xt75736m0n25 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt75736m0n25/data/mets.xml Metcalfe, Samuel Lytler, 1798-1856 1821  books b92f517m592009 English W. G. Hunt : Lexington, Ky. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Frontier and pioneer life --Ohio River Valley. Indians of North America --Wars --1790-1794. Indian captivities. A collection of some of the most interesting narratives of Indian warfare in the West, containing an account of the adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone, one of the first settlers of Kentucky, comprehending the most important occurrences relative to its early history--also, an account of the manners, and customs of the Indians, their traditions and religious sentiments, their police or civil government, their discipline and method of war: to which is added, an account of the expeditions of Gen ls. Harmer, Scott, Wilkinson, St. Clair & Wayne. The whole comp. from the best authorities. text A collection of some of the most interesting narratives of Indian warfare in the West, containing an account of the adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone, one of the first settlers of Kentucky, comprehending the most important occurrences relative to its early history--also, an account of the manners, and customs of the Indians, their traditions and religious sentiments, their police or civil government, their discipline and method of war: to which is added, an account of the expeditions of Gen ls. Harmer, Scott, Wilkinson, St. Clair & Wayne. The whole comp. from the best authorities. 1821 2009 true xt75736m0n25 section xt75736m0n25 
    
    
    
    
    
    
   A

OF SOME OF THE MOST INTERESTING

OF INDIAN WARFARE IN THE WEST,

CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OP THE ADVBNTUBBS OF

Colonel DAXIlAli ^OONE,

ONE OF THE FIRST SETTLERS OF KENTUCKY,

Comprehending the rm>st-uai!,ortant occurrences relative to its early history_AUa, an account of the Manners, and Customs of the Indians, their Traditions and Religious Sentiments, their Police or Civil Government, their Discipline and method of War:

TO WHICH IS ADDED,

AN ACCOUNT OF THE EXPEDITIONS OF

Genl's. Harmer, Scott, Wilkinson, St. Clair, & Watn,e, The whole compiled from the best authorities.

J&i Samuel 1  . M.etcalf.

My Countrymen.' These things ought not to be forgotten. For the bent! jit of ouv children, and those thatfollrw them, they should be recorded in history,   Da. Fkahkiin.

LEXINGTON, Kr.

.fBJRTHB      william   . fflffRT.

mm* 
    
   If the reader should receive any entertainment from the perusal of the following pages, he may consider himself indebted for it to the following incident:

In the Spring of 1820, as the Editor was journeying through the Southern part of this state, he called at an Inn-tor lodging, where he was highly amused .out! gratified by the relation of some interesting anecdotes of Indian warfare, by an intelligent fellow-traveller, who was an early settler in Kentucky.* From this circumstance he was induced to believe that much interesting matter of this description might be obtained, by a little exertion, which, in a few years, if not collected, would be consigned to oblivion, or found only in the traditions of the west. He has, therefore, since that time emplojed himself in making diligent search after such materials as would reflect light on the early settlement of the Western Country generally; the result of whichhas enabled him to present the reader with the following narratives. They cannot fail to excite an interest in the people of the west, many of whose friends and relations were conspicuous actors in the seenes which are described. Some of them exhibit specimens of boldness and ferocity on the part of the savages, and of heroic intrepidity on the part of the early settlers, not surpassed in the annals of history. They also make us in some measure acquainted with the dangers and difficulties which our fathers underwent in penetrating and settling this vast wilderness. They were continually harassed by a treacherous and unrelenting foe. They fought in the defence of a country whose plains were drenched with the blood of their fellow citizens. They abandoned the pleasures of civilized and polished society, and

*ColonelMurrell, of Hansen County, Ky 
   Pre/act.

emigrated to these inhospitable wilds, under circumstances the mdSt unfavourable: yet the spirit of enterprise which prompted them was not to be extinguished by the dangers which surrounded them. The luxuriant fertility of the country, the salubrity of its climate, and the beauty of its scenery, were well calculated to excite and cherish in them the spirit of adventure.

A desire to trace the origin and progress of states, the decline and fall of nations, and the means by which great objects have been achieved, is perhaps natural to man. To rescue from oblivion some of the most important events connected with the early history of this country, is the object of the following publication.

It must be peculiarly gratifying to every philanthropick mind, to behold the happy change which a few years have effected in the condition of the Western States. Where, a few years since, nothing was heard but the Indian warwhoop and the howling of wild beasts, we now hear, in our halls of legislation, the voice of eloquence, proclaiming the dignity and the rightsof man; and in temples dedicated to the MOST HIGH, our ears are saluted with the welcome sound of "peace and good will to men." In the place of those gloomy forests once denominated the DARK AND BLOODY GROUND, we now behold a rich, delightful, and highly cultivated country. Where lately stood a few dismal, smoky cabins, surrounded by woods and cane-brakes, are how to be seen fertile fields, flourishing orchards, blooming gardens, elegant and commodious houses, and rich, populous, and refined cities.

How delightful to dwell in the midst of this highly favoured land, and contemplate its growing prosperity; a^!and affording in rich abundance all the luxuries of life, and decorated with all the varieprated charms which nature can bestow. Here, we might almost exclaim in the language ofthepuet,

Fiuminmjam lactis, jam jffitmua nectaris ibant, Flavaque de viride stillubant ilice mella.* Here civilization and the arts are fast advancing to perfection; and here genius, nurtured by science and philosophy, and enriched by the improvements of former ages, is to shine forth in all the splendor of intellectual power.

In the publication of the following narratives it has not been our in. tentioiv to perpetuate against the unfortunate Indians that spirit of

*S\"o-a milk and nectar flow through every field, *lnel fft ctnleav'a oaks delicious honey yield.   11. 
   Preface.

prejudice and hatred which has been excited by their cruel massacres of the whites. With the liberal and enlightened, there are m  . ny circumstances which palliate their inhumanity. They could not but consider us as the crafty usurpers of their native soil, which had been given to them by the "GREAT SPIRIT." It should be recollected, that independently of the many -wrongs which they suffered from our encroachment on their dominions, they were stimulated to hostilities by the emissaries of France, while that kingdom was contending with Great Britain for the possession of the Western Country: and that after the commencement of the American Revolution, they were urged on by the British themselves to the perpetration of the most horrid outrages. Allowance should be made for their want of inform mation, and for the principles by which they were influenced. A superstition prevailed among them, common to the early Greeks an3 Romans, which induced them to suppose that "the manes of their deceased friends slain in battle, were soothed by the blood of their captives.*" M  fir

It has been very common among those who have described the aborigines of our country, to represent them as a treacherous, cowardly, and ferocious race, devoid of almost every virtue which constitutes the dignity and the glory of man. This1, however, has arisen partly from prejudice, and partly from an imperfect knowledge of their character. If there were writers among the Indians, the mosthonorable testimony might be given of thpir bravery, patriotism, and generosity* But alas, they have no historian to record their yalorous deeds; no poets to celebrate the virtues and achievements of their departed heroes. They are suffered to glide down theoblivious tide of time, "unwept, un-honored, and unsung." The whole race is diminishing in number with a rapidity unparalleled in the history of nations. Many of the most powerful tribes which inhabited the United States during the last century, are now known only in name. If we are to judge of the future from the past, we must believe that in a short period, the remaining tribes that still linger about the shores of the lakes, and the tributary streams of the Mississippi and Missouri, will pass away from the earth like adream, no more to be remembered or regarded. .'We are driven back" said an old warrior, "until we can retreat no further   a little longer and the white men will cease to persecute us, for we shall cease to exist."

*l.eur save, dismt.il, sera agreable a I'ombve de ce herds. Telemaque. 
   It is right to inform the reader that the following1 narratives haiwa heen obtained from sources of the most undoubted authenticity. Some of them have been before published in a collection by Archibald Loudon, and some in separate pamphlets, all of which have long .since been out of print. Others have appeared in the Western Review, a work found in, comparatively, but few hands. Nearly all the facts have been furnished by persons who were immediately concerned in the transactions which they described.

It'wasthe original design of the Editor to give a continued and methodical narrative of all the Indian wars in the Western Country, from its first settlement to the treaty of Greenville." This plan, Irowever, lie has heen obliged to relinquish for want of time. The contents of this volume may be regarded merely as materials which the future historian must compress and arrange in chronological order.

S. l. METCALE-

* Cencrall'u called Wayne's Treaty 
   CONTENTS.

Page.

Narrative of Colonel Daniel Boone - 7 Dr. Knight's Narrative         - -36

Narrative of John Slover         -            - 53

Robert Benham's Narrative             - 72

Adam Poe's contest with two Indians            - 76

David Morgan's remarkable encounter with 2 Indians 82

Adventures of Jackson Johonnet              - 86

Narrative of Mrs. Woods and a little Girl      - 101

Attack of the Indians on Cooper's Run         - 102

Expedition and defeat of General Harmer 104

Expedition of Generals Scolt and Wilkinson 109

Defeat of General St. Clair by the Indians      - 129

Indians Defeated - - 140 Depredations of the Indians on the frontiers in 1791,

1792 and 1793                 - |141

Mscapf uf two boys from the Indians            . 144

Narrative of Captain William IlubbeU 14G

Defeat of the Indians by General Wayne         - 157

Narrative of Colonel James Smith            - 163 APPENDIX.

Manners and Customs of the Indians     - 258

Their Traditions and Religious Sentiments        - 259

Their Police or Civil Government             - 263

Discipline and Method of War.      -            - 265 
    
   OF THE ADVENTURES OF

COL. DANIEL BOON,

From his first arrival in Kentucky in 1769 to the en a _______t. ----

It wi'sTii the first of May, in the year 17ff9j, that 1 resigned my domestic happiness for a time, -and left my family and peaceable habitation on the Yadkin River, in North-Carolina, to wander throu gh the wilderness of America, in quest of the country of Kentucky, in company with John Finley, John Stewart, Joseph Holden, James Mo-nay, and William Cool. We proceeded sue* ces^iUy, and after a long and fatiguing journey througha^tnjmntamous wilderness, in a westward, direction, on t!uT>situation, as surrounded with hostile savages, our EieeTtag^o fortunately in the wilderness made us reciprocally-sM^ihle of the utmost satis/act;ou. So much does friendslvTp-tTT^mph over misfortune, that sorrows and sufferings vanish at the meeting not only of real friends, but of the most distant acquaintances, and substitute happiness in their room.

Soon after this, my companion in captivity, John Stewart, was killed by the savages, and the man fbat came with my brother returned home by him* 
   1   Colojnel Boon's Narrative*

salf. We were then in a dangerous, helpless situ^ atiou, exposed daily to perils and death amonga% savages and wild beasts, not a white man. an the country but ourselves.

Thus situated, many hundred miles from our families in the how ling wilderness, I believe few: would have equally enjoyed the happiness we experienced. I often observed to my brother, You see now how little nature requires to be satisfied. Felicity, the companion of Content, is rather found in fH     own breast   than in the enjoyment of external things: and I firmly believe, it ror[mrexbut^a little philosophy to make a man happy in whatsoever state he is. This consists in a full resignation to the will of Providence; and a resigned soul finds pleasure in a path strewed with briars and thorns.

We continued not in a state of indolence, but Sun ted" every day, and prepared a little cottage to defend us from the winter storms. We remained thefe undisturbed during the Winter; and on the first day of May, J770, my brother returner11 Lome to trrF>et  ^H(^!^HHre^^ra npw recruit of horses anth-aTifmunition. leaving me by myself, without bread, salt, or sugar, without company of my fellow creatures, or even a horse or dog. I confess i never before was under greater necessity of exercising philosophy and fortitude. A:few '    ! uncomfortably. The idea of a beloved wife and family, and their anxiety upon the account of my absence" and exposed situation, laade 
   Colonel Boon's Narrative. ii

sensible impressions on my heart. A thousand dreadful apprehensions presented themselves to my view, and had undoubtedly disposed me to melancholy, if further indulged.

One day I undertook a tour through the country, and the diversity and beauties of nature I met with in this charming season, expelled every gloomy and vexatious thought. Just at the close of day the gentle gales retired, and left the place to the disposal of a profound calm. Not a breeze shook the most tiemuWs-icirf: rnW^nTed the summit crf-^fl^JlflTffanding ridge, and, looking round With astonishing delight, beheld the ample plains, the beauteous tracts below. On the other hand, I surveyed the famous river Ohio that rolled in silent dignity, marking the western boundary of Kentucky with inconceivable grandeur. At a vast distance I beheld the mountains lift their venerable brow?; and penetrate the clouds. All things were stilL tJ^ndled a fire near a fountain of sweet water, and fe,aste(Tofr-tUe loin of a buck, which a few hours before I had kUieTr^^hc sullen shade's of rrrglTf soon overspread the whole hemisphere, and the earth seemed to gasp after the hovering moisture. My roving excursion this day had fatigued my body and diverted my imagination. I kid me down to sle*ep, and 1 awoke not until the sun had chased away the night. 1 continued this tour, and in a few days explored a considerable part of th* country, each-day equally pleased as the first-   I returned 
   -Sjjg Cdlonel Boon's Narrative.

again to my old camp, winch was not disturbed ifl my absence. I did not confine my lodging to ffy but often reposed in thick cane-brakes, to avoid the savages, who, I believe, often visited my camp, but fortunately for me, in my absence. In this sit nation I was constantly exposed to danger, and death. How unhappy such a situation for a man tormented with fear, which is vain if no danger comes, and if it does, only augments the pain. It     :y happiness to be destitute of this afflicting passion, with which I had the greatest reason to be affected. The prowling wolves diverlxutnyS^^H nal hours with perpetual howlings; and the various species of animals in this vast forest, in the day time, were continually in my view.

Thus I was surrounded with plenty in the midst of want. 1 was happy in the midst of dangers and inconveniences. In such a diversity it was impossible I should be disposed to melancholy. No populous city, with all the varieties of com in1" ami stately structures, could afford so much pleasure to my_mind, as the beauties of nature I found here.

Thus, through an uninterrupted scene of sylvan pleasures, I spent the time until the   7th day of July following, when my brother, to my great felicity, met me, according to appointment, at our old camp. Shortly after, we left this place, not thinking it safe to stay there longer, and proceeded to Cumberland river, reconnoitering that part of the 
   Colonel Boon's Narrative.

13

eountry until March, 1771; and giving names to the different waters,

Soon after, I returned home to my family with a determination to bring them as soon as possible to live in Kentucky, which I esteemed a second paradise, at the risk of my life and fortune.

I returned safe to my old habitation, and found my family in happy circumstances. I sold my farm on the Yadkin, and what goods we could not carry with us; anil on the twenty-fifth day of September, 17*3, bade a^fajipucl1 in f-'""^^ and proceeded yn-uuxjourney to Kentucky, in company with five families more, and forty men that joined us in Powel's Valley, which is one hundred and fifty miles from the now settled parts of Kentucky. This promising beginning was soon overcast with a cloud of adversity; for upon the tenth day of October, the rear of our compauy was attacked by a number of Indians, who killed six, and wounded one man. Of these, my eldest son was one that fell in tirer-a^Jion. Though we defended ourselves, and repulsed-the enemy, yet this unhappy^affair scattered our cattle7^brr>t  gkt n   into p.vtrp.mp. difficulty, and so discouraged the whole company, that we retreated forty miles, to the settlement on Clinch river. We had passed over two mountains, vizi Powel's and Walden's, and were approaching Cumberland mountain when this adverse fortune overtook us. These mountains are in the wilderness, as we pass from the old settlements in VUv 
   14

Colonel Boon's JVurratfw.

ginia to Kentucky, are ranged in a South west and North east direction, are of a great length and I>wadth, and not far distant from each other. Over ftie.seimture hath formed passes, that are less difficult than might be expected from a view of such huge piles. The aspect of these cliffs is so wild and horrid, that it is impossible to behold them without terror. The spectator is apt to imagine that nature had formerly suffered some violent convulsion: and that these are the dismembered remains of the flreadful shock: the ruins, not of Persepolis or Palmyra, but of the world!    ^^^^BBBBfc*-

1 remained with my family on Clinch^untTTthe sixth of June, 1774, when I and one Michael Sto-ner were solicited by Governor Dunmore, of Virginia, to go to the Falls of the Ohio, to conduct into thfi settlement a number of surveyors that had been sent thither by him some months before; this country having about this time drawn the attention of many adventurers.     We immediately complied with the Governor's request, and conducted in the 3tirv'-.-"v-: compTe'afiiig a tour of eight hundred miles, thTough many difficulties, in sixty^wo days. Soon after T returned home, I was ordered to take the command of three garrisons during the campaign, which Governor Dunmore carried on a> gainsLthe Shawanese Indians.- after the conclusion of which, the Militia was discharged from each garrison, and 1 being relieved from my post, was solicited by a number of North-Carolina gentlemen, 
   Colonel Boon's Narratwe. $S

that were about purchasing the lands lying on the S. side of Kentucky river, from the Cherokee Indians, to attend their treaty at Wataga, in March, 177^, to negotiate with them, and, mention the boundaries of the purchase. This I accepted, and at the request of the same gentlemen, undertook to mark out a road in the best > as sage from the settlement through the wilderness to Kentucky, with such assistance as I thought necessary to employ for such an important undertaking.

I soon began this work, hying collected a number ........ciprising men, well armed. We proceeded with all possible expedition until we came within fifteen miles of where Boonsborough now stands, and where we were fired upon by a party of Indians that killed two, and wounded two of our number; yet. although surprised and taken at a disadvantage, we stood our ground. This was on the twentieth of March, 1775. Three days after, we. were fired upon again, and had two men killed, and three wounded. Afterwards we proceeded on to Kentucky river without opposition; a.ud ou the first day of April began to erect the fort of Boonsborough at a salt lick, about sixty yards from the river, on the South side.

On the fourth day, the Indians killed one of our *men.   We were busily employed in building this fort, until the fourteenth day of June following, ^vithout any farther opposition from the Indian0; 
   iti Colonel Boon's Nu-rvaiive,

and having finished the works, I returned to my

family, on Clinch.

In a short time, I proceeded to remove my family from Clinch to this garrison; where we arrived safe without ary other difficulties than such as are common to this passage, my wife and daughter be-in:; the first white women that ever stood on the banks of Kentucky river.

On the twenty-fourth day of December following we had one man killed, and one wounded, by the ?.'   >' =    !''-. who seamed de'prmiued to persecute us for erecting this fortification.

On the fourteenth day of July, 1776, two of 'Col; Ca]a>yay's daughters, and one of mine, were taken pTisoners near the fort. -I immediately pursued the Indians, with only eight men, and on the sixteenth overtook them, killed two of the party, and recovered the girls. The same day on which this attempt was made, the Indians divided themselves into different parties, and attacked several fogts, which were shortly before this time erected, doing             at deal of mischief. This was: extremely distressing to the new settlers. The innocent husbandman was shot down, while busy cultivating the soil for his family's supply. Most of the ".-file around the stations were destroyed. They continued their hostilities in this manner until the fifteenth of April, 1777, when they attacked Boonsborough with a party of above one hundred in number, killed one man, and wounded four. Their loss in this attack was not certainly known to us. 
   Colonel Boon's Narrative.

iy

- On. the fourth day of July following, a party of about two hundred Indians attacked Boonsbovough, killed one man, and wounded two. They besieged ns forty-eight hours; during which time seven of them -were killed, and at last, finding themselves not likely to prevail, they raised the siege, and departed.

The Indians had disposed their warriors in different parties at this time, and attacked the different garrisons to prevent their assisting each other, and did much injury to the. distressed, inhabit,:    

! nineteenth day of this month, Col. Logan's' fort was besieged by a party of about two hundred Indians. During this dreadful siege (hey did a great deal of mischief, distressed the garrison, in which were only fifteen men, killed two, and vvjojjJideiL one- JCJia_enemy's loss was uncertain, from the- common practice which the Indians have of carrying off their dead Lu time of battle. CoL Harrod's fort was then defended by only sixty five men, aim tjoonsborough by twenty-two, there being no moreforts or white men in the country, except at the Falls, a considerable distance from these, and all taken collectively were but a handful to the numerous warriors that were every where dispersed through the country, intent upon doing all the mischief that savage barbarity could invent. Thus we passed through a scene of sufferings that exceeds description.

On the twenty-fifth of this month a reinforce* 
   Colonel Boon?s Narrative.

ment of forty-five men arrived from North Carolina, and about the twentieth of August following!, Col. Bowman arrived with one hundred men from Virgiuia. Now we began to strengthen, and from hence, for the space of six weeks, we had skirmishes with Indians, in one quarter or other, almost every day.

The savages now learned the superiority of the Long Knife, as they call the Virginians, by experience; being out-generallad in almost evey battle. Our affairs began to wear a new aspect, and the enemy, not daring to venture on open war, practised secret mischief at times.

On the first day of January, 1778., I went with a party of thirty men to the Blue Licks, on Licking River, to make salt for the different garrisons in the country.

On the seventh day of February, as I was hunting, to procure meat for the company, I met with a party of one hundred and two Indians, and two Frenchmen, on their march against Boonsborough, that place being particularly the object of the enemy.

They pursued and took me; and brought me on the eighth day to the Licks, where twenty-seven of my party were, three of them having previously returned home with the salt. I knowing it was impossible for them to escape, capitulated with the enemy, and, at a distance in their view, gave nov 
   Colonel Boon's Narrative.

. tice to my men of their situation, with orders not to resist, but surrender themselves captives.

The generous usage the Indians had promised before in my capitulation, was afterwards fully complied with, and we proceeded with them as prisoners to old Chillicothe, the principal Indian town, on Little Miami, where we arrived, after an uncomfortable journey, in very severe weather, on the eighteenth day of February, and received as good treatment as prisoners could expect from savages. On the tenth day of March following, I, and ten of my men, were conducted by forty Indians to Detroit, where we arrived the thirtieth day, and wera treated by Governor Hamilton, the British commander at that post, with great humanity.

During our travels, the Indians entertained me well; and their affection for me was so great, that they utterly refused to leave me there with the others, although the Governor offered them one hundred pounds sterling for me, on purpose to give me a parole to go home. Several English gentlemen there, being sensible of my adverse fortune, and touched witu human sympathy, generously offered a friendly supply for my wants, which I refused, with many thanks for their kindness; adding that I never expected it would be in my power to recompense such unmerited generosity.

The Indians left my men in captivity with the British at Detroit, and on the tenth day of April brought me towards Old Ohilliccthe, where we ar- 
   Colonel Boon's~J\*a?r~cctite.

rived on the twenty-fifth day of the same month. This was a long and fatiguing march, through an exceeding fertile country, remarkable" for fine springs and streams of water. At ChHlicothc I spent my time as comfortably as 1 could expect;    was adopted, according to their custom into a family where I became a son, and had a great share in the affection of my new parents, brothers, sislers, and friends. I -was exceedingly familiar and friendly With them, always appearing as cheerful and satisfied as posiiblr-, and they put great confidence iu me. I often went a hunting withurera^anrl frequently gained their applause for my activity at our -shooting-matches. I was careful not to exceed many of them in shooting; for no people are more envious than they in this sport. 1 could observe in their countenances and gestures, the 'greatest expressions of joy when they exceeded me; and, when the reverse happened, of envy. The Shawanese Icing took great notice of me, and treated me with profound respect, and entire friendship, often entrusting me t   hunt at my liberty. I frequently returned with the spoils of the woods, and as often presented some of what I had taken to him, expressive of duty to my sovereign. My food and lodging were, in common with them, not so good miked as I could desire, but necessity made every thing acceptable.

I now began to meditate an escape, and carefully avoided their suspicions, continuing with them 
   Colonel Boon'sNarratives. SI

it 01:1 Chillicothe until the first day of June following, and then was taken by thein to the salt springs on Scioto, and kept there, making salt, ten days. During this time I hunted some for them, and found the land, for a great extent about this river, to exceed the soil of Kentucky, if possible, and remarkably well watered.

When I returned to Chillicothe, alarmed to see four hundred and fifty Indians, of their choicest warriors, painted and armed in a fearful manner,, ready to march against Boonsborough, 1 determined to escape the first opportunity.

On the sixteenth, before sun-rise, I departed in the most secret manner, and arrived at Boonsborough on the twentieth, after a journey of one hundred and sixty miles; during which, 1 had but one meal.

1 found our fortress in a bad state of defence, but we proceeded immediately to repair our flanks, strengthen our gates and posterns, and form dou> ble bastions, which we compleated in ten days. In this time we daily expected the arrival of the Indian army; and at length, one of my fellow prisoners, escaping from them, arrived informing us that the enemy had an account of my departure, and post-poned tl eir expedition three weeks. The Indians had spies out viewing our movements, audjjjvere greatly alarmed with our increase in number and fortifications. - 1 he Grand Councils of the nations were