Burning of Wawarsing
This last attempt of the savages, under the command and by direction of British authority, to exterminate the inhabitants of this frontier, occurred on the 12th of August, 1781, and was the most extensive invasion since the commencement of the war. This expedition was fitted out at one of the northern British posts, and put under the command of a white man by the name of Caldwell, with explicit directions to commence his assault at Captain Andrew Bevier`s at Napanock; and to kill or capture all the inhabitants, and destroy or carry off all the property along the Kingston road to the half-way house kept by the Widow Hasbrouck, twelve miles northeast of Napanock-' if he thought he could get back alive.” Caldwell was told if he did not carry out his instructions, he should be tried for his life on his return. Such is the language of the Bevier pamphlet. These allegations, were they not backed by testimony not to be controverted, would appear to be the creation of some fertile brain to vivify a page of fiction. We leave for other hands the task of attempting to excuse or palliate the crime of authorizing the slaughter of helpless women and children, for a crime it was, though sanctioned by the Crown of England.
Widow Hasbrouck, twelve miles northeast of Napanock-' if he thought he could get back alive.” Caldwell was told if he did not carry out his instructions, he should be tried for his life on his return. Such is the language of the Bevier pamphlet. These allegations, were they not backed by testimony not to be controverted, would appear to be the creation of some fertile brain to vivify a page of fiction. We leave for other hands the task of attempting to excuse or palliate the crime of authorizing the slaughter of helpless women and children, for a crime it was, though sanctioned by the Crown of England. It may be well here to state that it was the practice along the frontiers to keep out spies or scouts on the side exposed to savage inroads, who were to patrol the woods and give notice to the settlements in order that they might not be taken by surprise. Philip Hine was one of those chosen to perform this duty. In providing himself with a supply of provisions, he had occasion to purchase some meat of Jeremiah Kettle, who resided in the vicinity of Newtown. Kettle made particular inquiries of Mr. Hine as to where he was going, the nature of his business, and the purpose for which he wanted the meat, to which the latter made honest replies, not suspecting his interlocutor was a Tory, who would find means of communicating the information to the Indians.
Jeremiah Kettle, who resided in the vicinity of Newtown. Kettle made particular inquiries of Mr. Hine as to where he was going, the nature of his business, and the purpose for which he wanted the meat, to which the latter made honest replies, not suspecting his interlocutor was a Tory, who would find means of communicating the information to the Indians. Hine, accompanied by another spy named Silas Bouck, started on his migratory errand. When they reached the Neversink river, twenty miles or more southwest of Napanock, they discovered a body of four or five hundred Indians and Tories, evidently bound on an expedition against some of the frontier settlements. The scouts watched their progress secretly until certain that their place of destination was Wawarsing; they then took a circuitous route, and struck the road far in advance of the point where they had seen the enemy. The Indians had been apprised by the Tory, Kettle, that spies were out, and were on the alert. Discovering some footmarks where Hine and his companion had crossed a stream of water, runners were immediately sent in pursuit, who overtook them within half an hour after the latter had entered the road. But there seems to have been a providence in this apparent misfortune, and the perfidiousness of Jeremiah Kettle was made the means of saving many precious lives.
Silas Bouck, started on his migratory errand. When they reached the Neversink river, twenty miles or more southwest of Napanock, they discovered a body of four or five hundred Indians and Tories, evidently bound on an expedition against some of the frontier settlements. The scouts watched their progress secretly until certain that their place of destination was Wawarsing; they then took a circuitous route, and struck the road far in advance of the point where they had seen the enemy. The Indians had been apprised by the Tory, Kettle, that spies were out, and were on the alert. Discovering some footmarks where Hine and his companion had crossed a stream of water, runners were immediately sent in pursuit, who overtook them within half an hour after the latter had entered the road. But there seems to have been a providence in this apparent misfortune, and the perfidiousness of Jeremiah Kettle was made the means of saving many precious lives. The prisoners were required under pain of death to give a correct account of the fortifications and other means of defense along the frontier. Among other things they informed their captors that there was a cannon at Capt. Bevier's, in Napanock. On account of this intelligence the enemy did not carry out their instructions and commence their attack at that place. Some of the Indians had probably witnessed the destructive power of grapeshot and cannonballs in the war of 1755, and had a wholesome fear of that engine of destruction. But they would not have been injured in this case, for the old cannon lay on the woodpile without a carriage, and was useless for purposes of defense. Nevertheless the dismantled field-piece intimidated an enemy five hundred strong, and saved Napanock from attack.
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