The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-03-14
VOL G. No. 80. Whole No. 1913.

them from their slunbers. As the day dawned each
seized his man, and, after hard struggle, they were
all bound with ropes brought for the purpose. Their
leader then recognized the Capt and foamed with
rage think that he had passed through their hands
ndrotly the day previous. Instead of meeting the
mered fate they reasonably expected from the inur-
| ed man in whose power they We're he conducted
them to n fort few miles above and placed them in
! the hands Of the commanding officer II well for
them that Murphy not there for he had sworn
never 10 make prisoner Of red man.
| Learning from those taken that they had left par
| ~ in the Charlotte valley. Captain Harper and his
men determined to pursue them. They accordingly
replenished their provisions commenced their march,
and the second day struck fresh Indian trail. They
advanced rapidly, and, towards evening, heard the
report ola gun about two miles in front. They
cluded this was from o? the enemy shooting game
for supper. They then halted TO refresh themselves
and wait until the savage foe should encamp for the
night. AS they could determine, there were
about twenty Of the Indians Soon after DUSK Capt.
Harper and his advanced with great caution -
After proceeding about two miles, they discovered
the fire Of the encampmeut, and nineteen brawny
warriors sitting around it. As they wished to make
work, they concluded to wait until their enemy
should fall asleep Hours passed slowly on, and still
several OF them were awake. At last, all but ono
closed their eyes in sluulber. The captain and his
men advan ced cautiously. Each was instructed
in the savsges aroused to take his station
behind tree, and not TO fire till they near e.
nough reach them with the muzzle Of their guns.
Again they halted to examine the printing of their
muskets, and tx their bayonets. deep silence per-
vaded the wilderness Not breeze to the leaf
of tree was percepble The moment was one Of
awful suspense and deep anxiety. The recent muir
der of the Captains wife and his lovely babe, nerved
him for the conbat. Enthusiastic courage pervaded
every bosom. Again :hey advanced to within few
rods of the spot where death victory awaited them.
The quick OF the wakesu Indian caught the
sound Of footsteps on the dry leaves. piercing
war-whoop started his companions on their feet
They seized their and stood ready for action
For moment, motion agi;nted the parties, but
the beating heart and the purple current, rushing
through their veins with ten fold velocity. At length
the savages moved cautiously from the fire directly
towards their pursuers They were in the light their
avenging foe in unknown position, each man pre-
pared to mark his victim. Sure and deadly was the
aim. Twelve Of the warriors fell ut tho first fire, ard
three were mortay wounded The sugar makers
advanced, and the next moment the surviving In
dams were surrounded. A short and desperate
fict ensued and the nineteen lay wetering in their
blood locked in the cold embrace of death.
The captain and four of his men were wounded,
but not dangerously. This tragedy closed about
one O'Clock in the morning After dressing the wound
cd in the best manner their would admit, and
taking some refreshmcnt the two were placed
on guard and the remainder laid down to rest. The
4, ,ta1 thau had
home, laden with the arms and ammunition taken from
the enemy having been absent but six days. in which
time they had made prisoners Of fifteen, and killed
nineteen of their dreaded loe and all without the loss
of a
This successful expedition place Capt. Harper in
high estimation among the settlers who put themselves
under his command during the remainder Of the war
They recognized as general corps, for mu-
tua defence. During tho whole time OF the revo-
lutionarv struggle the operations Of this company
were limited that section of the country around the
waters of the Delaware which accounts for the oms-
sion of their adventures on the pages of history.
They confined themselves to the protection of their
homes and families, and rendered essential service
in cutting off small parties Of Indians. as they were
assinz through the narrows OF tstayantho. Al
though many were killed, the survivors never left
their block houses until they returned to their habta-
tons at the close Of the resolu ion. -. -
Exasperatcd at their misfounes, the bloody Brandt
aud Mcdonald collected about three hundred savag-
es and made descent upon the fort in Schoharis.
It was too well fortified to be by this force,
but had not men enough to make sally. Learning
their situation captain Harper mounted horse in dis
guise, and started for Albany TO obtain aid. He pass
ed through the midst of the enemy rs tory named
Rossd, whom he very much resenbled. In the eve
II ug he stopped at the public house for refreshment.
where there several men, whose actions on his
entrance were rather suspicious. lie went into am
other room and locked the door. In q short time,
four tories, of whom had recognized him, de"
uanded entrance. fIe cooked his pistols, DIRE" nus
sword, opened the door. and demanded thsr bust
ness When informed they wished htM. ne coohy
remarked, "pass that door and you are dead men,
He was suffered to proceed without any fnrfher mo-
lrnat t.a mt