CHAPTER XV.

The story of Wyoming--Glance at its history--Bloody battle between the Shawanese and Delawares--Count Zinzendorf--Conflicting Indian claims and titles--Rival land companies of Connecticut and Pennsylvania--Murder of Tadeusund--The first Connecticut Colony destroyed by the Indians--Controversy respecting their titles--Rival Colonies planted in Wyoming--The civil wars of Wyoming--Bold adventure of Captain Ogden--Fierce passions of the people--The Connecticut settlers prevail--Growth of the settlements--Annexed to Connecticut--Breaking out of the Revolution--The inhabitants, stimulated by previous hatred, take sides--Arrest of suspected persons in January--Sent to Hartford--Evil consequences--The enemy appear upon the outskirts of the settlements in the Spring--Invasion by Colonel John Butler and the Indians--Colonel Zebulon Butler prepares to oppose them--Two of the forts taken--Colonel Z. Butler marches to encounter the enemy--Battle of Wyoming--The Americans defeated--The flight and massacre--Fort Wyoming besieged--Timidity of the garrison--Zebulon Butler's authority not sustained--He escapes from the fort--Colonel Denniston forced to capitulate--Destruction of the Valley--Barbarities of the Tories--Brant not in the expedition--Catharine Montour--Flight of the fugitives--Expedition of Colonel Hartley up the Susquehanna--Colonel Zebulon Butler repossesses himself of Wyoming, and rebuilds the fort--Indian skirmishes--Close of the history of Wyoming. Page 318