Project Gutenberg's The Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone, by John Filson

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Title: The Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone

Author: John Filson

Release Date: July 9, 2009 [EBook #909]
Last Updated: January 26, 2013

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES OF COLONEL BOONE ***




Produced by John M. Krafft, and David Widger
 



THE ADVENTURES OF COL. DANIEL BOON  

CONTAINING A NARRATIVE OF THE WARS OF KENTUCKE  

From The Discovery and Settlement of Kentucke  





By John Filson  










Curiosity is natural to the soul of man, and interesting objects have a  powerful influence on our affections. Let these influencing powers  actuate, by the permission or disposal of Providence, from selfish or  social views, yet in time the mysterious will of Heaven is unfolded, and  we behold our conduct, from whatsoever motives excited, operating to  answer the important designs of heaven. Thus we behold Kentucke, lately an  howling wilderness, the habitation of savages and wild beasts, become a  fruitful field; this region, so favourably distinguished by nature, now  become the habitation of civilization, at a period unparalleled in  history, in the midst of a raging war, and under all the disadvantages of  emigration to a country so remote from the inhabited parts of the  continent. Here, where the hand of violence shed the blood of the  innocent; where the horrid yells of savages, and the groans of the  distressed, sounded in our ears, we now hear the praises and adoration of  our Creator; where wretched wigwams stood, the miserable abodes of  savages, we behold the foundations of cities laid, that, in all  probability, will rival the glory of the greatest upon earth. And we view  Kentucke situated on the fertile banks of the great Ohio, rising from  obscurity to shine with splendor, equal to any other of the stars of the  American hemisphere.  
The settling of this region well deserves a place in history. Most of the  memorable events I have myself been exercised in; and, for the  satisfaction of the public, will briefly relate the circumstances of my  adventures, and scenes of life, from my first movement to this country  until this day.  
It was on the first of May, in the year 1769, that I resigned my domestic  happiness for a time, and left my family and peaceable habitation on the  Yadkin River, in North-Carolina, to wander through the wilderness of  America, in quest of the country of Kentucke, in company with John Finley,  John Stewart, Joseph Holden, James Monay, and William Cool. We proceeded  successfully, and after a long and fatiguing journey through a mountainous  wilderness, in a westward direction, on the seventh day of June following,  we found ourselves on Red-River, where John Finley had formerly been  trading with the Indians, and, from the top of an eminence, saw with  pleasure the beautiful level of Kentucke. Here let me observe, that for  some time we had experienced the most uncomfortable weather as a  prelibation of our future sufferings. At this place we encamped, and made  a shelter to defend us from the inclement season, and began to hunt and  reconnoitre the country. We found every where abundance of wild beasts of  all sorts, through this vast forest. The buffaloes were more frequent than  I have seen cattle in the settlements, browzing on the leaves of the cane,  or croping the herbage on those extensive plains, fearless, because  ignorant, of the violence of man. Sometimes we saw hundreds in a drove,  and the numbers about the salt springs were amazing. In this forest, the  habitation of beasts of every kind natural to America, we practised  hunting with great success until the twenty-second day of December  following.  
This day John Stewart and I had a pleasing ramble, but fortune changed the  scene in the close of it. We had passed through a great forest on which  stood myriads of trees, some gay with blossoms, others rich with fruits.  Nature was here a series of wonders, and a fund of delight. Here she  displayed her ingenuity and industry in a variety of flowers and fruits,  beautifully coloured, elegantly shaped, and charmingly flavoured; and we  were diverted with innumerable animals presenting themselves perpetually  to our view.—In the decline of the day, near Kentucke river, as we  ascended the brow of a small hill, a number of Indians rushed out of a  thick cane-brake upon us, and made us prisoners. The time of our sorrow  was now arrived, and the scene fully opened. The Indians plundered us of  what we had, and kept us in confinement seven days, treating us with  common savage usage. During this time we discovered no uneasiness or  desire to escape, which made them less suspicious of us; but in the dead  of night, as we lay in a thick cane-brake by a large fire, when sleep had  locked up their senses, my situation not disposing me for rest, I touched  my companion and gently awoke him. We improved this favourable  opportunity, and departed, leaving them to take their rest, and speedily  directed our course towards our old camp, but found it plundered, and the  company dispersed and gone home. About this time my brother, Squire Boon,  with another adventurer, who came to explore the country shortly after us,  was wandering through the forest, determined to find me, if possible, and  accidentally found our camp.  
Notwithstanding the unfortunate circumstances of our company, and our  dangerous situation, as surrounded with hostile savages, our meeting so  fortunately in the wilderness made us reciprocally sensible of the utmost  satisfaction. So much does friendship triumph over misfortune, that  sorrows and sufferings vanish at the meeting not only of real friends, but  of the most distant acquaintances, and substitutes happiness in their  room.  
Soon after this, my companion in captivity, John Stewart, was killed by  the savages, and the man that came with my brother returned home by  himself. We were then in a dangerous, helpless situation, exposed daily to  perils and death amongst savages and wild beasts, not a white man in the  country but ourselves.  
Thus situated, many hundred miles from our families in the howling  wilderness, I believe few would have equally enjoyed the happiness we  experienced. I often observed to my brother, You see now how little nature  requires to be satisfied. Felicity, the companion of content, is rather  found in our own breasts than in the enjoyment of external things; And I  firmly believe it requires but a little philosophy to make a man happy in  whatsoever state he is. This consists in a full resignation to the will of  Providence; and a resigned soul finds pleasure in a path strewed with  briars and thorns.  
We continued not in a state of indolence, but hunted every day, and  prepared a little cottage to defend us from the Winter storms. We remained  there undisturbed during the Winter; and on the first day of May, 1770, my  brother returned home to the settlement by himself, for a new recruit of  horses and ammunition, leaving me by myself, without bread, salt or sugar,  without company of my fellow creatures, or even a horse or dog. I confess  I never before was under greater necessity of exercising philosophy and  fortitude. A few days I passed uncomfortably. The idea of a beloved wife  and family, and their anxiety upon the account of my absence and exposed  situation, made sensible impressions on my heart. A thousand dreadful  apprehensions presented themselves to my view, and had undoubtedly  disposed me to melancholy, if further indulged.  
One day I undertook a tour through the country, and the diversity and  beauties of nature I met with in this charming season, expelled every  gloomy and vexatious thought. Just at the close of day the gentle gales  retired, and left the place to the disposal of a profound calm. Not a  breeze shook the most tremulous leaf. I had gained the summit of a  commanding ridge, and, looking round with astonishing delight, beheld the  ample plains, the beauteous tracts below. On the other hand, I surveyed  the famous river Ohio that rolled in silent dignity, marking the western  boundary of Kentucke with inconceivable grandeur. At a vast distance I  beheld the mountains lift their venerable brows, and penetrate the clouds.  All things were still. I kindled a fire near a fountain of sweet water,  and feasted on the loin of a buck, which a few hours before I had killed.  The sullen shades of night soon overspread the whole hemisphere, and the  earth seemed to gasp after the hovering moisture. My roving excursion this  day had fatigued my body, and diverted my imagination. I laid me down to  sleep, and I awoke not until the sun had chased away the night. I  continued this tour, and in a few days explored a considerable part of the  country, each day equally pleased as the first. I returned again to my old  camp, which was not disturbed in my absence. I did not confine my lodging  to it, but often reposed in thick cane-brakes, to avoid the savages, who,  I believe, often visited my camp, but fortunately for me, in my absence.  In this situation I was constantly exposed to danger, and death. How  unhappy such a situation for a man tormented with fear, which is vain if  no danger comes, and if it does, only augments the pain. It was my  happiness to be destitute of this afflicting passion, with which I had the  greatest reason to be affected. The prowling wolves diverted my nocturnal  hours with perpetual howlings; and the various species of animals in this  vast forest, in the daytime, were continually in my view.  
Thus I was surrounded with plenty in the midst of want. I was happy in the  midst of dangers and inconveniences. In such a diversity it was impossible  I should be disposed to melancholy. No populous city, with all the  varieties of commerce and stately structures, could afford so much  pleasure to my mind, as the beauties of nature I found here.  
Thus, through an uninterrupted scene of sylvan pleasures, I spent the time  until the 27th day of July following, when my brother, to my great  felicity, met me, according to appointment, at our old camp. Shortly  after, we left this place, not thinking it safe to stay there longer, and  proceeded to Cumberland river, reconnoitring that part of the country  until March, 1771, and giving names to the different waters.  
Soon after, I returned home to my family with a determination to bring  them as soon as possible to live in Kentucke, which I esteemed a second  paradise, at the risk of my life and fortune.  
I returned safe to my old habitation, and found my family in happy  circumstances. I sold my farm on the Yadkin, and what goods we could not  carry with us; and on the twenty-fifth day of September, 1773, bade a  farewel to our friends, and proceeded on our journey to Kentucke, in  company with five families more, and forty men that joined us in Powel's  Valley, which is one hundred and fifty miles from the now settled parts of  Kentucke. This promising beginning was soon overcast with a cloud of  adversity; for upon the tenth day of October, the rear of our company was  attacked by a number of Indians, who killed six, and wounded one man. Of  these my eldest son was one that fell in the action. Though we defended  ourselves, and repulsed the enemy, yet this unhappy affair scattered our  cattle, brought us into extreme difficulty, and so discouraged the whole  company, that we retreated forty miles, to the settlement on Clench river.  We had passed over two mountains, viz. Powel's and Walden's, and were  approaching Cumberland mountain when this adverse fortune overtook us.  These mountains are in the wilderness, as we pass from the old settlements  in Virginia to Kentucke, are ranged in a S. west and N. east direction,  are of a great length and breadth, and not far distant from each other.  Over these, nature hath formed passes, that are less difficult than might  be expected from a view of such huge piles. The aspect of these cliffs is  so wild and horrid, that it is impossible to behold them without terror.  The spectator is apt to imagine that nature had formerly suffered some  violent convulsion; and that these are the dismembered remains of the  dreadful shock; the ruins, not of Persepolis or Palmyra, but of the world!  
I remained with my family on Clench until the sixth of June, 1774, when I  and one Michael Stoner were solicited by Governor Dunmore, of Virginia, to  go to the Falls of the Ohio, to conduct into the settlement a number of  surveyors that had been sent thither by him some months before; this  country having about this time drawn the attention of many adventurers. We  immediately complied with the Governor's request, and conducted in the  surveyors, compleating a tour of eight hundred miles, through many  difficulties, in sixty-two days.  
Soon after I returned home, I was ordered to take the command of three  garrisons during the campaign, which Governor Dunmore carried on against  the Shawanese Indians: After the conclusion of which, the Militia was  discharged from each garrrison, and I being relieved from my post, was  solicited by a number of North-Carolina gentlemen, that were about  purchasing the lands lying on the S. side of Kentucke River, from the  Cherokee Indians, to attend their treaty at Wataga, in March, 1775, to  negotiate with them, and, mention the boundaries of the purchase. This I  accepted, and at the request of the same gentlemen, undertook to mark out  a road in the best passage from the settlement through the wilderness to  Kentucke, with such assistance as I thought necessary to employ for such  an important undertaking.  
I soon began this work, having collected a number of enterprising men,  well armed. We proceeded with all possible expedition until we came within  fifteen miles of where Boonsborough now stands, and where we were fired  upon by a party of Indians that killed two, and wounded two of our number;  yet, although surprised and taken at a disadvantage, we stood our ground.  This was on the twentieth of March, 1775. Three days after, we were fired  upon again, and had two men killed, and three wounded. Afterwards we  proceeded on to Kentucke river without opposition; and on the first day of  April began to erect the fort of Boonsborough at a salt lick, about sixty  yards from the river, on the S. side.  
On the fourth day, the Indians killed one of our men.—We were busily  employed in building this fort, until the fourteenth day of June  following, without any farther opposition from the Indians; and having  finished the works, I returned to my family, on Clench.  
In a short time, I proceeded to remove my family from Clench to this  garrison; where we arrived safe without any other difficulties than such  as are common to this passage, my wife and daughter being the first white  women that ever stood on the banks of Kentucke river.  
On the twenty-fourth day of December following we had one man killed, and  one wounded, by the Indians, who seemed determined to persecute us for  erecting this fortification.  
On the fourteenth day of July, 1776, two of Col. Calaway's daughters, and  one of mine, were taken prisoners near the fort. I immediately pursued the  Indians, with only eight men, and on the sixteenth overtook them, killed  two of the party, and recovered the girls. The same day on which this  attempt was made, the Indians divided themselves into different parties,  and attacked several forts, which were shortly before this time erected,  doing a great deal of mischief. This was extremely distressing to the new  settlers. The innocent husbandman was shot down, while busy cultivating  the soil for his family's supply. Most of the cattle around the stations  were destroyed. They continued their hostilities in this manner until the  fifteenth of April, 1777, when they attacked Boonsborough with a party of  above one hundred in number, killed one man, and wounded four—Their  loss in this attack was not certainly known to us.  
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 that went to their town, that the Indians had entirely  evacuated it, we proceeded no further, and returned with all possible  expedition to assist our garrison against the other party. We passed by  them on the sixth day, and on the seventh, we arrived safe at  Boonsborough.  
On the eighth, the Indian army arrived, being four hundred and forty-four  in number, commanded by Capt. Duquesne, eleven other Frenchmen, and some  of their own chiefs, and marched up within view of our fort, with British  and French colours flying; and having sent a summons to me, in his  Britannick Majesty's name, to surrender the fort, I requested two days  consideration, which was granted.  
It was now a critical period with us.—We were a small number in the  garrison.—A powerful army before our walls, whose appearance  proclaimed inevitable death, fearfully painted, and marking their  footsteps with desolation. Death was preferable to captivity; and if taken  by storm, we must inevitably be devoted to destruction. In this situation  we concluded to maintain our garrison, if possible. We immediately  proceeded to collect what we could of our horses, and other cattle, and  bring them through the posterns into the fort: And in the evening of the  ninth, I returned answer, that we were determined to defend our fort while  a man was living—Now, said I to their commander, who stood  attentively hearing my sentiments, We laugh at all your formidable  preparations: But thank you for giving us notice and time to provide for  our defence. Your efforts will not prevail; for our gates shall for ever  deny you admittance.—Whether this answer affected their courage, or  not, I cannot tell; but, contrary to our expectations, they formed a  scheme to deceive us, declaring it was their orders, from Governor  Hamilton, to take us captives, and not to destroy us; but if nine of us  would come out, and treat with them, they would immediatly withdraw their  forces from our walls, and return home peaceably. This sounded grateful in  our ears; and we agreed to the proposal.  
We held the treaty within sixty yards of the garrison, on purpose to  divert them from a breach of honour, as we could not avoid suspicions of  the savages. In this situation the articles were formally agreed to, and  signed; and the Indians told us it was customary with them, on such  occasions, for two Indians to shake hands with every white-man in the  treaty, as an evidence of entire friendship. We agreed to this also, but  were soon convinced their policy was to take us prisoners.—They  immediately grappled us; but, although surrounded by hundreds of savages,  we extricated ourselves from them, and escaped all safe into the garrison,  except one that was wounded, through a heavy fire from their army. They  immediately attacked us on every side, and a constant heavy fire ensued  between us day and night for the space of nine days.  
In this time the enemy began to undermine our fort, which was situated  sixty yards from Kentucke river. They began at the water-mark and  proceeded in the bank some distance, which we understood by their making  the water muddy with the clay; and we immediately proceeded to disappoint  their design, by cutting a trench across their subterranean passage. The  enemy discovering our counter-mine, by the clay we threw out of the fort,  desisted from that stratagem: And experience now fully convincing them  that neither their power nor policy could effect their purpose, on the  twentieth day of August they raised the siege, and departed.  
During this dreadful siege, which threatened death in every form, we had  two men killed, and four wounded, besides a number of cattle. We killed of  the enemy thirty-seven, and wounded a great number. After they were gone,  we picked up one hundred and twenty-five pounds weight of bullets, besides  what stuck in the logs of our fort; which certainly is a great proof of  their industry. Soon after this, I went into the settlement, and nothing  worthy of a place in this account passed in my affairs for some time.  
During my absence from Kentucke, Col. Bowman carried on an expedition  against the Shawanese, at Old Chelicothe, with one hundred and sixty men,  in July, 1779. Here they arrived undiscovered, and a battle ensued, which  lasted until ten o'clock, A. M. when Col. Bowman, finding he could not  succeed at this time, retreated about thirty miles. The Indians, in the  meantime, collecting all their forces, pursued and overtook him, when a  smart fight continued near two hours, not to the advantage of Col.  Bowman's party.  
Col. Harrod proposed to mount a number of horse, and furiously to rush  upon the savages, who at this time fought with remarkable fury. This  desperate step had a happy effect, broke their line of battle, and the  savages fled on all sides. In these two battles we had nine killed, and  one wounded. The enemy's loss uncertain, only two scalps being taken.  
On the twenty-second day of June, 1780, a large party of Indians and  Canadians, about six hundred in number, commanded by Col. Bird, attacked  Riddle's and Martin's stations, at the Forks of Licking River, with six  pieces of artillery. They carried this expedition so secretly, that the  unwary inhabitants did not discover them, until they fired upon the forts;  and, not being prepared to oppose them, were obliged to surrender  themselves miserable captives to barbarous savages, who immediately after  tomahawked one man and two women, and loaded all the others with heavy  baggage, forcing them along toward their towns, able or unable to march.  Such as were weak and faint by the way, they tomahawked. The tender women,  and helpless children, fell victims to their cruelty. This, and the savage  treatment they received afterwards, is shocking to humanity, and too  barbarous to relate.  
The hostile disposition of the savages, and their allies, caused General  Clark, the commandant at the Falls of the Ohio, immediately to begin an  expedition with his own regiment, and the armed force of the country,  against Pecaway, the principal town of the Shawanese, on a branch of Great  Miami, which he finished with great success, took seventeen scalps, and  burnt the town to ashes, with the loss of seventeen men.  
About this time I returned to Kentucke with my family; and here, to avoid  an enquiry into my conduct, the reader being before informed of my  bringing my family to Kentucke, I am under the necessity of informing him  that, during my captivity with the Indians, my wife, who despaired of ever  seeing me again, expecting the Indians had put a period to my life,  oppressed with the distresses of the country, and bereaved of me, her only  happiness, had, before I returned, transported my family and goods, on  horses, through the wilderness, amidst a multitude of dangers, to her  father's house, in North-Carolina.  
Shortly after the troubles at Boonsborough, I went to them, and lived  peaceably there until this time. The history of my going home, and  returning with my family, forms a series of difficulties, an account of  which would swell a volume, and being foreign to my purpose, I shall  purposely omit them.  
I settled my family in Boonsborough once more; and shortly after, on the  sixth day of October, 1780, I went in company with my brother to the Blue  Licks; and, on our return home, we were fired upon by a party of Indians.  They shot him, and pursued me, by the scent of their dog, three miles; but  I killed the dog, and escaped. The winter soon came on, and was very  severe, which confined the Indians to their wigwams.  
The severity of this Winter caused great difficulties in Kentucke. The  enemy had destroyed most of the corn, the Summer before. This necessary  article was scarce, and dear; and the inhabitants lived chiefly on the  flesh of buffaloes. The circumstances of many were very lamentable:  However, being a hardy race of people, and accustomed to difficulties and  necessities, they were wonderfully supported through all their sufferings,  until the ensuing Fall, when we received abundance from the fertile soil.  
Towards Spring, we were frequently harassed by Indians; and, in May, 1782,  a party assaulted Ashton's station, killed one man, and took a Negro  prisoner. Capt. Ashton, with twenty-five men, pursued, and overtook the  savages, and a smart fight ensued, which lasted two hours; but they being  superior in number, obliged Captain Ashton's party to retreat, with the  loss of eight killed, and four mortally wounded; their brave commander  himself being numbered among the dead.  
The Indians continued their hostilities; and, about the tenth of August  following, two boys were taken from Major Hoy's station. This party was  pursued by Capt. Holder and seventeen men, who were also defeated, with  the loss of four men killed, and one wounded. Our affairs became more and  more alarming. Several stations which had lately been erected in the  country were continually infested with savages, stealing their horses and  killing the men at every opportunity. In a field, near Lexington, an  Indian shot a man, and running to scalp him, was himself shot from the  fort, and fell dead upon his enemy.  
Every day we experienced recent mischiefs. The barbarous savage nations of  Shawanese, Cherokees, Wyandots, Tawas, Delawares, and several others near  Detroit, united in a war against us, and assembled their choicest warriors  at old Chelicothe, to go on the expedition, in order to destroy us, and  entirely depopulate the country. Their savage minds were inflamed to  mischief by two abandoned men, Captains McKee and Girty. These led them to  execute every diabolical scheme; and, on the fifteenth day of August,  commanded a party of Indians and Canadians, of about five hundred in  number, against Briant's station, five miles from Lexington. Without  demanding a surrender, they furiously assaulted the garrison, which was  happily prepared to oppose them; and, after they had expended much  ammunition in vain, and killed the cattle round the fort, not being likely  to make themselves masters of this place, they raised the siege, and  departed in the morning of the third day after they came, with the loss of  about thirty killed, and the number of wounded uncertain.—Of the  garrison four were killed, and three wounded.  
On the eighteenth day Col. Todd, Col. Trigg, Major Harland, and myself,  speedily collected one hundred and seventy-six men, well armed, and  pursued the savages. They had marched beyond the Blue Licks to a  remarkable bend of the main fork of Licking River, about forty-three miles  from Lexington, as it is particularly represented in the map, where we  overtook them on the nineteenth day. The savages observing us, gave way;  and we, being ignorant of their numbers, passed the river. When the enemy  saw our proceedings, having greatly the advantage of us in situation, they  formed the line of battle, represented in the map, from one bend of  Licking to the other, about a mile from the Blue Licks. An exceeding  fierce battle immediately began, for about fifteen minutes, when we, being  over-powered by numbers, were obliged to retreat, with the loss of  sixty-seven men; seven of whom were taken prisoners. The brave and much  lamented Colonels Todd and Trigg, Major Harland and my second son, were  among the dead. We were informed that the Indians, numbering their dead,  found they had four killed more than we; and therefore, four of the  prisoners they had taken, were, by general consent, ordered to be killed,  in a most barbarous manner, by the young warriors, in order to train them  up to cruelty; and then they proceeded to their towns.  
On our retreat we were met by Col. Logan, hastening to join us, with a  number of well armed men: This powerful assistance we unfortunately wanted  in the battle; for, notwithstanding the enemy's superiority of numbers,  they acknowledged that, if they had received one more fire from us, they  should undoubtedly have given way. So valiantly did our small party fight,  that, to the memory of those who unfortunately fell in the battle, enough  of honour cannot be paid. Had Col. Logan and his party been with us, it is  highly probable we should have given the savages a total defeat.  
I cannot reflect upon this dreadful scene, but sorrow fills my heart. A  zeal for the defence of their country led these heroes to the scene of  action, though with a few men to attack a powerful army of experienced  warriors. When we gave way, they pursued us with the utmost eagerness, and  in every quarter spread destruction. The river was difficult to cross, and  many were killed in the flight, some just entering the river, some in the  water, others after crossing in ascending the cliffs. Some escaped on  horse-back, a few on foot; and, being dispersed every where, in a few  hours, brought the melancholy news of this unfortunate battle to  Lexington. Many widows were now made. The reader may guess what sorrow  filled the hearts of the inhabitants, exceeding any thing that I am able  to describe. Being reinforced, we returned to bury the dead, and found  their bodies strewed every where, cut and mangled in a dreadful manner.  This mournful scene exhibited a horror almost unparalleled: Some torn and  eaten by wild beasts; those in the river eaten by fishes; all in such a  putrified condition, that no one could be distinguished from another.  
As soon as General Clark, then at the Falls of the Ohio, who was ever our  ready friend, and merits the love and gratitude of all his country-men,  understood the circumstances of this unfortunate action, he ordered an  expedition, with all possible haste, to pursue the savages, which was so  expeditiously effected, that we overtook them within two miles of their  towns, and probably might have obtained a great victory, had not two of  their number met us about two hundred poles before we come up. These  returned quick as lightening to their camp with the alarming news of a  mighty army in view. The savages fled in the utmost disorder, evacuated  their towns, and reluctantly left their territory to our mercy. We  immediately took possession of Old Chelicothe without opposition, being  deserted by its inhabitants. We continued our pursuit through five towns  on the Miami rivers, Old Chelicothe, Pecaway, New Chelicothe, Will's  Towns, and Chelicothe, burnt them all to ashes, entirely destroyed their  corn, and other fruits, and every where spread a scene of desolation in  the country. In this expedition we took seven prisoners and five scalps,  with the loss of only four men, two of whom were accidentally killed by  our own army.  
This campaign in some measure damped the spirits of the Indians, and made  them sensible of our superiority. Their connections were dissolved, their  armies scattered, and a future invasion put entirely out of their power;  yet they continued to practise mischief secretly upon the inhabitants, in  the exposed parts of the country.  
In October following, a party made an excursion into that district called  the Crab Orchard, and one of them, being advanced some distance before the  others, boldly entered the house of a poor defenceless family, in which  was only a Negro man, a woman and her children, terrified with the  apprehensions of immediate death. The savage, perceiving their defenceless  situation, without offering violence to the family attempted to captivate  the Negro, who, happily proved an over-match for him, threw him on the  ground, and, in the struggle, the mother of the children drew an ax from a  corner of the cottage, and cut his head off, while her little daughter  shut the door. The savages instantly appeared, and applied their tomahawks  to the door. An old rusty gun-barrel, without a lock, lay in a corner,  which the mother put through a small crevice, and the savages, perceiving  it, fled. In the mean time, the alarm spread through the neighbourhood;  the armed men collected immediately, and pursued the ravagers into the  wilderness. Thus Providence, by the means of this Negro, saved the whole  of the poor family from destruction. From that time, until the happy  return of peace between the United States and Great-Britain, the Indians  did us no mischief. Finding the great king beyond the water disappointed  in his expectations, and conscious of the importance of the Long Knife,  and their own wretchedness, some of the nations immediately desired peace;  to which, at present, they seem universally disposed, and are sending  ambassadors to General Clark, at the Falls of the Ohio, with the minutes  of their Councils, a specimen of which, in the minutes of the Piankashaw  Council, is subjoined.  
To conclude, I can now say that I have verified the saying of an old  Indian who signed Col. Henderson's deed. Taking me by the hand, at the  delivery thereof, Brother, says he, we have given you a fine land, but I  believe you will have much trouble in settling it.—My footsteps have  often been marked with blood, and therefore I can truly subscribe to its  original name. Two darling sons, and a brother, have I lost by savage  hands, which have also taken from me forty valuable horses, and abundance  of cattle. Many dark and sleepless nights have I been a companion for  owls, separated from the chearful society of men, scorched by the Summer's  sun, and pinched by the Winter's cold, an instrument ordained to settle  the wilderness. But now the scene is changed: Peace crowns the sylvan  shade.  
What thanks, what ardent and ceaseless thanks are due to that  all-superintending Providence which has turned a cruel war into peace,  brought order out of confusion, made the fierce savages placid, and turned  away their hostile weapons from our country! May the same Almighty  Goodness banish the accursed monster, war, from all lands, with her hated  associates, rapine and insatiable ambition. Let peace, descending from her  native heaven, bid her olives spring amidst the joyful nations; and  plenty, in league with commerce, scatter blessings from her copious hand.  
This account of my adventures will inform the reader of the most  remarkable events of this country.—I now live in peace and safety,  enjoying the sweets of liberty, and the bounties of Providence, with my  once fellow-sufferers, in this delightful country, which I have seen  purchased with a vast expence of blood and treasure, delighting in the  prospect of its being, in a short time, one of the most opulent and  powerful states on the continent of North America; which, with the love  and gratitude of my country-men, I esteem a sufficient reward for all my  toil and dangers.  
Fayette county, Kentucke.  
DANIEL BOON 

 









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