Daniel Brodhead - Definition and Overview

Daniel Brodhead III (1736-1809) was an American military and political leader during the American Revolutionany War and early days of the republic. Daniel Brodhead III was born in Marbletown, New York on October 17, 1836, the son of Daniel Brodhead II and Hester (Wyngart) Brodhead. Brodhead’s father moved his family to Danville, Pennsylvania in 1737. Life in the frontier settlement was difficult and clashes between the settlers and native tribes were common. The Brodhead homestead was attacked by natives numerous times during Daniel’s youth.

Brodhead had a relatively undistinguished early life before the Revolution. Brodhead farmed, ran a grist mill, and worked as a Deputy Surveyor for Pennsylvania. Brodhead married Elizabeth Dupui in April of 1756 and had two children. In the years leading up to the outbreak of hostilities, Brodhead began to take part in the protest movements against British taxation. In 1774, Brodhead was elected to represent Berks County at a provincial meeting held in Philadelphia on July 15, 1774. In 1776, he was commissioned as an officer of the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment of colonial troops with the rank of lieutenant colonel. His first action came at the Battle of Long Island, where he was recognized by George Washington for his bravery and initiative. At the battle, Brodhead’s only son, also named Daniel, was wounded and captured. He was soon exchanged, but died of his wounds shortly after being released.

Brodhead took over command of the 8th Pennsylvania after the death of its commander, Aeneas Mackay, and was promoted to colonel. As commander of the 8th Pennsylvania, Brodhead lead his troops during the defense of Philadelphia in 1777 and wintered with the Continental Army at Valley Forge from 1777-1778.

In April 1778, Brodhead led a successful expedition against the Muskingum Indians. In June, 1778, Washington sent Brodhead and the 8th Pennsylvania to rebuild and re-garrison the frontier outpost of Fort Muncy, in what is now Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Brodhead defended local settlers from British allied tribes. Brodhead commanded the 8th Pennsylvania in Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh’s failed attempt to capture the British stronghold of Fort Detroit. On March 5, 1779, Brodhead replaced McIntosh as commander of the Western Department. His command included frontier forts like Fort Pitt (present Pittsburgh), Fort McIntosh (Beaver, Pennsylvania), Fort Laurens (near Bolivar, Ohio), Fort Tuscarora (near Lisbon, Ohio), Fort Wheeling (Wheeling, West Virginia), Fort Armstrong (near Kittanning, Pennsylvania), and Fort Holliday’s Cove, along with dozens of lesser outposts.

Wyandots, Mingos, Shawnees, Seneca, and other native tribes allied to the British were raiding the frontier. In addition, Brodhead faced a tenuous alliance with tribes like the Oneidas, British troops at Fort Detroit and other outposts, a large population of Tory sympathizing settlers, and a delicate truce with the powerful Lenape-Delaware tribe. From his headquarters at Fort Pitt, Brodhead directed numerous raids against hostile Indian tribes, often leading the expeditions personally. His most famous raid came against the Seneca tribe between August 11 and September 14, 1779. Brodhead left Fort Pitt with a contingent of 605 soldiers and militia into the trackless wilderness of northwestern Pennsylvania. He followed the Allegheny River into New York driving the Seneca out. Most of the warriors were away fighting the Sullivan Expedition in New York, and Brodhead met little resistance in destroying the heart of the Seneca nation. In 1781 the Lenape-Delawares ended their neutrality and sided with the British. Brodhead invaded their territory and destroyed the village of Coshocton in what is now northeastern Ohio. As a result of Brodhead's campaign, the Delawares fled from eastern Ohio.

He retained command of the Western Department until September 17, 1781, when he was replaced by General John Gibson. He was removed from his command over allegations of mishandling supplies and money. Brodhead had made impressment (the forced sale of supplies) a policy and he had spent money intended as bonuses to recruit new militiamen to purchase supplies for his troops. Brodhead was acquitted of all charges except misspending the recruiting money. George Washington has been aware of the impresment and had given his tacit approval. Furthermore, the court marshal thought him justified in spending the recruiting money on supplies, and he was not punished. A short time later, George Washington brevetted him a brigadier general. Brodhead spent the remainder of the war as commander of the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment.

After the war, Brodhead by then a widower, married Rebecca Mifflin, the widow of General Samuel Mifflin. Brodhead was one of the founders of the Society of the Cincinnati. He later served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. On November 13, 1789, he was appointed Surveyor General of Pennsylvania and held the post for eleven years. He died at Milford, Pike County, Pennsylvania on November 15, 1809. He was buried in Milford.