Tales, Traditions and Romance of Border and Revolutionary TimesEllis, Edward Sylvester
History
Tales, Traditions and Romance of Border and Revolutionary Times
Ellis, Edward Sylvester
Frontier and pioneer life -- United States -- Anecdotes; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Anecdotes
There were now but four men left on board of the boat capable of
defending it. The Captain himself was severely wounded in two places.
Yet the second attack was resisted with incredible firmness. Whenever
the Indians would rise to fire, the whites would, commonly, give them
the first shot, which in almost every instance would prove fatal.
Notwithstanding the disparity of numbers and the exhausted condition of
Hubbell's party, the Indians, despairing of success, retired to the
shore. Just as the last canoe was departing, Hubbell called to the
Indian chief in the stern, and on his turning round, discharged his
piece at him. When the smoke was dissipated, the savage was seen lying
on his back, severely, perhaps mortally, wounded.
Unfortunately, the boat had drifted near to shore, where the Indians
were collected, and a large concourse, probably between four and five
hundred, were seen rushing down on the bank. Ray and Plascut, the only
men remaining unhurt, took to the oars. As the boat was not more than
twenty yards from shore, it was deemed prudent for them to lie down, and
attempt to paddle out into the river with the utmost practicable
rapidity. While thus covered, nine balls were shot into one oar, and ten
into the other, without wounding the rowers, who were protected by the
side of the boat and the blankets in its stern. During this exposure to
the fire, which continued about twenty minutes, Kilpatrick observed a
particular Indian, whom he thought a favorable mark for his rifle, and,
despite the solemn warning of Captain Hubbell, rose to shoot the savage.
He immediately received a ball in his mouth, which passed out at the
back part of his head, and was, almost at the same moment, shot through
the heart. He fell among the horses that about the same time were
killed, presenting to his afflicted daughters and fellow travelers, who
were witnesses of the awful occurrence, a spectacle of horror which it
were impossible to describe.
The boat, providentially, was then suddenly carried out into the stream,
beyond reach of the enemy's balls. The little band, reduced in numbers,
wounded, afflicted, and almost exhausted by fatigue, still were
unsubdued in spirit, and being assembled in all their strength, men,
women and children, with an appearance of triumph gave three hearty
cheers, calling to the Indians to come on again if they were fond of the
sport.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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