Item 8b: A Copy by F. Allen, of a Letter from Zebulon Butler to “the War Board,” (removed to legal box #1), 1778 July 10
Item — Box: 10, Folder: 8b
Dates
- Created: 1778 July 10
Creator
- Butler, Zebulon, 1731-1795 (Person)
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter.
Condition Note:
Fair. Discoloration and slight tearing along edges and folded seam.
Measurements:
9 ⅞ in. x 8 in. (closed); 16 in. x 9 ⅞ in. (open)
Description:
The following letter depicts a copy by F. Allen, of an original letter, dated July 10, 1778, written by Zebulon Butler, a lieutenant Colonel during the American Revolutionary war and political figure from Connecticut, to the Board of War. In the Letter, Butler is recounting a recent conflict between the inhabitants of the counties and the neighboring indigenous communities in the region. He writes that there was a standoff between the two, where upon mishearing a command to retreat, their militia was split. He explains that, though they had the higher ground before the confusion, their numbers suffered greatly following the action. He writes that the inhabitants settled on terms of surrender that Butler had rejected and Captain Denison negotiated those terms, included in Butler’s letter, with the indigenous parties upon their request. In concluding his letter, Butler mentions that many of the remaining inhabitants were required to move their families and belongings up river after the attack reduced many of their buildings to ruins. He asks for their financial support from the Board of War.
The battle that Butler is writing about is the Battle of Wyoming, a violent conflict that happened during the Second Yankee-Pennamite War of the Susquehanna Controversy where Pennsylvania and Connecticut disputed the other’s claim to the land. On July 3rd of 1778, Pennsylvanian loyalists teamed up with the British and Iroquois to lay siege to the Connecticut settlement Fort Wyoming, viewing the siege as an opportunity to drive out the opposing settlers who they saw as bargaining pieces to placate the crown in their victory. Colonel John Butler, a British major and loyalist, led a troop of nearly one thousand composed of loyalists and Iroquois allies who killed and captured over three-hundred men, women, and children of the valley. Zebulon Butler attempted to defend the settlers within the Valley, but was wholly overwhelmed by the loyalist numbers.
Transcription:
Gnadenhutten Penn[sylvania] Township 10 July 1778
Honoured Sir
On my arrival at Westmoreland (which was only four
days after I left York-Town) I found there was a large body of the
enemy advancing on that settlement. On the 1st of July we mustered
the militia & marched towards them by the river above settlement,
-found & killed two Indians, at a place where the day before they
had murdered nine men engaged in hoeing corn. We found some
canoes &ca [etcetera] but finding we were above their main body
it was judged prudent to return. As every man had to go to his
own house for provisions we could not muster again until the
3rd of July. In the meantime Enemy had got possession of two Forts
one of which we had reason to believe was designed for them—tho’ [though]
they burnt them both. The Inhabitants had seven Forts, extending
about Ten miles on the river, for the pro security of their women & children
and too many men would stay in them to care for them;- but after
collecting about three Hundred of the most spirited militia
including Capt[ain] Hewits company I held a council with the
Officers who were all agreed it was best to attack the enemy before
they got any further. We accordingly marched found their situation
-formed a front of the same extension of the enemy’s and attacked
from right to left at the same time. Our men stood the fire well
for two three or four shots till [until] some part of the enemy gave way, but
unfortunately for us through some mistake the word retreat was
understood from some offices on the left which took so quick
that it was not in the power of the Officers to form them again, though
I believe if they had stood three minutes longer the enemy
would have been beaten. The utmost extensions pains to rally were were made taken by the Officers
Page 2:
who mostly fell a Lieut[enant] Colonel & Major, & fire Captains who were in Commission in the militia all fell. Col[onel] Durkeee & Captains Hewitt & Ransom were likewise killed. In whole about Two Hundred men lost their lives in the action on our side what number of the enemy were killed is yet uncertain though I believe a very considerable number The loss of men so intimidated the Inhabitants that they gave up with terms that I had refused. The enemy sent flags frequently-the terms you will see in the enclosed letter. They repeatedly said they had nothing to do with any but the Inhabitants & did not want to treat with me. Colonel Denison by desire of the inhabitants went & complied which made it necessary for me to leave the place & the little remains of Capt[ain] Hewitt’s company to leave the inhabitants after their agreement & that myself with the few Continental soldiers should be delivered up to the savages — upon which I left the place & came here— scarcely able to move as to find horse or man to wait on the Board till now. I must submit to the Board what must be the next step. The little Remains of Hewitts company (which are about 15) are gone to Shemoken (sic) [Shamokin], & Capt[ain] Spauldings Company I have heard are on the Delaware. Several hundred of the Inhabitants are strolling out in the Country destitute of provisions, who have large fields of grain & other necessaries of life at Westmoreland. It short if the Inhabitants can go back there may yet be saved double the quantity of provisions to support themselves otherwise they must be beggars & a burthen to the world. I have heard by men that came from the place since the people gave up, that the Indians have killed no person since but have burnt the most of the buildings, and are collecting all
Page 3:
the horses they can and are moving up the river. They likewise say the enemy were eight Hundred- one half white men. I should be glad if that, if possible there might be a sufficient guard sent for the defence of that place which will be a means of saving thousands from poverty- but must submit to the wisdom of Congress. I desire further orders from Hon[ora]ble Board of War with respect to myself and the soldiers under my directions. I have the honour to be your Honour Most Obd [odebient] Humble Serv[ant] Zebulon Butler
Enclosed Copy of a letter to the Board of War 10 July from F T Allen
Back:
Copy of a Letter to the Board of War July 1778
In Pencil: describes July 3 [17]78
Page 2:
who mostly fell a Lieut[enant] Colonel & Major, & fire Captains who were in Commission in the militia all fell. Col[onel] Durkeee & Captains Hewitt & Ransom were likewise killed. In whole about Two Hundred men lost their lives in the action on our side what number of the enemy were killed is yet uncertain though I believe a very considerable number The loss of men so intimidated the Inhabitants that they gave up with terms that I had refused. The enemy sent flags frequently-the terms you will see in the enclosed letter. They repeatedly said they had nothing to do with any but the Inhabitants & did not want to treat with me. Colonel Denison by desire of the inhabitants went & complied which made it necessary for me to leave the place & the little remains of Capt[ain] Hewitt’s company to leave the inhabitants after their agreement & that myself with the few Continental soldiers should be delivered up to the savages — upon which I left the place & came here— scarcely able to move as to find horse or man to wait on the Board till now. I must submit to the Board what must be the next step. The little Remains of Hewitts company (which are about 15) are gone to Shemoken (sic) [Shamokin], & Capt[ain] Spauldings Company I have heard are on the Delaware. Several hundred of the Inhabitants are strolling out in the Country destitute of provisions, who have large fields of grain & other necessaries of life at Westmoreland. It short if the Inhabitants can go back there may yet be saved double the quantity of provisions to support themselves otherwise they must be beggars & a burthen to the world. I have heard by men that came from the place since the people gave up, that the Indians have killed no person since but have burnt the most of the buildings, and are collecting all
Page 3:
the horses they can and are moving up the river. They likewise say the enemy were eight Hundred- one half white men. I should be glad if that, if possible there might be a sufficient guard sent for the defence of that place which will be a means of saving thousands from poverty- but must submit to the wisdom of Congress. I desire further orders from Hon[ora]ble Board of War with respect to myself and the soldiers under my directions. I have the honour to be your Honour Most Obd [odebient] Humble Serv[ant] Zebulon Butler
Enclosed Copy of a letter to the Board of War 10 July from F T Allen
Back:
Copy of a Letter to the Board of War July 1778
In Pencil: describes July 3 [17]78
Location:
Gnadenhutten, Lehigh
Creator
- Butler, Zebulon, 1731-1795 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu