he principal
inducement of some, yet many attached themselves to the expedition,
from more noble and commendable motives.

The residence of the Moravians ever since they were removed to the
plains of Sandusky, was in the immediate vicinity of the Wyandot
villages, and the warriors from these had been particularly active
and untiring in their hostility to the frontier settlements of
Pennsylvania. The contemplated campaign against the Moravians, was
viewed by many as affording a fit opportunity to punish those savages
for their many aggressions, as it would require that they should
proceed but a short distance beyond the point proposed, in order
to arrive at their towns; and they accordingly engaged in it for that
purpose.

Other causes too, conspired to fill the ranks and form an army for the
accomplishment of the contemplated objects.--The commandants of the
militia of Washington and Westmoreland counties (Cols. Williamson
and Marshall)[6] encouraged the inhabitants to volunteer on this
expedition, and made known, that every militia man who accompanied
it, finding his own horse and gun, and provisions for a month,
should be exempt from two tours of militia duty; and that all
horses unavoidably lost in the service, should be replaced from those
taken in the Indian country. From the operation of these different
causes, an army of nearly five hundred men was soon raised, who being
supplied with ammunition by the Lieutenant Colonel of Washington
county, proceeded to the Old Mingo towns, the place of general
rendezvous--where an election was held to fill the office of commander
of the expedition.[7] The candidates were Colonel Williamson and
Colonel Crawford; and the latter gentleman being chosen immediately
organized the troops, and prepared to march.

[240] On the 25th of May, the army left the Mingo towns, and pursuing
"Williamson's trail," arrived at the upper Moravian town on the
Muskingum (Shoenbrun,) where (finding plenty of corn of the preceding
year's crop, yet on the stalk) they halted to refresh their horses.
While here, Captains Brenton and Bean, discovered and fired upon two
Indians; and the report of the guns being heard in camp, the men, in
despite of the exertions of their officers, rushed towards the source
of alarm, in the most tumultuous and disorderly manner.--Colonel
Crawford, used to the discipline of continental soldiers, saw in the
impetuosity and insubordination of the troops under his command,