Part of Thomas Grant's Journal.
Sept. 20.—This day a detachment of six hundred men with a sufficiency of officers under the command of Col. Wm. Butler were sent into the Cayuga country, with which detachment I was ordered. They marched from Cannadesago at 3 o'clock P.M. Marched this day 8 miles to an Indian town by the name of Scawyace[140] where about 8 acres of corn was destroyed.
Sept 21.—The detachment marched this morning at 7 o'clock A.M. 16-½ miles to a small Indian settlement[141] 1-½ miles short of Cayuga Castle, where we encamped for the night. At 8-½ miles crossed the outlet of Cayuga, which in breadth was about 70 perches, and more than middle deep to the men. Near the outlet we destroyed two Indian houses. The name of the place Choharo[142] and destroyed on the lake in different places * * * houses and * * * acres of corn, but saw no enemy. The general course since we crossed the outlet, nearly south, the road not more than half a mile from the lake at furthest, the land middling.
Sept. 22, 1779.—Marched this day at 6 o'clock A.M. 2 miles to the Cayuga Castle,[143] an Indian town of that name containing in number about 15 very large square log houses. I think the building superior to any yet have seen. [Here] cattle were killed and three days beef issued to the troops. The fatigue parties were sent to destroy the corn to the amount of about 110 acres, though not all destroyed this day. Two other towns were discovered, one 23-½ miles from the Seneca Lake, which we called Upper Cayuga,[144] containing 14 large houses, the other about two miles east of the Castle which we called Cayuga,[145] containing 13 houses. The troops were all employed this day in destroying corn till after dark. We found at this town apples, peaches, potatoes, turnips, onions, pumpkins, squashes, and vegetables of various kinds and great plenty.
Sept. 23, 1779.—This day the troops were employed till 3 o'clock P.M. in finishing the destruction of the corn and burning the aforementioned towns within. Marched 5 miles to an Indian town by the name of Chandot[146] or Peach Town, remarkable for a large Peach orchard containing * * * hundred fine thriving peach trees, likewise * * * acres of corn. This town contained about 12 or 14 houses chiefly old buildings. Part of the corn was destroyed this evening.
Sept. 24, 1779.—This morning the troops were employed in finishing the destruction of the corn and peach trees. At 10 o'clock A.M. fire was set to this town and the detachment went off the ground. Marched this day 16-½ miles and encamped on a pleasant hill[147] near a fine creek about one hour after dark. The land we passed this day well timbered, and the soil very good, but very scarce of water. 9 miles from Chondote we crossed a stream of water which fell over rocks 80 feet perpendicular. 3 miles from [this] we crossed a second stream[148] which fell about 50 feet perpendicular, which empty themselves into Cayuga lake. Saw no enemy this day. The general course S. 30° E.
Sept. 25, 1779.—Marched this morning about 6 o'clock and encamped at an Indian town 3-½ miles above Cayuga Lake. The town appeared to be just consumed, supposed to be burnt by a detachment from Gen'l Sullivan's army.[149] The town was situated on a rising ground in a large, beautiful valley. The soil equal to or rather superior to any in the country, through which runs several fine streams of water, the first a creek about 4 poles wide, which falls from the mountain on the east side of the valley about 120 feet perpendicular into which creek three other fine streams empty, the second creek is the principal supply of the Cayuga Lake navigable for large canoes or boats to the town.
[The journal here ends abruptly]
Part of George Grant's Journal.
Sept. 20, 1779.—I return to the 20th to follow Col. Butler, who left us at Kanadasago, and proceeded along the outlet of Seneca Lake for 8 miles and halted at Schoyerre, formerly destroyed by Col. Harper.