Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-09-22


relief, and taking the nearest route, fell in on the
back side of the house, and ped an embasca of
Indians placed N the weeds and bushes, on the road
to surprise any party that might approach. There
was rye field well grown and adjoining the ward of
the house. We entered the field about 2 A. NJ but
had then heard no firing. We soon discovered In
dians in the rye looking earnestly ut the house.
Charles Gatliif and myself fired unon them They
gave way, and we all INFO the house, round
which wasa kind of stockade fort. When we rot in
found that there killed but Prichet and
james Graham, that were in the house. Prchct had
went very early III the morning, to cut some fire.
wood, and was killed. The indians ran into the ward
and the house being double attacked the door of the
Kitchen and wherein was Phil Harmon and old
DICK, a negro hogshead of water stood behind
the door, and Hammond and Dick held it fast
until they found that the Indians were splitting the
door with their tomalawks, when lIanmon let it
suddenly open, and killed the Indian who was split
ting the door OH the steps, and the others gave way
DICK was jumping the floor, asking HanInou
which he should shoot first? Harmon damned him tn
lire away amongst them. Dick let off his musket
loaded with swan shots aud the yard being crowded
with Indians, no doubt did great executions. A
club lay III the yard with shot in il. This
attack awoke all the people in the house, who were
still in bed. The men, in all twenty -one were chief
iy upstairs and fired down upon the Indians. Seven
teen OF the enemy lay dead III the yard when got
m.--Bosides Prchet and Graham, they had killed
James Burns and Alexander Ochiltree, who were
coming very early - the house. The Indians kept
up their fire on the house, utter got in, until past
tongue, saying he wanted to make peace. We adv-
sed him to come in, and we would endeavor TO
MEDIATE hm--but he declined our civity. They de-
parted in the hit aft dragging awav some of their
sian This defeat, together with that received three
years beore at the Point convinced the Indians that
TREY were no longer able to contend with the Whites
and they never afterwards were so mischievous and
troublesome formerly Ii is certain that they could
have greatly aided the British during the revolution
AIRY war, and caused much trouble and vexation to
OUT government, had not their spirit been destroyed
Ut its commencement.
Although the battle at Point ,'ieasan' was hardly
considered as connected with the revolutions but by
those who were hrst acquainted with the crcumstan-
ces that oecasioned 1t, we. 1t its beginning, and
the first blood shed in tina. memorable war. When
oar republican government got into operation the
people OF Grcenbrcr exempted from being
drafted 10 aid the republican army, that they might
he the better able TO act n barrier to the Indians.
For all these volunteer services, however, in Which
we suffered much of the distresses of the war,
and believe rendered much service as any other
part OF the community of equal number. vet they
were not considered so rs to have received rewards
IN lands or otherwise by the general government;
nor were any applications made either by the heirs of
Genersi Lewis, or any Of his officers or that &C
count
This document IS very ample and satisfactory
that comment on 1t would be very superf.uuus; there
are one Or two small incidents omitted, however,
which may properly deserve notice. 1t is alIcdged
by several who were in the campaiun that durinu
the battle at Point Pleasant: while the line Of action
extended from the Ohio margin, to the creek, near
the kanawha hank; (as stated by Col. STUART large
detachment, principally Capt. Isaac Shelby's compa-
ny, Of Flemngs regiment, and Can't. Gcorue Ma
thews, and Capt. John Stuarts conn anies OF Lew
ISIS regiment. acting doubt by order of Gen. Lew
is, receded to the Kanawha bank, and marched in
line up the kanawha beach. under of the high
weeds on the bank, and entering the mouth of the
creek, passed up the channel Of the creek several
hnndse I'd yards then suddenly em1reea fnne tho
creek a) and fell lrously upon the Indians in their
rnor hn I,fia III
ians regiment, Preferred to by Col. Stuart after
desperate resistance, fell into confusion and bcgan to
retreat towards the Ohio bank, early in the evening,
which the beginning of their general route 1t IS
behevcd to be not correct stated, f3l that Col
Lewis, when wounded '',1aied to his own tent" he
was shot through the body in the pit ofthe stomach
and fell down at the root of tree, and was taken
up and carried to his markee, against his own re-
monstrances by Capt. William Morrow his brother
in-law, and Mr.. Bailey {4) of Capt. Pauls comma
ny of Guards; where he died some hours after
Amongst our slain. there were Col. Charles Lewis
Col John Fields, Captains VIM. Morrow, Came
ron, Buford, Ward, Wilson, NJ. Canahan and Cum
diff and Lieutenan's Allen, Goldsby Dillon and So
veral other subalterns, and Col. VIM. Fle!niuu and
Capts. Isaac Shelby and Elliot, and several other of
hcers were amongst the wounded. IT is IA matter of
much surprise, that this important campaign never
did until lately begin TO find its way into the hsto-
RES and biographies ofthis country 5 The reader of
virginia history viii be struck with the concomi
tant events which mark its Importance: it preceded
the battle of Lexington, Mass, which MANY histo-
rams note as the beginning of the revolutionary war:
1t broke forever the strength of that great contedera
cy OF Indians. which had harrassed our frontiers from
Georgia to Erie, almost necessarily, since 1854 it
was III truth, as remarked by Col. Stuart "the begin
ming Of the Revolutionary lcdY;" the Boston Port
i|ttt, which was the final signal for actual conflict
between Britain and America, had been received
more than icug months previously (6) resolutions,
mounting IN effect to war, had been previously pass
ed by the Virginia house of Burgesses; Congress
had been in session than month, IN concen-
trating the elements of war; the western country
filed with British emssaries, stirring I'D the In
dams against Us; Governor Dunmore had been met
at the mouth OF Little Kanawha, by the British A
gent, Connally, and countermanded by British or
ders; bought with British gold, tool StMnrts uu,.
raire is proved by his subsequent negotiation of
a dsgraceful peace, (8) at the head of victorious
army, in sight Of the enemys camp; (Stuarts Mar
ratve) by his suddenly returning home and striking
up quarrel with the house OF Burgesses by his
nrn 10 Henn,L,lcinr he