Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-06-08

When the Revolutionary Pension
Bill was under consideration in the SEN
ate, Mr.. EWING, of Ohio, made the fol-
lowing among other remarks:
1 have already made known my pur-
pose to support this bill, and there is no
one more deeply impressed than 1 am
with the debt of gratitude which we
owe to all who, in any manner, contribu-
ted to the achievement of our indepen-
dence but do not at all detract from
their merits, when say that the cour-
age and enterprise of those who fought
our early battles against the savages OF
the West, were as great-their task az
arduous, and the dangers they encoun-
tered as imminent. They foug hit agains
mighty odds-a feeble band against an
overwhelming force-the chances of bat
ties were great against them-and if
captured, death, not, it is true, of L.
nominy, but of torture, awaited then {:
and he who left home to fight in its he-
fence looked back upon it with trepida-
ton for. though he left it in safet5 to
day, he might return tomorrow and
find it in ashes--its inmates mastered
or led into captivity.
But among those who fought the bat.
ties of the West, do esteem the solita-
ry Rangers as first, for the merit and i'm
portance of their services, and most of all
entitled to the gratitude of the frontier
inhabitants. They went forth, not a.
gainst known and open, but a lurking
and secret foe, in country occupied BY
an enemy-a numerous, brave, and sub
tie 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, self-dependent and self
sustained, resting upon his own inhe-
rent courage and his native energies.
perhaps appreciate them the more, be-
cause my lot was cast in very early life,
in situation in which /, or rather those
about me, knew and felt the benefit OF
their protection.
The earliest scenes ofwhich my me-
mory retains trace, were in a small
garrison on the frotier, Just before the
close of the war which terminated with
the victory of Wayne and the treaty OF
Greenville. There was a line of petty
forts, commencing at Marietta, and ex-
tending up the Muskingum river to a
place called the Round Bottom. A
band of Indians eluded the vigilance OIL
the Rangers, who were too few liz mum
bers Tor the protection of the extensive
line Frontier which they had to guard
the last named station was surprized and
cut off-all but three persons were mas
sacred. One only escaped, and that one
alarmed the neigbboring garrisons, one Of
which was surrounded, but being on its
guard, was not actually assailed. / re-
member something of the general agita-
ton, the pervadipg' feeling of excitation
in which even the child, unconscious OF
danger instinctively participated. /
remember, too, the JOY which the regu-
lar but unfrequent return Of the adven-
turous spy, brought to the heart and
homes of those whom he guarded. And,
Sir, many peril was braved, and many
deed was achieved by these adventur-
Gus men, unseen Of all but the actor, and
unnoticed III the annals Of the times
deeds worthy to add wreaths to the
proudcst hero Of ancient or modern days.
One will narrate:
A young Ranger upon a scout had e1-