BATTLE OF MINISINK

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July 18, 2003

Colonials took bloody beating at Battle of Minisink

   By John Conway
   For the Times Herald-Record

   On July 20, 1779, Joseph Brant, Mohawk chief and British Army colonel, led a raiding party of Indians and Tories against the settlement at Minisink, near present-day Port Jervis.
   Brant, an astute military tactician, had learned that a Colonial Army detachment under Count Pulaski, which had been assigned to defend the sparse settlements in the Mamakating, Neversink and Delaware valleys, had been re-deployed elsewhere, leaving the area largely unprotected. Brant's objective was to gather livestock, produce and whatever other provisions he could find and stockpile them in order to help the British and their Indian allies camped out in the Susquehanna Valley survive the following winter. If he could devastate and demoralize the settlers and distract the Colonials from their fight with the regular British Army, all the better.
   Having completed the raid, plundering and burning homes, killing the men and dispersing the women and children, Brant and his men took their bounty and returned northward, along the Delaware, on their way back to the Susquehanna.
   Word of the raiding party soon reached Goshen, where the call went out for the militia to gather under the leadership of a local physician, Col. Benjamin Tusten.
   After hotly deliberating the merits of engaging the marauders in combat, Tusten and 149 men – merchants, farmers and clerks, and what James Eldridge Quinlan later described as "some of the principal gentlemen of the county" – set out the next day in pursuit of their quarry.
   "Colonel Tusten was opposed to risking an encounter with the subtle Mohawk chief with so feeble a command," Quinlan wrote, "especially as the enemy was known to be greatly superior to them in numbers. The Americans were not well provided with arms and ammunition, and it was wise to wait for reinforcements. "Others, however, were for immediate pursuit. They held the Indians in contempt, insisted that they would not fight, and declared that a recapture of the plunder was an easy achievement.
   "The excited militia men took up their line of march, and followed the old Kathegton (Cochecton) trail 17 miles, when they encamped at Skinner's mill, near Haggie's Pond, about three miles from the mouth of Halfway Brook." The following morning, July 22, 1779, Tusten and his men, bolstered by a contingent from Warwick under the command of Col. John Hathorn, finally confronted Brant on the banks of the Delaware just above present-day Barryville.
   Almost immediately, Brant deftly cut the militia's force in two and an epic battle ensued on a hilltop overlooking the river.
   Ammunition was soon depleted, and the combat was reduced to hand-to-hand, with the Mohawks and Tories getting much the better of it. The militia was routed, and nearly all of those who stayed and fought were killed, including Tusten.
   Following the bloody daylong battle, Brant and his remaining men forded the river and continued on their journey. They somehow managed to avoid the severe retribution for their actions administered a few weeks later by Gen. John Sullivan and his army of 3,000, who swept through Wawarsing, Mamakating and Deerpark, through Easton and Tioga Point, and destroyed anything Iroquois they encountered along the way.
   The remains of those slain on that desolate Barryville hilltop in what forever after would be known as the Battle of Minisink were not afforded a proper burial. Quinlan wrote that "for 43 years the bones of those who had been slain on the banks of the Delaware were permitted to molder on the battle ground. But one attempt had been made to gather them, and that was by the widows of the slaughtered men, of whom there were 33 in the Presbyterian congregation of Goshen. They set out for the place of battle on horseback, but finding the journey too hazardous, they hired a man to perform the pious duty, who proved unfaithful and never returned."
   Finally, in 1822, "a committee was appointed to collect the remains and to ascertain the names of the fallen. The committee proceeded to the battle ground, a distance of 46 miles from Goshen, and viewed some of the frightful elevations and descents over which the militia had passed when pursuing the red marauders. The place where the conflict occurred, and the region for several miles around, were carefully examined and the relics of the honored dead gathered with pious care. The remains were taken to Goshen, where they were buried in the presence of 15,000 persons."
   A monument was erected to mark the mass grave, upon which was inscribed the names of the 44 men killed in the battle.
   Unfortunately, as meticulous as the search for remains had been, only 300 bones were recovered, far fewer than had been expected. Nature and the denizens of the forest had no doubt disposed of the rest.
   This sad occurrence moved the Monticello poet Alfred B. Street to write in the final stanza of his 10-stanza commemorative of the battle:
    "Years have pass'd by, the merry bee
    Hums round the laurel flowers,
    The mock-bird pours its melody
    Amid the forest bowers;
    A skull is at my feet, though now
    The wild rose wreathes its bony brow,
    Relic of other hours,
    It bids the wandering pilgrim think
    Of those who died at Minisink."

   John Conway is the Sullivan County historian and an adjunct professor of history at Sullivan County Community College in Loch Sheldrake. He lives in Barryville.

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Minisink Battle

Brant and his fighting men were the scourge of the Shawangunk region during the entire War of the Revolution. His name was a terror to the inhabitants of that locality; and deeds of blood and cruelty, performed by him and under his direction, are told to this day that are too harrowing for belief.

   Historians differ as to whether Col. Joseph Brant was a half-breed or a pure-blood Mohawk. The traits of character developed in his career would seem to indicate the latter as being nearer the truth. He had one sister, Molly, who became the leman of Sir William Johnson. Brant was placed, through the influence of Sir William, at a school in Lebanon, Connecticut, where the lad was educated for the Christian ministry. It would appear, however, he adopted an entirely different mode of life. At the age of twenty he became the secretary and agent of Sir William, through whose influence he was induced to espouse the cause of Great Britain in the revolutionary trouble that was brewing. Through the same influence he was created a Colonel of the British army; and by reason of his birth was a warrior-chief of the Iroquois. Having had the advantages of a liberal education, he became, in consequence, an influential personage among them, and was treated with much consideration by the British monarch. He organized and sent forth the predatory bands of Indians which devastated the frontier from the Water-Gap to the Mohawk river. Some of these irruptions he commanded in person, particularly those which visited Wawarsing (Ulster county) and Minisink. In 1780 he boasted that the Esopus border was his old fighting ground.

   His personal appearance is thus described: “He was good looking, of fierce aspect, tall, and rather spare, and well-spoken. He wore moccasins elegantly trimmed with beads, leggings, and a breech-cloth of superfine blue, a short, green coat with two silver epaulets, and a small, round laced hat. By his side was an elegant, silver-mounted cutlass; and his blanket of blue cloth (purposely dropped in the chair on which he sat, to display his epaulets) was gorgeously adorned with a border of red.”

    Brant has been denounced as an inhuman wretch. Even an English author attributes to him the atrocities of Wyoming. Although in battle he generally gave full scope to the murderous propensities of his followers, it cannot be denied be endeavored to mitigate the horrors of war whenever he could do so without destroying his influence with his own race.

    During the summer of 1779, Brant with about three hundred Iroquois warriors set out from Niagara. About the middle of July they appeared on the heights on the west of Minisink, like a dark cloud hanging on the mountain tops, ready to break upon the plain below. Just before daylight, on the morning of the 20th, the inhabitants of the valley were awakened from their slumbers by the crackling of the flames of their dwellings. Cries of dismay, the shrieks of the victims of the tomahawk and scalping knife, and the war-whoop of the savages, broke the morning air in all their terror. Some managed to escape to the woods with their wives and children, and some to the blockhouses. The savages and Tories plundered, burned and killed as they were disposed.

After destroying twenty-one dwellings and barns, together with the old Mamachamack church and a grist-mill, and killing an unknown number of patriots, the enemy disappeared loaded with spoil. They did not attack any of the block-houses, for which the red men entertained a wholesome fear.
    On the evening of the same day Col. Tusten, of Goshen, received intelligence by an express of the events of the morning. He immediately issued orders to the officers of his command to meet him the following morning (the 21st) with as many volunteers as they could raise. One hundred and forty-nine men were at the place of rendezvous at the appointed time.

    A council of war was held to consider the expediency of pursuit. Col. Tusten was opposed to risking an encounter with the noted Mohawk chief, especially as his followers outnumbered the Goshen militia, two to one. Besides the militiamen were not well supplied with arms arid ammunition, and the Colonel counseled that they wait for reinforcements which were certain to arrive. Others, however, were for immediate pursuit. They affected to hold the Indians in contempt; and declared that they would not fight, and that a recapture of the plunder was an easy achievement. The counsels of reckless bravery, untempered by reason and intelligence, are not always wisest to follow.   The deliberations were cut short by Major Meeker, who, mounting his horse and flourishing his sword, vauntingly called out-`Let the brave men follow me; the cowards may stay behind!”

This appeal decided the question; it silenced the prudent. The line of march was immediately taken up, following the old Cochecton trail seventeen miles, where they encamped at Skinner's mill.

    The pursuit was commenced some time in the night. Tradition and the testimony of old papers show that the party reached the house of James Finch, at what is now Finchville, where they took breakfast. Mr. Finch slaughtered a hog, which he roasted and served up to his guests. The patriots partook of a hurried meal, gathered up the fragments of the hog into their knapsacks, and continued their march over the mountain. They told Mr. Finch not to accompany them, but to stay and have dinner ready for them on their return, as they would be gone but a few hours. Their way led them along the depression where the present highway is laid, past the burial ground where the dead of the settlement were formerly buried; and from the summit of the pass nearly half of their number took their last view of the eastern slopes.

Crossing the mountain, they reached the house of Major Decker, then pushed on over an Indian trail seventeen miles further. How many of our strongest men, in these effeminate days, could endure such a tramp, encumbered with guns and knapsacks?
   On the morning of the 22nd they were joined by a small reinforcement of the Warwick regiment under Col. Hathorn, who, as the senior of Tusten, took the command. At Halfway brook they came upon the Indian encampment of the previous night, and another council was held. Colonels Hathorn, Tusten and others were opposed to advancing further, as the number of Indian fires, and the extent of ground the enemy had occupied were conclusive evidence of the superiority of Brant's force. A scene similar to that which had broken up the former council was here enacted, with the same results. The voice of prudence had less influence than the voice of bravado. It is said that the officer to whose tauntings this last rash act is attributed made quite a display of his bravery while on the march, but, with his company, was only within hearing while the engagement lasted, and could not be induced to go to the relief of his countrymen.

    It was evident that Brant was not far in advance, and it was important to know whether he intended to cross the Delaware at the usual fording-place. Captains Tyler and Cuddeback, both of whom had some knowledge of the woods, were sent forward with a small scouting party to reconnoitre Brant's movements. What they saw led them to think Brant had already crossed, as there were savages and plunder on the opposite shore, and an Indian was then passing over, mounted on a horse that had been stolen from Major Decker. The two scouts fired at this fellow, and, it is said, wounded him fatally. But they were immediately shot at by some savages in their rear, and Capt. Tyler fell dead. Cuddeback succeeded in reaching tne main body of tne militiamen, and reported what he had seen and heard. Tyler's death caused a profound sensation among his fellow soldiers, but it only served to add fierceness to their determination.

After leaving the mouth of the Halfway brook* (now Barryville) it is believed that Brant followed the river bank to the Lackawaxen ford, to which he had sent his plunder in advance. Hathorn resolved to intercept him at the crossing, and to do so attempted to reach the ford first by a rapid march over the high ground east of the river. As they approached the ground on which the battle was fought, Brant was seen deliberately marching toward the ford. Owing to intervening woods and hills, the belligerents lost sight of each other, when Brant wheeled to the right and passed up a ravine known as Dry brook, over which Hathorn `s route lay. By this stratagem, Brant was enabled to throw himself into Hathorn `s rear, cutting off a portion of Hathorn `s command, deliberately selecting his ground for a battle, and forming an ambuscade.
   The battle-ground, says Quinlan, is situated on the crest of a hill, half a mile northeasterly from the Dry brook at its nearest point, three miles distant from Barryville and one from Lackawaxen. The hill has an altitude of twenty-five or thirty feet above its base, and two hundred above the Delaware, and descends east, west and south, while there is a nearly level plateau extending toward the north. This level ground is rimmed (particularly on the south side) with an irregular and broken ground of rocks. On that part of the ground nearest the river the Americans were hemmed in, and caught like rats in a trap.

   The battle commenced at nine in the morning. Before a gun was fired, Brant appeared in full view of the Americans, told them his force was superior to theirs, and demanded their surrender, promising them protection. While engaged in parley, he was shot at by one of the militiamen, the ball passing through Brant's belt. The warrior thereupon withdrew and joined his men.

   The battle commenced at nine in the morning. Before a gun was fired, Brant appeared in full view of the Americans, told them his force was superior to theirs, and demanded their surrender, promising them protection. While engaged in parley, he was shot at by one of the militiamen, the ball passing through Brant's belt. The warrior thereupon withdrew and joined his men.

The battle opened and the forces were soon engaged in deadly conflict. Above the din of the strife, the voice of Brant was heard, in tones never to be forgotten by those, who survived, giving orders for the return of those who were on the opposite side of the river.
   A part of the Americans kept the savages in check on the north side of the battle-ground, while others threw up hastily a breastwork of stones about one hundred and fifty feet from the ledge which terminated the southern extremity of the plateau. Confined to about an acre of ground, screened by trees, rocks, fiat stones turned on their edges, or whatever opportunity offered or exigency demanded, were ninety brave men, who, without water, and surrounded by a host of howling savages, fought from ten o'clock to near sundown on a sultry July day.

The disposition of the militia, and the effectual manner in which every assailable point was defended, reflects credit on the mind that controlled them. By direction of Hathorn there was no useless firing. Ammunition was short, and it was necessary to husband it carefully. A gun discharged in any quarter revealed the position of its possessor, and left him exposed until he could reload. With the exceptions indicated, every man fought in the Indian mode, each for himself, firing as opportunity offered, and engaging in individual conflicts according to the barbarian custom.

   The annals of modern times contain no record of a more stubborn and heroic defense. In vain Brant sought for hours to break through the line. He was repelled at every point.

   What the fifty men were doing all that eventful day, who were separated from their companions during the morning, no one can now tell. We will put a charitable interpretation on their conduct, and suppose they were driven away by superior numbers. Their movements are veiled in oblivion, and there let them remain.

   As the day drew to a close, Brant became disheartened. The position of the brave patriots seemed to be impregnable, and it is said he was about to order a retreat when the death of a militiaman opened the way into the American lines. This faithful soldier had been stationed behind a rock on the northwest side, where he had remained all day, and kept the savages in check. Brant saw the advantage his death afforded, and, with the Indians near him, rushed into the midst of the Goshen militia. The latter seeing the savages swarming into the centre of the hard-fought field, became demoralized, and sought safety by flight. Many of them were killed or wounded in the attempt. Some incidents of the battle are worth repeating.

Brant killed Wisner with his own hand. Some years afterward he was heard to say that after the battle was over, he found Wisner on the field so badly wounded that he could not live nor be removed; that if he was left alone on the battle-field wild beasts would devour him; that he was in full possession of all his faculties; that for a man to be eaten by wild beasts while alive was terrible; that to save Wisner from such a fate, he engaged him in conversation, and shot him dead.
    Captain Benjamin Vail was wounded in battle, and after the fight was over, was found seated upon a rock, bleeding. He was killed while in this situation, and by a Tory.

Doctor Tusten was behind a rock attending to the necessities of the wounded when the retreat commenced. There were seventeen disabled men under his care, who appealed for protection and mercy. But the savages fell upon them, and all, including the Doctor, fell victims to the tomahawk and scalping-knife.

   Several attempted to escape by swimming the Delaware, and were shot. Of those engaged in the battle, thirty escaped, and forty-five, it is known, were killed. The remainder were taken prisoners, or perished while fugitives in the wilderness.

    Major Wood, of the militia, though not a Mason, accidentally gave the Masonic sign of distress. This was observed by Brant, who interposed to save Wood's life, giving him his own blanket to protect him from the night air while sleeping. Discovering subsequently that Wood was not one of the Brotherhood, he denounced the deception as dishonorable, but spared his life. The blanket was accidentally damaged while in the prisoner's possession, which made Brant very angry.

   One of the militiamen attempted to escape with the others, but was so far exhausted that he was forced to turn aside and rest. In a little while he saw several Indians, one after the other, pass by in pursuit of the militia, but managed to keep himself out of their sight. Presently a large and powerful Indian discovered him, when, raising his gun, he fired his last shot and fled. The savage did not pursue; he was probably disabled by the shot if not killed.

    Samuel Helm was stationed behind a tree, when he discovered the head of an Indian thrust from behind a neighboring trunk, as if looking for a patriot to shoot at. Helm fired and the savage fell; but Helm was immediately hit in the thigh by a ball from another Indian whom he had not seen. Helm dropped to the earth, but the savage did not immediately rush up to take his scalp, being anxious first to discover the result of his shot. This gave Helm a chance to reload which he did behind a natural breast-work which screened him from view. After dodging about a little the Indian made a dash for his scalp, but received a bullet instead, which put an end to his life. Helm said that the consternation of the Indian, on being confronted with the muzzle of his gun, was truly ridiculous.

In April of the following year, Brant started from Niagara with another force to invade the frontier. At Tioga Point he detailed eleven of his warriors to go to Minisink for prisoners and scalps. With the remainder of his force, he started to invest the fort at Scoharie. Here he captured some prisoners who made him believe that the place was garrisoned by several hundred men-a bit of strategy that foiled even the wily Indian chieftain. Brant turned back, and shaped his course down the Delaware. One day his command was startled by the death-yell, which rang through the woods like the scream of a demon. They paused, waiting for an explanation of this unexpected signal, when, presently, two of the eleven Indians who had been sent to the Minisink emerged from the woods, bearing the moccasins of their nine companions. They informed their chief that they had been to Minisink, where they had captured, one after the other, five lusty men, and had brought them as far as Tioga Point and encamped for the night. Here, while the eleven Indians were asleep, the prisoners had freed themselves from the cords which bound them, when each took a hatchet, and with surprising celerity brained nine of their captors. The other two savages, aroused by the noise of the blows, sprang to their feet and fled; but as they ran, one of them received the blade of a hatchet between his shoulders. Thus was the death of the slain heroes of Minisink avenged.
   For forty-three years the bones of those heroes slain on the banks of the Delaware were allowed to molder on the battleground. But one attempt had been made to gather them, and that was by the widows of the slaughtered men, of whom there were thirty-three in the Presbyterian congregation of Goshen. These heroic ladies set out for the battle-field on horseback; but, finding the journey too hazardous, they hired a man to perform the pious duty, who proved unfaithful and never returned.

   In 1822, the citizens of Goshen were led to perform a long-neglected duty by an address of Dr. D. R. Arnell at the annual meeting of the Orange County Medical Society, in which he gave a brief biography of Dr. Tusten. A committee was appointed to collect the remains and ascertain the names of the fallen.

   The committee at once set upon the duty before them. The first day they traveled forty miles through the wilderness. At Halfway-brook, six miles from the battle-ground, the party left their horses. The vicinity was an unbroken wilderness, with no trace of improvement of any kind, and the danger of attempting to ride was so great that they chose to clamber over the rough ground on foot.

   The committee were astonished at the route taken by the little army; the descents were frightful and the country rugged beyond conception. The majority of the bones were found on the spot where the battle was fought and near a small marsh or pond a few rods east. This fact shows that the militia, made reckless by thirst, went for water and were killed. Some were found at a distance of several miles. They were the remains probably of wounded men, who had wandered away and finally died of their wounds and hunger. Wild beasts may have removed others. The skeleton of one man was found in the crevice of a rock where he had probably crept and died. The whole number of bones collected by the Committee was about three hundred; other bones were subsequently found by hunters and brought in.

   It may be suggested that all of the bones collected may not have been the remains of the white soldiers; that it would be impossible to distinguish, so long afterwards, the skeleton of a white man from that of an Indian. It should be borne in mind that it was the rule of Indian warfare, when successful, to gather up and carry off all their slain. On this occasion the survivors saw the Indians engaged in this very duty.

   The gathered remains were taken to Goshen, where they were buried with imposing ceremonies in the presence of fifteen thousand persons, including the military of the county, and a corps of cadets from West Point under the command of Major Worth.

This monument gradually fell into decay and no measures were taken to preserve it. In 1860, Merrit H. Cook, M. D., a resident of Orange County, bequeathed four thousand dollars for a new one, which was dedicated on the 83d anniversary of the battle, on which occasion John C. Dimmick, a native of Bloomingburgh, officiated as orator of the day. Mrs. Abigail Mitchell, a daughter of Captain Bezaleel Tyler (slain a the battle of Minisink), was present, and witnessed the ceremonies. She was five years old at the time of the battle, and had resided the greater part of her life at Cochecton. On the 22d of July, 1879, the one hundredth anniversary of the Minisink battle, a large enthusiastic gathering was held on the battle-ground. Although the approach to the place was rough and exceedingly difficult, it being necessary to cut a road through the woods for the occasion, upwards of two thousand persons were present at the ceremony. A monument was set upon the ground sacred to the blood of the slain heroes, and dedicated in commemoration of their services.
   It was on one pleasant morning in June that we left the hotel at Lackawaxen before the people were astir, and crossing the Delaware and Hudson aqueduct, began the winding ascent of the mountain. After a brisk walk of about two miles we came to the residence of Mr. Horace E. Twichell, to whom we had a letter of introduction. That gentleman kindly volunteered to go with us to the battle-ground, which lies partly on his premises, and locate the points of interest.

   On the neck of land there is a huge boulder. Behind this natural rampart, a hunter had taken his position on the day of the fight, and while his comrades loaded the guns for him, he effectually swept the only available approach to the battle-ground, as to keep the whole force of Indians at bay during the entire contest. At length the hunter was killed, and the Indians, taking advantage of the circumstances, rushed in and the battle became a rout.

   A few yards from this rock, screened on all sides by the contour of the ground and the protecting ledge, the spot was pointed out where for years lay the skeletons of the brave Dr. Tusten and his seventeen slain companions, who were all tomahawked and scalped after the battle was over. Further on stands an old pine tree, on which are the initials “J. B.,” believed to have been cut in the bark by the Indian fighter, Joseph Brant.

   An incident of the battle was related to me while rambling over the field. A soldier was assisting a wounded comrade to escape. The Indians were heard in close pursuit, and the wounded man soon saw that all efforts on his part were fruitless. So taking his pocket-book and papers he handed them to his companion, with the request that he give them to his wife at Goshen, and bade him leave him to his fate. The man made good his escape, and delivered the package and money as directed.

    Mother McGowan, still living at Handsome Eddy, used to see the skeletons around the spring to the east of the battle-ground, and remembers seeing some of the soldiers that were engaged in the battle.

   Mr. Isaac Mills, about forty years ago, found a skeleton about three-fourths of a mile from the battle-field.   Judge Thomas H. Ridgeway, of Lackawaxen, informed us that he remembers going to pick huckleberries on the mountain seventy years ago, when the skeletons of the slain Minisink heroes lay thickly scattered about among the bushes, and distinctly recalls his childish fears of the bones.

   Near the foot of the monument, entirely covered up with loose slate, was found the skeleton of a man. This was probably the work of the Indians, who, for some reason, gave this man a sepulture.

   The round stone on the top of the monument is a white flint boulder, found in the Delaware river near the spot where the Indian was shot by the scouts previous to the battle.   http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ny/county/orange/legends/id61.htm

Orange County History and Genealogy

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Warwick, 27 July 1779

Sir,
In conformity to the Militia Law I embrace this first opportunity to communicate to your Excellency my proceedings on a late tour of duty with my Regiment. On the Evening of the 21st of this incident I received an order from his Excellency General Washington, together with a requisition of the Commissary of Prisoners to furnish one hundred men of my Regiment for to guards the British Prisoners on their way to Easton (?), at the same time received an Express from Minisink that the Indians were ravaging and burning that place. I ordered Three Companies of my regiment—Including the Exempt Company to Parade for the Purpose of the General, the Other Three Companies to March Immediately to Minisink on the 22. I arrived with a part of my people at Minisink, where I found Col. Thurston & Major Meeker of New Jersey with part of their Regiments who had marcht with about forty men the whole amounting to one hundred and Twenty Men Officers Included. A Spy came in and Informed me the Enemy lay about four hours before and Mungaup Six Miles distant from us. Our people appeared in high spirits, we marched in pursuit with and Intention either to fall on them by Surprise or to gain and front and ambush them. We was soon informed that they were on their March up the River. I found it Impracticable to surprise them on the Grounds they now were and took my Rout along the Old Keshethton(?) Path. The Indians Encamped at the Mouth of the halfway brook, we encampted at 12 O'clock at Night at Skinners Saw Mill three Miles and a half from the Enemy where we lay the Remainder of the Night. The Mountains were so exceedingly ragged and high we could not possibly get at them as they had passed the grounds the most favorable for us to attack them on before we could overtake them. Skinners is about eighteen miles from Minnisink. At day light on the morning of the 24 after leaving our horses and disengaging of every thing heavy we marched on with intention to make the attack the moment and opportunity offered. In Indians probable from some discovery they had made of us marched with more alacrity and usually with an intention to get their Prisoners Cattle and plunder taken at Minnisink over the river. They had almost affected getting their Cattle and baggage across when we discovered them at Lacawak, 27 miles from Minnisink some Indians in the river and some had got over. It was determined in council to make an attack at this place. I therefore disposed of the men into three Divisions, ordered Col. Thurston to Command the one on the Right and to take the one on the right and to take post about three hundred yards distance on an eminence to secure our right; sent Col. Wesner with another Division to file out to the left and to dispose of himself in the like manner. In order to prevent the Enemy from gaining any advantage on our flank, the other Division under my Command to attack them with that Vigour Necessary to Strike Terror in such a foe. Capt. Tyler with the Advance Guard unhappily discharged his pierce before the Divisions could be properly posted which put me under the necessity of bringing on the Action. I ordered my Division to fix their Bayonets and push forcibly on them, which order being resolutely executed put the Indians to the utmost confusion great numbers took into the river who fell from the well directed fire of our Rifle men and incessant blaze from our Musketry without returning any fire. The Division in the rear not subject to order broke, some advanced down the hill toward me other fled into the woods. I soon perceived the enemy rallying on our right and recrossing the river to gain the height, I found myself under the necessity to really all my force which by this time was much less that I expected. The enemy by this time had collected in force and from the best accounts can be collected a reinforcement from K? began to fire on our left: We returned the fire and kept up a constant brush firing up the hill from the river in which the brave Capt. Tyler fell, several were wounded. The people being exceedingly fatigued obliged me to take post on a height which proved to be a strong and advantageous ground. The enemy repeatedly drew toward me. These spirits of these few notwithstanding their fatigue, situation, and unallayed thirst, added to that the cruel yelling of those bloody monsters, the seed of Anak in size, exceed thought or description. We defend the ground near three hours and a half during the whole time one blaze without intermission was kept up on both sides. Here we have three men killed and nine wounded. Among the wounded was Lt. Col. Thurston, in the hand, Major Meeker in the shoulder, Adjt. Finch in the Leg., Capt Jones in the foot, and Ensign Wood in the Wrist. The chief of our people was wounded by Angle shots from the Indians behind Rocks and Trees. Our Rifles here were very usefull. I found myself under the necessity of ceasing the fire, our Ammunition from the continued fire of more than five hours naturally suggested that it must be Exhausted, ordered no person to shoot without having his object sure that no short might be lost. This gave spirits to the Enemy who formed their whole strength and force the North East part of our Lines. Here we gave them severe Gaul. Our people not being able to support the lines retreated down the hill precipitately towards the River. The Enemy kept up a constant fire on our Right, which we returned. The people by this time was so scattered I found myself unequal to rally them again consequently every man made choice of his own way. Thus ended the Action.
The following are missing in the whole from the last accounts:

Col. Ellison's Regiment:
Lieut. Col. Thurston
Capt. Jones
Capt. Wood
Capt. Little
Capt. Duncan
And Twelve privates

One private of New Jersey

Adjutant Finch
Ensign Wood and one private of my own regiment

In the whole twenty one men.

Several wounded men are in. I hope others will yet be found. I received a wound on my head, one on my leg and one on my thigh. [Slighty] the one on my thigh from Inattention is a little Troublesome. Several spies that lay near the Enemy that night following the action inform me that they moved off their wounded in canoes in the day following; that on the ground where they lay there was great quantities of blood, and the whole encampment was marked with wounded men. Great numbers of plasters and bloody rags was found. Although we suffered by the loss of so many brave men, the best for the number, without sensible error in the Precinct It's beyond doubt the enemy suffered much more. From the various parts of the action can be collected a greater number of Indians dead that we lost, besides their wounded. The number of Indians and Tories is not ascertained. Some accounts say 90 other 120, others 160. Col. Seward of New Jersey, with 93 men, was within five or six miles of the action on the Pennsylvania side, did not hear the firing, approached and lay near the Indians all night following, and from their conduct and groaning of the wounded gave rise to the belief that they had been in some action where they had suffered and would have attacked them round their fire but a mutiny arose among some of his people which prevented – a very unfortunate and to be lamented circumstance. If in their situation he had attacked them with the common smiles of Providence he must have Succeeded and put them to total rout. Dear Governor it's not in my power to paint out to you the disagreeable situation I was In, surrounded by a foe with such a handful of valuable men not only as soldiers but as fellow citizens and members of society, and nothing to be expected but the hatchet, spear, and scalping knife. The tremendous yells and whoops, all the fiends in the confines of the Infernal Regions with one united cry, could not exceed it. Add to this the cries and petitions of the wounded around me not to leave them, was beyond parallel or idea. My heart bleeds for the unfortunate wounded who fell into their hands. However, circumstances give me little consolation. Mr. Roger Townsend of Goshen received a wound in his thigh; exceedingly thirsty, making an attempt to go to some find some water, was met by and Indian who very friendly took him by the hand and said he was his prisoner and would not hurt him. A well-directed ball from one of our men put the Indian into a dose, and Mr. Townsend ran back into the lines. I hope some little humanity may yet be found in the breasts of the savages.

I should be at the greatest loss was I to attempt to point any officer or soldier that exceeded another in bravery during the time of the general action. To much praise cannot be given to them for their attention in receiving orders and alacrity in executing them.

I have acquiescend with Col. Woodhull in ordering one eighth of our Regiments to Minisink as a temporary guard until your Excellency's pleasure is known on the subject.

The Indians were under the command of Brant, who was either killed or wounded in the action. They burnt Major Decker's house and barn, Samuel Davis's house, barn and mill, Jacobus Fleck's house and barn, Daniel Vaneker's barn (here were two Indians killed from a little fort round the house which was saved, Esquire Cuykindall's house and barn, Simon Westfall's house and barn, the Church, Peter Cuykindall's house and barn, Mertinus Decker's fort, house, barn, and saw-mills, and Nehemiah Patterson's saw-mill; killed and scalped Jeremiah Vanoker, Daniel Cole, Ephriam Ferguson and one Tavern and took with them several prisoners mostly children, with a great number of horses, cattle, and valuable plunder. Some of the cattle we rescued and returned to the owners.

I hope your Excell'y will make allowance for the imperfect stile, razures and blotts on this line, whilest I have the honor to subscribe myself with the most perfect esteem, in haste,

Your Excellencies
Most Obt.
Servt.
John Hathorn, Col.

Transcription

In the whole Twenty one Men