This is an article my wife Danielle wrote about a woman who made an enormous effort during the Civil War for good old Schuylkill County.
NOBLE WOMAN OF SCHUYLKILL
By
Danielle Richards.
Like most women in history, Miss Amanda Silliman was lost over the last 130 years to slow the passage of time. Her remarkable patriotic spirit and zeal during the Civil War was no longer spoken about by her neighbors, sisters, Union soldiers, and friends, they too long gone. Her many acts of Charity and kindness toward Civil War soldiers and their families, her support for the Union cause and her remarkable fund raising efforts on behalf of the Pottsville Ladies Soldiers’ Aid Society were largely unrecorded, undocumented, and unrecognized in Schuylkill County and Pennsylvania History.
She, like many women of the time, received no testimonials, no high and lofty praises, no gold medals and no flowery accolades for her service on behalf of the Union. There would be no “likeness” recorded of her, no great bombastic newspaper accounting of her heroic war efforts, no gold, jewel-encrusted presentation swords 9inscribed with her name and offered to her on behalf of the grateful soldiers. Her fate would be to lie forgotten in the dark, silent halls of time for more than a century until 130 years later, the memory of her deeds of selfless patriotism and unselfish devotion to country and cause would be rediscovered, recognized and rewritten back into history.
Amanda Silliman was born in Pottsville, a prosperous anthracite coal mining town in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Her father, James Silliman, was a prominent and wealthy coal operator in the area, and it is likely that Amanda, along with her eight siblings enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle.
Amanda’s greatest contributions came during her late thirties when, upon the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, she promptly volunteered to Secretary of War Cameron along with twenty other Pottsville ladies as nurses for the sick and wounded of the Schuylkill County regiment of volunteers. She then lead an ambitious effort on behalf of the Pottsville Ladies Soldiers Aid Society to sew towels, needle cases and head coverings for the soldiers in the field.
During the early part of the War of the Rebellion, while she served as principal of the Pottsville Female Primary School, she actively participated and led local efforts to recognize and applaud Schuylkill County Soldiers and their officers in appreciation of their sacrifices while leading Schuylkill County Regiments.
Amanda orchestrated the sewing of a special silk battle flag for presentation to the Schuylkill County 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment. The 48th played a major role in the July, 1864 Battle of the Crater at Petersburg, Virginia ( The Story of The 48th ).
As the war continued, Amanda with her sister, Sarah, and other prominent Pottsville women, organized the Ladies Aid Society of Trinity Episcopal Church. Through the efforts of this and similar Aid societies, local donations consisting of wooden boxes filled with shirts, mittens towels, bandages, dried fruits and vegetables, soap and rice were sent to the soldiers at the front. The contents of these boxes were a blessing to thousands of sick, wounded and dying soldiers. Later in the war the Ladies Aid Societies of Schuylkill County assisted larger, nationwide Sanitary Commission (forerunner of Red Cross) with large fundraisers called Sanitary Fairs. The function of these fairs, held throughout the northern states from 1863 on, was to raise valuable funds to provide food medical supplies for sick and wounded soldiers.
In June 1864 the great Sanitary Fair of Philadelphia was held. Amamda Silliman was appointed chair of the committee upon “Labor, Income and Revenue” in the female department of labor in Pottsville. ( Memorial to the Patriotism). Contributions from Schuylkill County to the Fair amounted to over $8,000. Through these contributions ined largely by the volunteer work and dedication of Amanda and other Schuylkill County women, the Sanitary Fair of Philadelphia succeeded and many soldiers’ lives were saved.
In 1865, despite great personal risk Amanda traveled the long distance from Pennsylvania to Petersburg, Virginia to nurse her wounded brother, Thomas, of the 48th P.V.I. He was wounded April 2, 1865 during the Battle for Fort Malone. According to Old Schuylkill Tales. Amanda was the first woman granted permission at Petersburg to enter the lines after the battle. The commanding general supplied her with a pass and granted her an escort. To undertake such a long and arduous trip through Confederate territory, attested to Amanda’s courage and her loyalty to family, country and cause.
Sadly, it is difficult to find anything written about Amanda’s activities and service to her community and church following the Civil War. One can assume she remained dedicated, as she had during the Rebellion to making a difference in the lives of her family, friends, neighbors and country.
Perhaps we can glimpse a warm early spring day late in May, 1904. A large funeral cortege makes its way to Pottsville’s Mount Laurel Cemetery, graves just growing green with the new spring rains, Tearful mourners, dressed in black, take their places by th4e freshly dug grave. Today, they are lying to rest lady. A gentle voice speaks to the assembled mourners:
“Gently she sleeps. Her rest is in the bosom of God. Asleep, far away from cares and woes of this life. Asleep, after a long life of service to her God and humanity. To her many friends here on earth she will ever sleep and never awaken. Who will now answer the frail cry of the poor orphan, the call for help from the widowed mother, the wail of the repentant sinner, who used to come to her gates? Who will now bind the wounds of the soldiers and sailor as she bound them? Who will now heal the sick and distressed as she comforted them? Where is the woman who could take her place in heroic action becoming good womanhood? There are those who can but few are possessed of her courage.
Her life was as pure as that of Ruth. Her example in the heroism of true life as great as that of Ruth. Her accomplished work in the furtherance of public good in her community was probably greater than that of any man who lived therein. Her life was a beautiful picture. Her lifework stands in imperishable bronze. The fleeting years pass away, so shall we, but her sweet memory never.”
Miners Journal.
…..Rest in Peace, ministering angel to the afflicted. Your Courageous acts and patriotic deeds are remembered and celebrated.
Elliot, Ella Old Schuylkill Tales: A history of interesting Events, traditions and Anecdotes.
Of the early settlers of Schuylkill County, 1906
Wallace. F. Memorial to Patriotism, 1865
Gould, Joseph, The Story of the 48th, 1908
The Miners Journal. May 28, 1904.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Schuylkill County and the Battle of The Little Big Horn
With my passion for the Indian Wars of America I got involved into a lot of research looking for the men who served in the military during the times of the Indian Wars, actually pre 1861 but mostly 1866-1900 era. I came across quite a few men who served in Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry regiments during this time period. Probably the most interesting find came with the finding of three men who fought and died at the Little Big Horn with my favorite of all Cavalry men George Armstrong Custer. This is their story, it was published a few years ago in Schuylkill Living Magazine, but here it is again.
Schuylkill County and Custers
Last Battle.
The Little Big Horn Connection.
On the late afternoon of June 25, 1876 overlooking the Little Big Horn river a force of Sioux and
Cheyenne Indians attacked and overwhelmed General George Armstrong Custer’s battalion of five
companies, consisting of 210 men. Writing into history the famed heroic last stand of General Custer and
the 7th cavalry.
Though the Little Big Horn is over a thousand miles from Schuylkill county, there is a an ever lasting
connection and mystery connected to this one of the most talked about and discussed battles in American
history. Three men from Schuylkill county fought and died on that dusty plain one hundred and twenty
three years ago.
The first news of the disaster reached the people of Schuylkill county in the July 7th issue of the
Pottsville Weekly Miners Journal with a short little by line entitled War Feeling. The rumor of the
massacre of General Custer and his men by the Sioux Indians created a great deal of excitement in
Pottsville yesterday. It was the universal determination not to believe the news until there could be no
room left for doubt. In case the army has to be increased in order to punish the savages, plenty of
volunteers can be got for the asking in this county; that is, if one can judge from the talk of the people.
The story begins on November 3, 1875 when Washington opens the sacred Black Hills for the mining
of gold and decides that Sitting Bull and his band of Indians must return to the reservation by the dead
line set for January 31, 1876 or they will be deemed hostile. The 31st passes with none of the Indians
returning to the reservation. During the insuring months a plan is devised that will produce a three
pronged attack against the Indians now deemed hostile. The plan is to converge on and break up the
concentration of Sioux and Cheyenne thought to be in the Little Big Horn Valley and force them back to
the reservation. On May 12, 1876 General Terry and Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer depart Fort
Abraham Lincoln, located near Bismarck N.D. and head for the Yellowstone River in search of the hostile
Sioux and Cheyenne Indian camps. Also General John Gibbon’s command is advancing from the west at
Fort Ellis, Montanna Territory to rendezvous with the troops of Terry and Custer and another column of
troops is marching north headed by General Crook coming from Fort Fetterman, Wyoming Territory, this
combined force of is commanded to assault and destroy the hostile Indian camps.
Marching out of Fort Abraham Lincoln on May 17, to the famous cavalry marching song , ‘The Girl I
Left Behind Me” are three Schuylkill countians, Private George Adams from Minersville, Farrier William
Heath from Girardville both members of Captain Calhouns Company L and Private Herman Knauth
riding with Captain Yates and company F. George E.
George Adams military enlistment papers indicate that he was born in Minersville Pa, in July of 1846
and that he enlisted in the 22nd U. S. Infantry on October 18, 1869 at Fort Randall Dakota territory. He
listed his occupation as a teamster, George’s military record while a member of the infantry wasn’t that
of a pristine soldier, he was Court Martialed in March of 1870, the reason was not given. And on
December 19. 1872 he was discharged by reason of disability, which may have been from the hard
marching that was done during the Yellowstone expedition of 1872. Adams remained out of the military
service for a little over thirteen months when he once again took the oath of enlistment this time with the
7th Cavalry. Once again Adams’ military record was not good he was charged with being AWOL for 10
days in January of 1875. He was Court Martialed and Acquitted. He was then charged with being drunk
on duty in April of 1875 and sentenced to 6 months hard labor in May of 1875. He was released in
November of 1875 just in time to write his name in history in the battle of the Little Big Horn. George
was 29 years old, 5 foot 8 inches tall, fair completed and had blue eyes. There are no known living
relatives of George Adams living in Schuylkill County today.
The other member of Company L, Farrier William Heath was born in Staffordshire England, He
enlisted on October 9, 1875 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He had been a coachman in private life and was 27 years
old, had blue eyes, brown hair, and 5’ 7 and a quarter inches tall. Fortunately we know a lot more about
William Heath from information obtained from his family and Great Great Grand Daughter Debra
Brumbrauh. The William Heath connection to this battle is the most interesting of the stories. It seems
according to family history William worked as a coal miner and later became a coal and Iron Policeman.
In 1875 while living in Girardville, during the time of the Molly Maguire troubles. Apparently William
had some troubles with the Mollies when he decided to leave the area and joined the 7th Cavalry. At the
time of his enlistment William was married to Margaret Swanborough where they had one small child. Up
until June of 1876 William’s military service was nothing out of the ordinary but on that hot June 25,
1876 Williams life would change forever.
Private Herman Knauth born in Dammendorf, Prussia and was residing in Brandonville, Schuylkill
County with his brother William. He enlisted in the 7th cavalry on January 20, 1872, at the age of 33. He
traveled to Rochester, N.Y. and was enlisted by Lieutenant Forse. He was assigned to Company F. He
listed his occupation at the time of enlistment as a merchant, he had blue eyes, light brown hair and was
5’8 inches tall.
It was a cold and misty morning when Adams, Heath and Knauth and the 7th Cavalry left Fort
Lincoln on the expedition against the hostiles. While marching out of the fort and passing the Indians
who lived at the fort the column heard the Indians singing songs and beating drums. After passing the
Laundress row the boys saw the wives and children of the soldiers standing by the road, the grief of the
women was very evident by their mournful sounds. When the band struck up the song “ The girl I left
Behind me” the feeling was of sadness and despair. For the next twenty three days the boys would march
with their companies following Indian trails and tracks toward their day of destiny and history. On June
23rd the column crossed and recrossed the numerous streams that abound in the Dakota Territory and
found the main Indian trail, they made camp about 4;30 in the evening after a hard ride. On June 24th
after a hard days march the regiment went into camp about seven o’clock P.M. The march was a very
tiresome, in the evening the men camped along a clear running stream, over which were scattered great
amounts of rosebushes in full bloom. After watering , feeding and rubbing down the horses, George
Adams, William Heath and Herman Knauth would lay out their blankets on the ground for a much
needed rest which, for Adams and Knauth would be their last sleep alive.
About ten o’clock in the evening the men heard the call “boots and saddles” retrieved their horses and
set out on a night march. They marched until about 2 a.m. when orders were issued to drop saddles and
rest Some men went to sleep others just sat around in groups talking, It may have been, that Adams and
Heath talked of their home back in old Schuylkill County on this night, one can only wonder. Around
eight o’clock on the morning of the 25th the men resumed their march in pursuit of the Indians. After two
and a half hours the regiment came to a halt, the men were ordered to conceal themselves and remain
silent. Just before noon after being discovered by some Indians the regiment marched off at once the
regiment was divided into three battalions, Col. Custer took with him companies C,E, F, I, and L
Captain Benteen took companies D, H and K and Major Reno had companies M, A and G, with B troop
staying with the pack train.
The plan called for Col. Custer to launch a three pronged attack on the Indian village, Custer on the
right, Reno in the center and Benteen on the left. About twelve p.m. the regiment divided and the men
road of into history, Adams and Heath riding with Capt. Calhoun and company L, Herman Knauth riding
with company F lead by Captain Yates. What happens next has been written about for 123 years and there
are varying hypothesis and theories, but for this story we will remain with Col. Custer and the boys from
Schuylkill. Around two thirty in the afternoon Reno and Custer separate, Custer heads north, Reno fords
the Little Big Horn River to the south. Around three o’clock Reno charges the Indian village. Where he
will fight and then retreat up on the high bluffs to his rear. At three fifteen Col. Custer sends out the
famous message “ Benteen come on, big village, be quick bring packs P.S. bring packs.” Heading north
and west the boys move on at a trot, then a gallop, the adrenaline is rushing, checking their equipment to
make sure everything is in proper order, a Springfield carbine hanging by a strap on their right side and a
six shot colt revolver on their left hip each man had a hundred rounds of carbine ammo and twenty rounds
of pistol ammo. Hoping the whole time that your horse can keep up the pace and won’ t fag out. At four
o’clock Custer sends out three companies to the right, Adams and Heath wheel their horses of to the right
with Capt. Calhoun leading them, and twenty minutes later see the first Indian warriors to their front, they
load their carbines and fire on the Indians from horseback. Herman Knauth and his company pull off to
the left and recon toward a ford. At four forty company L, with Adams and Heath are ordered into
skirmish order on what is now called Calhoun Hill, C and I companies are in reserve. Company L forms a
semi circle on the south west side of the hill, they dismount and every forth man takes three horse to the
rear, Adams drops to the ground with carbine in hand and watches as his horse is sent to the rear, Indians
are swarming all around , more and more Indians arrive on the field, Adams is frightened but his military
training and the natural instinct for survival take hold, he fires right and left, Indians are now dashing
about on horse back coming in close then fading away, firing rapidly with their repeating rifles and bows
and arrows. Looking to the rear for his horse Adams can see the horse holders in jeopardy because of
Indians trying to frighten the horses, the are horses neighing and baying leaping about, the horse holders
are on the ground trying to hold back their frightened horses, But by this time things have gone badly for
George Adams, Shifting to the right Adams and L company continue to fight off the ever increasing
Indians, C company charges a group of Indians threatening the horse holders ,L company tried to come to
their support. One can only wonder by this time if George Adams was still alive, absolute chaos took hold
as warriors attack the wounded and dying troopers, some of the soldiers tried to run but he more than
likely was shot and goes down wounded, struggling to stay alive, with Indians swarming all around him
the troops on Calhoun hill begin to disintegrate. Fear sets in as Adams see the soldiers trying to flee and
more wounded men going down with Indians hacking and killing them. Fighting the whole time Adams
his hit by bullet after bullet and arrows slam into him and finally lying on the hot ground he succumbs to
his wounds and dies the hero’s death. His whole company will be killed except for one man, William
Heath.
Herman Knauth had by this time arrived on last stand hill that is if he wasn’t killed on the
reconnaissance to the ford. About 50 men of F company made their way to the top of the hill, still
mounted trying to form some kind of a defense, it was a bad position a hopeless cause, when hundreds of
Sioux and Cheyenne warriors moved in on the trapped soldiers, Herman’s horse probably went down
wounded and he became dismounted , now fighting on foot, possibly he used the last of his ammo in
defense of his position, the Indians concentrate on the weakest points, some were mounted others were
sneaking in the tall grass, it is possible Herman Knauch was hiding behind a dead horse when the final
round struck him, what ever the case on this warm Sunday June 25, 1876 Around five in the evening the
last of Custers command fell dead along with their leader Col. George Armstrong Custer, and the two
Schuylkill county men who fell there with him and made their place in history. Hermans brother William
Knauch would not receive word of his death until mid August 1876.
The Schuylkill story doesn’t end with the heroic deaths of George Adams and Herman Knauth on the
banks of the Little Big Horn River, yes their names are forever etched on the granite monument that sits
atop last stand hill memorializing the troopers of the 7th cavalry. There is also one other name etched on
this monument, William Heath. But William Heath died in the town of Tamaqua on May 2, 1891, fifteen
years after the famous battle. How could William who was with the 7th cavalry on the 25 day of June in
1876 survived the battle ? There are a couple of theories concerning this event which will be brought
forth, and add to the ongoing mystery of William Heath.
According to Debra Brumbaugh a direct descendent of William, family research shows William was
living in Girardville after coming to America as a small child, he worked as a coal miner and was later a
Coal and Iron Policeman during the Molly Maguire era. In 1872 he married Margaret Swanborough. In
October of 1875 William enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 7th Cavalry company L. The
question is how did William Heath survive this battle when his whole company was killed to the man.
There are a couple of theories that may shed some light on this story. William was assigned as Farrier in
the cavalry, this job would encompass the taking care of the horses in the field and in camp, a very
important job in a company of cavalry, could William have been separated early in the ride to the Little
Big Horn, possibly to take care of an injured horse or a horse that was lagging behind in his company,
could he have fallen behind the column, and became injured or stranded alone in the territory ? Could he
have ridden to the final battle with his company on Calhoun hill, and be assigned as a horse holder, it is
very possible that a Farrier would have this responsibility. And during the melee that took place, could his
horse or horses bolted away from the company area, there a Indian accounts of crazed horses and soldiers
running away from the battle field, but all were reported killed, could Heath have gotten away on a
wounded horse ? There is a strange story of a soldier named Frank Finkle who claimed to escape the battle
while wounded he was a member of company C, and although some Custer scholars claimed it was a hoax
others noted that what he said could only have been known by some one who was there at the final
moments. The roster shows that there was an August Finckle listed as killed in the battle. One of the
reasons that it would be possible to get away, after one was thought dead was that most of the soldiers
were mutilated and heads crushed by the Indians making a positive ID impossible. The story continues
that William although suffering from exposure is found by a family of settlers by the name of Ennis, and
he is nursed back to health over the winter by a woman named Lavina. William finally arrives back in
Girardville. One method of verifying this story is by the tax records, William paid taxes in Girardville in
1874, 1875, he is not shown on the 1876 returns, and again he shows on the 1877 return, remembering
that he enlisted in October 1875 and was in the army up and until June of 1876. All the interesting things
involved in this story lean toward a strange occurrence and unsolved mystery. William is shown on the
company musters for the month of June 1876, he names his first born daughter after the person who
nursed him back to health Lavina Ennis, also Lavina Heath related a story to her grandson Richard
Taylor about an article that appeared in one of the local newspapers inquiring about William Heath who
had served out west in the army, he was somewhat taken back by this add and he never pursued making
contact. William nor his wife never applied for a pension from the military. The question arises as why
did William Heath never discuss or talk about what happened to him on that June day of 1876, at this
point we will never know, but it sure makes for another great story and legend from the great Little Big
Horn battle, with a little touch to good old Schuylkill County.
Schuylkill County and Custers
Last Battle.
The Little Big Horn Connection.
On the late afternoon of June 25, 1876 overlooking the Little Big Horn river a force of Sioux and
Cheyenne Indians attacked and overwhelmed General George Armstrong Custer’s battalion of five
companies, consisting of 210 men. Writing into history the famed heroic last stand of General Custer and
the 7th cavalry.
Though the Little Big Horn is over a thousand miles from Schuylkill county, there is a an ever lasting
connection and mystery connected to this one of the most talked about and discussed battles in American
history. Three men from Schuylkill county fought and died on that dusty plain one hundred and twenty
three years ago.
The first news of the disaster reached the people of Schuylkill county in the July 7th issue of the
Pottsville Weekly Miners Journal with a short little by line entitled War Feeling. The rumor of the
massacre of General Custer and his men by the Sioux Indians created a great deal of excitement in
Pottsville yesterday. It was the universal determination not to believe the news until there could be no
room left for doubt. In case the army has to be increased in order to punish the savages, plenty of
volunteers can be got for the asking in this county; that is, if one can judge from the talk of the people.
The story begins on November 3, 1875 when Washington opens the sacred Black Hills for the mining
of gold and decides that Sitting Bull and his band of Indians must return to the reservation by the dead
line set for January 31, 1876 or they will be deemed hostile. The 31st passes with none of the Indians
returning to the reservation. During the insuring months a plan is devised that will produce a three
pronged attack against the Indians now deemed hostile. The plan is to converge on and break up the
concentration of Sioux and Cheyenne thought to be in the Little Big Horn Valley and force them back to
the reservation. On May 12, 1876 General Terry and Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer depart Fort
Abraham Lincoln, located near Bismarck N.D. and head for the Yellowstone River in search of the hostile
Sioux and Cheyenne Indian camps. Also General John Gibbon’s command is advancing from the west at
Fort Ellis, Montanna Territory to rendezvous with the troops of Terry and Custer and another column of
troops is marching north headed by General Crook coming from Fort Fetterman, Wyoming Territory, this
combined force of is commanded to assault and destroy the hostile Indian camps.
Marching out of Fort Abraham Lincoln on May 17, to the famous cavalry marching song , ‘The Girl I
Left Behind Me” are three Schuylkill countians, Private George Adams from Minersville, Farrier William
Heath from Girardville both members of Captain Calhouns Company L and Private Herman Knauth
riding with Captain Yates and company F. George E.
George Adams military enlistment papers indicate that he was born in Minersville Pa, in July of 1846
and that he enlisted in the 22nd U. S. Infantry on October 18, 1869 at Fort Randall Dakota territory. He
listed his occupation as a teamster, George’s military record while a member of the infantry wasn’t that
of a pristine soldier, he was Court Martialed in March of 1870, the reason was not given. And on
December 19. 1872 he was discharged by reason of disability, which may have been from the hard
marching that was done during the Yellowstone expedition of 1872. Adams remained out of the military
service for a little over thirteen months when he once again took the oath of enlistment this time with the
7th Cavalry. Once again Adams’ military record was not good he was charged with being AWOL for 10
days in January of 1875. He was Court Martialed and Acquitted. He was then charged with being drunk
on duty in April of 1875 and sentenced to 6 months hard labor in May of 1875. He was released in
November of 1875 just in time to write his name in history in the battle of the Little Big Horn. George
was 29 years old, 5 foot 8 inches tall, fair completed and had blue eyes. There are no known living
relatives of George Adams living in Schuylkill County today.
The other member of Company L, Farrier William Heath was born in Staffordshire England, He
enlisted on October 9, 1875 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He had been a coachman in private life and was 27 years
old, had blue eyes, brown hair, and 5’ 7 and a quarter inches tall. Fortunately we know a lot more about
William Heath from information obtained from his family and Great Great Grand Daughter Debra
Brumbrauh. The William Heath connection to this battle is the most interesting of the stories. It seems
according to family history William worked as a coal miner and later became a coal and Iron Policeman.
In 1875 while living in Girardville, during the time of the Molly Maguire troubles. Apparently William
had some troubles with the Mollies when he decided to leave the area and joined the 7th Cavalry. At the
time of his enlistment William was married to Margaret Swanborough where they had one small child. Up
until June of 1876 William’s military service was nothing out of the ordinary but on that hot June 25,
1876 Williams life would change forever.
Private Herman Knauth born in Dammendorf, Prussia and was residing in Brandonville, Schuylkill
County with his brother William. He enlisted in the 7th cavalry on January 20, 1872, at the age of 33. He
traveled to Rochester, N.Y. and was enlisted by Lieutenant Forse. He was assigned to Company F. He
listed his occupation at the time of enlistment as a merchant, he had blue eyes, light brown hair and was
5’8 inches tall.
It was a cold and misty morning when Adams, Heath and Knauth and the 7th Cavalry left Fort
Lincoln on the expedition against the hostiles. While marching out of the fort and passing the Indians
who lived at the fort the column heard the Indians singing songs and beating drums. After passing the
Laundress row the boys saw the wives and children of the soldiers standing by the road, the grief of the
women was very evident by their mournful sounds. When the band struck up the song “ The girl I left
Behind me” the feeling was of sadness and despair. For the next twenty three days the boys would march
with their companies following Indian trails and tracks toward their day of destiny and history. On June
23rd the column crossed and recrossed the numerous streams that abound in the Dakota Territory and
found the main Indian trail, they made camp about 4;30 in the evening after a hard ride. On June 24th
after a hard days march the regiment went into camp about seven o’clock P.M. The march was a very
tiresome, in the evening the men camped along a clear running stream, over which were scattered great
amounts of rosebushes in full bloom. After watering , feeding and rubbing down the horses, George
Adams, William Heath and Herman Knauth would lay out their blankets on the ground for a much
needed rest which, for Adams and Knauth would be their last sleep alive.
About ten o’clock in the evening the men heard the call “boots and saddles” retrieved their horses and
set out on a night march. They marched until about 2 a.m. when orders were issued to drop saddles and
rest Some men went to sleep others just sat around in groups talking, It may have been, that Adams and
Heath talked of their home back in old Schuylkill County on this night, one can only wonder. Around
eight o’clock on the morning of the 25th the men resumed their march in pursuit of the Indians. After two
and a half hours the regiment came to a halt, the men were ordered to conceal themselves and remain
silent. Just before noon after being discovered by some Indians the regiment marched off at once the
regiment was divided into three battalions, Col. Custer took with him companies C,E, F, I, and L
Captain Benteen took companies D, H and K and Major Reno had companies M, A and G, with B troop
staying with the pack train.
The plan called for Col. Custer to launch a three pronged attack on the Indian village, Custer on the
right, Reno in the center and Benteen on the left. About twelve p.m. the regiment divided and the men
road of into history, Adams and Heath riding with Capt. Calhoun and company L, Herman Knauth riding
with company F lead by Captain Yates. What happens next has been written about for 123 years and there
are varying hypothesis and theories, but for this story we will remain with Col. Custer and the boys from
Schuylkill. Around two thirty in the afternoon Reno and Custer separate, Custer heads north, Reno fords
the Little Big Horn River to the south. Around three o’clock Reno charges the Indian village. Where he
will fight and then retreat up on the high bluffs to his rear. At three fifteen Col. Custer sends out the
famous message “ Benteen come on, big village, be quick bring packs P.S. bring packs.” Heading north
and west the boys move on at a trot, then a gallop, the adrenaline is rushing, checking their equipment to
make sure everything is in proper order, a Springfield carbine hanging by a strap on their right side and a
six shot colt revolver on their left hip each man had a hundred rounds of carbine ammo and twenty rounds
of pistol ammo. Hoping the whole time that your horse can keep up the pace and won’ t fag out. At four
o’clock Custer sends out three companies to the right, Adams and Heath wheel their horses of to the right
with Capt. Calhoun leading them, and twenty minutes later see the first Indian warriors to their front, they
load their carbines and fire on the Indians from horseback. Herman Knauth and his company pull off to
the left and recon toward a ford. At four forty company L, with Adams and Heath are ordered into
skirmish order on what is now called Calhoun Hill, C and I companies are in reserve. Company L forms a
semi circle on the south west side of the hill, they dismount and every forth man takes three horse to the
rear, Adams drops to the ground with carbine in hand and watches as his horse is sent to the rear, Indians
are swarming all around , more and more Indians arrive on the field, Adams is frightened but his military
training and the natural instinct for survival take hold, he fires right and left, Indians are now dashing
about on horse back coming in close then fading away, firing rapidly with their repeating rifles and bows
and arrows. Looking to the rear for his horse Adams can see the horse holders in jeopardy because of
Indians trying to frighten the horses, the are horses neighing and baying leaping about, the horse holders
are on the ground trying to hold back their frightened horses, But by this time things have gone badly for
George Adams, Shifting to the right Adams and L company continue to fight off the ever increasing
Indians, C company charges a group of Indians threatening the horse holders ,L company tried to come to
their support. One can only wonder by this time if George Adams was still alive, absolute chaos took hold
as warriors attack the wounded and dying troopers, some of the soldiers tried to run but he more than
likely was shot and goes down wounded, struggling to stay alive, with Indians swarming all around him
the troops on Calhoun hill begin to disintegrate. Fear sets in as Adams see the soldiers trying to flee and
more wounded men going down with Indians hacking and killing them. Fighting the whole time Adams
his hit by bullet after bullet and arrows slam into him and finally lying on the hot ground he succumbs to
his wounds and dies the hero’s death. His whole company will be killed except for one man, William
Heath.
Herman Knauth had by this time arrived on last stand hill that is if he wasn’t killed on the
reconnaissance to the ford. About 50 men of F company made their way to the top of the hill, still
mounted trying to form some kind of a defense, it was a bad position a hopeless cause, when hundreds of
Sioux and Cheyenne warriors moved in on the trapped soldiers, Herman’s horse probably went down
wounded and he became dismounted , now fighting on foot, possibly he used the last of his ammo in
defense of his position, the Indians concentrate on the weakest points, some were mounted others were
sneaking in the tall grass, it is possible Herman Knauch was hiding behind a dead horse when the final
round struck him, what ever the case on this warm Sunday June 25, 1876 Around five in the evening the
last of Custers command fell dead along with their leader Col. George Armstrong Custer, and the two
Schuylkill county men who fell there with him and made their place in history. Hermans brother William
Knauch would not receive word of his death until mid August 1876.
The Schuylkill story doesn’t end with the heroic deaths of George Adams and Herman Knauth on the
banks of the Little Big Horn River, yes their names are forever etched on the granite monument that sits
atop last stand hill memorializing the troopers of the 7th cavalry. There is also one other name etched on
this monument, William Heath. But William Heath died in the town of Tamaqua on May 2, 1891, fifteen
years after the famous battle. How could William who was with the 7th cavalry on the 25 day of June in
1876 survived the battle ? There are a couple of theories concerning this event which will be brought
forth, and add to the ongoing mystery of William Heath.
According to Debra Brumbaugh a direct descendent of William, family research shows William was
living in Girardville after coming to America as a small child, he worked as a coal miner and was later a
Coal and Iron Policeman during the Molly Maguire era. In 1872 he married Margaret Swanborough. In
October of 1875 William enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 7th Cavalry company L. The
question is how did William Heath survive this battle when his whole company was killed to the man.
There are a couple of theories that may shed some light on this story. William was assigned as Farrier in
the cavalry, this job would encompass the taking care of the horses in the field and in camp, a very
important job in a company of cavalry, could William have been separated early in the ride to the Little
Big Horn, possibly to take care of an injured horse or a horse that was lagging behind in his company,
could he have fallen behind the column, and became injured or stranded alone in the territory ? Could he
have ridden to the final battle with his company on Calhoun hill, and be assigned as a horse holder, it is
very possible that a Farrier would have this responsibility. And during the melee that took place, could his
horse or horses bolted away from the company area, there a Indian accounts of crazed horses and soldiers
running away from the battle field, but all were reported killed, could Heath have gotten away on a
wounded horse ? There is a strange story of a soldier named Frank Finkle who claimed to escape the battle
while wounded he was a member of company C, and although some Custer scholars claimed it was a hoax
others noted that what he said could only have been known by some one who was there at the final
moments. The roster shows that there was an August Finckle listed as killed in the battle. One of the
reasons that it would be possible to get away, after one was thought dead was that most of the soldiers
were mutilated and heads crushed by the Indians making a positive ID impossible. The story continues
that William although suffering from exposure is found by a family of settlers by the name of Ennis, and
he is nursed back to health over the winter by a woman named Lavina. William finally arrives back in
Girardville. One method of verifying this story is by the tax records, William paid taxes in Girardville in
1874, 1875, he is not shown on the 1876 returns, and again he shows on the 1877 return, remembering
that he enlisted in October 1875 and was in the army up and until June of 1876. All the interesting things
involved in this story lean toward a strange occurrence and unsolved mystery. William is shown on the
company musters for the month of June 1876, he names his first born daughter after the person who
nursed him back to health Lavina Ennis, also Lavina Heath related a story to her grandson Richard
Taylor about an article that appeared in one of the local newspapers inquiring about William Heath who
had served out west in the army, he was somewhat taken back by this add and he never pursued making
contact. William nor his wife never applied for a pension from the military. The question arises as why
did William Heath never discuss or talk about what happened to him on that June day of 1876, at this
point we will never know, but it sure makes for another great story and legend from the great Little Big
Horn battle, with a little touch to good old Schuylkill County.
The French And Indian War
The French and Indian War is one of the most interesting conflicts that America has ever been involved in. Here in Schuylkill County we had a few interesting incidents during the course of the war from 1758-1764 period. At the time this area was under British Control. It later would become part of Berks County. It is amazing when you drive over the Blue Mountain on route 183 and gaze off in the distance. That view isn't to far from what the settlers and the soldiers who ranged the area saw.
I wrote this story a few years ago using info I gained from the records of Pennsylvania and sources in the Historical Society.
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
1755-1763
Pennsylvania has many beautiful rolling mountains stretching for many miles. One of the most picturesque is the long length of the Blue Mountain that stretches from Hamburg in the east to the Swatara gap as it parallels Interstate 78.
On one of my many work commutes down and back this interstate from Orwigsburg to New Cumberland. It came to mind that during the French and Indian War 1755-1763 this stretch of the Blue Mountain would play a very significant part. Anything north of the Blue Mountain was the frontier in the mid seventeen hundreds and only a very few hardy and brave settlers had the courage to live and to work the land.
Making my turn off the interstate and driving north on Route 419/183, the view makes one think of what it must have been like to have lived then. As one crests the summit of the Blue an awe inspiring view north, east and west presents itself, this land was known as the frontier in 1755 and today is known as our own Schuylkill County.
In 1754 twenty-eight names appeared on the tax lists as living in the Swatara region (near Pine Grove) north of the Blue Mountain. There were also a few squatters whose names would not appear on the list but were working the land just the same. These 28 and several squatters were effected by the French and Indian War.
The troubles that were brewing between England and France were far from the minds of the settlers who were farming this area. If the settlers went to the east and followed the Schuylkill River south they came to Reading, a well-established town where supplies and goods were purchased. Reading had been in existence since 1748. Almost all of the English colonies were established along the eastern seaboard, but the English were expanding rapidly westward and claiming the right to this territory. France, on the other hand, established her colonies in Canada to the north and Louisiana in the south and all the land that lay in the Mississippi and Ohio River basins. The English were on an ever expanding movement toward the west so naturally there was going to be some confrontation with their long time enemies, the French.
The Indians, mainly the Delaware known as the Leni Lanape, who lived in the area toward the Susquehanna River were usually a peaceful tribe. As trouble brewed, they sided with the French and so the scenario for a conflict was set.
As the situation between the English and French deteriorated in the fall of 1755, a series of events unfolded in the Schuylkill region. On October 15, 1755 Indians stealthily moved into the area known as Penns Creek near present day Selinsgrove and attacked and murdered the settlers living there. The body of John Leroy, was found near his cabin with two tomahawks planted in his forehead. His two children, Jacob and Mary, were taken captive. The Indians also took Rachel and Barbara Leininger and shot another neighbor whom they also scalped.
The Penns Creek massacre accomplished what the Indians wanted. The settlers were terrified and fled there settlements near the Susquehanna. Word of the massacre quickly reached the settlers living in the Schuylkill area. Fear spread that the Indians would come down the Susquehanna River to the Lebanon valley and then head east toward Reading. Within ten days of the massacre, nearly everyone living north of the Blue Mountain fled south over the mountain into the safety of the settlements near present day Womelsdorf.
But not all of the settlers left their farms. Here and there some brave and fearless pioneers stayed behind not willing to give up their land so easily. Living on a farm near the Swatara River, Adam Rees and his wife Anna Margaretha Seemr who had just recently married were making a go at farming about two miles west of Pine Grove. About one quarter of a mile away was Rees’ neighbor, Henry Hartman, Hartman was clearing the land of rocks and boulders near his log home in preparation for the next growing season. He was adamant that he would make a stand against the Indians and armed himself for safety. Also, about three miles east of these two farms George Bressler who owned over one hundred acres of good, fertile farmland on the south side of the Swatara, lived with his wife, the former Anna Eva Dollinger. Not far from Bressler’s the German Han’s Peter Grafe lived on his farm with his wife and two sons. These four stout hearted families were the only settlers who remained behind and stood ground against the Indians in the Swatara region.
Over in the Schuylkill River region several men remained behind with their families not fearing the Indians. One of these men, who lived about two miles east of present day Friedensburg on Long Run, was John George Schiffler. He owned a well built house on a few acres of fertile farm land.
The Indians over hundreds of years had established pathways for traveling their lands. One of the main pathways the Indians used started in Shamokin, present day Sunbury and traversed southeastward between the forks of the Susquehanna and the tidewaters of the Delaware. This path started at the mouth of the Mahanoy Creek, came across the country to the southeast, passed through Klingerstown Gap on the Mahantongo Mountain and continued in the same direction to the foot of the Broad Mountain a mile south of Hegins. It climbed the mountain and followed a straight path to the gap made by the Swatara on Second Mountain about three miles north of Pine Grove, came down the mountain on Sharp Mountain near Lorberry and Rausch Creek, went over the mountain east of Pine Grove and crossed the lower Swatara near Stanhope and climbed the Blue mountain on the road between Pine Grove and Bethel. This path was called the Shamokin Road.
The Indian war parties used the Shamokin Road to their advantage. They followed it as far as they could without being spotted and then headed off into the wilderness. For about two days, they scouted in and around the valley between the Blue and Second Mountain. These small war parties of Delaware Indians numbering not more than 20 braves, once friendly and allied with the English, now sought revenge.
On the night of October 28, 1755 Peter Grafe, his wife and two sons were inside their cabin when they were alerted by the barking of their dog. The sound of strange calls echoed in the woods surrounding their homestead. Out of the dark came a piercing war hoop. Warriors wearing deer skin jackets reaching below their knees and deer skin leggings their faces painted with black streaks symbolizing death and war, their hair cropped into a scalp lock. Carrying tomahawks, war clubs and rifles made their attack. Their method of attack was simple quick surprise, destroy the buildings by burning, seize as many prisoners as can be had, kill the others then retreat back into the forest as quickly as they came were hallmarks of the Indian attacks.
Peter Grafe surprised by the attack, fired back at the Indians attacking his home but was over come by their sudden onslaught. The terrified Grafe family tried to flee their home and seek the safety of the one of their neighbors. But the Delaware were too quick. They overcame the group and killed Grafe’s wife and two sons. Somehow Peter Grafe made his escape and sought safety with his neighbor George Schiffler. Schiffler sent this documented letter to Conrad Weiser, his friend, in Wolmolsdorff.
October 29, 1755
Last night they {Indians} killed the wife of Peter Grafe and both his sons and would have
murdered him but he escaped and came to us and is said { but we are not certain}
that the people living next to him are killed. We are few in number are gathered
at the house of George Scheffler to save ourselves our wives and children.
We poor children pray you as our father for assistance. We are in the greatest
Danger because we dare not move either forward or backwards nor go out
To bury the bodies of the dead. We commit the matter to you and expect
Assistance before the mischief if greater. The place where the dead bodies
Lay is two miles below Wilber Gambers at the Waters of the Swatara.
Wilber Gambers’ land was on the hill north of the Lower Little Swatara river about four miles east of Pine Grove.
Two days later on October 30, Adam Rees was in his home with his wife when he heard three shots fired in the direction of Henry Hartman’s farm. Rees grabbed his gun and took off at a run toward Hartman’s. As he called for Hartman he received no answer. He reconnoitered the area but found no Indians. Entering the open door of Hartman’s house Rees found him lying on the floor dead and scalped. One might imagine the horror of an Indian attack. The piercing war hoops Indians surrounding the house, as they break in the doors and windows they shoot you or split your head with a blow from a tomahawk or war club. Scalping was brutal striking two or three blows. The Indian quickly grabs his knife and makes an incision around the hair from the upper part of the forehead to the back of the neck. He puts his foot on the shoulder of the victim, who is facing down, and quickly pulls the hair off from back to front. If the victims are still alive the is unbearable. The attacker fastens the bloody scalp to his belt and quickly retreats back to the forest.
Returning from the Hartman farm, Adam Rees got his wife and they both hurried down through the Swatara Gap and reported the murder to Adam Reed, a justice of the Peace in Hanover Township. On the 31st of October they both returned to the Hartman Farm to bury Henry Hartman. Staying and protecting his farm cost Henry Hartman his life.
Rees also went to the farm of William Parsons who lived in Bethel Township on the south side of the mountain in Berks County. Parsons owned land on the north side of the mountain near the Rees and Hartman farm. After burying Hartman, Parsons, Rees and a few farmers set out on the Shamokin Road in search of the marauding Indians. At the top of the Blue Mountain, they meet some other men who were returning south. The men told of seeing two murdered men on the Shamokin road where it passes through a rock glen near George Bresslers’ farm. Bressler stated he heard the screams of the victims. Parsons found the two bodies about three hundred feet from each other and buried them both in the same grave. One of the men had a daughter with him who was missing. The man whose daughter was missing was Baltzer Shefer who had fled with his family from their farm above the Blue Mountain. Baltzer and his daughter met their fate when they were trying to go home and retrieve some items. There is no record ever of the daughter ever returning home. The other victim was George Eberhard, who lived somewhere north of the Blue. In a later report it was said that Eberhard’s wife and five children were also killed with him. One of Eberhard’s daughters returned home from captivity two years later.
By November 1, 1755 no white man or woman was living in the Swatara region above the Blue. The Pennsylvania authorities made no attempt to protect this region until forts were built in 1756. No fort was ever built to protect the Swatara region above the Blue Mountain. With no settlers in the area the Indians had free access to the area and were able to hide and make their lighting quick attacks into the Schuylkill region.
In November of 1755, the Supply Act was passed in Pennsylvania. The act authorized that a series of forts should be built by the local population to serve and protect the people living near them. In the Schuylkill and Berks County area six forts were built. Fort Lebanon, near present day Auburn was built in late November 1755. It was a stockade 100 feet. by 100 Feet. with bastions. Inside the fort were a barracks, storehouse and two smaller buildings that could house refugees during an emergency. Over the Blue mountain was Fort Northkill located north of Shartlesville. It was used as an outpost for Fort Lebanon. Northkill consisted of a small log house with stockade about 32 feet. by 32 feet. Also along this line was Fort Franklin built in 1756 near Snyders in eastern Schuylkill County, Fort Henry two miles north of Bethel, Fort Swatara NW of Lickdale and Fort Manada near Manada Gap in Dauphin County completed the line. Despite the presence of these forts the Indian attacks still continued.
Fort Lebanon had the duty of protecting the settlers near the Schuylkill River and toward the west along the Blue Mountain and Second Mountain. By January 25, 1756 provincial troops comprised of local militia manned the fort under the command of Capt. Jacob Morgan. According to the description of the fort written in 1756 the Fort was 100 foot square, with 14 ft. stockades, a 30x20 house with store room, a good spring within and a magazine 12 foot square. It was located on barren land and not surrounded by much timber. The fort was assigned to protect close to 100 people. On June 21, 1756 Commissary James Young made a tour of the fort and wrote in his report:
We set out for Fort Lebanon from Fort Northkill, all the way from Northkill
To Lebanon is an exceedingly bad road, very stony and mountainous.
About 6 miles from Northkill we crossed the mountain and where met by
Capt. Morgan’s Lieutenant with 10 men. Ranging in the woods between the
Mountain and Fort Lebanon we past two plantations, the rest of the country is
Chiefly barren hills. At noon we came to Fort Lebanon, which is situated in a plain,
On one side is a plantation, on the other a Barren Pretty clear of woods al around, only
A few trees about 50 yards from the fort, which I desired to be cut down.
According to Capt. Morgan’s journal he sent soldiers out in the woods four or five times a week and also placed guards around the farmers as they were farming. Fifteen men were to stay in Fort Lebanon at all times while eight men would protect the farmers at harvest time and 10 men would range constantly eastward and westward looking for Indians. Fort Lebanon was very important for the settlers north of the Blue and also those south of it. It commanded the Schuylkill Gap in the Blue Mountain. Here is a typical report filed by Capt. Morgan that happened in the Schuylkill County on November 4, 1756:
Yesterday morning at break of day, on of ye neighbors discovered a fire at a
Distance from him; he went to ye top of another mountain to take a better
Observation, and made a full discovery of fire, and supposed it to be about 7 miles
Off, at the house of John Finisher, he came and informed me of it. I immediately
Detached a party of 10 men, ( we being but 22 in the Fort) to the place where
They saw the fire, at the said Finsher house, it being nigh Schuylkill, and the men
Anxious to see if the enemy if there, they ran through the water and the bushes and the
Fire, where to their disappointment saw none of them, but the house, barn, and all
Outhouse all in flames. They saw a great many tracks and followed them, came back
To the house of Philip Culmore, thinking to send an alarm to the other inhabitants
To be on their guard, but instead found Culmore’s wife and daughter and son-in-law
All just killed and scalped: there is also missing from the same house, Martin Fell’s
Wife and child about 1 year old, and another boy of 7 years of age. The scout divided into
Two parties, one to the other houses and the other to the Fort, to inform me
I immediately went out on scout again, but could not make any discovery, but
Brought all the families to the Fort, where now I believe we are upwards of 60
Women and children.
At the same time as this incident was happening Lieutenant Humpries who was stationed at Fort Northkill over the Blue Mountain came upon 20 Indians at the home of Nicholas Long, where they had killed 2 old men and taken another captive and probably would have killed the family had not the soldiers fired upon them and wounded seriously two or three as they ran off making a hallowing noise. After all was said and done 3 persons were scalped and killed, 3 were missing and suspected of being captured all within a mile of Fort Lebanon. This war party was probably the same one that raided the in Schuylkill Region.
For many months Captain Morgan would send out patrols to range along the Blue Mountain, and up on the Second Mountain. They would receive many reports of Indians; they would find many moccasin tracts but no Indians. Many people were attacked by these murdering war parties.
Along with Fort Lebanon (Schuylkill County) and Fort Northkill (Berks County) sitting along the crest of the Blue mountain off of route 183 and about ¼ mile west on the Appalachian trail is a maker for Fort Dietrich Snyder, a small outpost that was manned by Captain Morgan’s soldiers and was a watch point for Indian movements in the area. The Fort actually was a one story log house owned by Dietrich Snyder located close to main path over the mountain and commanded an excellent view of the valley below were the smoke from burning farms could easily have been seen Indian attacks would continue in well into 1758 near Fort Lebanon.
The question always asked by the settlers was, were did the Indians go after their attacks? Many times there was nothing more than a moccasin track in the ground that led nowhere. In 1756 Capt. Morgan sent out a detachment of men under the command of one Ensign Harry to the Gap at the Schuylkill River on Second Mountain, near present day Mt. Carbon, the soldiers climbed the mountain, actually the route the soldiers took would have them climbing up the mountain on what is today Mt. Carbons main street. Cresting the mountain the soldiers headed west toward the valley in Indian Run near the present day Pottsville Indian Run reservoir. On the eastern end of this valley they found the encampment of the Indians here they found 2 coats, one spear, one scalping knife, some vermilion and 800 black wampum. The soldiers set up an ambush in the area but apparently the Indians had discovered them and fled to a new area. This area was known to the soldiers as the Red Hole.
Many changes have taken place in Schuylkill County since the beginning of the French And Indian War in 1755, but you can still get a feel for what the area did look like and how the people who lived and fought the Indians made a way of life here. So if you have the time go up on the Blue Mountain take a walk along the Appalachian Trail and look down on old Schuylkill and see the beauty that brought these people to the area. And think of the time when Indian war parties roamed the area and how it was for your families safety depended upon your bravery and abilities as a frontiersman.
The Red Hole: George Wheeler
The French And Indian War in Pa. 1753-1763: Louis M. Waddell/ Bruce Bomberger.
Pennsylvania Archives.ii
I wrote this story a few years ago using info I gained from the records of Pennsylvania and sources in the Historical Society.
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
1755-1763
Pennsylvania has many beautiful rolling mountains stretching for many miles. One of the most picturesque is the long length of the Blue Mountain that stretches from Hamburg in the east to the Swatara gap as it parallels Interstate 78.
On one of my many work commutes down and back this interstate from Orwigsburg to New Cumberland. It came to mind that during the French and Indian War 1755-1763 this stretch of the Blue Mountain would play a very significant part. Anything north of the Blue Mountain was the frontier in the mid seventeen hundreds and only a very few hardy and brave settlers had the courage to live and to work the land.
Making my turn off the interstate and driving north on Route 419/183, the view makes one think of what it must have been like to have lived then. As one crests the summit of the Blue an awe inspiring view north, east and west presents itself, this land was known as the frontier in 1755 and today is known as our own Schuylkill County.
In 1754 twenty-eight names appeared on the tax lists as living in the Swatara region (near Pine Grove) north of the Blue Mountain. There were also a few squatters whose names would not appear on the list but were working the land just the same. These 28 and several squatters were effected by the French and Indian War.
The troubles that were brewing between England and France were far from the minds of the settlers who were farming this area. If the settlers went to the east and followed the Schuylkill River south they came to Reading, a well-established town where supplies and goods were purchased. Reading had been in existence since 1748. Almost all of the English colonies were established along the eastern seaboard, but the English were expanding rapidly westward and claiming the right to this territory. France, on the other hand, established her colonies in Canada to the north and Louisiana in the south and all the land that lay in the Mississippi and Ohio River basins. The English were on an ever expanding movement toward the west so naturally there was going to be some confrontation with their long time enemies, the French.
The Indians, mainly the Delaware known as the Leni Lanape, who lived in the area toward the Susquehanna River were usually a peaceful tribe. As trouble brewed, they sided with the French and so the scenario for a conflict was set.
As the situation between the English and French deteriorated in the fall of 1755, a series of events unfolded in the Schuylkill region. On October 15, 1755 Indians stealthily moved into the area known as Penns Creek near present day Selinsgrove and attacked and murdered the settlers living there. The body of John Leroy, was found near his cabin with two tomahawks planted in his forehead. His two children, Jacob and Mary, were taken captive. The Indians also took Rachel and Barbara Leininger and shot another neighbor whom they also scalped.
The Penns Creek massacre accomplished what the Indians wanted. The settlers were terrified and fled there settlements near the Susquehanna. Word of the massacre quickly reached the settlers living in the Schuylkill area. Fear spread that the Indians would come down the Susquehanna River to the Lebanon valley and then head east toward Reading. Within ten days of the massacre, nearly everyone living north of the Blue Mountain fled south over the mountain into the safety of the settlements near present day Womelsdorf.
But not all of the settlers left their farms. Here and there some brave and fearless pioneers stayed behind not willing to give up their land so easily. Living on a farm near the Swatara River, Adam Rees and his wife Anna Margaretha Seemr who had just recently married were making a go at farming about two miles west of Pine Grove. About one quarter of a mile away was Rees’ neighbor, Henry Hartman, Hartman was clearing the land of rocks and boulders near his log home in preparation for the next growing season. He was adamant that he would make a stand against the Indians and armed himself for safety. Also, about three miles east of these two farms George Bressler who owned over one hundred acres of good, fertile farmland on the south side of the Swatara, lived with his wife, the former Anna Eva Dollinger. Not far from Bressler’s the German Han’s Peter Grafe lived on his farm with his wife and two sons. These four stout hearted families were the only settlers who remained behind and stood ground against the Indians in the Swatara region.
Over in the Schuylkill River region several men remained behind with their families not fearing the Indians. One of these men, who lived about two miles east of present day Friedensburg on Long Run, was John George Schiffler. He owned a well built house on a few acres of fertile farm land.
The Indians over hundreds of years had established pathways for traveling their lands. One of the main pathways the Indians used started in Shamokin, present day Sunbury and traversed southeastward between the forks of the Susquehanna and the tidewaters of the Delaware. This path started at the mouth of the Mahanoy Creek, came across the country to the southeast, passed through Klingerstown Gap on the Mahantongo Mountain and continued in the same direction to the foot of the Broad Mountain a mile south of Hegins. It climbed the mountain and followed a straight path to the gap made by the Swatara on Second Mountain about three miles north of Pine Grove, came down the mountain on Sharp Mountain near Lorberry and Rausch Creek, went over the mountain east of Pine Grove and crossed the lower Swatara near Stanhope and climbed the Blue mountain on the road between Pine Grove and Bethel. This path was called the Shamokin Road.
The Indian war parties used the Shamokin Road to their advantage. They followed it as far as they could without being spotted and then headed off into the wilderness. For about two days, they scouted in and around the valley between the Blue and Second Mountain. These small war parties of Delaware Indians numbering not more than 20 braves, once friendly and allied with the English, now sought revenge.
On the night of October 28, 1755 Peter Grafe, his wife and two sons were inside their cabin when they were alerted by the barking of their dog. The sound of strange calls echoed in the woods surrounding their homestead. Out of the dark came a piercing war hoop. Warriors wearing deer skin jackets reaching below their knees and deer skin leggings their faces painted with black streaks symbolizing death and war, their hair cropped into a scalp lock. Carrying tomahawks, war clubs and rifles made their attack. Their method of attack was simple quick surprise, destroy the buildings by burning, seize as many prisoners as can be had, kill the others then retreat back into the forest as quickly as they came were hallmarks of the Indian attacks.
Peter Grafe surprised by the attack, fired back at the Indians attacking his home but was over come by their sudden onslaught. The terrified Grafe family tried to flee their home and seek the safety of the one of their neighbors. But the Delaware were too quick. They overcame the group and killed Grafe’s wife and two sons. Somehow Peter Grafe made his escape and sought safety with his neighbor George Schiffler. Schiffler sent this documented letter to Conrad Weiser, his friend, in Wolmolsdorff.
October 29, 1755
Last night they {Indians} killed the wife of Peter Grafe and both his sons and would have
murdered him but he escaped and came to us and is said { but we are not certain}
that the people living next to him are killed. We are few in number are gathered
at the house of George Scheffler to save ourselves our wives and children.
We poor children pray you as our father for assistance. We are in the greatest
Danger because we dare not move either forward or backwards nor go out
To bury the bodies of the dead. We commit the matter to you and expect
Assistance before the mischief if greater. The place where the dead bodies
Lay is two miles below Wilber Gambers at the Waters of the Swatara.
Wilber Gambers’ land was on the hill north of the Lower Little Swatara river about four miles east of Pine Grove.
Two days later on October 30, Adam Rees was in his home with his wife when he heard three shots fired in the direction of Henry Hartman’s farm. Rees grabbed his gun and took off at a run toward Hartman’s. As he called for Hartman he received no answer. He reconnoitered the area but found no Indians. Entering the open door of Hartman’s house Rees found him lying on the floor dead and scalped. One might imagine the horror of an Indian attack. The piercing war hoops Indians surrounding the house, as they break in the doors and windows they shoot you or split your head with a blow from a tomahawk or war club. Scalping was brutal striking two or three blows. The Indian quickly grabs his knife and makes an incision around the hair from the upper part of the forehead to the back of the neck. He puts his foot on the shoulder of the victim, who is facing down, and quickly pulls the hair off from back to front. If the victims are still alive the is unbearable. The attacker fastens the bloody scalp to his belt and quickly retreats back to the forest.
Returning from the Hartman farm, Adam Rees got his wife and they both hurried down through the Swatara Gap and reported the murder to Adam Reed, a justice of the Peace in Hanover Township. On the 31st of October they both returned to the Hartman Farm to bury Henry Hartman. Staying and protecting his farm cost Henry Hartman his life.
Rees also went to the farm of William Parsons who lived in Bethel Township on the south side of the mountain in Berks County. Parsons owned land on the north side of the mountain near the Rees and Hartman farm. After burying Hartman, Parsons, Rees and a few farmers set out on the Shamokin Road in search of the marauding Indians. At the top of the Blue Mountain, they meet some other men who were returning south. The men told of seeing two murdered men on the Shamokin road where it passes through a rock glen near George Bresslers’ farm. Bressler stated he heard the screams of the victims. Parsons found the two bodies about three hundred feet from each other and buried them both in the same grave. One of the men had a daughter with him who was missing. The man whose daughter was missing was Baltzer Shefer who had fled with his family from their farm above the Blue Mountain. Baltzer and his daughter met their fate when they were trying to go home and retrieve some items. There is no record ever of the daughter ever returning home. The other victim was George Eberhard, who lived somewhere north of the Blue. In a later report it was said that Eberhard’s wife and five children were also killed with him. One of Eberhard’s daughters returned home from captivity two years later.
By November 1, 1755 no white man or woman was living in the Swatara region above the Blue. The Pennsylvania authorities made no attempt to protect this region until forts were built in 1756. No fort was ever built to protect the Swatara region above the Blue Mountain. With no settlers in the area the Indians had free access to the area and were able to hide and make their lighting quick attacks into the Schuylkill region.
In November of 1755, the Supply Act was passed in Pennsylvania. The act authorized that a series of forts should be built by the local population to serve and protect the people living near them. In the Schuylkill and Berks County area six forts were built. Fort Lebanon, near present day Auburn was built in late November 1755. It was a stockade 100 feet. by 100 Feet. with bastions. Inside the fort were a barracks, storehouse and two smaller buildings that could house refugees during an emergency. Over the Blue mountain was Fort Northkill located north of Shartlesville. It was used as an outpost for Fort Lebanon. Northkill consisted of a small log house with stockade about 32 feet. by 32 feet. Also along this line was Fort Franklin built in 1756 near Snyders in eastern Schuylkill County, Fort Henry two miles north of Bethel, Fort Swatara NW of Lickdale and Fort Manada near Manada Gap in Dauphin County completed the line. Despite the presence of these forts the Indian attacks still continued.
Fort Lebanon had the duty of protecting the settlers near the Schuylkill River and toward the west along the Blue Mountain and Second Mountain. By January 25, 1756 provincial troops comprised of local militia manned the fort under the command of Capt. Jacob Morgan. According to the description of the fort written in 1756 the Fort was 100 foot square, with 14 ft. stockades, a 30x20 house with store room, a good spring within and a magazine 12 foot square. It was located on barren land and not surrounded by much timber. The fort was assigned to protect close to 100 people. On June 21, 1756 Commissary James Young made a tour of the fort and wrote in his report:
We set out for Fort Lebanon from Fort Northkill, all the way from Northkill
To Lebanon is an exceedingly bad road, very stony and mountainous.
About 6 miles from Northkill we crossed the mountain and where met by
Capt. Morgan’s Lieutenant with 10 men. Ranging in the woods between the
Mountain and Fort Lebanon we past two plantations, the rest of the country is
Chiefly barren hills. At noon we came to Fort Lebanon, which is situated in a plain,
On one side is a plantation, on the other a Barren Pretty clear of woods al around, only
A few trees about 50 yards from the fort, which I desired to be cut down.
According to Capt. Morgan’s journal he sent soldiers out in the woods four or five times a week and also placed guards around the farmers as they were farming. Fifteen men were to stay in Fort Lebanon at all times while eight men would protect the farmers at harvest time and 10 men would range constantly eastward and westward looking for Indians. Fort Lebanon was very important for the settlers north of the Blue and also those south of it. It commanded the Schuylkill Gap in the Blue Mountain. Here is a typical report filed by Capt. Morgan that happened in the Schuylkill County on November 4, 1756:
Yesterday morning at break of day, on of ye neighbors discovered a fire at a
Distance from him; he went to ye top of another mountain to take a better
Observation, and made a full discovery of fire, and supposed it to be about 7 miles
Off, at the house of John Finisher, he came and informed me of it. I immediately
Detached a party of 10 men, ( we being but 22 in the Fort) to the place where
They saw the fire, at the said Finsher house, it being nigh Schuylkill, and the men
Anxious to see if the enemy if there, they ran through the water and the bushes and the
Fire, where to their disappointment saw none of them, but the house, barn, and all
Outhouse all in flames. They saw a great many tracks and followed them, came back
To the house of Philip Culmore, thinking to send an alarm to the other inhabitants
To be on their guard, but instead found Culmore’s wife and daughter and son-in-law
All just killed and scalped: there is also missing from the same house, Martin Fell’s
Wife and child about 1 year old, and another boy of 7 years of age. The scout divided into
Two parties, one to the other houses and the other to the Fort, to inform me
I immediately went out on scout again, but could not make any discovery, but
Brought all the families to the Fort, where now I believe we are upwards of 60
Women and children.
At the same time as this incident was happening Lieutenant Humpries who was stationed at Fort Northkill over the Blue Mountain came upon 20 Indians at the home of Nicholas Long, where they had killed 2 old men and taken another captive and probably would have killed the family had not the soldiers fired upon them and wounded seriously two or three as they ran off making a hallowing noise. After all was said and done 3 persons were scalped and killed, 3 were missing and suspected of being captured all within a mile of Fort Lebanon. This war party was probably the same one that raided the in Schuylkill Region.
For many months Captain Morgan would send out patrols to range along the Blue Mountain, and up on the Second Mountain. They would receive many reports of Indians; they would find many moccasin tracts but no Indians. Many people were attacked by these murdering war parties.
Along with Fort Lebanon (Schuylkill County) and Fort Northkill (Berks County) sitting along the crest of the Blue mountain off of route 183 and about ¼ mile west on the Appalachian trail is a maker for Fort Dietrich Snyder, a small outpost that was manned by Captain Morgan’s soldiers and was a watch point for Indian movements in the area. The Fort actually was a one story log house owned by Dietrich Snyder located close to main path over the mountain and commanded an excellent view of the valley below were the smoke from burning farms could easily have been seen Indian attacks would continue in well into 1758 near Fort Lebanon.
The question always asked by the settlers was, were did the Indians go after their attacks? Many times there was nothing more than a moccasin track in the ground that led nowhere. In 1756 Capt. Morgan sent out a detachment of men under the command of one Ensign Harry to the Gap at the Schuylkill River on Second Mountain, near present day Mt. Carbon, the soldiers climbed the mountain, actually the route the soldiers took would have them climbing up the mountain on what is today Mt. Carbons main street. Cresting the mountain the soldiers headed west toward the valley in Indian Run near the present day Pottsville Indian Run reservoir. On the eastern end of this valley they found the encampment of the Indians here they found 2 coats, one spear, one scalping knife, some vermilion and 800 black wampum. The soldiers set up an ambush in the area but apparently the Indians had discovered them and fled to a new area. This area was known to the soldiers as the Red Hole.
Many changes have taken place in Schuylkill County since the beginning of the French And Indian War in 1755, but you can still get a feel for what the area did look like and how the people who lived and fought the Indians made a way of life here. So if you have the time go up on the Blue Mountain take a walk along the Appalachian Trail and look down on old Schuylkill and see the beauty that brought these people to the area. And think of the time when Indian war parties roamed the area and how it was for your families safety depended upon your bravery and abilities as a frontiersman.
The Red Hole: George Wheeler
The French And Indian War in Pa. 1753-1763: Louis M. Waddell/ Bruce Bomberger.
Pennsylvania Archives.ii
Saturday, November 24, 2007
The Vicksburg Cane Story
Here is another one from the Civil War era, a fascinating story of a piece of history. I only wish I knew were this cane is today. And also if we only had more info on Mrs. Sloan from Ashland. This story was written in 1868 in reference to supporting President U.S. Grant. Mrs Sloan was very interesting having served as a nurse at Vicksburg and post Gettysburg. What a great story her life would make.
The Vicksburg Cane Story
By Mrs. Mary Sloan
Vicksburg July 4, 1863
My Friends;-
You have done your duty, and now I propose to do mine. You of St. Clair have done it far better than I can hope to do; yet a short history of the inanimate stick of wood, now before you, will give you a few glances backward, over the rough road we have been traveling for the last few years, and I hope proves interesting.
Outside the fortifications of Vicksburg, the Union Army lay, Hundreds were daily sickening and dying; the intense heat, bad water, and hard labor, had well nigh proved too much for human nature. All looked sad and disheartening. Though but little was said, the bravest felt that our noble army was destined to fade away, ere the great work before them should be accomplished.
Never dawned a sadder morning than that of the memorable fourth of July, 1863; judge then of the wonderful reaction when the glorious tidings spread throughout our lines that Vicksburg had surrendered, and that at 12m the line of march would be formed, to go in an posses the city.
There were no stragglers that day, no shirkers from duty. The sick rose from their beds, the wounded dragged their helpless limbs; all who possibly could, joined in that march, and three poor boys, alas! Too weak for the undertaking, lay down by the roadside and died. One of them as his comrades stooped to raise him said, “go on Bill, don’t trouble about me; I am near enough; I can die here; tell mother I almost got into that drastic old city.” Returning to camp the next day, his body was found a half mile nearer the city, than were he had fallen, his hands torn and bloody, from his efforts to drag his weary body over the stony road, as near as possible to the conquered spot. That soldier was a native of northern Pennsylvania.
I arrived in the city; the Army was filed in order around the courthouse, where the Confederate flag still floated. It was the work of but a few moments to remove it, and throw to the breeze our glorious banner, amid shouts that well befitted the occasion.
By request of General Grant, “Rally round the flag” was sung. Never again do I expect to witness so affecting a scene. Many wept, and General Grant, the man who some think has no feeling, sat upon his horse like a statue, the tears coursing down his sun burned cheeks.
The city under the Union flag;
The first thing done was to open the prison doors. General Grant on foot, led the procession through the streets, and entered the prison just behind the flag.
To describe this wretched abode is beyond my power. The ultimathule of rags, filth, starvation and misery, certainly was reached. Over one hundred and fifty Union soldiers were shut up here, who for the first time in many months beheld the flag under which they had fought.
You are all familiar with the adage, “Blessings brighten as they pass away.” And who here that has lain for months in a southern prison but remembers his feelings when he again upheld his country’s flag. One brave old man almost dying, said, “I can’t see; bring me the flag; let me feel it once more,” and passing his hands over its folds, pressed it to his lips, and cried out, “beautiful flag, too late, too late, I have starved to death for you; you ain’t bread; God forgive the rebs; for I can’t” and closing his arms around it, his light on earth went out forever.
Someone said, “General Grant will you speak?” “No,” he replied, “the sight of my eyes makes my heart sick; words are of no use here. God forgive the rebels for I cannot.”
The entire army were then relieved from duty for twenty-four hours, a longer respite than they had before known since the war began, and oh, the touching, sickening, and ludicrous sights, that met our eyes. Union and confederate soldiers walked the streets, arm – in –arm, chewing from the Union cud, (of tobacco) and eating Union rations, for the rebs had neither. Some of our officers dined with Confederate Officers, on mule meat. Women and children half frightened to death were found hidden in caves were they had taken refuge for the fury of the storm of battle.
After sunset a party of officers and ladies rode out to view the fortifications and on our return I cut a branch from the tree, under whose shade Generals Grant and Pemberton arranged the terms of surrender. I soon began to feel like the man who drew an elephant and did not know what to do with it. In the army it was almost an impossibility to lay anything down, and ever find it again, so how was I to keep my stick, when I was constantly on the go?
While walking along the street the next morning, I was accosted by an old Negro woman, with “say, honey, don’t you long to Ancle Abe?” “I live in the North, “I replied. “Well then, you jis take this little nig along with you, “at the same time dragging from behind her, a grinning, half naked little boy about ten years of age. “ His mamma gone to Chicago last winter, and sent word back to our misea, that she had found a good home, and wanted her boy. Old miss was very cross, but I kept watch ever since. Now you take de chile, be good to him, and de Lord bress you both and bring you to glory.” She was gone, and I left with a much greater responsibility upon my hands than a stick of wood.
Resolving that I must care for a Negro, he should help me care for my stick. I took him to the Soldiers Home, just opened, and placed him in care of an old Negro woman, employed in the kitchen; I gave my stick into his charge, telling him if he would take good care of it he should get to his mother. Within twenty-four hours the news reached me that Lee was in Pennsylvania, had destroyed several cities, and was sending an army into the coal region, to set fire to the coal mines. That touched a tender spot. Home, parents, and children were in Schuylkill County. I forgot my country, my duty, my Negro, and my cane, went on the first boat going North, and not until I reached Pittsburg, was I assured of the glorious victory at Gettysburg, and the perfect safety of those dear to me. I spent two weeks nursing in an old barn t Gettysburg, visited my children, and returned in September to Vicksburg. I had given up all hope of ever seeing either Negro or stick again, but as I entered the soldiers home, I was saluted with, “Here’s my miss; I knot’s you’d come for me; I’se done kept de stick; I’se slept with it every night,” and sure enough it was my little nig., and safely stowed away in his bed in one corner of the great kitchen, I found my stick, with my name cut upon the bark, just as I had left it. Without further delay I expressed it to my father, with a letter charging him that in the event of my death, to see that it was appropriated to help General Grant walk into the White House. My little Negro I succeeded in getting to his mother, and under her care he bide fair to become an educated and useful citizen.
And now my friends, we come to the moral of this long story, viz; that the cane. I now present to you and the Negro are inseparably united. It is through the faithfulness of a little Negro child that I have been enabled to present to you this interesting memento of one of the greatest conquests of our recent struggle.
Let us then remember that the Negro has done what he could to establish Peace and Liberty upon the American continent, and let us see to it, that he receives justice and sympathy from our hands.
My only request in regard to the cane is, that it be handed down from generation to generation, through the family into which possession it may come, as the property of the son’s oldest son, or daughter’s eldest son, or brothers eldest son.
Mary J. Sloan
The Vicksburg Cane Story
By Mrs. Mary Sloan
Vicksburg July 4, 1863
My Friends;-
You have done your duty, and now I propose to do mine. You of St. Clair have done it far better than I can hope to do; yet a short history of the inanimate stick of wood, now before you, will give you a few glances backward, over the rough road we have been traveling for the last few years, and I hope proves interesting.
Outside the fortifications of Vicksburg, the Union Army lay, Hundreds were daily sickening and dying; the intense heat, bad water, and hard labor, had well nigh proved too much for human nature. All looked sad and disheartening. Though but little was said, the bravest felt that our noble army was destined to fade away, ere the great work before them should be accomplished.
Never dawned a sadder morning than that of the memorable fourth of July, 1863; judge then of the wonderful reaction when the glorious tidings spread throughout our lines that Vicksburg had surrendered, and that at 12m the line of march would be formed, to go in an posses the city.
There were no stragglers that day, no shirkers from duty. The sick rose from their beds, the wounded dragged their helpless limbs; all who possibly could, joined in that march, and three poor boys, alas! Too weak for the undertaking, lay down by the roadside and died. One of them as his comrades stooped to raise him said, “go on Bill, don’t trouble about me; I am near enough; I can die here; tell mother I almost got into that drastic old city.” Returning to camp the next day, his body was found a half mile nearer the city, than were he had fallen, his hands torn and bloody, from his efforts to drag his weary body over the stony road, as near as possible to the conquered spot. That soldier was a native of northern Pennsylvania.
I arrived in the city; the Army was filed in order around the courthouse, where the Confederate flag still floated. It was the work of but a few moments to remove it, and throw to the breeze our glorious banner, amid shouts that well befitted the occasion.
By request of General Grant, “Rally round the flag” was sung. Never again do I expect to witness so affecting a scene. Many wept, and General Grant, the man who some think has no feeling, sat upon his horse like a statue, the tears coursing down his sun burned cheeks.
The city under the Union flag;
The first thing done was to open the prison doors. General Grant on foot, led the procession through the streets, and entered the prison just behind the flag.
To describe this wretched abode is beyond my power. The ultimathule of rags, filth, starvation and misery, certainly was reached. Over one hundred and fifty Union soldiers were shut up here, who for the first time in many months beheld the flag under which they had fought.
You are all familiar with the adage, “Blessings brighten as they pass away.” And who here that has lain for months in a southern prison but remembers his feelings when he again upheld his country’s flag. One brave old man almost dying, said, “I can’t see; bring me the flag; let me feel it once more,” and passing his hands over its folds, pressed it to his lips, and cried out, “beautiful flag, too late, too late, I have starved to death for you; you ain’t bread; God forgive the rebs; for I can’t” and closing his arms around it, his light on earth went out forever.
Someone said, “General Grant will you speak?” “No,” he replied, “the sight of my eyes makes my heart sick; words are of no use here. God forgive the rebels for I cannot.”
The entire army were then relieved from duty for twenty-four hours, a longer respite than they had before known since the war began, and oh, the touching, sickening, and ludicrous sights, that met our eyes. Union and confederate soldiers walked the streets, arm – in –arm, chewing from the Union cud, (of tobacco) and eating Union rations, for the rebs had neither. Some of our officers dined with Confederate Officers, on mule meat. Women and children half frightened to death were found hidden in caves were they had taken refuge for the fury of the storm of battle.
After sunset a party of officers and ladies rode out to view the fortifications and on our return I cut a branch from the tree, under whose shade Generals Grant and Pemberton arranged the terms of surrender. I soon began to feel like the man who drew an elephant and did not know what to do with it. In the army it was almost an impossibility to lay anything down, and ever find it again, so how was I to keep my stick, when I was constantly on the go?
While walking along the street the next morning, I was accosted by an old Negro woman, with “say, honey, don’t you long to Ancle Abe?” “I live in the North, “I replied. “Well then, you jis take this little nig along with you, “at the same time dragging from behind her, a grinning, half naked little boy about ten years of age. “ His mamma gone to Chicago last winter, and sent word back to our misea, that she had found a good home, and wanted her boy. Old miss was very cross, but I kept watch ever since. Now you take de chile, be good to him, and de Lord bress you both and bring you to glory.” She was gone, and I left with a much greater responsibility upon my hands than a stick of wood.
Resolving that I must care for a Negro, he should help me care for my stick. I took him to the Soldiers Home, just opened, and placed him in care of an old Negro woman, employed in the kitchen; I gave my stick into his charge, telling him if he would take good care of it he should get to his mother. Within twenty-four hours the news reached me that Lee was in Pennsylvania, had destroyed several cities, and was sending an army into the coal region, to set fire to the coal mines. That touched a tender spot. Home, parents, and children were in Schuylkill County. I forgot my country, my duty, my Negro, and my cane, went on the first boat going North, and not until I reached Pittsburg, was I assured of the glorious victory at Gettysburg, and the perfect safety of those dear to me. I spent two weeks nursing in an old barn t Gettysburg, visited my children, and returned in September to Vicksburg. I had given up all hope of ever seeing either Negro or stick again, but as I entered the soldiers home, I was saluted with, “Here’s my miss; I knot’s you’d come for me; I’se done kept de stick; I’se slept with it every night,” and sure enough it was my little nig., and safely stowed away in his bed in one corner of the great kitchen, I found my stick, with my name cut upon the bark, just as I had left it. Without further delay I expressed it to my father, with a letter charging him that in the event of my death, to see that it was appropriated to help General Grant walk into the White House. My little Negro I succeeded in getting to his mother, and under her care he bide fair to become an educated and useful citizen.
And now my friends, we come to the moral of this long story, viz; that the cane. I now present to you and the Negro are inseparably united. It is through the faithfulness of a little Negro child that I have been enabled to present to you this interesting memento of one of the greatest conquests of our recent struggle.
Let us then remember that the Negro has done what he could to establish Peace and Liberty upon the American continent, and let us see to it, that he receives justice and sympathy from our hands.
My only request in regard to the cane is, that it be handed down from generation to generation, through the family into which possession it may come, as the property of the son’s oldest son, or daughter’s eldest son, or brothers eldest son.
Mary J. Sloan
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