Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-07-19

- SA ~ho thithg LiiiSSs
james Morgan was amongst the last
THAT crossed the river, and was in the
rear until the hill was descended. As
soon as he beheld the Indians re.annear
on the ridge, he felt anew his wrongs.
and recollected the lovely object of his
early affections. He urged on his
horse, and pressed to the front. While
IN the act of leaping from his saddle.
he received a rifle ball in his thigh,
and fell an Indian sprang upon him.
seized him by the hair, and applied the
scalplng knife. At this moment, Nor.
gan cast up his eyes and recognized
the handkerchief that bound the head
OF the savage, and which he knew to
be his wife's. This added renewed
strength to his body, and increased nc.
tlvlty to his fury. He quickly threw
his left arm around the Indian, and
with death-like grasp, Rugged him to
his bosom, plunged his knife into his
side, and he expired in his arms. Re.
leasing himself from the savage, Nor.
gan crawied under a small oak, on an
elevated piece Of ground, short dis.
lance from him. The scene of action
shifted, and he remained undiscovered
and unscalped, an anxious spectator of
the battle.
1t was now midnight. The savage
band after taking all the scalps thew
could find, left the battle ground
Morgan was seated at the foot of the
oak; It's trunk supported his head.
The rugged and uneven ground that
surrounded him was covered with the
slam; the once white and projecting
rocks, bleached with the rain and sun
OF centuries, were crimsoned with blood
that had warmed the heart and anima-
ted the bosom of the patriot and the sol.
der. The pale glimmering of the moon
occasionally threw faint light upon
the mangled bodies of the dead, then
passing cloud enveloped all in dark.
ness, and gave additional horror Ia the
feeble cries of few still lingering in
the last agonies Of protracted death.
rendered doubly appalling by the coarse
growl of the bear, the loud howl ofthe
wolf, the shrill and varied notes of the
wild cat and panther, feeding on the
dead and dying. Morgan beheid the
scene with heart rending sensations.
and looked forward with the apathy of
despair to his own end.
A large, feroclous looking bear, CO.
vered all over with blood, now al.
preached him; he threw himself on
the ground, silently commended his
soul to Heaven, and in breathless anx.
iety awaited his fate. The satiated
animal slowly passed on without mott
cling him. Morgan raised his head
was about offering thanks for his unex.
pected preservation, when the cry of
pack of wolves opened upon him, and
again awakened him to a sense OF dan.
ger. He placed his hands over his
eyes fell on his face, and in silent
agony awaited his fate. He now heard
"a rustling in the bushes-steps ap.
proached-a cold chill ran over him.
lmaglnation-creative, busy imagina.
tlon-was actively employed death,
the most horrible death awaited him
his limbs would in all probability be
torn from his body, and he be devour.
ed alive. He felt a touch-the vital
spark was almost nguished-ano-
Their touch more violent than the first,
and he was turned over-the cold sweat
ran down in torrents--his hands were
violently forced from his face-the
moon passed from under cloud-a
faint ray beamed upon him-his ewes
inyoluntarily opened, and he behcld his
wife who, in a scarce audible voice,
exclaimed, My husband-my hus-
band!" and fell upon his bosom.
Morgan now learned from his wife
that after the Indians had entered the
house, they found some spirits, and
drank freely; an alteration soon took
place--one of them received mortal
stab, and fell his blood ran through
the floor on her. Believing it to be
the blood of her husband, she shrleked
aloud, and betrayed her place of con.
cealment. She was Immediately taken
and bound.
The party, after setting fire to the
house, proceeded to Bryant's station.
On the day of the battle of the Blue
Licks, horse with saddle and bride.
rushed by her, which she knew to be
her husbands. During the action the
prisoners were left unguarded, made
their escape, and lay concealed beneath
some bushes under the bank of the ri.
yer. After the Indians had returned
from the pursuit, and left the battle
ground, she, with some other persons
that had escaped with her, determined
to make a search for their friends, and
if on the field and living, to save them
If possible from the beasts ofprey. Af.
ter searching for some time, and almost
despairing of success, she fortunately