Chapter XVII

Walter N. Butler--His flight from Albany, bent on revenge--The Great
Tree--Hostile indications among the Senecas and Cayugas--Premonitions
of an attack by Butler and Brant upon Cherry Valley--Discredited by
Colonel Alden--Scouts sent out and captured--Surprise of the
town--Massacre and burning--Death of Colonel Alden--Families of Mr.
Wells, Mr. Dunlop, and others--Brutality of the Tories--Family of Mr.
Mitchell--The monster Newberry--Departure of the enemy with their
captives--A night of gloom--Women and children sent back--Letter of
Butler to Gen. Schuyler--Murder of Mrs. Campbell's mother--Vindication
of Brant--Interesting incident--Brant's opinion of Capt. McKean--Colonel
John Butler laments the conduct of his son--Letter of General James
Clinton to Walter Butler--Letter of Butler in reply--Molly
Brant--Particulars of Mrs. Campbell's captivity--Feast of thanksgiving
for their victory--The great feast of the White Dogs--Return of Walter
Butler from Quebec--Col. Butler negotiates with the Indians for Mrs.
Campbell--She goes to Niagara--Catharine Montour and her sons--Mrs.
Campbell finds her children--Descends the St. Lawrence to Montreal--Meets
Mrs. Butler--Arrives at Albany, and is joined by her husband--Grand
campaign projected--Jacob Helmer and others sent privately to Johnstown
for the iron chest of Sir John--Execution of Helmer--Arrival of British
Commissioners--Not received--Exchange of Ministers with France--Incidents
of the war elsewhere for the year.
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