Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-07-22
INDIAN WARFARE.

INDIAN WARFARE.
A correspondent Of the Portland Adver.
tiser gvesthe following circumstance, con
nected with the burning of the town of
Roanoake by the Creek Indians:
At the time ofthe assault, there were in
the village from 10 to 80 persons, who were
taken entirely by surprise, not being in the
least apprehenslve of an attack. The In
dams, as is almost always their custom, en-
tered the village just before day, with for
ces amounting 10 more than three hundred
warriors. They dispersed through the vii.
lage, posting themselves at the doors and
windows of each house in such q way as
to make their work Of destruction sure the
moment the inmates came into the open
air. As might be expected, where there
was ouch disparity Of numbers, and the
stronger party being SO advantageously
Opposed of, the savages we're but too sue
cessful The village was taken, every
| house burnt-lwelve persons were left dead,
and fifteen were missing some two or three
days after the attack.
At one house there were lodged q gen.
tleman, his wife, and two boarders, one of
whom is Georgian by birth, the other
a northern merchant, for some time resi-
dent of the village. When the alarm was
made the host, though entreated to pause,
ran 10 the door, and was instantly shot
down by the savages. The other Gorgian
had escaped from the house. and was hast
ening to the forest with which the village
is environed. when he also was fred upon
the ball passing through his thigh between
N 4
as he was he continued his course and sue
coed in making his escape. His compan-
ion was about to follow, when he recolected
that his hostess, whose lifeess husband was
then wetering in his blood which had been
shed at his own threshold, was left alone
with her infant child. He could not per-
suade himself 10 abandon her, while sur.
rounded with such imminent danger, and
such trying circumstances. He immediate
y altered his purpose. and taking the two
hel pless beings that had just been thrown
on bis protection, he hast ned into cham
Der, where he concealed them under box.
al the same time secreting himself under a
barrel. He had barely effected this when
the savagas burst into the house. plumber
ing and destroying every thing be fore them.
They entered the chamber in which he was
secret ed-they even seated themselves on
he box which concealed helpless mother
and her still more helpless infant. He could
distinctly hear their conversation, and IN
derstandng their language, he was made
| fcarfullv sensible Of the perilous situation
in which they were placed. The least
noise from the infant, and their destruclio ion
was inevitable. But an unseen hand pro
tected lhem-the child remained quet--,he
savages left the room--and he at last heard
their retreating footsteps as they sailed
forth into the streets. He now breaths
freely again. But dense smoke with
which the room is filed gives him The init
nation OF the approach of new danger, and
warns him that it is time to leave his re-.
treat. lie finds the bed in f1ames-this he
exlinguishes, and gong below, he o ,rceives
that the chairs, tables, and the like, had
been piled up in the middle of the room.
and the whole set on fire. A pail of water
had been lett. This is dashed on the as.
cending flames and the whole ia cx,npush.
ed. All this was hardly the work Of a
minute--it is done and he returns to his
retreat beneath the barrel.
The village is now in possession Of the
savages, The flames are doing their work
of destruction at a rapid rate. The groans
Of the dying, the shout of victory minging
with the war whoop, the report Of musket
ry aud the crash of falling buildings, con
trasted with the stiffness of approaching
morning, are borne in fearful sounds to
those who are still surrounded by real dan
ger. The savages again return to the
house they had just left. They set fire to
the piazza. There is now but one alter.
native. The flames are ascending to the
root Of the house few moments delay
may be fatal-sonethng must be done or
he may be consumed by a more ruthless
enemy than the foe without. AT this crisis
he had the presence OF mind to observe that
the dense smoke which proceeded from the
burning house was borne by fresh breeze
TO neighboring thicket. This suggested
the means of escape, and taking the wild.
owed mother and her helpless infant, for
whose safety he had encountered so many
dangers, under cover of the smoke, he
reached the thickct unperceived, and finally
escaped.
Seldom has person in times ofimminenl
danger, exhibited more presence Of mind
more determined resolution. more daring
courage than was exercised on this occa-
sion.