第2章

Ifoundourfortressinabadstateofdefence，butweproceededimmediatelytorepairourflanks，strengthenourgatesandposterns，andformdoublebastions，whichwecompleatedintendays。InthistimewedailyexpectedthearrivaloftheIndianarmy；andatlength，oneofmyfellowprisoners，escapingfromthem，arrived，informingusthattheenemyhadanaccountofmydeparture，andpostponedtheirexpeditionthreeweeks。——TheIndianshadspiesoutviewingourmovements，andweregreatlyalarmedwithourincreaseinnumberandfortifications。TheGrandCouncilsofthenationswereheldfrequently，andwithmoredeliberationthanusual。TheyevidentlysawtheapproachinghourwhentheLongKnifewoulddisposessthemoftheirdesirablehabitations；andanxiouslyconcernedforfuturity，determinedutterlytoextirpatethewhitesoutofKentucke。Wewerenotintimidatedbytheirmovements，butfrequentlygavethemproofsofourcourage。 AboutthefirstofAugust，ImadeanincursionintotheIndiancountry，withapartyofnineteenmen，inordertosurpriseasmalltownupSciotha，calledPaint—Creek—Town。Weadvancedwithinfourmilesthereof，wherewemetapartyofthirtyIndians，ontheirmarchagainstBoonsborough，intendingtojointheothersfromChelicothe。Asmartfightensuedbetwixtusforsometime：Atlengththesavagesgaveway，andfled。Wehadnolossonourside： Theenemyhadonekilled，andtwowounded。Wetookfromthemthreehorses，andalltheirbaggage；andbeinginformed，bytwoofournumberthatwenttotheirtown，thattheIndianshadentirelyevacuatedit，weproceedednofurther，andreturnedwithallpossibleexpeditiontoassistourgarrisonagainsttheotherparty。 Wepassedbythemonthesixthday，andontheseventh，wearrivedsafeatBoonsborough。 Ontheeighth，theIndianarmyarrived，beingfourhundredandforty—fourinnumber，commandedbyCapt。Duquesne，elevenotherFrenchmen，andsomeoftheirownchiefs，andmarchedupwithinviewofourfort，withBritishandFrenchcoloursflying；andhavingsentasummonstome，inhisBritannickMajesty’sname，tosurrenderthefort，Irequestedtwodaysconsideration，whichwasgranted。 Itwasnowacriticalperiodwithus。——Wewereasmallnumberinthegarrison。——Apowerfularmybeforeourwalls，whoseappearanceproclaimedinevitabledeath，fearfullypainted，andmarkingtheirfootstepswithdesolation。Deathwaspreferabletocaptivity；andiftakenbystorm，wemustinevitablybedevotedtodestruction。Inthissituationweconcludedtomaintainourgarrison，ifpossible。 Weimmediatelyproceededtocollectwhatwecouldofourhorses，andothercattle，andbringthemthroughtheposternsintothefort：Andintheeveningoftheninth，Ireturnedanswer，thatweweredeterminedtodefendourfortwhileamanwasliving——Now，saidItotheircommander，whostoodattentivelyhearingmysentiments，Welaughatallyourformidablepreparations：Butthankyouforgivingusnoticeandtimetoprovideforourdefence。Youreffortswillnotprevail；forourgatesshallforeverdenyyouadmittance。——Whetherthisansweraffectedtheircourage，ornot，I cannottell；but，contrarytoourexpectations，theyformedaschemetodeceiveus，declaringitwastheirorders，fromGovernorHamilton，totakeuscaptives，andnottodestroyus；butifnineofuswouldcomeout，andtreatwiththem，theywouldimmediatlywithdrawtheirforcesfromourwalls，andreturnhomepeaceably。 Thissoundedgratefulinourears；andweagreedtotheproposal。 Weheldthetreatywithinsixtyyardsofthegarrison，onpurposetodivertthemfromabreachofhonour，aswecouldnotavoidsuspicionsofthesavages。Inthissituationthearticleswereformallyagreedto，andsigned；andtheIndianstoldusitwascustomarywiththem，onsuchoccasions，fortwoIndianstoshakehandswitheverywhite—maninthetreaty，asanevidenceofentirefriendship。Weagreedtothisalso，butweresoonconvincedtheirpolicywastotakeusprisoners。——Theyimmediatelygrappledus； but，althoughsurroundedbyhundredsofsavages，weextricatedourselvesfromthem，andescapedallsafeintothegarrison，exceptonethatwaswounded，throughaheavyfirefromtheirarmy。Theyimmediatelyattackedusoneveryside，andaconstantheavyfireensuedbetweenusdayandnightforthespaceofninedays。 Inthistimetheenemybegantoundermineourfort，whichwassituatedsixtyyardsfromKentuckeriver。Theybeganatthewater— markandproceededinthebanksomedistance，whichweunderstoodbytheirmakingthewatermuddywiththeclay；andweimmediatelyproceededtodisappointtheirdesign，bycuttingatrenchacrosstheirsubterraneanpassage。Theenemydiscoveringourcounter—mine，bytheclaywethrewoutofthefort，desistedfromthatstratagem： Andexperiencenowfullyconvincingthemthatneithertheirpowernorpolicycouldeffecttheirpurpose，onthetwentiethdayofAugusttheyraisedthesiege，anddeparted。 Duringthisdreadfulsiege，whichthreateneddeathineveryform，wehadtwomenkilled，andfourwounded，besidesanumberofcattle。Wekilledoftheenemythirty—seven，andwoundedagreatnumber。Aftertheyweregone，wepickeduponehundredandtwenty— fivepoundsweightofbullets，besideswhatstuckinthelogsofourfort；whichcertainlyisagreatproofoftheirindustry。Soonafterthis，Iwentintothesettlement，andnothingworthyofaplaceinthisaccountpassedinmyaffairsforsometime。 DuringmyabsencefromKentucke，Col。BowmancarriedonanexpeditionagainsttheShawanese，atOldChelicothe，withonehundredandsixtymen，inJuly，1779。Heretheyarrivedundiscovered，andabattleensued，whichlasteduntilteno’clock，A。M。whenCol。Bowman，findinghecouldnotsucceedatthistime，retreatedaboutthirtymiles。TheIndians，inthemeantime，collectingalltheirforces，pursuedandovertookhim，whenasmartfightcontinuedneartwohours，nottotheadvantageofCol。 Bowman’sparty。 Col。Harrodproposedtomountanumberofhorse，andfuriouslytorushuponthesavages，whoatthistimefoughtwithremarkablefury。Thisdesperatestephadahappyeffect，broketheirlineofbattle，andthesavagesfledonallsides。Inthesetwobattleswehadninekilled，andonewounded。Theenemy’slossuncertain，onlytwoscalpsbeingtaken。 Onthetwenty—seconddayofJune，1780，alargepartyofIndiansandCanadians，aboutsixhundredinnumber，commandedbyCol。Bird，attackedRiddle’sandMartin’sstations，attheForksofLickingRiver，withsixpiecesofartillery。Theycarriedthisexpeditionsosecretly，thattheunwaryinhabitantsdidnotdiscoverthem，untiltheyfiredupontheforts；and，notbeingpreparedtoopposethem，wereobligedtosurrenderthemselvesmiserablecaptivestobarbaroussavages，whoimmediatelyaftertomahawkedonemanandtwowomen，andloadedalltheotherswithheavybaggage，forcingthemalongtowardtheirtowns，ableorunabletomarch。Suchaswereweakandfaintbytheway，theytomahawked。Thetenderwomen，andhelplesschildren，fellvictimstotheircruelty。This，andthesavagetreatmenttheyreceivedafterwards，isshockingtohumanity，andtoobarbaroustorelate。 Thehostiledispositionofthesavages，andtheirallies，causedGeneralClark，thecommandantattheFallsoftheOhio，immediatelytobeginanexpeditionwithhisownregiment，andthearmedforceofthecountry，againstPecaway，theprincipaltownoftheShawanese，onabranchofGreatMiami，whichhefinishedwithgreatsuccess，tookseventeenscalps，andburntthetowntoashes，withthelossofseventeenmen。 AboutthistimeIreturnedtoKentuckewithmyfamily；andhere，toavoidanenquiryintomyconduct，thereaderbeingbeforeinformedofmybringingmyfamilytoKentucke，Iamunderthenecessityofinforminghimthat，duringmycaptivitywiththeIndians，mywife，whodespairedofeverseeingmeagain，expectingtheIndianshadputaperiodtomylife，oppressedwiththedistressesofthecountry，andbereavedofme，heronlyhappiness，had，beforeIreturned，transportedmyfamilyandgoods，onhorses，throughthewilderness，amidstamultitudeofdangers，toherfather’shouse，inNorth—Carolina。 ShortlyafterthetroublesatBoonsborough，Iwenttothem，andlivedpeaceablythereuntilthistime。Thehistoryofmygoinghome，andreturningwithmyfamily，formsaseriesofdifficulties，anaccountofwhichwouldswellavolume，andbeingforeigntomypurpose，Ishallpurposelyomitthem。 IsettledmyfamilyinBoonsboroughoncemore；andshortlyafter，onthesixthdayofOctober，1780，IwentincompanywithmybrothertotheBlueLicks；and，onourreturnhome，wewerefireduponbyapartyofIndians。Theyshothim，andpursuedme，bythescentoftheirdog，threemiles；butIkilledthedog，andescaped。 Thewintersooncameon，andwasverysevere，whichconfinedtheIndianstotheirwigwams。 TheseverityofthisWintercausedgreatdifficultiesinKentucke。Theenemyhaddestroyedmostofthecorn，theSummerbefore。Thisnecessaryarticlewasscarce，anddear；andtheinhabitantslivedchieflyonthefleshofbuffaloes。Thecircumstancesofmanywereverylamentable：However，beingahardyraceofpeople，andaccustomedtodifficultiesandnecessities，theywerewonderfullysupportedthroughalltheirsufferings，untiltheensuingFall，whenwereceivedabundancefromthefertilesoil。 TowardsSpring，wewerefrequentlyharassedbyIndians；and，inMay，1782，apartyassaultedAshton’sstation，killedoneman，andtookaNegroprisoner。Capt。Ashton，withtwenty—fivemen，pursued，andovertookthesavages，andasmartfightensued，whichlastedtwohours；buttheybeingsuperiorinnumber，obligedCaptainAshton’spartytoretreat，withthelossofeightkilled，andfourmortallywounded；theirbravecommanderhimselfbeingnumberedamongthedead。 TheIndianscontinuedtheirhostilities；and，aboutthetenthofAugustfollowing，twoboysweretakenfromMajorHoy’sstation。ThispartywaspursuedbyCapt。Holderandseventeenmen，whowerealsodefeated，withthelossoffourmenkilled，andonewounded。Ouraffairsbecamemoreandmorealarming。Severalstationswhichhadlatelybeenerectedinthecountrywerecontinuallyinfestedwithsavages，stealingtheirhorsesandkillingthemenateveryopportunity。Inafield，nearLexington，anIndianshotaman，andrunningtoscalphim，washimselfshotfromthefort，andfelldeaduponhisenemy。 Everydayweexperiencedrecentmischiefs。ThebarbaroussavagenationsofShawanese，Cherokees，Wyandots，Tawas，Delawares，andseveralothersnearDetroit，unitedinawaragainstus，andassembledtheirchoicestwarriorsatoldChelicothe，togoontheexpedition，inordertodestroyus，andentirelydepopulatethecountry。Theirsavagemindswereinflamedtomischiefbytwoabandonedmen，CaptainsMcKeeandGirty。Theseledthemtoexecuteeverydiabolicalscheme；and，onthefifteenthdayofAugust，commandedapartyofIndiansandCanadians，ofaboutfivehundredinnumber，againstBriant’sstation，fivemilesfromLexington。 Withoutdemandingasurrender，theyfuriouslyassaultedthegarrison，whichwashappilypreparedtoopposethem；and，aftertheyhadexpendedmuchammunitioninvain，andkilledthecattleroundthefort，notbeinglikelytomakethemselvesmastersofthisplace，theyraisedthesiege，anddepartedinthemorningofthethirddayaftertheycame，withthelossofaboutthirtykilled，andthenumberofwoundeduncertain。——Ofthegarrisonfourwerekilled，andthreewounded。 OntheeighteenthdayCol。Todd，Col。Trigg，MajorHarland，andmyself，speedilycollectedonehundredandseventy—sixmen，wellarmed，andpursuedthesavages。TheyhadmarchedbeyondtheBlueLickstoaremarkablebendofthemainforkofLickingRiver，aboutforty—threemilesfromLexington，asitisparticularlyrepresentedinthemap，whereweovertookthemonthenineteenthday。Thesavagesobservingus，gaveway；andwe，beingignorantoftheirnumbers，passedtheriver。Whentheenemysawourproceedings，havinggreatlytheadvantageofusinsituation，theyformedthelineofbattle，representedinthemap，fromonebendofLickingtotheother，aboutamilefromtheBlueLicks。Anexceedingfiercebattleimmediatelybegan，foraboutfifteenminutes，whenwe，beingover—poweredbynumbers，wereobligedtoretreat，withthelossofsixty—sevenmen；sevenofwhomweretakenprisoners。ThebraveandmuchlamentedColonelsToddandTrigg，MajorHarlandandmysecondson，wereamongthedead。WewereinformedthattheIndians，numberingtheirdead，foundtheyhadfourkilledmorethanwe；andtherefore，fouroftheprisonerstheyhadtaken，were，bygeneralconsent，orderedtobekilled，inamostbarbarousmanner，bytheyoungwarriors，inordertotrainthemuptocruelty；andthentheyproceededtotheirtowns。 OnourretreatweweremetbyCol。Logan，hasteningtojoinus，withanumberofwellarmedmen：Thispowerfulassistanceweunfortunatelywantedinthebattle；for，notwithstandingtheenemy’ssuperiorityofnumbers，theyacknowledgedthat，iftheyhadreceivedonemorefirefromus，theyshouldundoubtedlyhavegivenway。Sovaliantlydidoursmallpartyfight，that，tothememoryofthosewhounfortunatelyfellinthebattle，enoughofhonourcannotbepaid。HadCol。Loganandhispartybeenwithus，itishighlyprobableweshouldhavegiventhesavagesatotaldefeat。 Icannotreflectuponthisdreadfulscene，butsorrowfillsmyheart。Azealforthedefenceoftheircountryledtheseheroestothesceneofaction，thoughwithafewmentoattackapowerfularmyofexperiencedwarriors。Whenwegaveway，theypursueduswiththeutmosteagerness，andineveryquarterspreaddestruction。 Theriverwasdifficulttocross，andmanywerekilledintheflight，somejustenteringtheriver，someinthewater，othersaftercrossinginascendingthecliffs。Someescapedonhorse—back，afewonfoot；and，beingdispersedeverywhere，inafewhours，broughtthemelancholynewsofthisunfortunatebattletoLexington。Manywidowswerenowmade。Thereadermayguesswhatsorrowfilledtheheartsoftheinhabitants，exceedinganythingthatIamabletodescribe。Beingreinforced，wereturnedtoburythedead，andfoundtheirbodiesstrewedeverywhere，cutandmangledinadreadfulmanner。Thismournfulsceneexhibitedahorroralmostunparalleled：Sometornandeatenbywildbeasts； thoseintherivereatenbyfishes；allinsuchaputrifiedcondition，thatnoonecouldbedistinguishedfromanother。 AssoonasGeneralClark，thenattheFallsoftheOhio，whowaseverourreadyfriend，andmeritstheloveandgratitudeofallhiscountry—men，understoodthecircumstancesofthisunfortunateaction，heorderedanexpedition，withallpossiblehaste，topursuethesavages，whichwassoexpeditiouslyeffected，thatweovertookthemwithintwomilesoftheirtowns，andprobablymighthaveobtainedagreatvictory，hadnottwooftheirnumbermetusabouttwohundredpolesbeforewecomeup。Thesereturnedquickaslighteningtotheircampwiththealarmingnewsofamightyarmyinview。Thesavagesfledintheutmostdisorder，evacuatedtheirtowns，andreluctantlylefttheirterritorytoourmercy。WeimmediatelytookpossessionofOldChelicothewithoutopposition，beingdesertedbyitsinhabitants。WecontinuedourpursuitthroughfivetownsontheMiamirivers，OldChelicothe，Pecaway，NewChelicothe，Will’sTowns，andChelicothe，burntthemalltoashes，entirelydestroyedtheircorn，andotherfruits，andeverywherespreadasceneofdesolationinthecountry。Inthisexpeditionwetooksevenprisonersandfivescalps，withthelossofonlyfourmen，twoofwhomwereaccidentallykilledbyourownarmy。 ThiscampaigninsomemeasuredampedthespiritsoftheIndians，andmadethemsensibleofoursuperiority。Theirconnectionsweredissolved，theirarmiesscattered，andafutureinvasionputentirelyoutoftheirpower；yettheycontinuedtopractisemischiefsecretlyupontheinhabitants，intheexposedpartsofthecountry。 InOctoberfollowing，apartymadeanexcursionintothatdistrictcalledtheCrabOrchard，andoneofthem，beingadvancedsomedistancebeforetheothers，boldlyenteredthehouseofapoordefencelessfamily，inwhichwasonlyaNegroman，awomanandherchildren，terrifiedwiththeapprehensionsofimmediatedeath。Thesavage，perceivingtheirdefencelesssituation，withoutofferingviolencetothefamilyattemptedtocaptivatetheNegro，who，happilyprovedanover—matchforhim，threwhimontheground，and，inthestruggle，themotherofthechildrendrewanaxfromacornerofthecottage，andcuthisheadoff，whileherlittledaughtershutthedoor。Thesavagesinstantlyappeared，andappliedtheirtomahawkstothedoor。Anoldrustygun—barrel，withoutalock，layinacorner，whichthemotherputthroughasmallcrevice，andthesavages，perceivingit，fled。Inthemeantime，thealarmspreadthroughtheneighbourhood；thearmedmencollectedimmediately，andpursuedtheravagersintothewilderness。ThusProvidence，bythemeansofthisNegro，savedthewholeofthepoorfamilyfromdestruction。Fromthattime，untilthehappyreturnofpeacebetweentheUnitedStatesandGreat—Britain，theIndiansdidusnomischief。Findingthegreatkingbeyondthewaterdisappointedinhisexpectations，andconsciousoftheimportanceoftheLongKnife，andtheirownwretchedness，someofthenationsimmediatelydesiredpeace；towhich，atpresent，theyseemuniversallydisposed，andaresendingambassadorstoGeneralClark，attheFallsoftheOhio，withtheminutesoftheirCouncils，aspecimenofwhich，intheminutesofthePiankashawCouncil，issubjoined。 Toconclude，IcannowsaythatIhaveverifiedthesayingofanoldIndianwhosignedCol。Henderson’sdeed。Takingmebythehand，atthedeliverythereof，Brother，sayshe，wehavegivenyouafineland，butIbelieveyouwillhavemuchtroubleinsettlingit。——Myfootstepshaveoftenbeenmarkedwithblood，andthereforeIcantrulysubscribetoitsoriginalname。Twodarlingsons，andabrother，haveIlostbysavagehands，whichhavealsotakenfrommefortyvaluablehorses，andabundanceofcattle。ManydarkandsleeplessnightshaveIbeenacompanionforowls，separatedfromthechearfulsocietyofmen，scorchedbytheSummer’ssun，andpinchedbytheWinter’scold，aninstrumentordainedtosettlethewilderness。Butnowthesceneischanged：Peacecrownsthesylvanshade。 Whatthanks，whatardentandceaselessthanksareduetothatall—superintendingProvidencewhichhasturnedacruelwarintopeace，broughtorderoutofconfusion，madethefiercesavagesplacid，andturnedawaytheirhostileweaponsfromourcountry！MaythesameAlmightyGoodnessbanishtheaccursedmonster，war，fromalllands，withherhatedassociates，rapineandinsatiableambition。Letpeace，descendingfromhernativeheaven，bidherolivesspringamidstthejoyfulnations；andplenty，inleaguewithcommerce，scatterblessingsfromhercopioushand。 Thisaccountofmyadventureswillinformthereaderofthemostremarkableeventsofthiscountry。——Inowliveinpeaceandsafety，enjoyingthesweetsofliberty，andthebountiesofProvidence，withmyoncefellow—sufferers，inthisdelightfulcountry，whichI haveseenpurchasedwithavastexpenceofbloodandtreasure，delightingintheprospectofitsbeing，inashorttime，oneofthemostopulentandpowerfulstatesonthecontinentofNorth— America；which，withtheloveandgratitudeofmycountry—men，I esteemasufficientrewardforallmytoilanddangers。 Fayettecounty，Kentucke。 DANIELBOON