with another: Onux, this old squaw at whose wigwam I was, and with whom
my master had been these three weeks. Another was Wettimore, with whom
I had lived and served all this while. A severe and proud dame she was,
bestowing every day in dressing herself near as much time as any of the
gentry of the land; powdering her hair and painting her face, going
with her necklaces, with jewels in her ears, and bracelets upon her
hands. When she had dressed herself, her work was to make girdles of
wampum and beads. The third squaw was a younger one, by whom he had two
papooses.
By that time I was refreshed by the old squaw, Wettimore's maid came to
call me home, at which I fell a-weeping. Then the old squaw told me, to
encourage me, that when I wanted victuals I should come to her, and
that I should lie in her wigwam. Then I went with the maid, and quickly
I came back and lodged there. The squaw laid a mat under me, and a good
rug over me; the first time that I had any such kindness showed me. I
understood that Wettimore thought that if she should let me go and
serve with the old squaw she should be in danger to lose not only my
service, but the redemption-pay also. And I was not a little glad to
hear this; being by it raised in my hopes that in God's due time there
would be an end of this sorrowful hour. Then came an Indian and asked
me to knit him three pair of stockings, for which I had a hat and a
silk handkerchief. Then another asked me to make her a shift, for which
she gave me an apron.
Then came Tom and Peter with the second letter from the council, about
the captives. Though they were Indians, I gat them by the hand, and
burst out into tears; my heart was so full that I could not speak to
them; but recovering myself, I asked them how my husband did, and all
my friends and acquaintance. They said they were well, but very
melancholy. They brought me two biscuits and a pound of tobacco. The
tobacco I soon gave away. When it was all gone one asked me to give him
a pipe of tobacco. I told him it was all gone. Then he began to rant
and threaten. I told him when my husband came I would give him some.
"Hang him, rogue," says he; "I will knock out his brains if he comes
here." And then again at the same breath they would say that if there
should come an hundred without guns they would do them no hurt; so
unstable and like madmen they were. So that, fearing the worst, I durst
not send to my husband, though there were some thoughts of his coming
to redeem and fetch me, not knowing what might follow; for there was
little more trust to them than to the master they served.
When the letter was come, the sagamores met to consult about the
captives, and called me to them to inquire how much my husband would
give to redeem me. When I came I sat down among them, as I was wont to
do, as their manner is. Then they bid me stand up, and said they were
the general court. They bid me speak what I thought he would give. Now
knowing that all we had was destroyed by the Indians, I was in a great
strait. I thought if I should speak of but a little, it would be
slighted and hinder the matter; if of a great sum, I knew not where it
would be procured. Yet at a venture I said twenty pounds, yet desired
them to take less; but they would not hear of that, but sent the
message to Boston, that for twenty pounds I should be redeemed. It was
a praying Indian that wrote their letters for them.
About that time there came an Indian to me, and bid me come to his
wigwam at night, and he would give me some pork and groundnuts, which I
did; and as I was eating, another Indian said to me, "He seems to be
your good friend, but he killed two Englishmen at Sudbury,[15] and there
lie the clothes behind you." I looked behind me, and there I saw bloody
clothes, with bullet-holes in them. Yet the Lord suffered not this
wretch to do me any hurt; yea, instead of that, he many times refreshed
me: five or six times did he and his squaw refresh my feeble carcass.
If I went to their wigwam at any time they would always give me
something, and yet they were strangers that I never saw before. Another
squaw gave me a piece of fresh pork, and a little salt with it, and
lent me her frying-pan to fry it; and I cannot but remember what a
sweet, pleasant, and delightful relish that bit had to me, to this day.
So little do we prize common mercies when we have them to the full.
[15] Sudbury was attacked 21st April.
THE TWENTIETH REMOVE.--It was their usual manner to remove when they
had done any mischief, lest they should be found out; and so they did
at this time. We went about three or four miles, and there they built
a great wigwam, big enough to hold an hundred Indians, which they did
in preparation to a great day of dancing. They would now say among
themselves that the governor would be so angry for his loss at Sudbury
that he would send no more about the captives, which made me grieve and
tremble.
My sister being not far from this place, and hearing that I was here,
desired her master to let her come and see me, and he was willing to
it, and would come with her, but she, being ready first, told him she
would go before, and was come within a mile or two of the place. Then
he overtook her, and began to rant as if he had been mad, and made her
go back again in the rain; so that I never saw her till I saw her in
Charlestown. But the Lord requited many of their ill doings, for this
Indian, her master, was hanged afterwards at Boston.
They began now to come from all quarters, against their merry dancing
day. Among some of them came one good-wife Kettle. I told her my heart
was so heavy that it was ready to break. "So is mine too," said she,
"but yet I hope we shall hear some good news shortly." I could hear how
earnestly my sister desired to see me, and I earnestly desired to see
her; yet neither of us could get an opportunity. My daughter was now
but a mile off, and I had not seen her for nine or ten weeks, as I had
not seen my sister since our first taking. I desired them to let me go
and see them; yea, I entreated, begged, and persuaded them to let me
see my daughter, and yet so hard-hearted were they that they would not
suffer it. They made use of their tyrannical power while they had it,
but through the Lord's wonderful mercy their time was now but short.
On a Sabbath day, the sun being about an hour high in the afternoon,
came Mr. John Hoar (the council permitting him, and his own forward
spirit inclining him), together with the two forementioned Indians, Tom
and Peter, with the third letter from the council. When they came near
I was abroad. They presently called me in, and bid me sit down and not
stir. Then they catched up their guns and away they ran as if an enemy
had been at hand, and the guns went off apace. I manifested some great
trouble, and asked them what was the matter. I told them I thought they
had killed the Englishman (for they had in the meantime told me that an
Englishman was come). They said no; they shot over his horse, and
under, and before his horse, and they pushed him this way and that way,
at their pleasure, showing him what they could do. Then they let him
come to their wigwams.
I begged of them to let me see the Englishman, but they would not; but
there was I fain to sit their pleasure. When they had talked their fill
with him, they suffered me to go to him. We asked each other of our
welfare, and how my husband did, and all my friends. He told me they
were all well, and would be glad to see me. Among other things which my
husband sent me, there came a pound of tobacco, which I sold for nine
shillings in money; for many of them for want of tobacco smoked hemlock
and ground-ivy. It was a great mistake in any who thought I sent for
tobacco, for through the favor of God that desire was overcome.
I now asked them whether I should go home with Mr. Hoar. They answered
no, one and another of them, and it being late, we lay down with that
answer. In the morning Mr. Hoar invited the sagamores to dinner; but
when we went to get it ready, we found they had stolen the greatest
part of the provisions Mr. Hoar had brought. And we may see the
wonderful power of God in that one passage, in that when there was such
a number of them together, and so greedy of a little good food, and no
English there but Mr. Hoar and myself, that there they did not knock us
on the head and take what we had; there being not only some provision,
but also trading cloth, a part of the twenty pounds agreed upon. But
instead of doing us any mischief, they seemed to be ashamed of the
fact, and said it was the _matchit_[16] Indians that did it. Oh,
that we could believe that there was nothing too hard for God. God
showed His power over the heathen in this, as He did over the hungry
lions when Daniel was cast into the den.
[16] Wicked.
Mr. Hoar called them betime to dinner, but they ate but little, they
being so busy in dressing themselves and getting ready for their dance,
which was carried on by eight of them, four men and four squaws, my
master and mistress being two. He was dressed in his Holland shirt,
with great stockings, his garters hung round with shillings, and had
girdles of wampom upon his head and shoulders. She had a kersey coat,
covered with girdles of wampom from the loins upward. Her arms from her
elbows to her hands were covered with bracelets; there were handfuls of
necklaces about her neck, and several sorts of jewels in her ears. She
had fine red stockings, and white shoes, her hair powdered, and her
face painted red, that was always before black. And all the dancers
were after the same manner.
There were two others singing and knocking on a kettle for their music.
They kept hopping up and down one after another, with a kettle of water
in the midst, standing warm upon some embers, to drink of when they
were dry. They held on till almost night, throwing out their wampom to
the standers-by. At night I asked them again if I should go home. They
all as one said no, except my husband would come for me. When we were
lain down, my master went out of the wigwam, and by and by sent in an
Indian called James the printer, who told Mr. Hoar that my master would
let me go home to-morrow if he would let him have one pint of liquor.
Then Mr. Hoar called his own Indians, Tom and Peter, and bid them all
go and see if he would promise it before them three, and if he would he
should have it; which he did and had it.
Philip, smelling the business, called me to him, and asked me what I
would give him to tell me some good news, and to speak a good word for
me, that I might go home to-morrow. I told him I could not tell what to
give him, I would anything I had, and asked him what he would have. He
said two coats, and twenty shillings in money, half a bushel of seed
corn, and some tobacco. I thanked him for his love, but I knew that
good news as well as that crafty fox.
On Tuesday morning they called their General Court, as they styled it,
to consult and determine whether I should go home or no. And they all
seemingly consented that I should go, except Philip, who would not come
among them.
At first they were all against it, except my husband would come for me;
but afterwards they assented to it, and seeming to rejoice in it; some
asking me to send them some bread, others some tobacco, others shaking
me by the hand, offering me a hood and scarf to ride in; not one moving
hand or tongue against it. Thus hath the Lord answered my poor desires,
and the many earnest requests of others put up unto God for me.
In my travels an Indian came to me and told me, if I were willing, he
and his squaw would run away, and go home along with me. I told them
no, I was not willing to run away, but desired to wait God's time, that
I might go home quietly and without fear. And now God hath granted me
my desire. Oh, the wonderful power of God that I have seen, and the
experiences that I have had! I have been in the midst of those roaring
lions and savage bears that feared neither God nor man nor the devil,
by night and day, alone and in company, sleeping all sorts together,
and yet not one of them ever offered the least abuse of unchastity to
me in word or action; though some are ready to say I speak it for my
own credit; but I speak it in the presence of God, and to His glory.
God's power is as great now as it was to save Daniel in the lions' den
or the three children in the fiery furnace. Especially that I should
come away in the midst of so many hundreds of enemies, and not a dog
move his tongue.
So I took my leave of them, and in coming along my heart melted into
tears more than all the while I was with them, and I was almost
swallowed up with the thoughts that ever I should go home again. About
the sun's going down Mr. Hoar, myself, and the two Indians came to
Lancaster; and a solemn sight it was to me. There had I lived many
comfortable years among my relations and neighbors, and now not one
Christian to be seen, or one house left standing. We went on to a
farmhouse that was yet standing, where we lay all night; and a
comfortable lodging we had, though nothing but straw to lie on. The
Lord preserved us in safety that night, raised us up again in the
morning, and carried us along, that before noon we came to Concord. Now
was I full of joy, and yet not without sorrow; joy to see such a lovely
sight, so many Christians together, and some of them my neighbors.
Being recruited with food and raiment, we went to Boston that day,
where I met with my dear husband; but the thoughts of our dear
children--one being dead and the other we could not tell where--abated
our comfort in each other. I was not before so much hemmed in by the
merciless and cruel heathen, but now as much with pitiful,
tender-hearted, and compassionate Christians. In that poor and beggarly
condition I was received in I was kindly entertained in several
houses.... The twenty pounds, the price of my redemption, was raised by
some Boston gentlewomen, and Mr. Usher, whose bounty and charity I
would not forget to make mention of. Then Mr. Thomas Shepard, of
Charlestown, received us into his house, where we continued eleven
weeks; and a father and mother they were unto us. And many more
tender-hearted friends we met with in that place. We were now in the
midst of love, yet not without much and frequent heaviness of heart for
our poor children and other relations who were still in affliction.
The week following, after my coming in, the governor and council sent
to the Indians again, and that not without success; for they brought in
my sister and good-wife Kettle. About this time the council had ordered
a day of public thanksgiving, though I had still cause of mourning; and
being unsettled in our minds, we thought we would ride eastward, to see
if we could hear anything concerning our children. As we were riding
along between Ipswich and Rowley we met with William Hubbard, who told
us our son Joseph and my sister's son were come into Major Waldren's. I
asked him how he knew it. He said the major himself told him so. So
along we went till we came to Newbury; and their minister being absent,
they desired my husband to preach the thanksgiving for them; but he was
not willing to stay there that night, but he would go over to Salisbury
to hear farther, and come again in the morning, which he did, and
preached there that day.
At night, when he had done, one came and told him that his daughter was
come into Providence. Here was mercy on both hands. Now we were between
them, the one on the east, and the other on the west. Our son being
nearest, we went to him first, to Portsmouth, where we met with him,
and with the major also, who told us he had done what he could, but
could not redeem him under seven pounds, which the good people
thereabouts were pleased to pay. On Monday we came to Charlestown,
where we heard that the Governor of Rhode Island had sent over for our
daughter, to take care of her, being now within his jurisdiction; which
should not pass without our acknowledgments. But she being nearer
Rehoboth than Rhode Island, Mr. Newman went over and took care of her,
and brought her to his own house. And the goodness of God was admirable
to us in our low estate, in that he raised up compassionate friends on
every side, when we had nothing to recompense any for their love. Our
family being now gathered together, the South Church in Boston hired a
house for us. Then we removed from Mr. Shepard's (those cordial
friends) and went to Boston, where we continued about three quarters of
a year....
IV
CAPTURE AND ESCAPE OF MERCY HARBISON, 1792
On the 4th of November, 1791, a force of Americans under General
Arthur St. Clair was attacked, near the present Ohio-Indiana
boundary line, by about the same number of Indians led by Blue
Jacket, Little Turtle, and the white renegade Simon Girty. Their
defeat was the most disastrous that ever has been suffered by our
arms when engaged against a savage foe on anything like even terms.
Out of 86 officers and about 1400 regular and militia soldiers, St.
Clair lost 70 officers killed or wounded, and 845 men killed,
wounded, or missing. The survivors fled in panic, throwing away
their weapons and accoutrements. Such was "St. Clair's defeat."
The utter incompetency of the officers commanding this expedition
may be judged from the single fact that a great number of women
were allowed to accompany the troops into a wilderness known to be
infested with the worst kind of savages. There were about 250 of
these women with the "army" on the day of the battle. Of these, 56
were killed on the spot, many being pinned to the earth by stakes
driven through their bodies. Few of the others escaped captivity.
After this unprecedented victory, the Indians became more
troublesome than ever along the frontier. No settler's home was
safe, and many were destroyed in the year of terror that followed.
The awful fate of one of those households is told in the following
touching narrative of Mercy Harbison, wife of one of the survivors
of St. Clair's defeat. How two of her little children were
slaughtered before her eyes, how she was dragged through the
wilderness with a babe at her breast, how cruelly maltreated, and
how she finally escaped, barefooted and carrying her infant through
days and nights of almost superhuman exertion, she has left record
in a deposition before the magistrates at Pittsburgh and in the
statement here reprinted. (_Editor._)
On the return of my husband from General St. Clair's defeat, and on his
recovery from the wound he received in the battle, he was made a spy,
and ordered to the woods on duty, about the 23d of March, 1792. The
appointment of spies to watch the movements of the savages was so
consonant with the desires and interests of the inhabitants that the
frontiers now resumed the appearance of quiet and confidence. Those who
had for nearly a year been huddled together in the blockhouses were
scattered to their own habitations, and began the cultivation of their
farms. The spies saw nothing to alarm them, or to induce them to
apprehend danger, until the fatal morning of my captivity. They
repeatedly came to our house to receive refreshments and to lodge.
On the 15th of May my husband, with Captain Guthrie and other spies,
came home about dark and wanted supper; to procure which I requested
one of the spies to accompany me to the spring and spring-house, and
William Maxwell complied with my request. While at the spring and
spring-house we both distinctly heard a sound like the bleating of a
lamb or fawn. This greatly alarmed us and induced us to make a hasty
retreat into the house. Whether this was an Indian decoy, or a warning
of what I was to pass through, I am unable to determine. But from this
time and circumstance I became considerably alarmed, and entreated my
husband to remove me to some place more secure from Indian cruelties.
But Providence had designed that I should become a victim to their
rage, and that mercy should be made manifest in my deliverance.
On the night of the 21st of May two of the spies, Mr. James Davis and
Mr. Sutton, came to lodge at our house, and on the morning of the 22d,
at daybreak, when the horn blew at the blockhouse, which was within
sight of our house and distant about two hundred yards, the two men got
up and went out. I was also awake, and saw the door open, and thought,
after I was taken prisoner, that the scouts had left it open. I
intended to rise immediately, but having a child at the breast, and it
being awakened, I lay with it at the breast to get it to sleep again,
and accidentally fell asleep myself. The spies have since informed me
that they returned to the house again, and found that I was sleeping;
that they softly fastened the door and went immediately to the
blockhouse, and those who examined the house after the scene was over
say that both doors had the appearance of being broken open.
The first thing I knew from falling asleep was the Indians pulling me
out of bed by my feet. I then looked up and saw the house full of
Indians, every one having his gun in his left hand and tomahawk in his
right. Beholding the danger in which I was, I immediately jumped to the
floor on my feet, with the young child in my arms. I then took a
petticoat to put on, having on only the one in which I slept; but the
Indians took it from me, and as many as I attempted to put on they
succeeded in taking from me, so that I had to go just as I had been in
bed. While I was struggling with some of the savages for clothing,
others of them went and took the children out of another bed, and
immediately took the two feather beds to the door and emptied them.
The savages immediately began their work of plunder and devastation.
What they were unable to carry with them they destroyed. While they
were at their work, I made to the door, and succeeded in getting out
with one child in my arms and another by my side; but the other little
boy was so much displeased by being so early disturbed in the morning
that he would not come to the door.
When I got out I saw Mr. Wolf, one of the soldiers, going to the spring
for water, and beheld two or three of the savages attempting to get
between him and the blockhouse; but Mr. Wolf was unconscious of his
danger, for the savages had not yet been discovered. I then gave a
terrific scream, by which means Mr. Wolf discovered his danger and
started to run for the blockhouse. Seven or eight of the Indians fired
at him, but the only injury he received was a bullet in his arm, which
broke it. He succeeded in making his escape to the blockhouse. When I
raised the alarm, one of the Indians came up to me with his tomahawk as
though about to take my life; a second came and placed his hand before
my mouth and told me to hush, when a third came with a lifted tomahawk
and attempted to give me a blow; but the first that came raised his
tomahawk and averted the blow, and claimed me as his squaw.
The commissary, with his waiter, slept in the storehouse near the
blockhouse; and, upon hearing the report of the guns, came to the door
to see what was the matter; and, beholding the danger he was in, made
his escape to the blockhouse; but not without being discovered by the
Indians, several of whom fired at him, and one of the bullets went
through his handkerchief, which was tied about his head, and took off
some of his hair. The handkerchief, with several bullet-holes in it, he
afterwards gave to me.
The waiter, on coming to the door, was met by the Indians, who fired
upon him, and he received two bullets through the body and fell dead by
the door. The savages then set up one of their tremendous and
terrifying yells, and pushed forward and attempted to scalp the man
they had killed; but they were prevented from executing their
diabolical purpose by the heavy fire which was kept up through the
portholes from the blockhouse.
In this scene of horror and alarm I began to meditate an escape, and
for that purpose I attempted to direct the attention of the Indians
from me and to fix it on the blockhouse, and thought if I could succeed
in this I would retreat to a subterranean cave with which I was
acquainted, which was in the run near where we were. For this purpose I
began to converse with some of those who were near me respecting the
strength of the blockhouse, the number of men in it, etc., and being
informed that there were forty men there, and that they were excellent
marksmen, the savages immediately came to the determination to retreat,
and for this purpose they ran to those who were besieging the
blockhouse and brought them away.