In the late days of September, 1776, negotiators William Wilson and Joseph Nicholson left Fort Pitt which is today Pittsburgh. Their goal was to convince the tribes north and west of the Ohio not to join forces with the British. For support, the negotiators were accompanied by Cornstalk and other Indians.
When they arrived here there were few people in the village. The negotiators did not know that Pluggy and Commander Hamilton had already met and that, in the words of William Wilson, "Pluggy had taken up the tomahawk on the side of the British."
According to William Wilson, the next day, "The Mingoes assembled together at a home belonging to a French smith (blacksmith) and began to counsel. The Frenchman overheard them and told me that they had determined to take Joseph Nicholson and myself prisoners to Detroit the next day."
That night the Mingoes came and asked the negotiators to stay on for another day. Wilson said he would be pleased to stay longer which seemed to satisfy the Mingoes.
Wilson then, "advised with the Cornstalk, and Delawares, what was the most prudent step for me to take. The Cornstalk said that they only wanted to deceive me: and he and the Delawares recommended to us to make our escape that night, and endeavor to get to Cooshocking, a Delaware Town." During the night they made their escape.
Comments 0 comments