The American Revolution: Our Connection to the Wyoming Valley, PA. Massacre

Southeastern Connecticut roots run deep in the Revolutionary War including events that happened at that time far from here. Many of us know about our efforts during the Lexington Alarm in 1775 and Bunker Hill, some know of our participation in the Battle of New York and a few know of our participation in The Battles of Saratoga and the New York Highlands Campaign… many more know of our contribution in defending Groton and New London on that faithful day in 1781 which saw many native sons killed in battle. 

However many more know little of our other great contributions and well not so great. Yes local men were with Arnold in the invasion of Canada… and yes local men whose names adorn local house placards and street signs were with Ethan Allen at Ticonderoga… In one small area of northeastern modern day East Lyme, then the 2nd ecclesiastical society of Lyme were born two men who shared the same last name but love for different "country". Those of us who are familiar with the "border lands" between Waterford and East Lyme know Butlertown Rd. And from this area came the two men who would later face each other in Battle… one for the King and Crown as a Tory and the other a patriot, his name entrenched in the minds of those in Pennsylvania and in Indian Warfare history. 

Zebulon Butler (1731 – July 28, 1795) was born in Ipswich, MA in 1731 and at age 5 his family moved to Lyme (East Lyme). Little is know of his early years but it is likely he knew other native sons loyal to the cause of liberty such as the Parsons, Darrows, Latimers, Calkins, Champions, Tinkers and Huntleys. Zebulon later became a politician representing the Wyoming Valley in the Connecticut colonial government (Assembly)  As land dwindled land grants were given to extend Connecticut and feed the colony. New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and later Ohio were the major areas of focus for the colony. In 1769 he moved to Pennsylvania to secure lands for the colony of Connecticut and The Susquehannah Company.

From what is known: his early life in Connecticut had been devoted to active trading operations, with the West Indies, carrying stock and other products of Connecticut in his own sloops from Lyme to these islands, and bringing in return such commodities as were in demand in the New England colonies. He was also the owner of considerable land in North Lyme, and developed a great capacity for business, which with his natural executive ability, and his military training and experience, made him the natural leader of the Connecticut settlers in Wyoming in peace and in war

Butler who was a soldier, having served under David Wooster in the French & Indian War (1756-63)  later Lt.Col in the 3rd Connecticut Regiment. A regiment that had dozens of men from these parts and were active in New York and New Jersey Campaigns from 1776-1777. 

Zebulon Butler later led 340 men on an attack of 500+ Tories and Iroquois warriors that framed his destiny. The opposing army was led by Col.John Butler officially of New London leading us to believe he was born in the Waterford section of Butlertown Rd. Col.Butler was a Tory through and through. John Butler (1728–1796) led the infamous Butler´s Rangers of Tories in the Seneca Nation region of New York on war parties burning villages as he went. Butler led Seneca and Cayuga nations at the Battles of Saratoga against Norwich son Benedict Arnold. 

John was the son of Walter Butler and Deborah Dennison Ely of Lyme. A name well known in Southeastern Connecticut. His oldest son Walter Jr. also shared the same loyalty as John. He served with him and both were notorious for their indian war fighting skills. Cherry Valley Massacre, Battle of Oriskany and Wyoming Valley are notches on their belts. The "Indian Butler" as he is known in those parts burned villages, killed fleeing soldiers and their families. His actions became a rallying cry among the colonies to unite and defeat the "indians" and Butler. 

Later John Butler would retire to Ottawa and became the head of Indian Affairs for the provincial government. A statue in Ottawa honors him. South of the border his name brings fear and hatred. 

Zebulon Butler on that day led as mentioned a few hundred militia men and continentals against a much better equipped and larger force led by John Butler. 

The Battle - 1778

The Tory forces arrived in the valley on June 30th, having alerted the settlers to their approach by killing three men working at an unprotected gristmill on June 28th. The next day Colonel Butler sent a surrender summons to the militia at Wintermute's fort. Terms were arranged that the defenders, after surrendering the fort with all their arms and stores, would be released on the condition that they would not again bear arms during the war. 

On July 3, the Tories saw that the defenders were gathering in great numbers outside of 40 Fort. While destroying Jenkin's fort, the Americans were still a mile away, Butler set up an ambush and directed that Fort Wintermute be set on fire. The Americans, thinking this was a retreat, advanced rapidly. Butler instructed the Seneca to lie flat on the ground to avoid being seen. The Americans advanced to within one hundred yards of the rangers and fired three times. The Seneca came out of their positions, fired a volley, and attacked the Americans in close combat. Some of this is used in the film "Last of the Mohicans" as an inspiration for the battle / massacre.

Accounts indicate that the moment of contact was followed by a sharp battle lasting about 45 minutes. As Zeb. Butler ordered to reposition the line it turned into a frantic rout when the inexperienced Patriot militia panicked. The battle became a massacre. Most were killed. Some 60 escaped and only 5 prisoners taken. Col.John Butler reported 227 scalps taken.

Colonel Dennison of Lyme , surrendered Forty Fort and two other forts along with the remaining soldiers the next morning. The Americans were paroled on the condition that they refrain from hostilities for the remainder of the war. These soldiers were not harmed. Colonel Dennison and the militia did not honor the terms of their parole, and they were under arms within the year, participating in later attacks on Iroquois villages as part of the re-uniting efforts the massacre brought n through the colonies.

Colonel John Butler wrote: "But what gives me the sincerest satisfaction is that I can, with great truth, assure you that in the destruction of the settlement not a single person was hurt except such as were in arms, to these, in truth, the Indians gave no quarter."  

An American farmer wrote: "Happily these fierce people, satisfied with the death of those who had opposed them in arms, treated the defenseless ones, the woman and children, with a degree of humanity almost hitherto unparalleled".Powerful propaganda for both causes.

The state of Pennsylvania has some great information on the Battle. It can be read at http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=4279&&PageID=473344&level=4&css=L4&mod…

Zebulon Butler escaped as one of the 60 lucky ones and later became leader of military operations in that part of the colony. He later died and is buried in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.