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On the fourth day of July following; a party of about two hundred

Indians attacked Boonsborough; killed one man; and wounded two。

They besieged us forty…eight hours; during which time seven of them

were killed; and at last; finding themselves not likely to prevail;

they raised the siege; and departed。



The Indians had disposed their warriors in different parties at

this time; and attacked the different garrisons to prevent their

assisting each other; and did much injury to the distressed

inhabitants。



On the nineteenth day of this month; Col。 Logan's fort was

besieged by a party of about two hundred Indians。 During this

dreadful siege they did a great deal of mischief; distressed the

garrison; in which were only fifteen men; killed two; and wounded

one。 The enemies loss was uncertain; from the common practice which

the Indians have of carrying off their dead in time of battle。 Col。

Harrod's fort was then defended by only sixty…five men; and

Boonsborough by twenty…two; there being no more forts or white men

in the country; except at the Falls; a considerable distance from

these; and all taken collectively; were but a handful to the

numerous warriors that were every where dispersed through the

country; intent upon doing all the mischief that savage barbarity

could invent。 Thus we passed through a scene of sufferings that

exceeds description。



On the twenty…fifth of this month a reinforcement of forty…five

men arrived from North…Carolina; and about the twentieth of August

following; Col。 Bowman arrived with one hundred men from Virginia。

Now we began to strengthen; and from hence; for the space of six

weeks; we had skirmishes with Indians; in one quarter or other;

almost every day。



The savages now learned the superiority of the Long Knife; as

they call the Virginians; by experience; being out…generalled in

almost every battle。 Our affairs began to wear a new aspect; and

the enemy; not daring to venture on open war; practised secret

mischief at times。



On the first day of January; 1778; I went with a party of thirty

men to the Blue Licks; on Licking River; to make salt for the

different garrisons in the country。



On the seventh day of February; as I was hunting; to procure meat

for the company; I met with a party of one hundred and two Indians;

and two Frenchmen; on their march against Boonsborough; that place

being particularly the object of the enemy。



They pursued; and took me; and brought me on the eighth day to

the Licks; where twenty…seven of my party were; three of them

having previously returned home with the salt。 I knowing it was

impossible for them to escape; capitulated with the enemy; and; at

a distance in their view; gave notice to my men of their situation;

with orders not to resist; but surrender themselves captives。



The generous usage the Indians had promised before in my

capitulation; was afterwards fully complied with; and we proceeded

with them as prisoners to old Chelicothe; the principal Indian

town; on Little Miami; where we arrived; after an uncomfortable

journey; in very severe weather; on the eighteenth day of February;

and received as good treatment as prisoners could expect from

savages。On the tenth day of March following; I; and ten of my

men; were conducted by forty Indians to Detroit; where we arrived

the thirtieth day; and were treated by Governor Hamilton; the

British commander at that post; with great humanity。



During our travels; the Indians entertained me well; and their

affection for me was so great; that they utterly refused to leave

me there with the others; although the Governor offered them one

hundred pounds Sterling for me; on purpose to give me a parole to

go home。 Several English gentlemen there; being sensible of my

adverse fortune; and touched with human sympathy; generously

offered a friendly supply for my wants; which I refused; with many

thanks for their kindness; adding; that I never expected it would

be in my power to recompense such unmerited generosity。



The Indians left my men in captivity with the British

at Detroit; and on the tenth day of April brought me towards

Old Chelicothe; where we arrived on the twenty…fifth day of the

same month。 This was a long and fatiguing march; through

an exceeding fertile country; remarkable for fine springs and

streams of water。 At Chelicothe I spent my time as comfortably as

I could expect; was adopted; accordin to their custom; into a

family where I became a son; and had a great share in the affection

of my new parents; brothers; sisters; and friends。 I was

exceedingly familiar and friendly with them; always appearing as

chearful and satisfied as possible; and they put great confidence

in me。 I often went a hunting with them; and frequently gained

their applause for my activity at our shooting…matches。 I was

careful not to exceed many of them in shooting; for no people are

more envious than they in this sport。 I could observe; in their

countenances and gestures; the greatest expressions of joy when

they exceeded me; and; when the reverse happened; of envy。 The

Shawanese king took great notice of me; and treated me with

profound respect; and entire friendship; often entrusting me to

hunt at my liberty。 I frequently returned with the spoils of the

woods; and as often presented some of what I had taken to him;

expressive of duty to my sovereign。 My food and lodging was; in

common; with them; not so good indeed as I could desire; but

necessity made every thing acceptable。



I now began to meditate an escape; and carefully avoided their

suspicions; continuing with them at Old Chelicothe until the first

day of June following; and then was taken by them to the salt

springs on Sciotha; and kept there; making salt; ten days。 During

this time I hunted some for them; and found the land; for a great

extent about this river; to exceed the soil of Kentucke; if

possible; and remarkably well watered。

When I returned to Chelicothe; alarmed to see four hundred and

fifty Indians; of their choicest warriors; painted and armed in a

fearful manner; ready to march against Boonsborough; I determined

to escape the first opportunity。



On the sixteenth; before sun…rise; I departed in the most secret

manner; and arrived at Boonsborough on the twentieth; after a

journey of one hundred and sixty miles; during which; I had but one

meal。



I found our fortress in a bad state of defence; but we proceeded

immediately to repair our flanks; strengthen our gates and

posterns; and form double bastions; which we compleated in ten

days。 In this time we daily expected the arrival of the Indian

army; and at length; one of my fellow prisoners; escaping from

them; arrived; informing us that the enemy had an account of my

departure; and postponed their expedition three weeks。The Indians

had spies out viewing our movements; and were greatly alarmed with

our increase in number and fortifications。 The Grand Councils of

the nations were held frequently; and with more deliberation than

usual。 They evidently saw the approaching hour when the Long Knife

would disposess them of their desirable habitations; and anxiously

concerned for futurity; determined utterly to extirpate the whites

out of Kentucke。 We were not intimidated by their movements; but

frequently gave them proofs of our courage。



About the first of August; I made an incursion into the Indian

country; with a party of nineteen men; in order to surprise a small

town up Sciotha; called Paint…Creek…Town。 We advanced within four

miles thereof; where we met a party of thirty Indians; on their

march against Boonsborough; intending to join the others

from Chelicothe。 A smart fight ensued betwixt us for some time: At

length the savages gave way; and fled。 We had no loss on our side:

The enemy had one killed; and two wounded。 We took from them three

horses; and all their baggage; and being informed; by two of our

number t

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