Daniel Brodhead was an American Revolutionary War General.
Background
Daniel Brodhead was probably born on September 17, 1736 in Albany, New York, where his father was a merchant. He was a son of Daniel Brodhead II and Hester (Wyngart) Brodhead.
In 1737 the family removed to Brodhead Manor in Bucks County (now Monroe County), Pennsylvania. Here Daniel III grew up in the wild surroundings of the frontier. His father was an extensive landowner and justice of the peace for Bucks County, who died on July 22, 1755. Some months later, on December 11, the Indians made a fierce but unsuccessful attack upon the family home.
Career
In 1773 Daniel III moved to Reading, where he became deputy surveyor-general. At the beginning of the Revolution he was chosen delegate to the Pennsylvania Convention, and raised a company of riflemen to join Washington. After the battle of Long Island, he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the 4th Pennsylvania and was made colonel of the 8th Pennsylvania in March 1777.
After passing the winter at Valley Forge, the regiment was sent, in March 1778, to Pittsburgh, where General Lachlan McIntosh was in command.
McIntosh was recalled in April 1779 and Colonel Brodhead was appointed commandant in his place. It was at first designed that he should cooperate with General Sullivan in invading the Iroquois country, but the commander-in-chief thought the distances too great for effective action; Brodhead, however, with 600 men made a swift march up the Allegheny, and in thirty-three days terrorized and subdued the Indians of that region. Brodhead was successful in his negotiations with the Delawares, who gave him the name Machingwe Keesuch, "Great Moon".
He made a treaty of alliance with them, which, for a time, kept the frontier from invasion. The Delawares finally went on the war-path, however, and Brodhead in the spring of 1781 raided their territory. This expedition is thought to have been undertaken to avoid cooperation with General George Rogers Clark, who was planning an expedition against Detroit.
He was tried by court martial and acquitted, but Washington felt obliged to remove him from command. After the close of the war he was brevetted brigadier-general and retired to his home at Milford, Pike County, Pennsylvania.
He was not, however, discredited in Pennsylvania, served as its surveyor general, and died respected by his community, which in 1872 raised a monument to him.
Achievements
Views
Daniel Brodhead had military ability, but was a martinet in discipline; he was inordinately ambitious and jealous of other officers; and he did not neglect to further his private interests even while commandant.
Membership
Daniel Brodhead was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati.
Connections
Daniel Brodhead was twice married: first, to Elizabeth Dupui; second, to Rebecca, widow of Gen. Mifflin.