While stationed at Wheeling Creek, young Patrick Gass made the acquaintance of famed frontier scout Lewis Wetzel, whose accomplishments rivaled those of Daniel Boone, but who also had a deep hatred of Indians and rarely missed a chance to kill one.
With peace restored, Gass became a carpenter, having bound himself in 1794 for two years or more. he built at least one house (which still stood in Wellsburg in 1859, and also worked on a house for Mr. James Buchanan, father of a boy who went on to become President of the United States. Gass referred to the son as "Little Jimmy."
About this time , in 1794, Patrick also met General Washington, when the latter led troops out to defeat the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. Patrick remained neutral in the fight, though.
Gass apparently stuck to his carpenter trade until at least until May 1799. At that time, relations between France and the United States worsened and Gass enlisted in the 19th Regiment under General Alexander Hamilton.
He was sent to Harpers Ferry in June, 1800, but was soon discharged at Little York, Pennsylvania. However, Gass found that he really enjoyed the military life, he immediately reenlisted under Major Jonathan Cass, the father of General Lewis Cass.
--Brock-Perry
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