The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-01-22
pRovIDENTIAL ESCAPE.

|
overcome. The enemy against whom he had
now to contend pursued a vastly different
mode Of warfare from that which he had re-
Gently fought, and vigilance, subtlety, and
cunning, were Of far greater need d in the
commander Of such an expedition than the
orthodox skill of military chief. Ii was
highly necessary to be constantly upon the
alert to prevent surprise; and to guard against
the machination of his crafty foe, he organ
ized several corps of spies, composed os some
of the most efficient and experienced woodi
men and Indian hunters which the frontiers
afforded. The command of these companies
was given to such as were distinguished for
their inlrepdity and coolness in DANGER
Among others who merted and obtained this
honor was Captain William Wells, who had
been taken prisoner by the Indians while a
child, and brought up under their tutelage
until he arrived at maturity. He had been
engaged in the action with st. Clair, and
commanded select body of the enemy, who
were stationed opposite the artillery, and did
fearful execution among the cannoniers.-
Feeling assured, after that event, that the
whites would take a bloody revenge, and an
ticpating their ultimate success in the con-
test, he left the Indians and Joined Wayne's
army, his knowledge of the country, of the
Indian language, and, above all, of their hab.
its and mode of fighting, pointing him out as
an efficient and valuable scout. Among his
men was one by the name of Henry Miller,
who likewise had served an apprenticeship
with the Indians, but had escaped, leaving his
younger brother Chrstopher-who had re-
fused to fly-in their hands. The corps of
Captain Wells performed many deeds of
valor and bravery during the campaign, which
raised them high in the estimation of The
commander, and excited agains: him the i'm
placable hostility of the Indians.
On one occasion, he was directed by Wayne
to bring in an Indian prisoner. Selecting a
few of his band, he started on his perilous
duty. Cautiously and secretly they proceed.
ed through the Indian country, hoping to sur
prise struggling party, but met none with
whom they could cope, until they reached the
Anglaise River, on the banks of which they
discovered Indian sign. Searching carefully
in the neighborhood, they came upon party
of three Indians, who were gathered about
small ERE, cooking venison. They had judi
ciously selected their camp, having located it
on the apex of a small knoll, or mound,
which was cleared of underbush, and gave
them free and uninterrupted view of the
woods around them, thus rendering it diff
cult to approach without being discovered
Wells, Miller and Mcclellan carefully recon.
noitered their position, and in doing so, dis
covered fallen tree on one side of their
camp, which afforded the only cover within
rife distance of them. 1t was delicate affair
to gain the shelter of its branches without
being seen, which would have frustrated their
design. Wells determined to attempt il,
however; and, dismountng and tying their
horses, they commenced to creep on all fours
in zigzag direction, taking advantage of
every inequality Of ground, every shrub and
rock to shelter and conceal their approach
In this manner, after much exertion, they
reached the tree, and for the time were COW
cred by its branches Here they arranged
their plan, and prepared for its execution.-
One of the Indians was en- his hands and
knees, mending the fire; another was seated
opposite to him, engaged in conversation with
the third who was standing in front Of the
fire, and, between the Others. All appeared
to be in the best spirits, in anticipation OF
their meal, and little dreamed of the proxmi
ty Of danger.
Il was arranged that Wells and Miller were
to shoot the two on either side Of the fire,
while Mcclellan, who was as fleet as deer,
was to charge through the smoke and capture
the centre one, ere he had time 10 recover
from his first surprise. Resting their rifles
on the trunk of the tree, they aimed at the
hearts Of theit foes, and in moment more
two reports awoke the echoes of the sur
rounding forest, aud Mcclellan was bounding
ut his utmost speed toward the camp. Two
Of the redskins fell dead, while the third, dis
covering the rapid approach of the intrepid
hunter, dropped his rifle, which he had not
time to use, and fled towards the river which,
at the point where he approached it, had
banks twenty feet in height Mcclellan was
at his heels, however, followed by the others
of his party. There was no opportunity to
double, and the Indian was forced TO leap off
into the mud and water below. Here he stuck
fast, hounderng and trying to get out. Nc
Cellan, discovering his situation, sprang up
on him, and. as the other drew his knife, he
raised his tomahawk, aud threatened him
with instant death unless he surrendered
The rest OF the party appearing on the bank
above, the Indian found his escape hopeless,
and Welded himselfa prisoner. After con-
siderable exerton, they managed to drag both
out Of the mire, and bound their prize; who
proved sulky, and refused 10 speak either in
the English or Indian tongue. In washing
the mud of his person, they discovered that
he was rhite man, but they could learn
nothing Of his history, as he still refused TO
speak. Miller thinking il might be his BROTH