FORT PITT, May 14, 1763.

A number of Six Nation Indians that lived about 90 (miles distant on the) Ohio below this, came up and settled at Pine Creek and began to (plant corn).

17th, Their chiefs collected a number of horses their young men had stolen and delivered them up. From this to the 26th they continued planting their corn.

27th, Two men that went up the Ohio about 7 miles, to where the Munsies were settled, returned and informed me that all the Indians the night before had removed from their towns and carried everything with them, leaving their cornfields open: this made us suspect that some mischief about here was immediately intended. A number of Delawares with a large quantity of skins came in and dealt them; the uncommon dispatch and indifference of what they took for them, and their chief seeming to press Mr. McKee to go down the country and not to stay above four days, still gave us more suspicion of the Indian designs and caused the inhabitants to arm themselves.

28th, Two Shawnese came in from hunting.

29th, At break of day this morning three men came in from [85]
Colonel Clapham's, who was settled at the Sewickly old town, about 25 miles from here, on the Youghyogane river, with an account that Colonel Clapham, with one of his men, two women and a child were murdered by Wolfe and some other Delaware Indians, about 2 o'clock the day before. The 27th Wolfe, with some others robbed one Mr. Coleman on the road between this and Ligonier, of upwards of 50£. The women that were killed at Colonel Clapham's were treated in such a brutal manner that decency forbids the mentioning. This evening we had two soldiers killed and scalped at the saw-mill.

May 30th, All the inhabitants moved in to the fort. About 4 o'clock one Coulson came in who had been a prisoner (at the lower) Shawnese town, and gave the following account. We came to the town with some traders, where an Indian arrived from the Lakes (with a) belt to acquaint the Delawares that Detroit was taken, the post at Sundusky burnt, and all the garrison put to death, except the officer whom they made prisoner. Upon this news, the Beaver and Shingess (the two Chiefs of the Delawares, commonly called King B and King S) came and acquainted Mr. Calhoon (the trader there) with it, and desired him to move away from there as quick as possible, with all his property, and that they sent three Indians to conduct him and the rest of the white people safe to this post, and yesterday as they were crossing Beaver Creek, being fourteen in number, they were fired on and he believes all were killed except himself.

31st, Two of Mr. Calhoon's men came in and confirmed the above account. A second express was despatched this night to the general.

June 1st, Two men who were sent off express last night to Venango returned, being fired on at Shanipin's Town and one of them wounded in the leg. About 12 o'clock two men [86] came from Redstone and the same night were sent back with orders for the Sergeant to repair to this post and bring the country people with him with 6oo lbs. powder that was there belonging to some traders. About 6 o'clock in the afternoon Mr. Calhoon came in and brought the following account which he took in writing from the Indians at Tuskarawas.

Tuskarawas, May 27, 1763, 11 o'clock at night, King Beaver with Shingess, Windohala, Wingenum and Daniel and William Anderson came and delivered me the following intelligence (by a string of Wampum).

Brother: Out of regard to you and the friendship that formerly subsisted between (our) grandfathers and the English, which has been lately renewed by us, we come to inform you of the news we had heard, which you may depend upon as true.

Brother: All the English that were at Detroit were killed ten days ago, not one left alive.

At Sandusky all the white people there were killed 5 days ago, nineteen in number, except the officer who is a prisoner and one boy who made his escape, whom we have not heard of. At the mouth of the Twigtwee River (about 8o miles from Sandusky by water) Hugh Crawford with one boy was taken prisoner and six men killed. At the Salt Licks five days ago 5 white men were killed, we received the account this day; we have seen a number of tracks on the road between this and Sandusky not far off, which we are sure is a party coming to cut you and your people off, but as we have sent a man to watch their motions, request you may think of nothing you have here, but make the best of your way to some place of safety, as we would not desire to see you killed in our town; be careful to avoid the road and every part where Indians resort.

Brother: What goods and other effects you have here you [87]need not be uneasy about them, we assure you that we will take care to keep them safe for six months, perhaps by that time we may see you or send you word what you may expect from us further. We know there is one white man at Gichanga, don t be concerned for him, we will take care to send him safe home.

Brother: We desire you to tell George Croghan and all your great men (that they) must not ask us any thing about this news, or what has happened, as we are not all concerned in it: the nations that have taken up the hatchet against you are the Ottawas and Chipawas and when you first went to speak with these people you did not consult us upon it, therefore we desire you may not expect that we are to account for any mischief they do, what you would know further about this news you must learn by the same road you just went, but if you will speak with us you must send one or two men only, and we will hear them.

Brother: We thought your king had made peace with us and all the Western Nations of Indians, for our part we joined it heartily and desired to hold it always good, and you may depend upon it we will take care not to be readily cheated or drawn into a war again, but as we are settled between you and these nations who have taken up the hatchet against you we desire you will send no warriors this way till we are removed from this, which we will do as soon as we conveniently can; when we will permit you to pass without taking notice, till then we desire they may go by the first road you went.

Gave a String.

The following is what Mr. Calhoon learned on his journey from one of these three Indians who were sent (to conduct him) safe there, viz. Daniel before mentioned as one of their chiefs. That Detroit was not really taken but had been attacked by [88] the Indians four days before the messenger who brought the account left it, which Mr. Calhoon imagines must have been from about the 13th to the 17th of May and that the Indians had not then met with much success, but strongly persisted in carrying on the attack and said they were determined not (to) give over till they took it, and that the English had sent out three Belts of Wampum and the French two, desiring them to desist, which they refused. Mr. Calhoon says that when he and his people left Tuskerawas fourteen in number the Indians refused to let them bring their arms, telling them that the three Indians who were going along with them were sufficient to conduct them safe, and that the next day passing Beaver Creek they were fired upon by a party of Indians, when their guides immediately disappeared without interfering for them, and he is convinced that they were led by their guides knowingly to this party in order to be cut off, from which himself with three of his people only have escaped.

Mr. Calhoon further says that having lost his way and falling in upon the road leading to Venango, about seventy miles above this post he saw a number of Indian tracks, which had gone that way—two men were sent to the General with the intelligence received.

This morning an order was issued by the (commander of the fort), to pull down and burn all the Out-houses.

June 2d, Three men, who were sent a second time express to Venango, returned after going about twenty miles, having fallen in with a party of (Indians). While our people were engaged to-day in burning the houses on the hill, the Indians set fire to Thompson's house, about half a mile from the fort.

3d and 4th, All the garrison were employed in repairing and strengthening the fort.

5th, 2 o'clock at night one Benjamin Sutton came in, who [89] says he left Redstone (or Fort Burd) two days ago and found that place evacuated, and saw a number of shoe tracks going towards Fort Cumberland which he supposes was the garrison, that there was with him there a white man named Hicks and an Indian named Kecois, who would have burnt the fort had he not persuaded them from it, that Hicks told him that an Indian war had broken out and that he would kill the white people wherever he found them, and went with intention to murder Madcalf's people, nine miles from here, who had removed some time before; he says they intended to have taken him prisoner, but the wind blowing hard and it growing very dark when he came nigh the fort he made for it and called to the sentinel. Hicks and the Indian went by in their bark canoes.

6th, Nothing extraordinary.

June 7th, This morning Mr. Wilkins, with his wife and one child arrived here in a day and a half from Venango.

The following intelligence which arrived the day before they left, was brought by express from Presqu' Isle:

That Lieutenant Cuyler, an officer of the Queen's Rangers, had arrived there, who informed us that he had been as far as the mouth of Detroit River with an escort of about one hundred men, ten batteaux and 139 barrels of provisions, where he was attacked the 28th May, at 11 o'clock at night, that he had 2 sergeants, 52 privates, a woman and a child killed, himself with three privates wounded, two since dead of their wounds, that he saved only two batteaux with five barrels of pork, that he then retreated to the Fort Sandusky, which place he found destroyed, and from thence he made the best of his way to Presqu' Isle where arrived; he also says that Lieutenant Schlosser's post was destroyed and the garrison cut off. A number of canoes were brought and left in the night on the other side of the Monongehela River, opposite to the fort.

[90] 9th, By a great smoke which rose up the river, we suppose the enemy has burnt Mr. Croghan's house, the smoke rising where we imagine his house stood. Nine o'clock, two more expresses were sent to Venango.

10th, This morning the two expresses returned, having lost themselves in the night. About 10 o'clock in the morning as some of the militia were putting up some fences about 1000 yards from the fort the enemy fired on them, they returned the fire and retreated safe to the fort.

June 11th, At break of day some Indians were discovered among the ruins of the upper town.

About 10 o'clock at night they set fire to a house, on which a shell was thrown among them, some time after Indians were seen in the lower town and some hallooing heard at a small distance from the fort.

12th, An Indian was discovered from the garden; about 11 o'clock a party, out cutting spelts, saw two Indians and fired on them, on which a number more appeared and fired on our people, who returned it; on some round shot being fired from the cannons in the fort the Indians ran off.

13th and 14th, Nothing worth notice.

15th, A party was sent out to cut spelts and were fired on. Sergeant Miller of the militia, contrary to orders, with three others advanced to Grant's Hill, and just as they had gained the summit, Miller was shot dead, a party advancing drove the enemy off and prevented their scalping him. Between 11 and 12 o'clock at night, as an express from Bedford was challenged by one of the sentinels from the rampart the enemy fired a number of shots at him and the sentinels in the fort.

16th, Four Shawnees appeared on the opposite side of the Ohio, and desired that Mr. McKee would go over and speak to them, which he did and they made him the following speech:

[91] "Brother, We received the message you sent us on the death of Colonel Clapham, and our chiefs desired us to inform you that they will take care of the traders in our towns. Mr. Baird and Gibson were taken by the Delaware Indian called Sir William Johnson and his people at the Muskingum town and carried to our town. Our chiefs say they will take care of them until the war is over. We came to enquire news, we have heard none since the time the message with the belt and bloody hatchet came from the Lake Indians to the Delaware and Tuskarawas, acquainting them that they had struck the English and desired that they would join them. The captains and warriors of the Delawares pay no regard to their chiefs, who advised them not to accept the hatchets, but are determined to prosecute the war against you. It was the Six Nations that left this and the Delawares that killed your people at Beaver Creek with Mr. Calhoon."

An express was sent off in the night to Bedford.

June 17th, The same Indians came and called again and desired Mr. McKee would come over, he refused; they then recommended him to set off for the inhabitants in the night, or to come over to them and they would take care of him at their towns till the war was over; they acquainted him that all the Nations had taken up the hatchet against us and that they intended to attack this post with a great body in a few days, that Venango and all the other posts were already cut off, that they were afraid to refuse taking up the hatchet against us as so many nations had done it to force us to come to them. About 12 o'clock at night two expresses came in from Ligonier with letters from the General. (Amherst.)

18th, The enemy set fire to another house up the Ohio. One o'clock in the morning the two expresses that came last set off for Ligonier again with letters.

[92] June 19th, Two Indians crept along the bank of the Monongehela towards the sentinel who was posted on the bank of the river and fired at him. Soon after a number of Indians were seen at the head of the fields, taking off some horses, as the garrison was turning out a soldier's gun went off by accident and mortally wounded him, of which he died the next day.

20th, Nothing extraordinary.

21st, About 11 o'clock at night the Indians on the opposite side of the Monongehela repeated all's well after our sentinels.

22d, Between 9 and 10 o'clock in the morning a smoke was seen rising on the back of Grant's Hill, where the Indians had made a fire, and about 2 o'clock several of them appeared in the Spelt's (Spelts, German wheat.) field, driving off the horses and cattle. About 5 o'clock one James Thompson, who it was supposed was gone after a horse, was killed and scalped in sight of the fort; on this a great number of Indians appeared on each river and on Grant's Hill, shooting down the cattle and horses. A shell was thrown amongst a number of them from a howitzer, which burst just as it fell among them. About an hour after they fired on the fort from Grant's Hill and the other side of the Ohio, a shot from the opposite side of the Ohio wounded a man in Monongehela Bastion. About 7 o'clock three Indians were seen about 150 yards from the fort on the Monongehela bank. Mr. McKee and two others fired on them and killed one of them.

23d, About 12 o'clock at night, two Delawares called for Mr. McKee and told him they wanted to speak to him in the morning.

24th, The Turtle's Heart, a principal warrior of the Delawares, and Mamaltee (a chief) came within a small distance of the fort, Mr. McKee went out to them and they made a speech, [93] letting us know that all our posts, and Ligonier was destroyed, that great numbers of Indians were advancing, but that out of regard to us they had prevailed on six nations of Indians not to attack us but give us time to go down the country, and they desired we should set off immediately.

The commanding officer thanked them, let them know that we had everything we wanted, that we could defend it against all the Indians in the woods, that we had three large armies marching to chastise those Indians that had struck us, told them to take care of their women and children, but not to tell any other Nations, they said they would go and speak to their chiefs and come and tell us what they said, they returned and said they would hold fast the chain of friendship. Out of our regard to them we gave them two blankets and an handkerchief out of the Small Pox Hospital. I hope it will have the desired effect. They then told us that Ligonier had been attacked, but that the enemy was beaten off.

The 25th, A Shawnee Indian came across the river and spoke to Mr. McKee and told him that two days ago, sixty miles off, he left a large body of Indians on their march for this place, to attack it, and the Delawares that were here, were going to join them.

About 5 o'clock in the afternoon, two soldiers belonging to the garrison of Le Bœuf came in and informed us that Ensign Price would be here the next morning.

The 26th, Six o'clock in the morning Ensign Price, with five men came in from Le Bœuf and gave the following account of his miraculous escape from that place, and while they were bringing him across the river seven Indians showed themselves on Grant's Hill.

Early in the morning of the 18th instant five Indians came to his post and asked for some tobacco and provisions, which he gave them. Soon after they went off, about thirty men [94] came down the road leading to Presqu' Isle, laid their arms a short distance off, and came and asked liberty to come in and said they were going to war against the Cherokees, would stay with him that night and that they proposed to pass by Fort Pitt in order to speak with Mr. Croghan; Mr. Price suspecting their design had all his people under arms and would not suffer them to go in, upon this the Indians took up their arms and got to the back of an out store, where they picked out the stones it was underpinned with and got into it, then they began to roll out the barrels of provisions and shoot, fired arrows into the top of the block house which was put out several times, this continued till some time in the night, when Mr. Price, finding it impossible to defend the place any longer or prevent its being consumed, took advantage of the night, got all his people out at a window and made off without being observed, but unfortunately left six of his men and a woman who he supposes fell into the hands of the enemy, some time after he left the block house, the Indians began to fire upon it, when he came to Venango he found it in ashes, kept the road all the way here and saw the bones of several people who had been killed while going to Venango: they were Six Nation Indians who attacked him.

Mr. Price gives an account likewise which some persons in the sloop from Detroit had brought to Presqu' Isle. About the beginning of May a large body of Indians (1,500 in number) came to Detroit under pretence of holding a treaty with Major Gladwin, but Monsieur Baubee finding out their design apprised Major Gladwin of it, who immediately ordered his garrison under arms and would not permit them to come in, upon this the Indians sent two of their principal warriors in, to desire he would come out and treat with them, which he did not think proper to do, but detained the two warriors and sent out Capt. Campbell and Lieutenant McDougal to know [95] what they wanted, whom the Indians made prisoners and then rushed up and endeavoured to force the gate, but the garrison being under arms and prepared for them, fired upon them, killed forty on the spot and wounded many more; the Indians carried on the attack for two weeks before the sloop left it; it was three weeks before she arrived at Presque' Isle, owing to contrary winds. The garrison at De Troit had no provisions but a little corn which Baubee furnished them, the French inhabitants there are not concerned in this war but live on their farms as usual, the sloop was attacked all the way down the De Troit River and the Indians sent Capt. Campbell on board of her to desire Capt. Newman to deliver her up, who sent for an answer that he was determined to fight them, he is gone to Niagara and proposes to return to Detroit with provisions. 6 o'clock in the afternoon a soldier who made his escape from Presqu' Isle and says that on the 19th inst. that post was attacked by 250 Indians which continued for two days and that the Indians had made holes in the bank and fired through, that the officer Mr. Christy capitulated, that the Indians were to give them 6 days' provisions and escort them safe to this post. It was the Ottawas, Chipawas, Wayondotts, and Senecas that took the post, and after they had delivered the Indians their arms, while the Indians were engaged in carrying out the provisions and other stores, he being at some distance hearing a woman scream he imagined they were beginning to tomahawk the garrison he made his escape, that another soldier likewise attempted to make his escape but fears he did not get off, that the Indians had fired the roof of the Block House a great many times before they capitulated and that they as often put it out, he further says that the schooner was in sight and kept there sounding with their boats to try if they could get in to their assistance, but that there was not water enough, that the [96] Indians told them they had destroyed 800 barrels of provisions at the store house where the schooner was to load and that he believes the schooner had no provisions on board. Nine o'clock at night two expresses were sent off to the General by way of Fort Cumberland on the other side of the Monongehela with these accounts.

27th, Six o'clock in the afternoon four men and one woman, of the garrison of Le Bœuf came in, who, it was feared, had fallen into the hands of the enemy; they say they left the other two men of that garrison about thirty miles off, not being able to come along. The other soldier from Presqu' Isle, who, it was thought, was captured, came in with these people and confirms the account already received respecting that garrison. These soldiers say, soon after they left the fort they heard two guns and the death halloo. Mr. Price says that the schooner brought an account of Sir Robert Davers, Captain McKay and Captain Robinson being killed by the Indians before the attack begun at D'Troit, while they were sounding the depth of the water in the lake near the mouth of D'Troit River.

28th, Several Indians have been seen to-day on Grant's hill and about the fields. About 9 o'clock at night the sentinels discovered some canoes in the river and presently after saw some people in the ditch. The garrison turned out to their alarm posts, remained under arms till 12 o'clock, then went to their barracks, all but the guard. A great smoke was seen up the river this morning, supposed to be a house on fire.

29th, This morning numbers of Mockeson tracks were seen in the ditch where the enemy were last night.

30th, Nothing extraordinary. A few Indians seen who called to a man that went to drive some cattle in.

July 1st, Six or seven Indians showed themselves this morning at the upper end of the garden.

[97] 2d, About 7 o'clock this morning some Indians appeared on Grant's Hill; at 12 o'clock they came into the cornfield, drove off a number of cows and shot at several; this night several Indians were seen near the Glacis.

3d, At 10 o'clock this morning as a party of men went to the gardens for greens, etc., they were fired upon by some Indians who had hidden within thirty yards of the fort; our people hurried forward and fired upon them, and it was thought that Adam Terrence either killed or wounded one badly, as the others were seen helping or carrying him away. Our people pursued them till they were ordered back; they found his tomahawk, pipe and a handkerchief which he dropped. At 10 o'clock two guns were heard on the opposite side of the Allegheny, and immediately four Indians appeared naked and their bodies painted with different colors, singing as they came along according to their custom when appearing as friends; they had two small sets of British colors. Mr. McKee went down and asked who they were and what their business was; they answered him they were Ottawas and came from D'Troit ten days ago, where they said everything was settled between them and us in that place, and that they had brought letters from the commanding officer there, therefore desired to be brought over. Notwithstanding the fair appearance they came under, McKee directed them to go up the river and cross at a place where the Indians were frequently seen crossing, and while they were away a canoe was sent and left for them on the other side. When they came over Mr. McKee went and met them a small distance from the fort. One of them (commonly called Chatterbox) displayed two large belts of wampum tied on a stick. They made the following speech to Mr. McKee: "Brother: (Showing the belts, one of which he called the Friendship Belt, the other for clearing the path between them and us) "This is what [98] we called the writing we had for you and we are sent by our chiefs (who will be here to-morrow) to acquaint you that they are coming to renew their friendship by their belts and to assure you that they are coming with a good intent and hope to be received as friends. This is all we have to say; we propose to go and meet our chiefs this afternoon and will return to-morrow." Then asked for some thread and tobacco. During this time on Grant's Hill a number of Indians appeared, very uneasy, and came running down toward us; five more appeared over the Ohio or Alleghany. Upon this the Ottawas went to their canoes, where they met those Indians that came from Grant's Hill; they talked some time together; During this our people fired several shots at those that came from the hill, which they returned. At 6 in the afternoon three of the Ottawas, with their colours, came to the same place and Mr. McKee went to them; they informed him that their chiefs had come to the opposite side of the river and desired them to deliver the following speech:

"Brother the Commanding Officer:—By this string of wampum we open your ears, wipe the tears from your eyes and remove everything that is bad from your heart, that you may hear and receive them in friendship to-morrow." Gave a string painted with blue clay. Mr. McKee gave them some bread and tobacco and they returned across the river.

As soon as it was dark our sentinels began to fire at some Indians in the ditch, the whole garrison turned out and remained under arms until 1 o'clock, then went to their barracks and lay on their arms till daylight.

July 4th, This morning the canoe we had lent the Indians yesterday, was seen aground in the middle of the river on a bar.

About 11 o'clock the Ottawas appeared on the opposite side of the river, ten in number, and requested to be brought [99] over, upon which Mr. McKee desired them to take the canoe which lay on the bar and cross in her, but they made many excuses saying they intended no harm. Upon their fair promises the commanding officer sent two soldiers in a canoe for them, and at their landing on the other side several halloos were heard on Grant's hill and the Ottawas began to sing, five of them came down to the canoe, three of which seized the soldier at the head, the two others made toward the man in the stern who threw himself into the water, they followed and stabbed him with their knives in two places; the other soldier they had got up to the bank, but on some shots being fired from small arms and a cannon with grape shot they all retreated into the woods and left their kettle with one set of their colours on the bank; both soldiers got back without further damage though one of the wounds is thought dangerous.

Three o'clock, the Indians returned and took their colours and kettle, then fired several shots at the fort. A cannon with grape shot was fired at them, the Indians on Grant's hill likewise fired several shots, this continued till dark; several bullets came into the fort, but did no damage.

July 5th, Eleven o'clock in the morning the Indians fired from both sides of each river and Grant's hill; several crossed in a canoe up the Monongehela. Five o'clock in the afternoon they crossed back again.

July 6th, Five o'clock this morning an Indian appeared on the point of Grant's hill and fired his piece at the fort, in the night the sentinels discovered a large fire up the Ohio.

7th, Early in the morning one Indian was seen over the Monongehela and one by Hulings'. By their being so quiet we imagine they are gone down to meet our troops, attack Ligonier or fall on the country people.

8th, Nothing extraordinary.

[100] 9th and 10th, None of the enemy appeared. The people grown careless and straggle about the fields in as much security as if no enemy ever had appeared about us. I doubt we shall pay dear for it.

11th, All quiet. 12th, ditto. 13th, ditto, the first night I have stripped since the beginning of the alarm.

14th, One of the militia fired on and wounded in three places by some Indians within two hundred yards of the fort as they were taking care of some cattle, we sent out a party and brought him in, but fear he will die, being shot through the arm, body and thigh and the bones broken.

15th, 16th and 17th, Nothing more than a number of Indians appearing and the man wounded on the 14th dying.

18th, A party was sent out to cut the Spelts. An Indian killed near Grant's Hill and scalped by Mr. Calhoon one of Mr. Fleming's party who went out before day to scour the hill while our people were at work, getting in part of the spelts, a large body of the enemy appeared over the Monongehela, at the mouth of the Saw-mill Creek, they called from this side over each river, on which the covering and working parties came in. Soon after a large body of the enemy appeared about the upper end of the field where our people had been at work. Three of the Indians from the Monongehela came over, they are Delawares, they say they are for peace and will go to war against the Ottawas and Chipawas. Another Indian, one James Willson, came down from Grant's Hill without arms and walked close to the fort, being known and without arms prevented his being killed, he likewise says that the Beaver and chiefs of the Delawares are coming here, as well as three Indians who came from the other side of the river, they can tell nothing of Mr. Lowry and our people. They say that Mr. Gibson, Baird, Cammel and one Robinson, a hired man, was at Beaver Creek waiting for their canoe coming up the river; [101] that the Canoe was just by when the enemy began to fire on them, that Gibson and the rest jumped to their arms to go to their assistance, but they persuaded them not to, that they would be all killed, but they persisted. That they seized Gibson, Cammel and Robinson, but Mr. Baird who got to his arms fought bravely till he was killed. There is a letter from Gibson from Wills Town desiring we will pay some goods for getting him off, which I have proposed to do.

10th, The commanding officer returned them thanks for their offer of joining us against the Ottawas and Chipawas and for the intelligence they gave us of a great number of the enemy being about us; but told them until General Bouquet arrived he could hold no treaty with them.

July 20th, The Indians, men, women and children, continued passing over the Allegheny in canoes and on horseback, near the fort, supposed to be going to fetch Indian corn, and I believe endeavouring to make us believe their numbers much greater than what they are.

21st, 9 o'clock in the morning, three Shawnese waded across the Ohio to the Point, just by the fort, and asked for some provisions for their chiefs, who were just come. The commanding officer told them he had none, and that he would not speak any more with them till their chiefs came themselves. Three o'clock in the afternoon a Shawnese chief came to the Point and acquainted Mr. McKee that they were in council, not to think the time long, that when they had done they would come; that they had got an account from Detroit sixteen day since, that the officer commanding there had settled matters with the Indians on promising that if they had had any injury done them they should be redressed; that the Indians had all gone home. They said that, hearing we had given the Delawares a set of colours, induced them to come and make everything easy. They were forbidden to pass [102] backwards and forwards near the fort with arms, and up and down the river.

22d, Gray Eyes, Wingenum, Turtle's Heart and Mamaulter came over the river, told us their chiefs were in council, and that they waited for Custaluga, whom they expected that day. The Indians passed backwards and forwards, men, women and children, up the river in canoes. It appeared that they were carrying things down to the saw-mill in their canoes, and several horses passed with loads, in sight of the fort, which I took to be Indian corn from the deserted plantations and leather from Anthony Thompson's tan-yard, though many suspect it is plunder from the frontier inhabitants. They were told not to go backwards and forwards in their canoes or they would be fired on.

July 23d, We heard nothing from the Indians to-day; two of them appeared over the Ohio but said nothing.

24th, Four Indians discovered at the upper end of the garden; several tracks found about the River Ohio bank, where they had been last night. At dusk three Indians came on the opposite side of the Ohio and told us that Custaloga was come. They were throwing the water out of the canoes, that lay on the shore where they were, with the intention, as I suppose, of coming over when it is dark. While we were talking with them we heard three death halloos. Mr. McKee asked them who it was. They said they knew nothing of it (perhaps they were Ottawas), but said they would let us know in the morning.

25th, Four Indians passing up the Monongehela, close by the opposite shore, contrary to orders, a six-pounder with grape was fired on them. They all made their escape (the shot fell all around them), leaving their canoe. Four of the militia set off in a canoe to a bar in the middle of the river, and then one swam and brought off their canoe. They left [103] four rifles, with eight pair of new Indian shoes, all their powder horns and pouches full of powder and ball, and two pairs of leggings for each, with five blankets—a sure sign they were going to war. We are partly sure these Indians want to lull us into security, that they may get the advantage of us—but they will be disappointed. We saw where they had been under the bank during the night, spying. In the evening two Indians came to the opposite shore of the Ohio and asked why we fired on their people. They were answered, they were in canoes passing by the fort with arms. They said they supposed it was on account of the death hallooes we heard the night before, and said it was some of the Ottawas or Wyandottes, who had been down the country. They said their hearts were good, but perhaps we were angry. They desired to know if we would hear their chiefs if they came. They were answered yes, but no one else.

26th, The Indians came over—Shingess, Wingenum, Gray Eyes (sometimes called Sir William Johnson), with several other warriors, the Beaver not with them. They made a speech, desiring us to quit this place, and let us know that we, by taking possession of their country, were the cause of the war; and let us know that the Ottawas and Chippewas were coming to attack us. While in council heard a death halloo at the saw-mill.

27th, Fifty-seven Indians all on horseback were seen from the fort, going down the road and some on foot. Soon after some were seen returning, some appeared in Huling's field cutting some wheat with their knives and a scythe, we imagine they are hungry.

A gun was fired according to agreement to call them over to get their answer, soon after they appeared on the other side; as soon as they came over, Captain Ecuyer's answer to this speech was delivered them, letting them know that we took [104] this place from the French, that this was our home and we would defend it to the last, that we were able to defend it against all the Indians in the woods, that we had ammunition and provisions for three years (I wish we had for three months), that we paid no regard to the Ottawas and Chippawas, that we knew that if they were not already attacked, that they would be in a short time in their own country which would find enough for them to do.

That they had pretended to be our friends, at the same time they murdered our traders in their towns and took their goods, that they stole our horses and cows from here, and killed some of our people, and every three or four days we hear the death halloo, which we know must be some of their people who have been down the country and murdered some of the country people. That if they intended to be friends with us to go home to their towns and sit down quietly till they heard from us or else to send some of their people down to Bedford to the General who had only power to treat with them of Peace, they say they will come to-morrow and let us know when they will go home.

The Yellow Bird, a Shawnee chief, asked for the four rifle guns we had taken from the four Indians the 25th, they were answered, if it appeared that their nation had done us no harm, and that they continued to behave well, when we were convinced of it that then they should either have their guns or pay for them. He was very much enraged, and the whole changed countenance on the speech that was made them. White Eyes and Wingenum seemed to be very much irritated and would not shake hands with our people at parting.

28th, In the morning the Indians were seen crossing the river by Shanopins' Town on horseback or swimming. Half an hour after, about 2 o'clock, they fired on our people in the garden, who I had desired not to stay as I was positive they [105] were coming down, but they paid no regard to it, they got in with only one man wounded in the knee. Soon after they began firing on the fort and continued it the whole day and night. Captain Ecuyer was wounded in the leg with an arrow, a Corporal and one of the men, mortally.

29th, Continued firing on the fort, the whole day, from the Ohio bank, they kept up a very smart fire, this day and yesterday a number of shells were thrown to disperse them, but they only shifted places, this day and yesterday about 1,500 small arms fired on them from the fort. Wounded this day: Marcus Huling's leg broken, Sergeant Hermon shot through the lungs, a grenadier shot through the leg, fired three round shots from a six pounder, as they were passing the river in canoes; obliged them once to throw themselves into the river, one of them said to be cut in two by one of the shot. These two days killed several of them from the fort, one of them wounded and drowned in the river, attempting to swim over and five more seen carried out of the canoe on the farther side of the Ohio, supposed to be wounded. The roofs of the Governor's House and the Barracks much hurt by the enemy's fire. In the night they shot several arrows at the fort, some with fire, mostly fell short.

30th, The enemy at night gathered under the bank and we imagined they intended to make an attack, they fired at the fort random shots all day and night, the whole under arms all night. But few shot fired from us.

31st, The enemy continued firing random shot. Two shells thrown at some reaping in Huling's field. In the evening they called to the fort and told us they had letters from Colonel Bouquet and George Croghan and desired me to go for the letters and they would give them to me. Continued firing at the fort all night, threw some hand grenades into the ditch, where we imagined some of the enemy were.

[106] August 1st, The enemy continued firing random shots from under the bank of the Ohio till about 3 o'clock, when they withdrew, and soon we saw large numbers crossing from this to the opposite side of the Ohio with their baggage, about 6 o'clock they put up a paper fixed on a stick from under the bank.

August 2d, All quiet till about 11 o'clock when two Indians and a white man came down on the opposite side of the Ohio and called over that they were expresses from Colonel Bouquet and G. Croghan at Bedford; they were desired to come over, the white man made answer that he was a prisoner and would not come, the Indian came over in a small bark canoe and produced his letters; he was a Cuyuga Indian named John Hudson, he says that the Indians took him and detained him three days, broke open the letters and made a white prisoner read them; one letter they kept and suffered him to bring the other two to the fort. The white, on the other side was an express, taken between this and Fort Cumberland, they had all his letters but would not let the Indian bring them over after they had read the letters and heard the message he delivered them from Mr. Croghan, some set off home, and some few to war against the settlements, and some Wayandotts to reconnoitre our army. The Wayandotts, in a council had declared that they would carry on the war against us while there was a man of them living, and told the Delawares and Shawnees that they might do as they pleased. In the evening they set off with letters down the country.

3d, On viewing the bank of the river where the enemy fired from, we saw blood in many places, the Indian who was killed was the son of John Butler, of Philadelphia, the huntsman, by an Indian woman. For the last six nights the whole have been under arms, the garrison having two reliefs.

4th, Everything quiet. Some Indians lying yet on the opposite [107] side of the Ohio. This afternoon heard three death halloos on the opposite side of the river.

5th, Three expresses came in from Colonel Bouquet, whom they left with the troops at Ligonier. These expresses report they heard at Small's plantation at Turtle Creek, about 18 miles from here, a great deal of cheering, shooting and bells, and some Indians. We imagine they are gathering there to attack the Colonel, and 9 o'clock 2 expresses were dispatched to meet the Colonel.

6th, 7th and 8th, Nothing extraordinary, but the troops not arriving according to expectation, makes us fear they have been attacked on their march.

9th, Everything quiet, no word of the troops.

10th, At break of day, in the morning, Miller, who was sent by express, the 5th, with two others, came in from Colonel Bouquet, whom he left at the Nine Mile Run. He brings an account that the Indians engaged our troops for two days, that our people beat them off. About 10 o'clock a detachment from the garrison, under the command of Captain Philips, marched to meet the troops and returned about 2 o'clock, having joined the Colonel at Bullet's Hill. The following is the best account I have been able to learn of the action, which happened the 5th, about a mile beyond Bushy Run:

Our advanced guard discovered the Indians where they were lying in ambush and fired on them about 3 o'clock in the afternoon; this brought on a general engagement which continued through the next day and night. Our people behaved with the greatest bravery and also the Indians who often advanced within a few steps of our people.

The action continued doubtful till the enemy by a stratagem was drawn into an ambuscade, where they were entirely routed, leaving a great many of their people dead on the spot.

Our loss in this affair is about 50 killed and 6o wounded. It is thought by our people the enemy left as many.

[108] 11th of August, raised our bateaux that we had sunk.

12th, Twenty-two bateaux were manned and rowed up both rivers for some distance; during this we could see the enemy on a hill on the opposite side the river looking at us; this was done to make the enemy believe we were going to attack their towns in order to clear our communication, as our horses, with most of the women and children, were going down with the escort.

13th, Major Campbell with the escort marched for Ligonier.

14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st, no enemy appeared. We have been employed in reaping and getting in all the grain, plowing for turnips and getting coal.

22d, Major Campbell arrived with the convoy with provisions.

23rd and 24th, Nothing extraordinary. Mr. McKee with a number of the militia went up to Mr. Croghan's plantation. Found his with all the houses between here and there burnt.

25th, An Indian called Andrews arrived here express from De Troit. Since he left De Troit he says he heard from the Indians that Major Rogers who went out from De Troit, to attack an Indian village, was attacked by the Indians and brought back, being shot himself through the thigh and saved by his men. By all the accounts from De Troit it appears that Indians have been spirited up by the French to massacre all our troops in the Indian country.

26th, 27th, Major Campbell left this with all the wagons and pack-horses and carried down all the women and children.

28th, An Indian was seen over the river.

29th, Andrews (the Indian) was sent express to Presqu' Isle to see if our troops were rebuilding that post.

30th, 31st, Andrews returned; he went within a little of Venango and met four Wyandotts who came from Presqu' Isle; they told him there was no white people there, but that 150 Ottawas were lying there waiting for a party of our people, [109] expected from Niagara; that several small parties of Lake Indians came this way; that one of 15 in number crossed to this side of Ohio, at Mr. Croghan's place, the 30th.

Sept. 5th, Indian Andrew went to hunt over the Ohio; returned in the evening, met four Shawnese; they informed him that the Delawares had all left their towns; that they were sent to see if any more troops were on the road here; they had been 18 miles down the road, were returning home again; that they had tried to take a scalp from a party of ours cutting fascines, but were afraid.

6th, Andrew went over the Ohio to hunt; he returned to the opposite shore with Killbuck and his son, who wanted some person to go over and speak to them. Colonel Bouquet let them know that unless they came by order of their chiefs he would have nothing to say to them; they went off.

7th, In the morning Andrew came over. He saw two of his own nation; they confirm the account of an engagement between the troops under Major Rogers and the Indians near De Troit, of his being shot through the thigh and losing 150 men with several officers, and his retreat to the fort, being pursued by the Indians. These Indians informed him that there were three parties of Delawares gone down in search of our expresses. They informed him that the schooner was returned from Niagara with provisions just before they came away, and that 8oo Indians in 8o canoes were gone to cut off the communication between Niagara and the landing where the vessels load for De Troit. Some Indians seen to-day by the Bullock Guard.

At dusk Andrew was sent to Ligonier to meet our express expected.

8th, This morning some Indians seen over the Ohio.

10th, Our Bullock Guard saw Indians. In the evening Andrew returned, having met our express 9 miles on this side [110] Ligonier, brought the letters, the express returned; he saw Indians a little way from the fort.

13th, Andrew saw whereabout 30 Indians had encamped the night before at Chartier's Creek.

15th, About 11 o'clock a few Indians fired on the Bullock Guard, without doing any damage; on the Guards firing some shot at them they ran off.

16th, The officer of the Bullock's Guard sent to acquaint the Colonel that his sentinels had discovered ten Indians; he was ordered to attack them if they appeared again; they saw nothing of them till the evening; when the guard was marching in, one showed himself.

October 17th, I went with a detachment of 6o men over the Monongehela to get coal. Some Indians who were on the top of the hill ran off on our taking possession of it and left some corn behind them just pulled.

19th, A Highlander was shot up the Monongehela; he was a sentinel from the Bullock Guard; there were but two or three Indians. They scalped him.

* * * * * *

[Bouquet Papers.)
LETTER OF CAPTAIN ECUYER.
(Endorsed.)
(Received 5th of February. Addressed.)

FORT PITT, January 8, 1763.

Sir:—I send according to your orders the return to Colonel Amherst the same that a Court of Inquiry considered in regard to the Conductor of Artillery accused of having taken powder from the magazine of the king. His officer does not wish to trust anything to him until we have a reply from his Excellency about it. The conductor is not liked, [111] it appears. I pity him and do not think him guilty. I received the letter you did me the honor to write to me from Lancaster. I long for others and for news, for the months at Fort Pitt are eternal. Four prisoners of the Shawnese have arrived here—two boys and two girls; we expect every day more with the chiefs. The families who brought these appeared well content with the presents of the province, which for the four amounted to 30£. Parties of warriors of the Six Nations pass here frequently, going to war against the Indians, who are in the interest of the Spanish. Mr. Croghan asks constantly for powder, lead and knives for them; that embarrasses me. Sometimes I refuse, at other times I give a little, and at other times I do not know on which foot to dance; I fear to do too much. Mr. Croghan says we cannot refuse these trifles, which, nevertheless, would be 45 lbs. of powder, 90 lbs. of lead, knives, vermillion, &c. I informed him that I would not give them anything without having received your orders, which I will obey promptly. As to the fort and garrison, all goes on the same way. Our gentlemen send you their compliments, and I have the honor to call myself very respectfully, Sir, your very humble and

Very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[To COLONEL BOUQUET.]

P. S.—I forgot to tell you, Sir, that we have a club every Monday and a ball on Saturday evening, composed of the most beautiful ladies of the garrison. We regale them with punch, and if it is not strong enough the whiskey is at their service. You may believe that we are not altogether the dupes.

Captain Philips sends you his compliments. I hope he will soon have a company. They tell me there are two vacancies in the 3d Battalion. I wish for it for him.

* * * * * *

[112] [British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.]

FORT PITT, Jan. 26, 1763.

Sir:—All is here very quiet; it is not the same at Bedford. Captain Ourry wrote to me that his corporal and five men are in prison for having robbed the magazine. I have just sent him a detachment to relieve his rascals and a party to escort them here, where they will receive the punishment so justly merited. They have even stolen the stores; it was thought to have been the settlers. I hope that will be discovered. An example will be very necessary; four or five hung would have a good effect.

Sergeant Clark tells me these returns should be sent to the General, but as I am not certain, I send them to you until a new order.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Sir, your

Very humble and obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[COLONEL BOUQUET.]

* * * * * *

[British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.]

FORT PITT, Feb. 8, 1763.

Sir:—The second express arrived here the fourth of the month; the package for Detroit left the 6th in the morning by an Indian, who chose to go alone to go faster. Mr. Croghan vouches for his fidelity and diligence. I sent one by the same envoy to Venango, with orders to the officer to send the orders of his Excellency to Le Bœuf and Presqu' Isle. I have also written to the officer who commands at Sandusky. I desired Major Gladwin to give a receipt to bearer, who will be paid here on his return (he left here on horseback). As the regiment of Virginia is disbanded, I have been obliged to [113] send a Corporal and four men to Fort Cumberland to guard the magazines of the king. Those at Redstone desert every day. I wait your orders to know if it is your intention to maintain a garrison from the battalion at these two posts. I have been obliged to relieve all the detachments at Bedford. They are accused by Captain Ourry of having stolen the flour of the king. If that is clearly proven I will have them punished with the greatest severity, they belong to my company. We have also trapped a robber of flour here, he received 500 lashes, but has not told on his accomplices. We have also three deserters under guard, they are Wheeler, Higges and Marks, the last of whom has already been tried by a general court-martial. Childers has been condemned to receive 1000 lashes. Mr. Hutchins will not depart until a new order is received. The last express having arrived too soon for him. I have offered the flour for sale, it is worth nothing at all, the cattle refuse to eat it. As regards the Matross [Artillery soldier.] of Detroit, he left here two days before the express arrived.

The Indians have brought us eight prisoners, of whom four are women and four young boys; they will leave here with the first horses that return. There, my dear Colonel, is all that I know that is at all interesting to send you. I do not neglect anything that I undertake. Permit, Sir, that I thank you for the news that you have had the kindness to communicate to me; may I pray you to continue? It seems to me that we will have a grand reform, and that I only hold by a thread. That is why I pray you if you learn anything on this subject, do not flatter me for my experience, but render me a real service, for then I will conduct myself accordingly. You will find here annexed the declaration of a Shawnee Indian, who is very intelligent, and who has travelled a great deal among the French of the Mississippi. I forgot to tell you that Mr. [114] Donnalan joined us the 2d of the month; if he does not think of revenge he talks a great deal of it.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Sir,
Your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

P. S.—Dare I pray you to send the enclosed for Mr. Grandidier at Quebec?

* * * * * *

[British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.]

FORT PITT, Feb. 21, 1763.

Sir:—I take advantage of Mr. Davenport leaving for Philadelphia, to inform you that I have received an Indian from Detroit with letters from Major Gladwin for his Excellency; this express arrived here ten days after the departure of ours and as his excellency could still send orders for this post, I have thought it best to keep it here until the arrival of another courier, that will save the cost of an express.

CAPTAIN CAMPBELL.

Mr. Croghan has received two expresses from the Delawares, which inform him that they will bring all their prisoners in the spring. All is well here, no appearance of deluge. I wait for news from you with great impatience. All our gentlemen assure you of their very humble respect, and I particularly, having the honor to be very sincerely,

Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

* * * * * *

[British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.]
LETTER TO COLONEL BOUQUET.
(Endorsed.)

FORT PITT, March 11, 1763.

Sir:—I send you the returns of the past month with an [115] account of the inundation of this post. The sixth of March the two rivers being somewhat swollen but with little ice, the 6th, 7th and 8th great rain. The 7th in the morning, the berme or turf of the flank of the bastion of the south and a part of the stone edging had fallen into the fosse. The river continuing to swell, I had the provisions removed from the ground floor and the various ammunitions, worked all day closing the drains, preparing everything against inundation as I best could. At 10 o'clock in the evening the two rivers united and the water around the fort increased one foot an hour. On the 8th, at 2 o'clock P.M., the flats and boats have been drawn to the bridge. At 4 o'clock in the morning six inches of water in the fort and the Allegheny full of ice. Two hours after midday I detached two officers and thirty men to the upper town with fifteen days provision for all the garrison. At midnight I brought all the boats and flats into the fort, prepared to save all and abandon the place the following day, but happily on the 9th, at 8 o'clock in the morning, the water was at its greatest height and at midday it fell two inches (the highest means twenty-two inches higher than last year).

All the provisions and ammunition are saved and in good condition. I have followed your plan as best I could. Here is an account of our losses.

The shop of the blacksmith entirely gone, the little wood gathered for the construction of the boats has followed several houses of the lower town. I believe our garden is lost by the fault of the sergeant, who did not inform me of the danger, this subject was entirely out of my head. All the fences of the garden carried off by the ice. The poor deer has had its leg broken. We are occupied in repairing the little devastations in the interior of the fort. The greater part of the turf on the sides not covered has fallen into the fosse. I cannot [116] sufficiently recommend to you Burrent, or enough praise his conduct, and to say all in one word he is invaluable. I send you this letter by an express from post to post, with orders to be expeditious, and on this subject I will write to Captain Ourry. Tomson the tanner, and Shepherd the carpenter, are drowned, the first at Turtle Creek and the other at Two Mile Run. I should tell you that I have given a short account of the affair to Colonel Amherst when sending returns to him. I await for news from you with great impatience.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully Sir,
Your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[TO COL. BOUQUET.]

P. S.—I have made two remarks on the manner in which this fort has been sodded. I do not know if you will find them judicious. The first is that it was neglected in placing the turf to plant in each four or five sticks of wood, dry and thin and about two feet long, this wood would support it until the turf would take root; the second, they should mow the grass at least once a year; this long grass holds more water, and in consequence, its weight draws out the turf. I leave this to be decided by those who know more about it than I do, for I am nothing less than Engineer.

* * * * * *

[British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.]
LETTER TO COLONEL BOUQUET.
(Endorsed.)

[CAPTAIN ECUYER.]

FORT PITT, March 19, 1763.

Sir :—The Express which I had sent to Detroit has arrived, and immediately I sent one from here with the package of [117] Major Gladwin, for his excellency. I learn from Captain Campbell that one of our soldiers has been killed at Michilimakinack by accident. They send me by the same the account of the accident of Lieutenant Jamet, who has been obliged to abandon his post during the month of December. The house where his detachment lodged having caught fire, which, being joined to his, both were in flames before it was perceived, so that he had much difficulty in saving himself from the flames that burned his shirt and his body; he has not marched with his party, which not having provisions has returned to Michilimakinack.

I have been much mortified by this miserable return. It causes me an excessive vexation every time that I think of it; although it was not my fault, the Adjutant telling me that the discharged people will not be returned. He is so positive and so obstinate that he believes yet and even at this time that the return is just.

I have ordered the coopers to work at the barrels. I hope to have managed to your satisfaction, for I do not think it would be possible to embark the provisions without casks, either to go up or down the river. Mr. Schlotter is following your orders in the returns for the month.

I have without delay packed up the teeth and horns, but you did not tell me to whom to address them. I have had our trees replanted and enclosed the garden, simply to preventthe cows from finishing the destruction, as it appears that we will not enjoy them; those that come after us will do as they fancy. Our people complain a great deal since this last order. They do not understand why they should work without pay, and what they do they do with an ill grace. I have had a great deal of trouble since the inundation to please everybody. I do not think I have succeeded. Everyone wants lodging above; the lower town has suffered most. I wish that not [118] one house had escaped, so as to force them to build elsewhere; the merchants have not lost anything. I assisted them with all my power, although few or none deserved it. I warned them the day before and offered them the wagons of the king, but the miserable fellows always waited until the last extremity. Mr. Hutchins has departed, hoping to return at the time appointed.

With regard to my intentions, Sir, it is not my intention to sell at present; but as I do not doubt that I will be placed on half-pay, I hope it will be as soon as possible. It appears it would be cruel and inhuman to send an officer so far and shut him up there. I declare that if that happens to me I will be entirely ruined, without the power to sell out; my voyage from Quebec here cost me 50 guineas. I hope the first packet will bring good news for reform; it is very hard, after having served well, to suffer for a troop of rebels, whatever may be said of them by the way. You will find joined to this all the vouchers which it has been possible for us to collect. There is a list among them which will explain all and two which are not here. We are occupied to-day in the chapel and have at midday divine service; afternoon for the Germans. The Rev. Mr. Post gives us a service in his manner. We had St. Patrick's fetes in every manner, so that Croghan could not write by this express.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Sir,
Your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[To COLONEL BOUQUET.]

P. S.—A merchant coming from Sandusky has presented an account to me of £11:12:6 pence curr. which poor Pauly will perhaps be obliged to pay; this was for the little presents which he was obliged to give to the Indians—tobacco, paint, &c.

* * * * * *
[119] (British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.)
LETTER OF CAPTAIN ECUYER.
(Endorsed.)
(Received the 16th of April, answered the 17th.)

FORT Pitt, March 30, 1763.

Sir:—We are very busy with our boats; Burrent has taken all possible pains. I hope he will be well paid; he deserves it, and he would be foolish to take this trouble for 18 cents a day. I continue to recommend him to you; I wish that my situation and my circumstances would enable me to be useful to him; I would do so with all my heart.

Sir, I pray you to fix a price with Mr. Swain; by the way, it is not just that he should take so much trouble for nothing.

I have written to Captain Basset on the communication, and sent him a list of articles which are wanting here. I prayed him to send horses from Bedford and Ligonier; we must, however, at least have four, as well as collars or draw-gears, for all those we have are rotten. The poor mare always limps.

I have made known publicly that all those who are in debt to the king for flour must pay on the 15th of April, or in default of which I will sell their effects; it is no use to speak mildly to this race.

We expect the Shawnese with our captives, from day to day. I begin to get tired of Fort Pitt, and this winter has seemed very long to me. Return quickly, that will give us back life. We expect you with impatience, particularly he who has the honor to call himself, very respectfully,

Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

* * * * * *

[120] [British Museum. Bouquet Papers.]

FORT PITT, April 9, 1763.

Sir:—It appears by the return of Mr. McKee that the Shawnese are no longer so well disposed as they were last autumn. The Delawares have sent a message for them not to give up their captives, that they were resolved not to give up any until they saw what turn things would take at this place. Notwithstanding all that, the Shawnese will be here in a few days with five prisoners, escorted by 100 beggars. We have determined to receive them very coldly; our boats advance very slowly (we need nails, iron and four or five horses more), nevertheless every one is employed. I forgot in my last to tell you, Sir, that your snuff-box has been found, but with a square piece cut out. After the flood the servant of Mr. Poffs and mine were walking along the river near the kitchen of Mr. Bassett; they found the pieces in the sand in such a way that I can not doubt a moment but that this theft was done by that rascally negro of Capt. Basset; he has buried the pieces in the sand, near the kitchen, and forgot them after the flood. There, Sir, is my opinion. I hope you will not shrug your shoulders at it.

This instant I have finished an affair which was on the point of making trouble, here in a few words is the case.

Lieut. Donnellan and Surgeon Boyd gave each other blows with their fists and sticks for three days, but upon other preparations to fight again, I was forced to put them under arrest to prevent other disorders. The officers tried to reconcile them, on which they wrote to me that they would not quarrel again. I will take care that the letter is signed by both.

I made them come before all the officers of the garrison and give their word of honor that they would not again quarrel, and set them free. Lieut. Francis was present during the [121] whole affair. If you will question him, you will know all the minutiæ; he heard more than I did.

I have the honor to be very respectfully, Sir,
Your very humble and obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[COL. BOUQUET.]

* * * * * *

[British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.]
LETTER TO COLONEL BOUQUET.
(Endorsed.)

[CAPTAIN ECUYER.]

FORT PITT, April 23, 1763.

Sir:—I have sent your mare (nearly cured) to your farm by a confidential soldier, who should not mount her, she only carries oats to Bedford. I have written to Captain Ourry to provide enough to convey him to the farm. I gave him money for the journey. Before the arrival of your letter I had sent four horses to Ligonier, they have returned with a wagon loaded with iron, harness and tools. I have sent an order to Mr. Blane to send to me all the king's horses, having great need of them here, for the boats and for the gardens. But he replied that he has not any, and that the horses which he has belong to himself, and that he had arranged with you on this subject when you came down. I believe that living so long at this post has made him believe at last that the place belongs to him.

I do not know, sir, if I have told you that we have found one of our bellows, and the second is some place at the bottom of the river, found by a trader from whom I wait to have an explanation, before I send to find it. I have three forges and six blacksmiths working at a great rate, eight hand saws and the mill, which is repaired and works. I think [122] that when you return here I will have all my wood sawed, all the stakes are made, 300. It must be confessed that Captain Bassett is a lazy man. I am told he has horses on the road; he has not deigned to write the least word, it seems to me he should have let me know what he sends if only to tranquillize me.

I spare neither care nor trouble to push on the work, it is my duty as much for the good of the service (which you have much at heart) as to prove to you, sir, my entire devotion, desiring nothing more than the power to be useful in something.

As with regard to Burent, Captain Basset can not sufficiently pay him for his diligence; he is absolutely a slave and does more than all the rest together. I do not know whether I do wrong, for without your orders I employ four coopers. We need casks. As well as for up as down the river we must have them. I have published that all who are in debt for flour or beef to the king must replace them the 15th of April; but hardly any one has come. I will then be obliged to take stronger measures, considering that all who are here (excepting the garrison) are the dregs of nature. I have had a thousand difficulties before I succeeded in collecting a part of the tools belonging to the king. I know that the old Clapham has his house full of them, but I leave that case to Captain Basset. The old man should furnish us by contract, sixteen beeves, he has only delivered thirteen, saying he lost the other three, that is why I put it at nearly the total.

You will find, sir, joined to this the declaration of Mr. McKee, on his journey to the Shawnees, as well as the council which we have held here; I can not absolutely refuse to give them powder, lead, vermillion, swivel guns, knives and tobacco. I think we are cheaply rid of them. They told us [123] that the Illinois and other Indians lower than them will oppose our passage, at the instigation of the French; their story seems very probable. Several soldiers demand their discharge, as many here as in the detached posts. Where is your camp bed? I am told that the one in your chamber belongs to Captain Barnsley, and his valet asks for it every day.

The Indians depart at last to-morrow, very much dissatisfied, although I have done for them more than I should perhaps; but one cannot free one's self from Mr. Croghan. He gave up to them because they would have eaten all our provisions; think, that during one month Mr. Croghan has drawn 17,000 pounds, as much flour as beef; that makes one tremble. I use the skins which the Indians have given, to dress the five prisoners and the rest of the product they will take home. I take this trouble myself, because where there is nothing no one will take care of it—nothing without money and everything for money.

Have the goodness, sir, to have sent to us for the officers good flour, the fine which we have will be finished in a short time.

* * * * * *

[British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.)
LETTER OF CAPTAIN ECUYER.
(Endorsed.)
(Received the 19th. On the back: "M. Repeat that no soldiers but such as act as . . . are to be paid, and those at 15s. Tell it to Baillie.") (Nearly illegible.)

FORT PITT, May 4, 1763.

Sir:—I hope that my letter of the 24th April with the returns has reached you. I have just received a package from [124] Detroit which I send immediately, with a speech of the Miamis to Mr. Holmes. Mr. Croghan is at Bedford, and proposes to go to Carlisle. It will be well that he should not delay, for those rascally Delawares are coming; they are all assembled in one of their towns for a grand council, to know whether they will deliver our men or not. Major Gladwin writes to me that I am surrounded with scamps. He complains a great deal of the Delawares and of the Shawnees; these are the rascals that try to put the others in action. Our boats go well; I have seven of them in the water. I have been obliged to send to Bedford for pitch or tar.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[COLONEL BOUQUET.]

* * * * * *

[British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.]
LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ECUYER
(Endorsed.)

FORT PITT, May 29, 1763.

Sir:—A large party of Mingoes arrived here at the beginning of the month and have delivered to us ten miserable horses. They demanded presents from me, but I have refused all their demands excepting eight bushels of Indian corn, which they have planted opposite Croghan's house, where they have formed a town. Before yesterday evening Mr. McKee reported to me that the Mingoes and Delawares were in motion, and that they had sold in haste £300 worth of skins, with which they have bought as much powder and lead as they could. Yesterday I sent him to their villages to get information, but he found them all abandoned. He followed [125] their traces, and he is certain that they have descended the river; that makes me think that they wish to intercept our boats and prevent our passage. They have stolen three horses and a cask of rum at Bushy Run; they at the same time stole £50 from one called Coleman (on the road to Bedford) with the gun at his breast. They say the famous Wolf and Butler were the chiefs, and it is clear that they wish to break with us. I pity the poor people on the communication. I am at work to put the fort in the best possible condition with the few people we have. Mr. Hutchins arrived here yesterday with six recruits. We have twenty boats in the water; I would like to know the number you wish, and what the carpenters must do. As I was finishing my letter three men arrived from Clapham's with the bad news that yesterday at 3 o'clock P.M., the Indians had killed Clapham, and all that were in the house were robbed and massacred. These three men were at work and escaped through the woods. I sent them immediately with arms to warn our men at Bushy Run. The Indians told Byerly to quit the place or they would all be killed in four days. I tremble for our small posts. As for this one, I will answer for it.

If any person should come here, they must take an escort, for the affair is serious.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir,
Your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[COLONEL BOUQUET.]

If you do not receive letters often from me it will be a proof that communication is cut off.

* * * * * *

[126] [British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.)
LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ECUYER.
(Endorsed.)
[Received June 5th. Colonel Bouquet.]

FORT Pitt, May 3, 1763, 9 o'clock P.M.

Sir:—Yesterday evening the Indians massacred the two men we had at the saw-mill, they scalped them and have left a head breaker or Tomahawk, which signifies I believe a declaration of war, they at the same time stole four horses of the king, which were working there. One Daniel Collier, horsedriver, who has just arrived, has made the declaration as follows, that being at Tuscarawa with forty-four ladened horses, King Beaver had warned Thomas Colhoun to depart immediately with all the whites that he could take and that he would give them three Indians to escort them, but being at Beaver Creek they were attacked, and only he himself has arrived here, with much difficulty. He believed all the party were killed, having heard seven or eight death cries. He said that the Indians that carried the belt to the Delawares have said that Sandusky was cut off and the officer made prisoner and that when the Indian express had departed from Detroit the party was attacked by them.

I fear the affair is general. I tremble for our posts. I fear according to the reports that I am surrounded by Indians. I neglect nothing to receive them well, and I expect to be attacked to-morrow morning. God wills it, I am passably ready. Every one works, and I do not sleep; but I fear that my express will be stopped.

I have formed two companies of militia, which amount to 8o or 90 men. I have had the oxen and cows brought near for service. In one word I have neglected nothing and have spared neither care nor trouble.

[127] I hope to be capable to do more for the service of the king, whom I have the honor to serve. Whatever happens I will do all that is in my power. Excuse haste as they say.

I have the honor to be very sincerely, Sir,
Your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

P. S.—You will have the goodness to translate my letters for the General as you like. Joined to this is a discourse which we sent to the Indians after their first murders; no reply, it is too soon.

* * * * * *

[British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.)
LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ECUYER.
(Received the 10th, and the Duplicates sent to the General.)
(FIRST LETTER.)

FORT PITT, June 2, 1763, 9 o'clock P.M.

Sir:—Here is the third express I have sent to Philadelphia, the first the 3oth of May, the second on the 3 1st.

This will inform you of the arrival of Mr. Calhoun at this post with a harangue from the Delawares. I am going to continue my last letter. On the 31st I sent two inhabitants to Venango, but they could not pass; at one mile and a half they were attacked and obliged to return; one of the two slightly wounded on the leg. Two young men arrived yesterday from Fort Burd and returned with orders to the Sergeant to engage all the inhabitants to join me here with 100 lbs. of powder and 1,000 lbs. of lead, which a merchant sent there a few days since; they should come either by water or by the woods. I hope to reap some advantage from the Indian's peltry. He told me that he will come with a party as soon as he has sent his wife and his cattle to Fort Cumberland. The two men from Bushy Run have retreated to Ligonier. Last night three inhabitants also departed for Venango. I do not [128] know whether they can pass. To return to that which concerns this place.

My garrison consists in all of 250 men, as many regulars as militia, all very determined to conquer or die; our men are high-spirited and I am glad to see their good will and with what celerity they work. I have little flour, the inhabitants receive half rations of bread and a little more meat, to the poorer women and children a little Indian corn and some meat. I manage as well as I can. I have collected all the animals of the inhabitants and placed them under our eye. We kill to spare our provisions, for the last resource and in order that the savages shall not profit by our animals. They are around us at the distance of a mile; they have not yet dared to appear, perhaps they are too feeble; it is not my business to go to find them. I have distributed tomahawks to the inhabitants; I have also gathered up all their beaver traps which are arranged along the rampart that is not finished. The merchant Trent is an excellent man, he has been of great help to me. He is always ready to assist me, he has a great deal of intelligence and is very worthy of recommendation. I will say no more in his praise. Burent is always the same, indefatigable. I pray you to leave nothing undone to induce his Excellency to procure a commission for him; I do not know any man that merits it more. Here is an abridgement of our work; I have demolished the lower town and brought the wood into the fort. I have burnt the high town; every person is in the fort, where I have constructed two ovens and a forge. I have surrounded our bastion with barrels full of earth, made good even places and embrasures for our cannon. I have a good entrenchment on the mined bastion and on the two curtains at the right and left. All around the rampart my people are covered by strong planks joined with stakes and an opening between two for firing the guns, without being exposed in any manner. If there [129] were any open places I would place across them bales of skins of deer which belong to the merchants. I have in the same way made galleries at the gorge (breast) of the bastion which corresponds with that of the barracks.

I have placed all the powder of the merchants in the king's magazine. I have also prepared every thing in case of fire. My bastions are furnished with casks full of water, as well as the interior of the fort. The women are appointed for this service. One must take service from all in this life.

The rascals burned the houses in the neighborhood. They have shot balls at the saw-mill. If I had foreseen it I could have saved all. Burent, my right arm, does not let me forget anything. A king would be happy to have 100,000 such subjects.

I have made Trent Major-Commandant of the militia, but as that does not agree with my fancy, I have incorporated the militia in our companies, having given the best to the grenadiers. Being mixed with our men we can draw from them better parties. Three companies serve twenty-four hours. At two hours after midnight all the garrison is at its post or place of alarm, so that I believe we are guarded from all surprises. I have been obliged to make some outlay, but I hope his Excellency will find them just, reasonable and necessary. My pocket is empty, nothing remains there but ten shillings. I would like very much to have a little more rum to give from time to time a drop to my brave men, they know my will and say nothing. I will be well recompensed if you approve of the measures which I have taken. I have done all for the best. If I have erred it is from ignorance. I would wish to be a good engineer to be able to do better, in short I have neglected no care, no trouble, be persuaded of that.

I am very respectfully, Sir,
Your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[COL. BOUQUET.]

* * * * * *

[130] P. S.—The three men who left here yesterday for Venango have been obliged to retrace the road nearly twenty miles this way, where they discovered two parties of Indians coming from this side. I tremble lest the posts should be cut off.

* * * * * *

[British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.]
LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ECUYER.
(Endorsed. Received the 23d.)

FORT PITT, June 16, 1763.

Sir:—I do not know whether this will reach you the same as my three preceding ones. According to all reports, it appears to me that the Indians march to the neighborhood of our colonies. I believe that there are but few around us; however, there are enough to interrupt our communication.

A man has arrived here who has assured me that Fort Burd is abandoned; I suppose they have retreated to Fort Cumberland. The Indians have burned Croghan's house and that of Thomson; they wish to decoy me and make me send out detachments, but they do not give me the chance. I am determined to guard my post, spare my men and not expose them uselessly. I believe that is what you expect of me. We are so confined in the fort that I fear sickness, for notwithstanding all my care I cannot keep the place as clean as I wish, thus the smallpox is among us on this account. I have had constructed a hospital under the bridge above the reach of rising waters. The three expresses (of which I made mention in my last) for Venango were obliged to return the next day. In the meantime, on the morning of the 7th, a boat arrived with a soldier and a trader and a letter from Mr. Christie. He informed me that Lieutenant Cuylor of the Queen's Rangers going from Niagara to Detroit was [131] attacked at the entrance of that river on the 28th of May, at 1 1 o'clock in the evening. His detachment was of 97 men, some R. A. some rangers. He had 139 barrels of provisions. He was himself wounded, two sergeants killed; Cope was one of them and 16 of our regiment. Ferlinger and 44 rangers, a woman and some others wounded. He only saved two boats with which they retreated to Sandusky, but he found no one there and all was burned. From there he went to Presqu' Isle with the rest of the people. He there left six men, and departed for Niagara.

My fort is formidable at present, 16 pieces mounted on good platforms. I have a sufficiently good retrenchment joined to a fraise, which is not set out over all, so it is not altogether as regular as it should be. But without engineers and being much hurried this should pass, and I think is good enough against this rabble, so that I begin to breathe. We have worked during eleven days in an incredible manner, our men are much fatigued, but I do not complain. In the future they will have rest. I have divided my little garrison into two divisions, each one with three officers, five sergeants, one drum, and from 68 to 70 men. We are all doubly armed, so that I have 500 shots to give them as they are in the moat (fosseé). These are the measures which I have taken, during our work. I had 100 men on the rampart all night, and at 2 o'clock in the morning the rest of the garrison were under arms until 5 o'clock, when they went to work. I have collected all the beaver traps which could be found with our merchants and they were placed in the evening outside the palisades. I would be pleased to send you one with the leg of a savage, but they have not given me this satisfaction. I have had made a quantity of crow-feet traps for the fossé, they are pointed enough for their moccasins.

No one has offered to help me but Mr. Trent, to whom I am [132]
much obliged, as well as to Mr. Hutchins, who has taken no rest. He oversaw the works and did his duty, at the same time, that is praiseworthy and he merits recompense. I wish Detroit could be sustained, but provisions and ammunition are scarce there. I hope to see you soon at the head of some regiments, for if they are sent as formerly, in small parties, one after the other, they would be cut off. This slovenly kind of war costs us an infinite number of men, that is the reason they should be driven back by one stroke and exterminated. I sent two men to Venango, but I have no news of them or from any other place.

On the 15th a party went out to cut grass. A militiaman was killed on the top of the mountain, where he had nothing to do. If he had followed my orders this would not have happened to him. The same night the savages crossed the garden, fired on the fort and on our oxen and cows which are in the park meadow where the deer were. Your letters also arrived on the night of the 15th and 16th by a good express from Bedford, who killed an Indian on the road. Mr. Blane was attacked on the second of June without results. We have often little alarms, but we laugh at them. I am assured that they are in very small numbers about us. I have only seen ten at a time, who showed themselves at the house of Hulings, perhaps to make us go out. I do not fear them. I wish they would desire to give me an assault, were they 5,000, for the more there were the more we would kill. No one more alert could be seen than our people. At the least sign everyone is at his post of alarm. I never knew the number of boats you wished for until now the carpenters told me. Mr. Basset had ordered thirty from them. I have 19 in the water and three nearly finished, but I have been obliged to discontinue from the moment the savages appeared so near to us. I can not send them actually until an escort is offered. I employ them [133] in the fort and they have been a great help in my work. Captain Ourry sends me word that a party of nearly thirty men from his garrison will be here soon. As soon as I see them I will have a party ready to sustain them. If I knew the day and if I could give them a position I would be certain to catch ten or twelve.

I have the honor to be very respectfully, Sir,
Your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[COLONEL BOUQUET.]

P. S.—Grandidier remarked to me that Meyer is detested in the 2d Battalion; I do not doubt it. The rascally Shawnees have come from the other side of the Ohio; they asked to speak to Mr. McKee. You will see, Sir, what they have said. They had a Frenchman with them, and fierce looks; they have not wished to come to this side; they have made demands as usual, but there was nothing for them but balls at their service. They said they had many Indians around us, but I believe nothing of it. S. E.

* * * * * *

[British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.]
LETTER OF CAPTAIN ECUYER.
(Endorsed.)
(Private. Received the 29th at Carlisle.)

FORT PITT, June 18, 1763.

Sir:—I received your letter May 3d, and one of June 9th yesterday at midnight. The carpenters being discharged, I will certify the accounts of our artisan soldiers and nothing more. Captain Basset wrote to Mr. Baillie to put him on the book for one shilling a day. I will never certify to such an [134] article; he has done nothing, only Burent. Mr. Basset is angry at me; as it appears in his letter, he has very bad manners. I have done his duty here, and I am actually still doing it. Mr. Hudson deserves to be paid more than others; moreover, Burent has used more shoes, &c., which these 2£ 6s. cannot pay for. I do not know why any one would put money into the hands of people who do not do what they should do. I will say no more about it until I have the honor to see you.

I am respectfully, Sir,
Your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[COLONEL BOUQUET.]

P. S.—Burent has just given me the warrant which he received from Mr. Basset; he does not want pay for what he has done. I have done what I could to appease him, but uselessly. Really I can not blame him; he is not paid for the tenth of his services. He has been a slave, and one who has done nothing has all the profit. I will never certify to an unjust thing if it is within my knowledge, for that would be wronging the king. Moreover, here is a paragraph of an order from the General-in-Chief, which I have received from you: "Where any work is carried on by artisans or laborers, the accounts of the several workmen must be kept by the commanding officer and the person who directs the work, from which accounts only the men will receive their wages." Thus, you will see, Sir, if it is just that Mr. Baillie, who keeps no account, can adjust them, and I pass and sign. S. E.

I have sent to Venango 25 barrels of flour and beef; I would have sent it at any rate without the alarm. Lieutenant Gordon must have sent a great deal to Le Bœuf. In his last letter he remarks to me that he has only provision for six [135] weeks. He has been very imprudent in sending two expresses by land, which have not arrived here, and one by boat without necessity; this is how they strip a post unreasonably. I have the honor to be, very respectfully and without reserve,

Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[COLONEL BOUQUET.]

P. S.— Mr. Croghan departs on the 25th for Bedford and Carlisle. The Dulcinia has given the itch to poor Baillie and others.

* * * * * *

[British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.]
LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ECUYER.
(Endorsed.)
(Received the 29th at Carlisle.)

FORT PITT, June 18, 1763.

Sir:—In my last, dated the 16th, I sent you a short discourse between four Shawnees and Mr. McKee. The next morning they recalled him and addressed to him the discourse here added. Mr. McKee gives great credit to it. As to me, I do not believe such vagabonds. I have seen but few Indians around us until this time. However it may be, they will come when they wish. The post is in a good state, and I cannot imagine that they will dare attempt an assault. I wish they would do it; they would remember it for more than four days. I have no news from any post but from Bedford and Ligonier. All is well.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Sir,
Your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[COLONEL BOUQUET.]

* * * * * *

[136] [British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.]
LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ECUYER.
(Endorsed.)
(Received at Carlisle, July 3d.)

FORT PITT, June 26, 1763, at 11 o'clock P.M.

Sir:—Since my last, dated the 18th, nothing extraordinary has happened, excepting some slight alarms from time to time, until the afternoon of the 22d, when the savages showed themselves and descended into the plain, driving into the woods a part of our horses, and killing some cattle, after which they attacked the fort from all sides excepting from the other side of the Monongehela, but at a great distance. I had, however, a militia killed and another wounded. I dispersed them a little later with a howitzer and two cannon shots, which assuredly were not without effect. We fired but three guns against these Indians, of whom one was killed. They came to take a horse opposite here, where Fleming's house was. On the night of the 23d and 24th they prowled around the fort to reconnoitre, and after midnight the Delawares asked to speak to Mr. McKee. You will find annexed our different conversations. The returns of the month: the three deaths are three of my men killed. I have besides that a regular wounded, two militia killed and two wounded. The garrison consists of 330 men all counted, 104 women, 106 children. Total 540 mouths, of which nearly 420 receive the provisions of the king. Mr. Price arrived this morning with seven men of his garrison, and as he has the honor to write to you, I will say no more about him, having had little time to talk to him since his arrival.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Sir,
Your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[COLONEL BOUQUET.]

[137] The 26th, five hours after noon.

Declaration of Benjamin Gray, soldier of the company of Cochran. He had left Presqu' Isle the 22d: Monday, the 19th, in the morning, 250 Indians attacked the place; they fought all the day and the next day. The day after Mr. Christie capitulated they should have given him an escort to here with provision for six days, but after having pillaged, they massacred our people. He and two others fled to the woods. He assures us that the Indians were of four nations
—Ottawas, Chipawas, Wyandotts and Senaccas. He had himself seen the schooner going to Detroit, but he does not know if it was loaded with provisions. He passed by Le Bœuf and Venango, which were destroyed.

S. ECUYER.

* * * * * *

[British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.]
LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ECUYER.
(Endorsed.)
(Received the 6th of November, 1763.)

FORT PITT, August 2, 1763.

Sir.—I have at this moment received John Hudson with one of your letters only. I hastened him off instantly. He was three days among our enemies. He will tell you more of it than I can. I have not received letters in reply to mine of the date June 26th. I have had ten days of council with the Indians; you will see their demands and my reply which Mr. McKee sent to Mr. Croghan.

On the 28th, of the afternoon, they came to attack us very briskly, and very soon all the bank of the lower town was surrounded. The garden of Mr. Rosgruge, behind our brick barrier, just to where the house of Captain Basset was, there [138] was a mob. They were well covered and ourselves the same.

They did us no harm,—no one killed. Seven wounded—myself lightly. Their attack lasted days and 5 nights. We are certain of having killed and wounded 20 of their men, without counting those which we have not seen. I did not permit any one to fire until they saw the object, and as soon as they showed their noses they were picked off like flies, for I had good marksmen. They recrossed the Ohio on the arrival of your express, and after having read your letters. I will tell you more about it when I have the honor to see you. I have at present four legs of beef and no flour. Bring a great deal of it or the jaws will rest immovable. Nothing to wash our throats. No Indian herb for the morning, and none of that kind of cabbage to mix with it; however, an old soldier can dispense with all that as well as with other things, and in the meanwhile I have the honor to be very perfectly, Sir,

Your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[TO COLONEL BOUQUET.]

* * * * * *

[British Museum.—Additional Manuscript, 21 ,649.]
LETTER TO S. ECUYER.
(The Bouquet Papers, Volume VII., page 153.)
(Endorsed.)
(Captain Ecuyer, November 8, 1763. Received the 13th Addressed, on His Majesty's Service, to Henry Bouquet, Esq., Colonel of the First Batt. R. A. R., etc., at Fort Pitt.)

BEDFORD, November 8, 1763.

Sir:—We arrived here the 4th of the month and departed the 9th. I do not know when we will arrive at Ligonier, for [139] the roads are terrible for the chariots. Our escort is very weak. We have only six militia, and our detachment diminishes every day. We have two invalids and eight deserters, viz.: Armstrong, Childers, Cope, Arneld, Negely, Townhawer, Grenadiers Darks and Fill. I suppose several will depart this night. I have done all that it was in my power to retain them, but all useless. They are rascals and mutineers of the first order, above all the Grenadiers. I suppose that Cotton and the scamp de Mains will go also; that will only be a benefit, for these two wags are capable of corrupting a whole regiment. I never had a detachment so disagreeable in my life, occasioned by their bad conduct.

I have written to Messrs. Belneves and Dow to have them put in prison if they show themselves in the province. I made a distribution of clothes to-day. The eight scamps left with their old people. The soldiers which are here and at Ligonier in garrison complain bitterly that they are not provided for, and I have no money to give them. We prepare to suffer rain, snow and cold without counting fatigue before we will have the pleasure of seeing you.

Waiting for that desired time, I have the honor to be very respectfully, sir,

Your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[COLONEL BOUQUET.]

* * * * * *

[British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.]
LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ECUYER.

(On the back: Nov. 14th, 1763, 11 o'clock forenoon, met an express from Captain Stewart at Bedford, the contents of which obliges me to proceed with the utmost expedition to Bedford.)

CHAS. FORBES.

[140] (A mile nearer Ligonier than the crossings of the road. Endorsed Captain Ecuyer, Nov. 13th, 1763. Answered the 16th addressed, on His Majesty's Service, To Henry Bouquet, Esq., Commanding his Majesty's Forces to the Westwards etc., at Fort Pitt.)

BEDFORD, NOV. 13, 1763.

Sir:—I hope you have received the express which Captain Stewart sent you with a letter dated from camp four miles from Bedford, November 11th.

We marched on that day to the foot of the Allegheny and when our carrier guard joined us they reported to us, that four different parties of Indians had been discovered; they killed for us one driver and one horse, and in the neighborhood of Bedford two of the inhabitants were cruelly massacred and a third carried off.

Captain Ourry came this morning to the camp to see us, but we had left, and he came near being among the victims, for the driver was killed very near to him. Their intention was to take him prisoner, but not being able to do that, they mortally wounded him. Our rear guard ran up and they took to the woods.

After all this intelligence Captain Stewart sent an officer with a party to reconnoitre the top of the mountain and escort two expresses to carry letters to you, but being near to the breastworks, they discovered and saw six savages coming to reconnoitre our camp ; they were followed as they believe by several others. Warned by the noise of the stones and other things they retreated and arrived at the camp at midnight; we were all under arms. After all these discoveries Captain Stewart called together all the officers and demanded their opinion which was unanimous, to return to Bedford, to save the convoy and wait for a sufficient escort, for eighty men in [141] all was not a sufficient escort for twenty-three wagons, 300 horses, 160 cattle. I think they wished to attack us before we should arrive at Ligonier, perhaps hoping to be more fortunate than between Ligonier and Fort Pitt. It is desolation on our frontiers. It is said here for certain, that the province of Pennsylvania is going to raise three battalions and some rangers.

The Cherokees have refused the presents and have declared that so long as there is one man living they will not treat with us. It is said also, that the Senaccas have been so badly received when they have demanded to renew the chain of friendship, that they have all taken the hatchet and it was they who made the attacks (coup) at the portage of Niagara. What will the five other nations do? We have several men in my detachment incapable of marching. I have also the great scamps, Maines and Coyle, prisoners for desertion. Here are the names of those who have deserted since my letter of the 8th, Hurst, Miller, Colton, Green, Hook, Ward, Smith, Grend. Burgess, Higgs and Anderson, Grenadiers, total eighteen and two prisoners, besides those who departed before we marched here. I have served more than twenty-two years, but I have never seen the like, a troop of mutineers, of bandits, of cut-throats, above all the Grenadiers. I have been obliged after all imaginable patience to have flogged two on the field and without court-martial. One wished to kill the Sergeant and the other wanted to kill me. I was on the point of blowing out his brains, but the fear of killing or wounding some one of those who were around us prevented me. What a disagreeable thing. In the name of God let me retire to my country seat. It is in your power, Sir, to let me go, and I will be eternally grateful. Do not refuse me this favor I pray you, otherwise I will not get better and I do not know if I will be in a state to mount with the convoy.

[142] Waiting for news of you, I pray you to believe me, very respectfully, Sir,

Your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[COLONEL BOUQUET.]

* * * * * *

[British Museum.—Bouquet Papers.]
LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ECUYER.
(Endorsed.)
(Received the 29th. Addressed—On His Majesty's Service, to Henry
Bouquet, Esq., Colonel Commanding His Majesty's
Forces to the Westward, etc., at Fort Pitt.)

BEDFORD, November 20, 1763.

Sir:—I have received your two letters by Captain Forbes, dated the 13th and 16th of the month. We have not had any desertions since my last letter. I am distressed to be obliged to remain here, my health does not permit me to undertake the journey to Fort Pitt. Doctor Boyd will tell you the same, that I am not capable of bearing the fatigue. I have a great cold in my head and fever every night, sick stomach and headache, accompanied by an abscess in the place where I was wounded at Quebec, which causes me inexpressible suffering. However, I hope that this complication of ills will have no evil result and as you cannot give me a furlough, I will join the battalion as soon as possible; in the meanwhile I will remain here ready to receive your orders.

I have desired Mr. Hutchins to arrange all my accounts and pay the balance to my men and that he will have the goodness to send me some linen, for I am naked as the hand, having only brought with me four woven shirts. I congratulate you on the journey of Sir Jeffry, he is much regretted by all the army.

[143] General Gage will command, it is said, until the arrival of General Moncton. There you see the changes more prompt than could have been expected from them. I acknowledge that the American army is agreeably surprised. The great Babylon has fallen, and all the undermined world rests on its foundation. What cries of universal joy, and what bumpers of Madeira will be drunk on his prompt departure. God knows whether he will deign to reply to our last letters; he is sufficiently pleased to leave you in the lurch. I know that you will draw good from it, notwithstanding his jealousy. I pray very humbly, Sir, to you to take the trouble to speak to Captain Barnsley with regard to my subsistence. I would be charmed if things could be arranged pleasantly. He charges me ten shillings . . . more than it cost. There is the way some people make money in the world. It seems to me that after having spent foolishly my money during 18 months he might as well give me the change. He has lost nothing by me; but when one is a Jew he is a Jew, and remains so, besides that there is due me two sch. sterling a day, too much pay for the music, from the 25th of April, 1762, until October 24, 1763. Never was detachment more disagreeable than this one, above all for poor Captain Stewart as commandant. He has been very badly served and obeyed by some of the officers, so that after all the patience imaginable he sees himself in the hard necessity to send to you Lieutenants Guy and Watson, prisoners for faults and crimes for which in all other services the last would have had his head broken. I am not surprised if the soldiers mutiny when the officers conduct themselves in that way. I will say no more about it; you will see in the papers more than you wish to. Mr. Guy has surely neglected his duty; he left his guard the day of the mutiny, took lodgings in town without permission, while I, though sick, camped with the soldiers. One evening, when he was on duty, he did [144] not make his round. I spoke of it to him the next day, on which hç replied that if he knew the reporter he would kick him on the back. I replied that it was me, and that it was my duty, and it seemed to me that every one should do his. He retired, some days after he was put under arrest. I wrote to him and advised him as a friend, but he did not deign to reply. I abandon him to his unhappy fate and pity him. He is an idiot who lets himself be led, and who follows a bad guide. He is uncourteous to be obstinate when he is entirely in the wrong. It is true that when one breakfasts with a toddy one is liable to commit great faults during the day and to repent in the evening. However it may be, he comes out badly from it.

I continue to recommend myself to the honor of your remembrance and to call myself very respectfully, Sir,

Your very humble and very obedient servant,
S. ECUYER.

[COLONEL BOUQUET.]

P. S.—I must not neglect to recommend to you Mr. Hutchins as a worthy officer. He has given himself all imaginable trouble and has been of great use to Captain Stewart and the detachment. His diligence and good will merits more than I can tell you.

* * * * * *

[The Bouquet Papers.]
LETTER TO MAJOR GLADWIN.

FORT PITT, August 28, 1763.

Dear Sir:—I had last night the very great pleasure to receive your letter of the 28th of July by your express Andrew, who says he was detained by sickness at Sandusky. Your letters for the General are forwarded.

[145] A Mohawk having reported to Sir Wm. Johnson that De Troit was taken, I could not help being uneasy, tho' long acquainted with Indian lies. It was a great satisfaction to me to know from yourself that you have been able to defend that post, with so few men, against that multitude. What was known below of your firm and prudent conduct from the beginning of the Insurrection had obtained the General's approbation, and does you the greatest honor.

The loss of all our detached posts is no more than could be expected from their defenceless state; but Captain Campbell's death affects me sensibly.

I pity the unfortunate who remain yet in the power of the barbarians, as every step we take to rescue them may and will probably hasten their death. Your express says that after he left the De Troit two Wiandots told him that the detachment of 300 men from Niagara had joined you with provisions. This will give you some ease till more effectual reinforcements can be sent.

You know that you are to have the command of all the troops destined for De Troit and to retake possession of the country now fallen into the hands of the enemy. To that effect the General collects all the troops that can be spared at Niagara, and Presque Isle. (Erie.) The remains of the 42d and 77th were ordered to join you this way, when we had intelligence that Venango had been surprised, Lieutenant Gordon and all his unfortunate garrison massacred. Le Boeœuf abandoned and Presque Isle surrendered, to my unspeakable astonishment, as I knew the strength of that block house, which would have been relieved from Niagara.

Fort Pitt was attacked and invested by all the Delawares and parts of the Shawnese, Wiandots and Mingoes, to the [146] number of 400, by their account, but much more considerable, as we found afterward, besides their women and children, which they had brought here to carry the plunder to their towns, not doubting to take the place. Fort Burd, on the Monongehela, Bushy Run and Stoney Creek were abandoned for want of men.

Ligonier, (Red Stone, old fort, one mile above the mouth of Red Stone Creek; east side of Loyalhanna Creek.) a post of great consequence to us, was defended with a handful of men by Lieut. Blane, and Capt. Ecuyer baffled all their efforts here, though the fort was open on three sides; the floods having undermined the sodwork, the rampart had tumbled in the ditch. He pallissadoed and fraised the whole, raised a parapet all around, and in a short time with a small garrison he has made it impregnable for savages. Besides their attack on the forts, they kept parties on the communication and interrupted all expresses, while others falling upon the frontier settlements spread terror and desolation through the whole country. (Battle of Bushy Run.)

Things being in that situation I received orders to march with the above troops, the only force the General could collect at that time for the relief of this fort, which was in great want of provisions, the little flour they had being damaged.

In that pressing danger the provinces refused to give us the least assistance. Having formed a convoy, I marched from Carlisle the 18th of July with about 460 rank and file, being the remains of the 42d and 77th regiments, many of them convalescents. I left thirty men at Bedford, and as many at Ligonier, where I arrived on the 2d instant. Having no intelligence of the enemy, I determined to leave the waggons at that post and to proceed with 400 horses, loaded with flour, to be less incumbered in case of an action.

[147] I left Ligonier on the 4th, and on the 5th instant, at 1 o'clock P.M., after marching seventeen miles, we were suddenly attacked by all the savages collected about Fort Pitt. I shall not enter into the detail of that obstinate action, which lasted till night, and beginning early the 6th continued till 1 o'clock, when at last we routed them. They were pursued about two miles and so well dispersed that we have not seen one since; as we were excessively distressed by the total want of water, we marched immediately to the nearest spring without inquiring into the loss of the enemy, who must have suffered greatly by their repeated and bold attacks in which they were constantly repulsed. Our loss is very considerable. Of the 42d: Captain-Lieutenant Graham, Lieutenant McIntosh, Rangers Lieutenant Randall killed. 42d: Captain John Graham, Lieutenant Dun Campbell wounded. 77th: Lieutenant Donald Campbell. Volunteer People: killed, 50; wounded, 6o; in all, 110.

After delivering our convoy here, part of the troops were embarked and sent down the river to cut off the Shawnees; the rest went back to Ligonier, and brought our wagons on the 22d. The great fatigues of long marches, and of being always under arms has occasioned great sickness, which, with the loss in the action, puts it out of my power to send you the remains of the two regiments ordered to join you by Presque Isle, till I receive a reinforcement. This gives me great uneasiness, as I know that they are much wanted.

But you may be assured that we shall do everything in the power of man to assist you. I am to remain here myself, ready to go down the river with a strong body, which is to be ordered for that service.

As I have no means to procure intelligence from Presque Isle, I am obliged to send your express that way, and at his return I will dispatch him by Sandusky, with what news I [148] may then have received and a duplicate of this. It is very agreeable to me to hear that our officers with you have been so happy as to obtain your approbation of their services, and I am much obliged to you for the honor you have done them.

I enclose the latest papers we have. Two of our battalions are reduced. I know nothing certain of the numbers of corps remaining.

I am, dear Sir,
Your most obedient and humble servant,
H. BOUQUET, Col.

* * * * * *

(Continued)

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