Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-05-03
HISTORICAL



The Blue Lick, remarkable Tor the
sanguinary battle fought in its vicinity.
IS situated about forty miles from Leg.
ington, AID about thirty five miles from
bfy ans station. The Licking at that
place is about three hundred lee. wide.
at common water, and forms semi elm.
SIS, which embraces 90 its north east
SIDE, towards Limestone, a great lidce of
rocks which have been made bare by
the stamping of buffaloes and other
game, drawn together from time imme
moral, to drink the water and lick the
clay Two deep rsvines, heading IN
inns ridge near each other, and extend.
ing in opposite directions, form the lon
gest diameter of this eIipsis. This ridge
had very little timber on IL, and what it
had was very Indifferent, and exhibited
very dreary appearance; but the ra
vines were furnished not only beautifully
with timber, but with thick brush wood
also.
Shortly after the Indians left Bryan's
station, the men at Lexington, iIarrod,.
burg, aud Boonsborough, assembled at
that p!ace,t TO the number of one hundred
aud sixty, and determined To pursue
them Immediately aud on The 18th Of
August Col John Todd of Lexinaion.
and Col Stephen Trigg, took the com
mand. These men, well armed and ac-
conntred, were slxillful marksmep. and
animated with an ardent desire TO ehas-
tise the insoIence OF these savage inya-
ders of theirsettle ments. Colonel Boone
encouraged the expedition by his pres
enee. This force was very SMALL, COM
pared with the number of the enemy;
but so eager were they in pursuit that
they could not be prevailed on TO await
the arrival of Col. Logan, who was
known to be collecting all the force al
his station to join them.
ltrequires no strong effort of The i'm
sglnation, TO pourtray the affecting
scene produced by the departure oil
these brave men. The fore holdings of
the mother-the misgivngs of the wife.
the sight of the parent--the solitude and
the tears of conjugal affection. strongly
marked the feelings of almost every in.
dividual.
Every preparation having been made.
the army commenced their march on the
route the Indians had taken, bat had
not proceeded more than nine or ten
miles, before thelynx eyed Boone dis.
covered certain signs on their route in
dicating willingness on the part Of the
Indians, that they should be pursued.
which was plainly esinced by their leav-
ing plain trail Notwithstanding they
evidently used every means in their
power toconceal their number, for which
purpose they marched in single file,
treading in each others footsteps
After a faiiguing march. this gallant
band reached the south bank Of Licking
river, at the Lower Blue Lieks, without
having seen single Indian. On the ar
rival OF the front of the party al the riv-
sr, they discovered Indians on the ridge
on the opposite side, who, without man
iieshng any symptoms Of fear, retired
leisurelv over the hills out of their sight.
Upon this discovery halt was ordered,
and council Of principal officers held,
in order to determine the most prudent
course TO be pursued In this critical
moment. the age and great experience
OF Col. Daniel Boone in Indian warfare,
inssnsihiy attracted the attention Of ev-
cry one present, to solicit his advice in
this perilous moment; TO obtain which,
Colonel Todd addressed Col Boone as
follows:
"Skillei in Indian warfare. and fami-
liar with the ground in thu vicinity Of this
place, we require your opinion on the
expediency of attacking the eremy in
their present position.n To which Col.
Boone replied: Il en- Of OPINION, and
indeed fully persuaded that the enemy
exceed us in number fully three hun
dred-and that their main body is at no
great distance and that they are lying
in ambush. Their position is equal to
an host, should we continue our march.
and De drawn in between the rayines
they occupy. therefore advise that
We divide our gallant baad - that one
half march up the river on this side.
cross over at Elk creek, and fall upon
the upper side Of the avne whilst the
other hail take a position TO CO. operate
with them) in another quarter BY this
means the great advantage of their po.
si'ion VIII be changed efIectually in our
favor. But gentlemen.o continued
hoone, whatever NAV be your ultimate
decision, | caution Won against crossino