Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-07-27

he beheld his house in flames, and almos
burnt to the ground. "My wife!'' he ex
| claimed as he pressed one hand to his fore.
head. and grasped the fence with the other
| 70 support his lettering frame. He gazed
some time on the ruin and desolation before
| nm. advanced few PAGES, and sunk exhaust
| ed to the earth.
Morning came; the luminary of heaven
arose, and still found him seated near the al
most expiring embers. In his right hand he
held a small stick, with which he was tracing
the name Of Eliza on the ground. his ia
vorlte dog, that lay by his side. looking first
on the ruins and then on his master, with ev-
Ident signs of grief. Morgan arose. The
two brothers now made search, and found
some bones burnt to ashes, which they care
fully gathered, and silently consigned to their
mother earth, beneath the wide spread branch
es of a venerable oak. consecrated by the
purest and hottest recollection.
Several days after this, Morgan was en-
gagged in desperate battle at the lower Licks.
The Indians came off victors, and the suryiv-
ing whites returned across the Licking. pur-
sued by the enemy for distance of six-and-
thirty miles.
James Morgan was among the last who
crossed the river, and was in the rear until
the hill was descended. As soon as he be-
- 1-'S AiihidiiS iV-aiEtd4 Oli tue lINGt4 lie
felt and knew his wrongs and recollected the
lovely object of his affections. He urged on
his horse, and pressed to the front. While
IN the act of leaping from the saddle, he re-
ceived rife ball in his thigh and fell; an
Indian sprang upon him, seized him by the
hair and applied the scalping knife. At this
moment, Morgan cast up his eyes and recog-
nized 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 his activity to fury. He
quickly threw his left arm around the Indian,
and with deathlke grasp Rugged him to his
bosom, plunged his knife into his side. and
he expired in his arms. Releasing himself
from the savage, Morgan crawled under a
small oak, on elevated piece of ground a
short distance from him. The scene of ac-
ton shifted, and he. remained undiscovered
and unscalped, an anxious spectator Of the
battle.
1t was now midnight. The savage band,
had, after taking all the scalps they could
fEd, left the battle ground. Morgan was
seated at the foot of the oak; its trunk sup
ported his head. The rugged and uneven
ground that supported him, was covered with
the slain; the once white projecting rocks
bleached with the rain and the sun Of centu-
res were crimson with blood that had warm
ed the heart and animated the bosom of the
patriot and soldier. The pale glimmering of
the moon occasionally threw a faint light up
on the manged bodies of the dead, then a
passing cloud enveloped all in darkness, and
additional horror to the feeble cries of a few
still lingering in the last agonies Of protract-
ed death, rendered doubly appalling by the
hoarse 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 dy-
ing. Morgan beheld the scene with heart
rending sensation, and looked forward with
the apathy of despair to his own end.
A large, ferocous looking bear, covered
all over with blood, now approached him, he
threw himself on the ground,. silently com
mending his soul to Heaven, and in breath
less anxiety awaited his fate. The satiated
animal slowly passed without noticing
him. Morgan raised his head-was about to
offer thanks for his unexpected preservation,
when the cry of pack of wolves opened
upon him, and awakened him to a sense of
danger. He placed his hands over his eyes,
fell on his face, and in silent agony awaited
his fate. He now heard rusting in the
bushes; steps approached; cold chill ran
over him. gination- creative, busy i'm
agination, was actively employed; death, the
most horrible death awaited him; his limbs
would in all probability be torn from him, and
be devoured alive. He felt touch-the vi
tai spark was almost extinguished another
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 a
coud--a faint ray beamed upon him-his
eyes involuntarily opened, and he beheld his
wife. who in scarce audible voice exclaimed,
''My husband my husband - and fell up
on his bosom.
Morgan now learned from his wife, that
after the Indians entered the house, they
found some spirits and drank freely; an alter
cation soon took place-one of them received
mortal stab and fell; his blood ran through
the floor upon her. Believing it to be the
blood Of her husband, she shreked aloud and
betrayed her place of concealment.
She was Immediately taken and bound
The party. after setting fire to the house, pro-
ceeded to Bryant's Station. On the day of
the Blue LicIl's, horse, with saddle and
bride, rushed by her, which she knew to be
her husbands. During the action, the pris-
oners were left unguarded made their es-
cape, and lay concealed beneath some bushes
under the bank Of the river. After the Indi-
ans had returned from the pursuit. and left
the battle-ground, she with some other per-
sons who had escaped with her, determined
to make search for their friends, and, if on
the field. and living, to save them, if posi-
BILE. from the beasts Of prey. After search
ing for some time, and almost despairing of
success, she fortunately discovered him.
The party of Colonel Logan found Morgan
and his wife, and restored them to their
friends, their infant, and their home.
HOW DAVE HARRIS WAS BIT.