While the several companies in the city and country were forming, and learning their exercise, the governor prevail'd with me to take charge of our North-western frontier, which was infested by the enemy, and provide for the defense of the inhabitants by raising troops and building a line of forts. I undertook this military business, tho' I did not conceive myself well qualified for it. He gave me a commission with full powers, and a parcel of blank commissions for officers, to be given to whom I thought fit. I had but little difficulty in raising men, having soon five hundred and sixty under my command. My son, who had in the preceding war been an officer in the army rais'd against Canada, was my aid-de-camp, and of great use to me. The Indians had burned Gnadenhut, a village settled by the Moravians, and massacred the inhabitants; but the place was thought a good situation for one of the forts.
While the various companies in the city and countryside were being formed and learning their drills, the governor persuaded me to take charge of our northwestern frontier. It was infested by the enemy. He asked me to provide for the inhabitants' defense by raising troops and building a line of forts. I agreed to take on this military task, though I did not think myself well qualified for it. He gave me a commission with full powers and a packet of blank commissions for officers. I could give them to anyone I thought fit. I had little trouble raising men. Soon I had five hundred and sixty under my command. My son had been an officer in the previous war in the army raised against Canada. He was my aide-de-camp and was very useful to me. The Indians had burned Gnadenhut, a village settled by the Moravians, and had massacred the inhabitants. Still, the site was considered a good location for one of the forts.
Pronounced: Gna´-den-hoot.
In order to march thither, I assembled the companies at Bethlehem, the chief establishment of those people. I was surprised to find it in so good a posture of defense; the destruction of Gnadenhut had made them apprehend danger. The principal buildings were defended by a stockade; they had purchased a quantity of arms and ammunition from New York, and had even plac'd quantities of small paving stones between the windows of their high stone houses, for their women to throw down upon the heads of any Indians that should attempt to force into them. The armed brethren, too, kept watch, and reliev'd as methodically as in any garrison town. In conversation with the bishop, Spangenberg, I mention'd this my surprise; for, knowing they had obtained an act of Parliament exempting them from military duties in the colonies, I had suppos'd they were conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms. He answer'd me that it was not one of their established principles, but that, at the time of their obtaining that act, it was thought to be a principle with many of their people. On this occasion, however, they, to their surprise, found it adopted by but a few. It seems they were either deceiv'd in themselves, or deceiv'd the Parliament; but common sense, aided by present danger, will sometimes be too strong for whimsical opinions.
To march there, I assembled the companies at Bethlehem, the chief settlement of those people. I was surprised to find it so well prepared for defense. The destruction of Gnadenhut had made them fear danger. The principal buildings were protected by a stockade. They had bought a quantity of arms and ammunition from New York. They had even placed piles of small paving stones between the windows of their tall stone houses, for their women to throw down on the heads of any Indians who tried to force their way in. The armed brethren also kept watch and relieved one another as methodically as in any garrison town. In conversation with the bishop, Spangenberg, I mentioned my surprise. I knew they had obtained an act of Parliament exempting them from military duties in the colonies, so I had supposed they had conscientious scruples against bearing arms. He answered that it was not one of their established principles. But at the time they obtained that act, it was thought to be a principle held by many of their people. On this occasion, however, they found to their surprise that only a few held it. It seems they were either deceived about themselves or deceived Parliament. But common sense, aided by present danger, will sometimes be too strong for whimsical opinions.
It was the beginning of January when we set out upon this business of building forts. I sent one detachment toward the Minisink, with instructions to erect one for the security of that upper part of the country, and another to the lower part, with similar instructions; and I concluded to go myself with the rest of my force to Gnadenhut, where a fort was tho't more immediately necessary. The Moravians procur'd me five waggons for our tools, stores, baggage, etc.
At the beginning of January, we began building forts. I sent one detachment toward the Minisink. I gave them orders to build a fort to secure the upper part of the country. I sent another detachment to the lower part with similar orders. I decided to go myself with the rest of my force to Gnadenhut. There a fort seemed more immediately necessary. The Moravians procured five wagons for our tools, stores, baggage, and so on.
Just before we left Bethlehem, eleven farmers, who had been driven from their plantations by the Indians, came to me requesting a supply of firearms, that they might go back and fetch off their cattle. I gave them each a gun with suitable ammunition. We had not march'd many miles before it began to rain, and it continued raining all day; there were no habitations on the road to shelter us, till we arriv'd near night at the house of a German, where, and in his barn, we were all huddled together, as wet as water could make us. It was well we were not attack'd in our march, for our arms were of the most ordinary sort, and our men could not keep their gun locks dry. The Indians are dexterous in contrivances for that purpose, which we had not. They met that day the eleven poor farmers above mentioned, and killed ten of them. The one who escap'd inform'd that his and his companions' guns would not go off, the priming being wet with the rain.
Just before we left Bethlehem, eleven farmers who had been driven from their farms by the Indians came to me and asked for firearms so they could return and fetch their cattle. I gave each of them a gun and suitable ammunition. We had not marched many miles before it began to rain. It continued raining all day. There were no houses on the road to shelter us. Toward evening we arrived at the house of a German. There, and in his barn, we were all huddled together, as wet as water could make us. It was fortunate we were not attacked during the march. Our arms were very ordinary, and our men could not keep their gun locks dry. The Indians were skilled at contrivances for that purpose, which we lacked. That day they met the eleven poor farmers mentioned above and killed ten of them. The one who escaped reported that his and his companions' guns would not go off. The priming had been wet from the rain.
Flint-lock guns were fired by a spark from flint striking steel. The spark ignited the powder (priming) in an open pan.
The next day being fair, we continu'd our march, and arriv'd at the desolated Gnadenhut. There was a saw-mill near, round which were left several piles of boards, with which we soon hutted ourselves; an operation the more necessary at that inclement season, as we had no tents. Our first work was to bury more effectually the dead we found there, who had been half interr'd by the country people.
The next day the weather was fair. We continued our march and arrived at the desolate Gnadenhut. Nearby was a sawmill with several piles of boards left around it. We used those boards to build huts for shelter. This was especially necessary in that harsh season because we had no tents. Our first task was to bury properly the dead we found there. The local people had only half buried them.
The next morning our fort was plann'd and mark'd out, the circumference measuring four hundred and fifty-five feet, which would require as many palisades to be made of trees, one with another, of a foot diameter each. Our axes, of which we had seventy, were immediately set to work to cut down trees, and, our men being dexterous in the use of them, great despatch was made. Seeing the trees fall so fast, I had the curiosity to look at my watch when two men began to cut at a pine; in six minutes they had it upon the ground, and I found it of fourteen inches diameter. Each pine made three palisades of eighteen feet long, pointed at one end. While these were preparing, our other men dug a trench all round, of three feet deep, in which the palisades were to be planted; and, our waggons, the bodys being taken off, and the fore and hind wheels separated by taking out the pin which united the two parts of the perch, we had ten carriages, with two horses each, to bring the palisades from the woods to the spot. When they were set up, our carpenters built a stage of boards all round within, about six feet high, for the men to stand on when to fire thro' the loopholes. We had one swivel gun, which we mounted on one of the angles, and fir'd it as soon as fix'd, to let the Indians know, if any were within hearing, that we had such pieces; and thus our fort, if such a magnificent name may be given to so miserable a stockade, was finish'd in a week, though it rain'd so hard every other day that the men could not work.
The next morning our fort was planned and marked out. The circumference measured four hundred and fifty-five feet. That required as many palisades as feet, made from trees about one foot in diameter each. We had seventy axes, and they were immediately used to cut down trees. Our men were skilled with them, so they worked quickly. Seeing the trees fall so fast, I checked my watch when two men began to cut a pine. In six minutes they had it on the ground. I found it fourteen inches in diameter. Each pine became three palisades, eighteen feet long, pointed at one end. While these were being prepared, the other men dug a trench all around, three feet deep, in which the palisades were to be planted. We prepared our wagons by taking the bodies off and separating the fore and hind wheels by removing the pin that joined the two parts of the perch. This gave us ten carriages, each with two horses, to bring the palisades from the woods to the site. After the palisades were set up, our carpenters built a board platform all around the inside, about six feet high, for the men to stand on to fire through the loopholes. We had one swivel gun. We mounted it on one corner and fired it as soon as it was fixed, to let any Indians within hearing know we had such a piece. Thus our fort, if such a grand name may be given to so miserable a stockade, was finished in a week, though it rained so hard every other day that the men could not work.
The pole that connects the wagon's front and rear wheels.
This gave me occasion to observe, that, when men are employ'd, they are best content'd; for on the days they worked they were good-natur'd and cheerful, and, with the consciousness of having done a good day's work, they spent the evening jollily; but on our idle days they were mutinous and quarrelsome, finding fault with their pork, the bread, etc., and in continual ill-humour, which put me in mind of a sea-captain, whose rule it was to keep his men constantly at work; and, when his mate once told him that they had done everything, and there was nothing further to employ them about, "Oh," says he, "make them scour the anchor."
This made me notice that men are happiest when they are busy. On days they worked they were good-natured and cheerful. Knowing they had done a good day's work, they spent the evening happily. But on idle days they became mutinous and quarrelsome. They found fault with their pork, their bread, and so on. They stayed in a constant bad mood. This reminded me of a sea-captain whose rule was to keep his men constantly at work. Once his mate told him they had done everything and there was nothing left to keep them busy. "Oh," says he, "make them scour the anchor."
This kind of fort, however contemptible, is a sufficient defense against Indians, who have no cannon. Finding ourselves now posted securely, and having a place to retreat to on occasion, we ventur'd out in parties to scour the adjacent country. We met with no Indians, but we found the places on the neighbouring hills where they had lain to watch our proceedings. There was an art in their contrivance of those places that seems worth mention. It being winter, a fire was necessary for them; but a common fire on the surface of the ground would by its light have discover'd their position at a distance. They had therefore dug holes in the ground about three feet diameter, and somewhat deeper; we saw where they had with their hatchets cut off the charcoal from the sides of burnt logs lying in the woods. With these coals they had made small fires in the bottom of the holes, and we observ'd among the weeds and grass the prints of their bodies, made by their laying all round, with their legs hanging down in the holes to keep their feet warm, which, with them, is an essential point. This kind of fire, so manag'd, could not discover them, either by its light, flame, sparks, or even smoke: it appear'd that their number was not great, and it seems they saw we were too many to be attacked by them with prospect of advantage.
This kind of fort, however paltry, is a sufficient defense against Indians, who have no cannon. Now that we were securely posted and had a place to retreat to when needed, we ventured out in parties to search the surrounding country. We met no Indians, but we found the places on the nearby hills where they had lain to watch what we were doing. There was a skill in how they had arranged those places that seems worth mentioning. Since it was winter, they needed a fire. But an ordinary fire on the surface of the ground would have revealed their position from a distance by its light. So they had dug holes in the ground about three feet across and somewhat deeper. We saw where they had cut charcoal with their hatchets from the sides of burnt logs lying in the woods. With these coals they had made small fires at the bottom of the holes. Among the weeds and grass we saw the prints of their bodies, made by their lying all around the holes with their legs hanging down in them to keep their feet warm. For them, warm feet are an essential point. A fire managed this way could not reveal them by its light, flame, sparks, or even smoke. It appeared that their number was not large, and it seems they saw we were too many for them to attack with any hope of advantage.
We had for our chaplain a zealous Presbyterian minister, Mr. Beatty, who complained to me that the men did not generally attend his prayers and exhortations. When they enlisted, they were promised, besides pay and provisions, a gill of rum a day, which was punctually serv'd out to them, half in the morning, and the other half in the evening; and I observed they were as punctual in attending to receive it; upon which I said to Mr. Beatty, "It is, perhaps, below the dignity of your profession to act as steward of the rum, but if you were to deal it out and only just after prayers, you would have them all about you." He liked the tho't, undertook the office, and, with the help of a few hands to measure out the liquor, executed it to satisfaction, and never were prayers more generally and more punctually attended; so that I thought this method preferable to the punishment inflicted by some military laws for non-attendance on divine service.
Our chaplain was a zealous Presbyterian minister named Mr. Beatty. He complained to me that the men usually did not attend his prayers and exhortations. When they enlisted, they were promised, besides pay and provisions, a gill of rum a day. This rum was served to them promptly, half in the morning and half in the evening. I noticed they were just as punctual in coming to receive it. I said to Mr. Beatty, "It might be beneath the dignity of your profession to act as the rum's steward. But if you distributed it right after prayers, they would all gather around you." He liked the idea and took the job. With the help of a few men to measure the liquor, he carried it out to everyone's satisfaction. Prayers were never more widely or more punctually attended. I thought this method better than the punishments some military laws used for non-attendance at divine service.
I had hardly finish'd this business, and got my fort well stor'd with provisions, when I receiv'd a letter from the governor, acquainting me that he had call'd the Assembly, and wished my attendance there, if the posture of affairs on the frontiers was such that my remaining there was no longer necessary. My friends, too, of the Assembly, pressing me by their letters to be, if possible, at the meeting, and my three intended forts being now compleated, and the inhabitants contented to remain on their farms under that protection, I resolved to return; the more willingly, as a New England officer, Colonel Clapham, experienced in Indian war, being on a visit to our establishment, consented to accept the command. I gave him a commission, and, parading the garrison, had it read before them, and introduc'd him to them as an officer who, from his skill in military affairs, was much more fit to command them than myself; and, giving them a little exhortation, took my leave. I was escorted as far as Bethlehem, where I rested a few days to recover from the fatigue I had undergone. The first night, being in a good bed, I could hardly sleep, it was so different from my hard lodging on the floor of our hut at Gnaden wrapt only in a blanket or two.
I had hardly finished this work and stocked the fort with provisions when I received a letter from the governor. He told me he had called the Assembly and wanted me to attend if frontier conditions made my staying unnecessary. My friends in the Assembly also pressed me by letter to be there if possible. My three planned forts were now completed. The settlers were willing to remain on their farms under that protection. So I resolved to return. I was even more willing because Colonel Clapham, a New England officer experienced in Indian warfare, had visited our post. He agreed to accept the command. I gave him a commission and, after parading the garrison, had it read to them. I introduced him as an officer whose military skill made him far better suited to command than I was. I gave them a few words of encouragement and then took my leave. I was escorted as far as Bethlehem. There I rested a few days to recover from the fatigue I had endured. The first night in a good bed I could hardly sleep. It was so different from my hard lodging on the floor of our hut at Gnaden. There I had been wrapped in only a blanket or two.
While at Bethlehem, I inquir'd a little into the practice of the Moravians: some of them had accompanied me, and all were very kind to me. I found they work'd for a common stock, ate at common tables, and slept in common dormitories, great numbers together. In the dormitories I observed loopholes, at certain distances all along just under the ceiling, which I thought judiciously placed for change of air. I was at their church, where I was entertain'd with good musick, the organ being accompanied with violins, hautboys, flutes, clarinets, etc. I understood that their sermons were not usually preached to mixed congregations of men, women, and children, as is our common practice, but that they assembled sometimes the married men, at other times their wives, then the young men, the young women, and the little children, each division by itself. The sermon I heard was to the latter, who came in and were plac'd in rows on benches; the boys under the conduct of a young man, their tutor, and the girls conducted by a young woman. The discourse seem'd well adapted to their capacities, and was delivered in a pleasing, familiar manner, coaxing them, as it were, to be good. They behav'd very orderly, but looked pale and unhealthy, which made me suspect they were kept too much within doors, or not allow'd sufficient exercise.
While at Bethlehem I inquired a little into the practices of the Moravians. Some of them had accompanied me, and all were very kind. I found they worked for a common fund, ate at communal tables, and slept in large communal dormitories. In the dormitories I noticed small openings along the walls just below the ceiling. I thought they were wisely placed for ventilation. I went to their church and heard very good music. The organ was accompanied by violins, oboes, flutes, and clarinets. I learned they did not usually preach to mixed congregations of men, women, and children, as we commonly do. Sometimes they assembled the married men, other times the married women, then the young men, the young women, and the little children. Each group met separately. The sermon I heard was to the children. They came in and were seated in rows on benches. The boys were led by a young man, their tutor, and the girls by a young woman. The talk seemed well suited to their understanding. It was delivered in a pleasant, familiar way, almost coaxing them to be good. They behaved very orderly, but looked pale and unhealthy. That made me suspect they were kept indoors too much or not given enough exercise.
I inquir'd concerning the Moravian marriages, whether the report was true that they were by lot. I was told that lots were us'd only in particular cases; that generally, when a young man found himself dispos'd to marry, he inform'd the elders of his class, who consulted the elder ladies that govern'd the young women. As these elders of the different sexes were well acquainted with the tempers and dispositions of their respective pupils, they could best judge what matches were suitable, and their judgments were generally acquiesc'd in; but if, for example, it should happen that two or three young women were found to be equally proper for the young man, the lot was then recurred to. I objected, if the matches are not made by the mutual choice of the parties, some of them may chance to be very unhappy. "And so they may," answer'd my informer, "if you let the parties chuse for themselves;" which, indeed, I could not deny.
I inquired about Moravian marriages, whether it was true they were decided by lot. I was told that lots were used only in particular cases. Generally, when a young man wanted to marry, he told the elders of his class. They consulted the elder women who supervised the young women. These male and female elders knew the temperaments and dispositions of their charges well. They were therefore best able to judge suitable matches, and people usually accepted their decisions. But if, for example, two or three young women seemed equally suitable for the young man, they used the lot. I objected that if matches are not made by the mutual choice of the couple, some marriages might be unhappy. "And so they may," my informant replied, "if you let the parties choose for themselves." I could not deny that.
Being returned to Philadelphia, I found the association went on swimmingly, the inhabitants that were not Quakers having pretty generally come into it, formed themselves into companies, and chose their captains, lieutenants, and ensigns, according to the new law. Dr. B. visited me, and gave me an account of the pains he had taken to spread a general good liking to the law, and ascribed much to those endeavours. I had had the vanity to ascribe all to my Dialogue; however, not knowing but that he might be in the right, I let him enjoy his opinion, which I take to be generally the best way in such cases. The officers, meeting, chose me to be colonel of the regiment, which I this time accepted. I forget how many companies we had, but we paraded about twelve hundred well-looking men, with a company of artillery, who had been furnished with six brass field-pieces, which they had become so expert in the use of as to fire twelve times in a minute. The first time I reviewed my regiment they accompanied me to my house, and would salute me with some rounds fired before my door, which shook down and broke several glasses of my electrical apparatus. And my new honour proved not much less brittle; for all our commissions were soon after broken by a repeal of the law in England.
When I returned to Philadelphia, I found the association going smoothly. Most residents who were not Quakers had joined it. They formed themselves into companies and chose their captains, lieutenants, and ensigns under the new law. Dr. B. visited me and told me about the efforts he had made to promote the law. He credited those efforts with much of the success. I had been vain enough to credit everything to my Dialogue. But, since he might be right, I let him keep his opinion. Generally, that is the best approach in such cases. When the officers met, they chose me to be colonel of the regiment. This time I accepted. I forget how many companies there were. We mustered about twelve hundred fine-looking men and a company of artillery. They had six brass field pieces. The artillery became so skilled they could fire twelve times in a minute. The first time I reviewed the regiment, they accompanied me to my house. They saluted me with a few rounds fired in front of my door. The shots shook the house and broke several glasses of my electrical apparatus. My new honor proved almost as fragile. Soon after, our commissions were voided by a repeal of the law in England.
During this short time of my colonelship, being about to set out on a journey to Virginia, the officers of my regiment took it into their heads that it would be proper for them to escort me out of town, as far as the Lower Ferry. Just as I was getting on horseback they came to my door, between thirty and forty, mounted, and all in their uniforms. I had not been previously acquainted with the project, or I should have prevented it, being naturally averse to the assuming of state on any occasion; and I was a good deal chagrin'd at their appearance, as I could not avoid their accompanying me. What made it worse was, that, as soon as we began to move, they drew their swords and rode with them naked all the way. Somebody wrote an account of this to the proprietor, and it gave him great offense. No such honour had been paid him when in the province, nor to any of his governors; and he said it was only proper to princes of the blood royal, which may be true for aught I know, who was, and still am, ignorant of the etiquette in such cases.
During this short time as colonel, I was about to set out on a journey to Virginia. The officers of my regiment decided it would be proper to escort me out of town to the Lower Ferry. Just as I was getting on horseback, thirty or forty of them came to my door. They were mounted and all in their uniforms. I had not known about their plan beforehand, or I would have stopped it. I am naturally averse to assuming any pomp or ceremony. I was much chagrined at their appearance because I could not avoid their accompanying me. What made it worse was that, as soon as we began to move, they drew their swords and rode with them drawn the whole way. Someone wrote an account of this to the proprietor, and he was greatly offended. No such honour had been paid him while he was in the province, nor to any of his governors. He said it was only proper to princes of the blood royal. That may be true as far as I know, since I was, and still am, ignorant of the etiquette in such cases.
This silly affair, however, greatly increased his rancour against me, which was before not a little, on account of my conduct in the Assembly respecting the exemption of his estate from taxation, which I had always oppos'd very warmly, and not without severe reflections on his meanness and injustice of contending for it. He accused me to the ministry as being the great obstacle to the King's service, preventing, by my influence in the House, the proper form of the bills for raising money, and he instanced this parade with my officers as a proof of my having an intention to take the government of the province out of his hands by force. He also applied to Sir Everard Fawkener, the postmaster-general, to deprive me of my office; but it had no other effect than to procure from Sir Everard a gentle admonition.
This foolish incident made him much more bitter toward me, although he was already quite angry. He was displeased because of my conduct in the Assembly. I opposed his claim that his estate should be exempt from taxes. I had always strongly opposed that claim. I had not been shy about criticizing him harshly for his stinginess and unfairness. He complained to the ministry that I was the main obstacle to the King's service. He said my influence in the House prevented the revenue bills from taking their proper form. He pointed to this display with my officers as proof. He claimed it showed I intended to seize the provincial government from him by force. He also appealed to Sir Everard Fawkener, the postmaster-general, to have me removed from office. But it only led Sir Everard to give me a mild rebuke.
Notwithstanding the continual wrangle between the governor and the House, in which I, as a member, had so large a share, there still subsisted a civil intercourse between that gentleman and myself, and we never had any personal difference. I have sometimes since thought that his little or no resentment against me, for the answers it was known I drew up to his messages, might be the effect of professional habit, and that, being bred a lawyer, he might consider us both as merely advocates for contending clients in a suit, he for the proprietaries and I for the Assembly. He would, therefore, sometimes call in a friendly way to advise with me on difficult points, and sometimes, tho' not often, take my advice.
There were ongoing disputes between the governor and the House. I, as a member, played a large part in them. Still, the governor and I kept a civil relationship. We never had any personal quarrel. Sometimes I thought his lack of resentment toward me came from professional habit. It was known that I had written the answers to his messages. Trained as a lawyer, he may have seen us as advocates for opposing clients in a case. He represented the proprietaries and I represented the Assembly. Therefore he would sometimes call in a friendly way to consult with me on difficult points. Sometimes, though not often, he would take my advice.
We acted in concert to supply Braddock's army with provisions; and, when the shocking news arrived of his defeat, the governor sent in haste for me, to consult with him on measures for preventing the desertion of the back counties. I forget now the advice I gave; but I think it was, that Dunbar should be written to, and prevail'd with, if possible, to post his troops on the frontiers for their protection, till, by reinforcements from the colonies, he might be able to proceed on the expedition. And, after my return from the frontier, he would have had me undertake the conduct of such an expedition with provincial troops, for the reduction of Fort Duquesne, Dunbar and his men being otherwise employed; and he proposed to commission me as general. I had not so good an opinion of my military abilities as he profess'd to have, and I believe his professions must have exceeded his real sentiments; but probably he might think that my popularity would facilitate the raising of the men, and my influence in Assembly, the grant of money to pay them, and that, perhaps, without taxing the proprietary estate. Finding me not so forward to engage as he expected, the project was dropt, and he soon after left the government, being superseded by Captain Denny.
We worked together to supply Braddock's army with provisions. When the shocking news of his defeat arrived, the governor quickly sent for me to consult about how to prevent people in the outlying counties from deserting. I now forget the exact advice I gave. I think I suggested writing to Dunbar and persuading him, if possible, to post his troops on the frontier to protect those settlements. He could stay there until reinforcements from the colonies arrived, after which he might continue the expedition. After I returned from the frontier, the governor wanted me to lead such an expedition with provincial troops to capture Fort Duquesne. Dunbar and his men would be otherwise occupied. He proposed commissioning me as general. I did not have as high an opinion of my military abilities as he claimed to. I think his claims exceeded his true feelings. He probably thought my popularity would help raise the men. He likely thought my influence in the Assembly would secure the money to pay them, perhaps without taxing the proprietary estate. When I was not as eager to take it on as he expected, the project was dropped. He soon left the government and was replaced by Captain Denny.