Hrd and Romance of Borer and Revolutionary Times,

EDWARD §&. ELLIS, EDITOR.

A MOTHER’S TRIAL.
TECUMSEH SAVING THE PRISONERS.
THE LITTLE SENTINEL.
HORSEWHIPPING A TYRANT.

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TRADITIONS AND ROMANCE

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BORDER AND REVOLUTIONARY TIMES.

 

| THE LITTLE SENTINEL.

. TECUMSEH AND THE PRISONERS
aa HORSEWHIPPING A TYRANT.

~ "THE MOTHER'S TRIAL.

 

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Entered according to Act of Congress, 1n the year 1863, by
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THE

“LITELE: SENTINEL,

A TALL, portly-looking man stood on.a table in the midst of a crowd
of farmer-like individuals, haranguing them in an energetic manner
regarding the crisis in affairs of the country. He was dressed in
the scarlet and buff regimentals of a British officer, although, like
the most of his audience, he was a resident of the neighborhood.
The time was that important period in the history of our country
just succeeding the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, when
every man felt called ‘upon to decide the part he should take in the
contest which all saw was impending. The place was the vicinity
of Scoharie Kill, a branch of the Mohawk river, in the State of
New York. The persons, George Mann, a loyalist of great wealth,
three of the king’s Commissioners, and the yeomanry of the neigh-
borhood, from the gray-haired man of sixty winters, to the youth of
sixteen and eighteen summers: in fact, all the male population of
the Scoharie valley capable of ‘bearing arms. The king had “ hon-
ored” Mann with a Captain’s commission,,and the Commissioners
had called the people together for the purpose of administering the
oath of allegiance and recruiting from their number a company, to
the command of which Mann was to be assigned. They had been
ordered to bring their arms with them, and a large majority had
done so. Their equipments were as varied as their opinions—and
these were of many shades—from the determined and bitter Tory,
through the various degrees of loyalty to the wavering and undecided ;
and thence to the lukewarm, warm, devoted, and ardent Whig. Such
as had taken the oath were adorned with a piece of scarlet cloth

stuck in their hats; while some, more enthusiastic than others, wore
197

 

 
 

 

TALES AND TRADITIONS.

6

scarlet caps. All these were enrolled and mustered under arms, pre-
paratory to receiving the drill from their new Captain. Many of
the lukewarm and undecided took the oath of allegiance from fear
of consequences. There were buta limited few bold and determined
enough to abjure the oath and all allegiance to the king. Of this
number were Nicholas Stemberg and William Dietz, who had been
so earnest in their denunciations of the tyranny and injustice of the

mother country, that, when they left for home on the evening of the

first day, they were assailed with denunciations of vengeance. They
were proclaimed as traitors, and threatened with a nocturnal visit
by the bitterest among those whom the occasion had shown to be
their enemies. Fearing these threats would be put into execution,
Stemberg spent the night in the woods, while his family were trem-
bling with fear at home. On his return to that home in the morn-
ing, he was agreeably disappointed to find it undisturbed, and, with
his neighbor Dietz, again repaired to the parade, with an unaltered
determination, however, to take no obligation of allegiance. They
found, on arriving at Mann’s house, that upward of one hundred
were enrolled and scattered about the grounds; while others, who
had not made up their minds upon which side they should range
themselves, were listening to an ardent harangue from the Captain.
Mounted on a table, and dressed in all the paraphernalia of war, he
was alternately coaxing, wheedling, and urging them to take part in
the raid against rebellion, commanding those who had already en-
rolled themselves, and threatening dire vengeance, confiscation of
property, imprisonment and death, against those who dared to side
with the rebels. The hour seemed propitious, and the loyal Captain
was carrying every thing before his storm of eloquence and denunci-
ations, when, in the twinkling of an eye, a storm of a different kind
burst upon his head, which scattered to the winds the results of all
his efforts. News of the Captain’s labors had been conveyed to Al-
bany, and while he was in the midst of one of his most earnest ap-
peals, two hundred horsemen, under command of Captain Woodbake,
made their appearance, tearing up the road, with sabers drawn and
determination flashing from their eyes. One glance was all-sufficient
for the doughty Captain, and the next moment—his coat-skirts flying

in the wind, his queue sticking straight out behind him—he was on
198

   

  
hyn —

 

    

fHE LITTLE SENTINEL. q

his way to the shelter of the neighboring woods as fast as his legs
could carry him. His followers were immediately transformed into
firm and devoted patriots, except a certain few who had been such
enthusiastic Tories that they could not hope to escape merited pun-
ishment, and these pursued their flying commander. The scarlet
badges disappeared in the most sudden and unaccountable manner,
and when Captain Woodbake and his party reached the spot where
the loyal Captain had stood, he found none but Whigs to receive
him. His object, therefore—the dispersion of the meeting without
bloodshed—was accomplished, and he proceeded to proclaim the
rule of Congress. Before doing so, however, he gave orders that
Mann should be taken, either dead or alive. There were plenty will-
ing to undertake this task, and patrols were soon stationed in every
direction, so that it was nearly impossible for him to escape.
Among others who yolunteered for this duty, was Lambert, the
eldest son of Nicholas Stemberg, a lad of fifteen or sixteen years,

‘He was stationed by the side of -one of those structures called bar-

racks, so often seen in a new country, consisting of a thatch sup-
ported on four posts over a stack of wheat or hay. The youth was
proud of his trust, desiring nothing more earnestly than to meet with
the Captain and take him prisoner. During the afternoon, a violent
thunder-storm arose, and to shelter himself from its inclemencies,
the young sentry climbed to the top of the stack, where, to his as-
tonishment, he found the loyal fugitive snugly ensconced. Presenting
his musket to his breast, he informed him that his orders were to
take him, dead or alive—and he must surrender or be shot. The
Captain, whose courage and lofty bearing had left him simultaneously
with the appearance of Woodbake, begged hard for his life, and be-
sought the young patriot to allow him to escape; for, if taken pris-
oner, he would be hung by the militia men to the first tree, without
shrift or absolution. Stemberg replied that his orders were impera-
tive, and he dared not disobey them. But Mann implored for mercy
in such piteous tones—reminding him that he was a neighbor, had
never done him harm, had ever been kind to him, &., &.—
that a violent struggle took place in the breast of the young
soldier between his duty. and his sympathy. He could not

shoot him in cold blood, and he would not surrender; so,
199

 

  
8 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

to compromise the matter with himself, he proposed to fire his
musket in token of alarm, that others might come and take his
prisoner. This was earnestly objected to by the Captain, who saw
the struggle going on in his captor’s breast, and determined to take
advantage of it. Watching his opportunity, therefore, when his at-
tention was removed from him, and a violent clap of thunder covered
his movement, he slipped off the stack, and sliding down one of the
posts, made a rapid retreat for the mountains. Stemberg, as in duty
bound, fired his musket at him, but was not sorry that his shot was
fruitless. The report soon brought others to the spot, and after hear-
ing the story of the tender-hearted sentinel, they immediately started

in pursuit of the fugitive, who had many narrow escapes, but finally
eluded their vigilance and hid himself in the fastnesses of the hills,
where he remained for two weeks. He was induced, at the end of

that time, to surrender, upon the condition that he should not suffer
personal injury. He was taken to Albany, where he was kept a
close prisoner until the end of the war, when he again returned to
his estate, and, becoming a firm Republican, ended his days there.

Those who think young Stemberg’s neighborly feelings made him
too lenient toward the humiliated loyalist, will be better pleased with
the following record of the resolute manner in which another lad
captured and controlled a couple of desperadoes.

On a fine May morning, 1780, as the family of Sheriff Firman, of
Freehold county, New Jersey, was at breakfast, a breathless soldier
burst into the room, stating that as he and another were conducting
to the court-house two men, taken tip on suspicion at Colt’s Neck,
they had knocked down his comrade, seized his musket, and escaped.
The Sheriff, on hearing this relation, mounted his horse and galloped
to the court-house to alarm the guard. His son, Tunis, a lad of
about seventeen, small of his age, seiged a musket, loaded only with
small shot to kill blackbirds in the cornfields, and, putting on a car-
tridge-box, sent his little brother up stairs for the bayonet, and then,
forgetting to wait for it, hurried off alone in pursuit.

After running in a westerly direction about a mile, he discovered
the men sitting on a fence, who, perceiving him, ran into a swamp.
As the morning was warm, he hastily pulled off his shoes and coat,

and darted in after them, keeping close after them for over a mile,
200 .

    

   
       
 
  
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 

TUNIS’S STRATAGEM, 9

when they got out of the swamp, and climbed into separate trees,
As he came up one of them discharged at him the musket taken
from the guard. The ball whistled over his head. Feeling for his
bayonet, he discovered that it was still with his little brother. He
then pointed his gun at the man with the musket, but deemed it im-
prudent to fire, reflecting that, even if he killed him, his comrade

could easily match such a stripling as himself. He compelled the
~ man to throw down the musket by threatening him with instant
death if he did not comply. Then, loading the fusee from his car-
tridge-box, he forced his prisoners down from the trees, and, armed
with his two loaded muskets, drove them toward the court-house,
careful, however, to keep them far apart, to prevent conversation.
Passing by a spring, they requested permission to drink.

“No!” replied the courageous boy, understanding their design,
“you can do without it as well as myself; you shall have some by-
and-by.”

Soon after, his father, at the head of a party of soldiers, galloped
past in the road within a short distance. Tunis hallooed, but the
clattering of their horses’ hoofs drowned his voice. At length he
reached the village, and lodged his prisoners in the county prison.

It was subsequently discovered that these men were brothers, from
near Philadelphia; that they had robbed and murdered a Mr. Boyd,
a collector of taxes in. Chester county, and, when taken, were on
their way to join the British. As they had been apprehended on
suspicion merely of being refugees, no definite charge could be
brought against them. A few days later, Sheriff Firman saw an ad-
vertisement in a Philadelphia paper, describing them, with the facts
above mentioned, and a reward of twenty thousand dollars (Cont?-
nental money,) offered for their apprehension. He, accompanied by
his son, took them on there, where they were tried and executed.
On entering Philadelphia, young Tunis was carried through the
streets in triumph upon the shoulders of the military. In the latter
part of the war this young man: became very active, and was the
special favorite of General David Firman.

Not solitary are the incidents of boyish heroism on record; and
yet how far the Jarger number must have passed unnoticed, in the

midst of the trials and excitements of those troublous Revolutionary
‘ 201

    
10 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

times. Children catch the fire which burns in the parent heart;
and where the father rushes eagerly to the salvation of his country,
and the mother—concealing her sadness and fears, puts on a hopeful
countenance, speaking the ennobling sentiments of patriotism—it
may well be credited that the boys were not cowards. We have
some very interesting recollections of that period preserved in the
private Diary of the wife of a Revolutionary officer, who, while her
husband served his country on the battle-field, remained with her
father, who was a clergyman of the Church of England, at their lit-
tle parsonage on Long Island, and whose daily jottings:down of
events and emotions, just as they were seen and felt, make her sim-
ple pictures full of the power of reality. When we read them we
feel as if that time were before us, and those actors stilllived. Long
Island, after the memorable retreat of Gen. Washington, on the
morning of the 30th of August, 1776, remained in the hands of the
enemy, and was the scene of many distressing outrages and calami-
ties of all kinds—pillage, insult, robbery, the destruction of farm
implements, the impressment of men and horses, with the horrors
of a prowling hired soldiery, and frequent murders, being among
the dark list. Speaking of the spirit of the boys of those days, leads
us to quote from the lady’s Diary :

“Wednesday, Nov. 24th, 1776.—Yesterday my indignation was
aroused to a high degree. I was sitting in the end of the porch, my
father at my side, and little Mary, with your letter in her hands, pre-
tending to read it, when a loud cry startled us. It seemed to come
from Pattison’s, our nearest neighbor. Charles went over, returned,
and gave us this account of the affair. It appears that Edmund Pat-
tison was enjoying his noon rest quietly in the barn (he is a noble-
looking lad of eighteen, tall, athletic, and of a high spirit,) when a
light-horseman rode up to the door.

“* Youngster,’ said he, ‘make haste and bestir yourself. Go and
assist that driver of the two yoke of oxen there to unload bis cart
of timber into the road.’ |

“Now, Edmund had been hard at work with his own hired man,
loading the wagon, to take the timber to a farmer three miles off, to
whom it was sold by his father; the wagon and teams both belonged

to the Pattisons.
202

 
 
    

     

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“

swe
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tell
cor

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THE SOLDIER AND THE FARMER,

“<«Hurry, sir” said the light-horseman.

“Edmund firmly replied: ‘I shall not do it.’

. “What, sirrah! we shall see who will do it, and drawing his
sword, he held it over Edmund's head, cursing, swearing, and threat-
ening to cut him down unless he instantly unloaded his team and
helped to carry in it provisions to the British army.

* “With unblanched cheek, Edmund Pattison reiterated his denial,
telling him to do it for himself. Enraged beyond measure at such a
contempt of orders, it seemed as if the man must strike and kill the
stubborn boy, who, firm and undaunted, said not a word.

“At this time our Charles, who was on the spot, ran to the house
and told Mrs. Pattison that ‘the Britisher was going to kill her Ed-
mund.’

“Her cry it was that we heard from the porch. She ran to the
barn and begged the soldier to desist. He was more furious than
ever, supposing the fears of the mother would induce compliance.
She, too, expostulated with her son, imploring him to assist in un-
loading the wagon, and save himself from death.

“‘*No fear of death, mother; he dare not touch a hair of my
head.’

“The boy grew more determined, the soldier more enraged—flour-

. ishing his saber and swearing that he would be the death of him.

“*You.dare not. I will report you to your master for this, said
Edmund, boldly. Upon this the light-horseman mounted, telling the
boy once more that if he did not instantly begin the work he would
cut him into inch pieces. Edmund coolly walked across the barn
floor, armed himself with a pitchfork, and took his station in the
doorway.

“*You cowardly rascal,’ said he, ‘clear out, or T'll stab you with
my pitchfork !’

“His mother could endure the scene no longer; she ran to the
house, where she met her husband, and sent him to rescue Edmund.
Friend Pattison, a sensible, clear-headed man, rode up, and seeing mat-
ters at this high pass, said to the Britisher: ‘You know your duty ;
you have no right to lay a finger on him, a non-combatant on neu-
tral ground.’ Seeing no signs of relenting, farmer Pattison turned

his horse toward the road, saying he would soon see Colonel Wurms,
208
   

12 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

and know who had the power to threaten and abuse the farmers of
the country in that style. The light-horseman was now alarmed.

Thinking it best to get there first, he put spurs to his horse, riding off

with awful imprecations.

“Thus Edmund escaped for this time ; though I much fear his de-
fying, fearless spirit may yet cost him dear.”

On another page she relates an anecdote of her own son.

“Tuesday.—A press for horses yesterday. I will relate how Char-
ley saved our young horse. He and James Pattison were idly sit-
ting on the fence, the other side of the pond, talking indignantly of
the insults of the British, to whom the former shows no mercy,
when they espied a light-horsemen at a farm-house door. They
knew the next place would be Isaac Willett’s, which, though only
across the pond, is completely hid from our view by a stately row of
poplars, forming a leafy screen; and they kuew his errand, too—that
he would be here in an instant, for when ‘pressing’ they galloped
from house to house with violent speed.

“* Pleetfoot shall not go,’ said Charles, ‘ without an effort to save
him,’ and, running with all his might to the barn, he jnmped on his
back and rode for the woods.

“On the instant he was seen by the red-coat, who put spurs to his

horse, and came on a full run toward the woods, where Charles had -

disappeared. My heart beat quick when the red-coat, too, was lost
to sight. My dear, brave child might fall from his horse, and be
dashed against the trees in the hot pursuit of the light-horseman.

“My father and I sat gazing intently toward the woods, awaiting
the result in breathless’ anxiety, astonished at the boy’s daring, and
ready to reprove his rash spirit, in attempting to save the young horse
at the risk of his own neck. In about an hours time we saw the
red-coat come out of the woods below. He stopped a man in the
road and made inquiries, but getting no satisfaction, rode off.

“At nightfall, peeping his way through the wood, Charles made
his appearance, still mounted on his favorite Fleetfoot. By signs we
made known to him that the danger was past, and he rode up to the
house.

“Overjoyed to see him, he told us his story, which Grace and

Marcia drank in with greedy ears. Indeed, the scene on the poreh
204

   

we
mi
 
 

LITTLE SARAH. 18

was worthy of Hogarth’s pencil. On one side was his poor affrighted
mother, and the little girls, with eyes wide open, full of wonder;
near by, the venerable grandfather, with silver locks parted on a
peaceful brow ; and Charley, standing close by his steed, as he re-
counted his hair-breadth ‘’scape,’ leaning his head occasionally
against his proud neck, so that my boy’s curls of gold mingle with
the ebon mane of Fleetfoot.

“ He said that he struck deeper and deeper into the woods, going
from one place to another, until the forest became very dense and
dark. He rode into a tangled, marshy place, where he stood five
hours without moving! At one time he heard his pursuer close by,
heard his fearful oaths, heard him lashiug the sides of his own jaded
steed. Charley’s heart beat violently. But the bog was wet and
gloomy, and the soldier’s ardor was dampened—he durst not venture.
So Charley and Fleetfoot were left to themselves in the deep wood.
A brave feat for a boy of only fourteen.”

One more extract from this lively diary we wlll give to show the
influence of the maidens on the hard hearts of the enemy—that the
girls as well as the boys had their parts to play in the drama.

. Wednesday.—Charles accompanied Jolin Harris home from school,
with my permission, last night. He returned this morning, with a
story of the night, which he related to me in breathless excite-
ment,

“A family living a mile from us were quietly sitting together in the
evening, when a noise was heard at the door like that of a sharp
instrument thrust into it. On opening the door there stood a red-
coat with his saber in his hand, which he had stuck into the wood
an inch or two. He was backed by a dozen men. They pushed
their way in, and were very unruly, rummaging and ransacking
every Crawer and closet; but the family had long before taken the
precaution to place all their money and valuables in ‘a small room,
which opened out of the common sitting-room, putting a large cup-
board before the door, which covered it entirely ; so that the Hes-
sians quartered there last winter never discovered the device.

“ The red-coats, highly incensed at finding nothing, began to threaten
terrible things if they did not divulge the hiding-place. Mr. M. told.

them that if they dared do any violence, he would report them to tha
: 205

 

    

   
14 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

commanding officer. Whereupon, they actually went into the kitchen,
kindled some light wood, came out, and set a burning brand at each
corner of the house. The family were exceedingly alarmed. In
great terror, Sarah, the youngest daughter, rushed ont. She is famed
through all the north-side for her comeliness. I can well imagine that
she must haye appeared to them like a lovely apparition with her
glowing cheek and flashing eye. The ringleader, astonished, stood
with his torch in his hand, gazing at her. At length he said:

“¢ Angel? . :

“© Stop, I entreat you! said Sarah.

“ His looks were riveted upon her with an ardent admiration which

embarrassed her.

“¢T will, on one condition, said he.

“«¢ What is it?

“+ Will you give it?

“¢Tf Tecan,’ replied Sarah.

“Tt is, that you will allow me to kiss you.’

“Oh, if that is all, said her father, ‘ comply, my daughter.’

“So, as she made no resistance, the rough soldier planted a fervent
kiss on her lips, expressed himself satisfied, and departed. They
found, before her baby-house, that the soldiers had stuck the dolls on
their bayonets, and railed among themselves and laughed.

“Tt is seldom that a man’s house is attacked more than once. Mr.
Harris had his turn some time ago; therefore, allhough he saw some
suspicious-looking persons lurking about, he feared nothing, and
arose at daylight, with the intention of going to the south of the
island for salt hay. Mrs. Harris, however, began to feel uneasy and
timid, from the reports she heard during the following day, and the
recollection of her never-to-be-forgotten injuries, and persuaded her
husband to stay at home. That night passed without disturbance.
About nine o’clock the next evening, a neighbor stopped at the gate
in his wagon, und he and Mr. Harris were talking over the exciting
times and.scenes enacting around the country, when they saw a man
moving about the fields, and passing now and then in and out of the
edge of the woods. One of the serving-women, too, had seen some
one about dark standing close by the wood-pile, who had vanished

on her appearance at the door of the kitchen. In consequence of
~ 206
ch
In

at
oy,

ae ROBERT GIBBS. 15

these signs Mr. Harris concluded to sit up, and keep lights and fires
burning about the house. Charles, and the older children, were sent
to bed, but not to sleep—that was impossible with their perturbed
and excited imaginations. About twelve o’clock, Mr. Harris being
On the look-out, saw a man ata short distance from the house, re-
Connoitering ; he now held a consultation with his. wife and the two
hired men. They came to the conclusion that an attack was medi-
~tated, and that it was time to act; they determined to leave the house
in a body, taking the two loaded guns, the money, silver, and small
valuables. Though the next house was full two miles off, there
‘Seemed no other alternative. The poor little frightened children
Were hurried up and dressed ; their fears and cries were hushed, and
they were carried down stairs. As quietly as possible, all left the
house by the back door. It was a moment of intense anxiety ; their
hearts beat with dread; with trembling limbs, which almost refused
to bear them, they moved on. ‘Faint, though pursuing,’ they en-
deavored to stay their minds above. At length, arrived at Mr. S.’s,
another difficulty presented itself. The family would inevitably: take
them for robbers, and be liable to fire upon them. In this dilemma
Mr. Harris thought it best to go close to the door and call out his
name, trusting that his voice would be recognized, which was the
case. The poor wanderers were kindly received, and after they had
talked over their fright, were provided with comfortable beds. The

 

 

house of Mr. S. has never been attacked, it is so well secured, the
doors .and windows being lined and bound with iron, a fact well

F known to the marauders.”

Thus the little diary goes on. Sometimes the brutal bands mur-
dered those who opposed them in their own houses, upon their own
hearthstones. Reared in the midst of such excitement, it would be
but natural that the youth of the struggling country should become
Quick-witted and self-reliant.

And since we have shown how brave the boys could be, let us re-
Peat an incident of the heroism of a little girl in these same days of
trial :

“Robert Gibbs, a gentleman earnestly devoted to the patriotic

Cause, was the owner of a plantation on the Stono, a few miles from

_ Charleston. on which, on a certain occasion, a Hessian battalion en-

207

 
  

 

 

 

16 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

camped, compelling the family to surrender to their use the lower
part of the mansion, and to confine themselves in the upper story.
While here on one dark and stormy evening, two galleys appeared,
ascending the river, which forthwith began a most destructive fire
upon the Hessian encampment. The house appeared particularly
exposed, although the vessels had been commanded to avoid firing
upon it, and to confine their attack to the enemy’s encampment. Of |
this Mr. Gibbs was not aware, and with the permission of the Eng-

lish commander, he set out, although suffering acutely from an in-
firmity, and with his numerous family, hastened to the protection of
a neighboring plantation. The balls were falling ‘thick and fast,
sometimes scattering dirt and sand over the party, while their loud
whizzing, mingled with the fury of the distant affray, rendered the
scene one of danger and terror. But scarcely had they proceeded |
so far as to be out of danger from the balls, when to their unuttera-
ble agony they discovered, that in the confusion and hurry of depart-
ure, an infant had been left behind. To leave the child alone in his
danger wns impossible, and to return for him was an attempt of im-
minent peril. Mr. Gibbs was suffering under an infirmity that made
his movements exceedingly slow and painful, and therefore it was |

 

impracticable for him to return. The frightened and chattering ser- |
vants stood trembling around, looking from one to the other in be-
wildering despair. Of all the rest of the party, saving Mrs. Gibbs, —
who was severely indisposed, none were above the age of childhood. |
While thus undecided, Miss Mary Ann Gibbs, but thirteen years of a
age, sprung forward and heroically offered to go for the lad, who was
a son of Mrs. Fenwick, Mrs. Gibbs’ sister-in-law. The night was |
dark and stormy, the distance considerable, and the whole space |
swept by the cannon of the assailants. But without fear she retraced |
her way, and reached the house without injury, where the scene was
one of unmingled terror. Undismayed by the thundering of the
cannon, the crashing of the balls, the shrieks, shouts and :imprecations
of the combatants, she sprung to the door with the intention of en- |
tering, when she was brutally refused by the sentinel. But tears, |
entreaties, and the natural eloquence prompted by her heroism and
the high purpose on which she was bent, overcame his opposition,

and she was permitted to enter. With rapid steps she ascended to
208 Eee é

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

  
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TECUMSEH SAVING THE PRISONERS. Lz

the third story, and finding the child there in safety, she clasped it
to her bosom, and hastened to overtake her retreating family, her
course, as before, full of danger, and often the plowing balls would
scatter clouds of dust over her person. Uninjured, her perilous
journey was performed, and when she reached her friends, she was
‘welcomed by shouts of enthusiasm and admiration. The intrepid
action, worthy. of an adult, and all glorious in a child, borrows a
fair share of romance by the reflection that the child thus saved
afterward became Lieutenant-Colonel Fenwick, so highly  dis-
tinguished by his services in the last war with Great Britain,

TECUMSEH SAVING THE PRISONERS.

Tue siege of Fort Meigs during the war of 1812, by a combined
British and Indian force, under command of General Proctor, was
attended by one of those thriliing incidents which chill the blood
with horror, and which have stained the escutcheon of Great Britain
with indelible infumy. It is with no desire, however, to harrow up
the feelings of our readers at a tale of soul-sickening massacre, nor
yet with a wish to undertake the invidious task of reprobating the
course of the English Government in connection with the war, that
we have introduced the following narrative; but simply with a view
of presenting the character of that brave and patriotic chieftain, Te-
cumseh, in its true light as regarding his magnanimity, and freedom
from those brutal propensities and inclinations which have conduced
so strongly to stigmatize the Indians as savages.

The fort was invested on the 26th of April, and from that period
up to the 5th of May, a constant fire had been kept up by the British
batteries on the opposite side of the river, without serious injury to
the works. General Clay, with a reinforcement of twelve hundred
Kentucky militia, arrived in the neighborhood on the 4th, and received
orders to detach eight hundred men to attack the British batteries
while the remainder was to aid a sortie against the Indians, who had

established themselves in the immediate vicinity of the fort, and who
“4 2 209
  

18 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

were a source of great annoyance to its garrison. Colonel Dudley
was placed in command of the larger party, and, agreeably to his in-
structions, landed on the right bank, and completely succeeded in
driving the enemy from his works, and in spiking the cannon. His
orders were peremptory to return immediately to his boats on the ac-
complishment of this object, and repair to the fort; but his men had
tasted the sweets of victory, and the rashness which follows success
on the part of militia, proved their ruin. They allowed themselves
to be amused by some faint attempt at resistance on the part of a
small body of Indians in the woods, until the main body of the
British, which was some distance in the rear, could be brought up,
and a severe and bloody action soon followed. It can hardly be
called an action, for the militia were in detached parties, pursuing
the scattering troops, when they suddeniy found themselves confronted
and surrounded by a force double their number, ‘and after a manly
effort to retain the victory they had won, they attempted to retreat
but found themselves cut off from the river by a force which had got
into their rear, to whom they were obliged to surrender themselves
prisoners of war. Out of the eight hundred who landed in the
morning, only one hundred and fifty escaped massacre or captivity:
‘ Colonel Dudley was severely wounded, and afterward tomahawked
and scalped. A large portion of the prisoners were marched to the
British fort lower down the river, where they immediately became
the sport and prey of the Indians, who commenced an indiscriminate
slaughter of the unarmed men, until the entreaties of some of the
more humane British officers checked it for a time. Another party
were placed in charge of a Sergeant and fifty men for the purpose
of being embarked in the gunboats, where it was supposed they
would be safe from the attacks of the infuriated savages. Upon
reaching the encampment, which at that time happened to be deserted
‘by the troops, they were met by a band of Indians who had not been
engaged in the contest at all, but, actuated by a brutal thirst for blood,
and disappointed at not having a share of the plunder, to which they
thought themselves entitled, they determined to satisfy their desires
by murdering and stripping the prisoners before them. Perhaps they
were actuated by a spirit of revenge for the loss which had been

sustained by their friends in the action. Be this as it may, they
210

 

     

 
 

TECUMSEH SAVING THE PRISONERS. 19

each selected a victim from the ranks, and with fearful yells com-
menced the work of slaughter. With a magnanimity scarcely to be
expected of men who had witnessed the cold-blooded murders at the
river Raisin, the British guard threw themselves between the savages
and their intended victims, and endeavored to dissuade, and then to
coerce them from their horrid butchery. But in vain. Excited to
the highest pitch of ferocity by the blood they had already shed,
_ they were not to be deterred from their purpose ; and the soldiers—
after witnessing the death of one of their number, who was stabbed
to the heart by a savage from whom he had snatched a prisoner—
finding their interposition to be fruitless, withdrew and left the un-
fortunate men to their fate. Surrounded upon all sides by the say-
ages, with no chance of escape, with none to interfere, the prisoners
were huddled together; those in front striving to screen themselves
behind their comrades; while those in the rear, with the love of life
urging them with an equal force, endeavored to keep them from do-
ing so, they surged to and fro, the tomahawk and scalping-knife
- doing its work, until forty of their number lay stiff in the embrace
of death. The Sergeant in command of the guard, who had been
forced to leave their charge to the tender mercies of the savages,
sought for Tecumseh, and informed him of the horrid butchery
which was being enacted. The eyes of the chieftain lit up with a
consuming blaze, and his nostrils dilated and contracted as his breast
heaved with the mighty passion which the soldier’s story had roused
within him. He stopped but a moment to hear the end, and then
dashing his heels against his horse’s sides, he darted off in the direc-
tion of the scene. Raising his voice as he approached, in thunder-
tones he commanded the Indians to desist from their brutal work.
A few, startled at the unexpected interference, drew back; but the
majority, regardless of his authority, and drunk with passion, refused
to obey. Precipitating himself between these and their prey, he
forced them back, and, drawing his tomahawk, he whirled it over
his head, while his face was wrought into an expression of the most
fearful and scorching rage, as he threatened to cleave to the earth the
first one who offered to disobey him. This was effectual with some,
but there were still a few who continued their bloody work, and one

after another the miserable ‘prisoners were falling, like sheep in the
oil

 
  

 

   

 

 

20 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

shambles, before the unrelenting knives and hatchets of their exe-
cutioners. None but a man destitute of fear would have dared
to rush between these and their victims. It was tearing the carcass
of his prey from the jaws of the lion to interfere between these fe-
rocious fiends and their feast of blood. But, the chief knew no
fear: he was wrought to such a fearful state of excitement as not
to heed the dictates of prudence. Leaping from his horse and draw-
ing his knife, he threw himself upon them with all the fury of a
tigress divested of her young. Seizing one by the throat, and another
by the breast, he hurled them to the ground, and thus, one after
another, he beat them back with a strength which nothing could
withstand. Taking his station in front of the remnant of the band
which still remained alive, and raising his tomahawk high above his
head, while his whole figure dilated to a greater height by the pas-
sions which raged within his bosom, he dared them, in tones which
thrilled through them like electricity, to strike another blow. None
were found so bold as to tempt his arm or disobey his command, and
the prisoners were saved. Looking around for Proctor, he espied
him as he approached, and demanded why he had not stopped the
massacre. “ Sir,” said he, “ your Indians are not to be commanded.”
' “ Begone!” replied Tecumseh, as a look of the greatest disdain and
contempt swept over his swarthy visage, “you are unfit to command ;
go and put on petticoats /”

This Proctor, the British commander, had already branded himself
with indelible infamy at the battle of the River Raisin, in January
of the same year. In reference to this battle, we will briefly state
the object of General Harrison’s campaign was to take Detroit, and
expel the British from the territory of the United States—and to
protect the extensive frontier ; also to furnish such protection as was
possible to the settlers in Ohio, Indiana, etc., from the savages in the
pay of the British. The points to be defended were scattered over
a vast region of country ; and though the care of it fell upon Gen-
eral Harrison, officers in the different sections were frequently obliged
to act for themselves. It was thus that General Winchester, failing
to receive counter-orders sent after him by Harrison, and unaware
of the full force of the enemy, was induced to make an imprudent,

though brave, movement against a body of English and Indians who
212

 

 
 

|.

THE BATTLE OF FRENCHTOWN. 21

were coming from Malden and the Raisin to attack his camp at the
rapids.

He pressed forward and found the enemy prepared to meet him
at Frenchtown; they were posted among the houses, but were soon
dislodged and driven to the woods. Here a short, desperate engage-
ment took place, and the English were driven two miles before the
continual charge of the brave Kentuckians, though the latter had
made that day a forced march of over eighteen miles over ice. In
reporting the action, afterward, General Harrison said: ‘‘ The troops
amply sustained the double character of Americans and Kentuckians.”

Thus far our heroes were successful ; instead of retiring after this
brilliant affair, they determined to maintain their position; they
remained in Frenchtown two or three days, part of their forces
being exposed in an open field, and a part sheltered by the garden
pickets of the town. During the night of the 21st of January, the
British came up, unobserved, and at daylight fired bombs, balls and
grape-shot from heavy pieces of artillery, at a distance of only three
hundred yards. The troops in the open field were sadly injured by
this fire, and soon fled across the river in the utmost confusion.
The Indians gained our flank and rear, butchering our soldiers
shockingly. General Winchester was taken prisoner and marched
to the British camp. Colonel Lewis still maintained his position in
the town, frequently repulsing the enemy, until the Indians gained
his flank, when a general and indiscriminate massacre ensued.
Colonel Lewis was made a prisoner, had his coat stripped off, and
was conducted to the enemy’s camp. Colonel Allen, being badly
wounded, surrendered to an Indian. Another assailed him, whom
‘Allen struck dead at his feet, and was in turn shot down by a third
savage. Garrett, with fifteen or twenty men, surrendered, and all
but himself were butchered on the spot.

Two other officers, Graves and Madison, still maintained their
position within the picketing, and with their troops, behaved most
gallantly. The former being severely wounded, and as he sat down,
wiping the blood from his wounds, cried: “ Never mind me, my
boys, fight on!” Proctor, with all his British regulars and savage
allies, could not subdue this band—they gave not an inch to the foe.

A flag was at last sent to Madison, with an order from Winchester
218

 

 
 

  

22 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

to surtender. Proctor accompanied the flag, and made the demand,
but Major Madison replied that he would not surrender unless the
safety of his men could be guaranteed. Proctor demanded:

“Sir, do you mean to dictate to me?”

“No,” returned the intrepid Major, “I intend to dictate for my-
self; and we prefer selling our lives as dearly as possible, rather
than be massacred in cold blood.”

The surrender was made on express conditions, that the officers
should retain their side arms, the sick and wounded to be carefully
removed, private property to be respected, and the prisoners pro-
tected by a guard. Proctor disregarded all stipulations, and handed
over the prisoners to the Indians, who butchered them without
mercy. Some of their bodies were thrown into the flames of the
burning village, while others, shockingly mangled, were left exposed
in the streets. These awful deeds were continued for several days,

For the massacre of the River Raisin, in return for which any
other civilized government would have dismissed, if not gibbeted,
the commander, Colonel Proctor received the rank of Major-General
in the British army. This infamous officer it was who shortly after

_commenced the siege of Fort Meigs, his mind filled with visions of

conquest, personal glory and official promotion. He was assisted
by Tecumseh, with fifteen hundred of his warriors; but even the
Indian nature reyolted at the more savage deeds of the English
General. From this siege of Fort Meigs Proctor was obliged to
retreat toward Malden in disgrace and confusion.

In the May following, however, Proctor, thinking to surprise Fort
Meigs, made a second attack upon it with a large force of British
regulars and Canadians, and several thousand Indians under Tecum-
seh, but was again obliged to retreat in disgrace.

On the first day of August, General Proctor appeared with five
hundred regulars, and about eight hundred Indians of the most
ferocious kind, before fort Stephenson, twenty miles above the mouth
of the river Sandusky. There were not more than one hundred
and thirty-three effective men in the garrison, and the works covered
one acre of ground ; it was a mere outpost of little importance; and
General Harrison, acting with the unanimous advice of his council

of war, had sent orders to Major Croghan, who commanded the
214

 

 

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for

sa
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THE ATTACK ON FORT STEPHENSON. 23

garrison, to evacuate the fort, and make good his retreat to head-
quarters, provided the enemy should approach the place with artillery,
and a retreat be practicable. But the first step taken by Proctor
was to isolate the fort by a cordon of Indians, thus leaving to Major
Croghan no choice but between resistance and submission. A mes-
senger was sent to demand the surrender of the fort. He was met
by Ensign Shipp, to whom the messenger observed that General
Proctor had a considerable body of regular troops, and a great many
Indians, whom it was impossible to control, and if the fort was taken
by force, he must expect that the mildest instruments made use of
would be the tomahawk and scalping-knife! Shipp replied, that it
was the commander's intention to defend the garrison or be buried
in it, and that they might do their worst. The messenger, startled
at the reply of Shipp, again addressed him: “ You are a fine young
man. I pity your situation. For God’s sake surrender, and prevent
the dreadful slaughter which must inevitably follow resistance.”
The gallant Shipp turned from him with indignation, and was imme-
diately seized by a frightful-looking savage, who attempted to wrest
his sword from him, but the Ensign was fortunately too quick for
him, and buried the blade to the hilt in his body, and succeeded in
reaching the fort in safety. The attack now commenced. About
four Pp. M., all the enemy’s guns were concentrated against the north-
western angle of the fort, for the purpose of making a breach. To
counteract the effect of their fire, the commander caused that point
to be strengthened by means of bags of flour, sand and other mate-
rials, in such a manner that the balls of the enemy did but little
injury. But the enemy, supposing that their fire had sufficiently
shattered the pickets, advanced, to the number of six hundred, to
storm the place, the Indians shouting in their usual manner. As
soon as ‘the ditch was pretty well filled with the copper-colored
assailants, the commander of the fort ordered a six-pounder, which
had been masked in the block-house, to be discharged. It had been
loaded with a double charge of musket-balls and slugs. The piece
completely raked the ditch from end to end. The yell of the
savages was at this instant horrible. The first fire leveled the one
half in death; the second and third either killed or wounded all

except eleven, who were covered by the dead bodies. The Americans
215
  

24 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

had but one killed, and seven slightly wounded. Early the
ensuing morning the few regulars and Indians that survived retreated
down the river, abandoning all their baggage. F

The time was now at hand when General Harrison and his army
‘were to reach the full completion of all the contemplated objects of
the expedition.

Among the earliest recommendations of General Harrison to the
Government the year before, and immediately after he commenced
operations, had been that of constructing and equipping a navai
armament on the lakes. In one letter he says: “ Admitting that
Malden and Detroit are both taken, Mackinaw and St. Joseph will
both remain in the hands of the enemy until we can create a force
capable of contending with the vessels which the British have in
Lake Michigan,” etc. And again, in another letter: “Should any
offensive operation be suspended until spring, it is my decided
opinion that the cheapest and most effectual plan will be to obtain
command of Lake Erie. This being once effected, every difficulty
will be removed. An army of four thousand men, landed on the
north side of the lake, below Malden, will reduce that place, retake

' Detroit, and, with the aid of the fleet, proceed down the lake to
coéperate with the army from Niagara.” These sagacious instruc-
tions, being repeatedly and strenuously urged by him, and reinforced
also from other quarters; were adopted and acted upon by the
Government. Commodore Perry was commissioned to build, equip
and command the contemplated fleet ; and, on the 10th of September,
with an inferior force, he met the enemy, and gained the brilliant
victory of Lake Erie.

Meanwhile, Colonel Richard M. Johnson, then a member of Con-
gress from Kentucky, had devised the organization of two regiments of
mounted militia, which he was authorized by the Government to

_ Yaise, as well fur service against the Indians, as to codperate with

Harrison. Colonel Johnson crossed the country of Lower Sandusky,

where he received orders from the war department to proceed to

Kaskaskia,.to operate in that quarter; but, by the interference of

Harrison, and at the urgent request of Colonel Johnson, who said,

for himself and his men, that the first object of their hearts was to

accompany Harrison to Detroit and Canada, and to partake in the
216 F

 

 

eqs Fupsug yosumnsay,

 

 
 

 
     
 

 
 

 
 

HARRISON’S INVASION OF CANADA. 27

danger and honor of that expedition, under an officer in whom they
had confidence, and who had approved himself “ to be wise, prudent,
and brave,”—the orders of the department were countermanded, and
Colonel Johnson attained his wish.

General Harrison now prepared to strike the great blow. Aided
by the energetic efforts of Governor Meigs, of Ohio, and Governor
Shelby, of Kentucky, he had ready on the southern shore of Lake
Erie, by the middle of September, a competent force, destined for
the immediate invasion of Canada. Between the 16th and the 24th
of September, the artillery, military stores, provisions, and troops,
Were gradually embarked, and on the 27th the whole army proceeded
to the Canada shore. “ Remember the river Raisin,” said General
Harrison, in his address to the troops, “ but remember it only while
Victory is suspended. The revenge of a soldier can not be gratified
On a fallen enemy.” The army landed in high spirits; but the en-
emy had abandoned his stronghold, and retreated to Sandwich,
after dismantling Malden, burning the barracks and navy-yard, and
Stripping the adjacent country of horses and cattle. General Har-
rison encamped that night on the ruins of Malden.

On the 2d of October, arrangements were made for pursuing the
retreating enemy up the Thames. The army: was put in motion on
the morning of the 4th. General Harrison accompanied Colonel
Johnson, and was followed by Governor Shelby with the infantry.
Having passed the ground where the enemy had encamped the night
before, the General directed the advance of Colonel Johnson’s regi-
ment to accelerate their march, for the purpose of ascertaining the
distance of the enemy. ;

The troops had now advanced within three miles of the Moravian
town, and within one mile of the enemy. Across a narrow strip of
land, near an Indian village, the enemy were drawn up in line of
battle, to prevent the advance of the Americau troops. The British
troops amounted to six hundred, the Indians to more than twelve
hundred. About one hundred and fifty regulars, under Colonel
Ball, were ordered to advance and amuse the enemy, and, should a
favorable opportunity present, to seize his cannon. A small party
of friendly Indians were directed to move under the bank. The re-

giment of Colonel Johnson was drawn up in close column, with its
. 219

 
 

  

28 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

right a few yards distant from the road. General Desha’s division
covered the left of Johnson’s regiment. General Cass and Commo-
dore Perry volunteered as aids to General Harrison.

On the 5th, the enemy was discovered in a position skillfully
chosen, in relation as well to local circumstances as to the character
of his troops. A narrow strip of dry land, flanked by the river
Thames on the left and by a swamp on the right, was occupied by
his regular infantry and artillery, while on the right flank lay Tecum-
seh and his followers, on the eastern margin of the swamp. But,
notwithstanding the judicious choice of the ground, Proctor had
committed the error of forming his infantry in open order. Availing
himself of this fact, and aware that troops so disposed could not re-
sist a charge of mounted men, he directed Colonel Jchnson to dash
through the enemy’s line in column. The movement was made with
brilliant success.

The mounted men charged with promptitude and vigor, broke
through the line of the enemy, formed in the rear, and assailed the
broken line with a success seldom equaled, for nearly the whole
of the British regular force was either killed, wounded, or taken pris-
oners.

On the left the contest was much more serious. Colonel John-
son’s regiment, being there stationed, received a galling fire from the
Indians, who seemed not disposed to give ground. The Colonel
gallantly led his men into the midst of them, and was personally at-
tacked by a chief, whom he dispatched with his cutlass the moment
the former was aiming a.blow at him with his tomahawk. The say-
ages, finding the fire of the troops too warm for them, fled across the
hills and attempted to seek shelter in a piece of woods on the left,
where they were closely pursued by the cavalry. At the margin of
the wood Tecumseh stationed himself, armed with a spear, tomahawk,
&c., endeavoring to rally and persuade his men to return to the at-
tack. At this point a considerable body of Indians had collected ;
but this brave savage saw that the fortune of the day was against
him, and the battle was lost. Proctor had cowardly fled from the
field, and left him and his warriors alone to sustain themselves
against a far superior force; and he knew that there was no chance

of contending with any hope of success. He therefore stood, like
220

 

 

i int an. feo oe oe

 

 
  

 

 

 

DEATH OF TECUMSEH. 29

a true hero, disdaining to fly, and was, with many of his bravest
warriors around him, shot down by the Kentucky riflemen. It has

been published to the world, and by many believed, that this distin-

guished warrior was killed hy a pistol-shot from Colonel Johns n;
but this ig undoubtedly a mistake, which probably originated from
the circumstance of the Colonel’s having killed a chief by whom he
Was attacked, as has before been related. That he fell by a rifle-
Shot, there can be no doubt ; but by whom fired, it was not certainly

_ known, or probably never can be satisfactorily proved. No less than

six of the riflemen and twenty-two Indians fell within twenty-five
yards of the spot where Tecumseh was killed.

The Indians continued a brisk fire from the margin of the wood
until a fresh regiment was called into action to oppose them. A
company of cavalry having crossed the hills and gained the rear of
the savages, the rout became general. They fought bravely, and
sustained a heavy loss in killed and wounded. The death of their -
leader, Tecumseh, was an irreparable loss to them.

Tecumseh was the most extraordinary Indian that has ever ap-
peared in history. He was by birth a Shawanese, and would have
been a great man in any age or nation. Independent of the most
consummate courage and skill as a warrior, and all the characteristic
acuteness of his race, he was endowed by nature with the attributes
of mind necessary for great political combinations. His acute un-
derstanding, very early in life, informed him that his countrymen
had lost their importance; that they were gradually yielding to the
whites, who were acquiring an imposing influence over them. In-
stigated by these considerations, and, perhaps, by his natural ferocity
and attachment to war, he became a decided enemy to the whites,
and imbibed an invincible determination (he surrendered it with his
life) to regain for his country the proud independence which he sup-
posed she had lost. For a number of years he was foremost in every
act of hostility committed against those he conceived the oppressors
of his countrymen, and was equally remarkable for intrepidity as
skill, in many combats that took place under his banner. Aware, at
length, of the extent, nnmber, and power of the United States, he
became fully convinced of the futility of any single nation of red-

men attempting to cope with them. He formed, therefore, the
221

 

  

 
30 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

grand scheme of uniting all the tribes east of the Mississippi into
hostility against the United States. This was a field worthy of his
great and enterprising genius. He commenced in the year 1809;
and in the execution of his project he displayed an unequaled
adroitness, eloquence, and courage. He insinuated himself into every
tribe, from Michilimackinack to Georgia, and was invariably success-
ful in his attempts to bring them over to his views.

The following characteristic circumstance occurred at one of the
meetings at Vincennes. After Tecumseh had made a speech to
General Harrison, and was about to seat himself in a chair, he ob-
served that none had been placed for him. One was immediately
ordered by the Governor, and, as the interpreter handed it to him,
he said, “ Your father requests you to take a chair.” “ My father!”
said Tecumseh, with an indignant expression ; “ the sun 7s my father,
and the earth is my mother, and on her bosom will I repose,” and im-
mediately seated himself, in the Indian fashion, upon the ground.

Tecumseh was born about 1770, and was supposed to be in his
forty-fourth year at the time of his death. He received the commis.
sion of Brigadier-General in the British army ; but aversion to civili-
zation was a prominent trait in his character, and it is not supposed

' that he received the red sash and other badges of office, because he
was fond of imitating the whites, but only as a means of inspiring
respect and veneration among his own people, which was so neces-
sary in the work he had undertaken. He was about five feét ten
inches in height, of a noble appearance, and a perfectly symmetrical
form. His carriage was erect and lofty, his motions quick, his eyes
penetrating, his visage stern, with an air of hauteur in his counte-
nance, which arose from an elevated pride of soul. It did not leave
him, even in death: Had he not possessed a certain austerity of
manners, he could never have controlled the passions of those whom
he had led to battle. The Indians are usually fond of gaudy deco-
rations ; but Tecumseh was an exception. Clothes and other valu-
able articles of spoil frequently fell into his possession ; yet he inva-
riably wore a deerskin coat and pantaloons. He had frequently levied
subsidies, to a comparatively large amount ; yet he retained little or
nothing for himself. It was not wealth, but glory, that was his ruling

passion.
222

 

RYE ate (8 Wes aes heme peat ge. Feb TPS,

 
 

 

 

    

HORSEWHIPPING A TYRANT. 81

Previously to General Brock’s crossing over to Detroit, he asked

Tecumseh what sort of a country he should have to pass through in

ase of his proceeding further. Tecumseh, taking a roll of elm-bark,

8nd extending it upon the ground, by means of four stones, drew

forth his scalping-knife and with the point sketched upon the bark a

Plan of the country: its hills, woods, rivers,-morasses and roads; a

Plan, which, if not as neat, was for the purpose fully as intelligible

as if Arrowsmith himself had prepared it. Pleased with this unex-

Pected talent in Tecumseh, as also with his having induced the In-
dians not of his immediate party to cross the Detroit, prior to the
departure of the regulars and militia, General Brock, as soon as busi-
hess was over, publicly took off his sash and placed it around the
body of the chief. Tecumseh received the honor with evident grati-
fication, but was, the next day, seen without his sash. General
Brock, fearing something had displeased the Indian, sent his inter-
preter for an explanation ; who soon returned with an account that
Tecumseh, not wishing to wear such a mark of distinction, when an
older, and, as he said, abler, warrior was present, had transferred the
Sash to the Wyandot chief, Roundhead.

HORSEWHIPPING A TYRANT.

GENERAL Prescort, the commander of the British troops in Rhode
Island, was one of those mean-spirited, petty tyrants, who, when in
power, exercise their ingenuity in devising means of harassing all
who have the misfortune to be subject to their authority ; but, when
circumstances place them in the power of others, are the most con-
temptible sycophants and parasites. | Narrow-minded in the extreme,
with a heart which had not one benevolent impulse, he was far from »
being a fit officer to be placed in authority over the people of Rhode
Island, who could be more easily conquered by lenient measures than
by the use of unnecessary harshness. From the first day of his power
he pursued a system of pitiless tyranny. Writhing under a sense of
wrongs, maddened to desperation by the meanness and malignity cf

  
     

32

      
   

TALES AND TRADITIONS.

 

  

their oppressor, the people of the Island resolved to rid themselves
of the cause, no matter at what risk or sacrifice. Various plans weré
suggested, and even assassination was hinted at. His harsh treatment
of Colonel Ethan Allen, a prisoner in his hands, combined with his

      
   
 

haughty and arrogant conduct toward all, increased the feeling against
him. To add to all this, General Lee was a prisoner in the British

 
    

jail, and confined in a cell under the pretense that he was a deserter,

 
 

having once been an officer in the British army ; Washington had no

 
 

prisoner of equal rank to offer in exchange.

If the capture of Prescott could be effected, it would not only rid
the Rhode Islanders of his hated rule, but would afford an officer to
be exchanged for General Lee, whom Washington was most anxious
to rescue. Under these circumstances, many enterprises were pro-

 
     
   
  
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
  

jected ; but it was reserved for Lieutenant-Colonel Barton, of the
Rhode Island line, to successfully plan and accomplish the much-
desired object. He was stationed with a force of militia on the
main-land, when he received word that Prescott was quartered at a
country-house near the western shore of the Island, about four miles
from Newport, totally unconscious of danger, though in a very ex-
posed situation. Conceiving this to be the favorable opportunity,
Barton began to prepare for the execution of his bold design. The
enterprise proposed was bold and hazardous, and its failure would be
sure to bring upon him the charge of being rash and foolhardy ; but
then, if successful, an honorable renown would be the reward of
those concerned.

He communicated his design to Colonel Horton, his superior offi-
cer, who gave it his commendation, and permitted him to select from
his regiment such men and officers as he desired to assist him in the
plot. From an apprehension that his plans might become known to
the enemy, he did not make a selection of the necessary number of
men until the last moment, and then, with a desire that he might
be accompanied only by volunteers, he ordered his whole company
upon parade, and in a brief speech stated that he wished to obtain
forty volunteers for an expedition of great hazard, and all that wished
to accompany him, should signify it by stepping from the ranks.
Without one exception, the whole reginient advanced. He now

found it. necessary to make the selection himself, and he did so,
224

  

 
 

CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT. 85

choosing those whose courage and fidelity were tested. Several offi-
cers had personally volunteered, but not one of the party. besides
Barton himself, knew of the object in view, but all trusted to the
honor and courage of their leader.

Some delay was experienced in procuring boats, but on the 4th
of July, 1777, they embarked from Tiverton for Bristol. In crossing
Mount Hope Bay, they suffered from a severe storm, but they arrived
at Bristol at midnight. On the morning of the 5th, the Major, with
his officers, went over to Hog Island for the purpose of reconnoiter-
ing the position of the enemy. Here he revealed the object of the
expedition, and his plan for ils accomplishment.

It was not until the evening of the 5th, that the party again em-
barked. Crossing Narragansett Bay, they landed on Warwick Neck,

* but were here detained by a severe storm which retarded their plans

considerably. On the 9th, however, it became clear, and they pre-
pared once more to sail, with the intention of proceeding directly to
Rhode Island. Some hours after the set of sun, all was still, and
the darkuess affording them a protection from observation, the little
squadron shot out from the land, and proceeded noiselessly and cau-
tiously on its course. This was avery hazardous part of the enter-
prise, as there was great danger of being discovered by some of the
ships of war that lay near the shore. Cautiously gliding along be-
tween the islands of Prudence and Patience, by which means they
were sécured from observation from the enemy’s shipping that lay off
by Hope Island, they advanced rapidly to their destination. While
passing the north end of Prudence Island, they could distinctly hear
the sentinels from the ships, cry out, “ All’s well.” The night was
one of excessive darkness, and this fortunate circumstance, no doubt,
contributed largely to the success of the plan.

The landing was effected without difficulty. In order to secure
a rapid retreat, one man was commanded to remain in each boat,
and instructed to be ready for departing at a moment’s notice. When
all were on shore, the requisite instructions were given, and the party
advanced rapidly in the direction of General Prescott’s head-quarters.
The difficulties of Maj or Barton’s situation will be readily appreciated.
Even should he surprise General Prescott, a very few moments would
suffice for an alarm to be carried to the enemy, and if 8); 1+ whole

 
   
    
     
   
        
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
    

84 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

 

  

British army would be upon them before they could get to their forts.

Or, even should they reach their boats, if an alarm was conveyed to

- the enemy’s shipping, their retreat would, with certainty, be cut off.
It was, therefore, necessary to proceed with the utmost caution and
care; and to act with equal daring, prudence, and celerity.

The distance to the residence of the English General was about
amile. The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach
the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on
the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth
division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on
emergencies. “They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to
pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a

head-quarters, they were challenged by a sentinel who was stationed at
the gate of the front yard. The darkness of the night prevented
him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as
they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, de-
manding :

“ Who goes there ?”

“Friends,” said Barton.

“ Advance and give the countersign,” was the rejoinder.

“Pho!” replied. Barton, as he continued to advance close to the
person of the sentinel, “ we have no countersign—have you seen any
rascals to night ?” :

Almost simultaneous with this remark, Barton suddenly seized the
musket of the sentinel, and charged him to make no noise on the
penalty of instant death. So much had been accomplished in perfect
silence. The divisions rapidly advanced to their respective positions,
while Barton questioned the bewildered and terrified sentinel, as to
whether the General was in the house, who replied that he was.
The signal was now given, and in an instant the south door was
burst open, and the division there stationed rushed into the building,
followed by the Major. :

The first person Barton met was Mr. Perwig, who denied that
General Prescott was in the house, and his son also obstinately denied
the presence of the English officer. Not being able to find him in

their rapid search throug’: the epartments, Barton now had resort to
226

house occupied by a company of cavalry. On arriving at Prescott’s” )

eas

 

 

 

 
 

THE TYRANT CAUGHT. 35

stratagem. In a loud voice, he declared his intention of capturing
the General dead or alive, and ordered his soldiers immediately to
set fire to the house. At this juncture, a voice which Barton sus-
pected to belong to the General, inquired the cause of the disturbance.
Barton rushed to the apartment from which came the voice he heard,
and finding there an elderly gentleman, just rising from his bed, he
accosted him as General Prescott. To this the gentleman assented,
and declared he bore the name and title.

“Then you are my prisoner,” replied Barton.

“T acknowledge I am,” was the rejoinder.

He was only allowed time to partially dress himself, when he was
hurried off by his captors.

Meanwhile a singular circumstance had occurred. At the very
moment when Barton first gained admission into the house, one of
the British soldiers managed to escape, and flew to the quarters of
the main guard to give the alarm. This man, in the alarm of the
moment, rushed forth with no other clothing than his shirt; and
having hastily explained the matter to the sentinel on duty, he passed
on to the quarters of the cavalry, which was much more remote
from the head-quarters of the General. But when the sentinel came
to explain the matter to the officer of the guard, it seemed so incredi-
ble, that he was laughed at, and was told that he had seen a ghost.
He admitted that the messenger was clothed in white, and after be-
ing heartily laughed at for his credulity, was ordered back to his sta-
tion, and the guard went back to their quarters. This was a most
fortunate circumstance, for had the alarm of the soldier been believed,
nothing could have preserved the gallant Major and his band from
destruction.

The whole party, with the English General in their midst, marched
rapidly toward the shore. When they arrived at the boat, their pris-
oner, who had been hurried away half-dressed, was permitted to
complete his toilet. They re-embarked with all possible haste, and
had not got far from the island, when the discharge of cannon and
three sky-rockets gave the signal of alarm. But, for some cause,
the signal was not understood by those on the ships, and, by this
fortunate circumstance, the gallant band was preserved, for it would

have been easy for their enemy to have cut off their retreat. Although
227

 
  

 

86 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

full of anxiety and apprehension, they bent every nerve to reach
their port of destination, happily succeeding without meeting an
obstacle. When they landed, General Prescott said to Lieutenant-
Colonel Barton :

“Sir, you have made an amazing bold push to-night.”

““ We have been fortunate,” was the modest reply.

Before morning the prisoner was in Providence, where he was deliv-
ered into the custody of General Spencer, who treated him with consid- _
eration far above his deserts. After a few days’ stay in Providence, Pres-
cott was sent, under an escort, to the head-quarters of Washington on
the Hudson. On reaching Lebanon, the party stopped at the tavern
of a Captain Alden, who was an ardent Whig, and hated the very
name of Prescott. Nothing could have afforded him greater gratifi-
cation than an opportunity to inflict condign punishment upon the
tyrant, and the General unwittingly gave him that opportunity.

At the table Mrs. Alden waited upon the General; among the
dishes presented for his acceptance, was some “ succotash,” or corn-
and-beans, a favorite dish with the New England people, but which
seemed to excite the wrath and resentment of the little-great Gen-
eral, whose temper was probably not improved by the events of the
last few days.

Taking the dish in his hand, and forgetting that his position was
that of prisoner not of master, he looked at it a moment, and ex-
claimed :

“What's this! what’s this! are you going to treat me with the
food of hogs ?”

Saying which, he dashed the tureen upon the floor, breaking it,
and strewing the contents in all directions. Mrs. Alden had too
much spirit to brook such an insult to her cookery and table, and
left the room to inform her husband of the occurrence. In a few
moments, Captain Alden, bearing a large cart-whip in his hand, en-
tered the room, demanding of the British General what he meant by such
conduct in his house. Seeing vengeance written in every lineament
of the Captain’s face, the General appealed to the officers of his
escort for protection, :

“Protection!” said the landlord; “I'll show you the protection
you deserve ;” and seizing him by the collar, he dragged the whilom

 

  

 
ch
an
it~

 

THE HORSEWHIPPING. 37

haughty dictator from his chair, when, with all the force of an arm
nerved by the memory of the wrongs of good Americans, he rained
down a shower of blows which made the victim writhe, and cry for
that mercy which he had so often denied to others.

“T’ll teach you manners,” panted Alden, between the blows, “T'll

~ teach you to insult those who are giving you better than you deserve,

you tyrannical minion of English oppression !? While at every word
the long lash of the whip descended upon the groveling shoulders of
his enemy, until, from mere exhaustion, Alden ceased, remarking :

“There, if ever you want another lesson in good manners, come
to me and [ll give it to you with pleasure.”

The officers present made no serious attempt to relieve their pris-
oner from his predicament. » They felt that he richly merited the cas-
tigation; while the crestfallen General was too well assured of their

. feelings toward him to reproach them—but he took a terrible revenge,

when, after a time, being exchanged, he returned to his command at
Newport, where he burned the towns and villages, turning the inhab-
itants houseless upon the world. He never forgot or forgave this
infliction of personal punishment; and when, upon a subsequent oc-
casion, three of the citizens of Newport waited upon him concerning
the business of the town, he stormed and rayed at one of them in
such a manner that he was compelled to withdraw. After the oth-
ers had announced their business, and the General had become some-
what calm, he inquired :

“Was not my treatment of Folger rather uncivil ?”

Upon being assured that it certainly was, he explained it, by re-
marking :

“He looked so much like a —— Connecticut man, who horse-
whipped me once, that I could not bear the sight of him.”

The accounts which are given of General Prescott’s treatment of
Etban Allen, are no more to the credit of his dignity than the story :
of the succotash.

Shortly after Ethan Allen’s celebrated conquest of Ticonderoga,
he joined the expedition into Canada, under Generals Schuyler and
Montgomery. He had no commission from Congress, but was in-
duced by the commanding officers to follow the army, under a prom-

ise that he should command certain detachments in the army, when
: 229

 
—

88 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

occasion required. He was dispatched into Canada with letters to
the Canadians, explaining the object of the expedition, which was
not aimed against the inhabitants of the country, their liberties or
religion, but against the British possessors. The Canadians were
invited to make common cause with the Continentals, and expel the
invader. His message was partially successful, and numbers of the
Canadians joined the Congressional banner.

On a second expedition of a similar nature, he was induced to
undertake the enterprise against Montreal. Matters promised him
success, but at a critical moment many of his Canadian allies aban-
doned him. The result was a total defeat, which ended in the sur-
render of himself and party.

When he was brought before General Prescott, the commanding
English officer, he was asked by him his name and title. The reply cast
the Briton into a towering passion. He could not forget the loss of Ti-
conderoga, and time had not softened the bitterness of hatred he felt
against the hero of that glorious adventure. The Englishman so far for-
got his position as to threaten the person of Allen with his cane, and
applied to him every offensive epithet he could command. Finding
that Allen confronted him with an undaunted gaze, he looked around
for something else on which to wreak his hatred. He ordered the
Canadians who had been taken with Allen, to be brought forward,
and executed. As they were brought forward, wringing their hands
in consternation at the prospect of death, the heart of Allen’ was
touched, as he could but feel their present position was brought about
by his instrumentality. He therefore flung himself between the exe-
cutioners and the intended victims, opened his coat, and told Gen-
eral Prescott to let his vengeance fall on him alone, as he was the
sole cause of the Canadians taking up arms,

The guard paused, and looked toward their General, and, indeed,
it was a moment of suspense and interest to all present. The Gen-
eral stood quiet a moment or two in hesitation, and then said :

“T will not execute you now; but you shall grace a halter at Ty-
burn,” accompanying his speech with a series of emphatic oaths.

Allen was now removed on board the Gaspee schooner of war,
-oaded with irons of immense weight, and cast into the hold of the

vessel. Here his sufferings were of the most acute nature. His
229 ;

 
 

ETHAN ALLEN. \ 89

only accommodations were a chest, on which he sat during the day
and which served him as a couch at night. The irons upon his
ankles were so tight, that he could scarcely lie down, and then only
in one position. Here he was visited by many officers of the Eng-
lish army, some of whom treated him civilly, but others were abu-
sive and insulting.

At the expiration of six weeks, he was removed to a vessel off
Quebec, where he received kind and courteous treatment. Here he
remained until his removal on board of the vessel which was to
carry him to England. Here all of the prisoners, thirty-four, were
thrust into a small apartment, each heavily ironed. They were com-
pelled during the whole voyage to remain in their confinement, and
were subjected to every indignity that cruelty could invent.

When first ordered to enter into their filthy apartment, Allen re-
fused, and endeavored to argue their brutal keeper out of his inhu-
man purpose, but allin vain. The reply to his appeal was insults
of the grossest kind, and an officer of the vessel insulting him by
spitting in his face. Handeuffed as he was, the intrepid American
sprung upon the dastard, and knocked him at length upon the floor.
The fellow hastily scrambled out of the reach of “Allen, and placed
himself under the protection of the guard. Allen challenged him
to fight, offering to meet him even with irons upon his wrists, but
the Briton, trembling with fear, contented himself with the protec-
tion afforded him by British bayonets, and did not venture to oppose
the intrepid American. The prisoners were now forced into their
den at the point of the bayonet,

The sufferings of the captives during the voyage were intense.
Their privations soon brought on diarrhoea and fevers. But, not-
withstanding their sickness, they received no attention from their
jailers, and even those who were crazed with raging thirst, were de-
nied the simple boon of fresh water.

On arriving at Falmouth, the prisoners were all marched through
the town, to Pendennis Castle, about a mile distant, The fame of
Allen had preceded him, and multitudes of people were gathered
along the route to gaze upon him, and the other prisoners. The
throng was so great, that the guard were compelled to force a pass-

age through the crowd. Allen appeared conspicuous among his
231
 

 

4G TALES AND TRADITIONS.

fellow prisoners, by his. eccentric dress. When captured, he was

taken in a Canadian dress, consisting of a red shirt, a red worsted
cap, a short fawn-skin jacket, and breeches of sagathy ; and inthis
dress he was escorted through the wondering crowd at Falmouth
- Ticonderoga was a place of notoriety, in England, and the hero who

had so signally conquered it was an object of interest and wonder
to the people.

Allen was now visited by a great number of people, some of
whom were attracted from great distances, in order to see and con-
verse with the American celebrity. Discussion ran high as to his
eventual disposal. Some declared that he would be hung, and argued
the justice of the act.

But others defended and supported the Amer-
icans.

Even in parliament the merits of the question were discussed
From their prison in Pendennis Castle they were remoyed to the

Solebay Frigate, to be conveyed to America, stopping at Cork for

provisions and water. The commanding officer was harsh and cruel,

and, on the first day, ordered the prisoners from the deck, declaring

that it was a place for gentlemen only to walk. A few days after,

‘Allen shaved and dressed, and proceeded to the deck. The Captain
addressed him in great rage, and said:

“Did I not order you not to come on deck ?”

Allen replied that he had said that it was a place for gentlemen
to walk, and that he was Colonel Allen, a gentleman and soldie
who had been properly introduced to him.

His reply was characteristic of his brutal despotism : “ ‘Don't walk
on the same side of the deck that I do,” with an oath.

The sufferings of the prisoners continued, but when at Cork, their

situation received the attention of several beneVolent gentlemen, who

exerted themselves to relieve them. Ample stores and clothing

were sent on board, but the Captain refused privilege to the prisoners
to enjoy them.

The vessels proceeded to America, first casting anchor in the har-
bor of Cape Fear, North Carolina.

From this place Allen was re-
moved to Halifax.

Here his treatment continued of the same kind,
that, from the first, had characterized his captivity. He received here
some kind attentions from Captain Smith, which he afterward hac

occasion to return in a signal manner. After a confinement of twe
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ALLEN AND CAPTAIN SMITH. 48

Months he was removed to a man-of-war, to be conyeyed to New
York, for the purpose of effecting an exchange. When arrived -on
board of the vessel, he was delighted to find that he was under the
Command of Captain Smith, who had before served him.

When Colonel Allen met Captain Smith on board the vessel, he
Sreeted him with thanks for his kindness. The noble Captain dis-
Claimed all merit, and said: “ This is a mutable world, and one gen-
Uleman never knows but that it may be in his power to help an-
Other.” This sentiment was strikingly verified in the course of the
Voyage.

One night, as they were sailing along the coast of Rhode Island,
Captain Burke and a few other prisoners came to Allen with a plan
for destroying the British officers, seizing the vessel, and carrying
her into some friendly port. A large quantity of cash on board was
held up as an inducement for the enterprise. But Captain Smith had
generously distinguished the prisoners, and for this reason Allen
Strongly condemned the plan. He declared that if the attempt was
made, he would assist in the defense of the Briton, with all his skill
and strength. Finding the conspiracy so strenuously opposed by the
most influential of the prisoners, it was abandoned, upon the assur-
ance that they should not be betrayed.

Upon arriving in New York, Colonel Allen was released on parole,
but restricted to the limits of New York. An attempt was made
soon after to induce him to join the British ranks. He was offered
a heavy sum of money, and large tracts of land, either in New
Hampshire or Connecticut, when the country was conquered. The
integrity of the man, however, was unassailable. His reply to the
proposition was characteristic. He said that the offer reminded him
of a certain incident in Scripture. The devil, he said, took Christ
to a high hill, and showing him the kingdoms of earth, offered him
their possession, if he would fall down and worship him, “ when all
the while the damned soul had not one foot of land upon earth !”
It may be believed that those sent to negotiate with him did not
fail to understand the illustration. :

Colonel Allen, in a narrative of his captivity, written by himself,
gives a fearful account of the condition of the American prisoners in

New York. Before he was exchanged he was arrested on the absurd

235

 

 
m= TALES AND TRADITIONS.

charge of breaking his parole, and thrown into the Provost jail.
Here he remained from August to May, during which time he wit
nessed instances of suffering of the most agonizing kind, and was
himself compelled again to feel the barbarous treatment of British
officials. At the expiration of the above period he was exchanged,
and once more tasted of the sweets of freedom.

It may not be out of place here, since we have given an account ~

of Barton's brilliant exploit in the capture of General Prescott, to
relate the story of General Wadsworth’s abduction, who fell into the
hands of the British in a manner somewhat similar, though the affair
was characterized by no such daring on the part of the enemy as our
own young officer showed, in venturing into the lines of the English,
since General Wadsworth was known to be almost wholly unpro-
tected at the time it was resolved to take him.

In the spring of 1780 he was appointed to the command of 4
party of State troops in Canada, in the district of Maine. At the
expiration of the time for which the troops were engaged, General
Wadsworth dismissed them, retaining six soldiers only as his guard,
as he was making preparations to depart from the place. A neigh-
bor communicated his situation to the British commander at Penob-
scot, and a party of twenty-five soldiers, commanded by Lieutenant
Stockton, was sent to make him a prisoner. They embarked in a
small schooner, and, landing within four miles of the General’s
quarters, they were concealed in the house of a Methodist preacher
by the name of Snow—professedly a friend to us, but really a traitor
—until eleven in the evening, when they made their arrangements
for the attack.

The party rushed suddenly on the sentinel, who gave the alarm,
and one of his comrades ‘instantly opened the kitchen door, and
the enemy were so near as to enter with the sentinel. The lady of
the General, and her friend, Miss Fenno, of Boston, were in the
house at the time. Mrs. Wadsworth escaped from her husband’s
room into that of Miss Fenno.

The assailants soon became masters of the whole house, except
the room where the General was, and which was strongly barred,
and they kept up a constant firing of musketry into the windows

and doors, except into those of the ladies’ room. General Wadsworth
re =:
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45

 

ABDUCTION OF GENERAL WADSWORTH.

Was provided with a pair of pistols, a blunderbuss and a fusee,
which he employed with great dexterity, being determined to defend
himself to the last moment. With his pistols, which he discharged
several times, he defended the rooms of his window and a door
which opened into a kitchen. His blunderbuss he snapped several
times, but unfortunately it missed fire; he then secured his fusee,
which he discharged ou some who were breaking through the win-
dows, and obliged them to flee. He next defended himself with his
bayonet, till he received a ball through his left arm, when he surren-
dered, which terminated the contest. The firing, however, did not
cease from the kitchen until the General unbarred the door, when
the soldiers rushed into the room, and one of them, who had been
badly wounded, pointing a musket at his breast, exclaimed, with an
oath, “ you have taken my life, and I will take yours.” But Lieu-
tenant Stockton turned the musket aside, and saved his life. The
commanding officer now applauded the General for his admirable
defense, and assisted in putting on his clothes, saying, “ you see we
are in a critical situation, and therefore you must excuse haste.”
Mrs. Wadsworth threw a blanket over him, and Miss Fenno affixed
a handkerchief closely around his wounded arm.

In this condition, though much exhausted, he, with a wounded
American soldier, was directed to march on foot, while the British
wounded soldiers were mounted on a horse taken from the General’s
barn. They departed in great haste. When they had proceeded about
a mile, they met, at a small house, a number of people collected, and
who inquired if they had taken General Wadsworth. They said
no, and added that they must leave a wounded man in their care,
and if they paid proper attention to him, they should be compen-
sated ;. but if not, they would burn down their house. The man
appeared to be dying. General Wadsworth was mounted on the
horse behind the other wounded soldier, and was warned that his .
safety depended on his silence. Having passed over a frozen mill-
pond about a mile in length, they were met by some of their party
who had been left behind. At this place they found a British pri-
yateer, which breught the party from the fort. The Captain, on
being told that he must return there with the prisoner and the party,

and seeing some of his men wounded, became outrageous, and
237

    
   

  
46 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

cursing the General for a rebel, demanded how he dared to fire oD
the king’s troops, and commanded him to help launch the boat, or he
would put his hanger through his body. The General replied that
he was a prisoner, and badly wounded, and could not assist in launch-
ing the boat. Lieutenant Stockton, on hearing of this abusive treat-
ment, in a manner honorable to himself, told the Captain that the
prisoner was a gentleman, had made a brave defense, and was to be
treated accordingly, and added, that his conduct should be repre-
sented to General Campbell. After this the Captain treated the
prisoner with great civility, and afforded him every comfort in his
power.

General Wadsworth had left the ladies in the house, not a win-
dow of which escaped destruction. The doors were broken down,
and two of the rooms were on fire; the floors were covered with
blood, and on one of them Jay a brave old soldier dangerously
wounded, begging for death, that he might be released from misery.
The anxiety and distress of Mrs. Wadsworth were inexpressible, and
that of the General was greatly increased by the uncertainty in his
mind respecting the fate of his little son, only five years old, who
had been exposed to every danger by firing into the house; but he
had the happiness, afterward, of hearing of his safety.

Having arrived at the British fort, the capture of General Wads-
worth was soon announced, and the shore thronged with spectators,
to see the man who, through the preceding year, had disappointed
all the designs of the British in that quarter; and loud shouts were
heard from the rabble that covered the shore. But when he arrived
at the fort, and was conducted into the officer's guard-room, he was
treated with politeness. General Campbell, the commandant of the
British garrison, sent his compliments to him, and a surgeon to dress
his wound, assuring him that his situation should be made comfort-
able. The next morning, General Campbell invited him to break-
fast, and at table paid him many compliments in the defense he had
made, observing, however, that he had exposed himself in a degree
not perfectly justifiable. General Wadsworth replied that from the
manner of the attack, he had no reason to suspect any design of
taking him alive, and that he intended, therefore, to sell his life as

dearly as possible. He was then informed that a room in the
238

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A PAROLE REFUSED. 47

_ Officers’ barracks within the fort, was prepared for him, and that an

Orderly Sergeant should daily attend him to breakfast and dinner at
the commandant’s table. Having retired to his solitary apartment,
and while his spirit was extremely depressed by a recollection of the
past, and by his present situation, he received from General Camp-
bell several books of amusement, and soon after a visit from him,
kindly endeavoring to cheer the spirits of his prisoner by conversa-
tion. The principal officers of the garrison also called upon him, and
from them all, whom he daily met at the commandant’s table, he
received particular attention and kindness.

“He now made application for a flag of truce, by which means
he could transmit a letter to the Governor of Massachusetts, and
another to Mrs. Wadsworth. This was granted on the condition that
the letter to the Governor should be inspected. The flag was in-
trusted to Lieutenant Stockton, and on his return, the General was
relieved from all anxiety respecting his wife and family. At the end
of five weeks, he requested of General Campbell the customary
privilege of parole, and received in reply that his case had been re-
ported to the commanding officer at New York, and that no altera-
tion eould be made, till orders were received from that quarter, In
about two months’ time, Mrs. Wadsworth and Miss Fenno arrived,
and the officers of the garrison contributed to render their visit
agreeable to all concerned.

“ About the same time, orders were received from the command-
ing General at New York, which were concealed from General Wads-
worth, but he finally learned that he was not to be paroled nor ex-
changed, but was to be sent to England as a rebel of too much con-
sequence to be at liberty. Not long afterward, Major Benjamin
Benton, a brave and worthy man, who had served under the Gen-
eral the preceding summer, was taken and brought into the fort,
and lodged in the same room with him. He had been informed that
both himself and the General were to be sent immediately after the
return of a privateer now on a cruise, either to New York or Hali-
fax, and thence to England. The prisoners immediately resolved to
make a desperate effort to effect their escape. They were confined
in a grated room in the officers’ barracks within the fort. The wells

of this fortress, exclusively of the depth of the ditch surrounding it,
239
  

 

48 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

were twenty feet high, with fraising on top, and cheyaux-de-frise at -

 

the bottom.

“ Two sentinels were always in the entry, and their door—the upper
part of which was glass—might be opened by their watchmen when-
ever they thought proper, and was actually opened at seasons of
peculiar darkness and silence. At the exterior doors of the entries,
sentinels were also stationed, as were others in the body of the fort,
and at the quarters of General Campbell. At the guard-house a
strong guard was daily mounted. Several sentinels were stationed
on the walls of the fort, and a complete line occupied them by night,
Without the ditch, glacis and abattis, another complete set of sol-
diers patroled through the nigut, and a picket guard was placed in
or near the isthmus leading from the fort to the main land. Not-
withstanding all these fearful obstacles to success, they resolved to
make the perilous attempt.

“The room in which they were confined was railed with boards.
One of these they determined to cut off so as to make a hele large
enough to pass through, and then to creep along till they should come
to the next or middle entry ; and there lower themselves down into
this entry by a blanket. If they should not be discovered, the
passage to the walls of the fort’ was easy. In the evening,
after the sentinels had seen the prisoners retire to bed, General
Wadsworth got up, and standing in a chair attempted to cut with his
knife, the intended opening, but soon found it impracticable. The next
day, by giving a soldier a dollar they procured a gimlet. With this
instrument they proceeded cautiously and as silently as possible to sep-
arate the board, and in order to conceal every appearance from their
servants and from the officers, their visitors, they carefully covered the
gimlet holes with chewed bread. At the end of three weeks, their
labors were so far completed, that it only remained to cut with a
knife, the parts which were left to hold the piece in its place. When
their preparations were finished, they learned that the privateer in
which they were to embark was daily expected.

“In the evening of the 18th of June, a very severe storm of rain,
"with great darkness and almost incessant lightning, came on. This
the prisoners considered as the propitious moment. Having ex-
tin;uished their lights, they began to cut the corners of the board,
240

     
 

  

 

 
 

THE GENERAL'S ESCAPE. 49

and in less than an hour the intended opening was completed. The
noise which the operation occasioned was drowned by the rain fall-
ing on the roof. Major Benton first ascended to the ceiling, and
pressed himself through the opening. General Wadsworth next,
having put the corner of his blanket through the hole and made it
fast by a strong wooden skewer, attempted to make his way through,
standing on a chair below, but it was with extreme difficulty that he
at length effected it, and reached the middle entry. From this he
passed through the door which he found open, and made his way to
the wall of the fort, and had to encounter the greatest difficulty be-
fore he could ascend to the top. He had new to creep along the
top of the fort between the sentry boxes, at the very moment when
the relief was shifling sentinels, but the falling of the beavy rain
kept the sentinels within their boxes, and favored his escape. Hav-
ing now fustened his blanket round a picket at the top, he let him-
self down through the chevaux-de-frise to the ground, and, in a
manner astonishing to himself, made his way into the open field.
Here he was obliged to grope his way among rocks, stumps and
brush in the darkness of night, till he reached the cove. Happily
the tide had ebbed, and he was enabled to cross the water, which
was about a mile in breadth, and not more than three feet deep.

“ About two o’clock in the morning, General Wadsworth found
himself a mile and a half from the fort, and he proceeded through a
thick wood and brush to the Penobscot river, and, after passing some
distance along the shore, being seven miles from the fort, to his un-
speakable joy he saw his friend Benton advancing toward him. Ma-
jor Benton had been obliged to encounter in his course equal diffi-
culties with his companion, and such were the incredible perils,
dangers and obstructions which they surmounted, that their escape
may be considered almost miraculous.

“Tt was now necessary that they should cross the Penobscot
river, and very fortunately they discovered a canoe with oars on the
shore suited to their purpose. While on the river, they discovered
a barge with a party of the British from the fort, in pursuit of them,
but by taking an oblique course, and plying their oars to the ut-
most, they happily eluded the eyes of their pursuers, and arrived

safe on the western shore. After having wandered in the wilderness
241

 
50 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

for several days and nights, exposed to extreme fatigue and cold,
and with no other food than a little dry bread and meat, which
they brought in their pockets from the fort, they reached the settle-
ments on the river St. George, and no further difficulties attended
their return to their respective families.”

THE MOTHER'S TRIAL.

Wao has not heard of Logan, “the white man’s friend ”—that noble
specimen of the Indian race, who, by his forbearance, prudence, and
magnanimity, has done so much toward elevating the character of
the red-man to that high standard so forcibly depicted in the works
of America’s great novelist—Cooper. That there may have been
thousands among the tribes who inhabited this continent at the
period of its settlement by the whites, who were actuated and con-
trolled by the savage impulses of their. naturally brutal and eruel pro-
pensities, there can be no doubt; but these pages give striking evi-
dence that there were many who were governed by the dictates of
higher instincts and loftier sentiments than those of passion and
prejudice.

“In early live Logan lived at a place called Logan’s Spring, in
Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. The first settler in his immediate
neighborhood was William Brown, who afterwards became an asso-
ciate Judge to Mifflin county, a post which he held until his death,
at the age of ninety. While engaged in looking for a convenient
spot-on which to erect his cabin, he visited Logan at his camp, ac-
companied by his brother, and while there, engaged in a friendly
contest of skill in the use of the rifle with the chieftain. A dollar
a shot was the wager for which they contended, and when they
ceased it was found that Logan was the loser of several shots. Go-
ing to his cabin, he returned with as many deer-skins as he had lost

dollars, and handed them to the winner, who refused to take them,
242

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LOGAN AND THE TAILOR. 61

alleging that he was his guest, and did not come to rob him; that
the bet had been a mere nominal one, and he did not expect him to
pay it. The chief drew himself up to his full height, while a frown
of injured dignity darkened his brow, and exclaimed: “Me bet to
make you shoot your best ; me gentleman, and me take your mone"
if me beat,” and as there was no wish to insult him, the winner was
obliged to take the skins from their host, who would not accept
even a horn of powder in return. So much for the Indian’s honesty
and integrity.

Mrs. Norris, a daughter of Judge Brown, gives some particulars
relating to Logan, which are highly interesting. She says: “ Logan
supported himself by killing deer and dressing their skins, which he
sold to the whites. He had sold quite a quantity to one De Yong,a
tailor, who lived in Fuguson’s yalley, below the Gap. Tailors, in
those days, dealt extensively in buckskin breeches. Logan received
his pay, according to stipulation, in wheat. The wheat, on being
taken to the mill, was found so worthless that the miller refused to
grind it. Logan was much chagrined, and attempted in vain to ob-
tain redress from the tailor. He then took his case before his friend
Brown, then a magistrate; and on the Judge’s questioning him as
to the character of the wheat, and what was in it, Logan sought for
words in vain to express the precise nature of the article with which
the wheat was adulterated, but said that it resembled in character
the wheat itself.

“Tt must have been cheat,” said the Judge.

“Yoh !” said Logan, “ that very good name for him.”

A decision was given in Logan’s favor, and a writ given to him to
hand to the constable, which, he was told, would bring the money
for the skins. But the untutored Indian—too uncivilized to be dis-
honest—could not comprehend by what magic this little bit of paper
would force the tailor against his will to pay for the skins. The
Judge took down his own commission, with the arms of the king
upon it, and explained to him the first principles and operations of
civil law. ‘Law good,” said Logan ; “ make rogues pay.” 5

But how much more efficient the law which the Great Spirit had
impressed upon the Indian’s heart—to do unto others as he,would be

done by. J
248

 
TALES AND TRADITIONS.

When one of Judge Brown’s children was just learning to walk,
its mother happened to express a regret that she could not get a pair
of shoes to support its first efforts. Logan, who stood by, overheard
the remark, but apparently paid no attention to it, although he had
determined in his own mind that the want of shoes should not hin-
der the little girl in her first attempts. Two or three days passed,
and the remark had been forgotten by all save the chieftain, when,
happening into their house, he asked the mother if she would allow
the child to go with him, and spend the day at his cabin. Mrs. B.

could not divine the reason of such a request, and all her suspicions

were aroused at the idea of placing her little cherub in the hands
of one whose objects she could not understand. The proposition
alarmed her, and, without giving a decided negative, she hesitated to
comply. The matter was left to her husband, who urged her to
consent, representing the delicacy of Logan’s feelings, his sensitive-
ness, and his character for truth and plain dealing. With much re-
luctance, but with apparent cheerfulness, the mother at length com-
plied, although her heart was filled with forebodings, as she saw her
little one disappear in the woods in the arms of the chieftain.
Slowly passed the sad hours away, and the poor mother could do
nothing but think of her absent one, in the hands of a savage war-
rior, the natural enemy of the pale-face. As the day drew tv a close,

she took her station at the window, and watched with the most in--

tense solicitude for the return of her child; but hour after hour
‘passed away without bringing any relief to her anxious heart. A
thousand vague fears and conjectures filled her mind with the many
tales of Indian barbarity and treachery which she had heard, and as
the shades of evening drew around the landscape, and her little one
had not returned, she felt that to hear of her death at the hands of
the chief would be a relief to her overwrought brain. Her husband
endeavored to calm her agitated feelings, and soothe her into confi-
dence in the integrity of Logan—but with little effect ; and it is prob-
able that her apprehensions would have driven her to go to the cabin
of the Indian in search of her child. Just after the sun went dowa,
however, he made his appearance in the dim twilight, bearing the
little treasure in his arms, who seemed delighted with her conductor

for her arms were thrown about his neck as he bore her along with
244

 

   
 
 

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LOGAN AND THE MOCCASINS. as:

firm and rapid steps to her home. The mother’s heart leaped with
joy as she recognized the persons of the chief and the child. She
sprung from her chair, where she had passed so many anxious mo-
ments, and prepared to receive the little one, around whom had been
concentrated all her maternal feelings that tiresome, lonely, and
weary day. A few brief moments, which to her seemed hours,
brought the chief to the door, where he released the child from its
embrace, and sat it down upon the floor. The mother caught it in
her arms and hugged it to her bosom, while the father addressed his
thanks to the proud and gratified chief for a pair of beautiful little
moccasins, adorned with beads and all the fancy work of an Indian’s
taste, which covered and supported the feet of the little girl. During
all that day, which had been so tedious and full of anxiety to the
mother, Logan had been engaged in constructing and ornamenting
the little gift, by which he intended to show his appreciation of the
many favors he had received at the parents’ hands.

Logan was called ‘a Mingo chief, or Mengwe, whose father was
chief of the Cayugas, whom he succeeded. His parent being at-
tached, in a remarkable degree, to the benevolent James Logan, after
whom he named his son. The name is still perpetuated among the
Indians. For magnanimity in war, and greatness of soul in peace,

_ few, in any nation, ever surpassed Logan. He was inclined to-

friendship with the whites; nothing but aggravated wrongs succeeded
in making him their enemy. He took no part in the French wars,
ending in 1770, except that of peacemaker—was always acknowledged
to favor us, until the year 1774, when his brother, and several others
of the family, were murdered.

The particulars were these. In the spring of that year some In-
dians were reported to have robbed the people upon the Ohio river,
who were in that country, exploring the lands, and preparing for
settlements. These lJand-jobbers, becoming alarmed at what they
considered the hostile character.of the Indians, collected themselves
at a place called Whiting creek, the site of the present town of
Wheeling, and, learning that there were two Indians on the river
above, Captain Michael Cresap, belonging to the exploring party,
proposed to fall upon and kill them.

His advice was first opposed, then followed—the two Indians were
245
ee

ee

 

ay

 

54 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

slain. The same day, it being reported that there were Indians be-
low Wheeling, on the river, Cresap and his party immediately marched
to the place, and at first appeared to show themselves friendly, suffer-
ing the Indians to pass by them unmolested, to encamp still lower
down, at the mouth of Grove Creek. Cresap now followed, attacked
and killed several, having one of his own men wounded by the fire
of the savages. Here some of the family of Logan were slain.
This affair was exceedingly aggravating, inasmuch as the whites pre-
tended no provocation. :

Soon after this the whites committed another unprovoked outrage
upon the Indian encampment, about thirty miles above Wheeling, on’
the opposite side of the river. A white man by the name of Great-
house lived opposite the encampment. He collected a party of
thirty-two men, who secreted themselves, while he, under pretense
of a friendly visit, crossed the river to ascertain the number of the
Indians. On counting them, he found they were too numerous for
his own party. These Indians had heard of the late murder of their
friends, and had resolved to be revenged. Greathouse did not know
of the danger he was incurring, until a squaw advised him of it, in
friendly caution to “go home.” He then invited the Indians to come
over the river arid drink with him, this being a part of his plan for
separating them, that they might be more easily destroyed. The offer
was accepted by a good many, who, being collected at a tavern in
the white settlement, were treated freely to liquor, and all killed, ex-
cept a little girl, Among the murdered was a brother and sister of
Logan. ;

The remaining Indians, upon the other side of the river, upon
hearing the firing, sent off two canoes with armed warriors, who, as
they approached the shore, were fired upon by the whites, who lay
concealed awaiting them. Nothing prevented their taking deadly
aim, so that their fire was terribly destructive, and the canoes were,
obliged to return. This affair took place in May, 1774. These were
the events which led to a horrid Indian war, in which many inno-
cent families were sacrificed to satisfy the vengeance of an injured,
incensed people. A calm followed the first outbreak ; but it was the
calm which precedes the storm, and lasted only while the tocsin of

war was being sounded among the distant nations.
246

str

 
ed
r-
er

 

t

LOGAN DECLARES WAR. 55
6

In July of the same year, Logan, at the head of eight warriors,
struck a blow upon some inhabitants in Michigan, where no one ex-
pected it. He left the settlement of the Ohio, which all supposed
would be first attacked in case of war, and hence the reason of his
great successes. His first attack was upon three men ‘who were
pulling flax in a field. One was shot down, and the two others
taken. These were marched into the wilderness, and, as they ap-
proached the Indian town, Logan gave the scalp halloo, and they
were met by the inhabitants, who conducted them in. Running the
gauntlet was next to be performed. Logan took no delight in torture,
and he instructed one of the prisoners how to proceed to escape the
severities of the gauntlet. This same captive, whose name was

- Robison, was afterward sentenced to be burned, but Logan, though

not able to rescue him by his eloquence, with his own hand cut the
cords which bound him to the stake, and caused him to be adopted
into an Indian family. Robison afterward became Logan’s scribe,
and wrote for him the letter, tied to a war-club, which ‘was left, that

- same season, at the house of a family cut off by the Indians, and

which served to alarm the inhabitants, and to call out the militia for
their protection. It ran thus: %
“Caprain CrEsAP: What did you kill my people on Yellow Creek
for? The white people killed my kin at Conestoga, a great while
ago, and I thought nothing of that. But you killed my kin again

_ on Yellow Creek, and took my cousin prisoner. Then I thought I

must kill, too; and I have been to war three times since. But the
Indians are not angry—only myself.
“Caprain JoHn Loan.”

There was a chief among the Shawanese more renowned as a
warrior than even Logan at that time. Cornstalk was his name,
and to him seems to have fallen the principal direction of the war
which was now begun. We do not propose to give a detailed his-
tory of the fierce struggle which followed; but some account of the
great battle at Point Pleasant cannot be uninteresting.

General Lewis, with eleven hundred men, gave battle to fifteen
hundred savage warriors, under Logan, Cornstalk, Ellinipsico (Corn-
stalk’s son,) Red Eagle, and other mighty chiefs of the tribes of the

Delawares, Shawanese, Cayugas, Wyandots, and Mingoes. The
247

 

 
 

56° TALES AND TRADITIONS.

battle began a little after sunrise, on a narrow point of land, between
the Ohio and the Great Kanawha rivers. The breastworks of the
Indians, constructed of brushwood, extended from river to river;
their plan of attack was the best conceivable, for in the event of
victory on their part, not a Virginian would have escaped. They
had stationed men on both sides of the river, to prevent the escape
of such as might attempt it, by swimming from the apex of the tri-
angle made by the confluence of the two rivers. The Virginians,
like their opponents, covered themselves with trees, or whatever
shelter offered ; but the Indians had every advantage. Hour after
hour the battle lasted, the Indians slowly retreating to their breast-
works, while the Virginians fought with desperate courage, for life
itself was at stake for all of them. Colonel Lewis, brother of the
commanding General, soon fell, under the fire to which his uniform
particularly exposed him. His division was broken, while another
division; under Colonel Fleming, was attacked at the same moment,
and the Colonel received two balls in his left wrist, but continued
to exercise his command with the greatest coolness. His voice was
continually heard: “ Advance—outflank the enemy; get between
them and the river. Dcn’t lose an inch of ground!” But his men
were about to be outflanked by tie body which had just defeated
Lewis, when the arrival of Colonel Field’s division turned the for-
tune of the day, but not without severe loss. Colonel Fleming was
again wounded by a shot through the lungs, and Colonel Field was
killed while leading on his men. :

The Indians fought with an equal bravery. The voice of Corn-
stalk was often heard during the day, above the din of strife, calling
on his warriors in these words: “ Be strong! be strong !” and when,
by the repeated charge of the whites, some of his men began to
waver, he is said to have sunk hig hatchet in the brain of one who
was cowardly attempting to retreat.

General Lewis finally decided the contest by getting three com-
panies of men into the rear of the Indians; these companies got un-
observed to their destination upon Crooked Creek, a little stream
running into the Kanawha, whose high, wood-covered banks shel-
tered them, while they made a furious attack upen the backs of the
Indians, who, thinking reinforcements had arrived, fled across the

248

 

 
 

The Mother’s Trial—Page 52.
 

Ohio
Scio

mo!
ing
cor

an

 
 

 

 

 

THE PEACE TREATY. 59

- Ohio, and immediately took up their march for their towns on the

Scioto. It was sunset when the battle ended.

There was a kind of stratagem used in this contest, which was
more than once practiced by the experienced Virginia riflemen, dur-
ing their fight with the savages. The soldiers in Colonel Fleming’s
corps would conceal themselves behind a tree, or some other shelter,
and then hold out their caps from behind, which the Indians, seeing,
would mistake as covering the heads of their opponents, and shoot
at them. The cap being dropped at the moment, the Indian would
dart out from his covert to scalp his victim, and thus meet a sure
death from the tomahawk of his adversary. This game was prac-
ticed only by the “prime riflemen,” accustomed to a backwoods
life.

After this signal defeat, the Indians were prepared to treat for
peace. General Lewis, after burying his dead, took up his perilous
and difficult march, his troops eager to exterminate the Indians;
but Governor Dunmore, having received numerous offers of peace,
finally ordered him to retreat. Lord Dunmore, with a force equal
to that of Lewis, was now at Chilicothe, where he began a treaty,
conducted on the part of the whites with great distrust, who never
admitted but a few Indians at a time into their encampment. The
business was commenced by Cornstalk, in a speech of great length,
in which he charged upon the whites the main cause of the war;
and mainly in consequence of the murder of Logan’s family. A
treaty, however, was the result of this conference, and this confer-
ence was the result of tle Mingo chief’s famous speech, since known
throughout both hemispheres. It was not delivered in Lord Dun-
more’s camp, for, although desiring peace, Logan would not meet
the whites in council, but remained in his cabin in sullen silence,

‘until a messenger was sent to him with the treaty, to know if he

consented to its articles. To this messenger he pronounced that
memorable speech : ‘

“T appeal to any white man to say if he ever entered Logan’s
cabin hungry, and J gave him not meat; if he ever came cold and
naked, and I clothed him not.

“ During the course of the last long, bloody war, Logan remained

idle in his cabin, an adyocate for peace. Such was my love for the
251
€) TALES AND TRADITIONS.

whites, that my countrymen pointed as they passed, and said: ‘ Lo-
gan is the friend of the white man,

“T had even thought to have lived with you, but for the injuries
of one man. Colonel Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood, and un-
provoked, murdered all the relations of Logan, not even sparing his
women and children.

“There was not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living
creature. This called on me for revenge; I have soughtit. I have
killed many—I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country
I rejoice at the beams of peace. But do not harbor a thought that
mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn
on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan ?
Not one !” :

Cornstalk, a chief excelling even Logan in natural nobility of
character, and great bravery, who conducted the battle and the
treaty, lost his life within a year from that time, under circumstances
painful to all lovers of justice.

Upon the breaking out of the Revolution, the year following, the
British Government, through their agents, made the most strenuous
efforts to induce the Indians to take up the tomahawk in bebalf of
the king, and were but too successful. Cornstalk, however, actuated
by a high-toned feeling of repugnance at the idea of breaking his
plighted faith, and foreseeing the inevitable issue of the struggle—
being, moreover, a firm and consistent friend of the Americans—re-
fused to take any part in the contest, and exerted the utmost of his

_ influence to prevent his tribe from joining the coalition. His efforts
proved futile, however, and the influence of British presents, and the
example of the neighboring tribes, had the effect which he most
dreaded. He did not live to see the result of the struggle, being
killed on the spot where he had but a year before fought so bravely
in defense of his home and the graves of his sires. After the truce
between the tribes and Goyernor Dunmore had been agreed upon, a
fort was erected at Point Pleasant to commemorate the battle and
keep the Indians in check, and to this fort Cornstalk, after finding
that his efforts to preserve that compact intact would be unavailing,
repaired to explain the position of affairs to its commanding cfficer,

Captain Arbuckle, and take his advice as to what course he should
252

 
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n-

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CORNSTALK REFUSES TO JOIN THE ENGLISH. 61

pursue. Red-hawk, the Delaware chief, who had also fought so
bravely at Point Pleasant, and who was likewise opposed to resuming
the hatchet, accompanied him in his visit. The chieftain explained
in the fullest manner the state of affairs among the Indians, and in-
formed Arbuckle that he should be unable to restrain his tribe, who
seemed determined to dig up the hatchet, and once more commence
an exterminating war against the settlers. Under these circumstances,
Arbuckle felt himself justifled in detaining the chief and his com-
panion as hostages, supposing that the fact of their principal leader
being in the hands of the Americans would have the effect of deter-
ring his tribe from active hostilities. Thinking themselves that such
a result might follow, and earnestly desirous of not taking part in
the contest, which they knew must follow if they returned to their
people, they remained willing captives in the hands of Arbuckle, lit-
tle dreaming of the fate which awaited them, and giving all the in-
formation which they possessed regarding the anticipated movements
of the various tribes, and of the British agents among them.

The young chief, Ellinipsico, becoming anxious at the protracted
absence of his father, set out in search of him, and, having traced
him to the fort, he made his appearance on the opposite side of the
river, and, being recognized by the chieftain, permission was given
him to enter the fort, where the meeting between them was of the
most affecting nature. They entertained for each other the warmest
feelings of affection, which the young man displayed on the present
occasion, by the enthusiastic manner in which he embraced his parent,
and sought to show his joy at meeting him.

The hostages had been quartered in one of the cabins within the
pickets of the fort, which, from its position, afforded safety and se-
curity—although they were not confined thereto, but allowed the
range of the inclosure, and thither they bent their steps, and father
and son sat down to take counsel in the present state of affairs.
Ellinipsico, in common with the young men of his tribe, was in
favor of-joining in the war, being anxious to distinguish himself,
and win his way by feats of arms to the proud position which would
be his own inheritance on the death of his father. From such a
course, Cornstalk endeavored to dissuade him with all the eloquence 4

for which he was distinguished—but with little effect. The young
253
  

62 TALES AND TRADITIONS.

man felt the unconquerable enmity of his race toward the white
men, and burned to wash ont in their blood the many wrongs and
injuries he had received at their hands. The afternoon and evening
having been spent in conversation upon this subject, without any re-
sult, the chieftain and his son laid down to sleep on the floor of their
cabin—the last sleep they were destined to take this side of eternity.
On the morning after the arrival of Ellinipsico, two men of the
garrison, named Hamilton and Gillmore, started out to hunt on the
opposite side of the Kanawha river, not dreaming of any danger to
be apprehended from the Indians, hostilities not having as yet com-
menced. On their return about noon, they were fired upon by two
Indians, who had come across the Ohio to reconnoiter the fort, and
hidden themselves in the weeds and brush, and Gillmore was killed.
Colonel Stewart and Captain Arbuckle were standing on the opposite
shore when the firing was hcard, and expressed their surprise to one
another at the occurrence, as strict orders had been glven against all
firing in the immediate vicinity of the fort. While anxiously await-
ing a solution to the mystery, they discovered Hamilton on the other
bank, who called to them, told them that Gillmore had been killed,
and entreated them to send a canoe across to his relief, Captain
Hall was dispatched with several men to the relief of the fugitive,
‘and in a few moments they stood by his side.
_ A careful search in the adjacent bushes discovered the body of
their comrade, shot through the*head, and scalped. Placing the
bloody corpse in the canoe, they recrossed the river, and with feel-
ings of dire revenge demanded the lives of the hostages in the fort.
Pale with rage, and terribly excited at the murder of one of his com-
panions, Captain Hall placed himself at the head of his men, and
marched toward the fort, threatening death to the unarmed hostages.
Captain Arbuckle and several of the officers threw themselves in
their way, and endeavored to prevent the execution of their blood-
thirsty purpose ; but this only excited the passions of the soldiers to
the most. ungovernable pitch, and cocking their pieces, they threat-
ened death to all who interfered between them and their victims.
Arbuckle was forced to give way, and witness a scene he was unable
to prevent, and the exasperated men rushed into the fort. The

interpreter’s wife, who had been a captive among the Indians, and
254

 

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CORNSTALK’S DEATH. 63

felt an affection for them, rushed to the cabin to inform them that
Captain Hall’s men were advancing to put them to death, because
they entertained the idea that the Indians who had killed their com-
rade haa come with Ellinipsico the day previous. This Ellinipsico
earnestly denied, averring that he had come alone, with the only
purpose of meeting his father, and without dreaming of hostility.
The clamor without announced the rapid approach of their execu-
tioners, and Ellinipsico, being highly excited at the idea of being put
to death for a wrong he had not committed, showed considerable
agitation. The veteran chief, however, had faced death on too many
battle-fields to be alarmed at his approach now, and endeavored to
reassure his son, and induce him to die as became the child of such
asire. “If the Great Spirit,’ said he, “has decided that I should
die, my son, and has sent you here to die with me, you should sub-
mit to your fate as becomes a warrior and a chief” With courage
revived by the exhortation of his father, Ellinipsico prepared to meet
with composure the death which he saw was inevitable. Covering
his face with his hands that he might not see his executioners, he
calmly awaited the stroke which was to deprive him of life, and send
him to the “happy hunting grounds” of his race. As the door of
the cabin was burst open, Cornstalk rose with dignity, and presented
his breast to the rifles of the infuriated soldiers. Seven bullets
pierced his noble form, and he died without a struggle. His son was
killed at the same instant, and both fell to the ground together.
Red-hawk, who had endeavored to hide himself, was dragged from
his place of concealment and killed, as was another Indian who was
in the fort, and who was fearfully mangled in the struggle.

“Thus,” says Withers, in his Indian chronicles, ‘ perished the
mighty Cornstalk, sachem of the Shawnees, and king of the North-
ern confederacy in 1774—a chief remarkable for many great and
good qualities. He was disposed to be, at all times, the friend of the
white men, as he was ever the advocate of honorable peace. But
when his gountry’s wrongs summoned him to the battle, he was the
thunderbolt of war, and made his enemies feel the weight of his
arm. His noble bearing, his generous and disinterested attachment
to the colonies, his anxiety to preserve the frontiers of Virginia from

desolation and death, all conspired to win for him the esteem and
255

 

 
 

 

fA TALES AND TRADITIONS.

 

respect of others; while the untimely and perfidious manner of his
death caused a deep and lasting feeling of regret to prevade the i:
bosoms, even of those who were enemies to his nation, and excited :
the indignation of all toward his inhuman murderers.” ; F

We would not be thought the apologist for a deed like that which
has been narrated ; but, at the same time, cannot join the cry which
is raised against it by those authors who stigmatize it is a “cruel,

 

bloodthirsty, inhuman, fiendlike murder.” All the harshest terms™__ so
in our language have been hurled at the heads of those who were i
engaged in it, and with great injustice. Cruel and bloodthirsty it i a
undoubtedly was, but it was the nataral consequence of the war
which was waged between the white and red-men, in which revenge
for injuries inflicted’ was held to be a sacred duty. Stone, with great
want of candor, omits to mention the fact that Hall and his com-
panions entertained the idea that the Indians who had accompanied
Ellinipsico had killed their fellow soldier ; but, in language of the severest

 

cast, would lead us to suppuse their act a mean, cowardly, cold-blooded
massacre. He says: “A party of ruffians assembled, under command We

*

we,

of a Captain Hall—not to pursue or punish the perpetrators of the

     

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oon

murder, but to fall upon the friendly and peaceable Indians ia the
fort.” What would have been the conduct of the Indians under
similar circumstances? The pages of his own work exhibit many

‘instances of similar cruelty and revengeful practice on their part;
and even Brant himself is not free from it.

True, in the present case, the perpetrators were white men, civil-
ized and enlightened ; but in the long and bloody wars of extermi-
nation which they had waged with the savages, they had learned _
their mode of warfare; in fact, they could not hope for success in
any other way, and the long account of murders, massacres, burnings
at the stake, and inhuman tortures, which, even at the present day,
thrill the blood with horror, had exasperated the feelings of those
men who were surrounded by the actual reality, and expected no
better fate themselves at the hands of Indians, should they be so un-
fortunate as to be captured, and they lost sight of the dictates of
justice in the all-powerful and blinding spirit of revenge. -

 

256

  
 

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