Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-11-23


Ian the sping fNthe yoar 1855, james Smith then
Ia youth OF eightechi accompanied II party of 300
men from the frontiers of Pennsylvania, who ad
ranced in front of Baddooh's army, for the parbose
OF opening road over tho mountain. When With
i'll few miles of tho Bedford Springs, he was sent
back to therrear to hasten the progress of some
wagons loaded with provisions and stores for the,
use ofthe road cutters. Having delivered his or
ders he vas returniDg,-in company with another
young man, when'they were suddenly fired UPON bv
party of three Indians, from cedcr thcke W bieh
! skirted the road. Smiths companion was killed
on the spot; and although he himself was unh,rt
yot Ills herSe was'so much frightened by the flash
and report OF tbeigHns, 3 to become totally mn
! nanagcabeand after few plunges thro y him with
vioeDceo the ground. Before he could recover his
icet the lndIuns sprung upon him, and overpoyer
ing his Resistance, secured him as a prisoner
One of them demanded, in broken English who
thci more white men coming ur;s and upon
his answering in the negative, he was seized nv
each arm, and compelled 10 with great rlpidrv
over the mountain until night when tie small marty
encamped aud cooked their supper. An equal share
OF their scdnty stock OF provisions was given to
the prisoner, and in other Respects although s,rvt
iy guarded, 10 was treated with great Kindness
On tho evening OF the next day, after rnpid
walk OF fifty miles, through cedar thickcts and
over very rocky ground, they reached the western
side of the Laurel Mountain, and bebeld at a H.
tie distance, the smoke Of an indian eDcanpment,
Ills captors now fired their guns, and raised the
scalp halloo. This is long yell for every scalp
that has been taken, followed by a rapid success
ION of shrill, quick piercing shrieka somewhat RI
seinbling laughter in the most excited tones Tney
were answered from the Indian camp below, by
discharge OF rifles, and lomglwlioop followed bv
shrl cries of joy, and oil tronged out 10 meet tho
party. Smith expected instant death at their hand
as thcy crowded around him; but to his surprise ne
one offered hun any violehoe. They belonged to
another tribe, and entertained the party i'm their
camp with great hospitality respecting The prison
or as tho property of their guests. On the follow.
7 ntnr SIT, >.
march, and, on the evening of the next day arri
! yea at Fort Du Qucsne--now Putsburp When
half mile of the Fort, they aps,u raised
the scalp halIoo, and fred their guns as above In
ashtiy the whole garrison was in c0mmotion.
nc cannon woro hred-the drums were beaten
aud French and Indians ran out in great numbers
10 meet the parry, and prtake of the TRIUMPH
Smith was again surrounded by multitude of sn
ages painted in various cOlors, and shouting with
delight; but their dcmeanor was by 10 ruea ms as ma
cine as that of the last party he had encountered
They rapidly formed in two lines and braudieb;ng
their hdtchets ronrods, switches, sc. called aIoud
upon him to run the gauntlet. Never having heard
81 this Indian ceremony before, he stood amazed
ior some time, not knowing what to do; but ono Of
ms captors explained to him, that he WAS To run
! between the two lines, and receive blow from,
each indian as he passed; concluding his sxplana
| tion by exhoTting him to 'run his best" as tie
faster be ran, the sooner the affair would be over
, MS truth was very plaib-and younp Smith en-
/ tered upon his race with great spiT,t lIc wes
switched very handsomely along the limos for about
threc-ourths OF the distance thesripcs only acting
| rs spur to- greater excrtions, and he had amoS
reached the extremity Of The limo when tall chief
struck him furious blow with = club upon the
back Of tic head, and instantly ,felcd him TO tho
ground. Recovering himself in moment, he
sprung to his feet and started forward again when
handful Of sand was thrown IN his eyes, which
! IN addition 10 the great pain, completely blinded
him. He still attempted TO Crepe his way throngl.
| Iut was again knocked down and beaten vii,
nercAcss severity. lie became fnsensi,le
aioF s;lch b2rhayoCs t-oat ,ent, end so,io..eJ 90