 2599,
Captain Michael Boyer 2268,
Lieutenant.. ..Henry Baldwin 3200,
Captain John Sprigg Belt 3258,
Captain Richard Bird 1454,
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant.
Joshua Burgess 2493,
Samuel B. Beall 2347,
Basil Burgess 3237,
Henry Baker 2777,
Thomas Beatty 1666,
Malachi Bonham 2734,
Jacques Bagues 1660,
Captain Charles Baltzell 2607,
Lieutenant.... Joseph Britain 2498,
Lieutenant. ....John Brevett 3331,
Lieutenant.... Joseph Cross 1683,
Captain Horatio Claggett 2954,
Lieutenant.... Henry Chapman 2258,
Lieutenant.. ..John Cary 2709,
Surg.-(3en James Craig 2781,
Lieutenant — John Chever 2326,
Lieutenant Jacob Crawford 2355,
Lieutenant.. .. Edward Compton 3202,
Lieutenant.. ..Henry Clements 2359,
Captain .John Carlile 3191,
Lieutenant.. ..John Carson 2280,
Ensign Peter Cockey 2272,
Captain Charles Croxall 2363,
Major John Davidson 2875,
Captain Rezin Davis 3345,
Major Richard Dorsey 3600,
Lieutenant.. ..Isaac Duvall 2293,
.Surgeon Levin Den wood 2322,
Lieutenant.... Robert Denny 2575,
Captain Henry Dobson 2189,
Lieutenant.. ..Thomas A. Dyson 2620,
Lieutenant.. ..Edward Duvsill 2950,
Lieutenant.. ..Walter Dyer 3203,
Major John Deane 3234,
Captain Edward Dyer 3218,
Lieutenant Richard Donovan 3615,
Major John Eccleston 3611,
Captain Edward Edgerly 3607,
Captain James Ewing 3603,
Surgeon John L. Elbert 2621,
Captain Elijah Evans 3063,
Lieutenant. ...Samuel Edmiston 3055,
Lieut.-Col Benjamin Ford. 6th Regt..3206,
Lieut.-Col Uriah Forrest, 1st Regt 2715,
Lieutenant Samuel Farmer 3266,
Captain Ebenezer Finley 2214,
Lieutenant.... Benjamin Feckel 2660,
Lieutenant.. ..Hezekiah Ford 3274,
Brig.-Gen MorJecai Gist 2209,
Captain Edw.ard Gale 2208,
Colonel John Gunby, 7th Regt 2266,
Captain v.. Jonathan Gibson 3242,
Major J. ..Henry Gaither 2136,
Captain John Gassaway 3338,
Numbers.
3224,
3228,
3229
1665,
1680
1682
2604,
2605
2606
2490,
2583
2584
2388,
2389
2390
1636,
1637
1638
2600,
2601
2602
2269,
2270
2271
3201,
3198
3199
3259,
3260
3261
1455,
1456
1457
2494,
2585
2588
2348,
2349
2350
3238,
3059
3061
2778,
2779
2780
1667,
1668
1669
2672,
2670
2661
1661,
1662
1663
2608,
2609
2610
2499,
2573
2574
3340,
3344
3262
4128,
4129
4130
2955
2956
2957
2259,
2260
2261
2710,
2719
2720
2782,
2783
2784
2327,
2328
2329
2356,
2357
2358
3208,
3088
3090
2360,
2361
2362
4140
4141
4142
2282,
2284
2285
2273,
2274
2275
2364,
2365
2366
2877,
2878
2880
3346,
3347
3348
3601,
3602
3349
2281
2283
2134
2323
2324
2325
2576
2577
2578
2190
2069
2070
2622
2623
2624
2951
3135
3136
3204
3205
3209
3051
3053
4151
3219
3220
3223
3616
3617
3618
3612
3613
3614
3608
3609
3610
3604
3605
3606
3246
3248
3251
3065
3239
3240
3057
3235
,3236
3207
3211
3213
2716
2717
,2718
3333
3334
3337
2215
2216
,2217
2664
2668
, 2669
3275
.3276
3265
2213
2262
,2263
2210
2211
,2212
2267
2264
,2265
4145
4146
, 1679
2137
2138
, 2139
3341
3342
,3343
Kank. Names. Numbers.
Captain John Gale 2300, 2301, 2290, 2291
Lieutenant. ...Henry Gassaway 2876, 2893, 2894, 2895
Lieutenant.. ..Richard Grace 2470, 2471, 2472, 2473
Captain James Woolford Gray 2765, 2768, 2775, 2776
Lieutenant.. ..Benjamin Garnett 2059, 2115, 2117, 2152
Captain John Gist 2225, 2226, 2227, 2228
Lieutenant.. ..Jacob Gromith 2736, 2737, 2738, 2739
Lieutenant. ..James Gould 3137, 2964, 2966, 2968
Lieutenant.. ..William Goldsborough 3099, 4147, 4148, 1677
Lieutenant. ...Nicholas Gassaway 3241, 4143, 4144, 1681
Lieutenant.. ..John H.ardman 3079, 3080, 3081, 3082
Lieutenant.. ..John Hamilton 3214, 3215, 3216, 3217
Cajitain George Hamilton 1570, 1571, 1572, 1573
Lieut.-Col John E. Howard. 5th Regt..3243, 3244, 4149, 4138
Colonel Josiah C. Hall, 4th Regt. ..3083, 3084, 3085, 30SS
Lieutenant Philip Hill 4136, 3273, 3272, 3271
Lieutenant.. ..Robert Hatkerson 2060, 2061, 2066,-2067
Lieutenant Samuel Hanson 2294, 2295, 2296, 2297
Lieutenant .\rthur Harris 3305, 3306, 3307, 3313
Captain John A. Hamilton 2482, 2483, 2484, 2485
Lieutenant.. ..Rignel Hillery 3193, 4134, 4139, 4132
Lieutenant.. ..Isaac Hanson •. 2611, 2612, 2613, 2614
Lieutenant Edward Hamilton 2286, 2287, 2288, 2289
Captain George Handy 3267, 3268, 3369, 3270
Lieutenant Henry Hawkins 2318, 2319, 2298, 2299
Lieutenant William Hanson 2252, 225.3, 2255, 2257
Surgeon Ezekiel Haynie 2248, 2249, 2254, 2256
Captain Thomas B. Hugon 2701,2703,2704,2698
Surgn's Mate.Elisha Harrison 2343, 2344, 2345, 2346
Major David Hopkins 2351, 2352, 2353, 2354
Lieutenant John Hartshorn 2468, 2469, 2449, 2450
Major Henry Hardman 2997, 2998, 2999, 2883
C;iplain Edward Hall 2302, 2303, 2315, 2316
Captain Adam Hoops 2478, 2479, 2480, 2481
Captain John Courts Jones 2702, 2705, 2708, 2699
Captain John Jordan 3303, 3304, 3314, 2871
Lieutenant.. ..Adam Jamison 1565, 1670„1672, 1673
.Surgeon William Kilty 2454, 2455, 2456, 2457
Captain John Kilty 2140, 2141, 2142, 2128
Surgn's Mate.Samuel Y. Keene 2118, 2129, 2130, 2131
Major Thomas Lansdale 3210, 3212, 3231, 3233
Captain David Lynn 2375, 2376, 2377, 2378
Major John Lynch 1578, 1579, 1580, 1632
Captain James M. Lingan 4124,4125,4126,4127
Lieutenant.. ..John Tolson Lowe 2593, 2594, 2496, 2497
Lieutenant.. ..John LeNashu 2132, 2133. 2321, 2320
Lieutenant John Lynn 2474, 2475, 2476, 2477
Captain Thos. H. Luekett 2428, 2430, 2434, 2435
Captain AVilliam Lamar 2444, 2443, 2447, 2427
Captain David Luekett 2671, 2673, 2674, 2675
Captain Samuel McPherson 1498, 1671, 1676, 1678
Captain John Mitchell 3194, 3195, 3196, 3197
Captain John Morris 2062, 2063, 2064, 2065
Captain Thomas Mason 2058, 2071, 2072,2079
Captain Nicholas Mangers 2124, 2125, 2126, 2078
Captain Joseph Marberry 2073, 2074, 2076, 2077
Lieutenant Mark McPherson 2276, 2277, 2278, 2279
Captain Christian Myres 2075, 2114, 2116, 2119
Captain James McFadden 2676, 2677,2680, 2681
Captain Walker Muse 2461, 2462, 2491, 2480
Lieutenant John McCoy 2700, 2689, 2688, 2697
Lieutenant Zedekiah Moore 2690, 2685, 2684, 2682
Ensign Caleb Mason 2595, 2596, 2597, 2598
Lieutenant Lawrence Myers 2465, 2466, 2492, 2495
Lieutenant David Morgan 2304, 2306, 2308,2309
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
147
Kank. Names. Numbers.
Captain Jacob Norris 2582, 2586, 2587, 2683
Lieutenant Roger Nelson 2845, 2847, 2849, 2868
Lieutenant John Nel.son 23.')6, 2337, 2338, 2436
Captain Edward Oldliam .3302, 3279, .3280, 4119
Lieutenant.... Thomas Price 2881,2882, 2888,2889
Captain Edward Prall 1574, 1575, 1576, 1577
Captain Benjamin Price 2110, 2111, 2143, 2145
Lieutenant.. ..William Pendergast 2112, 2113, 2135, 2292
Surgeon Richard Pindell 4120, 4121, 4122, 4123
Colonel Nath'l Ramsey, 30th Regt.2127, 2144, 2146, 2147
Captain" Christopher Richmond 2740, 2741, 2742, 2743
Captain William Riley 1457, 1458, 1459, 1460
Captain Philip Reed 2096, 2097, 2098, 2099
Major Alexander Roxburgh 3230, 3232, 3226, 3227
Lieutenant.. ..Isaac Rawlings 3184, 3185, 3186, 3187
Major John Rudolph 3225, .3245, 3247, 3250
Lieutenant,.. ..Joshua Rutledge 2691, 2692, 2693, 2694
Lieutenant.. ..Jacob Raybolt 2846, 2848, 2850, 2896
Captain Francis Revely 2728, 2729, 2730, 2731
Lieutenant.. ..Nicholas Ricketts 2870, 2873, 2873, 2874
Lieutenant.. ..Thomas Rouse 2401, 2402, 2403, 2404
Lieutenant.. ..William Raison 2405, 2406, 2407, 2408
Captain Michael Rudolph 2764, 2766, 2726. 2727
Maj.-Gen'l....William Smallwood 2409, 2410, 2411, 2412
Colonel John H. Stone, 1st Regt... 2399, 2400, 2334, 2335
Major Alex. L. Smith 2721, 2722, 2724, 2725
Major Jonathan Sellraan 3894, 3895, 3893, 2525
Captain Edward Spurrier 2987, 2988, 2989, 2990
Captain John Smith, 3d Regt 2958, 2959, 2961, 2963
Captain James Somerville 2962, 2960, 2949, 2945
Captain Clement Skerrilt 2723, 2732, 2733, 2735
Lieut.-Col John Stewart 2756, 2757, 2753, 2759
Lieutenant.. ..John Sears 2748, 2749, 2750, 2751
Major John Swan 2706, 2707, 2695, 2696
Lieutenant.. ..William Smoot 3315, 3316, 2869, 2867
Surgn's Mate.Alex. Smith 2975, 2976, 2977, 2978
Lieutenant.. ..Martin Shugart 2983, 2984, 2985, 2986
Captain John Smith, 6th Regt 2969, 2071, 2973, 2974
Lieutenant.. ..Edward M. Smith 2441, 2442, 2460, 2463
Captain James Smith, Artillery 2970, 2972, 3138, 3139
Lieutenant.. ..William T. Stoddart 2413, 2414, 2415, 2416
Captain Joseph Smith 4131, 4133, 4135, 4137
Ensign Jacob Shoemaker 3188, 3189, 3190, 3192
Major Alexander Trueman 2617, 3263, 3264, 3619
Lieut.-Col Edward Tillard 1566, 1567, 1568, 1569
Captain Adomson Tannehill 2371, 2372, 2373, 2374
Lieutenant.. ..Josiah Tannehill 2887, 2890, 2891, 2892
Lieutenant.. ..John Trueman 3180, 3181, 3182, 3183
Captain Lilburn AVilliams 2615, 2616, 2618, 2619
Brig.-Gen'I ...Otho Holland Williams 2687, 2686, 2678, 2679
Colonel Thomas Woolford 1656, 1657, 1658, 1659
Captain William Wilmot 2752, 2753, 2754, 2755
Lieutenant.. ..William Woolford 2979, 2980, 2981, 2982
Captain Richard Waters 2946, 2947, 2944, 2879
Lieut.-Col Levin Winder 2884, 2885, 2886, 2996
Captain James Winchester 2760, 2761, 2762, 2763
Lieutenant.. ..Robert Wilmot 2744, 2745, 2746, 2747
Surgn's Mate.Gerrard Wood 2148, 2149, 2150, 2151
Lieutenant.. ..Francis Ware 2952, 2953, 2965, 2967
Surgn's Mate.William Wate 2339, 2340, 2341, 2342
Lieutenant.. ..Gassaway Watkins 2244, 2245, 2246, 2247
Surgeon Walter Warfield 2837, 2842, 2843, 2844
Lieutenant.. ..Nathan Wright 2092, 2093, 2094, 2095
Lieut.-Col Lud'ck Weltner, Ger. Rgt.3254, 3255, 3256,3257
Lieutenant.. ..George Winchester 2451, 2452, 2453, 2448
Rank. Names. Numbers.
Lieutenant.. ..Young Wilkinson 2305, 2307, 2310, 2311
Captain Nathan Williams 2330, 2331, 2332, 2333
Lieutenant.. ..Basil Waring 2445, 2446, 2464, 2467
Lieutenant.. ..William Towson 2431, 2432, 2433, 2429
Captain Peregrine Fitzhugh 3335, 3336, 3332, 3339
Lieutenant.. ..William Fitzhugh 2940, 2941, 2942, 2943
Lieutenant... .William Murdoch 2417, 2418, 2419, 2420
Soldiers.
Names. Rank.
Adam Adams Private.
Ignatius Adams '*
John Alvey "
John Appleby "
Daniel Anderson "
James Allen ''
Thomas Ayres "
Emanuel Allen "
John Andrews "
William Ayhern "
John Armstrong (1) "
John Ashmore "
George Abbot "
Cuthbert Able Sergeant.
John Adams Corporal.
Thomas Arthur Private.
John Auber "
-John Ashbury "
John Armstrong (2) "
Harris Austin "
Josias Alvey "
.Jacob Adams "
John Adams (2) "
John Anderson (1) *'
Peregrine Asque M.
William Allen "
Thomas Adams Private.
James Ashley "
William Absolum "
Travers Alvey "
I Nathan Aldridge "
John Anderson
Henry Austin "
Thomas Aspin "
Frederick Ayres "
Thomas Allison "
Michael Anderson "
Barnet Alley "
James Arrants '*
James Addy, or Eddy "
Thomas G. Alvey "
Daniel Basil Fifer.
John Baker Private.
George Bateman "
John Brookbank "
Levy Burk "
Thomas Buckley Sergeant.
William Brookes Private.
Barruch Butt
Thomas Butt "
Edward Butt "
Frederick Bennett Fifer.
Solomon Brittenham Private.
Levy Button
Levin Bramble
Regiment. Nunil.c
1
1876
1
1163
2
2033
3
1131
4
1318
5
27
5
1168
5
1 1 i;o
5
2537
6
3174
2
1956
7
3121
2
2544
7
1146
3
1117
State.
2523
"
2520
"
2671
6
1901
5
138
1
2034
Rawlings'.
4059
State.
1748
3
62
Artillery.
930
"
1919
3
876
German.
950
Recruit 81.
Hazen's.
Lee's Legion.
1882
2545
1825
3118
1256
1330
1992
1970
4036
1813
2040
131
1893
3129
148
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Names. Rank.
John Blades Private.
Thomas Brown Corporal.
John Brown (I) Private.
Richard Butler "
John Barrett "
Basil Brown "
George Brown "
Zachariah Burch "
Leonard Bean Corporal.
Gabriel Brand Private.
John Bean "
Thomiis Bird "
Benjamin Boyd "
John Blair (2) "
Peter Bochard '•
Thomas Bailey "
John Buckley "
Joshua Barret Sergeant.
George Bradley Corporal.
Peter Bowler Private.
Joshua Batchley **
Robert Bowen Fifcr.
Philip Bailey Private.
John Beach Drummer.
John Buchanan "
Daniel Buckley Private.
James Biass "
John Barnelt "
Perry Burtham "
John Brent Fifer.
George Blackham Private.
James Barron "
James Bailey **
Abram Bowen "
John Bantham , **
Solomon Barrett "
James Burk (1) "
John Brown (2) Sergeant.
Henry Billop Private.
Thomas Bear "
George Bumgardner "
Benjamin Burch (2) Corporal.
Thomas Brady Private.
Joseph Blaize "
Joseph Botts **
Moses Barney "
Richard Boone "
Joshua Brown "
Josiah Burgess "
Humphrey Beckett Sergeant,
Laurence Brannan "
George Brown Private.
George Buck "
Abijah Buxton "
Jesse Barnett Fifer.
Thomas Bowser Private.
James Baber '*
Daniel Bulger "
Jesse Boswell Corporal.
Joseph Barton Private.
Martin Bowles "
John Brewer *'
John Branson.. "
Jeremiah Brown "
Richard Biddle "
i;iment.
2
State.
7
State.
7
State.
Number.
1585
951
1948
1169
1142
1780
2084
91
1827
471
814
3015
2027
997
873
1043
872
101
1407
194
1381
2535
1037
1148
2025
1757
1139
1026
1072
1411
3
159
2000
1940
41
1797
1771
1059
1275
1849
2035
1556
1464
2002
986
1360
3120
1881
1603
1086
1581
2541
182
1875
1489
1935
41U
4113
1831
3027
Names.
James Bigwood
PeterBushell
Thomas Baker
James Balip
J. Berriman, or Banneman..
James Brannan
John Brian
John Biggs
Jacob Blake
John Brown (3)
Benjamin Burch
George Bough
Samuel Boswell
William Batten
Zachariah Berry
James Bryan
John Bayley (1)
William Burgess
George Belfast
Charles Bucjiliss
John Brady
James Barrow
Thomas Baxter
James Blewer
John Butcher
Nathan Bateman
John Bennet
Joseph Burch
Thomas Bishop
William Braithwait
Richard Blansford
Thomas Brown
Isaac Burton
Thomas Brown
Edward Berry
Thomas Bowler
John Brady
Thomas Barber
Thomas Barclay, or Bartley.
William Bruflf.
David Bramble
John Burnes
Benjamin Bough
John Boudy
John Boody
John Britton
John Briley
Benjamin Belcher
Thomas Burch (2)
Nathaniel Barley
Andrew Bramble
John Baxter
James Bowen
Joel Baker
William Brady
John Blair (1)
George Bowers
James Bayley
James Berry
Robert Britt
Luke Burnes
William Bowles
Daniel Boyles
Ezekiel Burnes
John Burnes
Bank.
Private.
Begiment.
State.
Corporal. Rawlings'.
Sergeant. "
Private. German.
" Rawlings'.
Recruit 1781.
State.
Sergeant.
Artillery.
Drummer.
M;
Private.
Artillery,
1057
1112
1963
989
1465
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
Names. Rank.
Zachariah Butt Private.
Charles Byrn "
James Banny "
Hugh Burns "
Thomas Buttery "
William Bolton "
James Brown "
John Benny "
Alexander Beck "
Michael Burns "
Hugh Batton "
Eobert Body Fifer.
John Brown Private.
James Boyle "
Harvey Burnes "
John Batton "
William Brown "
[ Nehemiah Barns "
\ Kichard Basset "
i George Bowe "
John Bennet **
James Brown "
i: Thomas Broome "
I William Bright
I Robert Burnet "
William Clary ._. "
DavidCaile "
I John Carroll (1) "
I JamesCollard Fifer.
' Wm. Clements (2) Private.
' Michael Cole **
I Thomas Campher "
Patrick Cavenaugh "
1 William Cato "
I Hugh Cain "
j David Conner (1) "
j Morris Citizen "
! William Ohatland "
j William Cutler "
I John Camphen **
I Hampton Coursey *'
j William Conner (!) "
j George Childs Corporal.
1 Daniel Claney Private,
j John Craig "
Barton Cecil "
Charles Clements "
Luke Carter "
IJohn Clnggett "
i Thomas Clark (I) "
I Heze. Carr Drummer.
John Courts Private.
I Michael Clark "
(John Colin Sergeant.
I Thomas B. Clements Private.
I William Cartro (2) "
! Emanuel Carthagone "
Abram Catchsides "
JThomas Clinton Fifer.
(Michael Callahan Private.
lAseph Colegate "
(Andrew Crummy "
John Carr "
Robert Cornick "
John Carroll (2) "
Regiment. Number.
2 1934
2 190.S
3 1181
3 1154
3 1536
3 1172
5 1742
5 4096
5 8S7
5 1537
6 1981
6 3008
6 3064
6 1918
Hazen's. 1115
" 29
" 4103
1221
Lee's Legion. 1763
" 1267
" 434
" 1207
1840
4 953
German. 1740
1 4153
1 2397
1 2504
1 4044
1 1182
1 1178
2 ' 493
State. 1266
2 1675
2 1063
2 1092
2 1095
2 1922
2 1910
2 2369
2 821
2 193
3 79
3 1832
3 3094
3 90
3 4165
3 4152
3 3161
3 123
3 472
3 1604
4 1931
4 4157
Recruited 81. 1911
4 1135
4 1020
4 4022
4 1108
4 158
4 1919
2 1132
3 911
5 191
5 459
Names,
Charles Crouch
Augustine Cann
Thomas Carney
Michael Claney
Thomas Cahoe, Sr
Thomas Cahoe, Jr
Benjamin Cleaver
Christopher Cusick
Robert Callahan, or Clem-
mahan
William Cook
William Craile
Darby Crowley
John Cheshire
William Casey
Adam Crow
William Cummins
Aquilla Chitham
Owen Carey
f Ignatius Compton
James Curren
Stephen Carr
Edward Claney
John Cochran
William Collis
Jonathan Chubb
William Chapman
Henry Crook
William Cox
Henry Craine
George Clarke
Thomas Cooper
Bennet II. Clements
James Casey
Lewis Cunningham
Calothile Carmile
David Crady
Michael Casner
Samuel Callahan
John Cooper (1)
George Craigs
Dominick Coins
Benjamin Cole
John Connelly (1)
Isham Coleman
William Carter (1)
James Crozier
Peter Carberry
Samuel Chappie
Michael Curtis
William Clements (1)
Kindall Cobb
Thomas Cannady
Valentine Clapper
Charles Cooper
John Carson
Elijah Cockendall
John Crosby (1)
Dennis Cragan
Joseph Cooley
Thomas Craig
Edward Cosgrove
John Clancey (2)
James Crawford
William Civill
Rank.
Sergeant.
Private.
Fifer.
Private.
Fifer.
Private.
149
Number.
1028
1833
1067
1066
4100
4109
1117
1006
1805
1175
962
Sergeant.
7
475
Private.
7
461
"
Recruited 81.
1704
"
7
1446
Sergeant,
7
1562
Corporal.
7
21
Private.
7
1032
"
7
168
"
7
162
Fifer.
7
167
Private.
7
166
Sergeant.
State.
1208
Private.
"
3119
1402
3035
909
1033
808
1487
1920
1913
1520
1755
Fifer.
"
1802
Private.
"
1058
"
3
1753
"
State.
1752
"
4
3164
"
6
906
"
German.
477
"
Gist's,
3033
"
State.
1467
1497
"
5
1790
"
Recruited 81.
4155
"
3
1149
"
State.
4052
"
2
1167
Sergeant.
Recruited 81.
297
Corporal.
Rawlings'.
1506
Private.
4
278
"
1
340
"
1
1282
Sergeant.
Private.
Riwlings'.
1
960
298
Corporal.
Private.
1
3
5
458
1214
1294
150
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Names. Rank.
Timothy Cahill Private.
Jacob Carnant
John Carter
Owen Cofl5eld
George Collins
Bryan Carroll
Michael Coyle
Edward Cain
Joseph Crouch
Thomas Cardiff.
John Cole
Jacob Collins
James Chambers
John Collins
Thomas Clarke
Thomas Condron Corporal.
Arthur Cams
Hugh Chaplin M.
Timothy Connelly Sergeant.
AVilliam Cornwall ''
Samuel Carter *'
John Clark Gunner.
Michael Conner M.
John Compton "
Robert Campbell *'
James Clarke "
John Curl Private.
John Cleverdence "
Arthur Coffin "
Joshua Cox '.. "
Edward Chambers "
James Chard "
James Cochran "
John Cannon "
Thomas Compton "
James Collins Sergeant.
William Cork Private.
George Carney "
Robert Carnes "
Matthias Cyphart "
James Clements "
William Coe "
James Crasbury "
William Cann "
Zachariah Clark Fifer.
Samuel Clark Private.
Robert Campbell "
John Campbell (2) "
John Connelly (2) "
William Coursey "
Patrick Conner "
Peter Casey "
Michael Carr's Adm'r
Benjamin Cams "
JohnCurritt "
Thomas Chapman "
Samuel Chinn "
Robert Cooley "
John Cole "
John Cornish "
Joseph Cullamine '*
Rennet Cbeser "
Barney Cassaday *'
John Cox "
Justinian Carter *'
Kegiment. Number.
German.
23
7
921
State.
923
Grayson's.
924
3
4144
2
3126
6
479
4
1104
3
lO.So
3
973
Recruited 81.
1150
2
902
Recruit 81.
183
"
1130
"
1155
Artillery.
1126
"
1068
"
1861
"
1860
"
857
"
1950
"
432
"
1307
"
1483
"
4156
•'
858
State.
1044
Recruited 81.
42
"
105
"
47
"
979
"
1159
"
925
"
1491
"
1194
7
1607
Recruit 81.
1631
"
1060
"
1252
"
1418
"
1593
"
1595
"
800
"
1295
3
1983
7
1425
Recruit 81.
1218
"
1109
Gist's.
1812
Recruit 81.
1626
2
3078
7
HIS
457
2
1866
1
4110
1
1473
1
3004
1
1300
2
864
2
1245
Names. Bank.
William Collier Private.
William Cougleton "
Simon Cbappoik "
James Conner "
John Caves "
Michael Claney, Sr Sergeant.
Peter Carwell
Michael Corr "
John Crozier "
Peter Cunningham Private.
John Clarke "
Richard Clarke '*
Nichohis Campbell "
Hugh Connelly "
John Craig "
John Coomy, or Kumy "
JohnCollins "
Jessie Crasbie "
Robert Crouch "
Wm., or Benj, Chesnut "
Charles Dawkens Sergeant.
Dennis Dunning Drummer.
John Dixoo (1) Private.
Francis Dunar "
William Dortch "
Henry Dixon "
John Denson "
George Dixon "
William Dixon "
John Dyer "
Aquilla Deaver **
Luke Dempsey "
Thomas Drudge **
John Donovan "
William Downes "
Thomas Doyle "
Peter Degazoon "
James Daffin Corporal.
Edmund Dougherty Sergeant.
Francis Dunnington Private.
James Doyle "
John Duhague "
John Downey "
Elijah Deane "
Robert Davis "
Richard Duvall "
Patrick Doran Sergeant.
John Denson Drummer.
James Devereux Sergeant.
George Devit Private.
Robert Dunkin "
Samuel Davis (1) Sergeant.
Samuel Denny Private.
James Dyer (1) '*
John Delanaway '*
Matthias Dyche "
John Deakins "
Edward Dominick "
Joseph Donahoe "
James Davidson "
William Deaver "
James Due "
AVilliam Devine ■ "
James Dyer (2) "
John Donaghan "
Regiment. Number.
Lee's Legion.
State.
German.
State.
THE WAE FOR INDEPENDENCE.
151
Names. Rank.
Wm. Duunington, or Der-
rington Private.
Joseph Deford "
Alexander Downej "
Richard Dixon ' " ,
Francis Duvist "
James Dowden "
Butoc Deveaus "
John Dent "
John Dove Sergeant.
Beryer Dominick Private.
Juiucs Denison "
Richard Downs "
Pearce Dcakon "
William Day " *
James Davidson "
Thomas Dutton "
Charles Davis "
William Davis M.
William Dixon B.
Peter Davis D.
John Davis (1) Private.
William Dawson "
Barnaby Dorothy "
Jacob Duders "
Terrence Duffy "
John Deane **
John Dobson "
James Drian "
Thomas Duffy "
Thomas Davis (1} **
Abram Dugan "
Thomas Dickison "
Charles Deane "
Richard Dolvin "
Richard Dunby *'
James Dawson "
Timothy Donovan M.
Thomas Dutton's Adm'r Private,
Thomas Daley "
John Davis /. "
John Davis, of Bailey's Co. "
James Douglas, ** " "
James Divine, " ** '*
Michael Duffy **
John Deford "
Patrick Durgan '*
Peter Dunston "
Thomas Disharoon **
George Dice, or Dias "
Francis Duffy S.
Jeremiah Driskill Private.
George Dyer "
John Davis "
Piitrick Dennison "
William Deakins "
Thomas Deavor *'
William Duuley
William Dowdle '^
Joseph Deale "
Michae! Dowlan "
Henry Evans "
Edward Ellicott '*
Peregrine Evans Sergeant.
Bartholomew Esom Corporal.
Regiment. Number.
3
114
5
1027
5
mil
7
1085
Eawlings'.
466
"
1583
1
4038
3
4039
7
1941
6
1197
Rawlings'.
1736
7
1474
Riiwlings'.
1761
State.
1921
1
1727
1788
Recruit 81.
.■597
Artillery.
1255
"
3130
"
427
Recruit 81.
293
"
273
5
314
Recruit 81 .
241
6
428
Recruit 81.
1121
"
490
Recruit 81.
1235
"
812
"
1625
"
963
"
338
"
1957
"
324
"
426
"
240
Artillery.
272
1
292
2
317
3
337
3
364
3
385
4
406
4
1953
5
1210
5
407
6
1421
7
1426
5
467
Recruited 81.
1094
4
1524
5
1600
Recruited 81.
1119
4
448
Hazen's.
1588
"
1427
"
446
Lee's Legion.
1549
Artillery.
386
N. Gist's.
1712
Recruited 81.
1539
1
1432
2
439
2
949
Names. Kank.
Michael Ellis Fifer.
Thomas Evans (2) Private.
Thomas Ellicott (2) "
William Ellis "
Edward Evans (1) "
William Evans "
Thomas Edwards Sergeant.
Jnrvis Eccleston Private.
Joseph Ellicott "
George Elm.'* Fife-Mnj.
.John Ellicott (1) Private.
Edward Evans (2) Sergeant.
William Elkins Private.
Thomas Ellis (1) "
Enork Ennis "
Leonard Ennis **
John Ennis "
John Edwards "
Peter Equidowney "
James Evans "
Thomas Elliott (1) "
Samuel Evans Corporal.
Thomas Evans (1) Private.
Healhcsat Edwards "
Emanuel Ebbs "
Euel Evans "
Thomas Ellison "
.Tohn Edwards Sergeant
Richard Ellis' Adm'r
Frederick Eyen
John Evans M.
Benjamin Evans
John Etheridge
Richard Ellison Private.
.James Ervine "
Nicholas Elliott "
James Edes "
Edward Ervine "
Jacob Flora "
Francis Fairbrother **
John Franeway "
Stephen Fresh "
Joseph Fowler "
William Fisher "
Jonathan Fowler "
Geo. Fellason, or Fenlayson. "
Henry Fisher (2) "
James Farrel "
.James Fitzjerald "
Francis Freeman "
John Ferguson "
Edward Furriner "
James Forster "
Alexander Francis "
Richard Freeman "
Wm. R. Franklin "
John Farrell "
Richard Farraby "
Frederick Flinon "
Stafford Fosdale "
Peter Fountain "
Benjamin Folliott "
Rigby Foster "
Wm. Foreman Sergeant.
Wm. Farrell Drummer.
Regiment. Numlier.
2
1434
3
1703
3
1433
4
1.58i»
4
972
4
1204
4
1428
5
239
6
1685
or. 6
1231
6
382
State.
1271
"
365
"
969
"
850
"
1236
"
1249
Recruited 81.
465
"
494
"
316
"
817
"
1738
"
4041
"
1794
Gist's.
1750
State.
1883
1
1863
3
391
5
4-19
Artillery.
441
"
1553
6
1310
6
1691
7
901
Recruited 81.
1304
"
932
Hazen's.
220
255
1
1083
1
914
1
844
1
328
2
213
man.
1423
2
341
2
16
2
1424
2
1781
3
2501
3
1845
3
1841
3
164
3
1077
3
1750
4
1141
4
1042
4
3098
4
248ft
4
15S
5
947
5
3113
5
148
15:;
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Names. Rank.
John Fulham Private.
Edward Flowers "
Mark Forster "
Benjamin Fitzgerald Sergeant.
Absolom Fardo Private.
John M. Funner "
Doras Filmont "
Nicholas Fitzgerald "
Moses Forster '*
Samuel Filson Sergeant.
Stephen Fluhart
Dennis Flanagan M.
Emanuel Farara Private.
Philip Fisher "
John Foiling "
Robert Farrel "
Jeremiah French "
Philip Fitzpatrick "
Charles Fitzgerald "
AVm. Fitzgerald "
John Frawney "
Oeorge Finlay Sergeant.
Robert Folger Private.
Peter French Corporal.
Thomas Foxjill Private.
Edward Fincham "
John Fosset "
Walter Farrel "
David Foxall "
Stephen Fennell "
George Ford "
John Fulford "
George Fields Sergeant.
Robert Firth "
Thomas Flamming "
Joseph Fisher "
John Fennel **
Charles Fulham Corporal.
John Franklin Private.
Joseph FoHiott "
Thomas Frumley ^'
Henry Fisher (1) "
William Fairburn , "
Jeremiah Fitzjerald "
Richard Fenwick "
Andrew Fernan "
Thomas Fanning M.
John Fitzjerald, Jr "
Benjamin Freshwater
Robert Ford Sergeant.
John Fairbank
William Fountain
Edward Fennel
Massey Fliiart
Samuel Frazier
James Flood
William French
Edmund Flowers
Robert Freemoutt
James Flack Sergeant.
Peter Farrell Corporal.
Benjamin Gray Sergeant.
Amos Green Private.
Abraham Garcena "
Samuel Green "
legimeDt.
Number.
5
3062
5
810
5
1284
7
172
7
22
7
.3165
7
1062
7
1871
7
2024
7
.3131
1 anil 7
305)7
Artillery.
3178
State.
174
"
1339
"
1924
"
1211
"
1932
"
1329
Recruited 81.
4159
"
1328
"
965
"
893
"
1816
"
345
"
815
"
128
State.
1049
5
1162
State.
1737
3
1003
Rawlings'.
938
"
994
Recruited 81.
2085
German.
933
"
2088
"
4097
4
55
5
4105
Recruited 81.
2001
3
3167
7
455
4
1729
3
1452
Artillery.
1019
907
1
3009
4
1373
5
1408
5
1530
7
1730
Hazen's.
1995
"
2029
"
1974
Lee's Legion.
1196
5
3160
3
1041
6
1074
State.
462
7
1973
1
3054
1
899
1
1972
Nauiea. Rank,
John Green (1) Private.
William Griffin Fifer.
Tliomiis Glover Private.
Andrew Garnet Fifer.
William Gould Private.
Mark Griffin "
Nathan Griffin "
Rubin Goostry "
Henry Green **
Thomas Gossage "
Anthony Geohagan Drummer.
Jesse Grace "
John Gibson Private.
Isaac Green "
William Glascow .-... "
Charles Goldsborough "
John Gordon (1) "
William Gates Drummer.
John Goddard Private.
Hugh Gainer "
James Garth "
John Gwynn Sergeant.
James Gray (1) Private.
John Gorman (1) "
Thomas Gillon ''
Henry Gilby
Abraham Gamble "
James Greenwood Drummer.
Moses Grabame Private.
Isaac Graves "
Edward Garrish "
Paul Grenard "
Richard Gee "
Samuel Gerry "
Joseph Gordon "
Henry Goldsborough *'
John Gordon (2) "
William Glory "
William Groves "
John Green (2) "
Benjamin Gilbert "
Thomas Gadd "
Philip Graham **
Bennet George **
Lambert Goody "
John Gee "
Amos Griffith... "
John Graham Fifer.
Charles Girdler Private.
Thomas Gilham "
Solomon Greene *'
Charles Goff "
John Gregory **
James Gravey "
William Grecnage "
Smart Greer "
Samuel Gray "
William George "
Southey George "
Joseph Green "
William Gudgeon "
John Gather "
Jacob Games '*
Benjamin Gater '*
William Gillespie "
Regiment.
Number.
1
2018
1
1997
1
1978
2
3123
2
1923
2
1959
2
822
2
1333
2
1.340
2
1205
3
1563
3
1229
3
811
3
33
3
1258
3
1828
3
1253
3
1610
3
3107
3
210
4
415
4
1309
4
1176
4
3032
5
1824
■5
3072
5
3010
6
1996
6
3056
6
201
6
1515
6
100
7
1762
7
484
7
1928
3
4049
Rawlings
1855
State.
1881
Recruited 81.
Recruited 81.
Recruited 81.
State.
6
Recruited 81.
Stale.
Recruited 81.
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
153
Names. Rank.
Marshall Galloway Private.
James Goodwin "
William Grant "
Vincent, or "Willson Gray.... '*
Michael Grosh "
Robert Gelhampton *'
Thomas Gray "
Jacob Gray Sergeant.
Bicbard Gray Private.
John Giles "
Moses Graves "
Jonathan Gill M.
Mark Goldsborough
Charles Groom M,
Thninas Gleeson "
"William Grimes "
Kiiucb Ganet Private.
H.uvey Gray "
Sylvester Gatting "
John Gordon "
Walter Glasgow "
William Hutton Corporal.
William Hellen B.
Cornelius Harling M.
Michael Hughes "
Willifim Hallen B.
John Howard M.
1 James Hendrickson M.
1 Robert Hiirding Private.
I Thomas Hart '*
I William H;irper "
I John Hall "
i Conrad Hodibuck "
Joseph Hoole "
t John Ilackctt •'
Jeremiah Hooper "
John Hulls "
Isaac Hines "
Josiiah Hurley **
Richard Harper **
John Hall "
Charles Heath "
Richard B. Haslip "
Thomas Hutchcraft "
Richard Hayes "
William Hartuian "
James Humphries "
Hercules Hutchings "
John Hannan "
Charles Hickey "
John Hutson (2) "
Calib Haley "
John Hol.-toD "
Samuel Hughes "
William Hamilton D.
Henry Harris Private.
Lawrence Hurdle ''
Michael l[awke Corporal.
Henry Higgs M.
Daniel Harvey "
John Head , "
James Hutton Sergeant.
James Hammond Corporal.
William Herringtou Private.
Raphael Hagan "
Begimeut. Number.
3 1760
3
1784
Recruited 81.
2019
Grnyson's.
1701
German.
1528
4
1475
4
78
2
1870
2
915
2
401
5
1260
Artillery.
359
"
289
"
416
"
266
5
1023
398
7
1582
1
3048
Lee's Legion.
165
3
1873
Artillery.
1021
3112
"
417
"
1933
"
1933
"
351
"
1420
1
151
2
1478
2
1190
2
217
2
1164
3
1016
4
3116
4
1686
4
1501
4
1166
5
413
5
319
5
1209
5
470
German.
1488
"
3888
Becruited 81.
4046
"
277
"
1749
"
224
1
322
2
244
Recruit 81.
1431
State.
1925
Recruit 81.
976
"
389
3
321
3
245
7
225
Artillery.
1151
276
"
361
"
920
"
150
"
4108
1
2559
Names. Rank.
John Head Drummer.
John Hughes (I) Private.
Richard Harper "
James Hill <<
John Howard «
John Holmes «
Edward Hurley "
William Harris "
Elias Hardy «
Isaac Hill Drummer.
Josias Harris Private.
John Howell "
William Howe "
Jacob Hines "
Nathaniel Hull "
Henry Hines "
Ziidock Harvey "
Charles Hill "
Wm. Harris (1) "
Nicholas Huster "
Thomas Hoye "
AValter Hagan "
Randolph Hoskins "
Lazarus Higgs '*
James Hagan Corporal.
George Haden **
Thomas Harrison (2) Sergeant.
George Holton "
George Hagarthy "
John Hood, or Wood Private.
Vachel Hayes Drummer.
James Hare Private.
Samuel Hughes "
Cornelius Howard Sergeant.
John B. Haslip Private,
Isaac Holliday '*
Leonard Hagan "
Wm. Hughes "
John Higgens "
John Hare "
Peter Howard "
John Hood (2) "
John Hillary "
John S. Hunt "
Edward Hennisee "
Pompey Hollis "
James Halleron "
John Haynes *'
David Hatton "
AVm. Hamston "
Samuel Harrison "
John Haney "
Austen Howard "
Joseph Horsfleld "
Joseph Hukell "
Barney Haney "
Richard Hall "
John Hamilton "
Peregrine Howard "
Charles Harvey Sergeant.
John Hyde Private.
Robert Harpham Sergeant.
Thomas Harris (1) Private.
Francis Hopkins "
John Holder "
Grayson's.
Recruit 81.
Beglment. Number,
2 1378
2 368
2 4032
3060
3S0
267
218
1451
290
MOO
1320
31(1
4n.'5
311
ISOU
1011)
3087
926
2080
1049
1980
1718
4065
1826
1320
1854
31
1803
1338
496
2081
3002
3011
3029
3006
102
1265
154
1314
31175
1216
1430
1342
303
1136
238
383
335
420
308
362
1743
1642
Recruited 81.
154
HISTOEY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Name. Rank.
John Harris (1) Private.
Wm. Homey "
Jolin Hull Drummer
John Holliday Private.
John Housley "
John Hall (2) Corporal.
Jacob Hunt Private.
Frederick Harty "
Wm. Hurley "
John Hulet "
John Harrell "
Joseph Hall "
John Haden **
Wm. Hillman "
Walter Howe "
Edward Holland Drummer,
William Hicks Private. ■
Geoi-ge Hamilton "
Philip Huston "
Nathan Harper.. "
Samuel Hamilton "
t>amuel Harper "
Lazarus Harman '*
Nehemiah Hadder "
Ed. Hammond "
John Hancock "
Elijah Hutt "
Pialph Hope "
Wm. Hill (1)" "
James Hewelt "
James Harris (2) "
Thomas Hawson "
Stephen Hancock "
John Hickens "
Daniel Howe "
Richard Huggens Sergeant.
Thomas Hill Private.
William Hope "
John Hurley "
Leonard Holt "
Nicholas Hiner "
Richiird Harrington *'
Levin Harrington "
AVilliam Harper "
Daniel Holdman "
John Hudson (1) "
Samuel Hurst "
James Hudson (1) "
William Hedge "
William Hutcheson "
William Harrison (t) "
Michael Hartman "
John Hopkins "
William Hammond "
Henry Harley "
James Homes "
Joseph Harper **
John Harris (2) "
Thomas Hammond "
Daniel Hall "
William Harris (2) "
John Holliday, Sr "
James Hopkins
James Heaton
David Henderson
Beg;iment. Number.
5 1093
5 3115
5 1775
6 1609
6 1906
6 1837
7 1836
7 379
7 1621
7 400
1 136
1 36
7 1379
5 981
State. 1395
3127
" 1517
" 134
" 402
1890
" 481
" 334
" 11
" 4116
" 209
" 249
" 1278
Recruited 81. 190
5 60
State.
1419
2 1521
1 1165
State. 1243
2037
Rawlings'. 43
State.
Names.
Joshua, or Matthew Harvey
Abijah Hickell
George Hill
Joseph Hemphill
: Samuel Huggins
William Haney
William Hickenson
Benton Harris
' Thomas Harrison (1)
Robert Johnston
Thomas Jones (2)
Zachariah Jacobs
Thomas Jones (3)
John Johnston (3)
Isaac Johnston
William Johnston
William Johnston
Robert Issable
David Jones
j John Johnston
I William Joice (2)
; William Joice (1)
I Archibald Johnston
Edward Ervin
I Joseph Jenkins
! Henry .Jacobs
Nealy Jones
Joseph Jones (1)
William Jinkins
John Jones (1)
James Jackson
Benjamin Johnston
Thomas Jones (1)
Joseph Johnston
Adam Jameson
Regiment.
Lee's Legion.
Artillery.
Number.
1463
967
Corporal.
Private.
Sergeant.
Private,
Sergeant.
Fifer.
Private.
332
374
1976
" 331
" 1541
4 1917
Recruited 81. 444
" 163
" 3039
" 169
" 489
" 1053
2 299
4 3887
1 1806
1 1702
German. 1045
7 1927
7 1250
3 1323
1 1317
Recruited 81. 1289
" 1241
" 1403
7 1315
6 4035
6 495
Hazen's. 381
" 959
Lee's Legion. 318
John Johnston (1)
William Ingles
Aaron Jones
Jesse J.acobs
Daniel Jarvis, or Javins..
Joseph Jeans
John Jones, Sr. (3)
William Jones (1)
William Jones (2)
Jacob Jeflfers
Thomas Johns
Robeit Johnston
John Jones (2)
Ed. Jackson
Frederick Ijams
George Jennings
John Jackson
Joseph Isaacs
Abr.am Irvine
Thomas Jones (2)
Charles Jones
George Jones
Thomas Jones (4)
John Irons
James Isaacs
Francis Johnston
John Ireland
Philip Jones
Benedict Johnston
John Jordan
Rawlings'.
1
German.
2
Sergeant.
6
3074
Private.
6
1586
Sergeant.
Rawlings'.
827
Private.
State.
2556
375
1531
"
Recruited 81.
1756
889
"
2
3175
"
State.
1270
„
Recruited 81.
86
1319
"
State.
1793
"
State and 1.
1285
"
Recruit 81.
390
"
2
76
"
Recruit 80.
IIU
"
German.
10
"
Recruit 81.
879
206
"
1
863
"
State.
1371
M.
Artillery.
875
1203
1099
231
Q. M. S.
6
3021
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
155
Names. Kank.
William Jones Private.
John Jarvis
Samuel Jenkins
Thomas Johnston
Dennis Kelly Sergeant.
Edward Killman Private.
James Kelly "
John King "
Michael Kernon **
William Kindle "
Walter Keeeh "
Jacob Kiser "
John Knox (1)
Joseph Kerrick Corporal.
Francis Kitely Private.
Peter Kinkade "
Stephen Kemble ''
William Kellow Sergeant.
Thomas King Private.
Adam Kephart "
Jiicob Knight "
John Kidd **
John King "
William King "
David Kelly "
George Kelson "
Benjamin H. Kerrick "
James Kelly Corporal.
James Keckland Private.
John Kildee "
.larnb Kelly "
Tliomas P. Kittle "
Benjamin Karns
Edward Kearsey "
Jiimes Knott *'
Edward Kirk "
Francis Kearns "
David Kettle "
Abram Kettle "
Matthew Kelly "
John Knox (2) "
James Killagan "
Nathaniel Knott **
William Kennedy "
Richard Kisby "
David Kennedy
John Kennard
John Kincade
Thomas Kearns
George Laws "
William Lettman "
William Lee "
William Lilly "
Jiilm Loveday "
AVilliam Lucas "
Kinsey Lanham *'
John Lonass "
Zachariah Lyles "
TlMimas Lewis "
.Tnliii Lowry "
Ihnby Lanahan "
Charles Leago "
Jacob Lowe Sergeant.
.lnn;ithan Lewis Private.
Mirhael Lloyd
Begimeut. Number.
7 1156
1 1321
406.3
1914
1.303
41.54
98
1516
Lee's Legion.
Gist's.
7
839
2004
German.
107
4 ■
1733 !
6
1269
7
179
5
1754
3
230
1
1312
1
931
2
1694
2
4026
4
1225
4
1229
4
12,30
5
1288
5
1639
6
1157
7
1247
7
1344
State.
112
Recruited 81.
1248
"
215
2
1887
6
77
State and 1.
868
Rawlings'.
918
German.
1313
"
129
"
1620
4
4095
7
1257
2
418
3
1311
6
1695
State.
1191
Hazen's.
353
Lee's Legion.
no
"
1276
6
2500
2
1350
2
280
2
1187
3
410
7
203
1
288
Recruit 81.
309
German.
1015
2
236
3
830
7
4163
6
3133
German.
1847
"
3067
1
825
2
3037
Namee. Bank.
William Laws Private.
Roger Landers **
John Lucas (1) "
Benjamin Loffuian "
Levi Lord "
Henry Laws
AVilliam Lynch >'
John Love (1) "
John Lee(l) "
Michael Lawler "
John Lynch (2) "
Ale.xander Levi "
Robert Legg "
John Linkon "
Joseph Long "
Joshua Leister "
William Lcakins "
David Love Sergeant.
Francis Long Private.
John Lewin **
Christopher Lambert "
George Linton "
Paul Lapine "
Dudley Lee "
Theophilus Lindsay "
Thomas Larrimore **
Joseph Lewis (2) "
John Lynch (3) "
John Lesley "
William Lee (2)
Thomas Long "
Nehemiah Lingard "
Timothy Langrel "
Jesse Locker "
William Little "
Theophilus Loma.v Sergeant.
Edward Legg Private.
Thos. Loveday, or Lovely... D.
Dennis Leary Private.
Robert Livingston M.
Joshua Lovely "
Richard Lewis Sergeant.
Peter Laurence M.
Jacob Lion Sergeant.
Daniel Longest Private.
John Lavender '*
James Lowry
John Luton "
John Lindsay "
Barney Lemmon "
Peter Ledington "
Jeremiah Lee "
Thomas, or John Luff. "
John Majors "
Richard Mudd Sergeant,
Walter Miles Corporal.
Gilford Minikee Private.
William Mann "
James Magraw "
Frederick Miles Corporal.
.John Morris *'
Valentine Murray "
Jonathan Mayhew "
John Miles il) "
James Matthews
Keglment. N
imber.
2
IfiU
2
913
2
1534
5
1786
2
3005
3
3117
3
1735
3
12.33
3
1212
3
1368
4
4030
4
4024
Slate.
202
6
1984
1410
7
41127
7
1331
7
1994
State.
3038
"
1409
"
99
"
1263
State and 1.
433
6
301
1
1120
German.
1811
Recruit 81.
1273
Rawlings'.
3028
Recruit 81.
826
"
284
3
1237
Recruit 81.
3022
"
122B
"
1493
3
4040
5
373
State.
1013
Rawlings'.
1447
Srate.
1374
Artillery.
990
"
1791
"
1526
"
1316
"
254
3
3111
2
1017
5
916
5
1741
4
187
1
247
1
1687
1
1448
1
1234
2
304P
2
370
2
1853
3
1012
3
404
3
1348
3
1048
4
1183
156
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Name. Bank.
William Marshal Corporal.
Robert Matthews "
Thomas McCernjio "
John .Mantle Sergeant.
.Joseph Mattingly Private.
Arthur McCIain Sergeant.
Samuel MeConnell "
Joseph McNamara Private.
Jeremiah .Mudd Sergeant.
John M.atthew.s (2) "
John Moore (3) "
Hezekiah Massey "
John McCay (1) "
John McDonald Fifer.
Michael Maguire Private,
Thomas Mahoney **
Stephen Magraw "
Jacob Moses (2) "
Bennet Mudd Sergeant.
Humphrey Miniken Private.
Benjamin McHaffee "
Benjamin Moran **
John Martin (2)
Christian Myers **
John M. Laughlin "
Andrew Moore "
William Martin Corporal.
Timothy JIcLamar Private,
Michael McGower "
Joseph McAtee "
Thomas Mahoney "
Thomas Maloney '*
Michael Miller "
Darby McNamara "
John Martindale Fife-Major.
Peter McNaughton Sergeant.
John Morrison Fifer.
Wm. McLoughlin Private,
Christopher Magraw Drummer.
James Mason Private.
Wm. Moore (1)
Richard Mitchel "
Wm. Moore (2) "
John Martin (1) *'
Cornelius McLaughlin "
Charles Murphy Sergeant.
Wm. McGee Private.
John Matthews (1) "
Charles McGee "
Matthew Moore (1) "
Wm. Mitchell "
JohnMcCann "
Patrick Mahorn "
Matthew Moore (2) "
Thomas Murphy "
Christopher ^IcAway "
Hugh McMillan Sergeant.
James Mead Drum-Major.
John McCoy Private,
George Mantle "
Michael McCann "
James Maxwell Corporal.
Wm. Moore (3) Private.
Boston Medler Drummer.
Wm. Mann (1) Private.
Begiment.
Number.
5
3151
6
256
5
352
6
377
7
1363
7
469
6
208
Slate.
2039
"
327
"
loon
"
286
5
1415
State.
871
Recruit 81,
1334
3
1324
Oerman,
242
"
.339
"
1699
1
1297
4
4099
5
94
6
3043
6
1569
7
1050
7
320
7
1277
6
845
State.
1010
"
3179
1
4102
1
1286
1
1722
1
1622
2
1486
2.
1125
2
4106
2
1778
2
3070
2
205
2
1372
3
1056
3
3157
3
1389
3
1388
3
355
3
235
3
1390
3
1079
3
1404
4
1843
4
387
4
1965
4
1866
2
429
5
1364
6
939
6
336
6
285
6
106
7
2012
7
384
Names. Rank.
John Moore (1) Private,
Charles McNable Sergeant.
Joseph Mtinaga Private,
Joseph Murphey "
Peter Maguire "
John Macanally "
Enoch McClain Sergeant.
John Maxwell (1) Private.
William Moade "
John Mick "
Neal Xorris "
John Mills (2) "
Nicholas Milburn "
Willi.am McNeal Corporal.
James McDonald Private.
Thos. Matthews Corporal.
John McGuinis Private.
Isachea Mason Corporal.
William Manly Private.
Henry Mansfield "
John Moore (2) "
John C.Miller "
Jesse McKinsey "
John McNeill **
John Moore (4) "
Adam Mushier "
John McGall "
David Meadows "
Roderick McKinsey "
Aaron Michel! "
Aleard Melville "
Robt. Mitchell "
Daniel Murphy "
Francis McCann "
John Morris (2) "
John Mills (3) "
John Murray (1) "
John McDonald Sergeant.
John MoNight Fifer.
Edward Mahoney Private.
Benjamin Marsh "
Wm. Marlow Sergeant.
Luke Merriman Private.
John McCaliff Drummer.
Wm. Mansfield Private.
John Maglin "
Daniel Mann '*
Peter Melvin "
John McCIain "
John Moore (6) "
Thomas Matthews (2) "
Joshua McKinsey "
Moses McKinsey "
Francis McGauran Sergeant.
Patrick McKinsey Private.
John McBride "
Thos. McKinsey "
Zachariah Mills "
Abraham Manning "
Thomas Mie "
John Milstead "
James Moore G.
Peter Maynor Fifer.
Charles Muiritt M.
Robert Myers M,
Begiment.
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
State.
Number.
425
1220
4060
1724
1098
3013
3108
3153
4043
294
German.
Recruit 81.
Rawlings'.
Recruit 81.
Rawlings'.
Recruited 81.
Recruited 81.
German.
1 \i
Artillery. 13^
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
157
Names.
Dennis MoCormiok
Philip Masterson
Hugh McDowell
Peter Maynor, Sr
James McGowen
Cruise Moser
James Murjihy
John McDougle
John McConnikin
John McGran
John Murray (Bugley's Co.)
John Miller
Richard Maxwell
Archibald Morton
John Mcintosh
Thomas Morgan
Dennis Murley
Wm. MoKinley
Barney McManus
Jacob Moses
William Matthews
Jacob Myers
Timothy McMahon
Patrick Mollohon
Wm. McPherson
George Miller
Nicholas McManiard
James Mclntire
John McColgan
Charles March, or Marsh....
Alex. Mutthewson
George McDonald
Martin Mulloy
Jamer MeCrakin
John Manley
Hugh McCoy
Marmaduke McDonald
James McCarty
Nicholas Nicholson
John Neary
Asael Nicholls
John Neighbours
John Newton (2)
Michael Noland
Richard Nelson
Patrick Nolan
Thomas Neill
Henry Nicholson
Stephen Nicholson
Wm. Newton
Morris Neagell
Wm. A. Needhand
Joseph Nabb
Wm. Nailor
James Narvel
Isaac Nicholls
Basil Norman
Wm. Niblet
John Newton (1)
Charles Nabb
John Nelson
John Nevit (2)
Joseph Neale
John Nicholson
-John Nave
11
Bank.
Corporal.
M.
Begiment. Number.
Artillery. 1349
" 860
"
"
492
"
"
363
"
"
1535
Private.
2
396
"
2
4064
"
2
3034
"
2
1261
"
2
1547
"
3
1290
"
2
24
"
4
1711
"
4
369
"
3
3092
"
5
1100
"
5
1557
"
6
1646
"
7
1944
"
3
3104
"
6
4062
"
State and 2.
325
"
3
1106
"
Recruit SI.
1930
3077
1779
1029
"
Hazen's.
1989
50
2532
155
977
847
"
Lee's Legion.
49
1240
"
1
372
"
3
1822
"
4
1113
Sergeant.
1
1
1519
1081
Private.
3
1129
"
7
137
"
State.
3160
"
6
1896
«
State.
1173
"
4
1947
"
1
1259
Corporal.
Sergeant.
2
1332
1348
Private.
2
1630
"
3
1514
Sergeant.
Private.
4
5
5
1274
1987
450
Fifer.
6
4028
Private.
Recruit SI.
113
"
7
1281
"
7
1564
„
Recruit 81.
7
894
177
"
4
6
"
2
152
"
Rawlings'.
367
„
Recruit 81.
3041
111
Rank.
M.
Private.
Names.
James Neale
Daniel Neal
Martin Noble
Nathaniel Nott
George Nicholson
Samuel J. Nelme
Leonard Outerbridgc.
Samuel Oram ,. "
John O'Brian "
John Osburn "
Joseph Overereck "
Daniel O'Quinn "
Stephen Owens "
James Owens "
Charles Orme **
Henry Osten, or Austin "
John Onion Fifer.
Peter Outhouse Private.
Samuel Owens "
Michael O'Brian Bugler.
Philip O'Brian Corporal.
Michael O'Farrol M.
Jacob Owens "
John Owens Private.
Richard O'Quynn "
Elijah Oakley "
Joseph Owens "
James Onants "
George Parker *'
Nathan Peak Sergeant.
Henry Phillips Private.
Cupid Plummer
George Patrick "
Gabriel Peters "
John Purdy "
Henry Purdy "
George Phillips "
John Pease Sergeant.
Jesse Powers Private.
Obadiah Plummer "
Thomas Phipps "
Samuel Pleasants "
James Phillips "
George Plumley "
Thomas Pollhouse "
Thomas Peacock "
John Pickering "
William Poland
Simon Perry "
William Pherson "
Aquilla Pearoe D.
William Purchase Corporal.
John Peany D-
Stephen Preston Private.
Richard Proctor "
William Peters "
William Pursell "
William Prior "
William Pecker . "
Joseph Purdy D.Major
James Poole Private.
George Pierce
Neal Peacock
Stephen Price Sergeant.
Elijah Pepper Private.
Begfment
Number.
Artillery.
186
"
253
2
1381
127
4
2543
Artillery.
18C9
2
1358
4
1009
State.
2038
3
3007
3
3025
4
1031
6
1723
5
2522
7
1040
2
955
State.
3155
"
1495
1
1202
Artillery.
"
4034
3
1538
German.
1968
Recruit 81.
1855
Lee's Legion.
985
842
Rawlings'.
2426
1
834
2
1889
2
1792
Rawlings'.
995
5
1279
6
405
6
1991
7
1644
7
1114
State.
1110
2
3042
2
809
4
248
State.
488
"
3017
German.
3110
7
1895
2
3000
1
2008
1
1.327
1
1264
2
1128
2
198
2
1137
3
287
3
424
3
1251
4
388
4
3100
4
3163
5
1047
5
2014
5
1598
7
1798
6
1600
7
1645
158
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Names. Rank.
Thomas Pinder PriTate.
Thomas Pennyfield "
Lambert Phillips "
Thomas Patterson "
Nathaniel Price "
Thomas Perry "
Joshua Pierce "
Michael Pilkerton "
Joseph Pherson Corporal.
William Prather Fifer.
William Paul Private.
Thomas Porter "
pLobert Pennington "
William Porter "
William Pagram "
Thomas Pettit "
Arthur Pritchet "
Joseph Pogue M.
Thomas Potter Fifer.
John Prout M.
John Paine "
Francis Popham "
John Pearson "
Jonas Phillips "
Benjamin Phelps Private.
Joseph Peters
James Pritchard
Andrew Preston
Emanuel Polston
James Paivel
James Paek
Thomas Price
Jacob Plaine
John Parkinson Private.
John Parsons "
Edward Purdy "
John Quick Sergeant.
Joseph Quinn Private.
William Quintin "
Patrick Quinn "
John Quinn M.
James Quay Private.
William Rowles "
William Roberts (1) "
Andrew Riggs "
Edward Richardson "
John Rock "
William Rock "
Jeremiah Rodes "
Adam Raines "
John Robertson "
Robert Richardson "
Thomas Redman "
Benedict Reynolds "
Bennet Rawlings "
Robert Rise "
Michael Rhytmire "
Edward Riely "
Alexander Rutherford "
William Richardson "
John Radly Sergeant.
James Ryly Private.
Charles Reynolds Sergeant.
Charles Riddle Private.
Horatio Roberts "
Regiment. Number.
State. 2567
"
1990
Recruit 81.
160
"
1583
"
1546
1
837
5
3014
1
1399
Recruit 81.
478
"
104
"
1476
5
836
Recruit 81.
4047
2
2546
Recruit 81.
1357
"
4054
Artillery.
329
"
1097
"
2534
"
422
"
487
"
2089
■'
1429
2
81
2
72
2
1365
2
1975
4
175
5
1352
6
473
6
1201
jee's Legion.
237
1
3169
6
1103
6
1555
2
3177
3
1336
7
948
Rawlings'.
1437
Artillery.
1500
1
1246
4
1441
1
125
2
1946
3
801
3
1943
3
4164
3
1355
3
1707
3
306
3
1443
4
304
3 or 4.
1213
2
1005
6
956
German.
82.S
State.
1770
3
3091
State.
354
Recruit 81.
833
7
4055
Names. Rank.
William Rogers Private.
Cristian Ross *'
William Smith "
Thomas Sanders " *
William Smith "
John Snelling
Anthony Smith D.
David Smith Private.
Leonard Swan "
.Jesse Simons Corporal.
Thomas Smith Private.
Andrew Stewart "
Thomas Sappington Sergeant.
William Sharp Corporal.
William Simmons Private.
John Stackhouse "
Michael Sours "
Aquilla Smith "
William Sly Corporal.
Jeremiah Sullivan Private.
Richard Smith Sergeant.
Alexander, or Andrew Smith Private.
Samuel Scott "
Benjamin Smith "
James Stewart (1) "
John Smith "
Leonard Smith "
Nathan Speak **
Frederick Stoffee "
Edward Sute Corporal.
Murphy Shee Private.
George Silver "
Joseph Smith "
John Smithard "
Robert Shipley "
William Sherley "
Ignatius Smith "
Jonathan Short Sergeant.
Josiah Smith "
Charles Schoudrick Corporal.
Robert Scriviner Sergeant.
Thomas Stokes Private.
Noah Sears "
James Stewart (2) "
Reuben Smith "
Abraham Schockee "
Peter Smith Sergeant.
William Sykes Private.
Charles Scott "
John Smith (2) "
Humphrey Spencer Sergeant.
Jesse Suite
John Salmon Private.
James Sbaur "
John Shouell "
Aaron Spalding Sergeant.
James Smith (2) Private.
John Smith (4) Corporal.
John Scott Drummer.
William Smith (2)
Conrad Smith Private.
Thomas Slade "
Elijah Smith "
William Sinclair "
Levy Smith Sergeant.
-ime
Dt. Number.
831
3rui
t81. 1158
961
1787
1492
1746
1772
2
870
3
1335
3
3030
4
1648
2
1700
State.
Recruit 80.
3
State.
Recruit 81.
German.
State.
Recruit 81.
State.
5
2
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
159
Names.
Daniel Smith (1)
William Sullivan
John Smith (1)
Perry Sullivan
Koger Shorter
Solomon Summers
George Sanders
Kobert Sharpless
Alexander Stephenson
John Summers
William Stonestreet
Joseph Sloop
James Sewall
Thomas Smith (1)
Michael Standly
George Steem, or Stumm
James Smith (?)
Christopher Simpkins
Abraham Stallings
Peter Stephens
Daniel Smith (2)
Christopher Seymore
James Sullivan
John Smith (3)
John Shanks
Bennet Sherley (2)
Job Sylvester
Levi Scott
Robert Streets
William Sterling
John Smallwood (2)
John Smallwood (1)
John Starkey
James Shepherd
John Spire '.
Charles Sickle
Solomon Sullivan
Richard Spires
John Sheffer
Solady Stanley
Thomas Smith (2)
Luke Sanson
Thomas Summers
William Silwood
(Benjamin Steward
[Laurence Simpson
William Steward
John Stoffle, or Stoffe
Philip Savoy
Samuel Street
Joseph Sidney, or Sidmer...
Blias Smith
Michael Smith (2)
Christopher, or Christian
I Smith
[Michael Smith (1)
iSamuel F. Shoemaker
jJohn Stanton
lOliver Stephens
Cato Snowdeu
jBasil Shaw
Thomas Scoudrick
iJoseph Southall
jThomas Sheridan
Walter B. Smallwood
Bank.
Private.
Corporal.
Private.
Corporal,
Drummer.
Private.
Drummer.
Private.
7
7
State.
Drummer.
Private.
Private.
Fifer.
Private.
State.
7
2
German.
State.
Recruited i
ivate. 6
Recruited 1
1
Sergeant.
Private.
Recruited 81.
Rawlings'.
1—81
Recruited 81.
Number.
1868
1807
1078
2083
832
124
1401
1200
40
1206
1347
1445
3109
1030
3889
1370
1726
28
178
890
2502
1902
282
1782
1223
1025
143
1783
1484
39
1435
!1. 1054
1186
2028
1777
1937
73
1198
1862
368
1544
228
4112
1857
1124
!1. 61
1440
SI. 1731
1479
173
2031
1308
954
3041
927
1001
922
1096
1153
2080
3149
1091
1732
1180
Names.
William Standley
James Sappington
James Smith (I)
Jacob Standley
James Scott
George Seone
William Sizeland
Joseph U.Spencer
Henry Slack
John Slack
Charles Sutton
John Sillinan
William Stalker
Robert Smith
Reuben Scott
Thomas Smith
James Simnionds
Andrew Shrink
John Sandall
John Standley, Jr
.lohn Smith
Thomas Standley
Rawling Spinks
Valentine Smith
Thomas Salsbury
Nathaniel Smith
Richard Sweeny
John Smith
James Sweeny
Thomas Sergeant
Charles Snow
Charles Simpson
John Sanders
James Sheridan
Joseph Spinks
Jeremiah Scrabbles
John Spriggs
James Simms
Thomas Sylvester
Darby Sullivan
Robert Sturton
Noble Simmons
William Spyers
John Sloop
John Shaw
Patrick Scott
Peter Shoemaker
John Sankey
William Smith
William Smith
Bartholomew Sheridan
George Summerville
John Straban
Abraham Sutton
Tamerlane Spencer
Philip Shoebrick
Edward Timms
John Tucker
Dennis Tramwell
William Townscnd
Richard Taylor
Francis Thompson
Solomon Turner
Giles Thompson, or Thomas.
Samuel Trigg
Rank.
Private.
Sergeant.
Corporal.
Private.
Sergeant.
RegiuioDt. Numbor.
Sergeant.
Private.
Sergeant.
Private.
State.
Recruited 81.
Gcrnian.
Artillery.
Ilazen's.
Lee's Legion.
Artillery.
Invalid.
Private.
1134
1961
1439
1375
315S
45
411
181U
491
1926
1145
1341
1055
2538
1955
15.33
442
3U46
1133
2560
892
929
1219
3036
1865
1745
1821
2013
451
2533
3173
1590
1008
2007
4053
1014
423
952
1174
1376
216
293
409
1462
1823
44(1
4:.2
2398
944
1815
984
3052
1912
1654
1405
1362
281
2530
378
1584
1773
1084
1908
1747
250
leo
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
Names. Bank.
John Tomlin Private.
Peter Tippet "
John Trusty "
Samuel Taylor "
Thomas Tanner "
James Tite
Anthony Tucker "
Christopher Touchstone "
William Taylor "
Natley Tippet
William Tolanri "
Lambert Tompson "
John Taylor (1) "
James Thomas, Jr "
John Turner {?>) "
Bartholomew Tompson "
Richard Tasco "
Henry Townley
Thomas Thompson
Peter Topping
John Taylor (2) "
Evin Tumbleson
Robert Taylor (2) Sergeant.
Cornelius Tomson Private.
George Taylor
John Turner
James Terry
William Taylor (2) "
William Taylor, Jr. (3) "
James Thomas, Sr Sergeant.
Allen Townsend Private.
Levin Thomas
James Tigner
John Thomson (1) "
Edward Tanner
Thomas Thomas
JohnD. TuUy "
John Thomas (2)
George Twench Sergeant.
Henry Tucker (2) "
John Turner (2)
John Thomas (1) "
Samuel Tindall "
Joseph Thompson
Thomas Tyack
John Turner M.
Rezin Thacknill Private.
James Trego
William Tutten
John Tuff
John Thomas
Aaron Townsend
John Turner (of Morris' Co.) "
Francis Taylor
Evan Thomas
Dennis Ternan
Francis Tycowit
John Towlin
John German Thomas
Jesse Thompson Sergeant.
Cornelius Vaughan Private.
Stephen Varlow
John Varlow
Edward Vickers
William Vaughan
Regiment,
Number.
German.
464
3
70
3
1496
7
1116
7
1161
German.
4101
5
1759
6
1069
1
996
1
392
2
1305
2
1377
2
1960
3
3103
3
3068
2
1696
3
1513
3
333
3
118
4
1708
4
1193
4
4025
5
903
5
3003
5
1690
7
2036
3
3124
Rawlings'.
1969
7
2529
State.
1064
Recruit 81.
1392
"
3012
"
2503
"
975
"
1529
"
199
"
942
"
232
Rawlings'.
394
Recruit 81.
820
7
1796
B
74
3
957
3
865
Artillery.
1087
"
1195
1
1485
2
126
2
1999
6
1387
6
4098
7
807
7
109
Recruit 81.
122
"
1222
7
1406
Hazen's.
64
Lee's Legion
1502
"
1386
Artillery.
856
German.
1942
2
3071
5
1523
State.
1080
2
1192
Names. Bank.
John Vincent Private.
.John Vanzant "
Samuel Vermillion "
George Vernon
John Vaughan Sergeant.*
James Veazy
Thomas Woolford Private.
Daniel Williams "
John Williams "
George Ward (l).: "
David Williams "
William Wheatley "
Andrew Wingate "
York Waters "
Samuel B. White "
George Windham "
William West "
William Wilkeson "
Charles Williams (1) "
George AVillson "
Jonathan Windell "
Michael Wiser "
Motley Whitcomb "
Gabriel Williams Sergeant.
Richard Wheeler CorporaL
John Whitcomb Private.
Walter Watson "
Benjamin Ward Sergeant.
Joseph White Private.
Sylvester Wheatley "
Jonathan Weeden "
Alexander \Vest **
William Willson
Edward Wright " 4 1262
William Wedge " 7 982
John Willing " Recruit 81. 2425
Philip Welsh " " 4th Reg. 2548
John Wilkerson " " 119
Samuel Wright " German. 1988
George Watson " State. 1322
Charles Willett " Recruit 81. 1552
John Willing (formerly of Artillery.) 998
John Wade (1) "
Edward Wade (2) "
William Whaland "
John Willis "
Nicholas Welch "
Benjamin Williams (3)
Thomas Wood 13) "
Thomas Wiudom Sergeant.
John T. West Fifer.
Jonathan White Private.
Jesse Wright..., "
John Welch (1) "
Thomas Wood (1) "
James Willson (1) "
Thomas Wimber "
Thomas Wate, or Wyatt "
Robert Walker "
Michael Woolford "
Frederick Willmott "
Thomas Watson **
John Williams (1) "
Barney Willson "
Robertson Wood "*
Regiment.
Number.
2
917
4
1122
1
1886
State.
1171
Artillery.
1071
Lee's Legion
. 3047
German.
1834
"
275
1
1450
1
431
2
243
2
223
2
366
2
1809
3
2009
3
145
3
1254
3
1623
3
1641
5
3045
6
139
7
4048
7
1774
7
1414
State.
1413
"
919
"
71
"
1601
5
904
2
1466
Rawlings'.
1007
1
1184
7
1353
Germar
35
3
1101
Recruit 81.
978
"
1900
SO.
315
1
81.
1897
877
3106
1
3069
1412 ;
2
1558 1
2
1986 1
2
2087 '
2
?,43
3
302
3
1560
3
3122
3
408
3
2558
3
912
4
1268 J
THE CONSTITUTION AND UNION.
161
Names. Kank.
Thomas Wood (2) Private.
Jeremiiiii Williams Corporal.
James Wood (2) Private.
Daniel AVillis D.
David Willson Private.
John Wilkenson Sergeant.
Daniel Warrior D.
Michael Wiery Fifer.
Benjamin Williams (2) Private.
Absalom Wright
William Willson (2) "
Samuel Wedge "
James White "
Michael Waltman *'
John Wells "
Richard Wiely "
•Tohn Wilson (1) "
Rhody Woodland "
John Walker (3) Sergeant.
Banks Webb Private.
John West (2)
William Watkins Drummer.
James Willson (2) Private.
Charles Wheeler "
George Afilliams Sergeant.
Humphrey Wells Private.
Wm. Willson (1)
James West "
James AVood (1) Serge.ant.
.lohn Wright Private.
Zadoek Whaley "
Anthony Weaver "
Benjamin Williams (1) "
Wm. Whitton, or Whittaker. "
•John Walker (1) "
.Tohn Welch (2) "
James Williams "
Samuel Willson Sergeant.
Edward Walter Private.
Jarvis Williams *'
James Welch B.
James Whaling G.
James Welch M.
Thomas Williams Drummer.
Wm. Withorm, or Whitton.. M.
David White "
David Welch Sergeant.
John Wheeler
Thos. Webster
Wm. Willson
James Welch
Peter Ward
Zachariah Williams
.Tames Williams
Abraham Waters
Solomon Watts
David Woods
John Waters
Thos. Wheeler
Garret Welch
Beujamin Willson
Edward White
Edward Wall
John Wyshara ,
'John Ward
Eegimeut. Number.
4
1380
4
1776
4
1606
5
1936
5
1842
5
1764
6
1713
1468
6
2523
6
835
Rawlings'.
2554
7
92
7
1361
7
3089
State.
3150
"
1453
"
51
"
1938
State, late 1st.
1470
State.
1899
"
2020
"
2006
"
1647
Recruit 81.
4050
"
1024
"
1594
"
958
"
3096
"
1034
"
3076
7
1766
1
2041
7
185
Recruit SI.
1366
German.
2550
2
1596
Recruit 81.
861
State.
3128
Recruit 81.
974
4
4058
Artillery.
2082
"
4067
"
1618
"
4057
2
1597
2
1140
2
1844
3
1616
5
1615
5
1892
5
1944
6
2021
6
4023
7
204
Recruit 81.
1422
Hazen's.
964
"
1655
"
970
Lee's Legion.
89
Names. Rank.
William Wade.. M.
Samuel Young Private.
John Young (2) Corporal.
Godfrey Young Private.
Jacob Yeast, or Yost "
Henry Young "
John Young (1) "
David Young M.
Richard Yates
William York
Jacob Young Drummer.
Thos. Yeates
Regiment Number.
Artillery. 1469
6
1449
6
2552
6
1715
Recruit SI.
1188
"
3024
1
1090
Artillery.
1013
2
991
7
1819
Recruit 81.
3073
Artillery.
2091
CHAPTER VI 11.
THE CONSTITUTION AND UNION.
The Society of the Cincinnati — Unha]>py Political Divisions —
Whisky Insurrection — Washington in Cumberland — Militia
Organizations.
After the conclusion of the Revolutionary war,
the remnants of the Maryland regiments returned to
their native State to be disbanded. Many of the.se
veterans bore honorable scars, still more had their
health broken down by hardship and disease, and
nearly all were penniless and in rags. The Maryland
line, now numbering about five hundred men, under
the command of Brig.-Gen. Gist, embarked at Charles-
ton, S. C, on transports, and arrived at Annapolis
late in July, 1783. They soon after marched to
Baltimore, arriving there on the 27th. Before their
departure. Gen. Greene, in a letter to Governor Paca,
thus referred to the Maryland troops in the Southern
army :
" Many of your officers are on their return home. I should
be wanting in gratitude not to acknowledge their singular
merit and the importance of their services. They have spilt
their blood freely in the service of their country, and have
faced every danger and difficulty without a murmur or com-
plaint. I beg leave to recommend Col. Williams, who has
been at the head of your line, to the particular notice of your
State, as an officer of great merit and good conduct. A very
considerable number of these (Maryland line) returned are
not, nor ever will be, fit for service again. They are incapable
of doing active duty, and ought to be turned over to the In-
valid Corps."
The British prisoners confined at Frederick and
Winchester, numbering about fifteen hundred, were
marched to Baltimore in May, 1783, and embarked
in vessels sent to transport them to New York. By
a proclamation of Congress, dated October 18th, all ofii-
cers and soldiers absent from the army on furlough
were discharged from further service, and all others
who had engaged to serve during the war were to be
162
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
discharged from and after the 3d of November. On
the 25th of November the British troops under Sir
Guy Carleton evacuated New York, and Washington,
accompanied by Governor Clinton, immediately took
possession. A few days afterwards Washington took
an affectionate leave of Gen. Knox and his compan-
ions in arms, and then set out for Annapolis, where
he resigned his command on the 23d of December,
1783.
While Congress was sitting in Annapolis, on the
14th of January, 1784, it ratified the definitive treaty
which had been concluded and signed at Paris on the
3d of the preceding September ; and on the 20th of
January, Governor Paca issued his proclamation an-
nouncing the same to the people of the State.
The Society of the Cincinnati. — Before the dis-
solution of the army on the Hudson, Gen. Knox,
" ever noted for generous impulses," suggested as a
mode of perpetuating the friendships which had been
formed, and keeping alive the brotherhood of the
camp, the formation of a society composed of the
officers of the army. The suggestion met with uni-
versal concurrence and the hearty approbation of
Washington. On May 10, 1783, a meeting of the
general officers and one officer from the line of each
regiment was held at the headquarters of Baron Steu-
ben, at the cantonment on Hudson River. Baron
Steuben presided, and proposals for establishing " The
Society of the Cincinnati" were considered. They
were referred to a committee composed of Maj.-Gen.
Knox, Brig.-Gen. Hand, Brig.-Gen. Huntington, and
Col. Shaw. After three days they made a report
which was unanimously adopted, and the plan as re-
vised by them was carried into complete efiect with
little opposition, and is still in force. The next pre-
liminary meeting was again held at the cantonment
on June 19, 1783, when Gen. Washington was elected
temporary president-general; Maj.-Gen. McDougall,
treasurer-general; and Maj.-Gen. Knox, secretary-
general. The first general meeting after the disband-
ing of the army took place at the City Tavern, at Phil-
adelphia, in May, 1788, when permanent officers were
elected. On the 15th, Washington was unanimously
chosen president; Maj.-Gen. Gates, vice-president;
and Maj.-Gen. Knox, secretary. The Mari/land
Gazette, on the 6th of November, 1783, published
the following notice :
" Oct. 30th, 1783.
"The officers of the Maryland Line, upon the present and
half-pay establishments, are requested to meet at Annapolis on
the 20th of November, where several matters very interesting
to the line in general will be communicated and necessarily
brought under consideration.
"W. Sm.illwood, M.-G."
In pursuance of this notice a large number of the
officers of the Maryland line assembled at Mann's
Tavern, in Annapolis. In consequence of the absence
of Maj.-Gen. Smallwood and Brig.-Gen. Gist, the two
senior officers of the Maryland line, the meeting was
adjourned until the following morning at eleven
o'clock. The two officers not appearing, the meeting
was again adjourned until the afternoon at three
o'clock, when it was organized by selecting Brig.-Gen.
Otho H. Williams, of Washington County, as tempo-
rary chairman, and Lieut.-Col. Eccleston secretary.
The institution of the Order of Cincinnati was read
and adopted, and afler each officer had signed the con-
stitution they adjourned until the next day. Upon
reassembling they proceeded to the election of offi-
cers, whereupon Maj.-Gen. Smallwood was elected
president ; Brig.-Gen. Gist, vice-president ; Brig.-Gen.
Williams, secretary ; Col. Nathaniel Ramsay, treas-
urer ; and Lieut.-Col. Eccleston, assistant treasurer.
After the transaction of some minor business, the
society then elected Gen. Smallwood, Gen. WilHams,
Governor Paca, and Col. Ramsay delegates to the
general society.'
The Indians on the frontier, as has been seen, had
given more or less trouble all through the Revolu-
tionary war, and still continuing their hostile demon-
strations, Congress on the 29th of September, 1789,
authorized the President to call out the militia for the
protection of the border settlements, and '' to break
the power of the savages." On the 6th of October
in the same year Gen. St. Clair, then Governor of the
Northwest Territory, was directed by Washington to
collect fifteen hundred men from the western counties
of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, and march
against the hostile Indian towns on the Maumee.
Col. Henry Lee, of Virginia, was to command one
regiment of levies to be raised in Maryland, Virginia,
and Pennsylvania. These troops assembled in the
vicinity of Fort Washington (now Cincinnati) early
1 While The Society of the Cincinnati was in session at An-
napolis, on the 24th of November, 1783, Governor Paca sent the
following brief message to the General Assembly : '* This morn-
ing one of the oflBcers of the Maryland Line called upon me and
gave information that a number of soldiers had collected in the
city and expressed a design of surrounding the General As-
sembly, and of making use of some violence to obtain satisfac-
tion of their claims on the public." As a matter of precaution,
he ordered Col. James Brice to hold in readiness to march at a
moment's warning one company of the Annapolis militia, to
protect the treasury and suppress any violent proceedings. It
is scarcely necessary to add that the rumor was false. Great
as was the need of these veterans, and however just their cause
of complaint at the dehays of Congress in settling their long
arrears of pay, they showed no turbuleht disposition, but pa-
tiently returned to their farms and workshops.
THE CONSTITUTION AND UNION.
163
in September, and consisted nominally of two thousand
regulars and one thousand militia, including a com-
pany of artillery and several squadron^ of horse. On
the 4th of November, being reduced to fourteen hun-
dred eifective men, after penetrating to a tributary of
the Wabash, fifteen miles south of the Miami villages,
and almost a hundred from Fort Washington, they
were fiercely attacked by a large number of Indians.
For two hours and a half the Indians, concealed in
the woods, slaughtered the troops from every point,
when they fled in disorder, leaving their artillery, bag-
gage, etc., in the hands of the enemy.
The entire loss was estimated at six hundred and
seventy-seven killed, among whom was Gen. Butler,
and two hundred and seventy-one wounded.^
Ensign George Chase, of Baltimore, was killed, and
Capt. William Buchanan and a number of Mary-
landers were wounded.
This defeat produced great alarm on the borders,
and Congress took prompt and immediate action by
authorizing an army of five thousand men to be
equipped for frontier service. Various obstacles, how-
ever, prevented a speedy organization of this force, and
it was not until the spring of 1794 that an army
strong enough to strike a decisive blow could be col-
lected. Gen. Anthony Wayne was appointed com-
mander-in-chief, and Col. Otho H. Williams, of Wash-
ington County, and Col. Rufus Putnam brigadier-
generals under him.
In May, 1791, Henry Gaither, of Western Mary-
land, was " appointed commandant of levies now rais-
ing in this State," vice Col. Rawlings, who declined ;
and Capts. William Lewis and Benjamin Price were
appointed to the command of two companies.
Among the Maryland troops engaged in this expe-
dition were the companies of Capt. Campbell Smith,
of Baltimore, and of Capts. Lewis, Carberry, and
Benjamin Price, of Frederick. The entire force con-
sisted of two thousand regular troops, fifteen hundred
mounted volunteers from Kentucky, and some other
volunteer organizations, and assembled at Greenville.
On the 20th of August, 1794, Gen. Wayne met the
Indians at the foot of the rapids on the Maumee, and,
after a short but sanguinary struggle, completely de-
feated them. In this battle Capts. Smith and Price
were severely wounded.
In September, 1790, Thomas Sprigg was authorized
to collect all the arms in Washington County belong-
ing to the State, and persons having arms in their
possession were directed to deliver them to Capt. Ott,
at Hagerstown.
' Included in the killed were thirty women.
In October, 1790, M. Lacassagne, to encourage
twenty families to emigrate and improve a tract of
land which he possessed on the northwest side of the
Ohio, in sight of Louisville, at the rapids, off'cred to
give, among other inducements, two hundred acres of
land in fee-simple to each family. Col. Thomas
Sprigg, Col. John Barnes, and Dr. Henry Schncbely,
near Hagerstown, Col. Wm. Bentley, near Frederick,
and James Chapline, near Sharpsburg, were his agents.
The Hagerstown Spy of Oct. 18, 1793, says that
on " last Saturday marched from this town, in order to
join the main army in the Western country, a detach-
ment of troops, under the command of Lieut. Whistler.
The most of this corps was raised in this town, and
too much praise cannot well be bestowed on Lieut.
Whistler for his indefatigable a.ssiduity in disciplining
his men, and rendering them orderly and inofiensive
to the inhabitants. We wish them an agreeable
march and successful campaign."
While these events were occurring on the border,
the country was agitated by apprehensions of war
with foreign powers, and by actual insurrection at
home. On the 1st of February, 1793, the French
National Convention declared war against P]ngland
and Holland. One of their first acts was to appoint
a representative to the United States to solicit the
support of the sister republic, and to claim the privi-
leges to which they considered France to be entitled
under the two treaties made with Benjamin Franklin
on the 6th of February, 1778. Under Articles XVII.
and XXII. of the first treaty of friendship and com-
merce the French assumed that they might claim the
exclusive right to arm and commission privateers
within American ports, to bring into them their
prizes, to cause the prizes thus brought in to be con-
demned by French consuls and sold, and even to cap-
ture vessels of the enemy within the limits of the
maritime jurisdiction of the United States. At least
such were the pretensions of their envoy. Monsieur,
or, as he styled himself. Citizen Genet, a Girondist
of the most radical type, whose avowed object was
to excite the people of the United States to a war with
Great Britain.
On the other hand, Washington, then entering on
his second term of ofiioe as President, was determined
to preserve the neutrality of his country, and imme-
diately on receiving intelligence of the outbreak of
war, hastened from Mount Vernon to Philadelphia,
summoned his cabinet together, and soon after, on the
22d of April, 1793, issued a proclamation of neu-
trality. The sympathies of the people of the United
States were warmly engaged on the side of France,
and Genet was so much encouraged by the popular
164
HISTOKY OF WESTEKN MARYLAND.
sentiment that on his arrival in Charleston, in April,
1793, he at once proceeded to disregard the Presi-
dent's proclamation and to organize ^ system of priva-
teering. He had not been in the country a week
before he had commissioned four vessels to sail as
privateers. He also authorized the French consuls in
one town to hold prize-courts and condemn and sell
vessels captured by his privateers, and he then made
a triumphant progress from Charleston to Philadel-
phia, organizing red republican clubs and preaching
hostility to England. In consequence of the depre-
dations committed by the American privateers under
the French flag against British commerce in 179-4,
and the extraordinary pretensions and naval power of
the British government, the President recommended
serious preparations both for offense and defense, and
the fortifications at Baltimore and other exposed
points were put in readiness to repel attack. In com-
pliance with the act of Congress and the provisions
made by the Legislature, Governor Thomas Sim Lee
reorganized the militia of the State, and appointed as
major-generals John E. Howard, John Hoskins Stone,
and Levin Winder. John Davidson was appointed
brigadier-general for Calvert and Anne Arundel Coun-
ties ; John H. Briscoe for St. Mary's and Charles ;
Uriah Forrest foi' Prince George's and part of Mont-
gomery ; Jeremiah Crabb for part of Montgomery
and Frederick ; Mountjoy Bailey for Fredericktown ;
Moses Rawlings for Washington and Allegany Coun-
ties ; Samuel Smith for Baltimore Town ; Charles C.
Ridgely for Baltimore County ; Josias C. Hall for
Cecil and Harford ; James Lloyd for Kent and
Queen Anne's ; John Eccleston for Dorchester; Car-
oline, and Talbot ; and Alexander Roxburgh for Som-
erset and Worcester.
For Washington County ; Lieut. -Cols. Thomas
Sprigg, Rezin Davis, William Van Leer ; Majs.
Josiah Price, Charles Carroll, William Fitzhugh, Jr.,
Adam Ott, Hanson Briscoe, Christopher Orondors.
Allegany County : Lieut.- Col. Daniel Cresap ; Majs.
John Lynn, Gabriel Jacobs.
Frederick County : Lieut. -Cols. George Murdock,
Edward Tilyard, William Lucket, John Ross Key,
Joshua Gist, William Lamar ; Majs. John McPher-
son, Stephen Shelmerdine, Philemon Griffith, Thomas
Darnall, Thomas Hawkins, John Thomas, Michael
Bayer, Joseph Sim Smith, Stephen Winchester,
Francis Brown Sappington, Nicholas Randall, Robert
Cumming.
Montgomery County: Lieut.-Cols. Francis Dea-
kins, Richard Anderson, William Deakins ; Majs.
Davis Lucket, Benjamin Murdock, Aquila Johns,
Thomas Plater, John Mason, Lloyd Beall.
The Whisky Insurrection. — While these mili-
tary preparations were in progress some of the west-
ern counties of .Pennsylvania lifted the arm of defiance
against the Federal government, and acts were com-
mitted to defeat the execution of the laws imposing
duties upon spirits distilled within the United States.
These treasonable measures called for the prompt in-
terference of the executive authority, and hence arose
the episode in our history known as the " Whisky
Insurrection." Distillers, who resided in Allegany,
Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties,
Pa., who were willing to comply with the excise
laws passed by Congress, were abused ; mails were
robbed, outrages committed on the government rev-
enue ofiicers, and Gen. Neville, the chief inspector
of revenue, was twice attacked and his house burned
to the ground by these lawless insurgents. The gov-
ernment of Maryland watched with interest the efforts
of Pennsylvania to suppress this rebellion, and pre-
pared to furnish help if necessary. On -Ms^ 19th the
Secretary of War directed Governor Lee " to organize,
arm, and equip, according to law, and hold in readi-
ness to march at a moment's warning 5418 of the
militia of Maryland, ofiicers included." In the mean
time the rebels were making preparations to seize Fort
Fayette in Pennsylvania, and the insurrectionary spirit
seemed to be spreading into the adjoining counties
of Maryland and Virginia. One Bradford, a native
of Maryland, who had assumed by common consent
the position of commander-in-chief of the insurgents,
issued a call for the assembling of the militia on
Braddock's Field on August 1st, with arms and ac-
coutrements, and provisions for four days. Within
three days seven thousand men assembled, the greater
part with the determination to follow Bradford in re-
sistance to the Federal and^ State governments wher-
ever he might lead. Mr. Lossing says, " It was
Bradford's design to seize Fort Pitt and its arms and
ammunition ; but he found most of the militia officers
unwilling to co-operate in such an overt act of trea-
son. But they readily consented to the perpetration
of outrages against excise officers, and the whole
country in that region was governed for the moment
by the combined powers of mobocracy aod military
despotism." Upon the receipt of this intelligence
the President immediately called his cabinet together
to take the necessary measures for the preservation of
peace and the enforcement of the laws. It was agreed
in the cabinet council that forbearance must now end,
and the effective power of the government be put
forth to suppress the rising rebellion. Accordingly,
on August 7th Washington issued a proclamation
warning the insurgents to disperse, and declaring that
THE CONSTITUTION AND UNION.
165
if tranquillity should not be restored in the disturbed
counties before September 1st an armed force would
be employed to compel submission to the laws. At
the same time the President made a requisition on the
Governors of Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and
New Jersey for militia sufficient to compose an army
of twelve thousand men. This number was subse-
quently increased to fifteen thousand. The troops of
New Jersey and Pennsylvania were directed to ren-
dezvous at Bedford, and those of Maryland and Vir-
ginia at Cumberland. The command of the expe-
dition was conferred by Washington on Governor
Richard Henry Lee, or " Light Horse Harry," as he
was generally called, of Vir-
ginia. Governor Mifflin, of
Pennsylvania, and Governor
Howell, of New Jersey, com-
manded the militia of their
respective States. Gen. Dan-
iel Morgan commanded the
militia of Virginia, and Gen.
Samuel Smith, the hero of
Fort Mifflin in 1777, and at
this time the able representa-
1.1 \ iii\i;tlee. tiveof Baltimore in Congress,
commanded those of Mary-
land. The latter took command August 17th, and
immediately proceeded to organize his forces. Vol-
unteers flocked to Baltimore from all portions of the
State to await marcliing orders to the seat of war.
The friends of the government in Western Mary-
j land were in the mean time taking steps for their own
I protection and for the maintenance of the laws. The
I following notices published in the newspapers of the
j period .show that in spite of its proximity to the dis-
I affected region the spirit of loyalty was still strong
I in this section :
"The different Companies of jVIilitia in Hagerstown are re-
quested to assemble at the Court-House, on .Saturday next, at
two o'clock, at which time the troop will beat.
" Dasiel Sti'll, Caj^l.
" Robert Douglass, Capt.
" JoH.v Geiger, Capt.
" JoHS Lee, Cnpt.
"Casper Siiaffner, Oipt.
"Hagerstown, Aug. 27, 1794,.
I " All those Gentlemen who are desirous of joining the voliin-
Iteer company of Light Horse of Washington County, will
please make application to Jacob Schnclby, captain.
■Aug. 27, 1794."
"Elizabeth Tows, Maryland, September 3.
i " The following Citizens are Draughted in Col. Thomas
pprigg's Regiment, viz. : From Capt. Joseph Hurst's Comp.any.
jficorge Fuls, Peter Miller, Robert Mills. Clark Linn, and Snmuel
jHenry ; Captain Ankeny's Company, Jacob Fiery, Jacob
IHaynes, Henry Praither, Philip Miller, and Andrew Walker i
Captain Bowles' Company, David Butterbough. John .Murry,
Samuel Bowles, and Christian Mettz; Cnpt. Thomas Allen's
Company, J„hn Kee, Joseph Wolganiott. Robert Chnlmbcrs,
Edmond Norris, Basel Berry, and Henry Ensmouscr; Cnptnin
Lantz's Company, John Schriver, William Thompson, and Frcil-'
erick Shoop ; Captain Downey's Company. Isaac Young, John
Raby, Casper Henry, Charles Carroll, 6! Dudington, and John
Howard ; Captain Zellers' Company, John Newoanscr, Jacob
Orendorff, John Schnebely. and John Fisher: Cnpt. James
McClain's Company, James McClain,.iun , Henry Moudy, Archi-
bald T.albot, and Robert McClain. The subsequent gentlemen
of Capt. John Johnson's Company offered (henisclvcs as volun-
teers on the present important crisis, viz. : Captain John John-
son, Lieutenant David Miskimnian, Ensign Samuel Thomas,
David Roberts, Gaas Roberts, Henry Proizman, Soloman Tay-
lor, William Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Peter Johnson, Joshua
Johnson, William Donncll, James McCallislcr, John Sowdcrs,
John Smith, Benjamin Berry, Robert Boyd, Jeremiah Dugan,
William Flint, Owen Dougherty, William Lanioy, and William
McGaughoy."
On the Gth of September a meeting of such of the
inhabitants as were exempt by law from military
duty was held at the court-house in Frederick,
Thomas Johnson in the chair, " to consider of the
steps necessary to be taken to quiet the alarm occa-
sioned by the insurgents. Besides the military guards
on duty, it was unanimously agreed that a company
should be formed of persons thus exempt to serve as
guards at this place, whenever it may be necessary to
act in support of the constitutional civil authority, or
to repel any attempt that may be made to disturb the
peace of the town or neighborhood. It was further
resolved that as soon as fift^ persons should enroll
themselves, a meeting should be held to choose the
proper officers to command the company, and on the
same day they were enrolled ; but the evening being
then too far advanced to complete the business, they
adjourned till Monday, eleven o'clock, when Sir.
Johnson was unanimously chosen captain. Col. Price
lieutenant, and Maj. Miller ensign."
The forces assembled at Baltimore were joined by
various military organizations of the town and its
vicinity, among which were Capt. Mackenheimer's
" First Baltimore Light Infantry," Capt. Strieker's
" Independent Company," Capt. Coulson's" Mechanical
Company," Capt. James A. Buchanan's " Baltimore
Sans Culottes," Capt. Jcsup's rifle company, Maj.
Lowry's " First Baltimore Battalion," in which were
included Capt. Hugh Thompson's company of grena-
diers, and Capt. William Robb's company of light
infantry, and two troops of horse under Capt. John
Bowen and Capt. Ruxton Moore.
Most of these organizations had been formed pre-
vious to this time. Capt. Mackenheimer's company
was raised about 1787. Its uniform was light blue
faced with white, and its parade-ground was on the
1
16fi
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
present site of the Front Street Theatre, in Baltimore.
The Independent Company, the Mechanical Company,
the Baltimore Sans Culottes, and Capt. Jessup's rifle
•company are said to have been organized about 1792.
These, when the State militia was organized, consti-
tuted the Fifth Regiment. The First Baltimore Bat-
talion was raised about the same time, and comprised
Capt. Hugh Thompson's company of grenadiers, two
companies of batmen, as they were called, wearing
cocked hats, and Capt. Robb's company of light in-
fantry. The uniform of the organization was blue
coat faced with red and edged with white, white vest
and breeches, black knee-bands, short-laced boots, and
white cotton hose. Capt. J. Bowen's troop of horse
was associated with them ; uniform, green faced with
red.
i;\.LiIMul L tll\ IN laoi
This body on parade made a splendid appearance,
and were drilled twice a week in citizens' dress, on the
west side of Harford Run, near old Trinity church,
— this afterwards became the Twenty-seventh Regi-
ment. The first rifle company adopted the dress of
Morgan's riflemen of the Continental army, — huntinp:-
shirt, with a profusion of fringe. The second rifle
company was raised by Capt. Reese, father of John
Reese, who was for many 3'ears president of the Fire-
men's Insurance. Company of Baltimore; uniform,
green faced with yellow. The uniform of Capt.
Moore's company was blue and bufl". In this troop
were several jrentlemen who had belonged to Pulaski's
Legion. The uniform of the Sans Culottes, after-
wards called the Independent Blues, was copied from
the marine uuiform of the frigate " Astrea," then
lying at Baltimore. It was worn buttoned close to
the body, with the cartouche-belt inside. It was the
first company that adopted pantaloons, breeches and
stockings being then universally worn.
Messrs. Daniel Cresap, John Lynn, and Gabriel
Jacob, in a letter to Governor Lee, dated Cumberland,
Sept. 2, 1794, say, —
" We are very sorry to add, but we conceive it to be our indis-
pensable duty to inform your Excellency that the spirit of insur-
rection is not confined to the western counties of Pennsylvaniaj
those to the eastward of the Allegany mountains are infected
with the contagion ; and unless speedily prevented, may rise to a
formidable height, and, perhaps, end in our destruction. Cum-
berland both been threatened, an attempt hath been made there
to raise a liberty-pole {which is the in-
signia or badge by which the insur-
-^=^ gents are now discriminated), but by
the exertions of the most respectable
citizens it was prevented. In other
parts of the country they have suc-
ceeded. The papers of the excise
officers have been demanded. We are
threatened with the Peunsylvanians,
whom, the disaffected h^re say. they
will call to their assistance. Should it
take place, God only knows what will
be the event; however, let the event
be what it may, our exertions, friended,
we trust, b}'^ the most respectable of the
country, will not be wanting. In our
situation, we think it our duty to re-
quest of you to forward to us arms and
accoutrements, these we will distribute
amongst the men in whom we may con-
fide. Those who are willing to support
the measures of the government have
it not in their power. Should you be
l^^^^KjC-'^'^^^^'^^^^^^^^^ able to obtain the approbation of coun-
cil, you will please forward us two
hundred stand of arms, and order to I
" our protection a small detachment of ]
*" ~" militia, consisting of cavalry and in- j
fantry, to be selected from those coun-
ties which are well disposed to the I
laws of the Union, and particularly the Excise law. We hope [
the example of Baltimore Town will sanction the transmittingof
public arms, and that your conduct will, on thi-s occasion, as it
then did, meet with the approbation of the Legislature."
On September 6th, Secretary Hamilton wrote to
Governor Lee, —
"War Department, Sept. 6, 1794.
"Sir, — I am directed by the President to notice to your Ex-
cellency that information has been received that some riotous
proceedings have taken place in the upper part of Baltimore,
County and in the neighborhod of Hagerstown, connected with
the insurrection in the western counties of Pennsylvania. He
instructs me to observe that it appears to him of the highest
iuiportiince that efficient measures should be pursued to sup-
pre:-s the first beginning of this spirit in your State, and thereby
■=:'>?>.
'^
THE CONSTITUTION AND UNION.
167
to cheek the progress of an evil which radically threatens the
order, peace, and tranquillity of the country. Much depends,
in such a crisis as the present, on an early display of energy
under the guidance of the legal precaution. It is understood
that the magazine of arms of the State is at Frederick. Ade-
quate means no doubt will be used to prevent the possibility
of these falling into bad hands.
'' With great respect, I have the honor to be your Excellency's
most obedient and humble servant,
"A. Hamilton.
"His E.iceellency Thomas S. Lee, Esq., Governor of Mary-
land."
Again on September 15th, Hamilton wrote to Gov-
ernor Lee tliat
'*it is the President's desire that no time should be lost in
j uniting the whole of the militia of Maryland at Fort Cumber-
I land. If the commanding officer has not already taken the
I field, it is desirable that he should do so without delay, in order
j to combine, arrange, and accelerate their ulterior movements."
On September 15th the Governor sent by express a
requisition for Baltimore troops, in consequence of a
report that the insurgents had assembled in consider-
able numbers near Cumberland, with the intention of
marching to Frederick to
seize the State arms de-
posited in the ar.senal.
The order reached Balti-
more on Sunday, while
the people were at their
several places of worship.
General Smith was at the
time attending service at
the First Presbyterian
church, and was imme-
diately sent for. He at
once ordered the drums
to beat and the troops to a.ssemble on the parade-
ground near Harford Run. A correspondent in the
Maryland Gazette of the 18th gives the following
graphic description of this call to arms :
"A more warlike apjiearanee, perhaps, our town has not ex-
hibited since the year 1776 than it did yesterday, in conse-
quence of an express from the Governor to General Smith.
The militia of this town were requested to meet on the parade,
near the old theater, at 4 p.m. They met accordingly, when a
circle was formed, and Gen. Smith, in a short but energetic ad-
dress, informed them of the object of their meeting; that it
was in consequence of an intended attack by the insurgents
beyond the mountains upon the arsenal at Frederick Town,
with a view of taking off all the arms, etc., and that three
(hundred volunteers of infantry, besides artillery and cavalry,
j were required immediately to march under the command of Col.
I Strieker and secure it. ' It is not,' said he, ' against an enemy
tthat we have to march, but a set of men more daring than
the rest, a lawless banditti, who set themselves up to govern.
1 Shall we permit them to seize our arms and give us laws, or
shall we keep them and give laws to ourselves ?' (We could
SAMUEL SMITH.
not hear the whole of the general's speech.) He concluded his
harangue by putting the question, ' Will you go as volunteers
or will you be drafted V Melancholy as the circumstances arc,
it is with pleasure we have it in our power to inform the pub-
lic that they turned out voluntarily to nearly treble the requi-
sition, and that the unanimity displayed on the occasion could
hardly be surpassed. This is the test of patriotism."
The Fifth Regiment was ordered to parade at the
court-house on Monday morning following at nine
o'clock, in marching order, and at the time appointed
took up the line of march for Frederick under the com-
mand of Col. Strieker, being twenty-five cavalry and
two hundred and twenty-five infantry. The Twenty-
seventh Regiment set out on Tuesday morning, fol-
lowed by a company of volunteers from Worcester
County. On the 18th over three hundred more
marched, and later in the week six hundred additional
men. On the 15th a part of the volunteer militia of
Annapolis marched to Frederick, and on the succeed-
ing day a detachment of light dragoons. In a letter
dated from Frederick a few days later, after the arrival
of part of the militia, a correspondent writing to a
friend in Baltimore says, —
" I know your anxiety to hear from us. Reports have, I
fear, pictured our situation dreadful. The march of the troops
from both Baltimore and Georgetown has been singularly ex-
peditious. Capt. Moore and his troop, that would do honor to
any army, arrived about the middle of yesterday. Col. Strieker
and a most beautiful corps of fine young fellows are now re-
freshing themselves at Monocacy. The troops from George-
town left that place at five o'clock Sunday evening, and arrived
here Monday before night. The grenadiers from the city of
Washington, and other troops from the neighborhood, came in
yesterday. The militia of the county have behaved truly
praiseworthy, and as becomes freemen they are returning to
their homes ; for,. rest assured, we shall never see the face of an
insurgent unless he is sought for in the mountains, as you
would a wolf. We are not, nor ever have been, in any danger.
A number of idle reports have alarmed some of our citizens
without cause."
On the 19th twenty men on horseback arrived in
Frederick from Hagerstown with an account " that
the deluded people of Allegany and Washington
Counties were embodying, and might be expected to
attack Frederick the next day." There were then,
according to contemporaneous accounts, five hundred
troops at Frederick, " well armed, in high spirits, and
desirous that the insurgents would make the attack ;
and besides, the Baltimore horse were within a few
miles ; the first detachment of foot would be at New
Market on Tuesday evening ; the second detachment
were apprised of the alarm."
The following letter from Elizabeth Town, Wash-
ington County, under date of the 24th of September,
fives an interesting account of the condition of afiairs
in that locality at this crisis ;
168
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
"Saturday last bis Excellency the Governor of this State
arrived here, and returned on Monday morning. The opposi-
tion of the excise law grew, by progression, as well to an oppo-
sition to all law and authority as to a personal enmity to
individuals in this town, inasmuch as the pole, which had been
erected in this town by the rabble, was secretly cut down, per-
haps by one of themselves, in order to have a colorable pretext
again to insult the peaceable citizens, and wreak vengeance on
those to whom they had at any time hitherto taken umbrage.
As a prelude to another affray, some dark assassin put a hand-
bill at the market-house, ordering, by name, some of the prin-
cipal citizens of the town to erect another pule or they should
be put to death. This order and threat was valiantly despised
by those worthy citizens. In the mean time a party were as-
sembling along the verge of the South Mountain, in order, as
was said, to attack the magazine and town of Frederick. That
expedition, however, failed. At this stage of the business, and
finding the tui'bulence of faction still increase, some volunteers
of our cavaliy and infantry mounted guard, patrolled the streets,
sent detachments into the country, apprehended some of the
principals, and brought them to justice. The vigilance and
alacrity of our citizens on this occasion to support government
was too conspicuous to be passed over in silence, and, without
detracting any merit from the many distinguished patriots of
this town, the names of Capts. Lee and Schnebly are honorably
mentioned. At this juncture, on last Friday, a detachment of
volunteers and drafts arrived in town, under the command of
Gen. Bailey, consisting of seventy cavalry and two hundred
and fifty infantry, from Baltimore, Georgetown, and Frederick-
town. Their presence had a good effect; . . . they assisted in the
work which had been begun of bringing the culprits to justice ;
... a tribute of gratitude is due to those troops for their kind and
prompt assistance, . . . but finding there remained little occasion
for them here they returned home on last Monday morning, . . .
about which time arrivtd two hundred volunteers and drafts,
under the command of Maj. Lynn, who are destined for the
Western country, but are to remain here till further orders, and
are now under the command of that old veteran soldier, Maj. Ott.
Those fascinated oppositionists, who defied the arm of govern-
ment, have at length tamely submitted to the law, . . . even
sixteen of them surrendered to five of the cavalry. They in
general plead ignorance as their shield, notwithstanding that
incomparably eloquent and persuasive oration delivered by Mr.
Mason two days before the riots began, and notwithstanding
the expostulation and exertions of Col. Spring, Col. Shryock,
]Maj. Price, and others, at the risk of their lives, when they
were about erecting the pole in the town.
" The Hon, Judge Craik, and some of the magistrates of the
county, have been busily employed in the examination of the
culprits, and have, we understand, admitted sundry to bail.
Upon the whole, we doubt not that justice will be done, and
that every species of unnecessary severity will be avoided on
the occasion, . . . well knowing that affection as well as sub-
mission is requisite to the security of a Republican government,
. . . and that affection arises from a sense and experience of
the blessings of liberty and order."
On the morning of the 23d September the volun-
teers who had marched froiu different parts of the
State to Frederiektown to act against the insurgents,
met on the grand parade in Baltimore, and having
performed the manual, were drawn up in a large
circle, when Col. Strieker, accompanied by the Gov-
ernor himself, read the following address from his
Excellency :
COL. JOHN STRICKER
"The commander-in-chief feels it incumbent on him, on this
occasion, to present on the part of the State, whose character,
peace, and security were so largely endangered, and for him-
self, his warmest acknowledg-
ments to all the officers and sol-
diers who had given their ser-
vices under this requisition, and
who by so doing have not only
effected the restoration of order
and safety in their own State,
but have given a material check
to the views of the insurgents in
Pennsylvania, who will despair
hereafter of aiding their wretched
designs by the seduction of their
neighbors. Thus, conceiving that
an important service has been
rendered by the militia serving
under his orders, the commander-
in-chief, with congratulations and thanks, discharges them from
the present service.
''Thomas S. Lee,"
At a meeting of a number of the people of Wash-
ington County held at the court-house in Elizabeth
Town, on Friday, the 26th of September, 1794, Col.
Henry Shryock, chairman, and John Thomson Mason,
secretary,
"it was proposed and agreed to, that Messrs, Nathaniel Roch-
ester, Henry -Scbnebely, Samuel Ringgold, William Clark,
and John Thomson Mason be requested to prepare an address
from the meeting to Col. Thomas Sprigg, who prepared the fol-
lowing, which was read, approved, and ordered to be printed in
Washington, Frederick, and Baltimore newspapers:
"*To Col. Thomas Sprigg:
"*i??V, — By the unanimous voice of the persons present at
this meeting you are solicited once more to permit us to cast our
suffrages upon you as the person, in our opinion, most proper
to represent this district in Congress. We beg leave to re-
turn you our thanks for your past services in that station, and
to manifest our approbation of your conduct as our representa-
tive. We beg leave, more particularly at this time, to thank
you for your late constant, unremitted, prudent, and spirited
exertions in endeavoring to suppress those unhappy tumults
that have disturbed the peace and threatened the safety of the
well-disposed citizens amongst us. The manner in which cer-
tain reports have been secretly and industriously circulated,
and the inexcusable misrepresentations that have been made,
excite our highest indignation, antl we feel ourselves injured
in the attem])ts made to calumniate you. But whilst we assure
you of our determination to support you at the ensuing elec-
tion, we hope, and confidently trust, that every honorable and
manly exertion will be made on your part to gratify the wishes
and effectuate the endeavours of your friends.
"'Signed, by order of the meeting.
*''H. Shryolk, Chairman.
"^ John T. Mason, Secretary.'
** We do certify that, in company with Mr. George Price and
others at Col. Sprigg's, it was mentioned that the Frederick
ligjit-horse intended to march to Hagerstown to cut down the
liberty-pole which a mob had some days before erected. In an- j
swer to which Col. Sprigg observed, he was very sorry to hear it;
that, if it was necessary, he could cut the pole down himself^
and that, if he knew when they intended to come up, he would i
THE CONSTITUTION AND UNION.
169
oppose their cutting it down ; that he had seen a very disagreeable
diiy in Ilagerstown. and that if the pole wns cut down, nnd no
force remained in that place to prevent its being set up again, the
mob would return more enraged than before, set up the liberty-
pole, and insult the inhabitants, who were not in a situation to
protect themselves. That it would reflect, too, upon Washing-
ton County, and that it would be better to suspend cutting the
pole down for a short time, until a force sutiieient to prevent
its being set up again should arrive in Hagerstown to protect
the inhabitants, and bring those to justice who had thus of-
fended against the laws of their country.
"William Fitzhi'gh, .Tr.,
"William Fitziiugh, Sr.
"Sept. 28, 1794."
"N.B.— Capt. Hunter, from Baltimore, Capt. William Camp-
bell, and Maj. Taylor, and some others, were present when this
conversation took place. I am satisfied that the above state-
ment represents the substance of Col. Sprigg's conversation
therein alluded to, and, although it is not probably in his
words, it fully conveys the ideas recei\'ed from his expressions.
" George Price.
"Sept. 28, 1794."
" Wo certify that we were present in Hagerstown on the 1st
day of September, 1794, when the mob so much talked of hap-
pened. We also certify that Col. Thomas Sprigg was then
present, and that he exerted himself in a most singular and
spirited manner to prevent the erection of the liberty-pole, that
Wiis then raised, and to disperse the mob. We were witness to
many insults that he received from the mob in consequence of
his exertions, and we often supposed his person in danger. We
have also been witness to the active and decided part which
Col. Sprigg has since taken to bring those insurgents to justice,
and do think this county under particular obligations to that
Gentleman for the part he has acted.
"Adam Ott,
" H. Shrvock,
" Rezin Davis,
" Wm. Lee,
" Bexj. Clagett,
"N. Rochester,
" JosiAH Prick."
At the time Washington issued his first proclama-
tion he appointed Senator Ross, Mr. Bradford, the
Attorney-General, and Mr. Yates, a judge of the Su-
preme Court of Pennsylvania, commissioners on the
part of the Federal government to visit the insurgent
counties with discretionary powers to offer lenient
terms to the oiTenders, and, if possible, induce them
to submit to the laws, and disband before the 14th of
September. They were joined by Chief Justice Mc-
Kean and Gen. Irvine, commissioners appointed on the
part of Pennsylvania. These commissioners visited
the insurgents, who refused all compliance, and they
returned to Philadelphia and reported the failure of
their mission. The President then issued his procla-
mation of the 25th of September, in which he vividly
described the defiant spirit with which the lenient
propositions of the government had been met, and de-
clared his determination to reduce them to submission
by coercive measures. As if anticipating the result
of the commissioners' mission, Alexander Hamilton
had previously addressed the following letter to Gov-
ernor Lee :
" Waii Dei'Ahtmknt, Sept. 17, 1794.
"Sir, — The intelligence received from the western counties
of Pennsylvania, which comes down to the lath instant, and
announces, as far as it was then known, the result of the meet-
ings of the people in the several townships and district.^ to ex-
press their sense on the question of submission or resistance to
the laws, — while it shows a great proportion of the inhabitants
of these counties disposed to pursue the path of duty, shows,
also, that there is a large and violent party which can only be
controlled by the application of force. This being the result,
it is become the more indispensable and urgent to press for-
ward the forces destined to act against the insurgents with all
possible activity and energy. The advanced season leaves no
time to spare, — and it is extremely important to alTord speedy
protection to the well disposed, and to prevent the preparation
and accumulation of greater means of resistance and the ex-
tension of combinations to abet the insurrection. The President
counts upon every exertion upon your part which so serious and
eventful an emergency demands.
" With perfect respect, I have the honor to be, sir, your obe-
dient servant,
"Alexander Hamilton.
" His Excellency Tiios. S. Lee, Governor of Maryland."
In October Washington left Philadelphia, deter-
mined to lead the army in person, and, accompanied
by the Secretary of War, he proceeded to Fort Cum-
berland, the place of rendezvous for the Maryland
and Virginia troops, where he arrived on the 16th.'
1 The following notices throw light upon some of the local
military movements at this time in progress in Western Mary-
land :
" A Tnoop OF Horse.
" Those persons who are desirous of joining a troop of Horse
will apply to Samuel Ringgold, he being autjioriz.ed by the Field-
officers to raise a troop.
" Hagerstown, Oct. 1, 1794."
"Battalion Orders.
" The Captains of companies composing my Battalion, in
the Twenty-fourth Regiment of militia of this State, will meet
on the parade at the court-house, on Thursday, the 30th, to
march to Cannon Hill for exercise.
" Adam Ott,
"Major Twenty-fourth Regiment M. M.
" Washington County, October 28th."
" Elizabethtown, October 28th.
" Capt. John Lee's company of infantry is desired to parade
on Thursday next at one o'clock. A full attendance is ex-
pected."
"A meeting of Capt. Schnebly's troop of Horse is requested
at Mr. Kagan's tavern, on Friday evening next, at six o'clock,
in order to consult upon the most eligible method of having the
said troop equipped."
"Elizabeth Town, Maryland, October 7th.
"Accounts from all quarters mention the marching of the
militiaagainst the Western insurgents . . . thetroops which were
stationed here, as well as the quota of this place, marched yes-
terday in order to join the other troops of the State at Wil-
liamsport, under the command of Gen. Smith."
170
HISTORY OP WESTERN MARYLAND.
The Pennsylvania and New Jersey troops had
moved from Carlisle on the 10th of October. A
large number of the Maryland and Virginia troops
were assembled at Cumberland. Upon Washington's
arrival he received such information as convinced him
that the spirits of the insurgents were broken, and
hastened on to Bedford, thirty miles distant, and there
this intelligence was confirmed. " The assembling of
the militia from Maryland and Virginia at Cumber-
land created great excitement in the village. How
long they remained here is not exactly known, but on
the 18th of October Washington arrived, and spent
several days inspecting the condition of the men and
their supplies. On the 19th he appeared in full uni-
form, and held a review on the old parade-ground of
Fort Cumberland, at which the entire population of
the town was present. This was the last occasion
upon which he wore his uniform. The troops had
been encamped along Will's Creek, on what was
known as the ' Island,' where they had good water
from a spring near by. On the 19th the command
was marched up to the parade-ground, where the
court-house now stands, and drawn up for inspection.
" Gen. Washington rode along the line, from the
right to the left, and was loudly cheered by the men.
Afterwards the command marched in review, and
Washington raised his hat as a salute while they
passed. Gens. Lee and Morgan were both present
and participated. Hon. Alexander R. Boteler has in
his possession an oil-painting representing this review.
It was the work of an amateur artist, and upon its
completion passed into the hands of Gen. Daniel
Morgan." '
Satisfied that his presence would be no longer
needed with the army. Gen. Washington returned to
Philadelphia, leaving Governor Lee, of Virginia, in
command. The troops crossed the Allegany Moun-
tains in a heavy rain, marching sometimes in mud up
to their knees, and the two wings formed a junction
at Union Town. As they advanced into the insur-
gent country all signs of rebellion disappeared, aod
the leaders fled. After the adoption of a few pre-
cautionary measures, most of the troops were sent to
their homes, and thus, without the shedding of a drop
of blood, ended a rebellion which at one time threat-
ened the very existence of the Union.
The following letter was addressed by Alexander
Hamilton to Governor Lee shortly after the suppres-
sion of the insurrection :
'■War Departmext, Nov. 24, 1794.
" Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a
letter of the 18th instant from the Executive Council of Mary-
^ Lowdermilk.
land, and to congratulate you and them on the disappearance of
the insurrection in Maryland.
" The President has seen with great satisfaction the laudable
vigor with which it was met by the (iovernment, the excellent
disposition manifested by the citizens, and the speedy termi-
nation of the disturbance. Such an example cannot but have
the best effect.
** Though severity towards offenders is to be avoided as much
as can consist with the safety of society, yet impunity in such
cases is apt to produce too much promptitude in setting the
laws at defiance. Repeated instances of such impunity in
Pennsylvania are perhaps the principal cause of the misfortune
which now afflicts itself, and through it the United States. The
disturbers of the peace familiarly appeal to the past experience
of unpunished offences as an encouragement to the perpetra-
tion of new ones. This general reflection will no doubt be duly
adverted to by the judiciary and other authorities of Maryland.
" With great respect and esteem, I have the honor to be, Sir,
your most obedient servant,
" Alexander Hamilton.
"His Excellency Thomas Sim Lee, Governor of Maryland."
Upon the return of the Maryland troops, Gen. Lee
acknowledged their services in the following letter to
the Governor :
"Headquarters, Nov. 26, 1794
"Sir, — The period having arrived when the army entrusted
to my direction by the President of the United States, having
accomplished the object of their advance into this country, are
about to return home, I should commit violence on my own
feelings were I not to express to your Excellency my very high
ideas of their merit. Suddenly brought into the field, they
were unprepared for the hardships which they encountered.
Nevertheless, disregarding the distress to which they were con-
sequently in a greater degree exposed, they continued to evi-
dence, with firmness and zeal, the purity of the princijiles by
which they were moved, and terminated their campaign in
perfect corresjiondence with the patriotism which impelled them
to exchange domestic enjoyments for the toils and privations
inseparable from military life. To all is due the tribute of ap-
plause which ever attends the faithful and animated discharge
of duty, but to one class something more is due. Those inesti-
mable and friendless citizens who fill the ranks seem to have
been scarcely noticed in the legal provisions for compensation.
" If the example exhibited by* my companions in arms is
deemed worthy of attention, I derive great consolation from
my hopes that the State Legislature will take into consideration
the inequality which at present exists in the pay allowed to the
officers and to the soldiers, and, so far as respects the fliithful
army under my orders, will be pleased to manifest their sense
of the conduct of the troops by rendering the pecuniary com-
pensation of the soldiers proportionate to that given to the
officers. The justice and policy of such interposition are alike
evident, and will be peculiarly acceptable,
" Another point, in which both officers and soldiers are inter-
ested, claims, in my humble oj)inion, legislative notice. Al-
though the wise and temperate system adopted by the President
of the United States averted the heaviest of all human calami-
ties, and saved the effusion of blood, yet the sufferings which
the army experienced from the extreme severity of the weather
have deprived many families of their dearest friend and chief
support. To alleviate their miseries, by extending to them,
with equity and liberality, the public aid, is the only possible
retribution which can be made by the community, and I flatter
myself it is only necessary to make known the existence of
such cases to secure to the sufferers the requisite legal provision.
I
THE CONSTITUTION AND UNION.
171
" I forbear to gratify my affectionate attachment to my fel-
low-citizens in arms with me, by yielding to my solicitude for
their welfare, and subjoiniug the many observations which my
knowledge of their virtue and sufferings crowds upon my mind,
in the confidence that their conduct best bespeaks their worth,
and that the General Assembly will take pleasure in manifest-
ing their respect to real merit.
" I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obe-
dient servant, "RcH. Hy. Lee."
And as a further recognition of their services, the
General Assembly, on the 24th of December, 1794,
" Resolved, uvauimously. That the thanks of this Legislature
be given to the officers and privates of the militia of this State,
who on the late call of the President rallied round the standard
of the laws, and in the prompt and severe services which they
encountered bore the most illustrious testimony to the value of
the Constitution and the blessings of internal peace and order;
and that the Governor be requested to communicate the above
vote of thanks in such manner as he may judge most accept-
able to the patriotic citizens who are its subjects." ^
The Encroachments of England and France. —
The war between France and England transferred a
large portion of the laboring population of the former
I The military revival caused by the Whisky Insurrection and
the anticipated trouble with France did not die out with the
suppression of the outbreak in Western Pennsylvania, but con-
tinued with increasing force until after the conclusion of the
war with England in 1812. Such Washington County notices
as the following show that the militia laws were strictly en-
forced, and the military organizations carefully maintained and
kept in a state of preparation and discipline:
"The different companies forming Maj. Ott's battalion are
desired to attend parade on Saturday, the 25th instant. It is
expected every member will be punctual.
" Daniel Stcll, Captuiu.
" John Geyer, Captain.
" Robert Douglass, Captain.
" Casper Shaffner, Captain.
"John Lee, Captain.
" Elizabethtown, April 14, 1795."
"The companies commanded by Capt. Bowles, Ankeny, Mc-
Clain, Hurst, and Johnston are desired to meet at the lower
Quarter of John Barnes, Esq., on the third Saturday in August
next, at one o'clock, in order to exercise in battalion, agreeable
to law. JosiAH Price,
"1st Major Eighth Eegt., Washiiir/lun Couiilt/ Militia, Marijlnnd.
"July 28, '95."
"The companies commanded by Capt. Wellar, Lantz, Rench,
and Allen are desired to meet at Gen. Sprigg's quarter, on Sat-
urday, the 29th instant, to exercise in battalion, agreeably to
law. Charles Carroll, Major.
"Elizabethtown, Aug. 18, 1795."
Battalion Orders.
"The different companies forming my Battalion are desired
to meet in Mr. Ringgold's Lane, on the third Tuesday in this
month, to exercise in Battalion, agreeably to law.
"Aug. 11, 1795."
"The different companies forming Maj. Ott's Battalion, are
desired to attend parade on Saturday, the 30th instant. It is
expected every member will be punctual.
"Daniel Stoll, Captain.
" Casper Shaffner, Captain.
"John Geyer, Captain.
" Robert Dodglass, Captain.
"John Lee, Captain.
"Elizabethtown, April 14, 1796."
Regimental Muster.
"The officers with their companies composing the Eighth
Regiment are requested to attend regimental muster on the
last Saturday in this month, precisely at twelve o'clock, at Mr.
Rowland Chambers's tavern, near Mr. Jacques's Furnace.
"JosiAH Price,
■•Culoncl Eighlh n,j,jimail, Mari/l,nnl Militia.
" Oct. 6, 1796."
April 9, 1797, M. Bartgis was captain of the Fredericktown
riflemen, and August 9th, same year, Valentine Brother was
captain-commandant of the Fredericktown battalion.
"Hagerstown, Aug. 2, 179S.
"The Companies commanded by Capts. Klinger, Rutledge,
Davis, Langley, Able, and Brookbank, and Maj. David Funk,
will meet at the cross-roads at Capt. John Langley'.'i, on Satur-
day, the 11th inst., precisely at twelve o'clock."
"Georgetown, Jiin. 13, 1799.
" The following army officers from Maryland have just been
appointed: Capls. William Spencer, John C. Beatty, Thomas
Beatty, Jr., Lloyd Beall, Gerard Briscoe, Rezin Davidge,
Bradley Beans, Isaac Spencer, William Nicholson, .Jacob Nor-
ris, Lieuts. Richard Tilghman, William Elliott, Edward A.
Howard, Richard W, West, John B. Barnes, Ninian Pinkney,
Levi Alexander, Matt'hew Tilghman. Henry C. Neale, Aquilla
Beall ; Ensigns, Alexander Cooper, John Brengle, Enos Noland,
Thomas Dent, Levi Hillary, John AVarrcn, William Swan, Levi
G. Ford, Daniel Hughes; Cornet, Richard Cook; Lieut.-Col.,
Josias C. Hall."
"Hagerstown, April 18, 179
" The Volunteer Troop of Washington Blues are requested
to attend at their usual place of parade on Saturday, the 27th
inst., precisely at one o'clock in the afternoon. Every member
is requested to be punctual and in full uniform.
" By order of the Captain,
"George Price, Secrelart/."
" Hagerstown, Apr. 25, 1799.
"In consequence of the resignation of Lieut.-Col. Rezin
Davis, the Governor and Council have been pleased to appoint
me to command of the 24th Regt. of the Maryland Militia.
The officers commanding companies in the 24th Regt. are there-
fore requested, on or before the first day of May next, to make
returns thereof, as directed by the 14th section of the supple-
ment to the Militia act, passed at November session, 1798.
"William Fitzhugh,
" Lieut.-Col. 2ith Regt. Militia."
" Hagerstown, Aug. 1, 1799.
" All persons between the ages of twenty-one and thirty
years, belonging to the 8th Regiment, are requested to meet at
Kersner's Tavern, at the Cross roads (where said Regiment an-
nually meets), on the third Saturday in August next, at 12
o'clock, for the purpose of completing the Select Company of
said Heginient agreeably to Law. It is expected that those
Captains who have not yet returned their lists to me, will bring
them to the above place, in proper time for business.
" Joseph Price,
"Lieut.-Col. Sth Jlegl., Washington County, Manjiand."
"Hagerstown, Sept. 19, 1799.
" Ordered, that the 8th Regiment of the 2nd brig.ide of
Militia, be paraded on Saturday, the 19th day of October next.
17:
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
from their usual avocations to the armies, and this,
with other causes, produced a scarcity of provisions
in France. Induced by this state of things, France
opened her ports to neutral commerce, while Great
Britain, in the hope of reducing her enemy by famine,
determined to cut off all external supplies. Instruc-
tions were accordingly issued on the 8th of June,
1793, and renewed on the 6th of November, 1794,
by the British Privy Council to the commanders of
British ships-of-war and privateers, directing them
" to stop and detain all ships laden with goods, the
produce of any colony belonging to France, or carry-
ing provisions or other supplies for the use of such
colonies, and to bring the same, with their cargoes, to
legal adjudication in our Courts of Admiralty."
This Order in Council, which was a most lawless in-
vasion of neutral rights, in a few weeks swept the seas
of our commerce. Hundreds of our vessels engaged
in the French West India trade were without pre-
vious notice captured, and many of our merchants
were reduced to bankruptcy. The intelligence of this
procedure excited universal indignation throughout
the United States. There was a general clamor for
war among all parties. Several violent measures were
moved and debated in Congress, — among the rest, the
sequestration of all British property in the United
States for the purpose of indemnifying our merchants.
While Congress was engaged in debating on various
modes of procuring redress for the outrages committed
on American commerce by the English and French
nations. President Washington arrested its career by
the appointment of Chief Justice John Jay, of New
York, as ministej; extraordinary to the British gov-
ernment. He embarked from New York on the 12th
of May, 1794, and on the 19th of May, 1795, he
the 10th Regiment on the 22nd, and the 24th Regiment on the
26th day of the same month, each at nine o'clock in the
morning.
"T. Sprigg, Br!y.-Gen. 2nd Brigade.
"Sept. 19, 1799.
" The Lieutenant-Colonels are requested to let me know where
they intend to parade their respective Regiments.
"J. Buchanan, Brigade Major 2nd Brigade.
"Hagerstown, Sept. 19, 1799."
" Hagerstown, Oct. 31, 1799.
" The members com()Osing the Troop of "Washington Blues
are requested to meet at their usual place of parade, on Satur-
day the 9th of November nest, at one o'clock precisely, in com-
plete uniform, and si.x rounds of blank cartridges. It is ex-
pected that the troopers will be punctual in their attendance,
as there is some business to be laid before them.
" By order, 0. H. Williams, .S'ec."
"Hagerstown, Aug. 21, 1800.
" Captain Schnebly's Troop of Horse are requested to parade
on Saturday next, the 23rd instant, at 9 o'clock in the morning
with the Batallion."
concluded a treaty with Lord Grenville in London,
which was submitted to their respective governments
for ratification.
This celebrated treaty, which bears Minister Jay's
name, was defective in many parts and very objection-
able in others ; but owing to the troubled state of
Europe, it was the best that he could obtain. The
ratification of it disturbed the political atmosphere to
such an extent that it shook the Union to its founda-
tion, and pi'oduced intense excitement throughout the
country. On the 1st of June, 1796, at the close of
the exciting session of Congress in which Jay's treaty
had been the chief topic of debate, Washington re-
tired for partial repose to his home at Mount Vernon.
While there he determined to leave public life at the
close of his term of oflBce in Blarch following ; and,
with this object in view, he prepared his " Farewell
Address to the People of the United States," to be
published in time to enable them to choo.se his suc-
cessor at the appointed season. As this hour was
drawing near, the President's enemies did everything
in their power to prejudice him in the public mind.
His most intimate friends knew that he would not
consent to a re election ; but his reserve on the sub-
ject and the long delay of making public announce-
ment of his determination puzzled the politicians.
However, while political and partisan abuse of the
grossest kind was being heaped upon the head of the
President, his " Farewell Address" appeared. It was
made public about the middle of September, 1796,
and produced a great sensation throughout the coun-
try. For a time the ribald voice of party spirit was
subdued in tone, and to detraction and attack suc-
ceeded expressions of veneration and love for the
author of the Address.
At the Presidential election which succeeded, John
Rousby Plater, Francis Deakins, George Murdock,
John Lynn, Gabriel Duvall, John Archer, John
Gilpin, John Roberts, John Eccleston, and John
Done were chosen electors for Maryland. The votes
of the i]lectoral College for President of the United
States were opened and counted in the United States i
Senate on the 8th of February, 1797, and resulted in i
the election of John Adams as President, and Thomas ;
Jefferson as Vice-President.
The difficulties with France still continued, and
created no little public excitement and agitation, i
Meetings were held in all sections of the country '
demanding a vigorous policy against France, and ap- I
proving the firmness with which the new adminis-
tration seemed about to deal with the important .
questions involved. Many meetings of this character ,
were held in Western Maryland.
THE CONSTITUTION AND UNION.
173
"At a numerous meeting of the citizens of Fredericktown
and county, held at the court-house in Fredericktown on Sat-
urday, the 2Sth of April, 179S, after public notice being given,
Thomas Johnson in the chair, Valentine Brother was appointed
secretary, and the following resolutions were adopted and or-
dered to be published;
"1st. lieaohed unnnimoiitlj/, That the President of the United
States is entitled to tlie thanks of his fellow-citizens for his
wise, firm, and patriotic conduct in endeavoring to bring our
differences with France to a speedy, amicable, and honorable
adjustment; that his instructions to our ministers and their
powers of negotiations were ample, candid, and liberal; and
that our envoys ought to have experienced a reception very
different from the one they liave met with.
"2d. Remlved unaiiimoitsli/, That our envoys have discharged
their duty in a manner calculated to impress their fellow-citi-
zens with the greatest respect for their ability and patriotism,
and with gratitude fur their services.
"3d. JiesoUed unainmomli/, That it is our fixed determina-
tion to support the Constitution of the United States as now
established, and the liberty and independence of America
against all foreign nations whatsoever; and we view with the
utmost detestation the attempts made by foreigners to divide
the citizens of this country, and to set them at variance with a
government of their own choice.
"4th. Resolved, That the chairman be requested to inclose
the foregoing resolutions to the representative of this district,
to be by him laid before the President and the Congress of the
United States."
The following reply was received from the Presi-
dent :
'■To THE CiTIZRNS OP FuEDKRICKTOWS AND CuU.NTV, IN THE
State of Maryland:
" Gentlemen, — A copy of your resolutions of the 23d of April
has been presented to me by your Representative in Congress,
Mr. Baer.
"The honorable testimony of your thanks to me, of your ap-
plause of our envoys, of your determination to support the
Constitution and independence of America against all foreign
nations, your detestation of the attempts made by foreigners to
divide the citizens of this country, and to set them at variance
with the government of their choice, would be highly pleasing
under all circumstances, and are increased in value to me by
having been passed and certified under the auspices of one of
the few who remain of my ancient and most respected col-
leagues in the first councils of the nation.
"John Adams.
• "Philadelphia, May 8, 1798."
Washington did not remain long in retirement, for
on the 2d of July, 1798, owing to the attempts of
the French to degrade the United States into a trib-
utary of France, the indignities offered to the repre-
sentatives of our government, and the injuries inflicted
upon our commerce. President Adams nominated and
the Senate confirmed him as " lieutenant-general
and commander-in-chief of all the armies raised and
to be raised in the United States." At the same time
Congress ordered the army to be increased by twelve
regiments, four of which were to be raised in Mary-
land. The diiBculties with France were, however,
arranged in a manner satisfactory to both govern-
ments, and there was no immediate necessity for the
services of the troops which had been culled for by
Congress.'
The unfsettled state of our foreign relations, how-
ever, served to keep alive the military spirit of the
country, and each new difficulty with England or
France added fresh fuel to the military ardor of the
times. The hardy inhabitants of Western Maryland,
always ready for combat, and by reason of their ex-
posed position rather more accustomed to war than
peace, needed no urging to prepare themselves for
hostilities, and the large number of military organiza-
tions in existence at this period in that section of the
State shows the eagerness with which they had re-
sponded to the calls of patriotism. Prominent among
these organizations during the years immediately suc-
ceeding 1800 were the companies of horse known
as the -'American Blues," at Hagerstown, Capt. Otho
H. Williams' commanding, and the " Washington
Hussars," at Williamsport, commanded by Capt.
Frisby Tilghman. Hagerstown at the same time
also boasted of two infantry companies, viz., the " Se-
lect Volunteers" and anotlier commanded by Capt.
Timothy Jlonahan, the battalion being commanded
by Maj. John Reynolds. Besides the frequent militia
parades, the people were often gratified by visits from
detachments of the United States army as they
marched westward via Hagerstown, Cumberland, and
Wheeling. Among the frequent references to the
passage of troops through Western Maryland at this
period we find the following paragraph in the columns
of the Herald, under date of April 26, 1805: "On
Wednesday morning last a small detachment of sol-
diers, under the command of Capt. McClellan, marched
through this town on their way to St. Louis, in Up-
per Louisiana." In December of the year, " Passed
' " Fbedericktows, May 28, 1800.
" On Saturday evening last arrived in this town, on his way
to the city of Washington, the President of the United States.
He wiis met near Monocacy by the troop of horse belonging to
Frederick County, headed by our Republican Elector, Dr. Tyler,
and by Capt. Brother's company of infantry belonging to the
Provincial army. Every respect due the office of Chief Magis-
trate was paid him by our citizens.
"On Sunday the President .attended divine worship, per-
formed by the Rev. Mr. Samuel Knox, in the Lutheran Church
(it being more spacious than his own), .and the subject was
happily adapted to the occasion, while a negotiation is pending
with France. The happiness and advantages of peace were
fully portrayed, and contrasted with the misery and destruction
of war the curse of any nation. The text was Matthew 5th
and 9ch, ' Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called
the children of God.'"
2 The other original officers of this troop were First Lient.
Isaac S. White, Second Lieut. John I. StuU, and George Beltz-
hoover, cornet.
174
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
through this town on their way to Washington a de-
tachment of troops and a deputation of twenty-two
Indian chiefs, who attended the treaty lately held at
St. Louis by Gen. Wilkinson and Governor Harri-
son. They consist of five of the Little Osage nation,
two Missouris, seven Sacs and Foxes, one Canzas,
two Ayowas, one Poutowatamis, one Sioux, two
Panis, and one Altooes."
During the winter of 1S06-7 a company of the
Second United States Infantry, Lieut. John Miller
commanding, was stationed at Hagerstown.
CHAPTER IX.
THE WAR OF 1S12.
The Aggressions of Great Britain— Ortlers in Council— Attack
upon the Chesapeake — Declaration of War — Campaign in
Canada — Battle of Bladensburg — Muster-Rolls — War Songs.
President Jefferson was inaugurated the second
time as President of the United States on the 4th of
March, 1805, and on the 2d of December of the same
year the Ninth Congress opened its first session. The
message of the President was chiefly devoted to our
foreign relations, which it represented as being in an ;
unfavorable condition, owing to the proceedings of
France and England, which were then at war. He
said, —
"Our coasts have been infested and our harbors watched by |
private armed vessels, some of them without commissions, '
some with illegal commissions, others with those of legal form,
but committing piratical acts beyond the authority of their
commissions. They have captured in the very entrance of our
harbors, as well as in the high seas, not only the vessels of our
friends coming to trade with us, but our own also. They have
carried them off under pretence of legal adjudication, but not
daring to approach a court of justice, they have plundered and
sunk them by the way, or in obscure places where no evidence
could arise against them, mivltreated the crews, and abandoned
them in boats in the open seas or on desert shores without food
or covering." ^
^ The following is a correct statement of the returns from the
different districts of Frederick County, at an election held on '
Monday, the 12th Isovember, 1S04, for Electors of President
and Vice-President of the United States;
District. John Tyler. Frisby Tilgbman.
No. 1 33 .S3
" 2 278 276
" 3 410 410
" 4 127 127 I
" 117 117
" 6 130 130
" 7 208 208 I
" 8 101 100
" 9 119 120
1523 1521 ^
In the new European war, France, Holland, and
Spain were allied against Great Britain, and the ex-
posure to capture of the merchant vessels belonging
to these nations had caused their withdrawal from the
ocean. The L'nited States and other neutral nations
from this cause were enjoying an immensely profitable
carrying trade, not only with the colonies of the
belligerents, but with the mother-countries, and on
principles recognized by Great Britain and the estab-
lished rule of international law, " that the goods of a
neutral, consisting of articles not contraband of war,
in neutral vessels, employed in a direct trade between
a neutral and belligerent country, are protected, except
in ports invested or blockaded." In conformity to
this principle a direct trade was carried on with the
enemies of Great Britain and their colonies, and chiefly
by American vessels ; and not well pleased to see
American merchants so rapidly amassing fortunes,
and her enemies receiving by American ships the
productions of their own colonies without the hazard
which would attend transportation in vessels of their
own, Great Britain ordered the capture of our vessels,
alleging that the trade was unlawful, on the principle
that " a trade from a colony to its parent country, not
being permitted to other nations in time of peace,
cannot be made lawful in a time of war."
The Attack on the Chesapeake. — While the
depredations on our commerce were j'et under discus-
sion, three of the crew of the British frigate " Me-
lampus," engaged with the British squadron in watch-
ing some French frigates blockaded at Annapolis,
de.serted, and enlisted on the United States frigate
" Chesapeake, " lately built in Baltimore, and destined
to compose part of an American squadron against the ;
Barbary powers. Four separate demands were made
for these men, but without success, — one on Lieut.
Sinclair, of the " Chesapeake," one by the British |
consul on the mayor of Norfolk, one on Capt. Deca- I
tur, and one by Lord Erskine, the British minister,
on the Secretary of State. The government, willing
to be just and anxious for honorable peace, instituted
inquiries concerning the deserters, and Commodore i
Barron, in a letter to the Secretary of the Navy,
dated April 7, 1807, thus gives an account of the
men :
"William Ware, pressed from on board the brig 'Neptune,'
Capt. Crafts, by the British frigate ' ilelampus,' in the Bay of
Biscay, has served on board the said frigate tifteen months.
"William Ware is a native American, born on Pipe Creek,
Frederick County, .State of Maryland, at Bruce's Mills, and i
served his time at said mills. He also lived at Ellicott's Mills,
near Baltimore, and drove a wagon several years between Ha-
gerstown and Baltimore. He also served eighteen months on
board the United States frigate ' Chesapeake,' under the com-
THE WAR OF 1812.
175
mand of Commodore Morris and Cupt. James Barron. He is
an Indian-looking man.
"John Strachan, born on the Eastern Shore of Maryland,
Queen Anne's County, between Centreville and Queenstown.
Strachan sailed in the brig ' Martha Bland,' Captain Wyvill,
from New York to Dublin, and from thence to Liverpool, lie
then left the brig and shipped on board an English Guineaman.
He was pressed off Cape Finislerre."
The other, a colored man named Martin, was a
native of Massachusetts, and was pressed at the same
time and place with William Ware. Ware and
Strachan had protections, but Martin had lost his.
The " Chesapeake" sailed with these men on board,
and on the 21st of June, 1807, when at sea, not far
from the Capes of Virginia, was overtaken by the
British frigate " Leopard," of fifty-six guns, com-
manded by Capt. Humphreys. The " Chesapeake"
carried forty-four guns. Capt. Humphreys sent his
boat with a note to Commodore Barron informing him
that his commanding officer, Vice-Admiral Berkeley,
by instructions dated June 1st, had directed him to
take any British deserters on board the " Chesapeake,"
by force if necessary, and to allow on his part a search
for American deserters. Barron, astonished at the
insolence of Humphrej'S and the assumptions of
Berkeley, refused permission to search, and stated that
he had no deserters on board the " Chesapeake," and
that his crew should not be mustered except by their
own officers. On the receipt of this answer the
" Leopard" opened fire upon the " Chesapeake," and
the latter being taken by surprise, and unprepared for
action, did not return the fire, and immediately struck
her flag. Three men were killed and eighteen
wounded upon the unresisting ship. When the
American ensign was lowered, several of the British
officers went on board, mustered the crew, arrested the
three deserters from the " Melampus," and took a
fourth named John Wilson, who had deserted from
the " Halifax." ^
Capt. Humphreys refusing to receive the " Chesa-
peake" as a prize, she returned to Norfolk. John
Hayden, of Baltimore, was wounded in the attack
upon the " Chesapeake."
This outrage excited the utmost indignation
throughout the United States, and for a time united
all parties in the common clamor for reparation of the
insult and injury, or for war. Public meetings were
held in all the principal cities from Boston to Norfolk,
^ " The unfortunate deserters were taken to Halifax and sen-
tenced to be hung. The three Americans were reprieved on i
condition that they should re-enter the British service, but
Wilson, the English subject, was hauged. One of the Ameri-
cans died in captivity in the English navy, and the others, after
five years' hard service, were restored to the deck of the ' Ches-
apeake.'"— ios»,«;/, "ir.(<- uf 1812."
in which the feelings of the people were vehemently
The citizens of Western Maryland were in nowise
behind their fellow-countrymen, and at a meetiu"-
held at the court-house in Hagerstown, July 14
1807, for the purpose of expressing their sentiments
" upon the dastardly outrages committed by the Brit-
ish squadron stationed on our coast on the flag and
citizens of the United States," Dr. llichard Pindell
was called to the chair, and Upton Lawrence was ap-
pointed secretary.
After the proclamation of President Jefferson had
been read, it was resolved, "That Col. Nathaniel
Rochester, Gen. Thomas Sprigg, Samuel Hughes, Jr.,
Esq., Dr. Richard Pindell, Col. William Fitzhugh,
Maj. Charles Carroll, Dr. Frisby Tilghman, Col.
George Nigh, Dr. Christian Boerstler, Upton Law-
rence, Esq., Dr. Jacob Schnebly. Col. Daniel Hughes,
Col. Adam Ott, Mr. William Keyser, and Mr. Alex-
ander Neill be appointed a committee to report reso-
lutions expressive of the abhorrence in which this
meeting holds the recent conduct of the British
squadron near Norfolk, and our determination to sup-
port the constituted authorities of our country, in all
such measures as they may think proper to adopt
for obtaining satisfaction for the insult and murders
committed."
The committee having retired for a short time, re-
turned and reported several vigorous resolutions, which
were unanimously adopted ; and it was ordered that the
chairman and secretary of the meeting transmit copies
of the resolutions to the President of the United
States and the Governor of Maryland, and that they
be published in the newspapers of Hagerstown.
The critical situation of our foreign relations in
duced the President to convene the Tenth Congress
on the 25th of October, 1807, and in a special mes-
sage on the 18th of December he recommended to
that body the passage of an act laying an embargo on
all vessels of the United States. The subject was
immediately discussed in Congress in secret session,
and an embargo bill pa.ssed on the 22d of December,
1807. At this session of Congress measures of de-
fense were adopted, and on the 6th of July the Presi-
dent made a requisition on the States for one hundred
thousand men to take the field at a moment's warn-
ing. Of this number the Governor of Maryland was
authorized to furnish a quota of five thousand eight
hundred and sixty-three men, and such was the en-
thusiasm of the people that double that number vol-
unteered their services to the government.^
2 Among the volunteers was the Third Regiment, commanded
by Levy Philips, Montgomery County.
176
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
On the 17th of July, in response to the call of the
President, the following notice was published in the
newspapers of Hagerstown :
"THE SPIRIT OF '76 ! ! !
"When our country demniids our aid it is a species of trea-
son to be deaf to her call.
"A meeting of the young men of Washington County is re-
quested at Mr. Smith's tavern on Saturday evening next at
four o'clock, for the purpose of forming a volunteer corps,
whose services are to be at the command of the President as
exigencies may demand, or as the public good may require."
As a result of this meeting, a company known as
the " Hagerstown Volunteer Rifle Company" was
formed, and the officers chosen were as follows : ' John
Ragan, Jr., captain; Thomas Post, first lieutenant;
and William B. Rochester, second lieutenant. This
company was soon after mustered into the United
States service for a period of six months, but was not
called upon to perform any active duty.
Besides the companies already mentioned, there
were in existence at that time those of the Eighth
Maryland Militia, commanded respectively by Capts.
^ These officers all became prominent in subsequent years.
Col. John Ragan, Jr., was appointed a captain in the United
States army in 1 SU8, and served in that capacity at New Orleans
and Camp Terre au BcEuf about eighteen months. In ISIO he
returned to his native place (Hagerstown), and upon his mar-
riage resigned his commission in the regular service. He was
afterwards appointed by the Executive of Maryland lieutenant-
colonel of the Twenty-fourth Regiment of militia, and during
the war of 1812 was in command of a regiment of militia at
the battle of Bladensburg, where, although his command early
in the engagement broke and fled in the utmost disorder, he
particularly distinguished himself in his brave efforts to rally
his raw and panic-stricken troops, but in the fruitless attempt
was thrown from his horse, severely injured, and finally taken
prisoner by the enemy. In private life Col. Ragan was gener-
ous and upright, a valuable neighbor, and a most worthy, mem-
ber of society. lie died at his residence in Hagerstown, May
4, 1816, in the thirty-fourth year of his age.
Capt. Thomas Post, besides serving as sheriff of Washington
County for a number of years, commanded a company of Wash-
ington County militia during the war of 1812, and filled most
creditably many other public positions.
William B. Rochester was the eldest son of Col. Nathaniel
Rochester, and was born in Washington County. He removed
to the Genesee country with his father in 1810, and afterwards
became one of the most prominent citizens in Western New
York. During the war of 1812-14 he served as captain of a
company of New York State Volunteers, and with his command
was present at Buffalo and its vicinity during the series of war-
like operations carried on there. He held many important
civil positions in the State of his adoption, and was a man of
fine legal acquirements, and much respected for his ability. He
was a representative in Congress from New York from 1821 to
1823, and subsequently held the ofiice of circuit judge in New
York, but resigned to compete with De Witt Clinton for the
office of Governor. He was lost, with many others, off the coast
of North Carolina, by the explosion of the steamer " Pulaski,"
June 15, 1838.
Daniel Hughes, Jr., Henry Lewis, John Abel,
Jo.seph Chapline, George Binkley, John Harry, and
others ; and this regiment was placed in as efficient
condition as possible, as is shown by the following
order from its veteran commander. Col. John Carr:
"The officers commanding companies in the Eighth Regi-
ment are requested to make out rolls of their respective com-
mands and attend with them at Hagerstown on Saturday, the
15th inst., which will enable me to make out a regimental re-
turn to forward to the brigadier-general. 2 I hope the officers
will be accurate in their returns and punctual in their attend-
ance at this interesting crisis, as their injured country calls
aloud for the exertions of its citizens.
"JoH?( Carr,
" Lieut.-Col. Eiyhth Regiment.
"Aug. 5, 1807. "3
In May, 1808, Gen. Thomas Sprigg's brigade, —
composed of Col. John
Carr's Eighth, Col. Sam-
uel Ringgold's Tenth, and
Lieut.-Col. Jacob Schneb-
ly's Twenty-fourth Regi-
ments of Maryland Mili-
tia, — together with Capt.
Otho H. Williams' com-
pany of American Blues,
Capt. Frisby Tilghman's
company of Washington
Hussars, and Capt. John
Ragan's company of vol-
unteer riflemen, was re-
viewed at Hagerstown by Gen. John E. Howard, of
Baltimore.
Great exertions were then being made to raise, by
volunteering, Maryland's quota of the one hundred
thousand militia required for national defense, but it
was not until December, 1808, that the requisite
number of volunteers was obtained in Washington
County. At that time, however, from among the
organizations just mentioned, many more than were
' Thomas Sprigg, who died in December, 1809, and was suc-
ceeded by Col. Samuel Ringgold, who assumed command in
July, 1810.
^ Aug. 12, ltf07, the volunteer company in Frederick was
officered by Capt. Henry Steiner, Lieut. John Ritchie, and
Ensign Lawrence Brengle.
Aug. 17, 1809, Henry Kemp was elected captain of the first
Frederick troop of cavalry. April 19, 1810, Stephen Steiner
chosen lieutenant-colonel of Sixteenth Regiment Militia. June
13, 1811, the Governor appointed John Cook captain, Otho
Sprigg first lieutenant, Nicholas Hall, Jr., second lieutenant,
and Joshua Johnson cornet of a troop of horse attached to the !
Seventh Brigade, Frederick County ; Oct. 26, 1811, John Cook \
chosen captain of New Market Light Dragoons ; May 9, 1812, j
Ezra Mantz was appointed major First Battalion Maryland :
Militia, and John Ritchie lieutenant-colonel of the Sixteenth I
Regiment Militia. ;
i
THE WAR OF 1812.
177
wanted signified their readiness to march at a mo-
ment's notice. The members of the Washington
Hussars met at Rockh\nd, and listened to a spirited
address from their commander, Capt. Frisby Tilgh-
man, in which he ably proved the necessity of rally-
ing around the country's standard. He then drew
his sword, as a token that he was ready to obey
her call. His patriotic example was instantly fol-
lowed by the rest of the officers, and almost' unani-
mously by the whole of the troopers present. The
following resolutions were also adopted by the troop :
" Resolved, That though fully sensible of the blessings of
peace where they can be enjoyed without the sacrifice of na-
tional honor, yet we consider war a lesser evil than submission i
to any foreign power under any form or pretence whatever. ^
"Resolved, That we are ready and willing to ofier up our all t
in defense of the rights or of avenging the wrongs of our much '■
injured country, and therefore make a voliintary tender of
our services as a part of the quota called for from Maryland by !
the President of the United States." j
Capt. Tilghman's company enlisted on the 9th of '
December, and on the 17th of the same month Col.
Schnebly's regiment, also Capt. Williams' company |
of horse, tendered their services to the general gov- ,
ernment. The editor of the Herald speaks of the
event as follows in his issue of the 23d :
" On Saturday, the 17th inst., the Twenty-fourth Regiment of
Maryland Militia, under the command of Col, Jacob Schnebly,
assisted by Mnjs. Beard and Reynolds, paraded on their cus-
tomary ground in the neighborhood of this town. The call
by Brig. -Gen. Sprigg was for volimteera, to the end that a draft
might not be made on the citizens whose will might urge them
to the field, but whose peculiar circumstances (for the present)
admonished them to remain at home. It was with heartfelt
gratification we witnessed the patriotic spirit of our regiment
in volunteering the whole, and more than the whole, of their
proportionate numbers. We will not make invidious distinc-
tions, but we were pleased in noticing some of the companies
turning out with Spartan mind a number uncalled for from
among them.
"Capt. 0. H. Williams* troop, called 'American Blues,' be-
haved as we had expected, — all his men on parade (thirty-seven
in number) tendered their services. It is said that Capt. Wil-
liams is not an admirer of the present administration ; but we
know that he is friendly to American Independence and honor.
*' The times were which tried men's souls, — the times may
shortly come which will try men's souls; but, be it as it may,
happy and safe are we in our defense."
Capt. George Binkley, of the Twenty-fourth Regi-
ment, in addressing his company previously to their
volunteering, spoke as follows :
" Citizens ! soldiers ! You have appeared on this ground to-
day in obedience to the commands of your general, but more
especially in obedience to the call of patriotism.
" Fellow-soldiers ! we have a triple call, — our general, our
country, but most of all a lively sense of honor and independence
sounds the alarm. Shall we be heedless to these calls ? No ;
^ Thirty-one out of thirty-four members who were present.
as a band of brother patriots we will erectaproud crest against
every foe, foreign or domestic.
"S<iUliers! your captain and other officers of this company
now tender their services to their country. Will you follow
them ? I know many of you will; then those who are so dis-
posed advance forty paces in front. The God of battles is on
our side.''
Thereupon twenty-two men of the forty-one present
volunteered.
Before the date last mentioned, however, Capt. Ra-
gan's company of riflemen was mustered into the
service of the United States as part of its regular
force, and in October, 1808, marched from Hagers-
town to the barracks at Carlisle, Pa. From thence
the company was soon after sent forward to New
Orleans, La.
Thus did the people of Western Maryland attest
their devotion to their country during the years 1807,
1808, and 1809 ; but, although British naval officers
still continued to impress our seamen, and to oflFer
indignities to the American flag wherever encountered
on the high seas, the crisis, as regarded an open rup-
ture with Great Britain, was, in the summer of 1809,
considered passed, and the volunteers under pay of
the general government were mustered out of service.
There was another feature connected with the
history of the period mentioned deserving of notice,
perhaps, in this connection, — the original poetic effu-
sions which appeared in the " Poet's Corner" of the
newspaper prints of that time. The following were
published in the Martjlnad Herald. Some were writ-
ten by the Hon. Thomas Kennedy, of William.sport
(afterwards of Hagerstown), who was (if we may use
the term) the poet-laureate of Washington County
in his day, as well as one of the ablest and best-known
writers in the State of Maryland. He also repre-
sented Washington County many years in the State
Legislature, where he distinguished himself in debate,
but more particularly as the originator and champion
of the bill abolishing the " religious test," an old law
which denied to the Hebrews political rights in com-
mon with all other citizens."
2 In ISIO he published a volume entitled
"POEMS.
" Composed on several occasions,
"III sundry places and in divers manners.
"By Thomas Kennedy,
"Washington Cou.nty, Md."
" Ye generous sons of lov'd Columbia's soil,
'Tis yours to recompense the poet's toil,
'Tis yours to give or to withhold applause,
To weigh bis merits and to judge his cause."
Prologue to the Poems.
The prospectus likewise stated that " the Poems will be
printed on good paper, and decently bound and lettered. They
178
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
1
'A NEW SONG.
'Tune.— '/oAji Anders
Jo.'
'The Volunteers of Hagers-town,
Great praise to them is due,
They've tender'd down their services
To face old Britain's crew.
And every other warlike tribe
That dares to be our foe ;
With courage great, fair steps we'll take
Their schemes to overthrow.
'When Britain's host, some years ago,
Did try us to enslave,
The sons of freedom forward came,
With courage stout and brave:
Though undisciplin'd ns they were,
Undauntingly did go
Into the field where none would yield,
Resentment for to show.
'' Old Georgy's crew they try'd their best,
Their plans were made to nought,
The Hessian crew, and Dunmure's too,
They all against us brought;
The savages and all their aids
Were soon reduced so low,
That home they flew, with part their crew,
To let old Georgy know.
are now preparing for the press, and will form a volume of a
handsome size. The price to subscribers two dollars each copy,
payable on delivery. Those who procure ten subscribers and
become responsible for the payment shall have one copy gratis."
In conclusion be said, —
" When an author makes bis first appearance before the
public he is apt to think it necessary to state some reasons by
way of excuse for his presumption; in the present instance
this must be dispensed with. Nor is it now necessary to enter
into any commendation of the intended work, its merits are
yet to be examined and its worth decided by an impartial tri-
bunal. Suffice it therefore to say that, in the humble opinion
of the author, the publication will be found deserving all the
encouragement it may receive, and hope promises as favorable
a reception as it deserves. If in this he is disappointed, if the
present generation treats the labors of his Muse with neglect,
like other authors, he must enter an appeal on his behalf to the
supreme court of posterity.
" The charms of beauty and the love of liberty first awakened
bis Muse, and with honest pride he can say that there are none
among the numerous pieces in the volume that owe their origin
to mean or mercenary motives, and may he cease to be ere he
becomes a flatterer, ere he prefers fortune to fame, or the private
to the public good.
" Those who intend to become subscribers are requested to do
so immediately. And let them all remember that the author
does not pretend to the sublime in poetry, his verse is un-
polished and clad in homely attire. But if — ■
" And flattering hope does this presage —
If in some future time, some distant age,
These strains shall some sweet pleasing thrills impart,
E'er sorrow soothe, or cheer a drooping heart,
E'er stop a struggling sigh, or check a tear,
He will be blest ; such fame is truly dear,
And such the hmrels that lie longs to wear."
"Now they've begun the second time
Our courage for to try,
So, Volunteers, we'll all rouse up.
And fight them till we die;
And every tender-hearted soul
That with us cannot go,
May keep behind, some kind of blind,
While we do face the foe,
"America has oft received
Insults of every kind.
But Jefferson, that worthy man,
For peace was still inclined;
So their abuse did still increase.
For which we'll let them know
That we're prepar'd, and on our guard,
To give them blow for blow.
" So here's a health to all the Greens,
And every Volunteer
Who is intent, and fully bent
With honor for to steer;
We'll to a man join hand in hand
To meet our trencherous foe,
With fire and ball we will them maul.
And drink before we go.
* Hagerstown, Dec. 21, 1808."
' Mr. Printer :
'Be 80
[/• Poet'i
I to let the followintf epigram have a pla
Come
•' God in his wrath may often change
A Whig into a Tory ;
The circumstance is nowise strange,
'Tis on record in story.
But no such instance can we show,
Thro' all the Tory race,
A Tory once, will still be so,
In spite of God and Grace.
"Washington County, August, 1809."
"THE SOLDIER'S CALL.
"Tune.—' The Soldier's Return:
' Rouse, rouse, ye brave, ye gallant souls,
Who cherish Independence,
That country you so dearly love
Demands your quick attendance.
Injured, insulted, she has been
By Britain — haughty nation;
Then haste to arms, for honor calls
Aloud for reparation.
* Remember your forefathers bold,
For freedom who contended,
Who nobly dear Columbia's cause
AVith their best blood defended.
! do not sully their fair fame ;
! tarnish not their glories;
Discard the deeds, despise the name
And actions of old Tories.
' In infant days Columbia bore
The storms of war unmoved,
For tyrant's wrath and deep designs
More than a match she proved;
THE WAR OF 1812.
179
! who can think upon those times
Nor feel his bosom glowing,
Nor feel sensations, sweet, sublime,
His patriot soul o'erflowing.
"And if in infancy she foiled
The plans of wild ambition,
To her united youthful might
Vain will be opposition.
In Him who rules the hosts of Heaven
Her hope, her stay, and trust is,
He will with victory crown the cause
Of liberty and justice.
"Too long has our lov'd country sought,
By mild negotiation,
To have her rights restored in peace.
For wrongs, some compensation.
But patience hitherto has made
Her claims be more neglected.
The last resort then must be tried,
She then may be respected.
^'Though war we never do desire,
We do not dread its terrors.
Columbia's thunder shall once more
Show kingcraft all its errors.
Her Volunteers will rally round
The starry flag of freedom.
Nor shall Quebec arrest their march,
If heroes only lead 'em.
^'Then beat the drum, the trumpet sound,
And let the cannons rattle ;
Gird on your swords, your muskets seize,
Be all prepared for battle.
Go forth to conquer or to die.
The cause is good, is glorious,
And sacred Union will ensure
The final end victorious.
■'Washington County, Jan. 16, 1810."
"THE BIRTHDAY OF WASHINGTON.
* As the blush of the rose in the dew of the morn,
As the beautiful blossoms of Spring,
When snow-drops and hyacinths sweetly adorn
The fields and the forests, and from every thorn
Wild warblers their sonnets do sing,
*So sweet's the remembrance of virtue most dear,
Of valor with wisdom combin'd,
Of the patriot sage, whose great name we revere,
Whose praises with pride and with pleasure we hear,
Whose worth is impressed on each mind.
"0 ! Washington, when recollection recalls
Thy noble, illustrious deeds,
The tear of warm gratitude glistens and falls,
Sublime admiration each bosom enthralls,
And in pleasing captivity leads.
" Thy courage, thy prudence, thy patriot zeal,
Thy constancy in truth's great cause,
Thy attention alive to America's weal.
Will furnish forever, while freemen can feel,
Fit themes for their love and applause.
'And 0! may foul factions thy hallowed name
To cloak their designs ne'er assume;
Ye assassins pollute not the shrine of his fame,
Lest the blaze of his glory burst forth in a flame
And you with just vengeance consume.
'For who are his friends? Not all they who pretend.
But those who his precepts obey,
Who cherish firm Union, who nobly contend
For the rights of Columbia, aud them to defend
Are ready to act in his way.
'Immortal his actions, his name shall descend
To ages unknown, distant climes ;
Far and wide as the earth or the sea does extend,
The friend of his country — the friend of mankind.
Shall be honored in all future times.
'Applauding historians his worth shall recite,
The muses his praise in sweet strains,
His example will fire future warriors to fight,
And patriot statesmen shall read with delight
The in.-^truction his maxims contain.
'But chiefly Columbians his deeds shall inspire.
And their bosoms with ardor inflame,
His story shall pass from the son to the sire,
Even innocent infants will learn to admire,
And prattling lisp his dear name.
' For he was the friend of their forefathers brave,
And for them, ! what toils he endured.
His greatest ambition bis country to save,
Or find in her wreck and her ruin a grave —
How blest when his aim was secured !
'And sooner shall sink in the midst of the main
Columbia, earth's favorite spot.
Of old Allegany no vestige remain,
And time to eternity yield up the rein,
Ere Washington can be forgot.
'Yea, even when time and when space are no more,
When the sun and the stars cease to shine,
His fame, like the sovereign eagle, shall soar
Bright worlds unknown, and immortal explore,
And rank high in the regions divine."
"THK WASHINGTON HUSSARS.i
" A SONG.
•'Ti:xE— ' Hail Cubimhia:
'Ye brave Hussars who nobly stand,
Prepar'd to guard with sword in hand
The laws and rights you hold so dear,
The laws and rights you hold so dear,
Who bear the high, immortal name
Of Washington, the great in fame,
Like him, undaunted, meet the foe,
Like his, may all your bosoms glow
With liberty's celestial fire.
The go'ddess freemen mo.st admire.
" Chorus. — When the trumpet sounds attend.
Your lov'd country to defend ;
Fear not danger, death, nor scars,
Act like Washington Hussars.
1 An organization that was composed of residents of Wil-
liamsport and its vicinity.
180
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
"With Honor, Friendship full in view,
The path of glory still pursue,
! cherish union's sacred ties,
! cherish union's sacred ties,
For freedom ev'ry danger dare,
Your country's weal your constant care,
For her no perils ever shun,
For her no duty leave undone,
For her no sacrifice refuse,
Nor life itself regret to lose.
** Chorus. — When the trumpet, etc.
"Your fathers bold, they knew not fear,
Their names, their deeds will long be dear.
Hark ! from the tomb their spirits cry,
Hark ! from the tomb their spirits cry,
'Shall coward sons our glory stain, .
And have we bled and died in vain ?'
No. Rest in peace, ye truly brave,
And let green laurels round you wave,
The flame of freedom still inspires.
The sons are worthy of their sires.
" Chorus. — When the trumpet, etc.
" Hussars, in arms you're not alone,
The Blues are, too, of Washington,
And they, like you, are volunteers,
And they, like you, are volunteers.
With you as friends they will unite
At the feast or in the fight ;
With you, the foe they will engage,
And in the battle's hottest rage
Hussars and Blues shall firmly join
And force the enemy's strongest line.
" Chorus. — To the charge when trumpets call.
On each side, when thousands fall,
Laugh at danger, death, and sears,
Act like Blues, and like Hussars.
" And ! how blest, the battle o'er,
When war's alarms are heard no more.
When beauty bids you welcome home,
When beauty bids you welcome home,
And with approving, sweetest smiles,
Repays your troubles and your toils.
From your lov'd country then you'll hear
Such praise as this to charm your ear :
'None were distinguished in the wars
More than the Washington Hussars.*
" Chorus. — When the trumpet sounds attend,
Tour dear country to defend;
And in love, in peace, or wars
Act like Washington Hussars."
"THE AMERICAN BLUES.i
'* A SONG.
'*TUNE.— ' To Anacreon w Heaven.'
'Ye American Blues, who have gallantly drawn
Your swords in defense of the rights of the Union,
Whose glory is bright as the sun at 'he dawn,
Whose souls are all joined in sweet, sacred communion.
Let honor still guide,
With truth at her side !
May valor and wisdom with pleasure preside,
And furnish for ages a theme for the Muse,
Be worthy the name of American Blues !
iCapt. 0. H. Wi
s' company of Hagerstown.
' The rich vale you inhabit receiv'd its dear name
From Washington, he who in arms was victorious,
Whose actions immortal, whose talents and fame
Shine brightly and pure, with a lustre most glorious,
That loved name when you hear
Will banish all fear.
Like him, . . . may yours be a noble career.
And furnish for ages a theme for the Muse
Deserving the name of American Blues!
'Remember the heroes in liberty's cause.
Who fought and who bled with a brave resolutioH,
Their patriot names with deserved applause
Will be gratefully honor'd till Time's dissolution.
Like them, ! be brave,
Independence to save,
And swear that no despot this soil shall enslave.
And furnish for ages a theme for the Muse
Deserving the name of American Blues!
* The tyrants of Europe, e'en should they combine,
Can ne'er conquer freemen whose bosoms are glowing
With liberty's flame, and whose hands ever join
In supporting the cause . . . with a zeal overflowing.
Then let Britain or France,
Or both, e'er advance,
They will fall 'neath the stroke of America's lance,
And furnish for ages a theme for the Muse
And prove that Americans all are True Blues !
^ And, troopers, see where a brave squadron appears,
The Hussars who bear Washington's name, too, assemble;
Should war e'er approach, you are all volunteers,
And united will make every enemy tremble.
AVhen the trumpets do sound.
And your foes bite the ground,
The Blues and the Hussars shall together be found,
And furnish for ages a theme for the Muse
Deserving the name of Hussars and of Blues !
'Returning with glory, received with regard,
As troopers who faithfully have done their duty;
How blest when enjoying the noble reward
That you'll meet from the eye, from the sweet smile of
beauty !
The fav'rites of Mars,
All covered with sears,
The American Blues will return from the wars,
And furnish for ages a theme for the Muse
Deserving the name of American Blues !
* Columbia, our country, oh, pure be thy peace !
Thy freedom be lasting as old Allegany !
The bonds of thy Union in strength still increase,
Thy foes few and feeble, thy friends firm and many.
While foremost among
The patriot throng
May the Blues be seen rushing undaunted along,
And furnish for ages a theme for the Muse
Deserving the name of American Blues!"
"A SONG.
" Come, all ye hearts of temper'd steel.
Come, leave your flocks and farms,
Your sports, your plays, and holy-days,
And haste away to arms.
THE WAR OF 1812.
181
A soldier is a gentleman,
His honor is his life,
And he that won't stand by his post
Will ne'er stand by his wife!
And he that won't, etc.
"Sure, love and honor are the same,
Or are so near allied
That neither can exist alone,
But aourish side by side.
Then farewell, sweethearts, for awhile, —
Our sweet, dear girls, adieu. —
But when we've drove those foes away,
■ We'll come and stay with you !
But when, etc.
" We'll chase our foes from post to post,
Attack their camp and lines.
And by some well-concocted schemes
We'll baffle their designs.
No foreign power shall make us slaves.
No British tyrant reign,
'Twas our fathers' prowess made us free,
And freedom we'll maintain.
'Twas our fathers' prowess, etc.
" In shady tents, by curling streams,
With hearts both firm and free.
We'll drive the cares of life away
With songs of liberty;
And when the wars are over, boys,
We'll sit us down at ease.
We'll plow, we'll sow, we'll reap and mow.
And do just as we please.
We'll plow, we'll sow, etc.
" This rising world shall sing of us
Ten thousand years to come.
And children to their children tell
The wonders we have done;
Brave, honest fellows, here's my hand,
My heart, my very soul.
With all the joys of liberty,
Our sweethearts and our bowls,
AVith all the joys of liberty.
Our good wives and our bowls !
" Washington County, 1810."
During the days of Federalism Washington County
was one of the Republican strongholds of Maryland,
and upon the inauguration of President Madison,
March 4, 1809, a large number of her citizens con-
vened at the court-house (which then occupied the
present public square in Hagerstown) for the purpose
of rejoicing and celebrating the event.
The day was ushered in by the ringing of bells,
martial music, and the firing of cannon. At twelve
o'clock William L. Brent delivered an address to the
' meeting, and recommended the propriety of adopting
i resolutions expressive of their sentiments upon the
political situation of the country. Col. Nathaniel
i Rochester was appointed chairman, and William L.
j Brent secretary of the meeting, when, upon motion, it
; was
"Resolved^ That Col. David Schnebly, Dr. Christian Boerst-
ler, Mr. H. Gaithor, Mr. M. Collins, Col. Samuel Ringgold,
Col. Adam Ott, Col. Jacob Schnebly, Col. N. Rochester, and Dr.
Wm. Downey be a committee to prepare and report resolu-
tions for the consideration of this meeting. All of which
having been done, and a resolution passed that the full pro-
ceedings of the meeting be transmitted to Mr. Madison, Presi-
dent of the United States, it was further resolved.
"That William L. Brent, Esq., Maj. Martin Kirshner, Col.
Jacob Schnebly, Capt. Henry Lewis, and Col. Nathaniel
Rochester be a committee to prepare and report a suitable ad-
dress to the late President of the United States, Thomas Jeffer-
son, upon his retiring from office."
Having expressed their sentiments as to the situa-
tion of their country, the vast concourse present then
partook of a feast prepared for the occasion. The
table was furni.shed with the best viands and vegeta-
bles that the season would afford ; and among many
excellent meats which were dressed, a large bullock
was spitted and roasted whole. After dinner the
following toasts were drank amidst the loud acclama-
tions of the people and the roaring of cannon, fired
at intervals between the toasts :
" 1. The day we celebrate, which placed the destinies of this
country, eight years ago, in the hands of our worthy and be-
loved fellow-citizen, Thomas Jefferson, late President of the
United States, and a Republican majority in Congress, and this
day in the hands of James Madison, his successor, and a
greater Republican majority in Congress.
"2. James Madison, President of the United States, the
patriot, statesman, and uniform friend of the people, may h&
show to the world, and particularly to disorganizers and
traitors, that a republic is not only the best but the strongest
government in e.xistence.
" 3. The patriotic members of the late Congress who would
not barter their country's rights for a tributary commerce, nor
be driven from their duty by a weak and unprincipled faction.
" 4. The heads of departments, superior in wisdom and in-
tegrity to the ministers and councils of European potentates.
" 5. The militia of the United States, the grand bulwark of
American liberty and independence.
" 6. The army and navy of the United States, composed of
patriots and not mercenaries.
"7. The memory of Gen. George Washington, the father of
his country, may his valedictory address be ever remembered,
and the advice therein given to his countrymen be better ob-
served than it recently has been by the Essex Junta and other
British advocates in the United States.
" 8. Thomas Jefferson,—' well done, thou good and faithful
servant,' — may your patriotic and useful labors for our common
country be a guide to present and future statesmen in conduct-
ing the political affairs of this happy land of freedom, and
m.ay your remaining days, in the retirement you have chosen,
be peaceful and happy, until you partake of the joys above
with other benefactors of mankind.
" 9. The patriotic Governor of Massachusetts (Levi Lincoln)
and other friends to their country in that State, who have de-
clared their determination to support the laws and reduce to
order a daring faction that has reared its head in favor of an-
archy and confusion, with a view to dissolve the union of these
United States.
"10. John Quiney Adams, William Gray, and William L.
Smith who have proved themselves friends to their country by
182
HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND.
i
seceding from their party and supporting the measures of their
government when they discovered tiie machinations of the Es-
sex Junta, in conjunction with a foreign power, were pxciting
opposition to the laws, with a view to destroy the best govern-
ment in the world.
" 11. The agriculture of the United .States, may it never pay
tribute to a foreign power to gratify the avarice or ambition of
the dishonest part of our merchants.
" 12. The manufactories of the United States, may they soon
be capable of furnishing substitutes for those of foreign powers.
" 1.3. Commerce, unshackled by foreign orders or decrees, but
no foreign commerce subject to tribute.
" 14. Peace with all the world, if to be had on honorable
terms, but no alliance with any power while they disregard the
law of nations, and war, with all its privations and other evils,
rather than disgraceful submission to French decrees or British
Orders of Council.
**15. The friends of the government throughout the United
States, their numbers and firmness, will support the laws and
appall the spirit of faction.
"16. A speedy passage to Europe of Tories and apostate
Whigs, where they may enjoy their favorite government of
master and vassals.
" 17. The fair daugliters of America, may they smile on the
defenders of their country's liberty and laws, and leave in the
forlorn state of celibacy cowards and the enemies of their own
country."
In the evening a more brilliant illumination took
place than had ever been witnessed in Hagerstown
upon a like occasion. A band of music paraded the
streets with a large lantern, exhibiting on the four
sides a portrait of President Madison and figures
emblematic of agriculture, commerce, and manufac-
tures, which was carried by some of the most promi-
nent men of the county. However, among the many
individual illuminations and displays of transparent
paintings, the one which attracted universal attention
and applause was an elegant full-length portrait of
James Madison, which was displayed in a large door
in the second story of Capt. Henry Lewis' residence.
During the years of Madison's administration, from
March, 1809, to June, 1812, the English continued
their insults, aggressions, and depredations. Our
harbors were insulted and outraged, our commerce
swept from the ocean, our seamen impressed into
British fleets, scourged and slaughtered, fighting the
battles of those who held them in bondage, and
studied indignities were ofi"ered to our national fiag
wherever displayed. All efibrts for redress from the
British government had failed, and at length (acting
in accord with a majority^ of the Senate and House
^ The final vote was carried in the Senate by nineteen to
thirteen, and in the House of Representatives by seventy-nine
to forty-nine. In the House of Representatives the Maryland
delegates voted as follows: In the afiirmative — Stevenson
Archer, Joseph Kent, Peter Little, Alexander McKim, Samuel
Ringgold, and Robert Wright. In the negative — Charles
Goldsborough, Philip Barton Key, and Philip Stuart. In the
of Representatives of the United States) the President
issued his proclamation declaring war against Great
Britain on the 18th day of June, 1812.
Anticipating this event, however, and determined
to place the militia of the State in as effective con-
dition as possible, the Legislature, by an act approved
Jan. 18, 1812, provided that the State be divided
into eleven regimental (cavalry) districts and one ex-
tra squadron. In the formation of these districts,
Washington and Frederick Counties were to consti-
tute the first, while Allegany County was to furnish
the extra squadron, which (for the time being, or
until a regiment could be formed in that county) was
attached to the first regimental district.
In February following, Capt. Frisby Tilghman was
appointed lieutenant-colonel in command of this regi-
ment, while Capt. 0. H. Williams was appointed
major of the same. Thereupon, to fill the vacancy in
the " Blues " occasioned by the promotion of Capt.
Williams, a meeting was held at Strauss' tavern, in
Hagerstown, Feb. 25, 1812, when Moses Tabbs was
elected captain, Jacob Barr first lieutenant, David
Clagett second lieutenant, and David Newcomer cor-
j net. At about the same time Edward Greene Wil-
I Hams (brother of Maj. 0. H., and both sons of Gen.
Otho H. Williams, of Revolutionary fame) was ap-
pointed to the command of the Hussars, vice Capt.
Frisby Tili;hman promoted.
To add to the military excitement, Lieut. John
Miller, of the United States army, established a re-
cruiting station at Hagerstown during the same month.
The inducements held out by him to encourage enlist-
ments were as follows :
" Every able-bodied man from the age of eighteen to thirty-
five years who shall be recruited for the army of the United
States for the term of five years will be paid a bounty of six-
teen dollars ; and whenever he shall have served the term for
which he enlisted, and obtained an honorable discharge, he will
I be allowed, in addition to the aforesaid bounty, three months'
pay and one hundred and sixty acres of land ; and in case ho
' should be killed in action or die in the service his heirs and
j representatives will be entitled to the said three months' pay
and one hundred and sixty acres of land.
J "John Miller, Lieut.
i "Hagerstown, Feb. 18, 1812.
" N.B. — Pay, Five Dollars per month."
I Col. J. P. Boyd,^ one of the heroes of the battle of
Senate, Gen. Saml. Smith voted aye, and Philip Reed voted no.
Those voting in the negative were Federalists; and Philip Bar-
ton Key, of their number, though an American, was a British
officer under half-pay during and for many years succeeding the
war of the Revolution.
I ^ Col. Boyd, then about forty years of age, was born at Bos-
ton, Mass. Having qualified himself for a military life at the
place of his nativity, be emigrated to the East Indies with but
' little more than his sword and his personal bravery. He soon
THE WAR OF 1812.
183
Tippecanoe, visited Hagerstown, Friday, Feb. 28, j
1812, and as a mark of respect due to him for his [
undaunted conduct in that battle a dinner was given
by the citizens. After drinking to seventeen regular
toasts, the following " volunteers" were added:
By Col. Boyd ; 1
"The Militia of Maryland — Energetic Men and Measures."
After Col. Boyd had retired, Maj. O. H. Williams
gave the following :
" Col. John P. Buyd — a hero of Tippecanoe. His services
are recorded in our hearts, and may his example stimulate the
bosom of every soldier."
By Col. John Ragan :
"The New Army—
" Be the sword of our vengeance erected on high,
And forever be it waved for Columbia's woes ;
May its bright, dazzling beam when flash'd to the sky
Be quenched in the blood of her foes."
In leaving the town on his way to the seat of gov-
ernment Col. Boyd was escorted a short distance by
the American Blues and the command of Capt.
Tabbs.
As a rule the county gave a warm support to the
war, aUhough a majority was evidently against its
declaration ; but when once begun the great body of
the people rallied in its favor. Still there were some
who steadily opposed it as unwise and unnecessary.
At a district-meeting of the friends of peace, at New
Windsor, now Carroll County, on July 28, 1812, it
was recommended that each district in the county
appoint a committee to meet in general committee at
the " Washington Hotel," August 12th. Col. Joshua
Gist, Curtis Williams, and John Mittens were ap-
pointed for Westminster. At a similar meeting in
Liberty (Frederick County) District, of which F. B.
Sappington was chairman and Samuel Thomas was
secretary, the following were appointed a committee,
to meet in general committee: Gen. R. Cumming,
Col. Henry Barrick, D. D. Howard, John Duddem,
Joshua Delaplane, Sebastian Groff, Dennis Poole.
Until the third week of August, 1812, the people of
Frederick Town witnessed but little of the war
I movements. On August 17th a troop of cavalry,
enlisted in Virginia and commanded by Capt. White,
obtained a position in the military service there, and rapidly
I rose to the rank of general. In 1802 he returned to America
! with fame, honor, and fortune ; and though rich, sought and
obtained military employment in the service of the United
States. How well he deserved the confidence of his country
I was amply attested by his conduct during Harrison's campaign
I against Tecumseh and the Prophet in the fall of 1811, and the
I war with Great Britain in 1812-14.
passed through en. route to Trenton, N. J. ; and on
the 20th, Capt. Worthington's company of drafted
militia from the town and neighborhood marched for
Annapolis. These men were to supply the place of a
part of the Fifth United States Regiment ordered to
the North. Capt. Worthington was e.scorted out of
town by the companies commanded by Capts. Henry
and Stephen Steiner. On August 25th there arrived
in Frederick the Hagerstown Volunteers, under Capt.
Thomas Quantrill, who two days later left for the
front. They were a part of the State's ((uota ordered
in compliance with the Secretary of War's request
for three hundred and fifty men for the defense of
Annapolis.
Meantime the most strenuous exertions were being
put forth by the executive (Governor Winder) to place
upon a war footing the infantry commands of the
State militia ; also to furnish the State's quota of six
thousand men, and to organize, arm, and equip the
latter ready for service at a moment's warning. Gen.
Samuel Ringgold's Second Brigade of the Third Di-
vision (Maj. Thomas B. Pottiuger, Brigade Inspector)
was at this time composed of Lieut. -Col. David
Schnebly's Eighth Regiment (Majs. John McClain
and Christian Hager), Lieut.-Col. Daniel Malott's
Tenth Regiment, Lieut.-Col. John Ragan's Twenty-
fourth Regiment, and Maj. 0. H. Williams' squadron
of horse, — i.e., the " Blues" and " Hussars." Among
the company commanders of militia infantry were
Capts. Thomas B. Hall (of the " Washington Ran-
gers"), David Cushwa, Joseph Hunter, Wherritt,
Stonebraker, Miller, Stevens, Chapline, Lewis, and
Blackford.
Volunteering progressed favorably during the sprifig
and summer mouths of 1812, and the quota of Wash-
ington County was filled without resorting to a draft.
On Monday, Aug. 21:, 1812, the •' Homespun Volun-
teers" of Hagerstown, under command of Capt.
Thomas Quantrill, marched en route to Fort Madison,
Annapolis, escorted for several miles by Capt. Tabbs'
troop (the " Blues") and many enthusiastic citizens;
and on the 31st of the same month Capt. Parker's
detachment of United States troops passed through
VVilliamsport and Hagerstown on their march to Al-
bany, N. Y. They viere/eted at Williamsport, Gen.
Samuel Ringgold, Col. Frisby Tilghman, and Capt.
E. G. Williams forming the reception committee, and
the " Hussars" doing escort duty. The general gov-
ernment was then concentrating all of its available
regular force on the Canadian frontier, and in April,
1813, a detachment of three hundred and twelve reg-
ulars from Virginia, under command of Lieut.-Col.
James Preston, passed through Hagerstown on their
184
HISTORY OP WESTERN MARYLAND.
march to Black Rock, in the vicinity of Buffalo,
N. Y.
In March, 1813, Maj. Williams' squadron, the
" Blues" and the " Hussars," were ordered to Annap-
olis, where they performed duty for a brief period ;
and in May of the same year companies of volunteers,
under the command of Capt. Wherritt, of Funks-
town, Capt. Miller, of Sharpsburg, Capt. Stevens, of
Hancock, and Capt. Bell, of Allegany County, pro-
ceeded to Baltimore.
On May 8, 1813, Capt. Steiner's artillery and Capt.
Dawson's infantry companies left Frederick for Balti-
more to aid in the defense of that city, then threat-
ened by the British. Two days previous Capt. Plant's
rifle and Capt. Samuel Ogle's infantry companies had
gone to the same rendezvous. On the 9th two other
companies from Washington and Allegany Counties
pas.sed through Frederick for Baltimore. On the 7th
thirteen wagons loaded with specie arrived at Fred-
erick from Baltimore. On the 16th of May thirty-
seven regulars left Frederick under Ensign W. G.
Shade, who had all been recruited in the county. On
May 19th about a hundred militia from various parts of
Frederick County went to Annapolis. On the 3d of
July a general discharge took place of the troops called
for the defense of Baltimore, who were highly ex-
tolled in a general order, particularly Capt. Henry
Steiner's company of artillery, which arrived home on
the 5th. On the 6th the companies of Capt. Samuel
Dawson and of Capt. Miller, of Sharpsburg, and also
most of the troops of Washington and Allegany
Counties, returned. On the 16th of September, Capt.
Marker's fine company of " Mountain Rangers," which
had been summoned to Annapolis, passed through
Frederick en route home. On October 21st there was
a grand illumination in Frederick in honor of the
victory of the American arms in Canada. In 1814
the entire militia of the county went again to the de-
fense of Baltimore, and many participated in the
bloody engagement at North Point. Large numbers
of the citizens of Frederick County entered the reg-
ular service of the United States, and served with
honor on the Western frontiers and the Canada line.'
While these events were transpiring in the State
the sons of Western Maryland were winning fame on
the Canadian frontier. The projected invasion of
Canada in 1812 resulted in the battle of Queenstown,
in which the Maryland troops under Col. Winder
bore a conspicuous part. The expedition resulted in
a failure, however, which Gen. Smythe attempted to
atone for by organizing another for the same object.
He gave orders on the 25th of November, 1812, for
" the whole army to be ready to march at a moment's
warning" Everything being in readiness, an ad-
vance was embarked near Buffalo, in two divisions, at
three o'clock on the morning of the 29th.
The first division, under the command of Lieut.-Col.
Charles G. Boerstler,^ with about two hundred men of
Col. Winder's regiment, in eleven boats, was to cross
the river at a point about five miles below Fort Erie,
capture the guard stationed there, kill or take the ar-
tillery horses, and with the prisoners, if any, return to
the American shore. The second division was under
the command of Capt. King, wTio with one hundred
and fifty regular soldiers, and seventy sailors under
Lieut. Angus, in ten boats, was to cross higher up the
river at the " Red House," and storm the British
batteries. Col. Winder was to remain on the Ameri-
can side to give directions.
At the appointed hour the boats started for their
respective destinations. King's division, when within
about a quarter of a mile from the shore, was discov-
ered by the enemy, who opened upon him with such
good effect as to compel six of his boats to return.
The other four made good their landing, and forth-
with carried the British batteries by storm. But the
enemy came upon them from distant stations, and
with no more help from Gen. Smythe, these gallant
men were soon overpowered, Sailing-master Watts
killed, and their commander taken prisoner, the rest
getting back to the American side of the river in great
confusion.
Col. Boerstler and his party mean time had been
placed in great danger. The firing upon King had
aroused the enemy all along the river-bank, and they
were moving rapidly to the attack. Mr. Lossing, the
historian, in his account of this movement, says, —
*' Boerstler's boats became separated in the darkness. Seven
of them landed above the bridge to be destroyed, while four
others that approached the designated landing-place were
driven off by a party of the enemy. Boerstler landed boldly
alone, under fire from a foe of unknown numbers, and drove ij
them to the bridge at the point of the bayonet. Orders were <|
then given for the destruction of that structure, but owing to
the confusion at the time of landing, the axes had been left in
the boats. The bridge was only partially destroyed, and one
great object of this advance party of the invading army was
not accomplished.
" Boerstler was about to return to his boats and recross the.
river, because of the evident concentration of troops to that
point in overwhelming numbers, when he was compelled to
form his lines for immediate battle. Intelligence came from
the commander of the boat-guard that they had captured two
1 Middletown contributed a fine company of volunteers under I 2 jje was a son of Dr. Christian Boerstler, of Funkstown, and
Capt. Jacob Alexander. died while stationed at New Orleans, La., Nov. 21, 1817.
THE WAR OF 1812.
185
British soldiers, woo informed tliein that the whole garrison at
Fort Erie was approaching, and that the advance guard was
not five minutes distant. This intelligence was correct. Dark-
ness covered everything, and Boerstler resorted to stratagem
when ho heard the tranij) of the approaching foe. He gave
commanding orders in a loud voice, addressing his subordinates
as field-ofKcers. The British were deceived. They believed
the Americans to be in much greater force than they really
were. A collision immediately ensued in the gloom. Boer-
stler ordered the discharge of a single volley, and then a bayo-
net charge. The enemy broke and fled in confusion, and Boer-
stler recrossed the river without annoyance."
Disaster awaited the gallant Boerstler, however, for
in June, 1813, he encountered an overwhelming force
of the enemy at Beaver Dam, Canada, and after an
engagement of three hours' duration was forced to
surrender, or sacrifice the lives of the survivors of his
brave command. The following letter, written the day
after the fight, and addressed to his father, will prove
interesting :
" Head of Lake Ontario,
"Upper Canada, June 25, 1813.
"Dear Father,- — It becomes my unfortunate lot to inform
yuu that yesterday I was taken prisoner with a detachment
under my command amoimting to near five hundred men, after
an engagement of about throe hours. I lost not many killed,
about forty wounded, and five or six officers, — myself a flesh-
wound of no consequence. I am on my way to Kingston, and
shall write to you every opportunity. The officers under my
command must say whether your son did his duty. I need
only state to you that I was se\enteen miles from Fort George,
and surrounded on all sides by more than my numbers, and the
enemy's force increasing, while mine was constantly diminish-
ing ; ammunition nearly exhausted, men wearied with a march
of ten miles without a mouthful of refreshment; then the en-
gagement, and then to fight our way back the whole distance
surrounded by woods filled with Indians. On the score of hu-
manity I determined to capitulate, as it was extremely doubt-
ful whether a man of us would reach Fort George. What I say
above will be sufficient for youj my country must apply to
those under my command.
*' Your son,
" Charles.
" Col. Scott will please seal and forward the above."
"Dear Sir, — I pray you to believe that your son is not
condemned for being unfortunate.
" Respectfully, sir,
■"Your most obed't scrv't,
" W. Scott.
"Dr. C. Boerstler."
On the 20th of July, 1813, the Buffalo Gazette
i published the following account of Col. Boerstler's
fight at Beaver Dam :
"On Wednesday night last, Maj. G. Chapin arrived in this
village, having, together with his company, escaped from the
enemy on Monday preceding. The major has given us the
following narration of the action at Beaver Dam, which we now
lay before the public.
" On the 23d of June last a party of the regular troops, consist-
ing of five hundred infantry and twenty light dragoons, under
the command of Lieut. -Col. C. G. Boerstler, together with forty-
four mounted riflemen, composed of militia from the country,
under Maj. Chapin, were detached from the American encamp-
ment at Fort George, for the purposoof cutting oft' the su)>plie.s
of the enemy, and breaking up the small encampments they
were forming through the country. On the 24th, about nine
miles west of Queenstown, they wore attacked by a body of above
five hundred Indians and nearly one hundred British regulars,
who lay concealed in the woods near the road they were pass-
ing. The attack commenced on the dragoons, who were placed
in the rear. The infantry was soon brought into a position to
return the enemy's fire to advantage, and succeeded in driving
them some distance into the woods.
" In a short time the Indians, having taken a circuitous
route, appeared in front, and opened a fire upon the mounted
riflemen who were stationed there. Here they uiet with so
warm a reception that they were conipelled a second time to re-
treat in much haste. After this every exertion was made to
draw the Indians from the woods to the open ground, but with-
out much effect. The few who were bold enough to venture
were handled so roughly that they soon returned to their lurk-
ing-places. Meanwhile the encuiy were receiving considerable
reinforcements, which at length gave them a grejit superiority.
A retreat for a short distance was ordered, and effected with
very little loss. The Indians soon made their appearance upon
our right and left, the British regulars and some Canadian
militia in front. Our troops were formed into close columns
for the purpose of opening themselves a way through the
enemy's lines with their bayonets.
" At this juncture a British officer rode up and demanded the
surrender of the American party. The demand was made, he
said, to prevent the further effusion of blood. He asserted
upon his honor, and declared in the most solemn manner, that
the British regular force was double that of the American, and
that the Indians were seven hundred in number. Lieut. -Col.
Boerstler, under a belief of these facts, and thinking it imprac-
ticable to get off" the wounded, whom he was unwilling to
abandon to the mercy of the savages, and deeming it extremely
uncertain whether a retreat could be effected, thought proper
to agree to terms of capitulation, which were at length signed
by himself on the one part, and Lieut. Bishop on the other.
By these it was stipulated that the wounded should betaken
good care of, the officers permitted to retain their side-arms,
private property to be respected, and the militia j)ermitted to
return home immediately.
" The articles of capitulation were no sooner signed than they
were violated. The Indians immediately commenced their
depredations, and plundered the officers of their side-arms.
The soldiers, too, were stripped of every article of clothing to
which the savages took a fancy, such as hats, coats, shoes, etc.
It is impossible to give any correct account of the killed and
wounded, as the enemy did not furnish a list. The loss of the
enemy is supposed to be much greater than ours. Between
thirty and forty Indians were counted that lay dead on the
field, and from their known practice of carrying off their killed
and ivounded, it is believed they have suffered severely.
" The regular troops were in a few days sent (o Kingston,
from whence it is probable they have proceeded to Quebec.
"Maj. Chapin and his corps were detained under guard at
the head of Lake Ontario, and no attention paid to that article
of capitulation which provided for their being paroled. On
the 12th instant they were ordered down the lake to Kingston,
for which place they were embarked in two boats, accompanied
by a guard of fifteen men under a lieutenant. Thirteen of the
guard, with the lieutenant, were stationed in the forward boat
with Maj. Chapin and the other officers, while the remaining
two (a sergeant and one private) took the direction of the other
186
HISTORY OP WESTERN MARYLAND.
boat which contained the soldiers. An agreement bad been en-
tered into by the prisoners — previous to their departure — of
seizing the first opportunity that offered to regain their liberty,
which they determined to effect or die in the attempt.
"When they were within twelve miles of York (now known
as Toronto), the boat which was filled with the prisoners was
rowed by them alongside the other, under pretence of taking
something to drink. The signal being given they sprang upon
the guard, who little expected such a manceuvre, and in a mo-
ment disarmed them and gained possession of the boats. They
immediately changed their course from Kingston to Fort Ni-
agara, and after rowing hard for most of the night, and with
difficulty escaping from one of the enemy's schooners which
gave them chase, arrived in safety with their prisoners at the
American garrison.
" When the major and his company arrived in this village
they were welcomed with many demonstrations of the public
feeling."
Notwithstanding the friendly assurances of Col.
Scott, there were those who basely misrepresented Col.
Boerstler's condtict on the occasion alluded to, and
his character as an officer and soldier was most shame-
fully traduced. That these aspersions upon the name
and fame of a brave and generous spirit were without
foundation, were the emanations of such creatures as
fight best on dress-parade, or of insignificant news-
paper scribblers who never fight, was shown by his
complete exoneration by a court of inquiry, as also by
the following extract from a letter written by an offi-
cer of rank and distinction in the army (and who was
with Col. Boerstler at the time of his surrender) to
his friend and brother-officer in Virginia:
"You have seen, no doubt, in the newspapers an account of
Boerstler's unfortunate affair, and on my return to Fort George
I found to my great mortification that the public prints had
handled him very roughly. Never was there a man more un-
justly censured. The blame ought to rest with Gen. Dearborn,
who ordered bim to go on so foolish an expedition from the in-
formation he received from lying deserters.
" However, we fought them three hours and twelve minutes
at close action, against almost double our force. Boerstler was
struck with four bullets, one of which wounded him in the
thigh. I was twice in the heat of the action, and my horse re-
ceived two wounds while I was on him, but Providence pro-
tected me. I could not but admire Boerstler's coolness, when,
enveloped in smoke, he rode from right to left encouraging the
men (who, by the by, fought like devils) to charge them; and
as often as we charged did the British and Indijns retreat. At
length, overcome by numbers, having seventy-three killed and
wounded, and knowing we could receive no reinforcements in
time, and being surrounded, the British sent in a tlag demand-
ing us to surrender, which Boerstler peremptorily refused.
" The British officer then offered to let any officer go and
see his force, and pledged his honor that he had double that of
ours. Col. Boerstler sent Karney, who returned, and gave it
as his opinion they had nearly double our force; it was impos-
sible for us to retreat, and if we attempted it our wounded
would be massacred by the Indians. It was then determined,
in a council of war. to surrender. You can guess what was the
mortification of your friend Boerstler and mine at such a time.
Boerstler wished ten thousand bullets through him, and I
wished 1 was in hell."
Returning to the seat of war in the State of Mary-
land, we find that nothing of importance occurred
wherein Western Maryland men were represented
during the remainder of the year 1813. But in
July, 1814, when the British, under Admiral Cock-
burn and Gen. Ross, threatened all points along the
Chesapeake Bay and its adjoining waters. Lieut.-Col.
John Ragan, Jr., with more than one hundred vol-
unteers obtained from the ranks of his regiment (the
Twenty-fourth Militia), marched from Hagerstown to
Baltimore, where he was joined a few days later by
one hundred and twenty more from the same com-
mand. Among the company commanders were Capt.
George Shryock, of Hagerstown, Capt. Gerard Stone-
breaker, of Funkstown, and Capt. Henry Lowry.
Allegany's quota towards filling the State's requi-
sition was readily supplied, there being a consid-
erable degree of enthusiasm manifested. Two com-
panies of infantry were formed in the county, one
under Capt. William McLaughlin, and the other
under Capt. Thomas Blair. The first was made up
in the lower part of the county, while Capt. Blair's
company was composed largely of citizens of Cum-
berland. Capt. McLaughlin's company marched to
Baltimore in August, 1814, and joined the First Regi-
ment of Maryland Militia, under Col. John Ragan,
on the 11th of August, serving until October 13th,
when it was mustered out, returned to the county and
disbanded.
The company formed in Cumberland was made up
of excellent material. By frequent drills it attained
a state of enviable discipline and proficiency. It
marched to Baltimore in the latter part of August,
and was in the service of the government as part of
the national army from Sept. 2 to Nov. 6, 1814,
which time was spent at Camp Diehl near Balti-
more.'
Battle of Bladensburgr.— Early in August, 1814,
Maj. 0. H. Williams' squadron of cavalry (of Col.
Frisby Tilghman's regiment), composed of the Amer-
ican Blues, Capt. Jacob Barr, and the Washington
Hussars, Capt. Edward G. Williams, well mounted,
armed, and equipped, inarched from Hagerstown for
the lower counties. They proceeded first to George-
town, and thence to Washington, D. C., where they
encamped at " Camp Stuart," until a short time be-
fore the battle of Bladensburg. On the 1 6th of Au-
gust two hundred and seventy militia from Allegany
County passed through Hagerstown ni route to Bal-
timore, where they joined Col. Ragan's regiment.
Thus were included, in the commands already men-
1 Lowdermilk, pp. 296-97.
THE WAR OF 1812.
187
tioned, all or nearly all of the volunteers and militia i
from Washington County who participated in the
disastrous " battle of Biadensburpc," which was fought
in the afternoon of Aug. 24, 1814.
Before proceeding to give an account of this battle,
to obviate the necessity of tedious interruptions or
repetitions, we will give a brief description of the
troops which Gen. Winder had collected for the de-
fense of Washington. The first in order were the
troops of the District of
Columbia, composed of
militia and volunteer
companies of Washing-
ton and Georgetown,
formed into two regi-
ments, the first com-
manded by Col.