The Adventures of Col. Daniel Boon: Containing a Narrative of the Wars of KentuckeFilson, John
History
The Adventures of Col. Daniel Boon: Containing a Narrative of the Wars of Kentucke
Filson, John
Boone, Daniel, 1734-1820; Indian captivities -- Kentucky; Kentucky -- History -- To 1792; Pioneers -- Kentucky -- Biography
About this time I returned to Kentucke with my family; and here, to
avoid an enquiry into my conduct, the reader being before informed of
my bringing my family to Kentucke, I am under the necessity of informing
him that, during my captivity with the Indians, my wife, who despaired
of ever seeing me again, expecting the Indians had put a period to my
life, oppressed with the distresses of the country, and bereaved of me,
her only happiness, had, before I returned, transported my family and
goods, on horses, through the wilderness, amidst a multitude of dangers,
to her father's house, in North-Carolina.
Shortly after the troubles at Boonsborough, I went to them, and lived
peaceably there until this time. The history of my going home, and
returning with my family, forms a series of difficulties, an account
of which would swell a volume, and being foreign to my purpose, I shall
purposely omit them.
I settled my family in Boonsborough once more; and shortly after, on
the sixth day of October, 1780, I went in company with my brother to the
Blue Licks; and, on our return home, we were fired upon by a party of
Indians. They shot him, and pursued me, by the scent of their dog, three
miles; but I killed the dog, and escaped. The winter soon came on, and
was very severe, which confined the Indians to their wigwams.
The severity of this Winter caused great difficulties in Kentucke. The
enemy had destroyed most of the corn, the Summer before. This necessary
article was scarce, and dear; and the inhabitants lived chiefly on the
flesh of buffaloes. The circumstances of many were very lamentable:
However, being a hardy race of people, and accustomed to difficulties
and necessities, they were wonderfully supported through all their
sufferings, until the ensuing Fall, when we received abundance from the
fertile soil.
Towards Spring, we were frequently harassed by Indians; and, in May,
1782, a party assaulted Ashton's station, killed one man, and took
a Negro prisoner. Capt. Ashton, with twenty-five men, pursued, and
overtook the savages, and a smart fight ensued, which lasted two hours;
but they being superior in number, obliged Captain Ashton's party to
retreat, with the loss of eight killed, and four mortally wounded; their
brave commander himself being numbered among the dead.
The Indians continued their hostilities; and, about the tenth of August
following, two boys were taken from Major Hoy's station. This party was
pursued by Capt. Holder and seventeen men, who were also defeated, with
the loss of four men killed, and one wounded. Our affairs became more
and more alarming. Several stations which had lately been erected in the
country were continually infested with savages, stealing their horses
and killing the men at every opportunity. In a field, near Lexington, an
Indian shot a man, and running to scalp him, was himself shot from the
fort, and fell dead upon his enemy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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