Chronicles of border warfare : $b or, A history of the settlement by the whites, of north-western Virginia, and of the Indian wars and massacres, in that section of the stateWithers, Alexander Scott
History
Chronicles of border warfare : $b or, A history of the settlement by the whites, of north-western Virginia, and of the Indian wars and massacres, in that section of the state
Withers, Alexander Scott
Indians of North America -- Wars -- 1750-1815; Ohio River Valley -- History -- To 1795; West Virginia -- History -- To 1950
From the instant those establishments were made, and emigrants placed
themselves in their vicinity, the Savages commenced their usual mode
of warfare; and marauding parties were ever in readiness, to seize
upon, those, whose misfortune it was to become exposed to their
vigilance. In the prosecution of these hostilities, incidents of the
most lively and harrowing interest, though limited in their
consequences, were constantly recurring; before a systematic course of
operations, was undertaken for the destruction of the settlers.
The Indians, seeing that they had to contend with persons, as well
skilled in their peculiar mode of warfare, as themselves, and as likely
to detect them, while lying in wait for an opportunity to strike the
deadly blow, as they were to strike it with impunity, they entirely
changed their plans of annoyance. Instead of longer endeavoring to cut
off the whites in detail, they brought into the country a force,
sufficiently numerous and powerful to act simultaneously against all
the settlements. The consequence of this was, much individual
suffering and several horrid massacres. Husbandmen, toiling to secure
the product of the summer's labor, for their sustenance another
season, were frequently attacked, and murdered.--Hunters, engaged in
procuring meat for immediate and pressing use, were obliged to
practise the utmost wariness to evade the ambushed Indian, and make
sure their return to the fort. Springs and other watering places, and
the paths leading to them, were constantly guarded by the savages; who
would lie near them day and night, until forced to leave their covert,
in quest of food to satisfy their extreme hunger; and who, when this
end was attained, would return to their hiding places, with renovated
strength, and increased watchfulness. The cattle belonging to the
garrisons were either driven off, or killed, so that no supplies
could be derived from them. This state of things continued, without
intermission, 'till the severity of winter forced the Indians to
depart for their towns; and then succeeded, of necessity, a truce,
which had become extremely desirable to the different settlements.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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