side of the lake to the south
end, to burn and destroy such houses and corn as might be found and to
intercept the Cayugas if they attempted to escape Col. Butler. At 8
o'clock I marched, proceeded an east course about 8 miles and found 3
wigwams in the woods[155] with some small patches of corn, squashes,
water-melons and cucumbers and 15 horses which we could not take.
Destroyed this village, proceeded 4 miles to the lake where we found a
very pretty town of 10 houses[156] and a considerable quantity of
corn, all which we burnt. We discovered another small town about a
mile above this, we likewise destroyed. This place is called
Skannautenate.[157] After destroying this town I marched on one mile,
and came to a new town[158] consisting of 9 houses which we destroyed,
and proceeded one mile and found one large house which we set fire to,
and marched 2 miles and encamped. The land we marched over this day is
exceeding fine.

Sept. 22.--I marched 1/2 an hour before sunrise, proceeded 5 miles and
came to the ruins of a town which a part of our army burnt when it was
advancing who missed their way and happened to fall in with it, 1/2 a
mile distant found a large field of corn and 3 houses. We gathered the
corn and burnt it in the houses. This town is called Swahyawana.[159]
Moved on 5 miles and came to a wigwam with 3 squaws and one young
Indian who was a cripple. I took 2 of the squaws who were about 40
years of age and marched on 3 miles and found 1 hut and a field of
corn which was burnt. Went 4 miles further and encamped.

Sept. 23.--Marched at sunrise, proceeded without any path or track, or
any person who was ever in this part of the country before to guide
us, and the land so horribly rough and brushy that it was difficult to
advance, however with great labor and difficulty we proceeded 8 miles
to the end of a long cape[160] which I expected was the end of the
lake. We then marched off 2 or 3 miles from the lake, and went by a
point of compass 8 miles to the end of the lake and encamped. This
lake is 40 miles in length and from 2 to 5 miles in width, and runs
nearly No. and So. parallel to the Seneca lake which is from 8 to 10
miles distant.

Sept. 24.--Marched at sunrise, proceeded 3 miles on the high land and
came to an old path which led us to 2 huts and some cornfields, which
we burnt. I then sent several parties in different directions to look
for a large town that I had been informed was not many miles fro