COMPRISING AN ACCOUNT OF THE WARS WITH THE INDIANS ON THE OHIO, WRITTEN
BY HIMSELF.
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T was on the first of May, 1769, that I resigned my domestic happiness,
and left my family and peaceful habitation on the Yadkin river, in North
Carolina, to wander through the wilderness of America, in quest of the
country of Kentucky, in company with John Finley, John Stuart, Joseph
Holden, James Monay, and William Cool.
On the 7th of June, after travelling in a western direction, we found
ourselves on Red River, where John Finley, had formerly been trading
with the Indians, and from the top of an eminence saw with pleasure the
beautiful level of Kentucky. For some time we had experienced the most
uncomfortable weather. We now encamped, made a shelter to defend us from
the inclement season, and began to hunt and reconnoitre the country. We
found abundance of beasts in this vast forest. The buffaloes were more
numerous than cattle on their settlements, browsing on the leaves of the
cane, or cropping the herbage on these extensive plains. We saw hundreds
in a drove, and the numbers around the salt springs were amazing. In
this forest, the habitation of beasts of every American kind, we hunted
with great success until December.
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On the 22d of December, John Stuart and I had a pleasing ramble; but
fortune changed the day at the close of it. We passed through a great
forest, in which stood myriads of trees, some gay with blossoms, others
rich with fruits. Nature was here a series of wonders, and a fund of
delight. Here she displayed her ingenuity and industry in a variety
of flowers and fruits, beautifully colored, elegantly shaped, and
charmingly flavored; and we were favored with numberless animals
presenting themselves perpetually to our view. In the decline of the
day, near Kentucky river, as we ascended the brow of a small hill, a
number of Indians rushed out of a cane brake and made us prisoners.
The Indians plundered us and kept us in confinement seven days. During
this time we discovered no uneasiness or desire to escape, which made
them less suspicious; but in the dead of night, as we lay by a large
fire in a thick cane brake, when sleep had locked up their senses, my
situation not disposing me to rest, I gently awoke my companion. We
seized this favorable opportunity and departed; directing our course
towards the old camp, but we found it plundered and our company
destroyed or dispersed.
About this time as my brother with another adventurer, who came to
explore the country shortly after us, were wandering through the forest,
they accidentally found our camp. Notwithstanding our unfortunate
circumstances, and our dangerous situation, surrounded by hostile
savages, our meeting fortunately in the wilderness gave us the most
sensible satisfaction.
Soon after this, my companion in captivity, John Stuart, was killed by
the savages, and the man who came with my brother, while on a private
excursion, was soon after attacked and killed by the wolves. We were
now in a dangerous and helpless situation, exposed daily to perils and
death, among savages and wild beasts, not a white man in the country but
ourselves.
Although many hundred miles from our families, in the howling
wilderness, we did not continue in a state of indolence, but hunted
every day, and prepared a little cottage to defend us from the winter.
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On the 1st of May, 1770, my brother returned home for a new recruit of
horses and ammunition; leaving me alone, without salt, bread, or sugar,
or even a horse or a dog. I passed a few days uncomfortably. The idea of
a beloved wife and family, and their anxiety on my account, would have
disposed me to melancholy if I had further indulged in the thought.
One day I undertook a tour through the country, when the diversity and
beauties of nature I met with in this charming season, expelled every
gloomy thought. Just at the close of the day, the gentle gales ceased;
a profound calm ensued; not a breath shook the tremulous leaf. I
had gained the summit of a commanding ridge, and looking around with
astonishing delight, beheld the ample plains and beauteous tracts below.
On one hand I surveyed the famous Ohio rolling in silent dignity, and
marking the western boundary of Kentucky with inconceivable grandeur.
At a vast distance I beheld the mountains lift their venerable brows
and penetrate the clouds, All things were still. I kindled a fire near
a fountain of sweet water, and feasted on the line of a buck which I
had killed a few hours before. The shades of night soon overspread the
hemisphere, and the earth seemed to gasp after the hovering moisture. At
a distance I frequently heard the hideous yells of savages. My excursion
had fatigued my body and amused my mind. I laid me down to sleep, and
awoke not until the sun had chased away the night. I continued this
tour, and in a few days explored a considerable part of the country,
each day equally pleasing as the first. After which I returned to my old
camp, which had not been disturbed in my absence. I did not confine
my lodging to it, but often reposed in thick cane brakes to avoid the
savages, who I believe frequently visited my camp, but fortunately for
me in my absence. No populous city, with all its varieties of commerce
and stately structures, could afford such pleasure to my mind, as the
beauties of nature which I found in this country.
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Until the 27th of July, I spent my time in an uninterrupted scene
of sylvan pleasures, when my brother, to my great felicity, met me,
according to appointment, at our old camp. Soon after we left the
place and proceeded to Cumberland river, reconnoitring that part of the
country, and giving names to the different rivers.
In March, 1771, I returned home to my family, being determined to bring
them as soon as possible, at the risk of my life and fortune, to reside
in Kentucky, which I esteemed a second paradise.
On my return I found my family in happy circumstances. I sold my farm on
the Yadkin, and what goods we could not carry with us, and on the 25th
of September, 1773, we took leave of our friends, and proceeded on our
journey to Kentucky, in company with five more families, and forty men
that joined us in Powel’s Valley, which is one hundred and fifty miles
from the new settled parts of Kentucky. But this promising beginning was
soon overcast with a cloud of adversity.
On the 10th of October, the rear of our company was attacked by a party
of Indians; who killed six, and wounded one man. Of these my eldest son
was one that fell in the action. Though we repulsed the enemy, yet
this unhappy affair scattered our cattle and brought us into extreme
difficulty. We returned forty miles to the settlement on Clench river.
We had passed over two mountains, Powel’s and Walden’s, and were
approaching Cumberland mountain, when this adverse fortune overtook us.
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These mountains are in the wilderness, in passing from the old
settlement in Virginia to Kentucky; are ranged in a south-west and
north-east’ direction; are of great length and breadth, and not far
distant from each other. Over them nature has formed passes less
difficult than might be expected from the view of such huge piles. The
aspect of these cliffs is so wild and horrid, that it is impossible to
behold them without horror.
Until the 6th of June, 1774, I remained with my family on the Clench,
when myself and another person were solicited by Governor Dunmore, of
Virginia, to conduct a number of surveyors to the Falls of Ohio. This
was a tour of eight hundred miles, and took sixty-two days.
On my return, Governor Dunmore gave me the command of three garrisons
during the campaign against the Shawanese. In March, 1775, at the
solicitation of a number of gentlemen of North Carolina, I attended
their treaty at Wataga with the Cherokee Indians, to purchase the lands
on the south side of Kentucky river. After this, I undertook to mark out
a road in the best passage from the settlements through the wilderness
to Kentucky.
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Having collected a number of enterprising men, well armed, I soon began
this work. We proceeded until we came within fifteen miles of where
Boonesborough now stands, where the Indians attacked us, and killed two
and wounded two more of our party. This was on the 22d of March, 1775.
Two days after we were again attacked by them, when we had two more
killed and three wounded. After this we proceeded on to Kentucky river
without opposition.
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On the 1st of April we began to erect the fort of Boonesborough, at a
salt lick sixty yards from the river, on the south side. On the 4th, the
Indians killed one of our men. On the 14th of June, having completed
the fort, I returned to my family on the Clench, and whom I soon after
removed to the fort. My wife and daughter were supposed to be the first
white women that ever stood on the banks of Kentucky river.
On the 24th of December, the Indians killed one of our men and wounded
another; and on the 15th of July, 1776, they took my daughter prisoner.
I immediately pursued them with eight men, and on the 16th overtook and
engaged them. I killed two of them, and recovered my daughter.
The Indians having divided themselves into several parties, attacked
in one day all our infant settlements and forts, doing a great deal of
damage. The husbandmen were ambushed and unexpectedly attacked while
toiling in the field. They continued this kind of warfare until the 15th
of April, 1777, when nearly one hundred of them attacked the village
of Boonesborough, and killed a number of its inhabitants. On the 16th
Colonel Logan’s fort was attacked by two hundred Indians. There were
only thirteen men in the fort, of whom the enemy killed two and wounded
one.
On the 20th of August, Colonel Bowman arrived with one hundred men from
Virginia, with which additional force we had almost daily skirmishes
with the Indians, who began now to learn the superiority of the “long
knife,” as they termed us the Virginians; being outgeneraled in almost
every action. Our affairs began now to wear a better aspect, the
Indians no longer daring to face us in open field, but sought private
opportunities to destroy us.
On the 7th of February, 1778, while on a hunting excursion alone, I met
a party of one hundred and two Indians and two Frenchmen, marching to
attack Boonesborough. They pursued and took me prisoner, and conveyed me
to Old Chilicothe, the principal Indian town on Little Miami, where we
arrived on the 18th of February, after an uncomfortable journey. On the
10th of March I was conducted to Detroit, and while there, was treated
with great humanity by Governor Hamilton, the British commander, at that
post, and intendant for Indian affairs.
The Indians had such an affection for me that they refused one hundred
pounds sterling offered them by the governor, if they would consent to
leave me with him, that he might be enabled to liberate me on my parole.
Several English gentlemen then at Detroit, sensible of my adverse
fortune, and touched with sympathy, generously offered to supply my
wants, which I declined with many thanks, adding that I never expected
it would be in my power to recompense such unmerited generosity.
On the 10th of April, the Indians returned with me to Old Chilicothe,
were we arrived on the 25th. This was a long and fatiguing march,
although through an exceeding fertile country, remarkable for springs
and streams of water. At Chilicothe I spent my time as comfortably as I
could expect; was adopted according to their custom, into a family
where I became a son, and had a great share in the affection of my new
parents, brothers, sisters, and friends. I was exceedingly familiar
and friendly with them, always appearing as cheerful and contented as
possible, and they put great confidence in me. I often went a hunting
with them, and frequently gained their applause for my activity at our
shooting matches. I was careful not to exceed many of them in shooting,
for no people are more envious than they in this sport. I could observe
in their countenances and gestures the greatest expressions of joy, when
they exceeded me, and when the reverse happened, of envy. The Shawanese
king took great notice of me, and treated me with profound respect
and entire friendship, often entrusting me to hunt at my liberty. I
frequently returned with the spoils of the woods, and as often presented
some of what I had taken to him, expressive of duty to my sovereign. My
food and lodging was in common with them, not so good indeed as I could
desire, but necessity made every thing acceptable.
I now began to meditate an escape, and carefully avoided giving
suspicion. I continued at Chilicothe until the 1st day of June, when I
was taken to the salt springs on the Sciota, and there employed ten days
in the manufacturing of salt. During this time I hunted with my Indian
masters, and found the land, for a greats extent about this river, to
exceed the soil of Kentucky.
On my return to Chilicothe, one hundred and fifty of the choicest
warriors were ready to march against Boonesborough. They were painted
and armed in a frightful manner. This alarmed me, and I determined to
escape.
On the 18th of June, before sun rise, I went off secretly, and reached
Boonesborough on the 20th, a journey of one hundred and sixty miles,
during which I had only one meal. I found our fortress in a bad state,
but we immediately repaired our flanks, gates, and posterns, and formed
double bastions, which we completed in ten days. One of my fellow,
prisoners escaped after me, and brought advice that on account of my
flight the Indians had put off their expedition for three weeks.
About the first of August I set out with nineteen men, to surprise Point
Creek Town, on Sciota, within four miles of which we fell in with forty
Indians, going against Boonesborough. We attacked them and they soon
gave way without any loss on our part. The enemy had one killed and two
wounded. We took three horses and all their baggage. The Indians having
evacuated their town, and gone altogether against Boonesborough,
we returned, passed them on the 6th, and on the 7th arrived safe at
Boonesborough.
On the 9th the Indian army, consisting of four hundred and forty-four
men, under the command of Captain Duquesne, and eleven other Frenchmen
and their own chiefs, arrived and summoned the fort to surrender. I
requested two days’ consideration, which was granted. During this we
brought in through the posterns all the horses and other cattle we could
collect.
On the 9th, in the evening, I informed their commander that we were
determined to defend the fort while a man was living. They then proposed
a treaty, they would withdraw. The treaty was held within sixty yards of
the fort, as we suspected the savages. The articles were agreed to and
signed; when the Indians told us it was their-custom for two Indians
to shake hands with every white man in the treaty, as an evidence of
friendship. We agreed to this also. They immediately grappled us to take
us prisoners, but we cleared ourselves of them, though surrounded by
hundreds, and gained the fort safe, except one man, who was wounded by a
heavy fire from the enemy.
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The savages now began to undermine the fort, beginning at the water
mark of the Kentucky river, which is sixty yards from the fort; this we
discovered by the water being muddy by the clay. We countermined them
by cutting a trench across their subterraneous passage. The enemy
discovering this by the clay we threw out of the fort, desisted. On
the 20th of August, they raised the siege, during which we had two
men killed and four wounded. We lost a number of cattle. The enemy had
thirty-seven killed, and a much larger number wounded. We picked up one
hundred and twenty-five pounds of their bullets, besides what stuck in
the logs of the fort.
In July, 1779, during my absence, Colonel Bowman, with one hundred and
sixty men, went against the Shawanese of Old Chilicothe. He arrived
undiscovered. A battle ensued which lasted until ten in the morning,
when Colonel Bowman retreated thirty miles. The Indians collected all
their strength and pursued him, when another engagement ensued for two
hours, not to Colonel Bowman’s advantage. Colonel Harrod proposed to
mount a number of horses, and break the enemy’s line, who at this time
fought with remarkable fury. This desperate measure had a happy effect,
and the savages fled on all sides. In these two engagements we had nine
men killed and one wounded. The enemy’s loss uncertain. Only two scalps
were taken.
June 23d, 1780, five hundred Indians and Canadians, under Colonel Bird,
attacked Riddle and Martin’s station, on the forks of Licking river,
with six pieces of artillery. They took all the inhabitants captives,
and killed one man and two women, loading the others with the heavy
baggage, and such as failed in the journey were tomahawked.
The hostile disposition of the savages caused General Clark, the
commandant at the Falls of Ohio, to march with his regiment and the
armed force of the country against Peccaway, the principal town of the
Shawa-nese, on a branch of the Great Miami, which he attacked with great
success, took seventy scalps, and reduced the town to ashes, with the
loss of seventeen men.
About this time I returned to Kentucky with my family; for during my
captivity, my wife thinking me killed by the Indians, had transported my
family and goods on horses through the wilderness, amidst many dangers,
to her father’s house in North Carolina.
On the 6th of October, 1780, soon after my settling again at
Boonesborough, I went with my brother to the Blue Licks, and on our
return he was shot by a party of Indians, who followed me by the scent
of a dog, which I shot and escaped. The severity of the winter caused
great distress in Kentucky, the enemy during the summer having destroyed
most of the corn. The inhabitants lived chiefly on buffalo’s flesh.
In the spring of 1782, the Indians harassed us. In May, they ravished,
killed, and scalped a woman and her two daughters, near Ashton’s
station, and took a negro prisoner. Captain Ashton pursued them with
twenty-men, and in an engagement which lasted two hours, his party were
obliged to retreat, having eight killed, and four mortally wounded.
Their brave commander fell in the action.
August 18th, two boys were carried off from Major Hoy’s station. Captain
Holden pursued the enemy with seventeen men, who were also defeated,
with the loss of seven killed and two wounded. Our affairs became more
and more alarming. The savages infested the country and destroyed the
whites as opportunity presented. In a field near Lexington, an Indian
shot a man, and running to scalp him, was himself shot from the fort,
and fell dead upon the ground. All the Indian nations were now united
against us.
August 10th, five hundred Indians and Canadians came against Briat’s
station, five miles from Lexington. They assaulted the fort and all the
cattle round it; but being repulsed, they retired the third day, having
about eighty killed; their wounded uncertain. The garrison had four
killed and nine wounded.
August 18th, Colonels Todd and Trigg, Major Harland and myself, speedily
collected one hundred and seventy-six men, well armed, and pursued the
savages. They had marched beyond the Blue Lick, to a remarkable bend of
the main fork of Licking river, about forty-three miles from Lexington,
where we overtook them on the 19th. The savages observing us, gave way,
and we being ignorant of their numbers, passed the river. When they saw
our proceedings, having greatly the advantage in situation, they formed
their line of battle from one end of Licking to the other, about a mile
from the Blue Licks. The engagement was close and warm for about fifteen
minutes, when we being overpowered by numbers, were obliged to retreat,
with the loss of seventy-seven men, seven of whom were taken prisoners.
The brave and much lamented Colonels Todd and Trigg, Major Harland, and
my second son were among the dead. We were afterwards informed that the
Indians on numbering their dead, finding that they had four more killed
than we, four of our people that they had taken were given up to their
young warriors, to be put to death after their barbarous manner.
On our retreat we were met by Colonel Logan, who was hastening to join
us with a number of well armed men. This powerful assistance we wanted
on the day of battle. The enemy said one more fire from us would have
made them give way.
I cannot reflect upon this dreadful scene, without great sorrow. A
zeal for the defence of their country led these heroes to the scene of
action, though with a few men, to attack a powerful army of experienced
warriors. When we gave way, they pursued us with the utmost eagerness,
and in every quarter spread destruction. The river was difficult to
cross, and many were killed in the fight, some just entering the river,
some in the water, and others after crossing, in ascending the cliffs.
Some escaped on horseback, a few on foot; and being dispersed every
where, in a few hours, brought the melancholy news of this unfortunate
battle to Lexington. Many widows were made. The reader may guess what
sorrow filled the hearts of the inhabitants, exceeding any thing that I
am able to describe. Being reinforced, we returned to bury the dead, and
found their bodies strewed everywhere, cut and mangled in a dreadful
manner. This mournful scene exhibited a horror almost unparalleled: some
torn and eaten by wild beasts; those in the river eaten by fishes; and
all in such a putrid condition that no one could be distinguished from
another.
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When General Clark, at the Falls of the Ohio, heard of our disaster, he
ordered an expedition to pursue the savages. We overtook them within two
miles of their town, and we should have obtained a great victory had not
some of them met us when about two hundred poles from their camp. The
savages fled in the utmost disorder, and evacuated all their towns.
We burned to ashes Old Chilicothe, Peccaway, New Chilicothe, and
Wills Town; entirely destroyed their corn and other fruits, and spread
desolation through their country. We took seven prisoners and fifteen
scalps, and lost only four men, two of whom were accidentally killed
by ourselves. This campaign dampened the enemy, yet they made secret
incursions.
In October, a party attacked Crab Orchard, and one of them being a good
way before the others, boldly entered a house in which were only woman
and her children, and a negro man. The savage used no violence, but
attempted to carry off the negro, who happily proved too strong for him,
and threw him on the ground, and in the struggle the woman cut off
his head with an axe, whilst her daughter shut the door. The savages
instantly came up and applied their tomahawks to the door, when the
mother putting an old rusty gun barrel through the crevices, the savages
immediately went off.
From that time till the happy return of peace between the United States
and Great Britain, the Indians did us no mischief. Soon after this the
Indians desired peace.
Two darling sons and a brother I have lost by savage hands, which have
also taken from me forty valuable horses, and abundance of cattle. Many
dark and sleepless nights have I spent, separated from the cheerful
society of men, scorched by the summer’s sun, and pinched by the
winter’s cold, an instrument ordained to settle the wilderness.
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