Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-07-09
Incidents of the Revolution.

/ 4 military officer with whom We have long
I be,p intimate. relates two incidents connected
/ with Croghans gallant defence of Fort Steven
/ son one OF which affords strong positive proof
! and the other s.rong negative proof. OF the
adage . fortune favors the brave
As the British and Indians. IN their opera
tions. had violated their pledges and the uss-
ges. of civilized warfare by wantonly murder-
ing their r,risone.s s. Croghans little band (only
100 strong, with a six FOUNDER. and surroun-
tlefl By about six hundred Indians, } had nutu-
ally agreed to sell the;r lives as deasls as pos
sible. aul5} G ts s.
When all was ready, the British commander
sent a. messenger, under q nag OF truce to treat
for the surrender of the fort. Croghan point,
ing to him exclaimed ssa
1T will not do to let hin enter here and
see our weakness who viii volunteer to meet
hiin ~
AS it was pretty certain that wnosoeves
should leave tue fort on such mission
would be murdered by the bastard foe. there
was brief pause, when Ensign Shipi' repiied :
Il will, upon one condition a1a ,---
..What is that y asked the captain
..sPledge me Your word as an oihcer ana
man of honor that you viii keep that gun bear
ing directly upon me, and that you VIII Irs
ofF tie nliaute you see me raise my hand. -.
The pledge was given aud Shipp went forth
To ali the arguments and persuaslons OF the
enemy. his unwavering reply was vs.
:. am instructed to say that we defend tue
fort.'2 1sI 5l
Soon the Indians began to surround him
One clutched his epaulets; another hls sword.
Shipr who was of Hercuiean frame. released
himself by a powerful effort, and, turning to
the envoy, coolly said "a
:. Sir. / have not put myself under proteo-
ton of your truce without knowing your mode
of warfare. You see that gun. said ne.
pointing to the solitary SIX Pounder, 1t n
well charged with grape, and nave the SOL
emn pledg of my eonmander that 1t VIII De
+ 6rn1 the moment give him the signal.
Therefore restrain these mes. aud respect the
law of war, or YOU shall instantly accompany
me to the other world Esa aT aii Sci
This was enough. Ship was no more mo-
I Tested. but returned to his comrades IN safety.
! fought out the desperate action that ensued.
aid obtained promotion for his bravery
The contrary instance referred 30 ut the
head of our paragraph was tod as 1oiio"s
i After the British and Indians had with
/ drawn. Crophan had missed one man-oni{
7 one-zwbo had belonged 20 his little pana an'i
i all efforts for his recovery were tor some ums
/ unsuccessful At length bls remains were
! discovered in the garrett OF one oil the DOCK
/ houses, where he had crept Tor safety, ana ~as
! cnt in two by a cannon ball. All the rest.
/ considering their chance for life not worth y
thought. only sought to do their duty and
iescspea alive from perhaps the most despe-
/ rate fight ~. record The only man that was
killed happened TO be the'one that proved hin-
self to be a coward. @ aHes
- z------4-- -.~-~-----
s5r What is the difference between a feod
of staeuant water and pewter image OF So
j tan 7sODne IS Z, DE- sd iesel ana the esasr -
i head ,iexils z1isi -,yF-seaa sHas = sssi