Brigadier General John Stark, Head of the Northern Department of the Continental Army, Praises His Scout, John Wheelock, Who Would Soon Become President of Dartmouth College

After Wheelock returned from his mission and issued his report, Stark writes, “Col. Wheelock has been here near a month and behaved as becometh a good officer”

 

This document was acquired from the Wheelock heirs and has never been offered for sale. Only a handful of war date documents signed by Stark have reached the market.

With the failure of British General John Burgoyne’s campaign to the Hudson after the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777, the Revolutionary War in upstate New York became a frontier war. British leaders in the Province of Quebec supported Loyalist and Native American partisan fighters with supplies and armaments. During the winter of 1777–78 Mohawk leader Joseph Brant and other British-allied Indians developed plans to attack frontier settlements in New York and Pennsylvania.

In February 1778 Brant established a base of operations at Onaquaga (present-day Windsor, New York). He recruited a mix of Iroquois and Loyalists estimated to number between two and three hundred by the time he began his campaign in May. One of his objectives was to acquire provisions for his forces and those of John Butler, who was planning operations in the Susquehanna River valley. Brant began his campaign in late May with a raid on Cobleskill, and raided other frontier communities throughout the summer.

In response to the invasions, General Washington decided to go on the offensive. Brigadier General John Stark was placed as the commander of the Northern Department of the Continental Army, and he would have much responsibility for such an offensive.

John Wheelock, son of Dartmouth College president Eleazer Wheelock, was commissioned in November 1777 as lieutenant colonel of the regiment of volunteers raised for the proposed invasion of Canada and commanded by Col. Timothy Bedel. John Wheelock would become president of Dartmouth College in 1779.

In the summer of 1778, Stark gave Wheelock a mission he spelled out as such: “Col John Wheelock, accompanied by Major Clyde, and a small number of men, as a reconnoitering party, at the request of General Stark has penetrated the Indian country to the enemy’s lines at Tunadilla, above fifty miles south west of Cherry Valley. His business was to view the nature and situation of the country, and, if possible, the strength and designs of the enemy. … He is now returned and brings the following intelligence, viz. That the number of the enemy Indians and Tories is about 1000 men, under the independent command of Capt. Joseph Brant: That they expect us to attack them; but if not, are determined on a vigorous and fatal attack upon some part of the frontiers of Mohawk River; That there are from two to three hundred men about the mouth of Tunadilla River; but their chief place of rendezvous is at Onoughquago; That the Indians are now disaffected to [John] Butler and that he is not at Tunadilla, but in some part of the western country; That some of Butler’s party have joined Capt. Brant; That Brant’s party are in high spirits, eager for action, and that he conducts his affairs with as much secrecy as possible; That scouting parties from the enemy are continually out, especially up the Susquehannah; and a rambling guard from Flax Island in the Susquehannah River, over the barren mountains to Tunadilla River, by which means the inhabitants and refugees are environed, and think themselves entirely secure.”

On August 19, Stark wrote to General Washington, “Inclosed is the report of Lieutenant Colonel Wheelock, who has been upon a scout to Unadilla, which will inform you of the situation of the enemy. If an expedition should be made to that quarter, a number of pack-saddles will be necessary. Colonel Wheelock’s information may be depended on, as he is a gentleman of undoubted character.”

With Wheelock’s job behind him, it was Stark’s job to discharge him.

Document signed, “Albany, 1st August, 1778. This certifyeth that Lt. Col Wheelock has been here near a month and behaved as becometh a good officer. John Stark, BG.”

This document was acquired from the Wheelock heirs and has never been offered for sale. Only a handful of war date documents signed by Stark have reached the market.