Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-10-07

attempted 10 gain the place by straiagein
The great body concealed themselves a
mong high weeds upon the opposite side
OF the Station within pistol shot of the
spring, from which II was supplied with
water. With a detachment of a hundred,
they commenced a false attack upon the
southeast angle, with a view to draw the
attention Of the garrison to that point.
The stratagom was predicated on the be-
lief that the inhabitants would all crowd to
the point Of assault, and leave the opposite
one delenceless. But here they reckOned
without their host. The people instantly
penetrated their purpose; and instead Ofrc
turning their fire, conlmeIced, what ought
to have been completed before, repairing
the palisades and putting the Station IN a
condition of defence. The higa and lax
Iriant jamestown weeds near the spring
instructed these experienced backwoods
men, that a host Of the foo lurked beneath
their shoitering foliage, there to await tho
coming forth OF the men, to draw water for
tao supply of the garrison. Let modern
wives who hesitate to follow their husbans
to this place. because it is deemed uuheal-
thy; to that, because it will remove them
from the scene Of their accustomed pleas
ures hear and prepcndi These noble wives,
mothers, daughter5-and sweet hearts, l
dare affirm, handsomer, than ever either
Juno or Venus or Minerva, or any OF the
gracos, and the aymphs 70 boot, appeared
on Mount Olympus, informed the men
that there was iiilc probability, that the
Indians would fire upon them, as their
game vas undoubtedly the men; and that
even Il they did shoot down few Of them,
il would 10 no way diminish the resources
Of the garrison Tho iilustrious heroines
armed themselves with buckets, and mar
ched down to the spring, espying here and
there a painted face, and an Indian body
crouchmg under the thick foliage. Whc.
Their the indians were facinalcd with their
beauty, or their courage does not appear
But so it was, they fired not, and these
fair and generous ones come and went, un-
til the reservoir was sufficiently supplied
with water. depend upon traditionlry
rathcr than written documents Tor the fact,
taat round number of kisses wore exchan-
ge1 with these heroic ladies', who had so
uoJ,y jeopardod themselves, and proved
.aat the di9iniorestod daring Of affection Is
rot mere poets fiction.
Aijer such an example, twas no ways
difficult 10 procure Young volunteers, ready
20 try the Indians in tho sans way. As
they deemed they had scarcely advanced
from the station, before a hundred Indians
fired upon them. They retreated within
the palisades; and tho whole Endian force
rose, yelling and rushed upon the enclo-
sure. They howled with more disaPpo!nt
meut and rage, when the found every thing
prepared for their reception. \ we'll d.
rected fire drove them to 4 moro cautious
dis',nce. Some Of the more desperate of
their number, however, ycntured on the
least exposed point so near, as 10 be able
to discharge burning arrows upon the roofs
Of the houses. Some Of them were fired.
and burnt. Bat an easterly wind proyl
dentially arose at the moment aud secured
the mass ofthe buildings from the spread
ing Of the flames; and the remaan: they
could not reach with their arrows.
The enemy lurhed back TO their covert
IN the weeds; waiting pontherIite, Cor sa-
fer game. Theyhad been informed or they
had OWNED It, that aid was expected from
Lexington; and they arranged an ambus-
cadc, tointarcept it, on its approach to the
garrison. When the reinforcement. con
ssting of forty six persons came in sight
the firing had ceased. The enemy were
nil invisible; and they came on in the rec!l
less confidence, under the impression that
they had marched under a false alarm.
4 lane opened an avenue 10 the etatiot,
through a thick corn6cld. This lane was
ambuscaded on either side by the Indians
Tor hundred yards. Fortunately, il was
dry and mid summer, the horsemen raised
such q cloud Of dust, that they sustained
the close fire of the indians, without losing
n man or even horse. The fo1tmen were
less fortunate, They Dispersed in the
cornfeld, in hopes TO reach the garrison
nobscrved. But masses ofsayagas con
standy increasing, between and the sta
ton intercepted them. Hard fghtag en-
sued, and two ofthem were killed and four
wounded. Soon after the detachment had
Joined their friends. and the Indians were
lying close IN their covert again, the uu
merous focls and herds ofthe station came
IN quietly, rum.alling as they made their
way to their night pens. Upon these
harmless animals the Indians had uumo.
Tested sport; and they made a complete dos-
truction ofthem.
a little after sunset, the famous Girty
coyertly approached the garrison, mounted