EXCERPTS FROM
THE HISTO"Y
OF LUZERNE COUNTY
By H. C. BRADSBY
(Readers will enjoy Mr. Bradsby’s quaint,
paranthetical remarks more if they keep in
mind that he was writing this history of
Luzerne County forty-five years ago, and
refers to conditions as he knew them, not
as they are in 1938.) —_EDITOR
(Continued From Last Week)
THE BATTLE OF WyoMING (Continued)
July 4, 1776, now dawned upon the world. The
memorable day in history, ushering in the trans |
cendant event in the great movements of mankind. |
Liberty, blessed liberty to man, stepped forth, robed |
in purity, and on either side supporting her were
the stern, strong knights of the plow and the axe,
silent and resolved, clad in buckskin and homespun, |
across whose broad shoulders were slung the long,
black match lock rifles.
Independence was declared! From Maine to
southermost Florida war was aflame. Its horrors
were everywhere in the land, but far more intensely
in this lone frontier settlement, that was worse than
isolated and unprotected. It was menaced by double
dangers on every side, and even within the house
hold there were traitors to the sacred cause.
In November following Colonels Butler and Den-
ison, representatives, returned from New Haven
bringing the good news that the town had been
made the county of Westmoreland. Jonathan Fitch
was made High Sheriff.
During the summer Obadiah Gore, Jr., was com-
missioned lieutenant and recruited twenty men.
About the same time Capt. Strong enlisted a squad
of men—ten or twelve.
August 23, 1776, Congress, at the urgent solici-
tation of Col. Butler. resolved to station two com-
panies at Westmoreland for the defense of the in-
habitants. Robert Durkee and Samuel Ransom
were elected captains of these companies; James
Welles and Perrin Ross, first lieutenants; Asahel
Buck and Simon Spalding, second lieutenants; Her-
man Swift and Mathias Hollenback, ensigns. These
companies when raised were stationed one on the
east and one on the west side of the river.
In the early winter General Howe had captured
New York, the battle of White Plains had been
fought; Washington was retreating with his little
army of 3,000 men, hungry and nearly naked,
through the Jersey.
“The Commander in-Chief”, says Marshall,
found himself at the head of a small force, less than
3,000, dispirited by their losses and fatigues, re-
treating almost naked and barefoot in. the cold No-
vember and December, before a numerous and well
appointed and victorious enemy, through a despond-
ing country much more disposed to obtain security
and safety by submission rather than to seek it by
manly resistance.”
On December 8, Gen. Washington crossed the
Delaware, and Congress immediately took measures
to retire from Philadelphia to Baltimore. At this
moment of peril, they, “Resolved, December 12,
that the two companies raised in the town of West-
moreland, be ordered to join General Washington,
with all possible expedition.” And the very same
day adjourned to meet at Baltimore on the 20th.
Promptly obeying the order, the two companies
hastened their march, and before the close of the
month and the year were within the lines under the
command of their beloved Washington.
The people fully knew the dangerous sacrifices
they were making, but faltered not a moment. This |
action of the patriots stands out prominently in the
history of that long and terrible struggle. It was
pledged to those men that as soon as conditions in
the south should be relieved they would be allowed |
to return to protect their families. It is needless to
say this promise was not kept. The imperative
necessities of the army of Washington made it im-
possible, horrid as was the impending alternative.
The people proceeded in the work of organizing
every possible safe-guard as well as the work for |
perfecting the machinery for the new county of
Montgomery. Great jealousy between the east and
the west side of the river had long existed, and the
question of locating the county buildings now arose
in renewed intensity. After a warm contention
Wilkes-Barre was chosen as the county seat—the
chief rival had been Kingston—settled by Connecti
cut authorities ‘through appointed commissioners.
Every hour brought additional evidence that there |
were secret enemies in their midst—Pennites, some |
of them, who had come and purchased Connecticut
claims.
{
|
One, Adonijah Stansbury, had purchased Chap |
man’s mill and he soon developed into an enemy in
disguise. Col. Butler and Major Judd were appoint |
ed a committee to investigate him. He was Pos)
ecuted and finally persecuted until he was compell-
ed to sell his mill and leave the settlement.
During the summer the people worked on the
forts in detachments. The one in Wilkes-Barre oc-
cupied what is now the courthouse square. A sys- |
tem of scouts were sent regularly up the river to |
keep watch of the movements of the Indians. Lieut.
John Jenkins in charge of a scouting party extend |
ed his trip to Wyalusing, where he was taken pris- |
oner by a band of Indians and tories. Three of his :
men were taken with him: Mr. York, Lemuel Fitch |
and old man Fitzgerald.
All except Fitzgerald were taken to Canada.
Jenkins was exchanged for an Indian chief and sent |
to Albany. These were the first prisoners taken |
from Westmoreland. Other scouting parties were |
constantly sent up the river. As about all the able
young men were in the Continental army they con-
sisted mostly of old men who termed themselves
“Reformados”. Capt. William Hooker Smith, a
physician, commanded the one from Wilkes-Barre.
(To Be Continued)
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