The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1858-07-21
Gift on tbe frontitrl
A WONDERFUL ESCAPE.

1t was just af.er General Waynes great vic
tory of the Fallen Timbers, (said an old pio
neer,) that became acquainted with Captain
Robert Benham, who had been quite promi-
neI actor in all thu principal battles of the
frontier. His name had long been familiar to
me in connection with very peculiar and re-
markable affair which had occurred on the Ohio
at the mouth of the Licking river, as far back
as 1779; and as had heard his singular adven-
lures at that place related differently by differ
ent parties, felt little curiosity to arrive at
the exact lacts, and therefore took an early op-
portunity TO get the particulars from his own
lips, which now give, as near as can recollect,
in his own words
1t was in the autumn of 10, began the Cap
tain, that quite party Of us lst the Falls OF
the Ohio in keel boats, under the command Of
Major Rogers, for the purpose OF making an at
tack upon the Indians at the old town Of Chilli
cothe. On our way up the liver we met with
no remarkable adventure till we approached the
mouth of the Licking, which we did about sun
set Of delightful day, when we observed a few
Indians standing upon projecting sand bar at
the point whore the two streams unite, appar.
emily watching some companions in canoe who
were crossing to them from the opposite banks
of the smaller stream. If they saw US, there
was nothing in their manner to indicate it,, and
thinking it possible to take them by stirprse;
Major Rodgers ordered the poats to run up un-
der some bushes along shore, and all the men
save five, some seventy in number, to advance
cautiously through the wood and completely
surround the spot where the savages were.
We all set off in fine spirits, thinking only Of
the surprise we should give the enemy, and nev,
er once dreaming Of the surprise they might
give Us in return. Quite stealthily we pushed
onward, spreading out as we advanced, till at
length we reached and fairly encircled the fatal
spot; when just as the order was given to rush
in upon the foe, we were startled and thrown
into the greatest confusion by the uprising on
every side of several hundred yelling Indians.
We had been drawn into complete abuscade
had been taken by our enemies in the very
trap we had made fo- them. Instantly they
poured in a destructive fire, and then fell upon
us with knife and tomahawk; when the panic
on our part became fearful, and the slaughter
tremendous. Like frightened sheep we huddled
together; and then, finding ourselves hemmed
in by our foes, who hewed US down as fast as
they reached US, we turned at bay, and poured
back volley from our side. Then, with yells
as wild and as savage as their own, we broke
through their lines, and rushed for our boats
But the Indians comprehending our design
reached them before us, and made capture o
all save one, in which the men left in charge ha
made their escape. Our only chance now was
to break through their lines again, and STAR
through the forest to the station Of Harrods
burgh Favored by the gathering shades o
night, some twenty Of our whole party escaped
though hotly pursued by our blood thirsty foes
But was not Of that fortunate few; for as
was in the act Of clearing five or six of the en-
emy, who had barred my way to dense thick
ct, and just as had cut down couple of the
nearest, ball passed through my hips shatter-
ing the bones At once fell, but luckily among
some thick bushes which for the moment con-
cealed me; and the Others probably thinking
me dead or escaped, Immediately darted off il
pursuit of my flying friends. had my rife
still in my hands; aud wounded and suffering al
was, proceeded to load it as lay on the grount
my only hope now being that should sue
coed in killing one more of the bloody wretche
before terminus should pc put to my own ex
istence. lr
As minute after minute went by, however
and the yells of the savages grew more ant
more distant, and night began to envelop me il
her welcome pail ofdarkness, new hope spruni
up in my breast that l might possibly secret
myself through the bushes Of fallen tree
which lay within few feet of me, with th
most excruciatng pain, crept up under the bran
ches whicn disposed above my person in tn
| best manner l could.
Here for hours | lay, suffering agonies Of bod
and mind which no language has the power t
describe. dared not stir again, scarcely t
breathe. l heard the Indians return, and coul
tell by the sounds that they were going owe
the ground butcherihg all the wounded the
could find. About midnight, as near as coul
judge, they once more drew off and lit the
campfrss, the glimmering OF which ! coul
family perceive through the thick foliage whie
; surrounded me. 5.
Let me pass over that night Of horror.
any one would have the faintest idea of whit
: suffered, he must imagine himself in my sitl
= aton-there-in the branches OF that tree
with both hips shattered surrounded by m
dear friends and, worse still, by living foes
dared not change my position nor give vent
single groan; and at times it seemed that n;
: ture must,compel from me an expression of pai
: in spite Of my utmost will. Oh, it was horr
: BILE night and may God deliver me from evt
= passing such another.
!. But the end is not yet Horrible as th
night was, dreaded to see the morrow. Ho
: could expect to escape the lynx eyes Of
many savages, when they should begin to be-
!, j over the ground for plunder? And at times Il
I thought Of this so worked upon my feelings th
!. | was more than once tempted to shrek out al
! let mp position be known, and thus bring upc
! myself the relief Of speedy death; for knev
: from my disabled condition, that the Indiar
) would not think Of taking me prisoner; but bu
! cher me at once. And yet the instincts ofli
i were greater than the temptations Ispeak Of,
And these same instincts by tho way, see
wisely sent for our pryservation-to act VIII,