Fort Augusta was built in 1756, on the east bank of the main river just below
the junction of the North and West branches of the Susquehanna that here form
the main river, the artillery covering the debouchure of the branches, as well
as the main river, at once closing the path by land and movement by water to the
settlements below from an enemy; it stood at the upper end of the now
enterprising town of Sunbury, was a regularly laid out fort, and when completed,
mounted as the returns of the times show, at least twelve cannon and two
swivels; quite a formidable armament for the time and place; seven
blunder-busses were also included in its armament; it was one of those military
necessities barely acted upon in time.
The causes that led to the building of the fort were:
The French and English were struggling for the supremacy at this time in
America. The English, in our State, had pushed settlements up to the Blue
mountains on the north, and were moving through the passes of the Alleghenies
towards Duquesne: the French owned Canada and the Lakes and had an eye to the
ultimate conquest of our State or a part of it. In pursuance of this object, as
they held Duquesne, now Pittsburgh, they had fortified Lake Erie at Presqu'
Isle, and run a line of forts by the waters of the Allegheny River, from Presqu'
Isle to Fort Duquesne. The forks of the Susquehanna, after securing their
communication with Duquesne attracted their attention; the branches of the
Susquehanna, the one rising in one of the lesser lakes in the State of New York,
the other overlapping some of the branches of the Allegheny, offered them water
communication a part of the distance to the forks of the Susquehanna. When we
take into consideration that Braddock's defeat had occurred but a year before
this and their allies, the Indians, were still elated over this great victory
and ready for new conquests; the movements of the
Map of Fort Augusta
French at this time indicate this plainly, as shown by the Tradition of the
Cannon Hole at the Race Ground Island, in the West Branch, as told the English
by the Indians after peace, was that a party of French and Indians had left the
lake country in the fall of 1756 to make permanent advance to the forks of the
Susquehanna, bringing along three small brass cannon. Striking the headwaters of
the Susquehanna (West branch), they descended by water to about the mouth of
Loyal Sock creek, where, landing, they sent a reconnoitering party to the top of
the Blue hill overlooking the forks and Fort Augusta, then partially built.
Seeing the advancement of the fort and the number of men guarding it, considered
it imprudent to attack and so reported to the main body who after consultation,
decided to return; as the water was falling, finding themselves encumbered with
their cannon, they threw them in the deep pot hole, or eddy, at the upper end of
the old time race ground island, which has been known as the Cannon Hole ever
since. Fort Augusta continued on the alert for French aggressions until some
time after the capture of Quebec by Wolf in 1759, which virtually decided the
control of the Canadas and, of course, of the Indian allies of the French.
The friendly Indians at Shamokin urged Gov. Morris to erect a strong house at
Shamokin for his and their defense, and as a rallying point for such Indians as
were or might become friendly to the English interests. The Governor was slower
to comprehend the military necessity of the move than the Indians. After
considerable delay he finally secured the consent of the Royal Commissioners
and, upon the Assembly voting £2,000 for the King's use, he directed Colonel
William Clapham to recruit a regiment of four hundred men for that purpose; when
the regiment was completed he furnished him a plan of a regular fort to be built
on the east bank of the Susquehanna river, at Shamokin. Col. Clapham, after
building Fort Halifax and leaving fifty men to garrison it to keep open his
communications and protect the inhabitants on the upper part of his route,
arrived at Shamokin in July 1756, after building a protection for his men and
stores, proceeded to execute the Governor's commands, and before winter, had it
quite secure. Col. Clapham did not remain here a great length of time after
completing the fort, being called away by other duties. He was killed by the
Indians in 1763, together with his family, on Sewickley creek, in Western
Pennsylvania. Col. James Burd, who succeeded him, continued to strengthen the
work, as his interesting journal shows. (See Archives, second series. Vol. ii,
pp. 745-820.) Col. Burd participated in the Bouquet expedition and had command
of 582 men. He was in the battle of Loyal Hanna (Bushy Run) and, after that
victory, accompanied the army to Fort Duquesne.
For the correspondence in the matter, see History of the Forts, Appendix to
Penna. Archives, Vol. xii, first series, where it is fully collated with
references, and shows the magnitude of the undertaking at so great a distance
from his base of supplies, with the difficulties of transportation.
Fort Augusta was at once armed with eight cannon and two swivels; the number was
increased to twelve, or fifteen cannon and two swivels.
Upon the close of the "French and Indian War," not with standing the great
importance of Fort Augusta as a strategic point to the Province, a clamor was
raised by the "peace at any price" party of that day, and the fort was partly
dismantled. The condition of affairs in the Province at this time is ably
described by Dr. Egle, in his History of Pennsylvania, which says; "The
situation of the frontiers was truly deplorable owing to the supineness of the
Provincial authorities, for the Quakers who controlled the Government were, to
use the language of Lazarus Stewart, 'more solicitous for the welfare of the
bloodthirsty Indian than for the lives of the frontiersman.' In this blind
partiality, bigotry and political prejudice they would not readily accede to the
demands of those of a different religious faith. To them, therefore, was greatly
attributable the reign of horror and devastation in the border counties. The
Government was deaf to all entreaties, and General Amherst, commander of the
British forces in America, did not hesitate to give his feelings an emphatic
expression. 'The conduct of the Pennsylvania Assembly,' he wrote, *is altogether
so infatuated and stupidly obstinate that I want words to express my indignation
thereat.' Nevertheless, the sturdy Scotch-Irish and Germans of the frontier
rallied for their own defense and the entire force of Colonel Bouquet was
composed of them."
Fort Augusta, at time of building, held a place of great strategic importance,
being far in advance of the English settlements of the Province, holding the
only passage by water and blocking the pathway along the river by land, to the
pioneer settlements below.
Readily reinforced and provisioned by bateaux from below, the country spreading
out fan-like before it, requiring an elaborate system of forts in front of it to
restrain it; a safe depot for supplies and the accumulation of a force for
aggression, a point where the main Indian paths could be readily reached, and
communications kept with them and supply them with the necessary beads and
gew-gaws to keep them on friendly terms, or, on the other hand, to restrain
them. Here Colonel Hartley drew his supplies in part in his famous march to the
destruction of Tioga in l778, returning by way of the North Branch. Here,
Colonel Plunket organized his expedition against Wyoming, ending in the fiasco
of Nanticoke and also ending the doughty Colonel's military aspirations.
After the commencement of the Revolution Fort Augusta became the headquarters of
this that may be properly termed the military department of the upper
Susquehanna. Col. Hunter was appointed county lieutenant and exercised authority
here to the close of the war. Col, Hartley, with his regiment was stationed here
a part of 1777 and 1778. On the breaking out of the Indians these settlements,
which had furnished the main body of their men capable of bearing arms to the
Continental army cried loudly for aid. After the battle of Brandywine, Gen.
Washington consolidated the 12th Pennsylvania regiment that, by its fierce
fighting at Brandywine and other places was almost decimated, with the 3d and
fith Pennsylvania regiments, mustered out the officers and sent them home to
help the people organize for defense, Capt. John Brady, Capt. Hawkins Boone and
Capt. Samuel Daugherty being among the number. A system of forts were decided
upon to cover the settlements as much as they were possibly able to do so, and
were designed to run across the country from near opposite Nescopeck, commencing
on the north bank of the North Branch, where was quite a settlement on the river
flats; via Meelick's, on Fishing creek, to Bosley's mills, covering most of the
settlers on Chilisquaqua, to Freeland's mill, on Warrior Run, thence to Widow
Smith's mills on west side of West Branch; thence returning to Muncy and thence
to Hall's, continuing on up and crossing to Antes Fort; continuing up on the
south side of the river to Mr. Reid's, at now Lock Haven. A few of these places
were fortified in 1777, but a portion were fortified in the spring of 1778. As
the Indians became quite active in the spring of 1778, the military authorities
of Fort Augusta were kept very actively engaged. The massacre at Wyoming in that
year with the Big Runaway, on the West Branch, deluged Fort Augusta with the
destitute and distressed; already over-loaded, they were now overwhelmed. The
most of these destitute and distressed people soon passing down the river, most
of the garrisons were withdrawn. The Indians soon followed and burned everything
undefended. At this time the valley of the West Branch presented a pitiable
spectacle, which it did not regain to any extent until peace was proclaimed.
It has been claimed by some that at the time of the Big Runaway Col. Hunter lost
his head and precipitated matters by withdrawing the garrisons of these forts on
the West Branch. To one looking at his exhausted means for defense we cannot see
how, as a prudent military man, he could do otherwise. Without means to
reinforce the feeble garrisons that were menaced by a foe more powerful than
himself, to have left them to their fate would have been improper and likely to
have been condemned by those who were so ready to find fault with him for doing
the only thing in his power to do as a military head to this department. Colonel
Hunter, at this time, had commanded this department fifteen years and knew the
country and its people intimately; had become so thoroughly affiliated with
their interests as to be one of them; their fears and misfortunes affected him
as they did them. What few rays of joy that broke through the black clouds of
adversity were as exhilarating to him as to them. He was an openhearted,
hospitable, brave, generous man, who eventually spent twenty years of his life
in their service and died in 1781, before he saw the full effects of peace, and
was buried by the side of the fort he so ably defended, and among the people he
worked for and loved so ardently. He was one of the many prominent men who
settled in this region.
General Potter, who served in the Continental army and lived in the Buffalo
Valley, was a man of great ability, forced by bad health to resign from the
Continental army before the close of the Revolution. He was indefatigable in his
endeavors to resist the foe and place his people in a safe position of defense.
He, too, merits the approbation of the succeeding generations.
Colonel John Kelly and Colonel Hartley are entitled to worthy remembrance for
the many acts of military ability shown by them.
Moses Van Campen, whose young manhood developed on the waters of the Fishing
creek, detained by the Committee of Safety from the Continental army for the
defense of the frontiers, spent the summer of 1777 in Colonel Kelly's regiment
in holding Fort Reid and scouting duty, being orderly sergeant of Captain
Gaskin's company. In 1778 we find him a lieutenant, and early in the season
building Fort Wheeler on the Fishing creek and on scouting duties; in 1779
scouting duties and quartermaster to collect stores for Sullivan's army.
Arriving at Tioga he volunteered, with many important scouts entrusted to him,
in which he acquitted himself well. In 1780, captured by the Indians, his
father, brother and uncle killed, he, Peter Pence and Abram Pike, rising on
their captors, killed nine and wounded the only remaining one. This was about
fifteen miles below Tioga; 1781 engaged in scouting and looking after Tories;
winter spent in guarding British prisoners; spring of 1782 marched Robinson's
Rangers, of which he was lieutenant, back to Northumberland; after a few day's
rest, ordered to rebuild Fort Muncy. Having commenced the work, on arrival of
his captain he was sent with a detail of men to the neighborhood of the Big
Island, where he was attacked by a large body of Indians led by a white man,
when in the fight that ensued, his party were killed or captured, he included
among the latter, ran the gauntlet at the Indian towns. Fortune favored him, and
he was not recognized as the leader who killed the Indians when a captive until
after he was sold to the English. A tedious captivity ensued, enlivened
occasionally by practical jokes, etc. He was at last exchanged and returned
home, where, after recruiting his health he was sent to assist garrisoning Fort
Wilkes-Barre. At this place he remained to the close of the war. Having during
his service, built Fort Wheeler and defended it for a time, built Fort McClure
and assisted at rebuilding Fort Muncy, besides being actively engaged on
frontier duties from the commencement to the close of the war. He removed to the
state of New York before 1800 where, after an active life as surveyor and
engineer he died, at the advanced age of ninety-two, universally respected.
Visiting with the Forts Commission the ruins of Fort Augusta in the summer of
1894, under the guidance of Mr. M. L. Hendricks, of Sunbury, we found the
magazine still there and in good condition. John F. Meginness, in his
Otzinachson, or History of the West branch Valley, page 269, gives a description
of it as we saw it: "The magazine was built according to report, on plans of
Capt. Gordon, who served as engineer, and today is still in a good state of
preservation, being the only evidence of the existence of the fort. It is
located in a small field about sixty feet south of the brick house known as the
'Hunter Mansion,' and one hundred and sixty-five feet from the river bank. A
small mound of earth marks the spot where it may be found, and upon examination
an opening in the ground is discovered which is two and a half feet wide. There
are twelve four-inch stone steps leading below. On descending these steps the
ground space inside the magazine is found to be 10x12 feet, and it is eight feet
from the floor to the apex of the arched ceiling. The arch is of brick and
commences on an offset purposely made in the wall five feet above the ground
floor. The brick are of English manufacture and were transported from
Philadelphia to Harris's and then up the river by bateaux. On entering the
ancient magazine one is reminded of a huge bake oven: it has been stated that an
underground passage led from the magazine to the river, but has been closed up.
Although a break or narrow cave-in in the river bank directly opposite the
magazine which had existed for years would indicate that such was the fact, yet
there is no evidence on
Magazine at Fort Augusta
the inside walls that there ever was such a passage. A recent careful
examination failed to show any signs of an opening having existed. The stone
basement walls are as solid apparently as when they were first laid. There are
no marks or other evidence whatever that there had been an opening in the wall
or that it had been closed up since the construction of the magazine." (Query:
Would a magazine in a warlike fort have communication with the outside world.)
"There was such a passage starting from one of the angles of the fort, but it
had no connection with the magazine."
There is but one of the cannon that was formerly mounted upon the fort known to
be in existence. Mr. Hendricks took the commission to Fire Engine House No. 1
and showed us the highly prized relic. Dr. R. H. Awl, of Sunbury, furnished J.
F. Meginness its history for his History of the West Branch Valley and a cut of
the old cannon. It is securely fastened and carefully guarded. It is supposed it
was thrown in the river at the time of the great Runaway in 1778, after being
spiked. In 1798 it was reclaimed from the river by George and Jacob Mantz,
Samuel Hahn and George Shoop. After heating, by burning several cords of hickory
wood, they succeeded in drilling out the spiked file. It has had quite a
checkered experience, being stolen from one place to another to serve the
different political parties, between times hidden in places considered secure
until 1834, when Dr. R. H. Awl and ten other young men of Sunbury made a raid on
Selinsgrove at night, secured the much-prized relic and have retained it ever
since. Of the eleven young men engaged in its rescue sixty years ago the doctor
is the only one living to tell the tale of its return. II is of English make,
weighs about one thousand pounds and has about three and one-half inch bore. A
drunken Negro sledged off the ring at the muzzle, out of pure wantonness in
1838.
The Maclay mansion, built by William Maclay, one of the most prominent citizens
of his time, in 1773, is a historic building. The back part of the lot was
stockaded during the Revolution. The house is built of limestone and is now
owned and occupied by Hon. S. P. Wolverton, present member of Congress from this
district, who prizes it highly for its antiquity and historic reminiscences.
Near here Conrad Weiser built the "Locke house" for Shickelimy in 1754, the
first building in the "Shamokin country," and built for a place to confine
refractory Indians. Shickelimy is said to have at one time exercised almost
unlimited control over the Indian tribes, north, west and south. Here the
Vice-King died and was buried in 1759. When the grave of Shickelimy was removed
some years ago, Mr. M. L. Hendricks, the antiquarian of Sunbury, secured the
strings of wampum, the pipe and many other relics that were buried with the
Vice-King. He was the father of Logan, the Mingo chief.
The Bloody Spring. The Hon. S. P. Wolverton also owns the land on which this
spring is located. Its history, as related by Col. Samuel Miles, is as follows,
and shows the constant danger menacing the garrisons of Fort Augusta. In the
summer of 1756, I was nearly taken prisoner by the Indians. At about half a mile
distant from the fort stood a large tree that bore excellent plums, in an open
piece of ground, near what is now called the Bloody Spring. Lieut. S. Atlee and
myself one day took a walk to this tree to gather plums. While we were there a
party of Indians lay a short distance from us, concealed in the thicket, and had
nearly gotten between us and the fort, when a soldier belonging to the Bullock
guard not far from us came to the spring to drink. The Indians were thereby in
danger of discovery and in consequence thereof fired at and killed the soldier,
by which means we got off and returned to the fort in much less time than we
were coming out. The rescuing party from the fort found the soldier scalped and
his blood trickling into the spring, giving the water a crimson hue, and was
ever afterwards called the Bloody Spring. John F. Meginness, who visited this
spring a few years ago, says: "This historic spring is located on the hillside.
The space occupied by it is about the size of an ordinary town lot, and it looks
as if it might have been dug out and the earth taken away with horse and cart.
The distance across is about twenty-five feet and has a depth of ten or twelve
feet, and then runs out with the declivity. The spring has been gradually
filling up and there is no doubt it would flow constantly if it were cleaned
out. The spring now only runs over a couple of months in the spring of the year.
The Blue Hill, standing out boldly, opposite Northumberland, is here in bold
relief surmounted in our younger days by Mason's observatory overhanging the
cliff of some four hundred feet in height; it is now capped by a fine health
resort hotel.
The famous thief, Joe Disbury, was tried at Sunbury in 1784 for some of his many
misdemeanors, found guilty, sentenced to receive thirty-nine lashes, stand in
the pillory one hour, have his ears cut off and nailed to the post, that be
imprisoned three months, and pay a fine of £30. The venerable Dr. Awl still
shows the place on the old square where punishment was inflicted by the pillory
and whipping post. The famous Dr. Plunket, after attaining notoriety as a
military leader, took to the bench. As a jurist he dispensed law impartially; as
to "rogues," he saw they did not go unwhipped of justice.
Notes About Book:
Source: The Frontier Forts Within The North and West Branches of the Susquehanna
River Pennsylvania, BY Captain John M. Buckalew, Read Before The Wyoming
Historical And Geological, Society, October 1, 1895. Reprinted From The State
Report, 1896. E. B. Yoruy, Printer, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Notes about Online Publication: This manuscript has been ocr'd and heavily
edited. Many of the Native American words have been reproduced as clearly as
online publication will allow us, but not all are exactly the way they were in
the original work. The structure of this manuscript has been changed to allow
better online presentation.