[FN] Major Thomas Sammons, from whose manuscripts the author has chiefly drawn the facts of this portion of the narrative—i. e. after the arrival of Gen. Van Rensselaer at Van Eps's—is positive in his declarations, that the British Commander was among the first to flee. Other accounts speak differently. Major Sammons was in the battle, among the volunteers of McKean.
Louis with his warriors, and McKean with his volunteers, crossed the river early in the morning, in pursuit. General Von Rensselaer also arrived on the battle-ground between 8 and 9 o'clock, for the purpose of completing the work of the preceding day. While he was crossing the river and preparing to follow on, some of McKean's volunteers, who were waiting for the main army, in strolling about, came upon a little block-house, in which they found nine of the enemy who had been made prisoners during the night; One of the party making the discovery was Thomas Sammons, and among the prisoners was a Tory who had been his near neighbor in Johnstown. On being asked how they came there, this man, whose name was Peter Cass, replied—"Why, I am ashamed to tell. Last night, after the battle, we crossed the river. It was dark. We heard the word, 'lay u down your arms.' Some of us did so. We were taken, nine of us, and marched into this little fort by seven militia-men. We formed the rear of three hundred of Johnson's Greens, who were running promiscuously through and over one another. I thought General Van Rensselaer's whole army was upon us. Why did you not take us prisoners yesterday, after Sir John ran off with the Indians and left us? We wanted to surrender."
When Sir John fled from the field with the Indians and Yagers, he doubtless supposed all was lost. He laid his course direct for the Onondaga lake, where his boats had been concealed, pursuing the main road, and making only a slight deviation to the south of the German Flats, to avoid the forts at that place. His Greens and Rangers followed closely upon his heels, and overtook him at Oneida. Van Rensselaer pressed forward in pursuit, with all his forces, as far as Fort Herkimer, where he was overtaken by Governor Clinton, who did not, however, interfere with the command. Louis and McKean were now pushed forward in advance, with orders to overtake the fugitive army if possible, and engage them—Van Rensselaer promising to continue his march with all possible rapidity, and be at hand to support them in the event of an engagement. On the next morning the advance struck the trail of Sir John, and took one of his Indians prisoner. Halting for a short time, Colonel Dubois came up, and urged them forward, repeating the assurances of the General's near approach and sure support. The march of the advance was then resumed, but they had not proceeded far before they came upon the enemy's deserted encampment—the fires yet burning. The Oneida chief now shook his head, and refused to proceed another step until General Van Rensselaer should make his appearance. There was accordingly a halt for some time, during which a Doctor Allen arrived from the main army, informing the officers that the pursuit had already been abandoned by the General, who was four miles distant on his return-march!
The expedition was of course at an end. But fortune had yet another favor in store for Sir John Johnson—to be won without the bloodshed that had attended his desolating course through the Mohawk Valley. Having ascertained where Sir John's boats were concealed, General Van Rensselaer had despatched an express to Fort Schuyler, ordering Captain Vrooman, with a strong detachment, to hasten forward in advance of the enemy, and destroy them. Vrooman lost no time in attempting the execution of his orders; but one of his men falling sick, or feigning himself to be so, at Oneida, was left behind. Sir John soon afterward came up; and being informed by the treacherous invalid of Vrooman's movement, Brant and his Indians, with a detachment of Butler's rangers, were hastened forward in pursuit They came suddenly upon Vrooman and his troops while they were engaged at dinner, and every man was captured without firing a gun. [FN]
[FN] Major Sammons; also statement of John More, yet living, who was one of Sir John's soldiers. According to the official returns of Sir John Johnson, this affair of the capture of Captain Vrooman and his detachment took place on the 23d of October, at a place called Canaghsioraga. Two captains and one lieutenant were taken, together with eight non-commissioned officers and forty-five privates. Three privates and one lieutenant were killed.
The last obstacle to his escape having thus been removed, Sir John reached Oswego without farther molestation. By this third and most formidable irruption into the Mohawk country during the season, Sir John had completed its entire destruction above Schenectady—the principal settlement above the Little Falls having been sacked and burnt two years before. General Van Rensselaer has always been censured for his conduct in this expedition. Indeed his behavior was most extraordinary throughout. On the night before the battle of Klock's Field, Sir John was not more than six miles in advance—having left Van Eps's just before dark, where Van Rensselaer arrived and encamped early in the evening; and it was obvious to all that no extraordinary share of energy was required to bring the enemy to an engagement, even before the encounter with Colonel Brown. Major Sammons, at the close of his account of the expedition, remarks with emphasis—"When my father's buildings were burnt, and my brothers taken prisoners, the pain I felt was not as great as at the conduct of General Robert Van Rensselaer." [FN]
[FN] "With regard to the battle on Klock's Farm, and the facts stated in those papers, I would say that I joined with Captain McKean as a volunteer, and met Gen. Van Rensselaer on the south side of the river, opposite Caughnawaga, early in the morning; and of my own knowledge I know moat of the facts to be as they are stated. I staid with the volunteers after the battle, and held the conversation with the prisoners found in the little block-house the next morning, as stated. I was with Capt. Kean when he had orders to advance and overtake Sir John, and a short time after saw Dr. Allen, who came to inform us that Van Rensselaer was re-turning. With regard to the route of Sir John, I received my account from those of his own party who are now living, and men of undoubted veracity."—Note of Major Sammons—1836.
But Sir John's escape, after all, was rather a flight than a retreat; and had it not been for the capture of Vrooman's detachment—a most unexpected conquest—the visible trophies of his expedition would have been few and dearly purchased. Indubitable evidences were discovered by the pursuers, that he was reduced to a most uncomfortable situation; and from the Baronet's own letter to General Haldimand, it appears that there were many missing, who it was hoped would find their way to Oswego or Niagara. General Haldimand wrote to his government that Sir John "had destroyed the settlements of Schoharie and Stone Arabia, and laid waste a great extent of country, which was most true." It was added:—"He had several engagements with the enemy, in which he came off victorious. In one of them, near Stone Arabia, he killed a Colonel Brown, a notorious and active rebel, with about one hundred officers and men. I cannot finish without expressing to your Lordship the perfect satisfaction which I have, from the zeal, spirit, and activity with which Sir John Johnson has conducted this arduous enterprise." [FN]