Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-10-11
miscellaneous.
From Bogari's Life OF Daniel Boone
SIEGE OF FORT BOROUGH.

remodel all their campaign. They had
believed that they were sure of Boone
His being a prisoner, or being in COM
mand of the fort, brave and desperate
leader, was quite a different affair. I'm
pressed with the belief that the Indians
would make their boldest endeavor upon
Boonesborough, he had sent off an express
to the settlements (as the eastern habita-
tlons were desiguated) for assistance
The request was addressed to Col Ar
thur ampbell-whose name proclaims
him of the Highlander settlers-and it
became very important feature in his
movements to gain time, so that the gal
liant Campbell could reach him.
Boone says that when the summons
was given ''it was critical point with us
We were small number in the garrison
"a powerful army before our walls, whose
appearance proclaimed inevitable death
-fearfully painted, and marking their
footsteps with desolation To Boone,
who knew what the terror of the Indian
really was, the language was but cold
truth. He demanded two days In which
he might consider the proposal to surren-
der. 1t was everything for him to gain
these two days. In them, Col Campbell
might make bis appearance, and the enemy
find the woods as much foe as the fort
1t seems somewhat surprising that
Capt. DuQuesne and Blackfish agreed to
the two days, especially as in them the
garrison found means to collect their hor
ses and cattle, and bring them through
the posterns into the fort Certainly. if
court-martials were in fashion among the
Shaupaca Rl,al- -H-h Jacnrral
time was granted by Capt DuQuesue his
generalship deserves the same review
What could have Influenced him to allow
the garrison to provision themselves is
mysterious, for every days provision they
obtained was fearful loss to the besieeerS
But men do not act thus without rea-
son. DuQuesue probably thought that
there was very hard fighting to be done
before the fort could be conquered, and
if he could win it By negotiation, it would
spare his force a severe loss Else he
could not have allowed the provisions and
water to be brought in; for the females
were actively employed in the two days in
bringing water from the spring Bow
man says. that the invaders, as they had
raised their flag, called for Capt Boone
They knew that he was the strength of
the garrison, and tho't it wisest to seek
to inveigle or persuade him first. They
stated the terms of peace on which they
would agree to a capitulation- AS the
Indians had negotiated with Gen Clark
at the Illinois, there was one reason to be-
lieve that the same sincerity might be OBJ
served here 1t is doubtful whether Boone
who knew all their plains. for a moment
believed in their sincerity, but time was
everything, and every hour gained was a.
great gain.
1t seems, however, that during these
two days the truce was faithfully kept,
else the cattle could not have been brought
in so safely Indeed, Boone's language
justifes this belief. DuQuesne, for his
own reasons, was able to restrain the In
diaus; while Boone never so far placed
himself in their power but that he could
seek at once the protection of the walls.
The two days expired. L. this they had
become quite familiar with each other, and
Boone observed many of those with whom
he feigned intimacy while at Chillicothe
All being prepared Boone consulted
his men whether anything like capitula
tion should be granted. The conference
was that of desperate men He states
that death was preferable to captivity, for
he well knew that DuQuesne could not
prevent the Indians from cruelty The
determination was to fght,-although
against such terrible odds-and Boone
who knew that he had the deepest stake
in the transaction, for he had most dis
pleased the savage, was probably the first
to insist upon holding the fortress to the
last
Standing on one Of the bastions, he re
turned the final answer Of the garrison to
the captain, who translated it to the Indi
ans. He said, ave are determined to de-
fend our fort while a man is living" Du-
Quesne. with the courtesy of his lineage.
stood in attentive auditory of what Boone
was saying. Boone was also courteous,
and talked like brave man I'VE laugh
at all your formidable preparations, bat
thank you for giving us notice and time
to provide for our defence. Your efforts
will not prevail, for our gates shall forev-
er deny you admIttance- This was a
longer speech than usual with the Pioneer.
The gratitude expressed for the time and
opportunity to provision the fort, may
have impressed DuQuesne as ironical 1t
uidy DC dSheu mere WHY II DpOue LOON
every precaution, this provisioning was
not before accomplished The expedition
to Paint Greek may have been the solu-
tion. since it was his bold policy TO strike
blow, while the Indian only thought
him preparing to receive one.
Boone questions whether his language
did not affect the courage of the invaders
1t NAV have fully aroused them to the
idea of what folly had been theirs in al
lowing the garrison this time. Boone
thought they would Immediately begin the
siege, but the Frenchman had not quite
exhausted his diplomacy. 1t is quite
likely that Roone's vigor in getting ready
! had taught him what formidable task
was before him The next movement
made by DuQuesne was to communicate
the instructions of Gov. Hamilton, who
was in command of Detroit. which, he said
were to take the garrison captive, but not
to destroy it. and he requested that the
I 4 e !, 49,