The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-05-23

The fearful massacre in the Valley oil
Wyoming caused thrill of horror through.
out the country, and universal cry of ven.
geance rose on every hand. Government
awoke to the necessity of striking blow
which would teddh the savages, and their
more barbarous coadjutors, the blood, thirsty
Tories, that, iffslow to defend, it was pow
erful to revenge; if weak to prevent, it was
strong to punish such inhuman acts. Ac.
cordingly an army of five Thousand men as
sembled. in the fallof l779, fer the purpose
ofpenstrating the Indian country, in Wes-
tern New York, and destroying the nest o
vpers at Niagara, the head quarters whence
the Indians Drew their supplies, and receiv-
ed their rewards. The expedition was un-
der command of General Sullivan, and EN-.
braced, among other corps, part Of Nor
gan's riiemen. After a. severe battle at
Conewawah, (now Elmira) Sullivan push
ed on destroying everything in his way, un-
til he reHched Little Beardstown, where
was a deep stream, which required bridg-
ing before the nrmy could cross. While
waiting here, Lieutenant Boyd, of the rifle
cerps,-a young officer of great protnise,--
was sent, with tWenty-six men, across the
river to recohnoitre. Pioted by faithful
Indian guide, Boyd and his party reached
the village, which they found deserted, al
though, it was evident the Indians had re-
Gently been there, as their fires were still
burning. Night was approaching when
Boyd had completed his Reconnaissance, and
he concluded to encamp on the ground where
he was. In the morning. as the first dawn
illuminated the east, some of his men were
on their feet, and approaching the village,
discovered two. Indians skulking about. One
of these was shot and scalped by man
named Murphy, who could never forego a
shot at an Indian, even when he endangered
his own life thereby. Suspectihg from the
presence of these, that more Indians might
be in the neighborhood, and having perform
ed the duty assigned to him, Boyd commenc.
ed to retrace his steps. He soon discover
: ed however, thata large party of the enemy,
chiefly Indians, we're lying in ambush be-
tween him and the army. Seeing that his
case was desperate one, and having no
other alternative, he determined to cut his
way through, ,if possible. Forming his men
in solid phalanx, aud cheering them by his
voice and example, he led them to the at
tack. The first charge was unsuccessful;
sand,,a itmay seem, not man of the little
aparty was Killed, althoughithey were oppos-
ed BY some five hundred savage warriors and
Tories. The second and third attacks were
more unfortunate, almost all ofthe party be-
ing killed, while only two or three succeed
Ell in getting through. Boyd, and . man
> named Parker, was taken prisoner on !. the
spot; and some few feb as ii dead, and thus
Z * escaped, as the Indians we're too busy III fol-
!. lowing the living to trouble the dead. .,.,.,,
aaA y. 1As soot, % Boyd found himself in the
hands Of the bloodthirsty and revengeful
Tories, he demanded an interview with
Brandt, fhe Indian leader,i. preferring to
throw himself upon his well known clemen-
10y, rather than trust To- the generosity or
10 sl42--
ssHA 1hs ineident although painful its details, and
Sic4ated 10 harrow the feelings in Us perusal; Il
nsvsrsheisss sp significant ef some peculares Off
sTedmaGsthAt iays been induced to gisen place in
NO. siszsfS.xsI.5 y 10