The real heroic spirit, which delights in braving the greatest dangers in
the cause of humanity, was embodied in Benjamin Logan, one of the first
settlers in Kentucky. This distinguished borderer was born in Augusta
county, Virginia. At an early age he displayed the noble impulses of his
heart; for upon the death of his father, when the laws of Virginia allowed
him, as the eldest son, the whole property of the intestate, he sold the
farm and distributed the money among his brothers and sisters, reserving a
portion for his mother. At the age of twenty-one, Logan removed to the
banks of the Holston, where he purchased a farm, and married. He served in
Dunmore's war. In 1775, he removed to Kentucky, and soon became
distinguished among the hardy frontiersmen for firmness, prudence, and
humanity. In the following year he returned for his family, and brought
them to a small settlement called Logan's Fort, not far from
Harrodsburgh.
[Illustration: LOGAN JOURNEYING INTO KENTUCKY.]
On the morning of the 20th of May, 1777, the women were milking the cows
at the gate of the little fort, and some of the garrison attending them,
when a party of Indians appeared and fired at them. One man was shot dead,
and two more wounded, one of them mortally. The whole party instantly ran
into the fort, and closed the gate. The enemy quickly showed themselves at
the edge of the canebrake, within rifle-shot of the gate, and seemed
numerous and determined. A spectacle was now presented to the garrison
which awakened interest and compassion. A man, named Harrison, had been
severely wounded, and still lay near the spot where he had fallen. The
poor fellow strove to crawl towards the fort, and succeeded in reaching a
cluster of bushes, which, however, were too thin to shelter his person
from the enemy. His wife and children in the fort were in deep distress at
his situation. The case was one to try the hearts of men. The numbers of
the garrison were so small, that it was thought folly to sacrifice any
more lives in striving to save one seemingly far spent. Logan endeavored
to persuade some of the men to accompany him in a sally; but the danger
was so appalling that only one man, John Martin, could be induced to make
the attempt. The gate was opened, and the two sallied forth, Logan leading
the way. They had advanced about five steps, when Harrison made a vigorous
attempt to rise, and Martin, supposing him able to help himself, sprang
back within the gate. Harrison fell at full-length upon the grass. Logan
paused a moment after the retreat of Martin, then sprang forward to the
spot where Harrison lay, seized the wounded man in his arms, and in spite
of a tremendous shower of balls poured from every side, reached the fort
without receiving a scratch, though the gate and picketing near him were
riddled and his clothes pierced in several places.
Soon afterwards, the heroic Logan again performed an act of self-devotion.
The fort was vigorously assailed, and although the little garrison made a
brave defence, their destruction seemed imminent, on account of the
scarcity of ammunition. Holston was the nearest point where supplies could
be obtained. But who would brave so many dangers in the attempt to procure
it? No one but Logan. After encouraging his men to hope for his speedy
return, he crawled through the Indian encampment on a dark night,
proceeded by by-paths, which no white man had then trodden, reached
Holston, obtained a supply of powder and lead, returned by the same almost
inaccessible paths, and got safe within the walls of the fort. The
garrison was inspired with fresh courage, and in a few days, the
appearance of Colonel Bowman, with a body of troops, compelled the savages
to retire.
Logan led several expeditions into the Indian country, and won a high
renown as one of the boldest and most successful of Kentucky's heroes.
When the Indian depredations were, in a great measure, checked, he devoted
himself to civil affairs, and exerted considerable influence upon the
politics of the country. Throughout his career, he was beloved and
respected as a fearless, honest, and intelligent man.