Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-12-24
BIOGRAPHICAL.

u.
Know that we can fill column more
prob ably, than by relating an adven-
tnre of our neighbor, Mr.. Thomas Hiq-
gins, as we have heard it from his own
mouth. He resides within a few miles
"i Vandalia, and receives a pension
from the United States. The following
statement may be relied upon, az Mr..
liigg'ns IS man OF strict veracity !;
his compahinns have corobora,ed his
curative, and his wounds afford ample
proni ofhis courage and sufferngs.
Tom Higgins, as he is usually call
ed. IS a native of Kentucky; andis one
oil the best examples eXtant of the gem
nIne backwoodsman. During the last
war, at the age of nineteen, he enlisted
~ the Rangers, CORPS of mounted
men, raised expressly for the protection
oi the western frontiers On the Both
of Aug. 1914, he was one of a par,y of
l2men, under the command of Lieut..
Journey, who wer posted at Hills
Station, small stncka6c, about 3 miles
south OF the present village of Green
vile, and something more than 90
miles from Vandalla These towns
were not then IN existence and the
surrounding country was one vast will
dcrness. During the day last men
toned, "Indian signs we've seen abou,
hall mile from the station, and at
night the savages were discovered
proving near the fnt, hut no alarm
was given. On the following mornino
early, Mr.. Journey moved onl with his
party IN pu,s suit of the Indians. Pass
ing round the fence Of cornfield. adj.
J'Ining the fort, they struck across the
prairie, and had not proceeded more
than quarter Of a mile, when in cross
ing small ridge, which was covered
with hazle thicket, and in full view
at the station, they Gcll into an ambus-
cade oil Indians, who rose suddenly a.
round them to- the number Of 10 or so.
and fired. Four Of our party were kill
ed, among whom was our Lieutenant
Journey; one other fell, badly wound
ed, and the rest fled, except Higgins.
He looked around for tree. There
was but one,a small elm, and he made
for this, intending to shoot from behind
1t; hut at this moment the cloud Of
smoke rose partially from before him,
disclosing t, his view number Of In
dams, none Of whom discovered him
One ofthem stood within few PAGES,
loading his gun, AID at him Higgins
took deliberate aim, and fired, and
the Indian fell. Mr.. Higgins, still con-
cealed by the smoke, reloaded his gun,
mounted, and turned to Hy, when low
voice near him hailed him with "Tom,
you won't leave me T.
On looking round, he discovered the
speaker to be one Of his own compa-
mons, named Burgess, who was lying
wounded op the ground, and he repli-
ed instantly, "No, I'll no, leave You ;
come along, and IN take care Of you"
81 can't come" replied Burgess,
"my leg IS mashed all to pieces"
Higgins sprung from his saddle, and
picking up his comrade, whose ankle
bone was broken, he proceeded TO lifi
him on bis horse, telling him to fly
and that he would make his own way
But the horse taking fright at this in
slant, darted off, leaving Higgins, will
his wounded friend, on foot. Still the
cool bravery of the former was suffici
ent for every emergency, and setting
Burgess down gently, he told him
now, my good fellow, you must hoI
off on your three legs, while ] stay be
tween yon and the Indians, and keel
them of"-instructing him at the same
time to get into the highest grass am
! wi as close to the ground as posi-