many of the victims of the battle and massacre. The commemorative ceremonies began in 1878, to mark the 100th anniversary of the battle and massacre. The principal speaker at the event was President Rutherford B. Hayes. During the 100th anniversary commemoration, the people of Wyoming Valley used the motto "An honest tale speeds best when plainly told" in an effort to promote the historical account of the battle. The annual program has continued each year since then on the grounds. One hundred and seventy-eight names of Patriots killed in the battle are listed on the Wyoming Monument, and the names of about a dozen militia who were killed or died in captivity a day or so prior to the main battle. A possible explanation for the difference between the number of names on the monument (178) and the reported number of scalps taken in the battle (227) is that allegedly numerous civilians (perhaps as many as 200)—instead of surrendering to Colonel Butler—elected to flee and died of exposure in a swamp known as the "Shades of Death" after the battle. Order of battle In the battle: "Regular" Company commanded by Captain Dethie Hewitt {40-44 men} {Reportedly only 15 of Company survived}. Shawnee Company commanded by Captain Asaph Whittlesey at Forty Fort {44 men} Hanover Company commander Captain Wm McKarrchen; but commanded by Captain Lazarus Stewart;Lt Lazarus Stewart Jr{30-40 men} Lower Wilkes-Barre Company commanded by Captain James Bidlack Jr. at Wilkes-Barre {38 Men} Upper Wilkes-Barre Company commanded by Captain Rezin Geer at Wilkes-Barre {30 men} Kingston Company commanded by Captain Aholiab Buck at Forty Fort {44 men} It is also alleged there were about 100 men neither mustered nor enrolled. Connecticut Militia: Lt Elijah Shoemaker; Lt Asa Stevens; Pennsylvania Militia: Lt. Daniel Gore {wounded-lost an arm}; Ensign Silas Gore; Rolls of Durkee's; Ransom's; Spaulding Companies. Independent Company aka Wyoming Valley Company {Consolidated with Ransom Company}-commanded by Captain Robert Durkee {resigned June 23, 1778}; Lt James Wells {85 men-not counting Durkee} {5 reported killed at Wyoming} Independent Wyoming Valley Company-commanded by Captain Samuel Ransom; 1st Lt Perin Ross {resigned Oct 25, 1777}; 2nd Lt Timothy Pierce {Pierce also reported part of Spaulding Company}; {58 men-not counting Ransom and Pierce; 4 reported killed at Wyoming. In addition Heitman's register reports Ross killed in battle}. The following units did not take part in the battle: Consolidated Company from Ransom and Durkee companies commanded by