The Memoirs of Lieut. Henry Timberlake (Who Accompanied the Three Cherokee Indians to England in the Year 1762): Containing Whatever He Observed Remarkable, Or Worthy of Public Notice, During His Travels to and from That Nation; Wherein the Country, Government, Genius, and Customs of the Inhabitants, Are Authentically Described. Also the Principal Occurrences During Their Residence in London. Illustrated With an Accurate Map of Their Over-hill Settlement, and a Curious Secret Journal, Taken by tTimberlake, Henry
History
The Memoirs of Lieut. Henry Timberlake (Who Accompanied the Three Cherokee Indians to England in the Year 1762): Containing Whatever He Observed Remarkable, Or Worthy of Public Notice, During His Travels to and from That Nation; Wherein the Country, Government, Genius, and Customs of the Inhabitants, Are Authentically Described. Also the Principal Occurrences During Their Residence in London. Illustrated With an Accurate Map of Their Over-hill Settlement, and a Curious Secret Journal, Taken by t
Timberlake, Henry
Cherokee Indians -- History; United States -- History -- French and Indian War, 1754-1763
I now began to be very pressing with Ostenaco, threatening if he would
not set out immediately, to return without him. This however would have
been my last resource, as I was for the space of 140 miles ignorant of
every step of the way. I at last prevailed on him; but on the 10th of
March, while we were again preparing for our departure, the _Death
Hallow_ was heard from the top of Tommotly town-house. This was to give
notice of the return of a party commanded by Willinawaw, who went to war
towards the Shawnese country some time after my arrival. After so many
disappointments, I began to think I should never get away, as I supposed
this affair would keep me, as others had done, two or three days, and
till some new accident should intervene to detain me longer. About
eleven o’clock the Indians, about forty in number, appeared within sight
of the town; as they approached, I observed four scalps, painted red on
the fleshside, hanging on a pole, and carried in front of the line, by
the second in command, while Willinawaw brought up the rear. When near
the town-house, the whole marched round it three times, singing the
war-song, and at intervals giving the _Death Hallow_; after which,
sticking the pole just by the door, for the crowd to gaze on, they went
in to relate in what manner they had gained them. Curiosity prompted me
to follow them into the town-house; where, after smoaking a quarter of
an hour in silence, the chief gave the following account of their
campaign.
“After we left Tommotly, which was about the middle of January, we
travelled near 400 miles before we saw the least sign of the enemy; at
last, one evening, near the river Ohio, we heard the report of several
guns, whereupon I sent out several scouts to discover who they were, and
if possible where they encamped, that we might attack them early next
morning; about dark the scouts returned, and informed us they were a
party of Shawnese, hunting buffaloes; that they had watched them to the
river-side, where, taking to their canoes, they had paddled across the
river; and seeing a great many fires on the other side, where our scouts
directed our sight, we concluded it to be a large encampment; we
thereupon began to consult, whether it would be more adviseable to cross
the river over night, or early next morning: it was decided in favour of
the former, notwithstanding its snowing excessively hard, lest we should
be discovered. We accordingly stripped ourselves, tying our guns to our
backs, with the buts upwards, to which we hung our ammunition, to
prevent its getting wet; we then took water, and swam near half a mile
to the other side, where we huddled together to keep ourselves warm,
intending to pass the remainder of the night in that manner, and to fall
on the enemy at daybreak; but as it continued snowing the whole time, it
proved so cold, that we could endure it no longer than a little past
midnight, when we resolved to surround the enemy’s camp, giving the
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account