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Excerpts from "Historic Shepherdstown"
By Danske Dandridge, 1910
Chapter XVII --- The War In The West
WE HAVE now reached the darkest period of the Revolution. Added to the terrors of British invasion were the alarms caused by outbreaks of marauding bands of hostile Indians, accounts of whose depredations formed the most startling news of the day. They were constantly becoming bolder, and now threatened incursions into the more populous districts. Accordingly, in the spring of 1778, another expedition was set on foot against them, and Berkeley County was called on for her quota of militia to march to Fort Pitt, which was appointed the general rendezvous.
About the year 1774 David Shephard, eldest son of Thomas, the founder of Shepherdstown, removed to what is now Wheeling, W. Va., with his wife and family, taking with him, also, besides some of his friends and neighbors, such as the Mitchells, some of the Van Metres, and Millers, three blacksmiths, and several other mechanics. In March, 1777, Governor Patrick Henry appointed Col. David Shepherd county lieutenant of Ohio County, Virginia. He made Fort Henry his headquarters. This fort was named in honor of Governor Patrick Henry.
Early on the morning of the first of September, 1777, the garrison at Fort Henry was surprised by a party of about three hundred Indians. This attack lasted all day. At night the Indians withdrew.
De Haas, in his "History of Western Virginia," says: "Just before the withdrawal of the enemy, Francis Duke, son-in-law of Colonel Shepherd, rode up to the fort and had almost gained the gate, when an Indian shot him. His death was greatly regretted as he was a brave and generous man and of much service on the frontier. He had been stationed at Beech Bottom block house, as assistant commissary, and getting information of the attack, mounted his horse and rode with all speed to the scene of the operation, here, alas, to meet untimely death. His remains, with those of his brother-in-law, William Shepherd, were interred near where the Northwestern Bank stands (at Wheeling). In consequence of the great loss at Wheeling in September, 1777, and the death of Colonel Shepherd's son and son-in-law, Francis Duke, it was determined in the fall of that year to abandon the place and send the families to Redstone (now Brownsville, Pa.). The fort was accordingly evacuated September 21st, 1777, and soon after the Indians burned it to the ground."
See also Mr. Smythe's book on the Shepherd and Duke Genealogies, pages 309, 310, etc.
William Shepherd, eldest son of Colonel David Shepherd, was killed by the Indians while endeavoring to get into the fort, early on the morning of the first of September. He was running, when his foot caught in a grape vine and threw him, before he could recover the Indians overtook and scalped him. These were Berkeley County men, and closely connected with the history of Shepherdstown.
CHAPTER XVIII
The Expedition To Kentucky
Source: "Historic Shepherdstown" By Danske Dandridge, 1910
Transcribed by K. Torp
ALTHOUGH in every county of every State at this time all the able-bodied men were enrolled in the State militia, yet it is astonishing how few were the soldiers in proportion to the population who fought throughout the Revolution in any capacity. A great many enlisted for a few months only, and, during the rest of the war attended to their private affairs, almost as if peace reigned in the land. Emigration to the west went on throughout a great part of the eight years of struggle, and numerous parties set out on exploring expeditions in search of good lands on which to settle, in spite of the frequent Indian outrages with reports of which the newspapers of the day were filled.
About the first of March, 1779, a company of these venturesome explorers set out from Shepherdstown to make their way, by following "Boone's Trace," to the new country, then called Kentucky County, taking with them a surveyor or two, and probably a guide who had been that difficult and dangerous way before.
In a former volume this expedition has been described at length, so that we will now content ourselves with giving the names of the men who comprised the party. These were Captain William Morgan and his son Ralph; Thomas Swearingen, eldest son of the Thomas Swearingen who established the ferry at Shepherdstown in 1775; Benoni, a younger son of the same gentleman, a venturesome young fellow described as six feet five inches tall, very handsome, and active, a great friend and comrade of Michael Bedinger; Michael Bedinger himself, who, as well as Benoni Swearingen, was employed as a surveyor for the party; John Taylor; John Strode; James Duncan; John Constant; and Samuel Dusee.
In addition to these white men the party had with them two negroes belonging to the Swearingens, who were men of substance.
It is said that their object was to locate lands, in the new territory, but when they reached Boonesborough, after a most singular and fortunate escape from massacre, by losing the trail when a party of Indians passed on the warpath, they found that forted settlement in such a precarious condition for want of defenders, that they decided to remain there and help to protect the women and children who had followed their husbands and fathers into the wilderness.
The adventures of the party were many and interesting, and have been fully told in this writer's "Life of Major Bedinger."
Colonel William Morgan, for so he is usually called, was the oldest man, except one, in the company. He had, in General Braddock's time, been an Indian fighter, spy, and scout, and he was in charge of the expedition. Major Thomas Swearingen must have been nearly, if not quite, as old as Colonel Morgan.
Ralph Morgan never returned to Shepherdstown to live, but married a widow, and established Morgan's Station, in Kentucky.
John Strode also remained in that country. Strode's Station was named for him.
Some of the company, among whom were George Michael Bedinger and his friend, Benoni, returned to Shepherdstown in the fall of that year. In the meantime the company commanded by Captain, afterwards Colonel, Joseph Swearingen was with Washington, and, if we could obtain a muster-roll of this company, no doubt we could discover what many of the men from Shepherdstown were doing at this time. But this we have not, as yet, been able to discover, if indeed, it be in existence.
Major George Michael Bedinger, who returned home in November, 1779, was busily engaged during the following year in taking care of his mother and her family; taking money to headquarters for the benefit of his brother, Henry, who was still a prisoner on Long Island, and in making himself useful in many ways. (This generous young man sold all his patrimony, the farm of 96 acres left him by his father, in order to obtain means to build a town house for his mother and to keep his brother Henry in comfort while he was a prisoner.) Thinking that his mother would be less exposed in the village than upon her farm he bought a lot from Abraham Shepherd in 1780 at the corner of Princess and New Street and built her a house thereon. This is Lot 119 on the map of the town.
The best account we have been able to obtain of the Berkeley County militia at this time is contained in a letter from Colonel John Morrow, one of the three brave Morrow brothers, to Colonel Van Swearingen. From this letter it would appear that Colonel Morrow was now either colonel or lieutenant colonel of the Berkeley County militia. He writes from Shepherdstown to Colonel Van, who lived some miles from that village. This is the first letter we have seen in which the new name, Shepherd's Town, is given to our village.Shepherd's Town, February 29th, 1780. Sir,
I beg to furnish you with a Return of the Men drafted in this County to fulfill the intentions of an Act of Assembly intituled an Act for Obliging the several delinquent Companies and Divisions in the Commonwealth to furnish one Twenty-Fifth man.First Battalion of Berkeley Militia
Capt. Campbell's Company—George Bowers.
Captain Anderson's Company—James Cowing.
Captain Ambrose's Company—Jonathan Market.
Captain Davis's Company—Joseph Cole.Second Battalion of Berkeley Militia
Captain Hance Van Metre's Company—Michael Blue.
Captain Cloak's Company—Moses McCormick and John Blue and Nathan Gilbert.
Captain John Van Metre's Company—Joseph Covenhover and Daniel Filch.
Captain Worthington's Company—George Wright.
I think Captain Gerard had one man draffted out of his Company, tho he is not in the return made me by Colonel Willis.
Captain Lyle made me no return on the day appointed for the draft, but for what reason (I) cannot inform you. Colonel Willis undertook to draft his delinquent divisions separately, but (I) have heard nothing since of what is done. Captain Beeler's letter to me directed you have enclosed, from which you will be able to judge of his excuses for not making a return.
As I had no opportunity of knowing how many delinquent divisions there were in the County therefore (I) cannot assure you that all were draffted, but all were draffted that we could get any return of. As the drafft was made the 22nd day of December last, and they have had so much time, it is likely substitutes will be furnished by the most of them. I have passed substitutes for two of the men drafted out of Captain Cloak's Company, these are on Furlough, untill called for; one of them named Henry Williams is restrained to the bounds of Captain Worthington's Company; the other, named Robert Cole to the bounds of Captain Cloak's Company: their inlistments are enclosed. Some more substitutes have been sworn before me, but (I) have passed and given certificates to none but these two.
The money to pay the Bounty to the men inlisted by Captain John Millan, according to the directions of an act of Assembly intituled an Act for raising a Body of Troops for the defence of the Commonwealth, has been levied on the inhabitants of this County; Captain Millan himself appointed the Collector; his Bond and receipt, with a copy of the Book to him delivered, and the proceeding of the Court Martial with respect to his appointment, and the levying of the money is with the Clerk of the Court.
I viewed and passed 36 of Captain Millan's Militia recruits, and gave him Certificates for them, but thought it unnecessary to take his receipt for them, until the quota of the Company was compleat, or until he received orders to March.
Mr. James McAlister furnishes these men with provisions by my appointment, but none of his accompts' are yet settled, tho' he has been furnished with some money, and (I) expect to be able, in a few days, to furnish him with more, having a draught upon the sheriffs for £10,000 now in my possession for that purpose: so soon as I can collect his Accompts down to this date will lay them before you for your inspection, if you think proper to settle them; and after this accompt is settled, shall furnish you with what Money may remain in my hands.
The last Court Martial held in this County was adjourned to Tuesday the 21st day of March next to be then held at the Court House. I ought to have reported to you sooner upon your coming into the County the situation of affairs that come under your directions as Commanding Officer, but this neglect was merely for want of time, therefor hope you will excuse me.
I am, sir, your Most Obedient
and Very Humble Servant
John Morrow
Colonel Van Swearingen.
This letter is extremely valuable as it gives the names of all the militia captains in old Berkeley, who were Captains Campbell, Anderson, Ambrose, Davis, Hance Van Metre, Cloak, John Van Metre, Worthington, Gerard, Lyle, Millan and Beeler. Nearly all of these are well-known names in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties today.
It also appears that the break of a year in the papers and orders from the War Department was occasioned by the absence of Colonel Van Swearingen. Perhaps he was, during a part of this time, making his report at that office.
The next letter is from Thomas Jefferson, then Governor of Virginia, and is the first of these documents dated from Richmond. It is addressed toThe Lieutenant of Berkeley County.
Richmond, April 19th, 1780.
Sir,
I have heard of the many Murders committed by the Indians in the Counties of Washington, Montgomery, Green Briar, and Kentucky,* (*Kentucky was then called Kentucky County*a part of the State of Virginia.) and in the neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Hostilities so extensive prove a formidable Combination of that kind of enemy. Propositions have been made for Particular Stations of men as a present Safeguard to the Frontiers, but I own that they do not appear to me adequate to the object. All experience has proved that you cannot be defended from the Savages but by carrying the War home to themselves, and Striking decisive Blows. It is therefore my opinion that instead of Putting our Frontier Inhabitants under the fallacious Idea of Security; an expedition must be instantly undertaken into the Indian Country. Want of full Information of the facts which have happened, of the Particular Nations and Numbers confederated against us, put it out of my Power to direct the minute Parts of such an Expedition, or to Point it to its Precise Object. Such a plan laid here would probably be rendered abortive by difficulties in the article of provision; ill-adjusted times, and plans of Rendezvous ; and unforeseen events & circumstances, which, if to be explained and amended here from Time to Time, the evil will have had its course while we are contriving how to ward it off. I can therefore only undertake to Authorise such an Expedition, and put it into a Train for Execution. For this purpose I have desired the County Lieutenants of Washington, Montgomery, Botetourt, Rockbridge, & Green Briar (the Counties Principally exposed) to meet at Botetourt Court House on the 18th Day of the ensuing Month of May, to concert an Expedition against The Offending Tribes, to be carried on by the joint Militia of their Counties: I must in like manner desire you to meet the County Lieutenants of Augusta, Rockbridge, Shenandoah, Frederick and Hampshire, at Shenandoah Court House, on the 29th Day of May for the same Purpose. This meeting is appointed so long after that of the Officers of the Southwestern quarter, that they may have time to send to you the result of their deliberations. Having these before you I shall not doubt but you will so concert yours as to co-operate with them in the most effective manner, whether that be by concurring in the same expedition, or carrying on a distinct one—and of your Proceedings be Pleased to return them information: The Objects of your enquiry and Deliberation when you Assemble will be First:—The Particular tribes who have committed hostilities: their Number and residence. 2ndly: The Proportion of your Militia Necessary to encounter them. 3rdly: The officers who shall take command, and also proper staff Officers. 4thly: Supplies of Provisions and Ammunition. 5thly: Times and Places of Rendezvouse:—when everything shall have been settled by your meeting be pleased to send on by Express the Letters to the County Lieutenants of Yohogania, Monongalia, and Ohio, giving them Information of the Aids which you shall hope to receive from them. I hope you will see the Propriety of my setting this matter in motion in the Southwestern Quarter first. This has been occasioned by their Neighborhood to the scene of danger, and their opportunity of knowing the Nations and number of the enemy, and not from any want of equal Confidence in your Zeal, Activity, and Wisdom. I am quite uncertain where Major Slaughter is. Probably he has, by this time, got to the Falls of the Ohio. Any aid he can give I trust he will do, on your forwarding to him my Letter, lodged with Col. Matthew. It is my duty to affix some bounds to the Numbers to be embodied on this Occasion, on Considering the Strength of the iMilitia in the Counties before-mentioned and the Probable numbers of the enemy, I suppose it will not cramp your efforts when I restrain your numbers to one tenth of the Militia. Indeed I expect you will consider a much smaller number, Perhaps half As many, Sufficient, more especially when the difficulties of getting provisions and the Delays Occasioned by encreased Numbers are Maturely weighed by you. The Poverty of the Treasury, moreover, will require in you the Strictest attention to economy. This obliges me to enjoin you to retrench every Possible article of Expence, to avoid the Combersome Parade of Regular Troops, and the long list of sinecure appointments usual in the staff departments. Consolidate together as many of those appointments as you can, and put them into active hands. There are Standing Commissaries in the Southwestern and Northwestern Quarters. The former is a Mr. Baker of Washington,* (*Washington County.) the latter is in the neighborhood of Winchester, and was instructed to convey his provisions to Pittsburg. These Persons are Quarter Masters at the same time, and the Provisions laid in by them will be subject, the latter to the order of your Commanding Officer, the former to the order of that of the Commanding Officer from the Southwestern Counties. Besides this, at the Particular request of Col. Donnally of Green Briar I send him seven thousand Pounds to Procure Provisions in His Quarter.
I shall immediately order 2000 Ibs of Powder and 2000 Flints to Staunton for the general Service, from which place you will call for what is necessary for your Corps: I enclose to Col. Preston an order for Lead: it might be Premature to speake of the Terms of Peace but if events will justify it the only condition with the shawanese should be their removal beyond the Mississippi, or the Lakes, and with the other Tribes whatever may most effectually Secure their observation of the Treaty. We have been too long diverted by Humanity from enforcing good behaviour by Severe Chastisement. Savages are to be Curbed by fear only: We are not in a condition to Repeat Expensive Expeditions against them and I hope the Business will now be done so as not to necessitate doing it again, and that instead of making Peace on their first Application you will only make it after such [torn off] Shall be felt and Remembered by them as long as they [torn] a Nation.
I am sir your very humble servt
Th Jefferson.This wordy epistle did not have the desired effect. Jefferson was always mightier with the pen than the sword. His knowledge of military matters was small, and he trusted to his Council to decide the most efficient measures to take for the protection of the frontiers, now greatly harassed by the Indians. The next bulletin from him to the county lieutenant is as follows :
Richmond, June 21st, 1780.
Sir
It having been reported impracticable for want of provisions to carry into execution the expedition proposed against the Indians the Executive have adapted the defensive plan which you will find explained in the within advice of counsel. As you will readily collect from it the part which is to be carried into execution by your County, I have only to desire that you will immediately take measures for executing your part, as circumstances may render it proper for the men from the different Counties to move together. I would recommend to you a correspondence with the Lieutenants of the other Counties connected in measures with yours. Powder and some Lead shall be sent by Col. Crockett, and more of the latter article by an escort immediately from the Lead Mines to Kentucky, to be delivered by the commanding Officers of the several Posts in the following proportion [torn]
400 powder, 800 lead.
Licking 800 Powder, 1600 Lead.
Kelly's 100 Powder, 200 Lead.
Little Kenhaway 200 Powder, 400 Lead.
It is taken for granted that the Militia will carry their own arms in their hands.
I am sir
your humble servt
Th. Jefferson.To the Same in Council June 26th 1780
That the Militia called to the several stations on the Western Frontiers may be formed into Companies commanded by officers of proper rank the Governor is advised to recommend to the County Lieutenants and for their respective Counties the following officers: Botetourt, A Captain. Rockbridge, First Lieutenant. Green Briar One Ensign. Berkely One Captain, One Ensign, and it is recommended to the County Lieutenants of Frederick and Berkeley to consult and assist the officers to their proportion of men so as to form one Company.
Archibald Blair, C. C.
Augusta County is to furnish one Captain and one Ensign and Berkeley one Lieutenant in addition.
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