USA > Kentucky > The history of Kentucky : including an account of the discovery, settlement, progressive improvement, political and military events, and present state of the country > Part 5
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Born free, and accustomed to order and controul his own actions, one passsion predominated, and that was love of LIBERTY. And what he was himself, he wished every
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one else to be. Raised up with the habits of a hunter of the wild game, he saught their haunts, and found inore pleasure in pursuing them through the thicket, or allur- ing them to his trap, than in controling the actions of beings like himself. His birth, his education, his mode of living, undoubtedly it is, which attaches the Indian to his native forests-and which induces him to remain an Indian, prefering the savage, to the civilized state of human beings.
The love of personal liberty, among the strongest - passions known to the human breast, will account for the indefinite, and almost perpetual state, of savage life, from which the American Indians are with so much difficulty reclaimed ; for which Harrod languished, and to which he returned, by resorting to the woody wilds, or rugged hills, in pursuit of his favorite objects. But James Harrod, will be remembered, with affection, and regret, by the last of his comrades-and it belongs to the historian to transmit his memorial to posterity. This willing task is ours-and this imperfect sketch, the monument we raise to his memory.
Of the adventurers, who first settled at Harrodsburgh, where most were brave and active, it may be said with truth, that for active and daring courage, none tran- scended M'GARY.
A Harland, a M'Bride, and a Chaplain, deserve also · to be mentioned.
Among the young men, none were more entitled to distinction and to praise, for active and meritorious services than JAMES RAY. Ready upon all occasions
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of alarm, prompt in pursuit of the enemy-brave in the field, he scarcely missed a battle, or skirmish, which took place in the neighborhood, or an expedition which was sent from the country against the Indian towns. Expert as a woodsman, and skilful as a hunter, he was often employed as a spy ; and frequently leaving the garri- son by night, and travelling through secret ways, reach- ed the forest five, or six, miles distant, by day, when killing the buffaloe, by the first dawn of light, would watch it till night again ; then loading himself, with choice parts, he would return to the fort, with a supply of meat, to those who were not able to procure it for themselves.
The Indians all the while, watching every known ave- nue to the place. It is in times of difficulty, and dan- ger, that men prove themselves, genuine, or counterfeit ; heroes, or paltroons ; useful, or a nuisance.
By substantial services, James Ray, entitled himself to the gratitude of his cotemporaneous settlers, and their successors have repaid him with their confidence, their good will, and their suffrages.
When we mention particular persons, let none others think themselves overlooked, or neglected, from want of respect, or of an entire wish to do them the most ample justice. To name them only, would be but a poor re- ward for their labors, and toils ; to give details would render our task too laborious, and our narrative too pro- lix. It is only those who have made themselves most prominent, that we can mention, satisfactorily. Many we doubt not, whose active services have merited atten- G
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tion from their countrymen will escape our notice, from a defect of information. In the very brief, and imper- fect sketch which we have given of James Ray, many others, will recognise, a series of similar transactions as to themselves ; and feel the agreeable sensation, which ever accompanies the consciousness of having contribut- ed, to the relief of suffering humanity; or to the estab- lishment, and prosperity of the first settlement of the country.
Among the early settlers at Harrodsburgh, and its neighborhood, the name of M'Afee deserves a place in. the annals, of the first settlements of Kentucky.
As early as the year 1773, James and Robert M'Afee left their residence in the county of Botetourt, Virginia, to seek their future place of residence in the wilds of Ken- tucky. They arrived in the country that year ; explor- ed it extensively, and fixed on lands adjoining to Salt River, five or six miles from Harrodsburgh, as their choice of the country. A permanent settlement was their object. And with this view they returned, to the country in 1774, revisited their former selections of land ; and made some improvements-as were common among the early adventurers,-deemed sufficient to au- thorise future possession.
In 1775, they were again in Kentucky, and still added something to the improvements, which they had made ; and we find, their relations William, and George M'Afee, also among the early adventurers, to Kentucky. Some of the M'Afees, were persuaded by Colo. Hender- son to accompany him to Boonesborough ; where; he
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assured them they might take up as much land as they 1. wanted, by entry in his ofice, as proprietor of the coun- try, south of the Kentucky River.
James M'Afee, resisted these alluring offers, by urg- ing the right of Virginia tothe country ; but his brothers yielded to the address of Henderson, and raised a crop of corn at Boonesborough in the year 1775 ; by which they entitled themselves to a settlement and preemption in the country, as will be hereafter explained-the fate of Henderson's claun is already known. Their entries fell with it.
In 1776, the M'Afee's returned to Kentucky, after going home in the preceding autumn, and raised corn on Salt River, principally at James M'Afee's improve- ment ; with the intent of removing their families, to the country in that year.
This was however prevented by a series of untoward events, which befel a part of them on the Canhawa ; and which terminating in the loss of all the stores, they had for several years, been laying up, and providing for their removal, postponed that event to a more distant period.
In 1777, some of the connection came out to Salt River, to see after the cattle which they had previously removed to the country, and left the year before ; but could find none of them, the Indians having killed, and dispersed the whole of the herd, amounting to about fifty head. In 1779, they returned to Kentucky, re- claimed their lands, and settled M'Afee's stat on, six miles from Harrodsburgh. Robert B. M'Afee, now a
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member of the Legislature, is a son of Robert M' Afec, and a Kentuckian by birth, and education.
This little narrative is due to the first explorers of the country on Salt River, and to the first who ascend- ed the Kentucky River, to its head ; and thence travers- ed the Cumberland Mountain, fortified by its out posts of stupendous hills, where man never trod before; and from whence wild animals of the game kind, had fled with terror, and affright. In this tour which lasted about fourteen days, and which was executed in 1773, the party suffered incredible fatigue, and great hunger ; one of which totally failing, sunk down in despair ; when as Providence directed, equally, as when Isaac was saved by the appearance of the ram, a buffaloe was spied, and killed ; the internal application of a part of which, to the stomach of the dying man, soon brought him to his feet ; and the whole party got safe to Castleswood's on Clinch River, and thence returned home.
Among the early adventurers to Kentucky, was he, whose name we have already mentioned, and whose venerable and well ballanced figure now presents itself, for particular notice. It is tall, athletic, contem- plative, taciturn, and dignified. The statesman's eye, is crowned with the warrior's brow ; and a countenance, which displays an unyielding fortitude, invites to a confidence, which was never betrayed. In 1775, a private citizen, Benjamin Logan came to Kentucky --- As his character unfolded itself, he was appointed a Ma- gistrate, elected a Legislator, commissioned a Colonel and promoted to the rank and title of General.
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The parents of Benjamin Logan were born in Ire- land, and when young, removed to Pennsylvania, where they intermarried ; and soon after saught and found, a permanent settlement in the county of Augus- ta, and colony of Virginia. There Benjamin, became their first born ; and there by the practice of industry, and the observance of ceconomy, as cultivators of the soil, in which they had acquired the fee simple estate, they became independent livers, with a growing off -. spring. At the age of fourteen years, Benjamin Logan lost his father, by untimely death, and found him- self prematurely, burthened with the care of a numerous fraternal family, under the superintendance of a prudent mother, to whom he was a most affectionate and dutiful son.
Neither the circumstances of the country, then newly settled, nor the pecuniary resources of the father, had been favorable to the education of the son ; nor can it be supposed that the widowed mother, had it more in her power, whatever her inclination might be, to re- ward his faithful services, with literary endowments-an imperfect English education was all he acquired. The truth is, that in this respect his mind was not only una- dorned by science, but almost unaided by letters. His domestic lessons, which consisted of precepts, and exam- ples of sound morality and Christian piety, commenced under the eye of a father, were continued by his mother ; with whom he resided until of full age, an example of filial obedience, and useful services.
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The father of Benjamin Logan died intestate, and as a consequence of the laws then in force, his lands descend- ed to him, in exclusion of his brothers and sisters. So far from availing himself of this circumstance, Ben- jamin Logan, with a noble disinterested ness of temper, a provident view to the future well being of the family, and with his mother's consent, sold the land, not suscep- cible of division, and parted the price with those the law had disinherited
To provide for his mother an equally comfortable residence, he united his funds to those of one of his brothers, and with the joint stock purchased another tract of land on a fork of James River; which was se- cured to the pa ent during her life, if so long she should choose to reside on it, with remainder to the brother in fee.
Nor had the attention of Benjamin Logan been all this time confined to the circle of his own family; but the heart thus partaking of the finer feelings of filial and fra- ternal affection, was equally open to the impressions of public duty. At the age of twenty-one he had accompanied Colo. Beauquette on an expedition against the hostile Indians of the north, in the capacity of sergeant.
Having seen his mother and her family comfortably settled on James River, Benjamin Lozan, determined, next to provide for himself a home, and purchased land on the waters of Holston, near where Abington now stands. There he improved a farm, took to himself a wife, and enlarged his property.
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In 1774, he was on Dunmore's expedition against the Indians, in what capacity is not known.
In the spring of the year 1775, he determined to push his fortune in Kentucky, and set out, with two or three slaves only, to see the country, and make a settlement. In Powel's valley, he met with Daniel Boone, Richard Henderson and others, on a similar adventure, and with them traversed the wilderness ; but parted from them on their arrival in Kentucky-and pitched his camp, where he afterwards, built his fort ; and where he, with one William Galaspy, raised a small crop of Indian corn in that year. Delighted with the country, and ever attentive, to the interest of his connections, he selected places for their future residence, and in June returned without a companion, to his family on Holston. : In the fall of the same year, he removed his cattle, and slaves, to his camp in Kentucky, and leaving them, again returned to Holston, quite alone.
These journeys, attended with considerable peril and privation, evince the enterprise, and hardihood of his mind, and character.
In February 1776, he removed from Holston, and on the 8th of March arrived at his camp in Kentucky, with Mrs. Logan, and the rest of his family.
In the summer of this year, the Indians alarmed the country, by taking a few prisoners at Boonesborough ; and Mr. Logan, endeavoring in vain to collect some scattering improvers, then in the neighborhood of the Crab Orchard, with a view to make a stand at his own cabins, found himself compelled from a sense of duty to
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his family, to remove it to Harrodsburgh, as to ả place of safety ; whither also, those repaired who would not join him. But so determined was he, to establish his own place, that he raised corn at it, notwithstanding the increased danger from the Indians.
In February 1777, some short time before the first at- tack was made on Harrodsburgh, by the Indians, Mr. Logan, returned to his own cabins, with his family, de- termined to fortify and maintain his post; and in good earnest set himself about it, with the men of five, or six, families, who had accompanied him.
On the morning of the twentieth of May, the cabins, which composed the fort, being up, and habitable, the women were out milking their cows, under a guard of the men, when an attack was suddenly made upon them, by a large party of Indians, till then concealed in the thick cane, in which one man was killed, and two others wounded ; one of them, mortally ; the other, with the rest of the men, and the women, got safe into the fort. At this time the whole number of persons with Logan and more than one half of them women, and children, amounted to about thirty souls. The Indians were numerous. The fire of the enemy having in some measure abated, and the besieged having a mo- ments leisure to look about; discovered the wounded man, who had been left on the ground, yet alive. A more pity moving object cannot well be conceived; ex- posed every moment to be scalped by the Indians and incapable of getting into the fort. Harrison, was his name, and in the fort he had a family. The mari
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who should attempt to bring him in, would expose him- self to almost certain death. In this situation of per- plexing distress, Logan, endeavored to raise a little party, to take Harrison, from the ground ; but so obvious was the danger, that he met only refusal ; until at length John Martin, seemed to collect sufficient fortitude to make the experiment, and with him Logan proceeded to the fort-gate ; at this moment the wounded man appeared to raise himself on his hands and knees, as if able to help himself, and Martin withdrew; Logan, collected, and alone, rushed to his assistance, but being much weaken- ed by the loss of blood, and the soreness of his wound, he could only crawl a few steps, when he fainted-Lo- gan then took him up in his arms, and brought him into the fort, amidst a shower of bullets ; many of which struck the palisades, about his head as he entered the gate.
At this time, there was but little powder, or ball, int the fort, nor any prospect of supply from the neighbor- ing stations, could it even have been sent for, without the most iminent danger. The siege was continued, and there was but one alternative apparent to this little garrison. They must either send to Holston for am- munition, or expose the fort to be taken by the Indians, in case no supply was obtained. Peril the most obvious and alarming, attended either course. The individuals who should attempt the journey would be greatly expos- ed; and the garrison already small would be reduced by their absence. If the supply was not attempted the con- sequence seemed still more terrible and certain. H In this
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dilemma, the part of prudence was to encounter the less, to avoid the greater danger-to run a risk, rather than wait the arrival of certain ruin. Holston must be reach- ed, and a supply of powder and lead must be gained, or all would be lost. The question now was, who should obviate the sad catastrophe, by encountering the danger of obtaining the necessary supply. In these cases, Cap- tain Logan left not to others, what he could do ; but where the greater danger was, there was he. His party was made up of his trusty companions, and with two or three of them, he quitted the fort by night, and travers- ing the woods found his way to Holston, where with the utmost expedition he arrived ; and having procured the necessary supply of ammunition, and put it under the care of his men, with directions how to conduct themselves, Logan returned alone to his fort in less than ten days, from his departure; where the siege was still continued, and his diminished garrison almost reduced to despair. In him they find a host : his intelligence reanimates their sinking spirits ; they rise from despon- dence, to exultation ; from being almost vanquished, to sensations stronger and more lively than those of victory -- they are sensations of gratitude and confidence.
But how did their commander escape the dangers which beset his path ? For the greater part of his way,' was through a wilderness ; and that wilderness infested with hostile savages. But Captain Logan was a Woodsman-and a soldier ; the one gave him a knowl- edge of the country -- the other fortitude, to'encounter and surmount, beth difficulty, and danger. The saga-
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city of Logan had prescribed to him the untrodden path ; he left that which was beaten and likely to be way. laid by Indians, avoided Cumberland Gap, and explored his tract where man never travelled before, nor probably since, over Cumberland Mountain, through clifts, and brush, and Cane-brakes ; clambering rocks and precipices to be encountered only by the strong, the bold, and de- termined-by the affectionate husband, and the faithful Captain, of an expecting wife, and confiding friends, and comrades.
The country continued to be infested by the Indians, who frequently appeared about the fort. But the escort with the ammunition observing the directions given it arrived in safety ; and the garrison felt itself competentto keep the fort ; but were continually exposed to great dan - ger in seeking in the woods, a necessary supply ofmeat. They were in a manner cut off from other society, and felt very deeply, the unpleasant effects of confinement with- in, and enemies without. In fact they knew not whence to expect relief, and they felt the most poignant distress.
About the month of September, as has been said, Colo. John Bowman arrived in the country, with a de- tachment of militia, and to the very great joy of the garrison, directed his rout, to Logan's fort.
Some of Bowman's party who were considerably ad- vanced of the main body, upon their approach to the fort were killed by the besieging Indians. On the dead body of one of these men were found proclamations, which had been prepared in Canada and sent into the country, by the British Governor of that province ; offering pro-
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tection to such of the inhabitants of the country as would abjure the Republic, and return to their allegiance to the British crown ; with denunciations of vengeance against such as refused. The man who found the papers gave them to Logan, who upon ascertaining their contents, thought it prudent to conceal them ; lest their invocati- ons, and their threats, operating on the minds of the people,, worn down by distress, the end of which could not be foreseen, might have the unhappy effect, to dimi- nish their fortitude, or shake their fidelity.
Perhaps this caution was unnecessary, but the circum- stances under which it was taken rendered it prudent. For although the arrival of Colo.' Bowman, had given a high degree of cheerfulness to the garrison, for the mo- ment ; and the Indians had disappeared from its walls soon after ; yet it was known that his men were engaged but for a short time, that much of it had expired on the road, and that their return, would immediately follow their discharge ; and the country be once more left a prey to the Indians, instigated by the British. Of whose power and e mity the people had an opinion alırming, as it was exalted.
Once more the garrison left to its resident inhabitants,. felt itself distressed for the want of ammunition ; the supply from Holston, not very ample at first, being exhausted, and Bowman's party leaving them none. Again, Benjam'n Logan left his family, and his fort, to encounter new dangers and difficulties, in search of a supply-Holston was his resource, and a journey there and back, was undertaken and cxecuted, with his
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usual readiness and facility, which gained the necessary quantity.
Soon after Logan's return, to his fort, it was reinforced by the arrival of Montgomery's party, which confirmed the cheerfulness, his presence had inspired.
From this time for several years there were many par- ticular incidents, to attract our attention to Benjamin Logan, whose watchful vigilance prompted him to ex- plore the adjacent country, and often exposed him to rencounters with the Indians. On one of these excursi- ons in the next year he discovered, a camp of Indians at the Big Flat Lick, about two miles from his station, to which he returned, and immediately raised a party ; with this he attacked the camp, from which the Indians fled, without much loss, on their part ; and none on his.
Shortly after this occurrence, Logan was again at the same place alone, when he received a fire from a party of Indians, which broke his right arm, and wounded him slightly on the breast. The savages rushed upon him, and so near was he falling into their hands, that at one time, they had hold of his horse's tail. It is propable that they desired to take him alive, and forbore to kill him, until he made his escape.
No sooner had his wounds healed, than he resumed his usual course of active life ; nor did he shun danger when his incurring it, could benefit his country, or his friends, either in company, or alone.
In 1779, he served as a Captain, and commanded a company on Bowman's campaign ; nor was the failure of the attack on the Indian town owing to any fault
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of his. But on the contrary, he executed his orders promptly and completely ; and after occupying his ground, and waiting impatiently for the signal of assault, to his great mortification he received an order to retreat ; which he reluctantly obeyed.
In 1730, a party of men in going from Harrod burgh, out toward Logan's fort, were fired on by the Indians, and 'two of them mortally wounded ; one got into the fort, and gave an account of the affair, and of the fate of his wounded companion. Logan immediately raised a small party of young men, then about the fort, and repaired to the assistance of ti, wounded man ; he had concealed himself from the Indians, whose sign was fresh in the vicinity, by covering himself in the weeds, and was alive, though utterly incapable of travelling. In such cases there is no room for argumentation, the man was to be carried home, and this Logan principally effected upon his own shoulders : His companions being young men not able individually to bear the burthen. On their way home, after leaving the wounded man at Harrodsburgh, the party was fired on by the Indians, and one of the men wounded. The assailants were re- peilcd ; and again it fell to the lot of Logan, to carry the wounded man, which he did with his known huma- nity, and fortitude.
In the autumn of this year Capt. Logan, anxious to. remove his mother, and a sister who resided with her, to his own station, went into Virginia, brought them out- gave them land, and built them a house. He was the cause of a numerous connection, migrating to Kentucky, -
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for whom he had chosen lands of fine quality, and con- venient situation ; and who proved, a great acquisition to the population and improvement of the country. Nor ' should we acquit ourself with justice towards Capt. Lo- gan, did we not mention, his open house and hospitable attention to all emigrants and travellers ; and the solici- tu'de, with which he often met them, and conducted them into the country.
No man felt more the responsibility of his situation,' than Capt. Logan ; in the early stages of the settlements his fort, was one of the main pillars of the new popula- tion ; and he perceived all the importance of sustaining its garrison. He had a family to provide for, and to protect : it was highly necessary to keep up a correspon- dence with the other stations in the country ; while every movement without the fort-walls, was heset with danger ; to all these objects he attended. Logan, gen- erally travelled alone, often by night ; and usually with such celerity, that but few could accompany him ; whe- ther to convey intelligence, collect information, or hunt the wild game.
He was this year elected to the general assembly. And on the establishment of Lincoln county, commis- sioned a Colonel in the militia.
In 1781, he was elected a member of the Legislature, and attended its session, in Richmond.
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