|The name of Elizabeth Zane is inseparably associated with the history
of one of the most memorable incidents in the annals of border warfare.
The most reliable account of it is that prepared by Mr. Kiernan for the
"American Pioneer," a Cincinnati journal devoted to sketches relative to
the early settlement of the country. In this a full history is given of
the establishment of Fort Fincastle--afterwards called Fort Henry, in
honor of Patrick Henry--under the superintendence of Ebenezer Zane and
John Caldwell.
This fort stood on the left bank of the Ohio, a little above the mouth
of Wheeling Creek, and near the foot of a hill that rose abruptly from
the inner margin of the bottom land. Of this land, the portion next the
river was cleared, fenced, and planted with corn. Between the fort and
the base of the hill, the forest had also been cleared away, and there
stood some twenty or thirty log houses; a rude village, which, though of
little importance then, was the germ of one of the fairest cities that
now grace the domain of Virginia. The fort covered about three-quarters
of an acre of ground, and had a block-house at each corner, with lines
of stout pickets about eight feet high, extending from one to the other.
Within the enclosure were a number of cabins for the use of families,
and the principal entrance was through a gateway on the side next to the
straggling village.
In May and June, 1777, a number of savage forays upon the settlements
took place, and as the season advanced, these depredations became more
bold and frequent. So imminent was the danger, that the people threw
aside their private pursuits; the troops were constantly in service, and
civil jurisdiction gave place for months to martial law throughout the
country. In September it was ascertained that a large Indian force
was concentrating on the Sandusky River, under the direction of the
notorious white renegade and tory, Simeon Girty. This savage host,
numbering, according to various estimates, from three hundred and eighty
to five hundred warriors, having completed the preparations for their
campaign, took up their line of march in the direction of Limestone,
Kentucky; and were brought by their-leader before the walls of Fort
Henry, before the scouts employed by Colonel Shepherd were able to
discover his real design.
They were made aware of this in the night by seeing the smoke caused by
the burning of a blockhouse twelve miles below; and the inhabitants of
the village and several families in the neighborhood betook themselves
to the fort for safety. At break of day, a man despatched to bring in
some horses having been killed, a party of fourteen was sent to dislodge
the savages from a corn-field near the fort. They found themselves
unexpectedly and furiously assailed by the whole of Girty's army, and
but two survived the skirmish. Others who had pressed to their relief,
fell into an ambuscade, and two-thirds of their number perished. The
Indians then advanced with loud whoops to take their position before the
fort. The garrison, which had at first numbered forty-two fighting men,
was now reduced to twelve, including boys. Girty, having posted his
forces, appeared with a white flag, and demanded their surrender in the
name of His Britannic Majesty; but Colonel Shepherd promptly replied
that he should only obtain possession of the fort when there remained
no longer an American soldier to defend it. The little band had a sacred
charge to protect; their mothers, sisters, wives and children were
assembled around them, and they resolved to fight to the last extremity,
trusting in Heaven for a successful issue.
For many hours, after the opening of the siege, the firing of the
Indians, eager for butchery, was met by a sure and well-directed fire
from the garrison, which was composed of excellent marksmen. But
the stock of gunpowder in the fort was nearly exhausted! A favorable
opportunity was offered by the temporary suspension of hostilities, to
procure a keg of powder known to be in the house of Ebenezer Zane, about
sixty yards from the gate. The commandant explained the matter to his
men, and, unwilling to order any one upon an enterprise so desperate,
asked who would volunteer for the perilous service. The person going and
coming would necessarily be exposed to the danger of being shot down by
the Indians; yet three or four young men promptly offered to undertake
it. The Colonel answered that only one man could be spared, and left it
to them to decide who it should be. While they disputed--every moment of
time being precious, from the danger of a renewal of the attack before
the powder could be procured--the interposition of a young girl put an
end to their generous contention. Elizabeth, the sister of Ebenezer and
Silas Zane, came forward, and requested that she might be permitted
to go for the powder. Her proposition at first met with a peremptory
refusal; but she renewed her petition with steadfast earnestness; nor
would she be dissuaded from her heroic purpose by the remonstrances of
the commandant and her anxious relatives. Either of the young men, it
was represented, would be more likely than herself to perform the
task successfully, by reason of greater familiarity with danger, and
swiftness in running. Her answer was--that her knowledge of the danger
attending the undertaking was her reason for offering to perform the
service; her loss would not be felt, while not a single soldier could be
spared from the already weakened garrison. This argument prevailed; her
request was granted; and when she had divested herself of such portions
of clothing as might impede her speed, the gate was opened for her to
pass out.
The opening of the gate arrested the attention of several Indians
straggling through the village, and it could be seen from the fort that
the eyes of the savages were upon Elizabeth as she crossed the open
space--walking as rapidly as possible, to reach her brother's house.
But probably deeming a woman's life not worth the trouble of taking, or
influenced by some sudden freak of clemency, they permitted her to pass
without molestation.
In a few moments she re-appeared, carrying the powder in her arms, and
walked at her utmost speed towards the gate. One account says the powder
was tied in a table-cloth, and fastened round her waist. The Indians
doubtless suspected, this time, the nature of her burden; they raised
their fire-locks, and discharged a leaden storm at her as she went on;
but the balls whistled past her harmless--and the intrepid girl reached
the fort in safety with her prize.
The story of this siege has been preserved in the collections of
Virginia as the most important event in the history of Wheeling, and is
enumerated among the battles of the Revolution. The brothers Silas
and Ebenezer Zane received honor for having contributed to its
final success; nor did the courageous conduct of the women pass
unacknowledged. The wife of Ebenezer, and others, undismayed by the
bloody strife going on, employed themselves in running bullets and
preparing patches for the use of the garrison, and by their presence at
every point where they could perform useful service, and their cheering
encouragement of their defenders, inspired the soldiers with new energy
for desperate resistance. The noble act of Elizabeth, in particular,
caused an enthusiasm which contributed to sustain their courage when
fate seemed against them--till the arrival of relief.
Elizabeth had but recently returned from school in Philadelphia, and was
totally unused to such scenes as were daily exhibited on the frontier.
She married twice, and afterwards lived in Ohio with Mr. Clarke, her
last husband. * An Ohio newspaper states that she has raised a family of
children, and was living, a short time since, near St. Clairsville.
* Withers.