In 1995 we began locating information on Revolutionary War Capt. Anthony Selin. From this, a paper on his military career was written in September, 1995. Since that time, we have located other information that now provides us an opportunity to fill in some gaps regarding Capt. Selin's command and his association with others in his unit.
The primary purpose of this paper is to add to the previous information from our first paper regarding Capt. Selin's role during the Revolutionary War, and to correct any inaccuracies. We have decided to incorporate information from the first paper into the new information we have found for this paper. By doing so, it should be easier to read, and hopefully less confusing. For example, as information was gathered regarding Capt. Selin's involvement in the Sullivan Campaign of 1779, there was often found a connection of Capt. Selin and his company being associated with, or under the command of Capt. John Paul Schott. In our first paper on Capt. Selin, one source indicated that Capt. Schott "retired" in 1779. It is now known that this is not accurate, as Capt. Schott was still serving in the Army as late as December 1782.
Included will be an overview of Baron Von Ottendorff's Corps and Armand's Legion whom Capt.'s Selin and Schott served under. There will also be biographical information along with a chronology of their whereabouts while in the army from 1776 to 1782. Much of the information in this paper has been found in military journals, orderly books, and muster rolls.
Material from the Snyder County Historical Society, Pennsylvania Archives Series, and the Albert Hazen Wright papers located at Cornell University has been used. Prof. Wright made a lifelong study of the Sullivan Expedition. In 1929 he spoke on the Sullivan Expedition at the N. Y. State Historical Association's annual meeting in Elmira, N.Y. In 1943 he published "The Sullivan Expedition of 1779-Contemporary Newspaper Comments", and in 1965 Prof. Wright published "The Sullivan Expedition of 1779- Regimental Roster of Men", a listing of over 5,865 men who served on the campaign.
Sorting through this material has been somewhat challenging. At times, information from one source conflicts with another, and as can be expected there will continue to be questions. A specific list of sources will be listed at the end of this paper.
Von Ottendorf's Corps / Armand's Legion
Nicholas Dietrich, Baron VonOttendorf was a nobleman from Lusatia, Saxony, and had served in the "Seven Years' War" as a lieutenant under Frederick the Great. He arrived in America at the start of the Revolution.
From the Pa. Archives (Second Series/ Vol. XI), below is a brief history of Von Ottendorff's Corps and Armand's Legion.
Armand's Legion (Charles Armand, Col.) was originally recruited by Baron Von Ottendorff as a troop of light infantry, but was changed to a dragoon corps. Apparently this was done due to the "scarcity of well disciplined cavalry".
At the request of Gen. Washington, and by a resolution of Congress on November 8, 1776, Ottendorff was appointed a brevet captain, and was "ordered to repair to Head-Quarters, near Great Plains, and put himself under the command of Gen. Washington". On December 5, 1776, Congress "directed Capt. Ottendorff to raise an Independent Corps. consisting of 150 men, sergeants, and corporals included". The corps would be divided into three companies, the first to consist of 60 men, light infantry, to be commanded by one captain and two lieutenants. The other two companies of hunters, 45 men each, also commanded by one captain, two lieutenants.
Ottendorff would have the rank of major and have overall command. By the spring of 1777 the corps was filled. The corps was subsequently merged with Armand's Legion.
The corps ended up consisting of five companies, Ottendorff having his own, with Henry Bedkin as lieutenant. Below is a breakdown of the other companies' officers.
Co. no.1- Yost Dreisbach, Capt. (Comm. March 3, 1777)
Conrad Latour, 1st Lt.
Jacob Glaeton, 2nd Lt.
Co. no.2 - Anthony Selin, Capt. (Comm. Dec. 10, 1776)
Lawrence Myers, Lt.
Christian Froelich, Lt.
Co. no.3- John Paul Schott, Capt. (Comm. Nov. 6, 1776)
Christian Mancke, 1st Lt.
George Shaffner, 2nd Lt.
Co. no. 4- Jacob Bauer, Capt. (Comm. April 8, 1777)
Lewis DeUechtriz (Baron), 1st Lt.
John Sharp, 2nd Lt.
Ottendorff's Corps has been referred to as an "independent
company" which were part of "partisan" or "free
corps". These groups had been used by European armies and
consisted of light troops working independently of the main body
of the army.1 They were used for reconnaissance, securing
the march of the main army, or for attacking hostile posts and
convoys.2
Anthony Selin was born in Switzerland but when and where is not known. He was a Swiss Catholic and soldier by profession. He has been described as tall, dark eyed, and dark skinned.3
Selin came to America on December 5, 1776 and on December 10, was commissioned a Captain in Von Ottendorff's Corps. which was being formed at Great Plains, New York under General Washington's immediate command. The Pennsylvania Archives lists Selin as Captain of Company No. 2, which records two lieutenants (Lawrence Myers, Christian Froelich) and 47 men. (see appendix I)
In our Sept. '95 paper, we cited that in William Schnure's article on Capt. Selin (Snyder Co. Historical Society Bulletin, Vol.4, No.4, 1962) he stated that in January 1777 Capt. Selin was serving in Moses Hazen's Second Canadian Regiment as a brevet major. This conflicts with the time frame of the above mentioned organization of Von Ottendorff's Corps. It was also reported that in 1777, Capt. Selin served in the campaign of northern New Jersey (Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and Valley Forge).This is apparently accurate, as the U.S. Army Archives states that Von Ottendorff's Corps. took part in the northern New Jersey engagements.
In May, 1778 an "Independent Corps" was formed by Gen. Washington at Valley Forge, and Capt. Selin was given command of it.4 Washington's Order Book of May 26, 1778 states: "That an independent corps commanded by Captain Selin is to report for special duty about headquarters."5 It is thought that the duties of this special corps was the result of the training and recommendations of Baron VonSteuben.
John Paul Schott was reportedly from Prussia, and was commissioned on November 6, 1776. He also held the rank of Captain in VonOttendorff's Corps, and is listed in the Pennsylvania Archives as the Captain of Company No. 3 with Christian Mancke as a 1st Lt., George Shaffner as 2nd Lt., and 39 men. (see appendix II)
On June 26, 1777 Capt. John Paul Schott was taken prisoner at Short Hills (N.J.) On November 26, 1779 while serving at Wyoming Pa., he wrote a letter to the War Council and in part writes the follwing: "I am a Hessian Born, by Inclination, as well as duty bound an American I have the Honour to be a Captn in the Continental Army ever since the 6th day of November 1776. I had the Misfortune to be taken Prisoner on the 26th of June 1777, in the Battle of Short Hills, where I suffer's the greatest Cruelty man coud Suffer. I was struck, kick'd abused and almost perished for Hunger..."6 Capt. Schott does not state whom he was serving under at the time of his capture, however, upon his exchange (according to A.H. Wright, Aug. 1778) he"...got the Command of that Corps I now Command..." 7 which would have been under Col. Armand.
Capt. Schott continues his letter by stating that "I made frequent application to the Honourable Board of War, to grant me the Rank of a Major, and liberty to Inlist Men and raise that Corps again to its former Strength...but was always refused, having no opportunity to Distinguish myself I was even left out of the Arrangement of the Line with the rest of the officers in this Corps." 8 Capt. Schott's prior requests for promotion had apparently been denied.
The year 1778 saw the frontier settlements in New York and Pennsylvania under repeated atttack from the Iroquois and Tories. On May 30, the village of Cobleskill, N.Y. consisting of 20 homes was destroyed. On July 3 Col. Zebulon Butler's militia was defeated by Tory leader Maj. John Butler's rangers and Indians at the settlement of Wyoming, Pa. On September 17, Col. Jacob Klock reported that German Flats (N.Y.) was "laid waste for ten miles along the Mohawk river, and an attack made on Fort Dayton".9 The final major attack of the year came on November 11, when approximately 800 men (600 Indians, 150 Tories, 50 British troops) raided the setllement of Cherry Valley, N.Y. American commander Ichabod Alden was killed along with 14 men of his regiment and 30 settlers. Twenty houses, 25 barns, and two mills were burned.10
The crops these settlements were producing provided Washington's army with grain. As the result of these raids, Washington decided to mount a campaign that would take an offensive position and have his army drive into the homeland of the Iroquois.
Washington put General John Sullivan in command of the expedition. On May 7, 1779 Gen. Sullivan reached Easton, Pa. and began organizing the main body of the army and supplies. On August 22, General James Clinton and his troops arrived from Otsego Lake (N.Y.) at Tioga (Athens, Pa.) where Gen. Sullivan and the rest of the army had been waiting.
The entire army was made up of four brigades, consisting of over 5,000 men. Capt.'s Selin and Schott's company were part of the 3rd Brigade under the command of Gen. Edward Hand. Maj. James Parr of Morgan's Rifle Compay was in charge of the rifle corps.
Wright states that the original intention was for Col. Armand's troops to be included in the Sullivan Expedition.11 Apparently Armand's companies served until the end of June, 1779, and Capt.'s Schott and Selin's company (ies) remained with Sullivan's army. Capt. John Wedman's notes of the Sullivan Expedition (Hist. Soc. Pa.) states that Armand's Legion served on picket duty until at least June 24 or 25. In the orderly book of Peter Taulman, June 26 has Armand's Legion being part of Gen. Hand's Brigade. On June 30, however, Taulman writes, "Wyoming June 30th Col. Armand's Corps being directed by his Excellency Genl. Washington to join the army under his command is ordered to be in readiness to March tomorrow morning at seven o'clock.".12 On July 2, Dr. Ebenezer Elmer writes in his journal, "Colo. Armand's Independent Corps being directed by his Excy. Genl. Washington to repair to Head Quarters, left this place for that purpose this morning."13
After looking at several sources there remains some confusion and questions as to Capt. Schott's command during the Sullivan Expedition. Outlined below is a breakdown of dates and places where Capt.'s Selin and Schott are mentioned in orderly books and muster rolls.
On April 5, 1779 General Edward Hand wrote to Major Burchardt of the German regiment "... you will proceed to Wyoming on the Susquehanna River with the Regiment under your Immediate Command, Col. Armand's and Capt. Schott's corps, the former is commanded at present by Major Lomargn and the latter by Capt. Selin. These corps will join you at or before you reach Col. Stroud's, at Fort Penn..."14 Another reference of Capt. Selin being in command of Schott's company can be found in The Public Papers of George Clinton (Vol. 5, pg. 232), in which a footnote listing the various units at Wyoming in June, '79 states "Schotts Rifle Corps, under Capt. Selin."15 two direct references of Capt. Selin being in command of "Capt. Schott's Corps".
Wright found at the Adjutant General's Office (Nat. Archives) Jacket 87 Pa. Item 3 (361) "A Return of the Corps of Foot Commanded by Captn John Paul Schott (Wyoming) May the 16th 1779". It is signed by Schott and has the dates May 17 and 18 on it. The same jacket has six other items signed by Schott from Nov. 23, 1778 to May 17, and June 1, 1779, the last two being at Wyoming.
The following are accounts of Gen. Hand's brigade given by Maj. James Norris and Lt. Col. A. Hubley. On May 24, 1779 Maj. Norris writes in his journal, "Gen. Hand's Brigade as follows: Hubley's Regiment, Shots Corps, Six Compy of Rangers, Butler's Regiment, Morgan's Corps, and all the Volatiers that may join the army."16 On the same date Lt. Col. Hubley writes, "Light Corps, commanded by Gen. Hand to consist of - Armandt's, Hubley's Schott's, 6 companies of Rangers, Wm. Butler's battalion, Morgan's corps, and all volunteers who may join the army".17
Although no other muster rolls of Capt. Schott's company have been located between dates of June 1 and Nov. 26, '79 stating his exact whereabouts, in Capt. John Weidman's notes of the Sullivan Expedition (Hist. Soc. Penn.) there is a reference of Capt. Schott being assigned a horse in July '79.18 Also, in Lt. Col. Francis Barber's (3rd N.J. Reg.) order book the following references to Capt. Schott's company are as follows: "Hd. Qrs. Wyoming 27 July ...All the men belonging to Captain Spalding's company & Schoots corps, however they may at present be employed, are ordered to repair immediately to their respective corps."19 and for August 24, '79 at Fort Sullivan (Tioga) Lt. Col. Barber writes, "Captains Schott & Rosecrans, commanding corps, are permitted to ride."20 This entry would indicate that Capt. Schott had travelled from Wyoming to Ft. Sullivan.
We have not yet found any other references of Capt. Schott during the Sullivan Expedtion. The next date we hear directly from him is his letter (previously mentioned) of November 26, 1779 while garrisoned at Wyoming.
When considering the number of men from Capt.'s Selin and Schott's companies who took part in the Sullivan Expedition, Wright sorted through the returns from Oct./Nov. '78, March 7, 22, '79, and May 17, 18, '79. Using these returns and the number listed fit for duty, sick, on furlough, or discharged, he estimated that the number of men serving under Selin's / Schott's command to be 44 to 47 21 (however, an orderly book outlining the order of march from Wyoming to Tioga has "Shott's"at 32 men; see appendix V).
Approximately eight came from Ottendorff's, five from Capt. Dreisbach, two from Capt. Bauer and the remainder from Capt.'s Selin and Schott's companies.22 Wright indicated that at times, it was difficult to determine whether there were two separate companies commanded respectively by Capt.'s Selin and Schott or one. He felt that based on the above muster rolls, it would suggest that the two were more or less merged for the expedition.23
We have found references of Capt. Selin being involved with or in command of "pioneers". Pioneers were men who were selected or volunteered (in some cases from other regiments) to clear obstacles from the trails in front of the main body of the army. During the Sullivan Expedition they fell under the command of captains in General Hand's division, which included Capt. Selin.
It should be noted that this position was one of potential danger and risk, as companies of Hand's Light Corps were often at least a mile ahead of the main body of the army approaching possible enemy positions. Below are some references of pioneers during the campaign.
One orderly book (writer unknown) states "Head Quarters Wyoming July 30th, '79 ...All the pioneirs of the army will be formed into a comp'y and proceed under cover of Genl. Hand's Light Troops to clear the road, they will receive and obey such instructions as they may receive from them."24 In Lt. Col. Francis Barber's orderly book entry for Aug. 24, '79 he writes, "Head Quarters Fort Sullivan (Tioga, Pa.) All the pioneers of the Army to be in one company to be commanded by a Capt. & Lieut, draughted from the line." "...The pioneers to proceed in front of the artillery to clear the road and remove obstacles."25 Lt. Col. Barber's orderly book entry for Aug. 27, ('79- Head Quarters near Chemung) he writes "... one man from each Regiment to be added to Capt Selin's corps of pioneers."26
One last reference found from an orderly book (writer unknown/Pa.Archives) citing Capt. Selin states, "Head Quarters, Caterines Town Sept'r 2d '79 ...The Com'r in Chief is truly sensible of Capts. Bellard & Selin & Ensn. Dodge with their Corps of pioneers for their Great alartness in forwarding the march of the army yesterday & tanks them for their industry."27
On Sunday, August 28, Sullivan's army engaged the Indians and Tories in what was to be the major battle of the Sullivan Expedtion. The Iroquois and Delaware Indians were under the command of Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea). Col. John Butler and his son, Capt. Walter Butler commanded approximately 250 rangers and 15 British regulars.28
Brant had set an ambush site near the Indian village of Newtown (near Elmira, N.Y.). Just before 10:00 a.m. Gen. Hand's light infantry was approaching the ambush site. In advance of the light corp was Major Parr's detachment of Morgan's Rifle Co. under the command of Lt. Thomas Boyd and Capt. Selin's Rifle Co.29 The Indian and Tory position was subsequently discovered and Gen. Hand notified. Hand brought the main body of the advance corps up to take position and had the riflemen open fire. This gave Gen. Sullivan time to position his artillery and the main body of the army to counter Brant and Butler's attack. Sullivan's men were able to successfully drive them from their position, and into retreating northward. Depending on the account you read, the losses of Sullivan's men were approximately 3 dead and 39 wounded. It has been difficult to determine exact losses of Brant and Butler, however, Butler reported five killed and three wounded. Sullivan's men found twelve Indians dead, including one female, and took two prisoners.30
Lt. John Jenkins who served as a guide during the expedition wrote the following account of the Newtown battle in his journal:
"Sunday, August 29, 1779-- The army marched at 8 o'clock in the morning. After our advance parties had marched about two miles they frequently discovered Indian spies, about 200 yards distant in front of them, and a small party of the enemy on the west side of the river. The further we advanced the bolder these hardy fellows became, one of whom fired on our advance party but did no damage, and then ran off at great speed."
"We continued our advance and discovered several more Indians, who fled before us. At the distance of about four miles from Chemung we discovered a very extensive and formidable breast-work, advantageously situated on a rising piece of ground. The rifle corps drew up and formed at the distance of about 300 yards from the enemy's works, and then, advancing to within 120 yards, kept up a brisk and scattering fire on the enemy for two hours, while Gens. Poor and Clinton endeavored to gain their rear, and our artillery could be properly placed for an engagement. In the meantime about 400 of the enemy sallied out on our advanced parties, but finding our troops determined to maintain their ground, thought best to return to their works, Soon after our cannon began to play upon them, they ran off and left their breastworks, in the most precipitous manner, leaving their packs, blankets, tomahawks, spears, &, behind them. At the same time we took possession of the enemy's ground and fortifications. As the enemy were retreating their left flank fell in with Gen. Poor. A sharp fight ensued from both parties but the enemy were obliged to give way. In this engagement we lost in killed five men, and thirty-four wounded. Among the wounded were Major Titcomb, Capt. Clayes, and Lieut. McColley. Poor's party took a Tory prisoner, and 12 indian scalps. The riflemen took a negro prisoner, in the evening about two miles from the enemy's works, and then returned and encamped near a very beautiful flat where the enemy had planted and tilled about 120 acres of corn."31
In a letter to Gen. Washington dated August 30, 1779, in which Gen. Sullivan reports the engagement, he states, "...Major Par, and the rifle corps also distinguished themselves by their great vigilance and spirited conduct."32
Upon the conclusion of the Sullivan Expedition, on or about October 7, 1779 Capt.'s Selin / Schott's Co. returned to Wyoming, Pa. where they were garrisoned. They remained there at least through the spring of 1780.
Just prior to their leaving for Wyoming an entry in an orderly book kept by Lt. Peter Elsworth (4th NY Reg./4th Co.) dated October 3, 1779 states "... Christian Beagle in Capt. Schots Core Chargd with Desertion and takeing with A Sorril Mare and Read Great Cout the property of Capt Ceuling (Selin ?) was Tried by the Same Court found Guilty and Sentenced 100 Lashes and put under Stopages untill he pays Capt Ceuling what the Mare and Coult where Judged to be worth at the time he took them away They Valur to be Ascertaind by Some officer who was with the Regt at the time the prisoner Deserted.."33
(Wright's "Regimental Roster of Men" lists Christian Beagle as a Pvt. in Maj. Thomas Church's Co./4th Pa. Reg. under Gen. Hand.)
Sgt. Thomas Gee of the 2nd NY Reg. of Artillery recorded in his orderly book, "Head Quarters wyoming oct. 8th 79 ...The German Battl and Shotts core and Cap Spaldings Company is to Remain as A Garrison at this Post of which Col Butler is to have the Command."34
Lt. John Jenkins, wrote in his journal for Dec. 19, 1779, "Capt. Selin set out for Philidelphia."35 Why Selin traveled there is not yet known.
Capt. Selin eventually returned to Wyoming as the muster of the corp taken by Capt. Schott from Oct. 1, 1779 to April 1, 1780 has Selin listed. The muster of the corps while at Wyoming dated March 28, 1780 is signed by Capt.'s Schott and Selin, and Lt. Conrad Latour.
In a letter from Lt. Col. Lud. Weltner at Northumberland to the Board of War dated April 9, 1780, he writes in part, "... I have been informed by letter from Captain Selin stationed at Wyoming that there were three of the Inhabitants of that place taken prisoners by another party of Indians and also made their escape, killed two and wounded three of the Indians and brought in six rifles, one sword and two Tomahawks. They say upon their way up river, they fell in upon two parties of Indians, one party 25 and the other 8 coming down to fall on the West Branch."36
It appears that during this time there was some conflict between Capt.'s Schott and Selin over rank or promotion. From Secretary Ben. Stoddert to Board of War President Reed, March 31, 1780 he writes "... With repsect to Capt. Schott, & Capt. Selin, the board conceives that if Col. Weltner cannot himself settle the dispute between them, that a board of officers (the usual mode upon such occasions) should determine which is best intitled to the preference."37 Then on April 4, President Reed writes to Col. Weltner "... We also forwarded to the same Board the Case of Capt. Schott & Selin; it would not be proper for us to decide a Point of military Promotion which seems to be the Province of military Gentlemen any Determination made by them will be acceptable to us, & meet our Concurrence."38 We do not know how, or if this matter was resolved.
According to the U.S. Army Archives, on January 1, 1781, Capt.'s Schott and Selin's Companies were relieved from the Middle Department and assigned to the main army where they were consolidated with the 2nd Canadian Regiment under Col. Moses Hazen.
Col. Hazen's Regiment, also known as "Congress' Own" was raised under a resolution of Congress, January 20, 1776. In a history of Hazen's Regiment from the Pa. Archives (2nd Series/Vol. XI), it records that during the winter of 1780-81 Hazen's Reg. was at Fishkill, N.Y. and from there West Point. The regiment then went down the Hudson River and joined the army on the way to Yorktown, where it took part in the siege. Afterwards, Hazen's was in Lancaster, Pa. for 10 months guarding prisoners. In June, 1783 while in New York, the regiment began to be furloughed and was finally disbanded in November, '83.
Capt. Selin petitioned the Continental Congress and Gen. Washington for a captaincy in Col. Moses Hazen's Regiment. Gen. Sullivan sent a letter in behalf of Selin to Gen. Washington on July 29, 1781. The letter states:
"Dear General
I have the honor to recommend to Your Excellencys notice the bearer Capt. Selin who is Soliciting a Captaincy in Hazens Regiment. As he has Served with me I take the Liberty of assuring your Excellency that he is truly a Deserving officer and will do honor to the appointment if conferred upon him."39
Apparently Selin's request was granted. It was reported that in 1782 while serving in Col. Hazen's Regiment, Capt. Selin with Lt. Mooers (Lt. Lawrence Myers?) are sent by Hazen to meet a group of German prisoners at Mt. Hope.40
In regards to Capt. Schott, he appears as a "Vice Major" in a 4th NY Reg. orderly book (writer unknown). It states, "Head Quarters, Orange Town August 8th 1780... Capt. Moses White Col Hazens Regt is appointed to do the duty of Brigade Inspector in Genll Poors Brigade till further Orders Vice Major Schott Indisposed."41 Schott is also cited as a Major in three other entries (Nov. 21, Dec. 2 & 3, 1782) from a 2nd NY Reg. orderly book while at New Burgh. On Dec. 3, '82 "Major Scott"(Schott) is listed as a member of a court martial board.
We have not yet located information regarding Capt. Schott's activities after the war. The Pennsylvania Archives states that he died in Philadelphia, June 18, 1829, at the age of 85.42
Capt. Selin resigned his commisson on January 1, 1783. After leaving the army, Anthony Selin moved to the Susquehanna Valley and married Catherine Snyder, who was the sister of Simon Snyder, later governor of Pennsylvania. Snyder and Selin became partners in the milling and store business.
On January 2, 1784, Capt. Selin became a member of the Society of Cincinnati. This was an association formed after the war by officers who served during the war and part of its goal was to aid memebers who might need assistance. Washington was the first president, and Gen. Henry Knox was its first secretary general.
In 1785, Selin founded Selinsgrove, Pa., (Snyder Co.) and he and his wife lived on a farm adjoining the northern part of the town. Selin and his wife had two children, a son, Anthony Charles (who served in the War of 1812 as a Major), and a daughter, Agnes.
In 1788, Selin was comissioned a Lt. Colonel of the 5th Battalion of the Northumberland County Militia, which by 1789 consisted of 292 men.43
Selin died on February 3, 1792 and is buried in the Snyder family plot at the Trinity Luthern Church on Spruce St., Selinsgrove, Pa.
Many of the officers on the Sullivan Expedition kept journals during the march. Fortunately, many have survived and have been published. We do not know if Capt. Selin or Capt. Schott kept a journal, and if so, are they still in existence.
We will, however, continue to search for information specifically pertaining to Capt.'s Selin and Schott's locations and activities during the Revolutionary War.
From the Pennsylvania Archives, 5th Series, Vol. 3, (pp.899-900) below is the roll taken principally from an alphabetical list of musters of "the Independent corp of Capt. Anthony Selin" for the month of June, 1778. Co. No. 2
Selin, Anthony, Capt.
Lieutenants:
Myers, Lawrence
Froelich, Christian
Sergeants:
Bartholomew, Henry Keyser, Valentine, from Ottendorff's
Blum, John Seiders, Henry, from Schott's
Corporals:
Marks, George, from Ottendorff's (died Jan. 16, 1782, while attached to Hazen's reg.)
Walter, John
Drummers: Fifer:
Schuh, John, from Ottendorff's Thompson, John
Marks, William
Privates:
Bartholomew, Henry, from Ottendorff's Hultry, John
Bengell, Andrew '' " Keyser, Valentine (also listed as Sgt.)
Bengell, John " " Kirk, Henry
Blum, John " " Klein, Daniel
Croselius, Adolph, in muster of June, 1778 Kline, Gabriel
Darrell, John, from Ottendorff's Loos, Arnold, from Ottendorff's
Dehn, George Maul, George
Donich, Henry Murden, Samuel, from Ottendorff's
Dorn, Wilhelm Phillips, John, " "
Drisnall, Thomas Rex, George, " "
Eberts, John Reaberg, Andrew
Eirach, John Ridey, John
Fetzler, John Adam, enlisted July 5, 1777 Ridgway, James, from Ottendorff's
deserted July 9, 1777 Roch, John, " "
Green, John, from Ottendorff's Steinheiser, John
Gentzall, Matthias, " " Till, Henry
Haal, Isaac, " " Trow, John, from Ottendorff's
Hanley, Patrick, discharged June 7, 1778 Walter, John, " "
Hiller, George Ulett, Samuel
From the Pa. Archives, 5th Series, Vol. 3, (pp.901-902), below is the "list of Capt. John Paul Schott's independent company, being the muster for the month of October, 1778."
Co. No. 3
Schott, John Paul, Capt.
First Lieutenant: Second Lieutenant:
Mancke, Christian Shaffner, George
Sergeants:
Dean, George Langhammer, George, from private in Ottendorff's
Liebe, Frederick Singer, Henry
Corporals:
Bargman, Frederick Gedeke, John
Breckle, David Sheetz, Daniel
Privates:
Burwell, Johnson Moles, Oliver, from Ottendorff's
Cooly, Owen Minks, Henry
Corbach, Peter McGauran, Francis
Cromwell, Hugh Phalzer, Jacob
Frank, Daniel Plesch, John
Frachert, Henry Poorman, John
Genner, William Reinerd, Jacob
Haal, John Riddes, John
Hilpe, Jacob Ritter, Tobias
Humberry, Andrew Seiders, Henry, promoted Sgt. in Selin's
John, Nathaniel Swanheiser, Christopher
Kehler, John Singer, Henry, promoted Sgt.
Kearing, George Sybert, Henry
Kinert, Jacob Wells, Charles
Levering, John
Leopard, Anthony
Lewis, Basil
From Albert Hazen Wright's "The Sullivan Expedition of 1779- Regimental Roster of Men", (pg. 4, 102) listed is Wright's breakdown of units in the Third Brigade, along with Capt.'s Selin and Schott's corp. (from this list, they appear to be merged as one corp)
Third Brigade- Gen. Edward Hand
4th Pa. Regt. 199
German Regt. 400
Wyoming Cos. (2) 125
Schotts and Selins 50
4th Pa. Artillery 174
Morgans Riflemen, about 100
11th Pa. Regt., about 350
Total 1398
John Paul Schott, Capt. John Stynehiser, Sgt.
Antoni (Anthony) Selin, Capt. Jacob Hilfe, Sgt.
Lawrence Myers, Lt. John Geedecks, Sgt.
Christian Frolich, Lt. George Marks, Corp.
Frederick Lebe (Lube, Leibe) Sgt. Major Andrew Reaburg, Corp.
Francis McGarran, Q.M. Sgt. Daniel Sheetz, Corp.
Henry Lieders, Sgt. (later Q.M. Sgt.) Samuel Hewlett, Corp.
Henry Singer, Sgt. Wm. Marx (Marks), Drummer
Privates:
John Bengel Michael Eurach Martin Lantz Henry Till
Jonathan Boswell Christopher Felts John Levering Samuel Ulett (Hewlett)
Adam Brandhefer Henrich Frantcher Basil Lewis
Martin Breckhall Jacob Frey John Poorham
John Brecker Wm. Gennis Jacob Reynard
Owen Cooley Henry Keck James Ridgway
Peter Corback John Kepler Tobias Ritter
Hugh Cromwell George Kerse John Roch
Wm. Dorn Valentine Keyser Christian Swanhiser
John Eurach Gabriel Kline Adam Sypert
From the Wright Papers, Cornell University, below is a "Return of the State of Clothing of the Independent Corps of Foot Commanded by Captn John Paul Schott, Mar. 7th, 1779." Wright found this list at the Adj. Gen. Office, Pa., Jacket 87, (5a) uncarded item 298.
Present Wanting to Compleat
No. Men 44
No. Coats 41 3
No. Waistcoats 44
No. Breeches 42 2
No. Hatts 40 1
No. Shirts - 88
No. prs. Shoes 42 2
No. prs. Stockings 42 2
No. Blankets 29 15
No. Black Stocks - 44
From the Pa. Archives, 6th Series, Vol. XIV, (pg. 69), below
is the order of march for General Hand's
Light Corps from Wyoming to Tioga, July 31, 1779 from an orderly
book (writer unknown)
C L
a t.
p
t. ============== ============= I
n
f
B ============== ============= a
u n
s ============== No. ============= t
h 245 59 32 172 r
's ============== =========== ========== ============ y
11th P. Regt Spalding's Shott's German Reg't.
"Order of march for the Light Corps from Wyoming to Tioga. The 11th P. Regt. & Captn. Spalding's Comp'y will advance by Platoons from the Left and form a Collum to march on the Main Road."
"The German Reg't & Capt. Shotts Corps will from a Collum to right of the German.- and march a Conveanent Distance on the right having its right flank covered by one Thirth of the Light Infantry of the 11th P. Regt. & the riflemen of Captn. Shotts Corps. Marching Indian file."
"Two third of the Light Infantry of the 11th P. Regt. & the Riflemen of Capt. Spalding's Company will march in Indian file on the Left of the Grand Collumn to cover its left flank and answer the purpose of a Third Collumn and flanking party to advance a party in front porportioned to its Strenth."
Anthoni Selin's Grave; Selinsgrove,
PA
1.) Harold L. Peterson, The Book of the Continental Soldier, (Harrisburg, Pa., 1968) 268.
2.) Ibid., 268.
3.) George F.Dunkkelberger, The Story of Snyder County,
(Snyder Co. Historical Society,
Selinsgrove, Pa., 1948), 122.
4.) Snyder County Pioneers, 80.
5.) William M. Schnure, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania Chronology,(Vol. I, 1700-1850, 1918), 63.
6.) Pennsylvania Archives, 1779, 24,25.
7.) Ibid., 24-25.
8.) Ibid., 24-25.
9.) Thomas E. Byrne, A Bicentennial Rememberance of the Sullivan-Clinton Expedition 1779 in Pennsylvania and New York, (Elmira, 1979), 3.
10.) Ibid., 5.
11.) Albert Hazen Wright, The A.H. Wright Papers, (Collection No. 14/26/1382, Carl A.Kroch Library, Cornell University), Notes on Armand's Regt., 1.
12.) Ibid., 2.
13.) Ibid., 2.
14.) Ibid., 1.
15.) Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, (James B. Lyon, Albany, 1901), 5:232.
16.) A.H. Wright Papers, 2.
17.) Ibid., 2.
18.) A.H. Wright Papers,(Collection No. 1692), 6.
19.) Louise Welles Murray, Ed., Notes from Collections
of Tioga Point Museum on the Sullivan Expedition
of 1779 and its Centennial Celebration
of 1879 including Order Book of General Sullivan
(Never before Published), (Athens,
Pa., 1929, reissued 1975 by Tioga Point Museum), Orderly Book
of Lt. Col.
Francis Barber, 46.
20.) Ibid., 79.
21.) A.H.Wright Papers, (Collection No. 1692), 14.
22.) Ibid., 14.
23.) Ibid., 13.
24.) Pennsylvania Archives, (6th Series, Vol. XIV, Harrisburg, Pa., 1907), 65.
25.) Louise Wells Murray, Ed., Notes from Collection of
Tioga Point Museum...,
Orderly Book of Lt. Col.Francis Barber,
79.
26.) Ibid., 83.
27.) Pennsylvania Archives, (6th Series, Vol. XIV), 97.
28.) Joseph R. Fischer, A Well-Executed Failure- The Sullivan Campaign against the Iroquois, July-September 1779, (University of South Carolina Press, 1997), 92.
29.) Joe D. Huddleston, Colonial Riflemen in the American
Revolution,
(George Shumway, Pub., York, Pa., 1978),
50.
30.) Joseph R. Fischer, A Well-Executed Failure..., 92.
31.) George F. Conover, Journals of the Military Expedition
of Major General John Sullivan
against the Six Nations of Indians
in 1779 with Records of Centennial Celebrations,
(Auburn: Knapp, Peck & Thompson,
1887), 172.
32.) John Sullivan, Letters and Papers of Major-General
John Sullivan, Continental Army,
Otis G. Hammand, Ed., (Concord, N.
H.: New Hampshire Historical Society 1930-1939), 3:11.
33.) Samuel Tallmadge: also John Barr, Orderly Books of
the Fourth New York Regiment
1778-1780, the Second New York Regiment,
1780-1782, and John Barr,
1779-1782, Almon W. Lauber, Ed.,
(Albany; University of the State of New York, 1932), 87.
34.) Ibid., 89.
35.) George F. Conover, Journals of the Military Expedition of Major General John Sullivan..., 177.
36.) Pennsylvania Archives/1780, 171.
37.) Ibid., 153.
38.) Ibid., 162
39.) John Sullivan, Letters and Papers of Major-General John Sullivan..., 3:338.
40.) Allen S. Everest, Moses Hazen and the Canadian Refugees
in the American Revolution,
(Syracuse, N.Y., Syracuse University
Press, 1976), 102.
41.) Samuel Tallmadge: Orderly Books of the Fourth New York Regiment...,872.
42). Pennsylvania Archives, (5th Series, Vol. 3), 901.
43.) William M. Schnure, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania Chronology, (Vol. 1, 1700-1850 1918), 84.
1.) Byrne, Thomas E., A Bicentennial Rememberance of the
Sullivan-Clinton
Expedition 1779 in Pennsylvania and New York,
Elmira, 1979.
2.) Conover, George S., Ed., Journals of the Miliary Expedition
of Major General John Sullivan
against the Six Nations of Indians in 1779
with Records of Centennial Celebrations,
Auburn: Knapp, Peck & Thompson, 1887.
3.) Dunkkelberger, George F., The Story of Snyder County, Snyder County Historical Society, Selinsgrove, Pa., 1948.
4.) Everest, Allan S., Moses Hazen and the Canadian Refugees
in the American Revolution,
Syracuse, N.Y., Syracuse University
Press, 1976.
5.) Fischer, Joseph R., A Well-Executed Failure, The Sullivan Campaign against the Irouquois, July-September 1779, University of South Carolina Press, 1997.
6.) History of Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys (Counties
of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry,
Union, and Snyder) Vol. 1.
7.) Huddleston, Joe D., Colonial Riflemen in the American
Revolution, George Shumway,
Pub., York, Pa., 1978.
8.) Lauber, Almon W., Ed., Orderly Books of the Fourth
New York Regiment, 1778- 1780,
The Second New York Regiment, 1780-83 by
Samuel Talmadge and Others with Diaries
of Samuel Tallmadge, 1780-1782, and John
Barr, 1779-1782, Albany, The University of
the State of New York, 1932.
9.) Montgomery, Thomas Lynch, Ed., Pennsylvania Archives,
2nd Series, Vol. XI,
Harrisburg, Pa., 1906.
10.) Murray, Louise Welles, Notes From Collections of Tioga
Point Museum on the Sullivan
Expedition of 1779 and its Centennial
Celebration of 1879 including Order Book of General
Sullivan Never before Published,
Athens, Pa., 1929(reissued 1975 by Tioga Point Museum).
11.) Pennsylvania Archives, 5th Series, Vol. 3.
12.) Pennsylvania Archives, 6th Series, Vol. XIV, (1907).
13.) Pennsylvania Archives/ 1779.
14.) Pennsylvania Archives/ 1780.
15.) Peterson, Harold L. The Book of the Continental Soldier, Harrisburg, Pa., 1968.
16.) Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, Albany, James B.Lyon, 1901.
17.) Schnure, William M., Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania Chronology, Vol. 1, 1700-1850, 1918.
18.) Schnure, William M., Selinsgrove and its Historic
Heritage given by its founder Anthony Selin,
The Snyder Co. Historical Society
Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 14, 1962.
19.) Selinsgrove's Centennial Souvenir Book,(1853-1953), Aug. 20-23, 1953.
20.) Snyder County Pennsylvania, From Pioneer Days to the Present.
21.) Sullivan, John, Letters and Papes of Major-General
John Sullivan, Continental Army.
Ed. by Otis G. Hammond (Collections
of the New Hampshire HistoricalSociety,
Vols. 13-15) Concord, N.H., New Hampshire
Historical Society, 1930-1939, 3 vols.
22.) Wright, Albert Hazen, New York Historical Source Studies:
The Sullivan Expedition of 1779:
The Regimental Roster of Men,
(Studies in History No. 34) Ithaca: Published by the author,
1965.
23.) Wright, Albert Hazen, The A.H. Wright Papers,
Collection No./ Call No.14/26/1382,
1692, Carl A. Kroch Library, Cornell
University, Ithaca, N.Y.
24.) United States Army Archives,(Wright, Continental Army).
©Copyright 1999 Steve Collward
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