Re: and.....More Spirits

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Posted by Dana S. on May 22, 2000 at 16:57:18:

In Reply to: Re: and.....More Spirits posted by Seamus on May 22, 2000 at 16:22:29:

: Mohicanites!

: Don't be too harsh on my pal, Druncle Mark, and his ghost sightings, folks! Read the attached for another very real experience...one I can attest to...for I was the recipient of this. This story first appeared in The Pennsylvania Minuteman, the Pennsylvania Society Sons of the American Revolution Magazine, last winter. Read it, and it will explain itself...

: The Ghosts of Fort Freeland
: By
: Michael G. Slease
: President, Tiadaghton Chapter SAR
: Former Board member and President,
: Warrior Run-Fort Freeland Heritage Society
: Commander, Ft. Freeland Company of Independent Riflemen

: The following is a true story. It impacted me when it happened, and I have been compelled to record it, so anyone who reads it might also be impressed by what happened...whether you are a believer or not.

: It has been said that, when someone is killed instantly and violently, particularly on a field of battle, when energy and emotions are high, that energy is released and stays on that field. There are many accounts of spirits and ghosts or unexplainable things happening on old battlefields. Most certainly, energy can be felt in the air at places like this.

: I can tell you of instances when I camped alone at Fort Freeland during the early days of Heritage Days that I felt the presence of something in the evenings after everyone else had gone home. I would look across the meadow where Captain Boone and his relief party were decimated, and see wisps of fog rising from the grass and wonder... Maybe it was just fog, but, then again, maybe not. There was certainly an eerie feeling generated there. It did not exist anywhere else on the grounds, only in the meadow.

: The most convincing occurrence, for me, happened on July 28, 1996. First, some background...

: The Pennsylvania frontier of 1779 was extremely vulnerable to attack by the British and their Indian allies. The 2-story home of Garrett Freeland stood along Warrior run about 6 miles up the run from the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. It had been enclosed by a stockade in an attempt to provide a safe haven for the local settlers, and was known as Fort Freeland. Today the site is part of property owned by the Warrior Run School District nears Turbotville, Pennsylvania, and is leased by the Warrior Run-Fort Freeland Heritage Society. Heritage Days is sponsored annually over the first full weekend of October by the Society and the High School History Club.

: On July 20, 1779, an advance party of the enemy attacked a work party and killed three men in a cornfield back of the fort and captured two others.

:
: At about 6:30 in the morning of July 28, 1779, a force of nearly 300 Iroquois warriors, Butler’s Rangers and British regulars from Fort Niagara attacked the fort. After a siege which lasted around three hours, during which time all available ammunition was expended, the defenders of Freeland’s Fort surrendered to prevent total annihilation. Five of the garrison was killed during the ensuing battle and siege.

:
: A relief party of militia arrived too late, and in attempting to attack, was defeated with a great loss of life, including their leaders; a total of twelve. One of the soldiers who escaped was tomahawked and killed the next day at a nearby abandoned farm while trying to milk a cow for sustenance. He became the 21st to die.

: Five days after the battle, the grotesque remains of the slain were buried where they fell, and over the ensuing years, the actual locations of their graves became lost; plowed and planted over and on occasion, flooded, for over two centuries. Nothing had ever been done to memorialize these brave souls, and, with the exception of a marker placed long ago by a now-defunct DAR Chapter, which has the wrong date of the battle, no reminder existed on this hallowed site. Nothing told their story.

: At the initiative of several members of The Tiadaghton Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution and the Warrior Run - Fort Freeland Heritage Society a project to raise funds to place a permanent, proper, monument to the memory of these gallant men was begun. I was chosen as Chairman of the project. After nearly a year of planning, fund-raising, and site preparation the day was finally here.

: On July 28, 1996, the 217th anniversary of this battle, a monument to the 21 patriots who gave their lives at the Battle of Fort Freeland was dedicated. The day was as beautiful a day as ever was...crystal clear, cloudless, gorgeous deep blue sky, not too warm, and as still as still can be. The grounds had been manicured to perfection by the School’s maintenance crew. I had arrived about an hour and a half early. The Dedication was set for 2:00 pm, and I wanted to be sure all was just so, the tent which had been erected to provide shade for the crowd we expected, made sure the programs were ready, checked the microphone, made sure name tags were on the chairs for the speakers and other dignitaries, and satisfied that all was in readiness, I went and sat down against the large walnut tree in front of the barn to await the arrival of my soldiers...the Fort Freeland Company of Independent Riflemen...who were to be on site at 1:15 pm to receive instructions.

: One by one, in groups of two and three, they arrived. We mustered below the barn. I had 23 men, two of whom were to be honor guards at the monument, and the remaining 21 were to represent the 21 patriots who gave their lives that day, 217 years earlier. I gave instructions, reviewed the drill commands we would use, and gave each man a plastic bag containing chunks of plaster and pieces of charred log from the actual Freeland house, burned the day of the battle. These artifacts were recovered when we hand dug the foundation for the monument and were saved for this occasion. Similar gifts were given to each speaker and dignitary, also, as a remembrance of the day. While digging the foundation hole for the monument, which sits on the actual Freeland house site, we found a limestone foundation corner stone and incorporated it into the design of the monument as part of a stone foundation corner, representative of the foundation of Garrett Freeland’s house.

: After remarks from the various individuals representing the Society, the DAR, SAR, and School Board, it was my turn to step up to the podium. I recounted the events that lead to the Battle of Fort Freeland, and read the inscription on the memorial plaque, mounted on a seven- foot tall limestone boulder, which makes up the memorial.

: As the individual names of the slain were read one of the members of the Fort Freeland Company of Independent Riflemen came forward from behind the crowd, most of whom had no idea they were there, and took his place by the monument. Twenty-one men, in three companies of seven, representing the three companies of militia present in 1779...John Lytle’s Company, Thomas Kemplin’s Company, and Hawkins Boone’s Company...stood behind and on either side of the giant limestone memorial. It was, indeed, an emotional moment for many of the over 100 persons in attendance. Here were living men, portraying other men who stood here 217 years ago, fighting and dying so that we today could have the freedom we enjoy. Now these patriots had faces to go with names. The Regent of the Lycoming Chapter of the DAR told me later, ”It was so real. I had the chills.” I joined them, and called the Companies to “Right About Face,” and “Close Ranks,” pivoting the outside Companies into a straight firing line, spaced into the three distinct Companies. Each Company, in turn, upon the commands, “Company! Make Ready! Present! Fire,” let loose, as one, a deafening roar that echoed off the surrounding hills and woods loudly! A total of 21 muskets roared in a salute to the fallen heroes of the Battle of Fort Freeland. Not a single hangfire nor misfire was had. The Companies were returned to their original positions, and the Memorial Dedicatory Prayer was offered. As one, the 21 uncovered their heads while dropping to one knee, and knelt in prayer, returning to attention and recovering after the prayer was finished. It happened spontaneously, as if it was done daily for years.

: After the program, the crowd stayed to visit with us, thank us for what we had done, the usual photos were taken and eventually everyone left to return home. I stayed until all were gone and walked around to pick up discarded programs, put away what needed to be put away, and just to generally make sure all was as I had found it.

: It was very quiet then; quite a contrast to all the activity which had so recently taken place. Just before I was to leave, I walked up, to the stone and read the plaque again, saying to myself each man’s name inscribed there. After I finished, I took a deep breath, and with tears in my eyes, said aloud, “This is for you guys.” At that moment I felt a hand lay on my right shoulder. Thinking I was alone, I was startled and whipped my head around to see who was there.

: There was no one.

Thanks for that, Seamus. Awesome.

Dana S.

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: : Mohicanites!

: : Don't be too harsh on my pal, Druncle Mark, and his ghost sightings, folks! Read the attached for another very real experience...one I can attest to...for I was the recipient of this. This story first appeared in The Pennsylvania Minuteman, the Pennsylvania Society Sons of the American Revolution Magazine, last winter. Read it, and it will explain itself...

: :

: : The Ghosts of Fort Freeland
: : By
: : Michael G. Slease
: : President, Tiadaghton Chapter SAR
: : Former Board member and President,
: : Warrior Run-Fort Freeland Heritage Society
: : Commander, Ft. Freeland Company of Independent Riflemen

: : The following is a true story. It impacted me when it happened, and I have been compelled to record it, so anyone who reads it might also be impressed by what happened...whether you are a believer or not.

: : It has been said that, when someone is killed instantly and violently, particularly on a field of battle, when energy and emotions are high, that energy is released and stays on that field. There are many accounts of spirits and ghosts or unexplainable things happening on old battlefields. Most certainly, energy can be felt in the air at places like this.

: : I can tell you of instances when I camped alone at Fort Freeland during the early days of Heritage Days that I felt the presence of something in the evenings after everyone else had gone home. I would look across the meadow where Captain Boone and his relief party were decimated, and see wisps of fog rising from the grass and wonder... Maybe it was just fog, but, then again, maybe not. There was certainly an eerie feeling generated there. It did not exist anywhere else on the grounds, only in the meadow.

: : The most convincing occurrence, for me, happened on July 28, 1996. First, some background...

: : The Pennsylvania frontier of 1779 was extremely vulnerable to attack by the British and their Indian allies. The 2-story home of Garrett Freeland stood along Warrior run about 6 miles up the run from the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. It had been enclosed by a stockade in an attempt to provide a safe haven for the local settlers, and was known as Fort Freeland. Today the site is part of property owned by the Warrior Run School District nears Turbotville, Pennsylvania, and is leased by the Warrior Run-Fort Freeland Heritage Society. Heritage Days is sponsored annually over the first full weekend of October by the Society and the High School History Club.

: : On July 20, 1779, an advance party of the enemy attacked a work party and killed three men in a cornfield back of the fort and captured two others.

: :
: : At about 6:30 in the morning of July 28, 1779, a force of nearly 300 Iroquois warriors, Butler’s Rangers and British regulars from Fort Niagara attacked the fort. After a siege which lasted around three hours, during which time all available ammunition was expended, the defenders of Freeland’s Fort surrendered to prevent total annihilation. Five of the garrison was killed during the ensuing battle and siege.

: :
: : A relief party of militia arrived too late, and in attempting to attack, was defeated with a great loss of life, including their leaders; a total of twelve. One of the soldiers who escaped was tomahawked and killed the next day at a nearby abandoned farm while trying to milk a cow for sustenance. He became the 21st to die.

: : Five days after the battle, the grotesque remains of the slain were buried where they fell, and over the ensuing years, the actual locations of their graves became lost; plowed and planted over and on occasion, flooded, for over two centuries. Nothing had ever been done to memorialize these brave souls, and, with the exception of a marker placed long ago by a now-defunct DAR Chapter, which has the wrong date of the battle, no reminder existed on this hallowed site. Nothing told their story.

: : At the initiative of several members of The Tiadaghton Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution and the Warrior Run - Fort Freeland Heritage Society a project to raise funds to place a permanent, proper, monument to the memory of these gallant men was begun. I was chosen as Chairman of the project. After nearly a year of planning, fund-raising, and site preparation the day was finally here.

: : On July 28, 1996, the 217th anniversary of this battle, a monument to the 21 patriots who gave their lives at the Battle of Fort Freeland was dedicated. The day was as beautiful a day as ever was...crystal clear, cloudless, gorgeous deep blue sky, not too warm, and as still as still can be. The grounds had been manicured to perfection by the School’s maintenance crew. I had arrived about an hour and a half early. The Dedication was set for 2:00 pm, and I wanted to be sure all was just so, the tent which had been erected to provide shade for the crowd we expected, made sure the programs were ready, checked the microphone, made sure name tags were on the chairs for the speakers and other dignitaries, and satisfied that all was in readiness, I went and sat down against the large walnut tree in front of the barn to await the arrival of my soldiers...the Fort Freeland Company of Independent Riflemen...who were to be on site at 1:15 pm to receive instructions.

: : One by one, in groups of two and three, they arrived. We mustered below the barn. I had 23 men, two of whom were to be honor guards at the monument, and the remaining 21 were to represent the 21 patriots who gave their lives that day, 217 years earlier. I gave instructions, reviewed the drill commands we would use, and gave each man a plastic bag containing chunks of plaster and pieces of charred log from the actual Freeland house, burned the day of the battle. These artifacts were recovered when we hand dug the foundation for the monument and were saved for this occasion. Similar gifts were given to each speaker and dignitary, also, as a remembrance of the day. While digging the foundation hole for the monument, which sits on the actual Freeland house site, we found a limestone foundation corner stone and incorporated it into the design of the monument as part of a stone foundation corner, representative of the foundation of Garrett Freeland’s house.

: : After remarks from the various individuals representing the Society, the DAR, SAR, and School Board, it was my turn to step up to the podium. I recounted the events that lead to the Battle of Fort Freeland, and read the inscription on the memorial plaque, mounted on a seven- foot tall limestone boulder, which makes up the memorial.

: : As the individual names of the slain were read one of the members of the Fort Freeland Company of Independent Riflemen came forward from behind the crowd, most of whom had no idea they were there, and took his place by the monument. Twenty-one men, in three companies of seven, representing the three companies of militia present in 1779...John Lytle’s Company, Thomas Kemplin’s Company, and Hawkins Boone’s Company...stood behind and on either side of the giant limestone memorial. It was, indeed, an emotional moment for many of the over 100 persons in attendance. Here were living men, portraying other men who stood here 217 years ago, fighting and dying so that we today could have the freedom we enjoy. Now these patriots had faces to go with names. The Regent of the Lycoming Chapter of the DAR told me later, ”It was so real. I had the chills.” I joined them, and called the Companies to “Right About Face,” and “Close Ranks,” pivoting the outside Companies into a straight firing line, spaced into the three distinct Companies. Each Company, in turn, upon the commands, “Company! Make Ready! Present! Fire,” let loose, as one, a deafening roar that echoed off the surrounding hills and woods loudly! A total of 21 muskets roared in a salute to the fallen heroes of the Battle of Fort Freeland. Not a single hangfire nor misfire was had. The Companies were returned to their original positions, and the Memorial Dedicatory Prayer was offered. As one, the 21 uncovered their heads while dropping to one knee, and knelt in prayer, returning to attention and recovering after the prayer was finished. It happened spontaneously, as if it was done daily for years.

: : After the program, the crowd stayed to visit with us, thank us for what we had done, the usual photos were taken and eventually everyone left to return home. I stayed until all were gone and walked around to pick up discarded programs, put away what needed to be put away, and just to generally make sure all was as I had found it.

: : It was very quiet then; quite a contrast to all the activity which had so recently taken place. Just before I was to leave, I walked up, to the stone and read the plaque again, saying to myself each man’s name inscribed there. After I finished, I took a deep breath, and with tears in my eyes, said aloud, “This is for you guys.” At that moment I felt a hand lay on my right shoulder. Thinking I was alone, I was startled and whipped my head around to see who was there.

: : There was no one.

: Thanks for that, Seamus. Awesome.

: Dana S.

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