USA > Kentucky > Historical sketches of Kentucky : embracing its history, antiquities, and natural curiosities, geographical, statistical, and geological descriptions with anecdotes of pioneer life, and more than one hundred biographical sketches of distinguished pioneers, soldiers, statesmen, jurists, lawyers, divines, etc. > Part 66
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FIGHT WITH INDIANS.
ready mentioned, turned their horses' heads and re-crossed the river. The re- mainder, consisting chiefly of experienced warriors, continued the pursuit.
The trail led them down on the Miami, and about noon on the second day, they heard a bell in front, apparently from a horse grazing. Cautiously approach- ing it, they beheld a solitary Indian, mounted on horseback, and leisurely advane- ing towards them. A few of their best marksmen fired upon him and brought him to the ground. After a short consultation, it was then determined to follow his back trail, and ascertain whether there were more in the neighborhood. A small, active, resolute woodsman, named Mcintyre, accompanied by three others, was pushed on in advance, in order to give them early notice of the enemy's ap- pearance, while the main body followed at a more leisurely pace., Within an hour, Melatyre returned, and reported that they were then within a short distance of a large party of Indians, supposed to be greatly superior to their own. That they were encamped in a bottom upon the borders of a creek, and were amusing themselves, apparently awaiting the arrival of the Indian whom they had just killed, as they would occasionally halloo loudly. and then laugh immoderately, supposing, probably, that their comrade had lost his way.
This intelligence fell like a shower bath upon the spirits of the party, who, thinking it more prudent to put a greater interval between themselves and the enemy, set spurs to their horses, and galloped back in the direction from which they had come. Such was the panic, that one of the footmen, a huge hulking fellow, six feet high, in his zeal for his own safety, sprung up behind Capt. C'al- vin, (who was then mounted upon Capt. Ward's horse. the captain having dis- mounted in order to accommodate him). and nothing short of a threat to blow his brains out, could induce him to dismount. In this orderly manner they scamper- ed through the woods for several miles. when, in obedience to the orders of Ken- ton and Calvin. they halted, and prepared for resistance in case (as was probable) the enemy had discovered them, and were engaged in the pursuit. Kenton and Calvin were engaged apart in earnest consultation. It was proposed that a mam- ber of saplings should be cut down and a temporary breastwork erected, and while the propriety of these measures was under discussion, the men were left to them- selves.
Finding themselves not pursued by the enemy, as they had expected, it was determined that they should remain in their present position until night. when a rapid attack was to be made, in two divisions, upon the Indian camp, under the impression that the darkness of the night, and the surprise of the enemy. might give them an advantage, which they could scarcely hope for in daylight. Accord- ingly, every thing remaining quiet at dusk, they again mounted and advanced rapidly, but in profound silence, upon the Indian camp. It was ascertained that the horses which the enemy had stolen were grazing in a rich bottom below their camp. As they were advancing to the attack, therefore, Calvin detached his son with several halters, which he had borrowed from the men, to regain their own horses, and be prepared to carry them off in case the enemy should overpower them. The attack was then made in two divisions.
Calvin conducted the upper and Kenton the lower party. The wood was thick, but the moon shone ont clearly, and enabled them to distinguish objects with suf- ficient precision. Calvin's party came first in contact with the enemy. They had advanced within thirty vards of a large fire in front of a number of tent .. without having seen a single Indian, when a dog, which had been watching them for several minutes. sprung forward to meet them, baying loudly. Presently an Indian appeared approaching cautiously towards them, and occasionally speaking to the dog in the Indian tongue. This sight was too tempting to be borne, and Calvin heard the tick of a.dozen rifles in rapid succession. as his party cocked them in order to fire. The Indian was too close to permit him to speak. but turn- ing to his men he earnestly waved his hand as a warning to be quiet. Then can- tiously raising his own riffe. he fired with a steady aim, just as the Indian had reached the fire, and stood fairly exposed to its light.
The report of the ritle instantly broke the stillness of the night, and their ears were soon deafened by the vells of the enemy. The Indian at whoin Calvin had fred, fell forward into the burning pile of faggots, and, by his struggles to extri- cate himself. scattered the brands so much, as almost to extinguish the light. Several dusky forms glanced rapidly before them for a moment, which drew a
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volley from his men, but with what effect could not be ascertained. Calvin, having discharged his piece, turned so rapidly as to strike the end of his ramrod against a tree behind him. and drive it into its sheath with such violence, that he was unable to extricate it for several miantes, and finally fractured two of his teeth in the effort.
A heavy fire now commenced from the Indian camp, which was returned with equal spirit by the whites. but without much effect on either side. Trees were barked very plentifully, dogs bayed, the Indians yelled, the whites shouted. the squaws screamed, and a prodigious uproar was maintained for about fifteen min- utes, when it was reported to Calvin that Kenton's party had been overpowered. and was in full retreat. It was not necessary to give orders for a similar move- ment. No sooner had the intelligence been received, than the Kentuckians of the upper division broke their ranks, and every man attempted to save himself as he best could. They soon overtook the lower division, and a hot scramble took place for horses. One called upon another to wait for him until he could catch his horse, which had broken his bridle, but no attention was paid to the request. Some tled upon their own horses, others mounted those of their friends. " First come, first served," seemed to be the order of the night, and a sad confusion of property took place, in consequence of which, to their great terror, a few were compelled to return on foot. The flight was originally caused by the panic of an individual. As the lower division moved up to the attack, most of the men ap- peared to advance with alacrity. The action quickly commenced, and at the first fire from the Indians, Barre, a young Kentuckian, was shot by -'s side. This circumstance completely overthrew the courage of this one of the party, who had been the most boisterous and blostering when the chase commenced. but whose courage had visibly declined since the first encounter of the morning : and, elevating his voice to its shrillest notes, he shouted. " boys ! it won't do for us to be here ; Barre is killed, and the Indians are crossing the creek !" Bonaparte has said, that there is a critical period in every battle, when the bravest men will eagerly seize an excuse to run away. The remark is doubly true with regard to militia.
No sooner had this speech been uttered by one who had never yet been charged with cowardice, than the rout instantly took place, and all order was disregarded. Fortunately, the enemy were equally frightened, and probably would have fed themselves, had the whites given them time. No pursuit took place for several hours, nor did they then pursue the trail of the main body of fugitives. Mein- tyre, however, who had turned off from the main route, was pursued by the In- dians, overtaken, tomahawked and scalped.
It is somewhat remarkable, that a brother of Capt. Ward's was in the Indian camp at the moment when it was attacked. He had been taken by the Indians in 1758, being at that time only three years old, had been adopted as a member of the Shawanee tribe, and had married an Indian woman by whom he had several children, all of whom, together with their mother, were then in camp. Cant. Ward has informed the writer of this narrative, that. a few seconds before the firing began, while he stood within rifle shot of the encampment, an Indian girl. apparently fifteen years of age, attracted his attention. She stood for an instant in an attitude of aların, in front of one of the tents, and gazed intently upon the spot where he then stood. Not immediately perceiving that it was a female, he raised his gun, and was upon the point of firing, when her open bosom announced her sex, and her peculiarly light complexion caused him to doubt for a moment whether she could be an Indian by birth. He afterwards ascertained that she was his brother's child.
The celebrated Tecumseh commanded the Indians. His cautions yet fearless intrepidity made him a host wherever he went. In military tactics night attacks are not allowable, except in cases like this, when the assailing party are far infe- nor in numbers. Sometimes, in such attacks, panies and confusion are created in the attacked party, Which may render them a prey to interior numbers. Ken- ton trusted to this on the present occasion. but Teenmach's presence and intlu- ence over the minds of his followers infused such confidence that superior num- bers only could prevail over them.
Some time in the spring of 1793. Terunisch and a few of his followers. while hunting in the Scioto valley, on the waters of Paint creek, were unexpectedly attacked by a party of white men from Mason county, Kentucky. The circum- stances which led to this skirmish were the following : Early that spring, an
441
ISAAC BAKER.
express reached the settlement in Mason, that some stations had been attacked and captured on Slate creek, in Bath county, Kentucky, and that the Indians were returning with their prisoners to Ohio. A party of thirty-three men was unmediately raised to cut off their retreat. They were divided into three compa- miles of ten men each ; Simon Kenton commanding one, --- - Baker another, and Captain James Ward the third. The whole party crossed the Ohio at Lime- stone, and aimed to strike the Scioto above Paint creek. After crossing this creek near where the great road from Maysville to Chillicothe now crosses it, evening came on, and they halted for the night. In a short time they heard a noise, and a little examination disclosed to them that they were in the immedi- ale vicinity of an Indian encampment. Their horses were promptly taken back some distance and tied, to prevent an alarm. A council was held, and Captain Baker offered to go and reconnoitre, which being agreed to, he took one of his company and made the examination. He found the Indians encamped on the bank of the creek, their horses bring between them and the camp of the whites. After Baker's report was made. the party determined to remain where they were until near daylight the next morning. Captain Baker and his men were to march round and take a position on the bank of the stream in front of the Indian camp ; Captain Ward was to occupy the ground in the rear ; and Captain Ken- ton one side, while the river presented a barrier on the fourth, thus guarding against a retreat of the Indians. It was further agreed that the attack was not to commence until there was light enough to shoot with accuracy. Before Kenton and Ward had reached the positions they were respectively to ocenpy, the bark of a dog in the Indian camp was heard, and then the report of a gun. Upon this alarmo, Baker's men instantly fired. and Captains Kenton and Ward. with their companies, raising the battle cry, rushed towards the camp. To their sur- prise, they found Baker and his men in the rear, instead of the front of the Indi- ans, thus deranging the plan of attack, whether from design or accident is unknown. The Indians sent back the battle cry, retreated a few paces and trered. It was still too dark to fire with precision, but random shots were made, and a terrible shouting kept up by the Indians. While the parties were thus at bay, Tecumseh had the address to send a part of his men to the rear of the Kentucki- ans for their horses : and when they had been taken to the front, which was accomplished without discovery. the Indians mounted and effected their escape. carrying with thein John Ward, the brother of Captain James Ward, the only one of their party who was shot. He died of his wound a few days after the engagement. One Kentuckian only. Jacob Jones, was killed, a member of Ba- ker's detachment. No pursuit of the Indians was made, nor did they prove 10 be the same party who had attacked the Slate creek station.
After the fatal disaster which befel our troops at the river Raisin, during the Jate war, Captain Isaac Baker, a son of the late Colonel Baker, of Mason county, attempted to make good his retreat with the remnant of his company, some fifteen or twenty in number. They were pursued by a much larger party cf Indians on horseback. When they came in sight, Captain Baker told his men that as they were on foot there was no possibility of escape. and that it only remained for them as brave men to sell their lives as dearly as possible. He ordered every man to tree and await the approach of the enemy. The order was promptly obeyed. The Indians approached within good rifle distance and then dismounted. As they did so. Captain Baker's little Spartan band poured in simultaneously a destructive fire, which brought the Indian force nearly to an equality with his own party. The Indians immediately treed, and the actions continued in the true Indian manner of fighting. neither party firing except when there was a fair prospect of its taking effect. Unfortunately Captain Baker's men, at the commencement of the action, had but five rounds each. The night was continued until the last load of ammunition was expended. Captain Baker then hoisted his handkerchief as the signal of surrender. The Indians approached. received the arms of the prisoners, counted the loss sustained on each sule, and finding that theirs was the greater, began to make preparations to sacrifice as many as would bring the loss on each side to an equality. The first selected as a victim was the son of George Shinglebower. of Lexington, who was a rol haired man, and as such an object of peculiar aversion to the Indians. A war- rior approached him, tomahawk in hand, and took off his hat, the better to exe-
4.
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MASON COUNTY.
cute his dire purpose. Shinglebower, being a stout man, at the very moment the Indian was removing his hat, seized his tomahawk and sunk it into his head. The Indians, aroused to the utmost pitch of rage by this daring deed, now rushed upon the prisoners with their tomahawks, determined to massacre the whole party. At this moment, an aged chief stepped forward and took two of the prisoners, one in each hand, and led them aside, claiming them as his, and protecting them from the enraged savages. These two men were Captain Baker, since deceased, and Captain MeCarty, now a citizen of Pendleton county. They were purchased from the Indian chiet at the restoration of peace ; the residue of Captain Baker's brave little band were all tomahawked on the spot where they surrendered.
Gen. HENRY LEE, a native of Virginia, was one of the earliest pioneers who settled in the county of Mason. He was a man of considerable intelligence and remarkably strong natural powers of mind. He was a member of the Virginia legislature from the district of Kentucky, and also of the convention which adopted the federal constitution. He served in the convention at Danville which met in 1787, and was one of the commissioners who located the seat of govern- ment at Frankfort. He was county lieutenant for all the territory north of Lick- ing river, and was appointed judge of the quarter sessions court, and associate judge of the circuit court for Mason county, and was president of the Wash- ington Branch of the old Bank of Kentucky. He came to Kentucky originally as a surveyor, and acted in that capacity for many years. He was a very saga- cious man, of fine business habits, and by his position and great application, amassed a very large fortune. He was tall and powerfully made, very ereet, and a man of remarkably fine and imposing personal appearance. He died in the spring of 1846, in the eighty-ninth year of his age.
Judge WILLIAM McCLUNG settled in Mason at an early period, and was a very prominent and influential citizen, and took an active part in advancing the interests of the new settlements. He was judge for many years of the district and circuit courts of the county, and was distinguished for his high attainments as a lawyer, but most eminently for his great unswerving and unapproachable integrity as a judge. He died while filling that office, leaving his venerable widow, the sister of Chief Justice Marshall, who is still living with her son, John A. McClung, Esq., of this county. Colonel Alexander K. McClung, of Mississippi, is also a son of Judge MeClung.
ALEXANDER K. MARSHALL, Esq. a son of Colonel Thomas Marshall, and brother of the chief justice, was a pioneer lawyer of Mason county, and one of the very ablest of his day. In 1818 he was appointed reporter to the court of appeals, and during the period he held the office, published three volumes of reports.
Captain THOMAS MARSHALL, another son of Colonel Thomas Marshall, was the first clerk of the Mason county court. He was remarkable for his strong sense, benevolence and kind feelings, and was very generally beloved. He was a member of the convention that formed the present constitution of Kentucky.
Colonel ALEXANDER D. ORR, came to Kentucky from Virginia at an early period and settled in Mason on the farm lately occupied by John A. McClung, Haq. on the Ohio river, and built the first brick house ever erected in the county. He was elected to Congress in 1792 (after having been elected the same year to the state legislature), upon the admission of Kentucky into the Union, and took his sent at the session of 1792-3. in conjunction with his colleagues John Brown and J. Edwards. He continued a member of Congress until 1797. He was a man of commanding personal appearance, and a polished gentleman of the old school. He died in Paris a few years since at an advanced age.
Doctor BASIL DUKE was born in Calvert county, Maryland. He obtained 3 classical education in the school of a Scotchman of eminent scholarship. He studied medicine in the city of Baltimore. After practicing his profession a stort time in his native county, he emigrated to Kentucky, and settled in Lexington in the year 1991, then about twenty-five years of age. During his residence ai Les- ington, his professional ability secured him a large practice. In '94 he married Charlotte, the daughter of Colonel Thomas Marshall, then of Woodford, and in 1798 removed to Mason county. At the head of his profession in that part of
443
DEVALL PAYNE.
Kentucky, his practice for the greater part of his life was large and laborions, extending over Mason and the adjoining counties. His kind and benevolent character endeared him to the people, to whom his medical services rendered him greatly useful. He died in the town of Washington in 1828.
Colonel DEVALL PAYNE was born on the Ist of January, 1764. in the county of Fairfax, Virginia, within seven miles of the city of Alexandria. He was the son of William Payne, whose paternal ancestor accompanied Lord Fairfax from England when he came over to colonize his grant in Virginia. At the tinie Gen. Washington was stationed in Alexandria as a colonel of a British regiment, before the war of the revolution, an altercation took place in the court-house yard. between him and William Payne, in which Payne knocked Washington down. Great excitement prevailed, as Payne was known to be firm, and stood high. and Washington was beloved by all. A night's reflection, however, satisfied Washing- ton that he was the aggressor and in the wrong, and in the morning he, like a true and magnanimous hero. sought an interview with Payne, which resulted in an apology from Washington, and a warm and lasting friendship between the two, founded on mutual esteem. During the revolutionary war, whilst Washington was on a visit to his family, Mr. Payne, with his son Devall. went to pay his respects to the great American chief. Washington met him some distance from the house, took him by the hand, and led him into the presence of Mrs. Wash- ington, to whom he introduced Mr. Payne as follows: " My dear, here is the little man, whom you have so frequently heard me speak of. who once had the courage to knock ine down in the court-house yard in Alexandria, biz as I am."
Devall Payne was married to Hannah, youngest daughter of Major Hugh Brent. of Loudon county, Virginia, December Ist, 1785. In 1789 he removed to Ken- theky and settled near Lexington. Shortly afterwards he joined Captain Ken- veth M'Coy's troop of cavalry, and served under Governor Charles Scott in his campaign against the Weaw Indians on the Wabash. He was with Captain M'Coy when he was wounded, and assisted him from the battle field. During the engagement, as his horse leaped a log in the charge, he encountered an ini- dian chief who was laying beside it. Payne instantly dismounted and grappled with the Indian, determined, if possible. to take him prisoner. The Indian was armed with gun, tomahawk and butcher knife, and resisted furiously. Payne pres- sed him so closely, and was so active and athletic, that the Indian could not use his weapons. The contest was very severe, and lasted for several minutes, ex- citing the interest and admiration of half a dozen soldiers, who had collected around to witness the struggle. Payne finally conquered, having thrown the Indian down three times before he would surrender.
In 1790, he removed to Mason county, and settled on his farm, on Mill creek, where he resided till his death. He was twice shot at by the Indians. near his own house, and had his horses stolen out of his stable. He was an active and resolute woodsman, and was one of almost every party in pursuit of the eneiny. He was a scientific and practical surveyor, and for many years a member of the bench of magistrates for the county. His tastes, however, were decidedly inti- tiry ; and, as an officer of the militia, he took great pride in their drill and divi- pline. In 1413. when Col. R. M. Johnson raised his regiment of mounted rit. men. for service in the north-west. he received the appointment of major com- manding the first battalion ; and. on the 10th of October of that year, at the bar of the Thames. he. at the head of his battalion. charged through the British hne. and. after the surrender, by special order from the general-in-chief. led in prove of Proctor. Mounted on a splendid charger, with Capt. (now Colonel) Tel. V. Want and John Chambers. Esq. one of Gen. Harrison's volunteer aids, clase behind him, he dashed off with the battalion at his heels,-which, however, was soon left far in their rear,-and did not rein up till they had gone ten miles be- vond the battle-field, The pursuit was so hot, that Gen. Proctor was forced to abandon his carriage and take refuge in the swamp, leaving all his baggage and bi- papers, public and private, which fell into the hands of the victors. In the report of this battle, it is stated that .. Maj. Devall Payne, of the first battalion, Inspired confidence wherever he appeared."
JOHN CHAMBERS, Esq., one of those who followed Maj. Payne in this daring pursuit, was, for many years afterwards, a leading lawyer of the Mason bar : tre-
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MASON COUNTY.
quently a member of the legislature and of congress ; and, lately, distinguished as the able and efficient governor of lowa.
After this campaign, Col. Payne retired to private life. He was extremely popular in his county-was, for a long series of years, a member of the lower house, and, for eight years, in the senate, of the Kentucky legislature, where he was distinguished for his strong common sense and practical view of legislation ; and was always elected, when he would consent to serve. He was a member of every electoral college from the time of Jefferson till his death, except the one which cast its vote for Jackson. A democrat of the Jeffersonian school, he was associated with Hughes, George Nicholas, John Breckenridge. Judge Coburn, Gen. Bodley, and other leading men of the olden time in Kentucky , and, in his political course, was firm and inflexible in his own principles, yet tolerant of the opinions of those opposed to him.
Affectionate, tender and assidnous as a husband and father, he was benevolent and gentle in all his social relations .. He was bold. resolute, and perfectly hon- orable in his purposes ; fearless and ready in the discharge of all his duties. Tall and erect, with fine symmetry of form, a lofty brow, dark and piercing eyes, and a Roman contour of face, his personal appearance was very commanding.
He died on the 25th of June, 1830, having been a member of the Baptist church for about two years before his death.
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