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 6
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It was in this year also, that the Indians made an at- tack upon Montgomery's station, consisting of five or six families, nearly connected with Mrs. Logan, and who had removed at the particular solicitation of Colo.
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Logan. In this attack, the father, and one brother of Mrs. Logan were killed, and a sister, and sister-in-law, with four of their children, taken prisoners. This scene of distress was ten, or twelve miles from Logan's fort, to which the news was soon brought. We shall not attempt to describe the sensations it excited. The first object with Colo. Logan, was to recover the prisoners, and if possible to chastise the insolent barbarity of the invading foe. He immediately raised a party of his followers, and repaired to the place of action ; there he was joined by the survivors of the Montgomery family, and commenc- ed a rapid pursuit of the enemy. They were soon over- taken, briskly attacked, and finally beaten, after a se- vere conflict. During which, William Montgomery, killed three Indians, and wounded another. The two women, and three of the children, were rescued ; the Indians murdered the other child, rather than permit it to be retaken ; which would have been the fate of all the prisoners had they not dashed into the brush, and saved themselves by flight.
From this simple narrative of the most prominent facts during a period of five years, the reader will perceive the kind of life, alloted to the early settlers in Kentucky --- and the part which Benjamin Logan acted among them. As a consequence of his prompt, zealous, and eminent services, he acquired universal confidence among his fellow-adventurers ; and thereby became the more ex- tensively useful, in succeeding times ; and in various other relations to his friends, and to his country. Which will be noticed in the proper places.
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CHAPTER III.
CONTENTS OF CHAPTER III.
The landing of Captain Bullitt at the Falls of Ohio-" incidents of his conduct. Douglass, and Floyd, arrive in Kentucky as Surveyors-first permanent settlement made at the Falls-Expedition of Colonel George Rogers Clark, against Kaskaskias and Saint Vincent's -- incidents of Indian hostility in the neighborhood of the Falls-Passage of the Land Law-an account of the different claims-accession of emigrants-new settle- ments-Colonel John Bowman's Expedition-Commis- sioners, sit inKentucky to adjust claims to lan !- Surveying commenced under the Land Law. County of Kentucky divided.
HAVING traced our Biographical sketches as far as we intended ; the history of the early settlements is now resumed. This, in the order of events leads our atten- tion to the Rapids of the Ohio. An object so truly sub- lime in itself -- so singular, and momentous in the navigation of that River, could but arrest the attention of those who voyaged on its surface. The approach to is from above was probably the most affecting. The
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repercussion of the waters, running at the rate of ten miles an hour, upon a descent of ten or twelve feet in a mile, against the successive ledges of rocks, which cross the channel, strike the spectator's eye with their white curling foam, and assail his ear with their chaotic
roar. Stout indeed must be the heart of that navigator which is not appalled at his first approach to this scene, rendered still more alarming, and dangerous, by the irregularity of the schutes, and the splits in the currents, occasioned by the inequality of the rocks, and the several islands, fixed in the bed of the river.
But if on the one hand nature distresses her subjects, on the other, she holds out to them the means of conso- lation, and relief.
If the front aspect of the Ohio presented the Falls, where the mighty current, was met and broken, by the more inflexible rocks ; on the Kentucky side of the river, was to be seen the mouth of Beargrass, opening a spa- cious and safe harbor, for the laboring barge. A point of land on the opposite shore, projecting into the River, turned the current in that direction ; the reaction of the waters at the head of the Falls produced an eddy ; the fine, regular bank which limited Kentucky in full view ; all combined to attract the attention, and to waft the Barge of the navigator, to that landing.
It was there that Captain Thomas Bullitt and his party made a port in 1773.
They came to Kentucky with the particular design of surveying land, and of making a settlement in the country.
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For this purpose it is believed that Captain Bullitt had a special commission as surveyor from the college of William and Mary, in Virginia ; in the professors, or masters of which was vested the right of giving such commissions.
At this place Bullitt proceeded to make a camp, to protect himself and men from the vicisitudes of the wea- ther, and.as a place of deposit for the few stores which he had brought with him. After this precaution he executed several surveys in the vicinity of the Falls ; and thence extended his researches, to the River called Salt River, from the salt-lick thereon, which he surveyed, and which after him, was called Bullitt's Lick. Soon after this he left Kentucky with intent to return, with better preparation to effect his main object ; a permanent settlement in the country. But was unfortunately pre- vented from accomplishing this design by untimely death. Otherwise, from the spirit, intelligence, and enterprise of Captain Bullitt, there is reason to believe he would have been one of the most useful of the early settlers.
On his way to Kentucky, he made a visit to Chilico- the, a Shawanee town, to hold a friendly talk with those Indians on the subject of his intended settlement ; and for the particular purpose of obtaining their consent to that measure. He knew they claimed the right of hunt- ing in the country-a right to them, of the utmost im- portance, and which they had never relinquished. He also knew they were brave, and indefatigable; and that if they were so disposed could greatly annoy the
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inhabitants of the intended settlement. It was therefore a primary object in his estimation to obtain their assent to his projected residence, and cultivation of the coun- try. To accomplish this, he left his party on the Ohio, and travelled out to the town, unattended, and without announcing his approach by a runner.
He was not discovered until he got into the midst of Chillicothe, when he waved his white flag as a token of peace. The Indians saw with astonishment a stranger among them in the character of an ambassador, and without any information of his intended visit. Some of them collected about him, and asked him, what news ? Was he from the LONG KNIFE ? and why if he was an ambassador, he had not sent a runner ? Bullitt not in the least disconcerted, replied that he had no bad news, that he was from the LONG KNIFE, and as the red men, and white men, were at peace, he had come among his bro- thers to have a friendly talk with them about living on the other side of the Ohio. That he had no runner swifter than himself, and that he was in haste, and could not wait the return of a runner. Would you, said he, if you were very hungry, and had killed a deer, send your squaw to town to tell the news, and wait her re- turn before you eat ? This put the by-standers in high
good humor. And upon Bullit's desiring that the war- riors should be called together to hear his talk, they were soon convened, and he made a speech to them. Which we have from his journal.
"BROTHERS-I am sent with my people, whom I left on the Ohio, to settle the country on the other side
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of that river, as low down as the Falls. We come from Virginia. The King of my people has bought from the nations of red men, both north, and south, all the land; and I am instructed to inform you, and all the warriors of this great country, that the Virginians and the Eng- lish are in friendship with you. This friendship is dear to them, and they intend to preserve it pure. The same friendship they expect from you, and from all the nations, to the Lakes. We know that the Shawances, and De- lawares, are to be our nearest neighbors-we wish them to be our best friends ; as we will be theirs.
(' BROTHERS-You did not get any of the money or blankets given for the land, I and my people are going to settle. This was hard for you. But it is agreed by the great men who own the land, that they will make a present to the Delawares, and Shawanees, the next year, and again the year after, that shall be as good.
"' BROTHERS-I am appointed to settle the country, to live in it, to raise corn in it, and to make proper re- gulations among my people. There will be some more principal men, from my country soon, and then much more will be said to you. The Governor desires to see you, and will come out this year, or the next.
" I will have a belt of wampum when I come again to see you. I come now in haste, and had none prepared. My people only want the country to settle and cultivate. They will have no objection to your hunting or trapping in it. I hope you will live with us as brothers, and as friends. I expect you will give me a good talk. And I shall write to my Governor, what you say to me."
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This speech was heard with attention, and Captain Bullitt was told that on the next day he should have an answer.
The Indians are in the habit of proceeding with great deliberation in matters of importance. And all are such to them, which concern their hunting.
On the morrow, agreeably to promise, the Indians as- sembled at the same place, and Captain Bullitt being present, they returned an answer to his speech, which we also have from the same journal.
" OLDEST BROTHER-The Long Knife,
" We heard you would be glad to see your brothers, the Shawanees, and Delawares, and talk with them. But we are surprised that you sent no runner before you, and that you came quite near us, through the woods and grass, a hard journey, without our knowledge, until you appeared among us.
"BROTHER-We have considered your talk carefully -and we are pleased to find nothing bad in it, nor any ill meaning. On the contrary you speak what seems pleasing, kind, and friendly. You have mentioned to us your directions for settling the country on the other side of the Ohio, with your people. And we are parti- cularly pleased that they are not to disturb us in our hunting For we must hunt to kill meat for our wonen and children ; and to have something to buy our powder and lead with, and to get us blankets and cloathing. All your young brothers are pleased with what you have said. We desire you will be strong in discharging your promises towards us ; as we are determined to be very
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strong in advising our young men, to be kind, friendly, and peacible to you.
" This spring we saw something wrong on the 'part of our young men. They took some horses from the white people. But we have advised them not to do so again ; and have cleansed their hearts of bad intentions. We expect they will take our advice, as they are pleased with what you have said."
This speech was delivered by GIRTY.
Richard Bucler was the interpreter ; he behaved in a very friendly manner to Captain Bullitt, who was his guest during his stay But having executed his mission, very much to his own satisfaction, he took his leave, and rejoined his party-who were heartily glad to see him.
He made report of his progress and success ; and his party with light hearts, and high expectations, launched their keels on the stream, which conveyed them to Kentucky.
In this simple negotiation ; where there seems to have been n'o guile intended, and hardly room for any ; it is apparent that the Indians were mistaken, or dissembled their knowledge of the consequences of the intended settlement. For they appear to admit the correctness of the idea thrown out by Bullitt, that settling the country would not affect their hunting, or trapping. It is alto- gether probable that Captain Bullitt himself, did not con- ceive that the settlements about to be made, would with- in any short period, have the effect to destroy the game ; and thus to render hunting and trapping, a mere labor,
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without profit ; and a privilege without emolument. The Indians could not complain of deception, for they' well knew the consequence of white men settling in a country, previously uncultivated, and filled with game. Nor would it be candid to accuse them of dissembling an intention of hostility, and of concealing the object of assent, tacit at least, to Bullitt's settling the country --- which would bring so many subjects of depredat on, so much nearer to them, and place them so completely within their reach. The probability is, that the number of emigrants which in a few years filled the country, de- ceived them, by transcending their anticipations. Yet it is not thought, that the hostility which took place at so short a period afterwards, ought in any degree to be as- cribed to any misunderstanding between them.
The fact is, that in the very next year, some men by the name of Greathouse, and Cressup, on the Ohio, 1 below Wheeling, and about Yellow Creek, and Grave Creek, in a most wanton and cruel manner, killed « number of Indians, which brought on the war of 1774.
But had this not been the case, a war in the course of events, and from the very nature of the Indians, would soon have taken place with them. For had not the con- test with Great-Britain commenced as it did ; yet when we consider the habits of the Indians-the strong aver- sion naturally felt by them at seeing the country possess-' ed by an ancient enemy-the opportunities presented to them of gratifying their passion for war-the alarming apprehension of loosing their choice hunting ground --- all combined, would have produced war. But when to'
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these considerations are added, the approaching rupture, with Great-Britain, and the influence of that crown by means of the posts on the Lakes, a war was inevitable --- let the talk with Captain Bullitt have been what it might.
He certainly took a very judicious step, in making the visit and explaining his motives, and views for going into Kentucky-and at the same time gratified his own sense of propriety.
Under the impression, that Captain Bullitt, here spoken of, is the same whose gallant and masterly con- duct, saved the army in its approach to Fort Duquesne, previous to the capture of that place ; we cannot omit giving a concise recital of the transaction. Nor do we deem ir wholly irrelevant to our subject, inasmuch as the capture of that fort, (now Pittsburgh) is one of those events, which lay in the train that led to the possession 'of the country, we now inhabit.
On the 14th of September 1758, the anglo-American army, then on its march to attack the French and Indi- ans, posted in Fort Duquesne ; Major Grant, of the British Regulars, was detached from Loyal-Hanning, with a choice body of eight hundred men, British, and Provincials, to reconnoitre the country in the neighbor- hood of Fort Duquesne, and make such further observa- tions, on the strength and position of the enemy, as would facilitate the success of the main design. During the night he reached a hill near the fort, where his men were posted in order of battle ; while a party of observa- tion was advanced, who returned, after having burnt a
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log house, near the fort walls. The next morning Grant, with much ostentation ordered other movements 5 · and as if the enemy were not sufficiently apprised of his approach, the drums, by his order beat the reveillez. During this arrogant parade, a profound silence prevail- ed in the fort ; which confirmed for a moment the blind security of the British commander.
On a signal given, the gates of the fort were thrown open, from whence issued multitudes of French, and Indians. The Indians, with the war whoop in their mouths, and the weapons of death in their hands, ran off to the flanks of their enemy ; while the French, a chosen band in firm order, assailed them in front. The ad- vanced party of the British, were immediately beat back, and dispersed, or destroyed. Grant arrived in person with the main body. A most fierce and bloody ren- counter took place, like that of the fatal day, of Bra- dock's defeat. The same adherence to European tactics, on the part of Grant-the same panic, and disorder on the part of his troops, preceded the like fatal result ; only that Grant survived the action, while the gallant spirit, who directed on the Monongahela, paid for his rashness, with his life ; and the genius of BULLITT now, as that of WASHINGTON then, saved the defeated remnant ofthe army ..
At the commencement of the action, Major Lewis, who had been left with the baggage, hastened with the principal part of the rear guard to the assistance of Grant ;. leaving behind him fifty Virginians , under the command of CAPTAIN BULLITT, for the defence of the stores.
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But the enemy having gained a decided advantage, were not to be stopped by this reinforcement. Both Grant, and Lewis, were made prisoners by the French ; and the Indians, who refused to give quarter, proceeded to finish with the tomahawk, and scalping knife, what they had begun with their fire arms.
An universal rout now took place, and carnage, unre- sisted, was marked by those shocking outrages, and enor- mities, which distinguish Indian war. It was in this awful moment, that Captain Bullitt, whose magnani- mous spirit was equalled only, by his cool collection, and penetrating foresight, took his measures for saving, the baggage, and if possible, the remains of the detachment. First, he sent off the most valuable part of the baggage on the strongest horses ; next, he disposed the residue at an advantageous point of the road, as a cover for his troops ; then, he threw himself in the way of the fugi- tives, and rallied as many of them as he could ; and fi- nally, he prepared to receive the shock of his enemy- whose character he' well knew, and from whom no quar. ter was to be expected. It was a moment, which called for the last effort of a great man, nor was Bullitt, want- ing on his part-He embraced an expedient contrary to all the established laws of arms ; and which under other circumstances would have been unjustifiable. Having animated the courage of his little band, by an appropri- ate appeal to their personal feelings-to their character, as Virginians-and to the circumstances of the moment ; -he directed them to fire on the advancing enemy with the utmost precision, until apparently overpowered by
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numbers-when, on a signal given, which was explain- ed to them, they were to march out from their cover with arms trailed, as if suing for quarter. Instantly every man caught the spirit of his leader ; and vivified by his intrepid example, literally followed his orders. As the Indians now pressed on, a most destructive fire unex- pectedly opened from behind the baggage waggons, which checked their career, and threw them into some disorder ; but their numbers increasing every moment, and apprehending that they would attempt to get in his rear, BULLITT held out the signal for capitulation. Quick as the motion of hope, in the heart of the lover, whose mistress gives the signal of welcome from the case- ment, the Virginia band now shewed itself, and in a sup- pliant posture, with arms inverted, proceeded slowly towards the enemy, who crowded together, and whose impatience for blood, would hardly permit them, to wait the forms of a surrender ; already had they grasped the tomahawk, and scalping knife, thirsting for the springs of human life, when BULLITT pronounced the tremen- dous word charge ! and which was repeated by every man in the detachment. A most destructive fire at eight yards distance, announced the ready execution of this order; and before the enemy could recover from the astonishment, and terror, excited by this new feature of war, a furious onset with fixed bayonets, effected a complete discomfiture, and rout, of the Indians. Who, it is probable, imagining the whole army at their heels, never stopped until they reached the French Regulars, some distance in the rear.
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CAPTAIN BULLITT, having thus gained the respite which he wanted, and seeing that nothing more was to be gained in that position, took up his line of march, towards the main army, at Loyal-Hanning ; collecting as he proceeded, the wounded, and terrified regulars', who wandered on the way, ignorant of the country, and - dreading every moment the tomahawk of the savage. Thus have we told our story, warranted by authentic history, of one of the very early adventurers to Kentucky. And if this be error, let him who says so, omit to read the detail. For our part, we have pleasure in recount- ing the circumstances. That we may for a moment sympathise, with a hero, and a Captain, whose conduct a's here related, stands the equal, to any thing recorded, on the page of ancient, or modern history. ,
As the Monongahela, whose elevated cliffs witnessed the gallant achievments of Bullitt, descends to the broad and gentle Ohio, and with it washes the shores of Ken- tucky ; so we, from this historical episode, return to narrate the incidents, which occurred to other adventur- .
ers, in the neighborhood of the Falls.
In 1773, James Douglass, another surveyor, came to the Rapids of Ohio, where he also landed, and from whence he explored the country, with the M' Afee's, into the neighborhood of Harrodsburgh, and thence re- turned home, to Williamsburgh.
On his way to the Falls, he landed at the mouth of a creek, since called Landing Creek; a few miles above the mouth of the Big Bone Lick Creek ; and went over land a mile and an half, to see the large bones, of which
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fame had said so much, the learned risked so many con- jectures, and every body knew so little. If the sight of these bones gratified the curiosity of Douglass, and his party, their numbers and size filled them with the most profound astonishment. Nor was the Lick itself, an object of ordinary interest.
Douglass determined to remain sometime at thisplaces and there being no materials more convenient, the rib bones of a being once animated, were used as tent poles, on which the party stretched their blankets, for a shelter, from the sun, and rain. They found many teeth, from eight, to ten, and some twelve feet, in length ; one in particular, was fastened in a perpendicular direction in the mud and clay, with the elevated end six feet above the surface of the ground ; an effort was made in vain, by six men, to extract it from its mortice.
The Lick itself exhibited about ten acres of land, bare of timber, and of grass ; much trodden, caten, and washed below the original surface, with here and there a knob in it, shewing its former elevation of earth.
Through the midst of this Lick ran the creck, and on either side, a never failing stream of salt-water. To these from all parts of the country, were converging roads, made by the wild animals, which resorted them for the salt.
The whole of which in the simple language of a rude hunter, who accompanied Douglass, " were wonderful to sce."
The next year Douglass revisited Kentucky, and was principally on the waters of Elkhorn, Hickman, and
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Jessamine, where he executed a number of surveys on military bounty lands, as the records attest.
It was his intention to have become a permanent resi- dent, but death forbid it, and he obeyed.
Next to James Douglass, and pursued by a fate still more malignant, we have to mention Handcock Taylor ; he, following the rout most common at that time, came to Kentucky in 1774, as a surveyor ; and landed at the Falls of Ohio. He also executed a number of surveys, and was killed by the Indians, at an early period, and before he had an opportunity of demonstrating what would have been the course of his conduct in relation to the settlement of the country.
In 1774, John Floyd, also visited the Falls of Ohio, in the capacity of a surveyor, and pursuing that river, executed many surveys :" he is one of those whom Daniel Boone was sent to recal in this year.
In 1775, he returned, and upon Elkhorn, completed the object of his mission.
Floyd, was a man of intelligence and enterprise, to whom Kentuckians are much indebted, for his services. His person was spare, his figure genteel, his complexion dark, his eye penetrating, and keen ; his information' superior to that of most of the early adventurers ; his style of conversation, and manners, those of a well bred man.
He continued to visit, and revisit Kentucky, with a view to his permanent settlement, which he effected in a station on his own land upon Beargrass Creek, about. ten miles from the Falls of Ohio, after the first settle-
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ments at that place. And where we shall find him in future discharging the duties, both civil, and military' of a good citizen, and a brave and vigilant officer, until his death, which was occasioned by the hands of the Indians.
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