Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-05-09
From the Boston Traveller.
INTERESTING ARRIVAL.

Three men, Gregory, Nichols, and anothei
whose name we have no, learned, former resi-.
dents Of this city, arrived in town last week, al.
ter fifteen years captivity among the Indians.
Early in the lane war, William Gregory, then at
the ag, Of only eleven years, enlisted in the U.
S. service, under Capt. Watson of city and
the Others entering the army about the same
time, they were all ordered TO the western or
Canada lines together. They bad not remained
long on mat station before they were compelled
to engage in several skirmishes with the In
dians, in one Of which, these three, with sixty
one others were captured. After changing
masters several times, they at last found them.
selves in the power OF the tribe called Flat Heads,
by whom they were taken 10 the Rocky noun
tains, and taught the red mans art OF hunting
and fishing.
During the long, lingering years OF their ser
vitude, Gregory with the other two made four
several attempts to escape, but were as many
times re-iaken; and as punishment for their
bold endeavor, they were subjected to the mos.
cruel excrutialing tortures which the untutored
mind could devise or savage barbarity execute.
Al one time they were made fast TO tree or
post and their scalps :aken off; after which, the
little remaining flesh on the top Of their heads
was violently removed, and The bleeding scalps
replaced, arc pertnitted to remain and adhere.
fhe flesh thus cut from their heads was roasted
ana forced down their Threats to sustain exhaust.
ed nature.
Al another time piece was dissected from
the heshy par: Of the thigh, which was also
cooked and given them to eat. No resistance
in this case would avail, and they submitted
without opposition 10 the cruelties Of their bar.
barous cp7ressors Gregory however became
so exasperaled with pain, that in state OF
wildness approaching insanity, he arose upon
his tormenturs and actually succeeded in bring
ing several of the m to the ground. Upon this
some of the Indians in their language exclaimed;
she is a good soldier" but for his reward, his
right arm which done the deed, was stIipt, snd
on the inside cash cut from the wrist to the
shoulder, into which was introduced hot wal
nut rod, and the flesh again closed. As this
was moi sufficien entirely to disable this mem
Der, they Immediately shot several bullets lhro'
his arm in different places, and then left him TO
groan and sigh that his hours Of existence might
be few and his lingering torments soon over
power the pulsations Of life.
At another time their tongues were cut out;
Gregory's about one third, and the Others en-
tirely to the roots. Consequently, Gregory is
the only one who can utter word, and he in
distincly, and from him the principal informa-
l0h - derived. ihty nDSIly succeeded III q
feeling their escape by the assistance Of sqaw
who in kindness accompanied them through,
the fores,,a distance Of for,y.6,e miles, and
placed them on atraok by which they succeed
ed in reaching ,hs white settlements Al the
time they made the last atlemp, to free them
selves, they were eight hundred miles from any
white habitations. Many more OF their suffer
ings and hardshps could be told; but what we
| hay Iv rpla tpH tS suf ipn n
feelings Of humanity and TO excite The warmfs'
sympathy Tor these miserable fellow beings;
who, at this late day, sodoUg after the exe't'
ton Of the heartless deeds, bear about them 'N
too visible proofs Of the truth Of their story
Nichols and the third, we understand, !eft wne
and families in this city, aud Gregory mo'n.
err, who had long since been numbered with M
dead