the British during
the Revolution, the Indians of the Six Nations descended from New York
into the West Branch Valley to harass and, finally, to drive the Fair
Play settlers from their homes. Driven from their homes, the frontiersmen
of the West Branch first gathered in the hastily-constructed and
poorly-manned forts conveniently scattered along the Susquehanna from
Jersey Shore to Lock Haven, but, ultimately, these too had to be
evacuated in the Great Runaway in 1778.

The severity of these attacks is evident from this petition from the
settlers gathered at Fort Horn, above present McElhattan, pleading for
military support in their perilous position:

_To the Honourable the Supreame Executive Councill of the
Commonwealth of Pennsyllvania, in Lancaster;_

Wee, your humble petitioners, the Inhabitance of Bald Eagle
Township, on the West Branch of Susquehannah, Northumberland County,
&c., &c., humbly Sheweth: that, Wherease, wee are Driven By the
Indians from our habitations and obblidged to assemble ourselves
together for our Common Defence, have thought mete to acquaint you
with our Deplorable situation. Wee have for a month by past,
endeavoured to maintain our ground, with the loss of nearly fifty
murdered and made Captives, still Expecting relief from Coll.
Hunter; but wee are pursuaded that the Gentleman has done for us as
mutch as has layd in his power; we are at len[g]th surrounded with
great numbers on every side, and unless Our Honourable Councill Does
grant us some Assistance wee will Be obblidged to evaquete [_sic_]
this frontier; which will be great encouragement to the enemy, and
Bee very injurious to our Common Cause. We, therefore, humbly
request that you would grant us as many men as you may Judge
suficient to Defend four small Garrisons, and some amunition, and as
we are wery ill prowided with arms, we Beg that you would afford us
some of them; for particulars we refer to the Bearer, Robert
Fleming, Esq'r, and Begs leave to Conclude. Your humble petitioners,
as in Duty Bound, shall ever pray.

Sined by us:[33]

This petition was signed by some forty-seven settlers, including John
and Robert Fleming, Alexander Hamilton, and Samuel Horn. Unfortunately,
the much-needed assistance was not forthcoming, and Colonel Hunter soon
sent instructions from Fort Augusta for the evacuation