Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. II, Part 75

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co.
Number of Pages: 1654

USA > Kentucky > Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. II > Part 75

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463

LETCHER . COUNTY.

the process of thorough exhaustion was steadily and inevitably going on, while the enemy was as constantly receiving reinforcements and supplies. To the credit of Gen. Grant, he did not ask the surrender of Gen. Lee's sword, nor the side-arms of the officers, nor their private horses or baggage, but only their parole of lionor to bear arms no longer against the United States, or render aid to its enemies, until properly exchanged; more, he allowed those who rode their own horses to take them with them to their homes ; "they will then do for spring ploughing."

Gen Lee was called to the presidency of Washington college, Lexington, Va., Sept. 28, 1865; and within five years, 1865-70, by his wonderful influence over the young men of the South, and his remarkable executive ability, in- creased the number of students from 70 before the war to 411 at his death, and advanced the college itself to a complete and comprehensive university- now officially designated, in compliment to him, as Washington-Lee Univer- sity. Before the inroads of the war upon his health, Gen. Lee was a man of distinguished personal presence, and remarkable for a commanding manly beauty. Few men of his rare abilities and personal qualities have been so modest and so devoid of pretension and conceit.

In Blackwood's (English) Magazine for March, 1872, in an article of great power on "General Lee and his Campaigns," a contributor maintains that --- excepting only Wellington and Marlborough-Lee was the greatest captain who ever spoke the English language. His greatest military error, he main- tains, was his failure to attack Gen. Burnside's army on the night of Dec. 13, 1862 -- after it had been terribly routed in the day. Gen. J. E. B. Stewart advised it-inasmuch as Burnside's host, huddled together in and about the little city of Fredericksburg, and with a broad and deep river, spanned only by three pontoon bridges, in its rear, would offer but little resistance. But Lee thought that Burnside was not too much exhausted, and would renew the attack ; and so the golden opportunity passed. The writer is confident that " the attack by Lee would have forced the capitulation of at least one-half, if not of two-thirds, of Burnside's army ; and it is extremely doubtful whether it would not have ended the war. European recognition of Southern inde- pendence could hardly have been withheld-if the victory of Fredericksburg had been turned into a Waterloo."

Upon a review of the past, after he had retired to private life at Lexington, Va., the same writer quotes Gen. Lee as saying, on inany occasions :

" If I had taken Longstreet's advice on the eve of the second day of the battle at Gettysburg, and filed off the left corps of my army behind the right corps, in the direction of Washington and Baltimore, along the Emmettsburg road, the Confederates would to-day be a free people."

LETCHER COUNTY.

LETCHER county, the 95th in order of formation, was estab- lished in 1842 out of parts of Perry and Harlan counties, and named in honor of the then governor, Robert P. Letcher. It is situated in the extreme eastern section of the state, on the head waters of Kentucky river, and is bounded N. by Perry and Floyd, E. by Floyd and Pike counties and the Virginia state line, s. by Harlan, and w. by Perry. The face of the country is hilly and mountainous-the Cumberland and Black mountains bordering the southeast, while the Pine mountain passes through a portion of the county. The soil is medium, producing to the acre 25 to 50 bushels of corn and 20 to 40 of wheat. The principal exports . are cattle, hogs, ginseng, and wools.

Whitesburg, named after C. White (a member of the legislature when the county was formed) is the county seat, about 150 miles

464

LEWIS COUNTY.

from Frankfort, 36 from Hazard in Perry county, and 49 from Harlan C. H. ; population about 125. Partridge and Stony Gap are post-offices.

STATISTICS OF LETCHER COUNTY.

When formed. See page 26 Tobacco, corn, wheat, hay ... pages 266, 268

Population, from 1850 to 1870 .p. 258 Horses, mules, cattle, hogs. .p. 268

whites and colored. .p. 260 Taxable property, 1846 and 1870 ... p. 270

towns. .p. 262 Land-No. of acres, and value ...... p. 270

white males over 21 .. p. 266 Latitude and longitude ....... p. 257

children bet. 6 and 20 .p. 266

Distinguished citizens. .. see Index.

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE FROM LETCHER COUNTY.

Senate .- Nathaniel W. Collins, 1853-57.

House of Representatives .- Hiram Hogg, 1847; Preston H. Collier, 1849; Robert Bates, 1857-59 ; Alex. E. Adams, 1863-65; James B. Fitzpatrick, 1871-73. From Letcher, Clay, and Perry counties-Hiram Begley, 1845. From Letcher, Perry and Pike counties-Jas. H. Hundley, 1851-53; Lewis Sewards, 1853-55.

Minerals .- Salt and coal greatly abound; coal mines are innumerable, although but little is mined for use. Iron ore abounds, but there are no furnaces or iron works. Mineral waters, such as chalybeate and sulphur springs, are found in various places.

Water Power is abundant, upon all the streams in the county-North fork of Ky. river and its branches, Roekhouse and Carr's forks, and Troublesome creek.

But one Salt Well in the county, and that does not make a sufficiency for the home demand.

Fine Timber abounds. (See pp. 412-13.)

Gov. ROBERT P. LETCHER, in honor of whom the county was named, was a native of Garrard county, where he resided and practiced law until 1840; was a representative in the legislature frequently, in congress for ten years, 1823-33, and again in the legislature ; was always a firm and consistent Whig, and in Dec., 1831, received the whole vote of the entire Whig repre- sentation for speaker of the house. In 1838, was speaker of the Ky. house of representatives, and as such distinguished for energy and promptitude. As the Whig candidate, he was elected governor, Aug., 1840, for four years, by 15,720 majority over Judge Richard Freneh. Although one of the most popu- lar eleetioneerers in the state, he was beaten for congress in the Lexington district, Aug., 1853, by Maj. John C. Breckinridge, by 526 majority-owing to the remarkable popularity of the latter in Owen county. He died in Frankfort, Jan. 24, 1861.

LEWIS COUNTY.

LEWIS county, organized in 1806, out of part of Mason county, and named in honor of Capt. Meriwether Lewis, was the 48th in order of formation. It is situated in the N. E. section of the state, and borders upon the Ohio river, which is its northern boundary, for about 40 miles ; and is bounded E. by Greenup, s. by Carter, Rowan, and Fleming, and w. by Fleming and Mason counties. The surface of the county is generally hilly ; the soil neither very rich nor very poor, partly limestone and partly free- stone. The latter, or S. E. portion is mainly valuable for the timber and tan-bark, which still grow upon it in great abundance although being rapidly thinned out. The valleys of the Ohio, and of Kinnokinnick and Cabin creeks, are quite rich. The prod-

ESCULAPIA SPRINGS, LEWIS COUNTY, KY. (Destroyed by fire, about 1560).

465

LEWIS COUNTY.

ucts are corn, wheat, rye, and oats; the exports-horses, cattle, hogs, lumber, tan-bark, and freestone in blocks.

Towns .- Vanceburg, the county seat, is situated on the Ohio river, 22 miles below Portsmouth, 30 above Maysville, 91 above Cincinnati, and about 90 from Frankfort; population in 1870, 513. Clarksburg, the former county seat, is 3 miles w. Concord, on the Ohio river, 12 miles below Vanceburg ; popula- tion in 1870, 228. Quincy, on the Ohio, 11 miles above Vance- burg ; Poplar Flat, Tollesborough, are very small places; there are 7 other post-offices in the county.

STATISTICS OF LEWIS COUNTY.

When formed. See page 26 | Hay, corn, wheat, tobacco ... pages 266, 268

Population, from 1810 to 1870 ... p. 258 Horses, mules, cattle. and hogs .... 268

whites and colored. .p. 260 Taxable property, 1846 and 1870 .... p. 270

towns. .p. 262 Land-No. of acres, and value ....... p. 270

white mnales over 21. p. 266 Latitude and longitude. ..... p. 257

children bet. 6 and 20 ... p. 2 Distinguished citizens . see Index.

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE FROM LEWIS COUNTY, SINCE 1816.

Senate .- Wm. C. Halbert, 1866-69; R. B. Lovell, 1873-77.

House of Representatives .- Samuel Cox, 1816, '19; Thos. Marshall, 1817, '28, '36, '39, '42, '44; Aaron Stratton, 1818; Wm. B. Parker, 1820, '37 ; Alex. Bruce, 1821, __ '25; Frederick R. Singleton. 1522; Chauncey B. Shepherd, 1824, '26, '31, '32; John Bruce, 1827, '29; Thos. Henderson, 1830, '33; Chas. C. Marshall, 1834; Israel B. Donaldson, 1835 ; Thos. J. Walker, 1838; Mandley Trussell, 1840 ; Socrates Holbrook, 1841; Benj. Given, 1843; Uriah R. MeKellup, 1845; Larkin J. Proctor, 1846; Jas. Bilderback, 1847 ; Nathaniel R. Garland, 1848 ; John L. Fitch, 1849; John Thompson, 1850; Cleaton Bane, 1851-53; Joshua Givens, 1853-55 ; Francis M. Woods, 1855-57; Thos. H. C. Bruce, IS57-59; Geo. Morgan Thomas, 1859-61, '61-63, resigned Aug. 16, '62, and succeeded by Perry S. Layton, 1863-65 ; P. H. C. Bruce, 1865-67 ; Joshua B. Fitch, 1867-69, declared ineligible and seat vacated, succeeded by Alex. Bruce, 1867-69 ; Andrew J. Hendrickson, 1869-71 ; Thos. Jeff. Walker, 1871-73, seat contested by Ben. E. Woodworth and vacated, 1872, and succeeded by Geo. Morgan Thomas, 1872-75.

Springs .- There are many mineral springs in Lewis county, chiefly chalyb- eate and white sulphur-one of which, called Esculapia or Sulphur Springs, was quite celebrated and much frequented as a watering place, 1840-50. The principal improvements, as shown in the engraved view, taken in 1846, were destroyed by fire, some years ago; it is still visited every summer, for its valuable waters. one spring of white sulphur and the other of chalybeate- which are claimed to be equal to the best similar waters in Virginia. It is situated in a romantic valley, surrounded by tall hills of easy ascent, from which the view is picturesque and enchanting. In 1775 to 1785, the salt lick on Salt Lick creek, spoken of below, was the most celebrated object in the county.

The Freestone in the Ohio river hills below Vanceburg-the same vein and quality as that in the hills opposite, and celebrated for forty years as the Rockville or Buena Vista stone-is growing in importance as an article of export. The new U. S. custom-house and post-office at Chicago is being built of the latter, as are all the finest buildings at Cincinnati and Louisville, while the demand for it in New York and other large cities is rapidly extend- ing. It is among the finest and handsomest building stones in the world.

The First Survey within the bounds of Lewis county was made by Capt. Thos Bullitt, when on his way to the Falls to survey lands for Governor (Lord) Dunmore in June, 1773-in what has been well known for 75 years as " Forman's Bottom," on the Ohio river. It was a private survey, sold by Capt. Bullitt to James Triplett, and by him to Wm. Triplett-who came on it in 1776, and with the aid of Samuel Wells, Willis Edwards, and severa! others, "improved " it by making a deadening and otherwise .* Thos. Forman

* Deposition of Wm. Triplett, Will Book A, Mason county records. II ... 30

466

LEWIS COUNTY.

subsequently, and before 1798, made a clearing in front of this survey, on the low bottom on the Ohio.

The Three Islands were, as early as 1773, a point of considerable notoriety. Before leaving Pittsburgh, Capt. Thos. Young and nine others procured "a description of the Ohio river from persons who had navigated it before." They went ashore, and were surveying the bottom between what in 1819 was called Salt Lick creek (then Big Buffalo creek) and the Scioto river; when two men came up the Ohio, and told them that Wm. Kennedy and his company were encamped opposite the upper point of the Three Islands. In 1775, several Indians in Pittsburgh told Ignatius Mitchell that " the best banks they knew were the 3d bottom below the Three Islands "-which proved to be immedi- ately above the mouth of Lawrence's creek. Of the Three Islands, the upper one is nearly opposite Brush (then called Indian) creek, about 11 miles above Maysville. Jacob Sodowsky says that in 1774, as he and his company came down the Ohio, they were much alarmed by the signs of Indians at the crossing place near the mouth of Sycamore, a short distance above the Three Islands.

The Mouth of Cabin Creek (53 miles above Limestone creek, or Maysville) was a noted crossing place for war parties of Indians over the Ohio river. Two roads led out to the Upper Blue Lick-one always known as the upper war road, the other sometimes called the lower war road, but generally the buffalo road or trace ; the former was best known, most distinctly marked in its whole length, and oftenest traveled except in most active Indian times, when it was avoided for fear of them. James Gilmore and his company traveled this war road in 1775. Col. Calamore's company landed at Cabin creek, and took this war road out to Lulbegrud creek, in now Clark county, where they raised corn in 1775. War roads were distinguished by the marks and blazes upon them, frequently the rough drawing of wild animals, or the sun or moon ; and by their being leading roads, leading from one distant point to another. Buffalo roads were found along ridges and creeks, were much wider, and much more beaten because of the constant tramping of the buffa- loes, and had no blazes or distinguishing marks .*

The Mouth of Sycamore Creek was also a noted Indian crossing.

The First Horses and Cattle introduced permanently into northern Kentucky were (9 of the former and 14 of the latter) brought down the Ohio river in boats from Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh) in Nov., 1775; taken ashore at the mouth of Salt Lick creek in Lewis county, by Col. Robert Patterson, Wm. McCon- nell, David Perry, and Stephen Lowry ; thence, piloted by Perry (who had been in Kentucky in Feb., 1775, and probably also in 1773), driven up Salt Lick westwardly, across Cabin creek, past Mayslick, to the Middle trace, which was followed to the Lower Blue Licks, and thence on to Hinkston and to Leestown.t

Visitors in 1776 .- Early in April of this year, Maj. Geo. Stockton, Col. John Fleming, Samuel Strode, and Wm. McClary descended the Ohio river, and landing at the mouth of Salt Lick creek, proceeded into the country to- wards the Upper Blue Lick, and made improvements on the North fork of Licking and on Fleming creek.}

Daniel Boone, in a deposition taken June 2, 1796, at a point on a branch of the North fork of Licking, on the path from Keith's Mills to the salt works at Salt Lick creek, stated that in 1779 he was at that spot; there was an In- dian camp there at the time. In 1780, he surveyed and located 3,000 acres of land for Nathaniel Hart, to include the Indian camp in the center. The four other witnesses testifying, at the same place, were Maj. Geo. Stockton, Capt. Michael Cassidy, Wm. Walker, and Stephen Furr.

The Five Hundred Pounds of Powder which Maj. George Rogers Clark and John Gabriel Jones procured, by order of the Council of Virginia, on Aug. 23, 1776, at Pittsburgh, for the relief of the settlers in Kentucky, they brought down the Ohio and secreted at the Three Islands in what is now Lewis county, near Manchester, Ohio, and about Il miles above Linestone ( Mays-

* Deposition of Simon Kenton, June 5, 1824.

+ Deposition of Col. Robert Patterson, Oct. 19, 1818, at Dayton, Ohio.

# Deposition of Maj. Geo. Stockton, Feb. 26, 1805.

LEWIS COUNTY.

467

ville). Col. John Todd and a party of men were sent after this powder, under the guidance of Gabriel Jones ; but on Dec. 25, 1776. when near the Lower Blue Lick, being attacked by Indians, and Jones, Wm. Graden, and Josiah Dixon, killed, abandoned the expedition. Jan. 2, 1777, at Harrodsburg, Col. James Harrod raised a company of about 30 men to go after the powder, viz .: Elisha Bathey, Leonard Helm, Andrew McConnell,

Joseph Blackford, Henry Higgins,

Francis MeConnell,

James Elliott, Isaac Hite,

William McConnell,

David Glenn,

Jonathan Ingram,

Samuel Moore,

Silas Harlan,

Simon Kenton,

Nathaniel Randolph,

James Harrod,

Benjamin Linn,

Jacob Sodowsky,

and about twelve others. They went by Mcclellan's fort (now Georgetown), the Lower Blue Lick, and May's Lick; then turned to the right a little, and struck the Ohio at or near the month of Cabin creek. After securing the powder, it was proposed to return by the war road leading from the month of Cabin creek to the Upper Blue Lick ; but by the advice of Simon Kenton, who discovered signs of danger, they went down the Ohio several miles, and took through the woods until they struck the buffalo road leading from Lime- stone to the Lower Blue Lick, and returned to Harrodsburg over the route they had come .*

Visitors in 1783 .- In May, 1783, Jacob Drennon, John Riggs, Thos. Mills, Lot Masters, and Geo. Mefford, came down the Ohio river to the district of Kentucky, to locate and improve lands and leaving their canoe at or near the mouth of a creek since called Crooked creek, proceeded into the country, to the east and south forks of Cabin creek, and then along a buffalo trace to the waters of the North fork of Licking. They made some locations on the East fork of Cabin creek, at one place cutting the initials of Geo. Mefford's name on a honey locust tree. t

For some account of Christopher Fort, see page 48, Vol. I.

Near Vanceburg, in this county, is a large quarry of slate stone ; and immedi- ately at the water's edge at a common stage of the river, at the same place, is a quarry of white limestone rock, which produces remarkably white lime, and is said to contain from fifty to sixty per cent. of magnesia. Free white or sand stone is found in great abundance on the Ohio, a few miles above Vanceburg, where there is also a large quarry of alum rock. On Salt Lick creek, near Vance- burg, there is a copperas bed, from which the people of the county supply thein- selves with that article; and one mile distant, there is an extensive blue clay bank, suitable for stone ware ard fire brick. There are also in the neighborhood, two salt wells, three hundred feet deep, which afford a large quantity of water, from which this part of the state was formerly supplied with salt.

This county was named in honor of Captain MERIWETHER LEWIS, the compan- ion of Clark in the celebrated exploring expedition over the Rocky Mountains He was born near Charlottesville, in Virginia, in 1774. At twenty years of age. he acted as a volunteer, in the suppression of the whisky insurrection, and after- wards received an appointment in the regular service. In 1801, Mr. Jefferson appointed him his private secretary, which situation he held till 1803, when, with William Clark, he started on his exploring expedition to the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Jefferson, in recommending him for this service, gave him a high character for courage, firmness and perseverance, an intimate knowledge of the Indian character, fidelity, intelligence, and all those peculiar combinations of qualities that eminently fitted him for so arduous an undertaking. They were absent three years, and were highly successful in accomplishing the objects contemplated in their tour. Shortly after his return, in 1806, he was appointed governor of the territory of Louisiana. On his arrival at St. Louis, the seat of administration, he found the country torn by dissension ; but his moderation, impartiality and firmness soon brought matters into a regular train. He was subject to constitutional hypochon- dria, and while under the influence of a severe attack, shot himself on the bor- ders of Tennessee, in 1809, at the age of 36. The account of the expedition, written by him, was published in 1811.

* Depositions of Jacob Sodowsky, in Jessamine co., April 27, 1818, and of Simon Kenton, at Abner ford's tavern in Washington, June 5, 1S24.

t Deposition of John Riggs, Oct., 1797.

468

LINCOLN COUNTY.

LINCOLN county was formed in 1780, and was one of the three original counties organized in the district of Kentucky by the legislature of Virginia. It was named in honor of General BEN- JAMIN LINCOLN, a distingushed officer of the revolutionary army. The original territory of Lincoln, which comprised nearly one- third of the State, has been reduced, by the formation of new counties, to comparatively small dimensions ; but it is still a com pact and well-formed county : Bounded on the north by Boyle and Garrard ; east by Garrard and Rockcastle ; south by Pulaski, and west by Casey. The exports of the county are, horses, mules. cattle, hogs and wool ; while wheat, corn, oats and rye are exten sively cultivated.

Towns .- Stanford, the county seat, on the Lebanon or Knox- ville branch of the Louisville and Nashville railroad, is 1033 miles from Louisville, 10 from Danville, and 51 from Frankfort ; population in 1870, 752, an increase of 273 in 10 years. Crab Orchard, on the same railroad, 115 miles from Louisville, and 11} from Stanford, was famous in old times as a station on the " Wilderness " (or usually traveled) route to Virginia and the settlements, and is celebrated now as a watering place, the seat of the Crab Orchard springs; population in 1870, 631, an increase of 267 since 1860. Hustonville, 6 miles from Stanford ; popula- tion in 1870, 320, an increase of 105 in 10 years. Highland, Turnersville, Walnut Flat, and Waynesburg are small villages.

STATISTICS OF LINCOLN COUNTY.

When formed See page 26 Tobacco, hay, corn, wheat ... pages 266, 268

Population, from 1790 to 1870 ... p. 258 Horses, mules, cattle, hogs. ...... page 268

whites and colored. .. p. 260 Taxable property, in 1846 and 1870 ... p. 270

towns .p. 262 Land-No. of acres, and value of .... p. 270

white males over 21. .. p. 266 Latitude and longitude. .p. 257

children bet. 6 and 20 yrs. p. 266

Distinguished citizens see Index.

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE FROM LINCOLN COUNTY, SINCE 1815.

Senate .- Jos. Welch, 1808, '14-18 : James Davidson, 1818-26 ; John Green, 1826-29; Michael Davidson, 1836-40; Winford G. Bailey, 1840-44; Robert Blain, jr., 1853-57 ; George C. Riffe, 1863-67. [See Laurel county.]

House of Representatives .- Win. Craig, 1815; Benj. Duncan, 1816, '17, '18, '19; Michael Davidson, 1816, '28; Samuel Shackleford, 1817; John Green, 1818, '20, '21, '22, '24, '25, '32 ; John Kincaid, 1819, '36, '37 : Adamn Wilson, 1826, '27, '33; John E. Wright, 1829, '35, '43; Logan Hunton, 1830, '31, '33: David Shanks, 1832, '40 ; Wm. O. Hansford, 1834, '57-59 ; Winford G. Bailey, 1834, '35; Hartwell A. Bailey, 1838; Haydon J. McRoberts, 1839 : Robert W. Graham, 1841 ; Samuel O. Middleton, 1842; John L. Ballinger, 1844 ; Benj. F. Purdom, 1845, '46 ; George H. Mckinney, 1847 ; Thos. W. Napier, 1848 ; Robert Blain, jr., 1849 ; Thos. W. Varnon, 1850, '63-67, '71-73 : Christian Engleman, 1851-55; Woodson C. Montgomery, 1855-57; Gabriel A Lackey, 1859-61, '67-69; John C. . Cooper, 1861-63; Lorenzo D. Good, 1869-71; Dr. Thos. B. Montgomery, 1873-75.

From Lincoln and Rockcastle-Wm. Wade, 1815; Schuyler Barrett, 1820.

Corn was raised in 1775, in Lincoln county, by Benjamin Logan and Wm. Gillespie.

The Pioncer Stations in the boundaries of the present Lincoln county ex- ceeded in number those of any other county. Possibly this list may embrace several not located in Lincoln, but in an adjoining county : Cane Run, Car- penter's, Casey's, Crab Orchard, Craig's, Clark's, Crow's, Forks of Dick's river, Gilmer's, Knob Lick, Logan's Fort or St. Asaph, Mckinney's, Mont- gomery's, l'ettit's, Whitley's, Wilson's, Worthington's-17 in all.

469

BENJAMIN LOGAN.

The Knob Licks, in this county, is a locality of some curiosity. What are called Knobs, are detached hills of a soft clay slate formation, in some instances the slate having been decomposed and abraded to a considerable depth by the ac- tion of the elements, leaving large hollows on the side of the hills, intersected in every direction with ravines, and entirely destitute of vegetation. The greatest height of these knobs is about two hundred feet, and the highest has a base of some one hundred and fifty yards in diameter.

In the year 1775, Col. BENJAMIN LOGAN, a sketch of whose life will be found under the head of " Logan county," arrived at St. Asaph's, about a mile west of the present town of Stanford, and established a fort, called Logan's fort. On the 20th of May, 1777, this fort was invested by a force of a hundred Indians; and, on the morning of that day, as some of the females belonging to it were engaged, outside of the gate, in milking the cows, the men who acted as the guard for the occasion were fired upon by a party of the Indians, who had concealed themselves in a thick canebrake. One man was shot dead, another mortally wounded. and · a third so badly, as to be disabled from making his escape ; the reinainder made good their retreat into the fort, and closed the gate. Harrison, one of the wound- ed men, by a violent exertion, ran a few paces and fell. His struggles and ex- clamations attracted the notice, and awakened the sympathies, of the inmates of the station. 'The frantic grief of his wife gave additional interest to the scene. The enemy forbore to fire upon him, doubtless from the supposition that some of the garrison would attempt to save him, in which event they were prepared to fire upon them from the canebrake. The case was a trying one; and there was a strong conflict between sympathy and duty, on the part of the garrison. The number of effective men had been reduced from fifteen to twelve, and it was ex- ceedingly hazardous to put the lives of any of this small number in jeopardy; yet the lamentations of his family were so distressing, and the scene altogether so moving, as to call forth a resolute determination to save him, if possible. Lo- gan, always alive to the impulses of humanity, and insensible to fear, volunteered his services, and appealed to some of his men to accompany him. But so appal- ling was the danger, that all, at first, refused. At length, John Martin consented, and rushed, with Logan, from the fort; but he had not gone far, before he shrank from the imminence of the danger, and sprang back within the gate. Logan paused for a moment, then dashed on, alone and undaunted-reached, unhurt, the spot where Harrison lay-threw him on his shoulders, and, amidst a tremendous shower of rifle balls, made a safe and triumphant retreat into the fort.

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Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. II, Part 75

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn Publication date: 1874 Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co. Number of Pages: 1654

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co.
Number of Pages: 1654