Williams, Jonathan (1750-1815) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.10231 Author/Creator: Williams, Jonathan (1750-1815) Place Written: Staunton, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 July 1791 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 38 x 23 cm. Order a Copy
Reports on General [Charles] Scott's expedition against the Indians. Writes that a "Party had recrossed the Ohio on their return, after having destroyed three Indian Towns, killed 32 Warriors, and brought away 50 or 60 Women & Children prisoners." Goes on to write about the nice weather and states that "[t]he Ladies are well and join me in respectfull Compliments to [Mrs. ?] Knox." Noted as "to be put into the first Post Office" and forwarded by Peter Hienkiele. Stain on address leaf where the letter was sealed. Watermarked "C Taylor" and with a hunting horn inside a crest with "G R" underneath. "On public service" written on address leaf with no signature.
Williams was American businessman, military figure, politician, writer, and a grandnephew of Benjamin Franklin. He became Chief of Engineers of the Army Corps of Engineers, was the first superintendent of West Point, and served as a Pennsylvania Representative from 1815-1816.
Staunton July 5. 1791.
Dear General:
Although I think your official dispatch will have given you satisfactory accounts of Genl Scott's movements & success, yet I presume you will not think it improper to take the chance of this Letter coming sooner to hand. -
A Mr Bowman passed through this Town 3 days since from the Falls of the Ohio, and reported that at Beards Town he [saw] 2 men who were in Scotts expedition, who informed him that the Party had recrossed the Ohio on their return, after having destroyed three Indian Towns, killed 32 Warriors, and brought away 50 or 60 Women & Children prisoners. He left one house for the aged & infirm women, and left them a supply of Provisions with Letters for [strikeout] Indians of other nations who might pass that way. Genl Scott lost no men in the action which appears to have been a surprize, [sic] but 3 were wounded, & three more were drowned in crossing the river. -
As Mr Bowman passed through this place without stopping I had not an opportunity of seeing him, but I have gathered this account from Mr Buchanan who saw him and who knows his family, which is [inserted: a] very creditable one. There are several other [2] reports in Town, which come much in the same way from other persons of the party, and there is an uniformity in the whole which gives it credibility in this place; as such I give it to you, and I hope it will be confirmed by more authentic accounts.
I have not been able to fix the dates with accuracy but as Genl Scott crossed the Ohio in his way out on the 21st of May, thus may be tolerably ascertained by those who know the distance, and [inserted: the] time usualy [sic] - taken for such a march. It seems that The Towns were on the wabash river and are called the [Weeyaw] Towns. Genl Scott it is further said began his march in a direction towards the Miami Towns, but having lost James horses which appeared to have taken that road, he was apprehensive of the Indians taking an alarm so changed his object. Two of the Towns he destroyed had been abandoned; [strikeout] But one therefore was surprized. -
We are here in a fine climate, while you are in 80 & 90 degrees of heat, we on this side of the mountain enjoy 55 in the morning & 65 to 70 in the warmest part of the day. - We have taken up our Quarters in this spot for some days, which we mean to employ in making excursions in various directions to see the natural curiosities of the Country and [3] then we shall proceed in a Body to the Springs.
The Ladies are well and join me in respectfull Compliments to Mrs Knox.
I am with the most repectfull
& affectionate attachment
Dear General Sincerely Yours
Jona Williams
[address leaf]
On public Service
The Honble Genl Knox &c &c &c
Free
Secretary of State for the department
of War
Philadelphia
to be put into the
first Post Office
Forwarded by Peter [Hurskill]
Staunton
[docket]
July 5th 1791
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