at that season of the year, Capt. Nelles placed a platoon of men under the command of his son and rallied the Indians under the lieutenant in an expedition to Pennsylvania to cut off bodies of continental troops passing between the Susquehanna and Ohio rivers. Hey-en-de-seh had changed his residence to a town afterwards known as Ah-wes-coy, on the west side of the Genesee, about seven miles below Caneadea. The latter name was also applied to the valley lying between the two villages. In later days Shongo told a Mr. Baker that John Hudson and himself were the leaders of the expedition. As it was organized at the lower town the one to whom Shongo referred was probably Hah-yen-de-seh, though old Captain Hudson accompanied and guided the party.

While preparations for the expedition were in progress one family of Senecas residing at Ah-wes-coy viewed them with sorrow. In a previous foray upon a settlement of whites the members of this family had lost a son and brother, a promising young brave named To-an-do-qua. The season of mourning had nearly passed, yet the mother refused to be reconciled. The stir and confusion in the town reminded her of that other time when her brave son marched proudly away into the forest never to return. She reflected upon the probable results of the contemplated expedition and became inspired with the idea of averting, in a degree, the horrors of warfare by securing the capture, instead of the killing, of some innocent youth. With this thought in mind the woman approached a chief named Do-eh-saw* who resided at Deonundagao. Though in outward appearance an Indian, the chief was really a half-breed son of a white trader, and was generally known as Jack Berry. He was a powerful man, though not above medium height, swift on foot, brave and in the forefront of any conflict in which he engaged; yet he was kind-hearted and the Seneca mother knew he had been a good friend to her boy. To this man the woman made a request, that, from the sol

*The word signifies one who propels, pushes, himself or makes either progress or resistance like a sturdy or obstinate animal; the idea being strength and courage as manifested in a beast of burden, like a mule.

diers the Indians were going to attack, he would bring her the youngest captive they might take, to replace the lost To-an-do-qua. As a sign of her commission to him and of her right to the prisoner, she gave Do-eh-saw a belt of wampum bearing her clan totem and family mark. The chief accepted the belt and promised to consider her request.

When the British-Indian expedition left the Genesee, it consisted of Lieut. Nelles commanding, his platoon of rangers, nearly a hundred warriors and some squaws. They crossed the Genesee early in May, took the Niagara trail southward through Chautauqua valley, crossed over to the Canisteo, down that stream to the Tioga, thence by Pine Creek (Ti-a-dagh-ton) to the west branch of the Susquehanna (Ot-zin-ach-son), marched through forest trails, and established their camp about a two days' journey from Bedford. It was a custom of the Indians to form such a camp as a base of operations, where they left the women and baggage, the warriors going and coming as they pleased.

From the reserved camp the warriors advanced to the Juniata intending to attack some of the forts, or to cut off troops on the march. It appears that Shongo led a band some distance down the Juniata, but learning of the number of soldiers at Frankstown fort, he proceeded up the river and joined Hudson, who had formed a temporary camp at a place called Hart's Log. Thence they sent out runners to watch the garrison. These spies saw white scouts in the vicinity and notified the chiefs, who hastily called a council. They decided to form an ambuscade at a favorable place on the river, so the war-party retreated into the forest to await the coming night.

The white scouts discovered the camp, found it recently abandoned and hurried to Frankstown to give the alarm. The Indians permitted their safe return, hoping, by so doing, to secure a larger number of victims at a later hour. The place selected for ambush was near a ford of the river not far from the fort. The location seemed to afford little opportunity for the concealment of a body of men, but the

Iroquois were adepts in forest stratagem and laid their plans with skill.

June 2d the scouting party assembled at Holliday's fort, a mile or so below Fetler's. This fort had been built for a stable but was a strong building and had been loop-holed for a garrison or to serve as a place of refuge. Instead of a full company of rangers there were Capt. Boyd, Lieutenant Woods, and eight men; the volunteers numbering twentythree or four men, including several of the most experienced woodsmen and Indian fighters of the Alleghany frontier. The personnel of the company was about as follows: Capt. John Boyd, the eldest of three brothers-William fell at the battle of the Brandywine and Thomas was horribly tortured and killed at the Genesee Castle in 1779; Lieutenant Harry Woods, a son of the George Woods of Bedford, released from Fort Du Quesne in 1756 through Chief Hudson; Capt. Moore, one of the famous Moore family of Scotch Valley; he with Lieutenant Smith had recruited nearly all the volunteers; Capt. Dunlap, a militia officer then off regular duty; Lieut. John Cook, a relative of the Col. Wm. Cook of Northumberland County, under whom Moses Van Campen first served.

These men were versed in Indian warfare, of tried courage and patriotism. Among the men in the ranks were William and Adam Holliday; James Summerville, son-in-law of Adam Holliday; Thomas and Michael Coleman; a George Jones and brother; Michael Wallack; Edward Milligan; William and John McDonald; Ross; Ricketts; Beatty; Gray; Johnson, and Horatio Jones. Whether the Jones brothers were relatives of Horatio or not is not known.

The Americans wore the dress of the frontiersmen of that time: A cap, hunting-shirt or frock, breeches or leggins, and moccasins. The frock was gathered at the waist by a belt tied in the back. Bullet-pouch, wadding and other small articles were carried in the frock above the belt, from which were suspended a tomahawk and hunting-knife. The moccasins were of dressed deer skins made with flaps reaching to the shin, and secured by long strings bound around the

ankles and legs. Each man was also armed with a rifle and its equipments.

These men set out for Fetler's where they planned to spend the following day, Sunday, thence to march through the Kitanning Gap to a road that led to Pittsburg, and home by way of Bedford. While completing their arrangements to leave Fetler's the two scouts came in and reported the discovery of the Indian camp at Hart's Log, saying the savages probably numbered twenty-five or thirty, the fires were still burning and the enemy doubtless near at hand. A fight was probable and the scouts were eager for the fray. The officers felt sure the savages would not venture into the settlement until the following day and thought best to march out and meet the invaders near the mouth of the gap. They tendered the command to Colonel Albright and asked him to permit some of his men, who were anxious to go, to accompany them. The Colonel refused both requests, not allowing his men to leave the fort.

Just before daylight Sunday morning they ate breakfast, took five days' provisions, loaded their rifles and started for the mountains. A narrow path ran close along the river; the men marched in single file, with Capt. Boyd at their head, in command. A thick fog rendered even near objects invisible. The scouts deemed this condition a favorable one as it would conceal them from observation. The obscurity covered all traces of the ambuscade as well. When the company reached the flat within thirty rods of Sugar Run, the British and Indians poured a murderous volley into the single line of scouts and, springing up with tomahawks in hand, awoke the echoes of the wilderness with appalling yells. The surprise was complete. A number fell, several fled without discharging their guns, but Capt. Boyd, Lieut. Cook and a few other veteran fighters bravely held their ground, raised a yell and returned fire, killing some of the savages.

Seeing they were greatly outnumbered, Boyd ordered his gallant men to save themselves. They at once scattered. As Boyd turned to run the Indians pursued. They struck him several times with their tomahawks before he surren

dered. Lieut. Cook was a powerful man and swift runner, but the four warriors who pursued him threw their weapons and knocked him down, when he was promptly secured.

Capt. Dunlap, Ross and the two McDonalds who were in Boyd's company, were seized upon the battle ground. Lieut. Woods discharged his rifle and with Wallack and Summerville crossed the river, running up what was later known as O'Friel's Ridge, pursued by Hay-en-de-seh, who calculated either to kill or capture the three men. Summerville's moccasin became loose and as he stooped to fix it the chief approached with uplifted tomahawk. Woods aimed his empty rifle at the Indian who sheltered himself behind a tree, but quickly recognizing the officer shouted out, "No hurt you Woods! No hurt you Woods!" exposing himself to view. Woods, seeing that he was the son of the Seneca chief who had saved his father from torture in 1756, and had often visited at the senior Woods' in Bedford, dropped his gun. Hudson made no further demonstration of hostility and allowed the other two rangers to escape over the ridge. One of the Jones brothers was the first to reach the fort with news of the disaster. Capt. Young started out with help to bring in the wounded. The other Jones

brother had been killed and scalped. Five wounded men were found as well as the mutilated bodies of nearly half the company.

When the first volley was fired Horatio was marching proudly along in line. Deafened by the firing and half blinded by the smoke, he was caught in the sudden rush of those who fled and carried to the middle of the river. The rattle of musketry, the yells of the savages, the shrieks of the wounded filled the air. Forgetting his visions of bravery he sprang up the bank and ran straight away from the scene of action. Suddenly two Indians appeared before him with leveled guns; in presence of more immediate danger his scattered senses began to return, and while he changed his direction he wondered if this were indeed his last moment. He glanced over his shoulder and saw the Indians in hot pursuit. Seeing that he had gained upon them and encouraged by a hope of escape he turned about,