Ella Barnwell: A historical romance of border lifeBennett, Emerson
General
Ella Barnwell: A historical romance of border life
Bennett, Emerson
Frontier and pioneer life -- Fiction; Girty, Simon, 1741-1818 -- Fiction; Kentucky -- Fiction
The Indians had departed on their homeward route, bearing their killed
and wounded away from the field of carnage; but the dead and mutilated
bodies of the whites still remained where they had fallen, presenting
a spectacle the most hideous and revolting possibly to be conceived.
In the edge of the stream, on the banks, up the ridge, and along the
buffalo trace to the ravines, were lying the bloody and mangled corses
of the gallant heroes--who, the day before, full of ardor and life,
had rushed on to the battle and an untimely and inglorious death--now
swollen, putrid, and in the first stage of decomposition, from the
action of the scorching rays of an August sun--surrounded by vultures
and crows, and all species of carrion fowl; many of which, having gorged
themselves on the horrid repast, were either sweeping overhead in large
flocks, and screeching their funeral dirges, or wiping their bloody
bills on the neighboring trees. Some of the bodies in the stream had
been gnawed by fishes--others by wolves--and all had been so disfigured,
by one means and another, that but very few could be recognized by their
friends.
"Great Heaven! what a sight!" exclaimed Colonel Logan, as he ran his eye
over the scene.
"A dark and terrible day for Kaintuck," answered Boone, who was standing
by his side; and as he spoke, the old hunter turned away his head to
conceal his emotion; for his mind reverted to the death of his noble
son.
Orders were now given by Colonel Logan, to have the bodies collected,
and interred in a manner as decent as circumstances would permit. This
being accomplished, he returned with his men to Bryan's Station, and
there dismissed them--it not being thought advisable to pursue the enemy
further. In this ever memorable battle of Blue Licks, the Kentuckians
had sixty killed, twelve wounded, and seven taken prisoners, most of
whom were afterwards put to the tortures. As we said before, it was
a sad day for Kentucky, and threw the land into mourning and gloom.
Colonels Todd and Trigg, and Majors Harlan and McBride, were men beloved
and respected in life, and bitterly lamented in death by a long list of
true-hearted friends.
The great trace where the battle was fought, is now green with low
branching cedars; and a solitary monument near by, informs the curious
spectator of the sad disaster of by gone times. The Blue Lick Springs
are much resorted to in the summer season by invalids and others, for
whose convenience a magnificent hotel stands upon the banks of the
lovely and romantic Licking.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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