The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-03-27
Vol. ~.

Is years years, old, attached BY order Of Ger
PAYNE, to Colonel Scott's Regiment I
| Kentucky volunteers, and, as il hal
pened, was that day detailed for dut
on guard, as a subalte rn officer in con
mand Of "a men. My guard-fre wa
near the river below the Camp an,
my line of sentinels extended out q
right-angles some two or three hundre
yards, so as to protect that flank 0
the Army. Although cold, the da,
was bright and beautiful-the air elias
tic. At early dawn, as the last ech
of the Reveille had fallen on the still
drowsy ear, Logan was conducted b,
the officer Of the day through the oul
er lines of the army, and left us on hi
perilous enterprise, accompanied onl,
by two Shawnee warriors from th'
same village (Wapogheonata) will
himself. The first, Capt. John, a tall
swarthy, raw-boned, villianous lookin.
fellow, bearing a very bad character
with the troops, because it was be-
lieved he had fought against Genera
Harrison at the battle Of Tippecanoe
the other, a noble looking young Indi
an, of some % years of age, known
by the English name of Bright Horn
and who subsequently distinguished
himself, while under my immediate
command, in Dudley's defeat. The
boldness, as well as extreme hazard oi
this voluntary undertaking, excited our
highest admiration, at the same time
that many expressed their serious ap.
prehensions ofthe result to the daring
chief and his intrepid companions.
1t is known to military men, tina
the officer in command of a camp-guard
never allows himself to sleep while on
duty. twas in accordance with this
custom, that midnight found ms awake
lying on my back with my head to the
light, reading one of Miss Porter's now
els; while my men off duty, were scat
tered around the fire, wrapped in their
blankets, snatching a little necessary
repose. The night, though clear, was
dark, and all was silent and still in
camp, when was suddenly surprised
by the loud and quickly repeated chal-
lenge of one of the sentinels nearest
the river bank, to some one approach
ing from without. As l sprang 10 my
feet to arouse the guard, heard the
voice of Logan, which ! recognized
the hail, and first announ-
cling himself, he remarked, "My friends
we have had bloody battle and ! am
badly wounded" You cannot con.
,eive how greatly 1 was shocked by
this reply. l had all day long been
talking or thinking of him, and when,
instead Of his usually loud, musical, and
manly voice, l heard his feeble and
remulous answer, l did not wait for
my military formula, but ordered the
sentinel to let him pass, and fastened
n person to meet him and conduct him
o the guard-fire. He was accompa-
lied by Bright Horn only, and both
# them were we'll mounted, whereas
new they had left camp that morning
N foot. Indeed there was but a sim
lie horse in that wing of the army
Ill the rest had perished, or been
ent into the interior to recruit.
He Immediately proceeded, at my
eo1est. to give me q particular account
f the events of the day. 1t appeared
hat he left the beaten track down the
iver bank, and taken the low swamp
QUITE some mile or two off, In order to
void observation, or discovery. They
ad scarcely made ten miles Of their
when they saw at a short dis
ancs in front of them six persons on
orseback, who were travelling the
anne supposed safe and secret way,
ut coming from the opposite direction.
he whole Of that now populous re.
ion was then bowling wilderness;
ldeed there was not farm or civili-
ID human habitation beyond Piqua in
'hio. Ialn ii
1t required no interpreter 10 inform
logan and his companions that they
,ere within rifle shot of twice their
umber Of deadly enemies. 1t was too
te to think OF flight with any hope Of
scape in an open wood, in daylight;
nd it would be madness, without
ome advantage. to fight one to t,p0.-- 1
he ready, selfpoissd chief did not
ssitate IN the adoption of. his plan,
i'd his promptness of action most
robably saved him from immediate
cath. His companions; with that {
eenness, yet seeming carelessness, SO
'markably exhibited in the character I
Id outward demeanor Of the Ameri- I
an Indian, watched his countenance {
I'D all his movements with anxious 4
,ncern, and held themselves ready Il
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