USA > Massachusetts > Our western border : its life, combats, adventures, forays, massacres, captivities, scouts, red chiefs, pioneer women, one hundred years ago, containing the cream of all the rare old border chronicles > Part 19
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A large bower was built near the camp for the conference. A grand parade was made that the chiefs might be duly impressed, and the negotiations commenced. The great chiefs Guyasutha, Turtle's Heart and Custaloga headed the deputation. Painted and plumed in all their savage pomp, they walked with majesty, not deigning to cast a glance at the grand military display around them. They seated themselves with stern, impassive looks, and an air of sullen dignity, while their black and sombre brows betrayed the hatred still rankling in their hearts. The pipe went round in solemn silence, and then from their pouches were drawn their strings of wampum, without which no conference can be conducted. The chiefs as usual laid the whole blame of the war on their young men, whom they said they could not control, and upon the nations who lived to the west of them. Bouquet, well understanding the Indian character and how best to treat them, now dismissed them, promising an answer the next day.
That day being very wet and rainy, however, he made no reply until the next, when the council being all duly assembled, Bouquet made a bold, haughty, uncompromising harangue, asserting that their excuses for the late marauds were weak and frivolous; reciting their numerous acts of perfidy ; declaring that he would no longer be imposed upon ; that he had brought with him the relations of the people they had massacred and made captive, and that he could scarce restrain them from taking revenge. He then gave them twelve days to deliver to him every person with white blood, in their hands-men, women and child- ren -- and to furnish said prisoners with horses, clothing and provisions
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BOUQUET IN THE HEART OF THE INDIAN COUNTRY.
to carry them back to Fort Pitt. These were the only terms on which he would make peace. The chiefs, finding Bouquet in dead earnest, were prompt to comply. His bold, resolute speech and mien made a pr- found impression on the haughty circle of swarthy listeners. Their stubborn pride was subdued, their arrogance abated, and the Delawares at once gave up eighteen prisoners then with them, and eighty-three small sticks denoting the number of other captives in their possession, whom they pledged themselves to bring in right away.
None of the Shawnee chiefs took part in this conference, but their deputy also promised, with sullen dejection, that his nation would com- ply with the terms. But Bouquet wisely determined to follow up his advantage and to march deeper into their country, shrewdly judging that the presence of his powerful force within easy striking distance of their towns, would be the best possible security for the prompt fulfill- ment of these promises; so, for the next three days, he marched down to the forks of the Muskingum, where he made a strong fortified camp, erecting redoubts, storehouses and other buildings for the reception of the expected captives, who were to be taken charge of by officers and matrons duly selected. The camp soon had the appearance of a little town, the order and regularity of which struck the onlooking and over- awed Indians with astonishment. The constant sound of the axe, the lowing of cattle, the well-drilled army so rapidly located within the very heart of their own territory, moved them to such unusual activity, that on the 27th, messengers arrived from the Delaware king, Custaloga, that he was on his way with his prisoners, and a message of like effect from the Shawnees. About two weeks were spent at this camp, exchanging messages with relation to the prisoners, who were now being daily brought into camp. So strict was Bouquet in having all produced, that when Kings Beaver and Custaloga had brought in all but twelve, promising to bring them, too, in a few days, he refused to shake hands with or have a word to say to them until every single captive was in.
By the 9th of November there had been delivered of Virginians thir- ty-two males and fifty-eight females and children, and of Pennsylva- nians forty-nine males and sixty-seven females and children, a total of two hundred and six. A hundred more were in the hands of the Shaw- nees, which, on account of those owning them having gone on a distant expedition, could not then be delivered, but they were solemnly prom- ised early in the Spring at Fort Pitt. The Shawnees were ever a fierce, warlike and jealous tribe, and when the "pale-face" army entered their country, reports had reached them that their tribe was to be completely extirpated, upon which they had fully resolved to kill all their prison. ers, and then to march out and give battle, and fight to the bitter end
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Happily for them and the poor captives, they received a friendly mes- sage from Bouquet, sent as they were preparing to execute their horrible purpose, to the effect that peace would be made with them on the same terms as with the Delawares, if they would send in all of white blood with them.
Again, while actually on the way, they somehow heard that one of Bouquet's soldiers had been secretly killed near camp, and that some of their tribe vere charged with the bloody deed. This decided them anew to make an heroic resistance, and collecting all their captives in a field, they were about to tomahawk them entire, when a runner fortunately arrived from Bouquet, who, on hearing of the report current among them, ridiculed it as absurd, and urged them to continue their journey.
A final conference was now held, and peace granted, first to the Sen- ecas and Delawares, and afterwards to the Shawnees, who had all along acted with such a sullen and disdainful haughtiness that Bouquet was fearful lest they should yet play him false. The biting blasts of Winter, however, commenced to prevail; the foliage had all fallen from the trees and every sign warned him that any songer delay would be dangerous. He was, therefore, obliged to rest satisfied with such prisoners as they saw fit to bring ; exacting renewed promises that the rest should shortly be delivered at Fort Pitt, and compelling them to deliver to him six hostages for the faithful performance of all their pledges.
TOUCHING SCENES ON THE DELIVERY OF THE CAPTIVES.
And now we enter upon the description of touching and pathetic scenes which have no parallel in history, and to which no pen could do justice. If the exhibitions of human tenderness and affection daily presented in that sylvan camp were not so well attested, they would seem actually incredible. They reflect as much honor on the Indians as on the whites-yes, far more! for these captives belonged to and were taken from a race they hated; whom they were taught to look upon as grasp- ing, usurping and vindictive enemies. From the graphic account of Hutchins, the geographer, who accompanied the expedition, we quote as follows: "It was a most affecting spectacle to see fathers and mothers recognizing and clasping their once lost babes; husbands hanging around the necks of their newly-recovered wives; sisters and brothers unex- pectedly meeting together after long separations, scarce able to speak the same language, or, for some time, to be sure they were children of the same parents. In all these interviews joy and rapture inexpressible were seen, while feelings of a very different nature were painted in the looks of others ; flying from place to place in eager inquiries after rela- cives not found ; trembling to receive an answer to their questions ; dis-
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SCENES ON THE DELIVERY OF THE CAPTIVES.
tracted with doubts, hopes and fears on obtaining no account of those they sought for, or stiffened into living monuments of horror and woe on learning their unhappy fate.
" The Indians, too, as if wholly forgetting their usual savageness, bore a capital part in heightening this most affecting scene. They delivered up their beloved captives with the utmost reluctance ; shed torrents of tears over them, recommending them to the care and pro- tection of the commanding officer. Their regard to them continued all the time they remained in camp. They visited them from day to day ; and brought them what corn, skins, horses and other matters they had bestowed on them, while in their families; accompanied with other presents and all the marks of most sincere and tender affection.
" Nay, they did not stop here, but, when the army marched, some of the Indians solicited and obtained leave to accompany their captives all the way to Fort Pitt, and employed themselves in hunting and bringing provisions for them on the road. A young Mingo carried this still fur- ther and gave an instance of love which would make a figure even in romance. A young woman from Virginia was among the captives, to whom he had formed so strong an attachment as to call her his wife. Against all remonstrances of the imminent danger to which he exposed himself by approaching the frontier, he persisted in following her, at the risk of being killed by the surviving relatives of many unfortunate persons who had been captured or scalped by those of his nation.
" These qualities in savages challenge our just esteem. Cruel and unmerciful as they are by habit and long example in war, yet whenever they come to give way to the native dictates of humanity, they exercise virtues which Christians need not blush to imitate. When they once determine to give life, they give everything with it. No woman thus saved is preserved for base motives, or need fear the violation of her honor. No child is otherwise treated by the persons adopting it than the children of their own body. Every captive whom their affection, their caprice, or whatever else, leads them to save, fares alike with themselves.
"Among the captives a woman was brought into the camp with a babe about three months old, at the breast. One of the Virginia vol- unteers soon knew her to be. his wife, who had been taken by the Indians about six months before. She was immediately delivered to her overjoyed husband. He flew with her to his tent and clothed her and his child in proper apparel. But their joy, after the first transports, was soon damped by the reflection that another dear child of about two years old, captured with the mother and separated from her, was still missing, although many children had been brought in.
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" A few days after a number of other prisoners were brought to the camp, among whom were several more children. The woman was sent for and one, supposed to be hers, was produced to her. At first sight she was uncertain, but viewing the child with great earnestness, she soon recollected its features and was so overcome with joy that literally for- getting her sucking child, she dropped it from her arms and catching up the new-found child in an ecstacy, pressed it to her breast and bursting into tears carried it off, unable to speak for joy. The father catching up the babe she had let fall, followed her in no less transport and affec- tion.
" Among the children who had been carried off young and had long lived with the Indians, it is not to be expected that any marks of joy would appear on being restored to their parents or relatives. Having been accustomed to look upon the Indians as the only connections they had ; having been tenderly treated by them and speaking their lan- guage, it is no wonder they parted from the savages with tears. But it must not be denied that there were even some grown persons who showed an unwillingness to return. The Shawnees were obliged to bind several of their prisoners and force them along to the camp; and some women who had been delivered up, afterwards found means to escape and run back to the Indian towns. Some, who could not make their escape, clung to their savage acquaintances at parting, and continued many days in bitter lamentations, even refusing sustenance."
All matters being now satisfactorily adjusted, the wilderness camp was broken up; the refreshed army commenced their backward march, and in ten days was back at Fort Pitt. Colonel Bouquet soon returned :v Philadelphia, receiving, wherever he went, every possible mark of gratitude, but more especially from the overjoyed relatives of the many captives whom he had so happily restored to their families. The Assem- blies of Pennsylvania and Virginia voted him addresses, while the home government promoted him to the rank of Brigadier General, placing him in command of the southern department. He did not long survive, however, to enjoy his honors, dying three years after at Pensacola.
We need only add, that the Shawnees faithfully redeemed their pledges. Ten chiefs, attended by about fifty warriors, came in with over a hundred captives to Fort Pitt the next May. In the grand council which ensued they said : "These captives have all been united to us by adoption, and although we deliver them up to you, we will always look upon them as our relations. We have taken as much care of them as if they were our own flesh and blood. They have become strange to your customs and manners, and we request you to use them kindly and tenderly."
RECOVERY OF CAPTIVE CHILD ON BOUQUET'S EXPEDITION. -See page 159
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DESPERATE BATTLE OF POINT PLEASANT.
THE DESPERATE BATTLE OF POINT PLEASANT.
Peace and quiet reigned for a time along the troubled and harassed western border. Now may be said to have commenced the explorations of the Great West by daring and adventurous hunters, and we approach a new and a very interesting era in American history. The glowing reports brought back by Smith, Finley, Boone, Stewart and their com- panions, as well as many Indian traders, excited a wide-spread longing among the young men of the old settlements, to migrate to the West. It was pictured to their fancies as a new Eldorado-a magnificent region, abounding in vast forests, clear streams teeming with fish and in every species of fragrant flowers. It was a boundless land; with soft and genial clime ; with soil of wondrous freshness, and the luxuriant woods stocked with game in every variety, from the beaver to the buffalo. The savages who either inhabited or roamed over this " hunter's paradise," seeing the land sold from under their feet by the Iroquois of New York, and witnessing with a fierce anger and jealousy this new tide of hardy and daring pioneers, naturally began to grow restless and hostile. A deep and bitter feeling of hate and rancor was evidently growing in their proud and haughty bosoms. But still remembering British power and past punishment, they managed to keep the peace until 1774, when a canoe filled with friendly redmen was attacked below Wheeling by Michael Cresap, and another attack was made by the same party upon'an Indian camp at the mouth of Captina Creek, twenty miles below.
These were clearly the exciting causes of what is known in history as "Dunmore's war of 1774." It is true, however, that the magazine was fully charged before, only needing the match to explode it. These bloody deeds were immediately followed by a horrid and entirely un- provoked massacre of Indians at the mouth of Yellow Creek, in which were killed some of the relatives of Logan, the famous Mingo Chief. This cowardly and treacherous butchery was perpetrated by thirty-two men led by Daniel Greathouse, and reflects the deepest dishonor upon all concerned. The pretext to the attack was, that as the Captina mas- sacre shortly before would undoubtedly provoke an Indian war, it was better to take the initiative. Opposite the mouth of Yellow Creek was the house of a man named Baker. Greathouse's party being gathered there, saw the encampment of an Indian hunting party across the Ohio, and an ambush being laid, Greathouse crossed the river under the mask 11
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of friendship to ascertain the number. The presence of women and children clearly proved to him that it was no war party.
While there a squaw urged him to retire at once as the Indians were drinking heavily, and, being excited by the murders of their people below Wheeling, might do him mischief. Greathouse reported to his band that the savages were too strong for an open assault, but urged Baker to give all the Indians who came over as much rum as they could drink. A canoe with six warriors, two squaws and a little girl soon crossed, and the men becoming hopelessly drunk, were set upon by a few of Greathouse's men-the rest protesting against the atrocious and perfidious murder-and all were cruelly butchered but the girl. The Indians in camp, hearing the firing on the other side, sent a canoe paddled by two men, to ascertain the cause. These, ton, were shot down like dogs, as soon as they made the beach. A larger canoe was then manned by a number of savages and sent across. They were received by a fatal volley from an ambush on shore, and the survivors compelled to return. Shots were then exchanged across the Ohio, but without further damage. These two massacres embraced the whole of Logan's family.
A prodigious excitement prevailed along the Virginia frontier after these wanton and unholy deeds, and the scattered settlers, knowing full well that the savages would retaliate, lost no time in erecting forts and stations for their protection. Many of these were for the next twenty years famous as the scenes of many a desperate struggle. Expresses were also dispatched to Governor Dunmore, at Williamsburg, to send out immediate aid. Measures were at once adopted by the House of Burgesses for organizing and equipping an adequate force. Boone and Stoner were ordered to bring in the surveyors, out in various directions, which task was promptly and successfully executed; but the unfortunate traders then busy in the Indian country, peddling their wares from town to town, could not be so easily warned or rescued. Some of these fell the first victims to the redman's vengeance. One near the town of White Eyes, the great Peace Chief of the Delawares, was literally hacked to pieces, and the fragments of his body hung up on the bushes. The kindly chief, however-of whom we shall hear much hereafter-gath- ered them together and buried them; they were disinterred and again scattered by the infuriated perpetrators, but the kindness of the chief was as persistent as their hatred, and again he collected the disjecta membra and hid them in a secret place.
It being thought best to assume the offensive, a force of four hun- dred was hastily gathered at Fort Henry, (now Wheeling, West Va.,) and, led by Colonel Angus McDonald and piloted by Jonathan Zane,
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a hurried expedition was made against Wappatomica, on the Mus- kingum, situated near what is now Coshockton, Ohio. The march was a success. The savages having been frustrated in an expected sur- prise of the invaders, deserted their town, sued for peace, and delivered up five chiefs as hostages. It being found, however, that the Indians meant war, and were only desirous of gaining time until their forces should be gathered, the Virginians proceeded to destroy their towns and crops, and retreated, carrying three chiefs to Fort Henry. But this only incensed the savages. The storm that had been aroused was too violent and wide-spread to be easily allayed. Nothing but blood could wipe out their wrongs. While the other Indians were hesitating on their course, and the great Cornstalk was exerting himself to placate his angry followers, Logan, who, by the wanton murder of his rela- tives, had been converted into a bitter foe of the whites, suddenly swooped down like a whirlwind upon the Monongahela settlements and carried away nineteen scalps.
But Logan, although a much-wronged man, was also a kind man. At this very attack, a man named Robinson was making off for the woods when he heard behind him a voice crying out in very good English, "Stop ! I won't hurt you !" "Yes, you will," replied Robinson. "No, I won't, but if you don't stop, by - I'll shoot you !". Robinson still forged ahead, but while looking over his shoulder to watch the expected tomahawk, he stumbled over a log, fell, and was immediately clutched by his pursuer, who told him he must quietly go captive, and assured him he should not be hurt. It was Logan ! He continued his kindness, for when Robinson was afterwards compelled to run the gauntlet, the Mingo chief so instructed him that he escaped without injury. He was afterwards tied to a stake to be burned, but the chief ran and spoke strongly for some time in behalf of the captive. Three times was the intended victim tied to the stake, but at length Logan's masterly eloquence prevailed, and he was released, taken to Logan's own lodge, and some time after returned home. Rob- inson afterwards used to say that Logan's countenance, when speaking, . was the most striking and impressive that he ever beheld. Logan made as strenuous efforts afterwards, as we shall see, to procure the release of the famous Simon Kenton.
Predatory bands of Indians now pushed forward in various directions, and the border suffered greatly from marauds and attacks, from June until September. In the meantime two formidable bodies of troops were slowly gathering to beat back these desolating savage gangs and restore quiet to the frontier. The one from South and West Virginia was to be led by General Andrew Lewis: the other from North and
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East Virginia to be under command of Governor Dunmore himself, and which, descending the Ohio from Fort Pitt, was to meet Lewis' army at the mouth of the Kanawha. Lewis, with eleven hundred men, reached the point agreed upon on the 6th of October, but, Dunmore not having arrived, he sent scouts-both Simon Girty and Simon Kenton were acting as scouts in this campaign, a fact, as will be here- after shown, to which Kenton owed his life-and soon received dis- patches to the effect that the plan of campaign was altered; that he (Dunmore) would proceed directly against the Shawnee towns on the Scioto, and Lewis was ordered to join him before those towns.
This could not be done, however, without a desperate struggle-one of the most severe and well-fought battles that has ever occurred be- tween the red and white races. The next morning, October 10th, '74, General Lewis was preparing to move as directed, when a scout reported that he and a companion had been out hunting, and had discovered a large body of Indians just rising from their encampment, which covered about four acres, and that while his partner had been shot, he had made good his escape. As this meant that the Indians were strong enough to cross the Ohio to take the offensive, all was, of course, immediate sur- prise and confusion, but General Lewis, calm as was the morning itself, lighted his pipe with the greatest coolness and ordered out the regiment under Colonel Chas. Lewis, his brother, and that of Colonel Fleming, to reconnoitre the ground.
GENERAL ANDREW LEWIS-THE BATTLE RAGES THE SAVAGES RETREAT.
Before battle is joined, however, let us say something of the com- mander of this gallant army, which contained the very flower of Vir- ginia, and embraced many names afterwards highly distinguished. Gen- eral Andrew Lewis had served as Captain of the Virginia Rangers at the disastrous battle of Braddocks Fields, and had five brothers in his com- pany. He afterwards served as Major in Washington's regiment, Forbes' army, and was with Major Grant in that officer's foolish bravado before Fort Duquesne, having the misfortune to be wounded and taken pris- oner. McClung asserts with what authority we are ignorant-that while he and Grant were on parole at the French fort, a quarrel broke out between them, much to the amusement of the French. Grant, in his dispatches captured by the Indians, had made Lewis the scapegoat for his own defeat, whereas, in truth, the only execution that was done was effected by the Virginia troops. On leaving the fort, Lewis went in search of Grant, and, drawing his sword, directed his former com- mander to defend himself on the spot. Grant contemptuously refused
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GENERAL ANDREW LEWIS.
to comply, upon which Lewis cursed him for a liar and a coward, and, in the presence of two French officers, actually spat in his face.
General Lewis' person considerably exceeded six feet in height, as did, indeed, that of most every man under him. He had a splendid physique, and was of a very imposing appearance. His countenance was stern and manly, expressive of that daring and energy which ever distinguished him. His manners were cold, plain and unbending, and his conversation short, pithy and to the point. At the general treaty with the tribes in '63, General Lewis was the "observed of all ob- servers," and his majestic military appearance not only attracted atten- tion but inspired awe. The Governor of New York then declared that he "looked like the genius of the forest, and that the earth seemed to tremble beneath his footsteps." The General had a brother and three sons-two of them privates-in his division.
Colonel Charles Lewis now instantly advanced, and was soon engaged with the enemy, composed of Shawnees, Mingoes, Delawares and Tawas, about a thousand strong, led by the celebrated Shawnee chiet, Cornstalk, and assisted by his son, Elenipsico, by Logan, Red Eagle and other prominent chiefs. Colonel Fleming, who advanced along the Ohio, also found the enemy close by, and a very hot and fierce struggle at once ensued. Colonel Charles Lewis, being in full uniform, and a conspicuous mark for the enemy, was soon mortally wounded, as was also, soon after, Colonel Fleming. The troops were much discouraged, and being pressed by the savages with unusual vigor, were compelled to beat a retreat. At this critical moment, General Lewis ordered up Field's regiment, which, meeting the retiring troops, rallied them again, and not only restored the fortunes of the day, but compelled the In- dians, in their turn, to retreat to a very strong position-one that was not easily assailable.
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