Several causes led to this
decision. It was reported that Thayendanegea, Timmendiquas, all
the Butlers and Johnsons, and Braxton Wyatt were there. While
not likely to be true about all, it was probably true about some
of them, and a bold stroke might effect much.
It is probable that Henry had Braxton Wyatt most in mind. The
renegade was in his element among the Indians and Tories, and he
had developed great abilities as a partisan, being skillfully
seconded by the squat Tory, Coleman. His reputation now was
equal at least to that of Walter Butler, and he had skirmished
more than once with the vanguard of the army. Growing in Henry's
heart was a strong desire to match forces with him, and it was
quite probable that a swift advance might find him at the Seneca
Castle.
The riflemen took up their march on a brisk morning in late
autumn. The night had been clear and cold, with a touch of
winter in it, and the brilliant colors of the foliage had now
turned to a solid brown. Whenever the wind blew, the leaves fell
in showers. The sky was a fleecy blue, but over hills, valley,
and forest hung a fine misty veil that is the mark of Indian
summer. The land was nowhere inhabited.
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