Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1832-05-31
The Early Settlers.

The Early settlers.
When the Revolutionary Pension Dill va. uu-
der consideration in the Senate, Mr.. EwIso, OF
Ohio. made the following among other remarks
Ihave already made known my pur-
pose TO support this bill, and there Is
no one more deeply impressed than
an with the debt Of gratitude which
We owe to all who, in any manner, con-
tributed TO the achievement Of our in
dependence: but do not ut all detract
from their merits, when say that the
courage and enterprise of those who
fought our early battles against the
savages Of the West, were a. great
their task as ardaous, and the dangers
they encountered as imminent. They
fought against mighty odds-a feeble
hand against an overwhelming force
the chances Of battle were great against
them-and if captured, a death, not,
II Is true, Of ignOminy, but Of torture,
awaited them: and he who left his
home TO fight in its defence looked back
upon it with trepidation; for, though
he left IL in safety to-day, he might
return tomorrow and End il in ashes
its inmates masMcred or led into
captivity.
But among those who fought the
battles Of the West, 4 do esteem the
solitary Rangers as first, for the merit
and Importance Of their services, and
most Of all entitled TO the gratitude Of
the frontier inhabitants. They went
forth, not against known ans. open,
but lurking and secret foe, in q coun-
try occupied by en- enemy-a bumer-
Gus, brave, and subtle enemy-they
marched, not like the soldier TO the
field Of battle, shoulder to shoulder.
and firm in the confidence Of mutual
support; but each alone, in the midst
Of dangers, selfdependent and self
sustained, resting upon his own inhe-
rent courage and his native energies.
l perhaps appreciate them the more,
because my lot was cast, in very early
life, IN n situation in which !, or rather
those about me, knew and felt the be-
neff OF their protection.
The earliest scenes OF which nv mr.
mory retains trace. were in small
garrison on the frontier, Just before
the close Of the war which terminated
with the victory Of Wayne and tho
treaty e Grenvillc. There was line
OF petty forts, commencing at Marietta.
and extending up the Muskingum RI
yer to . place called the Round. bot
TEN. A band of Indians eiusled the
vigilance Of the Rangers. who were
too few in numbers for the protection
at the extensive line Of frontier which
they had TO guard: the last named sta
ton was surprised and Gu; oH;--all bus
three persons were mastered. One
only escaped, and that one alarmed the
neighbOring garrisons, onc of which was
surrounded, but being on its guard,
was not actually assailed. rcmem-
Der something Of the general agitation,
the pervading feeling Of excitaiion in
which even the child, unconscious Of
danger, instinetiveIy participated. L
remember. ton, the JOY which the rcgu-
lar but unfrequent return &c the ad-
Senturous spy. brought 10 the heart
and homes OF those whom he guarded.
And, Sir, many peril was braved.
and many a deed was achieved bV
these adventurous men, unseen Of aiI
but the actor. and unnoiiced in the
annals os the time--deeds worthy 10
add wreaihato the brow Of the proud
est hero neient or modern DAYS
One ] wiIFnarrate:
a Young Ranger upon a scout had
exhausted his rations, and being dis
tant from place where he could OBJ
tain supply, went 90 spring lick
where deer resort, and placed himself
behind a blind near by, watching for
game. In short time four Indians.
armed with their rifles, came within
pistol shot and stopped. without hav-
ing discovered him. Ills resolution
vas instantly iAkeni he fred anil
brought down his man, and sprang
from his ambush and aed; the three
Indians fred, but Ia the
hurry anil agitation Of the moment,
tired withoat aim and missed their
mark. Ons Of them, with q readiness
Of thought peculiar 10 his race, snatch
ed up the rifle Of bis fallen cOmrade.
took better aim aud fired the ball
passed between the arm of che ranesr
and shiyered his powder horn e =
lers, but he escaped unt0uched, am1aem
iis pUTs0eSs, and Feachsd the ssttle1
nent IN safety. The author Of this
DOld deed does not, u 10 true, like ma
~ Of his sotBpanionsvin arms, desire
DE bouRty o. need even the justice Of
lis cosntTy. Brave aRd adyentaroua
~ youth, honortd age, be IL now
the GoyERSoR OF OHiol