Leaving Chambersburg, I headed northwest toward the distant mountains. I was taken in by the beauty of the rolling hills of the Cumberland Valley as I made my way toward the memorial to the fort that once stood in the shadows of the Blue Mountains. No wonder the early pioneers had the desire to settle here despite the dangers that they would face clearing the lands on the frontier – the area was beautiful and the land fertile.
I soon found myself traveling on Fort McCord Road, near Edenville, and a short distance later I found the familiar blue Pennsylvania historical marker at the intersection of Fort McCord and Rumler Roads. After taking a couple pictures of the historical marker, I looked around for the stone memorial for the fort and not seeing it, I continued a short distance along Fort McCord Road. Not finding the memorial, I turned around and drove back to the historical marker.
At the historical marker, I turned onto Rumler Road and almost immediately spotted the memorial I was searching for. From my initial stopping point along Fort McCord Road, the monument, topped by a Celtic cross, had been hidden by the barn it was beside. Parking near the monument, I got out of the vehicle and walked over to the memorial. On the plaque were listed the names of those killed, injured, or taken prisoner in an attack on Fort McCord by Chief Shingas and his raiders in April 1756.
Built by John McCord in 1756, the private fort was poorly constructed and from all accounts could not be easily defended. Fort McCord might have only been a footnote in the history of the state had it not been for the arrival of Chief Shingas and his warriors in early 1756. Notes: 1) Some sources state that the fort was built on William McCord’s lands. There is a William and John McCord who were brothers and I believe the fort erected by John was erected on his brother’s lands. 2) Exactly when the fort was built is vague. Most markers and sources place its erection in 1756, but some places state it was erected in late 1755.
On April 1, 1756, Shingas arrived in the Cumberland Valley. Shingas, also recorded as Chingas and Shingiss, was a noted leader of the Delawares. A member of the Turkey Clan, Shingas was a feared warrior and his name created dread in the hearts of those living on the frontier. John Heckwelder, the noted Moravian missionary, described Shingas as having a small stature, but made up for it with his fighting and courage.
The raid into the Cumberland Valley in April 1756 was not the first one that Shingas led into the region. He previously led a band of warriors into the region in late 1755. His raiding party entered the Cumberland Valley and for several days murdered settlers and took captives. Among those captured were members of the Martin and Knox families who lived in the Big Cove region.
While many of his raids and skirmishes have been lost to history, the raid in the April of 1756 would secure Shingas a place in Pennsylvania’s frontier history, when he and his band of warriors attacked and burned Fort McCord. The exact events of the attack on and the burning of Fort McCord have been lost over the years and have remained a debate among those who have studied the attack’s recorded history.
What is known about the destruction of Fort McCord is the twenty-seven settlers who had sought refuge there were either killed or taken prisoner. After burning the fort to the ground, Shingas and his men started back into the wilds of western Pennsylvania; his intention was to take their prisoners to Kittanning.
Almost immediately a group of militia and settlers, led by Captain Alexander Culbertson, started after Shingas and his raiding party. At Fort Lyttleton, Captain Culbertson’s party was reinforced by nineteen men from the fort, along with a group of men from Fort Granville who were also searching for Shingas and his warriors. The combined group of rescuers caught up with Shingas and his warriors at Sideling Hill, but the exact location of the battle has been lost to history.
What followed was a two hour battle. During the battle, Shingas’ group was reinforced and they dealt a terrible blow to Captain Culbertson’s force. Thirty-two members of Captain Culbertson’s combined group were killed and another seventeen were wounded. While the fighting was going on, Captain Culbertson was shot and killed. With his death, the Pennsylvania forces lost a loyal and brave man.
Another victim of the fighting was Mary McCord, the daughter of Ann McCord. During the fighting, she was accidentally shot and killed by those trying to rescue her.
Listed among those killed during the pursuit was John Blair. Blair is listed as a soldier, but in some accounts, he is listed as another resident who was taken captive – it is possible he was a soldier at the fort who had been taken prisoner. At one point during the chase, one of Shingas’s warriors killed Mr. Blair and cut his head off. The head was then tossed onto Ann McCord’s lap with the claim it was the head of her husband. Ann knew the man killed was not her husband, but I cannot imagine the terror she must have experienced. Ann would be recovered later that year when General Armstrong attacked the Indian village at Kittanning.
As I stood there taking in my surroundings, I see the rolling hills that were farmed over two centuries ago are still being farmed. A sense of emptiness fills the air – the remoteness of long ago still exists here in the shadow of the Blue Mountains. Though the modern world has caught up with the region, it still holds the excitement and emptiness that existed years and years ago when this was the American frontier.
After its destruction, Fort McCord was not rebuilt. The fort became one of the most famous of Pennsylvania’s private forts, but unfortunately it was only due to its destruction that the fort was – and still is – remembered.
Notes: I’ve had the chance to debate the fall of this fort with a number of people and a question that has been asked is why Culbertson led his men to Fort Lyttleton, which seems to be out of the way. Rereading Sipe’s The Indian Wars of Pennsylvania, I found an answer to that question. Robert Robinson, who was a part of the party pursuing Shingas, wrote that they were following the path the raiding Indians had taken and that path passed by Fort Lyttleton.
A glance at Wallace’s Indian Paths of Pennsylvania, the Raystown Path passes near Fort Lyttleton before moving towards the northwest. Wallace records that the Raystown Path passed through the gap created by Sideling Hill Creek, between the present-day towns of New Grenada and Waterfall (on Route 913). In Hanna’s The Wilderness Trail he states that the Ray’s Town Path was the major route through the mountain used by Indians and traders alike and it passed through this gap in Sideling Hill. Neither Hanna or Wallace mention any other path crossing Sideling Hill.
With the information from the books by Wallace and Hanna, I am confident in stating that the Battle of Sideling Hill occurred in this gap. Unless Singas and his raiding party used a path that has been lost to history, the Battle of Sideling Hill happened here. The lay of the land would provide a perfect trap if Shingas had his men wait to ambush their pursuers as they entered the gap.
The Pennsylvania Rambler 
I believe you are correct regarding Ft. McCord being erected in 1755. What follows is taken from my family genealogy written by Virginia B. Dentry reading an ancestor Alexander Stewart.
In 1755 he was made Captain of the Second Company of Foot (Baltimore Towne Militia). He was active in Baltimore Towne after the defeat of General Braddock and in the summer of 1755 he marched a company of 80 men into Pennsylvania to help the frontier settlers. The Muster List of Baltimore Towne Militia of Foot signed by Nicholas Ruxton Gay (Alexander’s brother-in-law, the husband of Ann (Lux) Gay) the Commissioner. It was an undated document of one page which reads: “Colonel Charles Ridgely, Captain Daniel Bowley- First Company of Foot, Captain Alexander Stewart- Second Company of Foot. Captain William Smith- Artillerist. Company Supply Officer- Lloyd Buchanan.”
The following notes from the Baltimore Towne Day Book at the Hall of Records, Annapolis:
“We marched our troops in lines of companys of forty men each to the north gate of the town and assembled them and the wagons with our provisions. After a shortened space of time the troop formed it’s rank and started the march toward the northern frontier.” Signed Daniel Bowley, Captain (August 8, 1755)
“The slaughter of women and children at York County was most horrible, we buried the dead and placed a mark knowing not who the unfortunate souls were as many were burnt and been dead for weeks.” Signed Alexander Stewart, Captain (August 18, 1755)
“After almost two weeks- resting only on the Sabbath we reached Fort McCord. The 12 in the Fort thanked us most cordially and helped us to bury their dead as the eleven men who had been killed were laying about the fort since a week then. We found a dead Indian about a cables length from the fort, he was wearing body armour and no one in the company can venture forth an intention of any where the savage may have obtained it. The breastplate had been pierced with a rod. We buried the savage outside the fort with the others. The men of the fort would not venture forth to bury their dead fearing an attack. We rested two days and started our march to York after the relief company arrived from that towne. Captain Alexander Stewart is with fever and we pray that the dead did not hold the fever.” Signed Daniel Bowley, Captain Baltimore Towne Company (October 13, 1755).
LikeLike
Can you share the names of those who were killed in the attack on Fort McCord?
LikeLike
Brian – I contacted a gentleman I know who has done a lot more research on the fort than I have. I’m waiting for him to get back to me with any and all names he has who was killed.
LikeLike
Are there any maps of the area showing the fort and surrounding homes?
LikeLike
Here are the coordinates for the Fort McCord Memorial. N 39° 59.094′ W 077° 46.41′
LikeLike
Chief Shingas also led another raid near Hershey Pa. Derry at that time. In this raid, He led the “Turtle Clan” I do not know a whole lot about it, but another McCord family was affected. David the Weaver of Derry Pa. (Hershey) There is a Cemetery at the Presbyterian Church there with McCords among other families. Have you done a blog about that attack?
LikeLike
I have not. I’ll definitely look into it
LikeLike
I am sure there were several families besides McCord that were in the fort, as well as the battle of siding hill. I look forward to your friend getting back to you. Good article, thank you!
LikeLike
Thank you kindly! The Derry attack was at the farm of “David the Weaver McCord. I believe it was during the French/Indian War. There are two separate families that are not related that use the McCord Surname. I and others are trying to sort them out. We are using historical records as well as DNA, (Both autosomal, and Y DNA) We are beginning to make a little progress.
LikeLike
Any idea where the Derry attack and the farm of David McCord is actually located? This is a relative of mine and I have been trying to track it down.
LikeLike
The list I have on hand comes from the memorial. I will change this if other names come up.
During the conflict and at Sideling Hill: Mary McCord, Mrs. John Thorn and babe, Mrs. Anne McCord wife of John McCord and two daughters Martha Thorn, a young mother with unborn babe, and a young girl.
Soldiers killed at Sideling Hill: Captain Alexander Culbertson • John Reynolds Ensign • William Chambers • William Kerr • Daniel McCoy • James Blair • James Robertson Tailor • John Layson • James Robertson Weaver • William Denny • James Peace • Francis Scott • John Blair • William Boyd • Henry Jones • Jacob Jones • John Kelly • Robert Kerr • James Lowder.
Wounded in Battle of Sideling Hill: Lieutenant Jamieson • Abraham Jones • John McDonald • Francis Campbell • Isaac Miller • William Reynolds • William Hunter • John Barnett • Matthias Canshorn • Benjamin Blyth • William Swailes.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for this info. I am currently studying this battle for genealogical purposes.
LikeLike
Tracy,
Apparently there was more than one attack on Ft. McCord or there is more than one Ft. McCord. Until now I have been unable to reconcile the dates (Ft. McCord attack- Spring 1756 vs attack referenced here – Summer 1755) into anything other than two different attacks. But your reference to an attack near Hershey may explain. Below is a narrative taken from genealogical research done on a Stewart ancestor of mine.
….”In 1755 he was made Captain of the Second Company of Foot (Baltimore Towne Militia). He was active in Baltimore Towne after the defeat of General Braddock and in the summer of 1755 he marched a company of 80 men into Pennsylvania to help the frontier settlers. The Muster List of Baltimore Towne Militia of Foot signed by Nicholas Ruxton Gay (Alexander’s brother-in-law, the husband of Ann (Lux) Gay) the Commissioner. It was an undated document of one page which reads: “Colonel Charles Ridgely, Captain Daniel Bowley- First Company of Foot, Captain Alexander Stewart- Second Company of Foot. Captain William Smith- Artillerist. Company Supply Officer- Lloyd Buchanan.”1
The following notes from the Baltimore Towne Day Book at the Hall of Records, Annapolis:
“We marched our troops in lines of companys of forty men each to the north gate of the town and assembled them and the wagons with our provisions. After a shortened space of time the troop formed it’s rank and started the march toward the northern frontier.” Signed Daniel Bowley, Captain (August 8, 1755)
“The slaughter of women and children at York County was most horrible, we buried the dead and placed a mark knowing not who the unfortunate souls were as many were burnt and been dead for weeks.” Signed Alexander Stewart, Captain (August 18, 1755)
“After almost two weeks- resting only on the Sabbath we reached Fort McCord. The 12 in the Fort thanked us most cordially and helped us to bury their dead as the eleven men who had been killed were laying about the fort since a week then. We found a dead Indian about a cables length from the fort, he was wearing body armour and no one in the company can venture forth an intention of any where the savage may have obtained it. The breastplate had been pierced with a rod. We buried the savage outside the fort with the others. The men of the fort would not venture forth to bury their dead fearing an attack. We rested two days and started our march to York after the relief company arrived from that towne. Captain Alexander Stewart is with fever and we pray that the dead did not hold the fever.” Signed Daniel Bowley, Captain Baltimore Towne Company (October 13, 1755).
1 “First Families of Baltimore- Alexander Stewart 1746-1769” by Lewis Henry Dielman, found at the Maryland Historical Society.
LikeLike
FYI…You left two names out of the list of the dead from the battle of Sideling Hill. Jacob Painter, an ancestor of mine and Jacob Jones…both listed on the battle’s memorial.
LikeLike
Dave, Thank you kindly for the above article regarding Captain Stewart. In the Derry (Hershey) attack, they supposedly took their captives to North Carolina. Yes, it is my understanding that there were multiple attacks. I am not sure what the fort was named in Derry, but there must have been more than one as you pointed out. There was also a Fort Loudoun to the Southeast of the Franklin County Fort McCord, just on the other side of Parnell Knob. The confusion comes from two different Clans of McCords that are not related to each other using the same Surname. I guess in those days it was common to use Partonomic naming conventions. (Did not have to be related to use the name.) Another researcher, and I, (Non-professional,) have been using Y DNA analysis to separate the two. It has taken more than two years to get where we are, but we are making a dent in it. Both McCord families have quite a tragic history in the Colonies. The conditions they had to endure in those pioneering days humbles me.
LikeLike
You are correct about taking captives to North Carolina. My 7th great grandfather was David McCord who was killed in the Derry attack. He had multiple children taken captive and taken to North Carolina. They later escaped and settled just outside of Charlotte. I’ve been trying to locate where the actual farm and attack happened in the Derry, PA area.
LikeLike
Thanks to a friend in England, I was led to the answer concerning the massacre of 1755, It happened at the Great Cove just west of Fort McCord. October 15, 1755. Then the fort fell in 1756.
LikeLike
Obviously, I was wrong about Derry/Hershey attack. I was also wrong on the date of the Great Cove Massacre. It was circa November 1-7, 1755. It still seems that something happened at a Farm in Derry/Hershey Pa. Perhaps a smaller attack?
LikeLike
Hello everybody my name is Lincoln Poehlein. I am the 7th great grandson of Captain Alexander Culbertson. I have been doing some genealogical research and want to thank you for a great article! I hope to visit this memorial and other local spots of interest someday. I was also interested if anybody has the coordinates of the actual Sideling Hill Battle? I’m hoping to one day eventually find that actual spot that Captain Alexander Culbertson is buried. please reach out to me and I can send you any info I have! lincoln.poehlein@gmail.com
LikeLike