History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 47

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728

USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 47
USA > Ohio > Belmont County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 47

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After detailing how her father and mother and herself were compelled to leave their place on Caldwell's run and go "up to the town fort " for protection, etc., she tells of the incident of the powder, saying: "The powder becoming scarce it was pro- posed that some one should run for a supply, and among the volunteers for that dangerous journey was a sister of Col. Zane's, who said she would go. This, however, was objected to, and the young men insisted on going themselves. But she was firm in her purpose, and replied that the loss of a woman would be less felt than the loss of a man. And pinning up her dress to let her feet have fair play in the race, off she went. But the Indians astonished at the sight, did not fire a single shot at her. Soon she had secured plenty of powder in a slim belt round her waist and off she bounded again. But the enemy, seeing her returning, suspected some mischief, and fired a volley of balls after her; all of which missed her, and she reached her destination in safety, with plenty of powder to carry through the siege."

It will be observed that this account was given about fifteen years after the event.

One of the earliest published narratives of this episode is the following

ACCOUNT FROM THE SCIOTO GAZETTE, NOVEMBER, 1802,

which we take from a little paper then published at Chilli- cothe, Ohio. The article is entitled " Brave Women of Our Frontier."

"A Philadelphia paper has recently published a full account of the attack on the fort at Wheeling in the fall of 1782, from which we extract an incident which we have repeatedly heard re- lated, one of our informants being an eye witness. It is only one of the many which will be handed down to the future historian, of the noble deeds and feats of daring the heroines of our frontier have performed.

" When the alarm was given by a ranger that the Indians were coming, the fort having for some time been unoccupied by a garrison, and Colonel Zane's house, which stood near it, having been used for a magazine, those who retired into the fort had to take with them a supply of ammunition for its defense. The powder became exhausted by reason of the long siege. In this emergency it became necessary to renew the stock from the abundant store in Zane's house. Accordingly it was pro- posed that one of the fleetest men should endeavor to reach the house, obtain the powder, and return to the fort. Col. Zane's sister was in the fort and at once volunteered to bring the pow- der. She was young, active and athletic, with courage to dare anything. On being told that one of the men would run less risk by reason of his fleetness, she replied, 'Should he fall the loss will be more severely felt ; you have no men to spare, and a woman will not be missed in defending the fort.' She was then told to go, and divesting herself of some heavy clothing, started out through the gate like a deer. The sight so amazed the savages that they cried,' ' squaw,' ' squaw,' and not a shot was fired at her. Arriving at the house, Colonel Zane fastened a cloth about her waist, and poured into it a quantity of pow- der, when she again ventured out. The Indians now discover- ed the object of the 'squaw,' and bullet after bullet whizzed past her head. She reached the fort in safety, although a bullet. hole was found in her dress. The powder enabled the brave little band to hold out against the besiegers, who were at last compelled to retire without having accomplished their object.'"

" Withers' Chronicles of Border Warfare" contains, it is believed, the first published account, in book form, of the two sieges of Fort Henry and the events connected therewith. So far, at least, as the "Powder Exploit" is concerned, all the parties, in any way interested in the correct narrative of that episode of one of the sieges, were living at the time of its publication, and for several years afterward. At that date Elizabeth Zane, Mrs. Cruger, Molly Scott and many other inmates of the fort, who were witnesses of the exploit, were all living in Wheeling or its immediate vicinity. From the fact that names are given, and their location and duties at the time of the siege, it can be safely inferred that these facts were gathered from the parties themselves. The publication must have been generally known as, it is understood, it excited much interest, and, in some cases, was used as a reading book in schools.

The author, Col. Alexander S. Withers, belonged to the Vir- ginia family of that name, of which the present United States Senator Withers, of Virginia, is a distinguished member. He came West to write the history of the western portion of Vir- ginia, and spent several years gathering materials. Subsequent historians have drawn their most important data from him. His work shows him to have been a careful, industrious, con- scientious and painstaking historian, while his style, and espe- cially his long introduction to the work, exhibits the culture of a fine classical scholar and a well informed man.

The following is from

WITHERS' ACCOUNT :

"On the first of September (1782) John Lynn (a celebrated spy, and the same who had been with Capt. Foreman at the time of the fatal ambuscade at Grave creek) being engaged in watching the warriors' paths, northwest of the Ohio, discov- ered the Indians marching with great expedition for Wheeling, and hastened to warn the inhabitants of the danger which was threatening them, swam the river, and reached the village but a little while before the savage army made its appearance. The fort was at this time without any regular garrison, and depended for defence exclusively upon the exertions of those who sought security within its walls. The brief space of time which elapsed between the alarm by Lynn and the arrival of the In- dians, permitted only those who were immediately present to

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retire into it, and when the attack was begun to be made there were not within its pallisades twenty effective men to oppose the assault. The dwelling house of Col. Ebenezer Zane, stand- ing about forty vards from the fort, contained the military stores which had been furnished by the government of Vir- ginia; and as it was admirably situated as an outpost from which to annoy the savages in their onsets, he resolved on maintaining possession of it, as well to aid in the defence of the fort as for the preservation of the ammunition. Andrew Scott, George Green, Mrs. Zane, Molly Scott and Miss McCol- loch were all who remained with him. The kitchen, adjoining, was occupied by Sam, a negro belonging to Col. Zanc, and Kate, his wife. Col. Silas Zane commanded at the fort.

When Lynn gave the aların that an Indian army was ap- proaching, the fort having been for some time unoccupied by a garrison, and Col. Zane's house being used as a magazine, those who retired into the fortress had to take with them a supply of ammunition for its defense. The supply of powder, deemed ample at the time, by reason of the long continuance of the savages, and the repeated endeavors made by them to storm the fort, was now almost entirely exhausted, a few loads only, remaining. In this emergency, it became necessary to replen- ish their stock from the abundance of that article in Col. Zane's house. During the continuance of the last assault, apprized of its scarcity, and aware of the danger which would inevitably ensue, should the savages, after being driven back, return to the assault before a fresh supply of powder could be obtained, it was proposed that one of the fleetest men should endeavor to reach the house, obtain a keg and return with it to the fort.

It was an enterprise full of dangers ; but many of the chival- ric spirits, then pent up within the fortress were willing to en- counter them all.

Among those who volunteered to go on this emprise was Elizabeth Zane, the younger sister of Col. Zane. She was then young, active and athletic; with precipitancy to dare danger, and fortitude to sustain her in the midst of it. Disdaining to weigh the hazard of her own life, against the risk of that of others, when told that a man would encounter less danger by reason of his greater fleetness, she replied : "And should he fall, his loss will be more severely felt." Her services were ac- cepted. Divesting herself of some of her garments, as tending to impede her progress, she stood prepared for the hazardous adventure; and when the gate was opened, she bounded forth with the buoyancy of hope, and in the confidence of success. Wrapt in amazement, the Indians beheld her spring forward, and only exclaiming "a squaw, a squaw," no attempt was made to interrupt her progress. Arrived at the door, she proclaimed her embassy. Col. Zane fastened a table cloth around her waist, and emptying into it a keg of powder, again she ventured forth. The Indians were no longer passive. Ball after ball passed whizzing and innocuous by. She reached the gate and entered the fort in safety.

[In a foot note he adds: "This heroine had but recently re- turned from Philadelphia, where she had received her educa- tion, and was totally unused to such scenes as were daily ex- hibiting on the frontier. She afterwards became the wife of a Mr. Mclaughlin. and he dying, married a Mr. Clark, and is yet living in Ohio.]

With every opportunity for correction there is no record of any dispute, or protest, or doubt of the entire accuracy of this narrative, by any person whatever, either at the time of its publication, or subsequently up to 1849, though many were liv- ing, who had personal or traditionary knowledge of the facts.

A number of years afterwards Col. Geo. S. McKiernan under- took the task of gathering materials for a new history of the early settlement of Whecling, and independently of his prede- cessors in the same paths sought his information from original sources. From it we extract his account of the incident show- ing what he says was the "unanimous" testimony of "old pioneers," who survived until that date (1832-1836) :

M'KIERNAN'S ACCOUNT.

" The stock of gunpowder in the fort having been nearly ex- hausted, it was determined to seize the favorable opportunity offered by the suspension of hostilities to send for a keg of powder which was known to be in the house of Ebenezer Zanc, about sixty yards from the gate of the fort. The person execut- ing the service would necessarily expose himself to the danger of being shot down by the Indians, who were yet sufficiently near to observe everything that transpired about the works. The Colonel explained the matter to his men, and unwilling to order one of them to undertake such a desperate enterprise, in-

quired whether any man would volunteer for the service. Three or four young men promptly stepped forward in obedi- ence to the call. The Colonel informed them that the weak state of the garrison would not justify the absence of more than one man, and that it was for themselves to decide who that person should be. The eagerness felt by each volunteer to undertake the honorable mission prevented them from making the arrangement proposed by the commandant, and so much time was consumed in the contention that fears began to arise that the Indians would renew the attack before the powder could be procured. At this crisis a young lady, the sister of Ebe- nezer and Silas Zane, came forward and desired that she might be permitted to execute the service. This proposition seemed so extravagant that it met with a peremptory refusal, but she instantly renewed her petition in terms of redoubled earnest- ness, and all the remonstrances of the Colonel and her relatives failed to dissuade her from her heroic purpose. It was finally represented to her that either of the young men on account of his superior fleetness and familiarity with scenes of danger would be more likely than herself to do the work successfully. She replied that the danger which would attend the enterprise was the identical reason that induced her to offer her services, for, as the garrison was very weak, no soldier's life should be placed in needless jeopardy, and that if she were to fall her loss would not be felt. Her petition was ultimately granted, and the gate opened for her to pass out. The opening of the gate arrested the attention of several Indians who were straggling through the village. It was noticed that their eyes were upon her as she crossed the open space to reach her brother's house; but seized, perhaps, with a sudden freak of clemency, or believ- ing that a woman's life was not worth a load of gunpowder, or influenced by some other unexplained motive, they permitted her to pass without molestation. When she re-appeared with the powder in her arms the Indians, suspecting, no doubt, the character of her burden, elevated their fire-locks and discharged a volley at her as she swiftly glided towards the gate, but the balls all flew wide of the mark, and the fearless girl reached the fort in safety with her prize. The pages of history may fur- nish a parallel to the noble exploit of Elizabeth Zane, but an instance of greater self-devotion and moral intrepidity is not to be found anywhere."

Concerning his sources of information for the foregoing sketch Col. McKiernan wrote under date of August 28, 1876, the following :

M'KIERNAN'S STATEMENT.

"I began my researches in 1832. The persons from whom I received my most valuable information were Mrs. Shepherd (afterwards Mrs. Cruger), Hugh Mitchell, Alexander Mitchell, John Brady, John Good, Archibald Woods, Mrs. Cresap, of Fish creek, Joseph Caldwell and others. Of these persons Mrs. Cru- ger only had any personal knowledge of the siege, though some of the individuals named were boys at the time. They had all known and conversed with those present at tlie siege. When I first knew Mrs. Cruger she was bright and sparkling as a young woman. In her later days her memory became confused. She assured Mr. Draper, for instance, in 1846, that Jolin McCol- loch was the hero of the leap over Wheeling hill instead of his brother Sam. This was worse than ridiculous, for Sam was a famous Indian fighter in 1777, while John was a mere lad. From the interesting nature of the incident of carrying the powder, I made it the subject of inquiry in my interviews with all those persons, and I am quite certain that Mrs. Cruger did not attribute the powder exploit to Molly Scott or to any one but Betsy Zane, neither did any other of the old inhabitants. There is not the shadow of a doubt in my mind that she and not Molly Scott was the heroine of the powder keg. In fact I never heard any of the old pioneers mention the nanie of Molly Scott. They were unanimous in giving the honor to Miss Zane.

" Noah and Daniel Zane were the only members of that family, born in the last century, who survived until my time. The former was an invalid, unamiable in disposition and averse to intrusion. I never felt bold enough to go into his presence. I talked to Daniel Zane, but the impression now on my mind is that his knowledge of the history of Wheeling was not com- prehensive.

" When I prepared my sketch for publication I had an abiding faith in its truth, and nothing has since occurred to weaken that opinion."

As corroborative of the accounts given in the early histories

17-B. & J. COS.

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

of this event and cited above, we append the following state- ments :

The first is

THE STATEMENT OF MOLLY SCOTT'S GRANDSON, HER FAVORITE AND HEIR.

WHEATLAND, August, 1876.

Mr. W. C. Brockunier, Wheeling, W. Va .:

SIR: I have no hesitation in replying to the inquiries you make. I am the oldest surviving descendant of Molly Scott, somewhat noted as one of the early settlers of Wheeling. am her grandson-the only one now living. Molly died near Wheeling March 3, 1839, aged 80 years. My relationship, of course, brought me into almost constant association with her from infancy until her death, and I have often heard her tell incidents connected with the early settlement of Wheeling, and about the Indian war and troubles, and many reminis- cences of the principal persons of the settlement. I have heard her tell frequently the story of the siege of Fort Henry. She was an inmate and assisted the other women in running bullets, loading guns, and such other employments as they were able to do. She has told me, and in my presence, many times, about the exploit of Betsy Zane carrying powder in her apron from Col. Zane's dwelling to the fort, during the siege, and of the courage and intrepidity with which the act was performed, as well as the narrow escape she had from the bul- lets of the Indians. She always told me the same story, and never gave any other name than Elizabeth or Betsy Zane, as she called her, as the one who carried the powder. She never claimed the credit for herself, and there is no other tradition in the Scott fam- ily. Elizabeth Zane was, I believe, the sister of Col. Ebenezer Zane, the original founder of Wheeling. This is about all the information I can give you, but my remembrance is clear as to the correctness of the foregoing statement. Yours,

J. F. SCOTT.

Also the

STATEMENT OF MR. YOST,

a venerable citizen of Belmont county.

" AUGUST, 1876.

"I knew Molly Scott intimately. Farmed her place several years; also farmed for her son, Andy Scott, and her grandson, Jim Scott. I have heard her tell many times of the Indian wars and sieges at Wheeling. She told us often about Betsy Zane carrying the powder to the fort when the Indians were besieging it. Molly Scott was in Col. Zane's house and saw Betsy come for the powder. In early times we never heard the name of anybody else than Betsy Zane connected with that event. Molly never claimed that she carried the powder her- self. All she said about herself was 'us women run bullets for the men." Molly Scott's sister, Nancy Richards, who was in the fort, told me the same thing.

"PETER YOST."

STATEMENT OF EBENEZER CLARK, THE ONLY SON OF ELIZABETH ZANE.

JULY, 1877.

"I am the son of Elizabeth Zane, and the only member of the family now living-am the youngest of seven children. * * * * * * * *

"I have heard my mother tell the story of the Indian wars, the siege, and her exploit of carrying the gunpowder, a thou- sand times. She never spoke of it boastfully or as a wonderful matter, but in early times we didn't have newspapers or books, and on long winter evenings all we had to amuse us were sto- ries of the early settlers, Indian fights and escapes.

When my mother returned from Philadelphia she stayed with her brothers, her father having married a second time, and not very happily. At the time of the siege of the fort at Wheeling by the Indians and Tories she went with her brothers, Silas and Jonathan, into the fort, indeed all the settlers rushed to the fort for protection when the alarm was given. It was not occupied except when the Indians came in. Col. Ebenezer Zane, whose house was about sixty yards from the fort, re- mained in it with his family and two or three other persons with him for its defence. His house was built in block house form, and pierced with loopholes through which they could fire. It also had a large magazine in which the ammunition was stored. From its position they commanded the approach to

the gateway of the fort, which made it of great service to the garrison when the besiegers would attempt to storm the fort. Old daddy Sam, a Guinea negro belonging to Col. Zane, was a great fighter, and was with Col. Zane in the house. * * * * * Silas Zane was commander of the fort.

When the demand was made for surrender, and promise given of British protection, the answer of the garrison was a volley of bullets.

The firing was kept up all day and occasionally during the night. The garrison kept awake and on the alert. In the morning the assault was resumed and the firing was so rapid that it became evident that the supply of powder in the fort could not long hold out. In the hurry of the alarm they had only brought a portion of the powder kept stored for use in Col. Zane's magazine. Towards noon the fire slackened, and it was determined to make an attempt to secure more powder before the assault was renewed. In the consultation which took place as to who should go on this errand, my mother offered to go. Saying, "you need all the men you have to defend the fort. If I go and am killed I will not be missed like a man and there is nobody to cry for me. I'll go if you let me."

When consent was gained she stripped herself to her shift and petticoat so she could run fast, and was then let out at the gate. As soon as she appeared the Indians seemed taken by surprise and exclaimed " A Squaw! "A Squaw!" but never offered to disturb her. When she reached Col. Zane's they tied a table-cloth about her waist, poured a keg of powder in and she started with it on a run to the fort. When the Indians saw her returning they evidently suspected what her mission was and poured in a terrific volley. She said it seemed as if the whole 400 fired at once, and the bullets knocked the dust into her eyes so she could not see. She had been running so fast, how- ever, that they missed their aim, and she gained the gateway of the fort without a hurt.

The fort had only about sixteen men. My mother occupied the sentry box with her brother Jonathan Zane and a man named Salter, and loaded their guns. This position was the post of observation, and the best marksmen and those having the most knowledge of the Indian modes of warfare were selected for the place. Of course it was a prominent mark for the enemy, and my mother said she would frequently have to stop and pick the splinters out of her body, which the bullets would split off and drive into her flesh. The brave and determined resistance of the garrison, the losses of the Indians and reports of ap- proaching help led the commander to break the siege after three days and nights continuous fighting, watching and anxiety.

My Grandmother Clark was an inmate of the fort, and I have heard her give substantially the same account of the siege and my mother's exploit.

I knew Molly Scott very well. She never claimed that she carried the powder. Indeed, no such claim was set up until very recent times by Mrs. Cruger.

I don't know what motive could have induced Mrs. Cruger to make a statement so untrue unless it was jealousy. My mother was a remarkable handsome woman, retaining her good looks even in her old age. It is well known she was universally ad- mired not only for her beauty, but she was very bright, smart and witty. She was as plucky and high spirited a woman as ever lived-a swift runner and a fearless rider.

Moses Shepherd at one time was engaged to marry my mother, but something occurred that broke the match off, and although he afterward married Lydia Boggs it is well known she never forgave my mother her good looks or the Colonel's preference.

EBENEZER CLARK.

The only account differing in any respect from the foregoing is contained in the following

STATEMENT OF MRS. LYDIA S. CRUGER :

"The undersigned having been applied to for a statement of facts respecting the memorable achievement at the attack on Fort Henry (Wheeling) in September, 1782, known as the gun- powder exploit, would state as follows, viz :

"On Monday afternoon, Septemer 11, 1872, a body of about 300 Indians, and 50 British soldiers, composing part of a com- pany known as the Queen's Rangers, appeared in front of the fort and demanded a surrender. These forces were commanded respectively by the white renegade Girty and Captain Pratt.

"The demand for a surrender was, of course, not complied with, and the attack then commenced.

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

"During the forenoon of Tuesday, September 12, the enemy having temporarily withdrawn from the attack, but occupying a position within gunshot of the fort, those within the stock- ade observed a female leave the residence of Colonel Zane and advance with rapid movements toward the fort. She made for the southern gate, as it was less exposed to the fire of the enemy. The gate was opened immediately, and she entered in safety. That person was none other than Mollie Scott, and the object of her mission was to procure powder for those who defended the dwelling of Colonel Zane. The undersigned was at that time in her seventeenth year, and remembers every eircumstance connected with the incident. She saw Mollie Scott enter the fort, assisted her in getting the powder and saw her leave, and avers most positively that she, and she alone, accomplished the feat referred to, and deserves all the credit that may be at- tached to it.

"The ammunition at that time was kept in the store-house, adjoining the residence of my father, and known as the "Cap- tain's house." My father (Captain Boggs) having left for help on the commencement of the attack; and I, being the oldest child under the paternal roof, was directed by my mother to go with the messenger (Molly Scott) to the store-house, and give her whatever ammunition she needed. This the undersigned did, and will now state, without fear of contradiction, that the powder was given to Molly Scott, and not to Elizabeth Zane.

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History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 47

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 728

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728