Sugarloaf massacre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sugarloaf massacre |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the American Revolutionary War | |||||
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| Belligerents | |||||
| Natives Loyalists |
Northampton County volunteer militia | ||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||
| Unknown, possibly Roland Montour | Lieutenant John Fish, Lieutenant John Moyer | ||||
| Strength | |||||
| Unknown, at least 30 | 41 men | ||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||
| Unknown | At least 10 dead 2 captured Unknown number wounded |
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The Sugarloaf massacre was a small battle during the American Revolutionary War. It happened on September 11, 1780, in Pennsylvania. During this event, a group of Native Americans and Loyalists attacked a small group of militia soldiers. These soldiers were from Northampton County. Lieutenants John Moyer and John Fish led the militia group.
Contents
Why Did the Sugarloaf Massacre Happen?
Before 1780, there had been many fights between the Iroquois people and settlers. This history of conflict helped lead to the Sugarloaf Massacre. In 1780, many attacks by Native Americans happened in the area. One attack even tried to target a person named Moses Van Campen.
In June 1780, a group of militia from Northampton was formed. These soldiers agreed to serve for seven months. Captain Johannes Van Etten was their leader.
Searching for Loyalists
The towns of Bloomsburg and Catawissa had many Loyalists. Loyalists were people who supported the British during the American Revolutionary War. A group of 41 men from Van Etten's company went to these towns. They wanted to find Loyalist supporters and spies.
Lieutenants Moyer and Fish were in charge of these 41 men. In early September 1780, they left Fort Allen. They headed into Sugarloaf Valley. Their mission was to look for people who supported the British.
Attacks on Forts
On September 6, about 250 to 300 Native American and British soldiers arrived at Fort Rice. This fort was near Chillisquaque Creek in Northumberland County. They attacked the fort and nearby homes.
Colonel Hunter sent troops from Fort Jenkins to help. About 200 men arrived at Fort Rice. The British and Native American forces then left. As they retreated, they went over Knob Mountain. A smaller group of 30 to 40 of them went to Fort Jenkins. They burned down Fort Jenkins and many buildings around it. After that, they crossed the Susquehanna River and went to Sugarloaf Valley.
The Attack and What Happened Next
On September 11, 1780, the volunteer soldiers were eating dinner. Suddenly, Loyalists and Native Americans began shooting at them. This information comes from Peter Crum, a survivor.
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Balliet later went to bury the dead. He led about 150 militia soldiers. He reported that ten militiamen were killed. He wrote about the bravery of the soldiers who went to bury their fallen friends.
Balliet's group may have also fought with some scouts from the Loyalist and Native forces. Balliet reported that some Native Americans might have been killed by his men. Colonel Kern and Captain Moyer, who were volunteers, each killed one.
Most of the militiamen managed to escape. However, Lieutenant John Moyer, Ensign Scoby, and another private soldier were captured. Moyer was able to escape later. The other two men were taken to Niagara. Moyer reached Fort Wyoming on September 14.
After the fight, the Loyalist and Native American group searched the area. The next day, they took their prisoners down Nescopeck Creek. They then went towards the Susquehanna River. After that, they headed towards Berwick and Catawissa, Pennsylvania. The soldiers who escaped the massacre shared the news as far as the Delaware River.
Remembering the Sugarloaf Massacre
In 1933, a memorial was built near where the massacre happened. The Pennsylvania Historical Commission helped build it. In 1947, a historical marker was placed on Pennsylvania Route 93. It is near Conyngham.
