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
One of the men who had fallen on the first fire of the Indians and
had been supposed by his comrades to be dead, was in truth though
[147] badly wounded, yet still alive; and was observed feebly
struggling to crawl towards the fort. The fear of laceration and
mangling from the horrid scalping knife, and of tortures from more
barbarous instruments, seemed to abate his exertions in dragging
his wounded body along, lest he should be discovered and borne off by
some infuriated and unfeeling savage. It was doubtful too, whether
his strength would endure long enough to enable him to reach the
gate, even if unmolested by any apprehension of danger. The
magnanimous and intrepid Logan resolved on making an effort to
save him. He endeavored to raise volunteers, to accompany him without
the fort, and bring in their poor wounded companion. It seemed as if
courting the quick embrace of death, and even his adventurous
associates for an instant, shrunk from the danger. At length a man
by the name of Martin, who plumed himself on rash and daring deeds,
consented to aid in the enterprise; and the two proceeded towards
the gate. Here the spirit of Martin forsook him, and he recoiled from
the hazardous adventure. Logan was then alone. He beheld the feeble,
but wary exertions of his unfortunate comrade, entirely subside;
and he could not hesitate. He rushed quickly through the gate, caught
the unhappy victim in his arms, and bore him triumphantly into the
fort, amid a shower of bullets aimed at him; and some of which buried
themselves in the pallisades close by his head. A most noble and
disinterested achievement, and worthy of all commendation.[14]
[148] The siege being maintained by the Indians, the animation of the
garrison was nearly exhausted, in repelling the frequent assaults made
on the fort; and it was apparent, that the enemy did not intend
speedily to withdraw their forces. Parties of Indians were frequently
detached from the main body, as well to obtain a supply of provisions
by hunting, as to intercept and cut off any [147] aid, which might be
sent to St. Asaph's[15] from the other forts. In this posture of
affairs, it was impossible that the garrison could long hold out,
unless its military stores could be replenished; and to effect this,
under existing circumstances, appeared to be almost impossible.
Harrodsburg and Boonesborough were not themselves amply provided with
stores; and had it been otherwise, so closely was the intermediate
country between them and St. Asaph's, guarded by the savages, that no
communication could be carried from one to the other of them. The
settlement on the Holstein was the nearest point, from which it could
be practicable to derive a supply of ammunition, and the distance to
that neighborhood, was considerable.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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