The Journal of Lieut. John L. Hardenbergh of the Second New York Continental Regiment from May 1 to October 3, 1779, in General Sullivan's Campaign Against the Western Indians: With an Introduction, Copious Historical Notes, and Maps of the Battle-field of Newtown and Groveland AmbuscadeHardenbergh, John Leonard
History
The Journal of Lieut. John L. Hardenbergh of the Second New York Continental Regiment from May 1 to October 3, 1779, in General Sullivan's Campaign Against the Western Indians: With an Introduction, Copious Historical Notes, and Maps of the Battle-field of Newtown and Groveland Ambuscade
Hardenbergh, John Leonard
Sullivan's Indian Campaign, 1779; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Personal narratives
in front, and the left flanking division under Col. Ogden had worked
its way along the river on the enemy's flank, when, the enemy
admirably commanded, and wisely discreet, sounded the signal for
retreat just in time to escape. A British account says: "In this
action Col. Butler and all his people was surrounded, and very near
being taken prisoners. On the same day a few miles from this he
attempted again to stop them, but in vain. The Colonel lost four
rangers killed, two taken prisoners and seven wounded." Twelve Indians
were found dead on the field, the number of wounded unknown. The enemy
were pursued for two or three miles above Newtown by the light troops,
where Salmon says they made another stand, which appears to be
confirmed by the account above quoted, but no details are given, and
the matter is not alluded to in Gen. Sullivan's official report. The
loss in killed according to the Indian official account, found four
days after, near Catharine's town is as follows: "Sept. 3d.--This day
found a tree marked 1779, Thandagana, the English of which is Brant,
12 men marked on it with arrows pierced through them, signifying the
number they had lost in the action of the 29th ultimo. A small tree
was twisted round like a rope and bent down which signified that if we
drove and distressed them, yet we would not conquer them."
[76] The loss of our army is variously given in different accounts of
the action. Major Livermore (Journal Aug. 29) says that "but four or
five" were killed and three officers and about "thirty others" were
wounded. Lieut. Barton (Journal) that two or three of ours were killed
and "thirty-four or five wounded." Gen. Sullivan, in a despatch
written the next day after the fight, makes the entire loss _three_
killed and thirty nine wounded.
[77] During the march this day two towns were burned, viz.:
MIDDLETOWN.--A small Indian town mentioned in several Journals as
lying between Newtown and Kanawlohalla, on the north side of the
river, consisting of eight houses, destroyed Aug. 31 by the army while
on the march.
KANAWLOHALLA.--Signifying _a head on a pole_, located on the present
site of Elmira, destroyed by Sullivan's army Aug. 31. In some Journals
this town is called Newtown, and the one near the battle field Lower
Newtown, but a majority designate it by its Indian name, which,
according to Mr. Maxwell should be spelled Canaweola, as pronounced by
Red Jacket, and who also gave the signification, and the legend
connected with it.
Col. Dayton with the 3d N.J. regiment and a detachment of riflemen
were detached here and sent up the river in pursuit of the enemy, whom
the advanced guard saw escaping in their canoes. He failed to overtake
them, but found an Indian village at or near present Big Flats, which
he destroyed. He encamped here for the night and rejoined the main
army the next morning, by a march north-east through the valley, where
the main body were encamped near present Horse Heads.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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