Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-07-30
Gtnrral itltscellanu.
A WoNDERFuL EscApE.


From The Note Book ofiho late Capt Robert Benhem
1t was in the autumn of 100 that a party
of US left the Falls of the Ohio. in keel boats,
under the command of Major Rodgers. for the
purpose Of making an attack upon the Indians
at the old town Of Chilicothe. On our way
up the river, we met with no remarkable ad e.
venture. till we approached the mouth of Lick
ing--which we did about sunset of a delight
full day. We observed few Indians stand
ing upon projecting sand bar, at point
where the two streams unite, apparently
watching some companions in canoe, who
were crossing to them from the opposite bank
Of the smaller stream. If they saw us, there
was nothing in their manner to indicate the
fact; and thinking it possible to take them
by surprise, Major Rodgers ordered the boats
to be run up under some bushes along the
shore, and all the men, save fve--some sew
enty 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 VIC should give the enemy
Quietly, stealthily, we pushed onward spread
ing out as we advanced, till at length we
reached and fairly encirced the fatal spot !;
when, just as the order was being given to
rush in upon the foe, we were startled and
thrown into the greatest confusion, by the up
rising on every side of us. Of several hundred
yelling Indians.
We had been drawn into a complete am
buscade-had been taken by our enomes in
the very trap we had set for them. Instant
ly they poured in 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 huddlcd together. and then, finding our
selves hemmed in by our foes, who hcwed us
down as fast as they reached us, we turned
at bay, and poured back a volley from our
side. Then with yels as wild and savage as
their own, we broke through their lines, and
rushed for our boats But the Indians com
pretending our design, reached them before
us. and made a capture Of all save one, in
which the men left in charge had made their
escape. Our only chance now was TO breal,
their lines again, and start through the for
est TO the station of Harodsburgh. Favored
by the gathering shades Of night, some twen-
~ Of our whole party escaped. though holly
pursued by our bood-thirsty foes.
But | was not one Of that fortunate few /;
for. as ! was ia the act Of clearing some five
or six of thu enemy, who barred my way to a
dense thicket, and just as had cut down a
couple of the nearest ball passed through
my hips, shattoring the bones At once |
fell, but luckily among some thick bushes,
which for the moment concealed me; and the
others. probably thinking me dead or escaped,
Immediately darted off in pursuit of my flying
friends. | had my rife still in my hands !;
and wounded and suffering as | was, ! pro-
cecded to load it as | lay on the ground-my
only hope now being that | should succeed in
killing one more of the wretches before ter
minus should be put to my own existence.
As minute after minute went by, however,
and the yells of the savages grew more and
more distant, and night began fast 70 envcl-
ope me in her welcome pail Of darkness, a
new hope sprung up in my breast, that Lmight
possibly so secrete myself as to escape the OBJ
scrvation Of the enemy altogether. Slowly
dragging myself through the bushes TO a fall
Gu tree, which lay within a few feet Of me, /,
with the most excruciating pain, crept under
the branches, which disposed above my per-
son in the best manner | could.
Here for hours lay, suffering agonies of
body and mind which no language has power
to describe. l dare not stir again, scarcely
to breathe. ! heard the Indians return, and
ing over the ground and butchering all the
wounded they cosld find. About midnight,
as near as | could Judge they once more drew
off and lit their camp fires, the glimmering of
which could family perceive through the
thick foliage which surrounded me.
Let me pass over that night OF horror. II
any one would have the iaintest idea of what
| suffered, he must imagine himself in my sit
uation--there-in the branches of that tree
with both hips shattered-surrounded by my
dead friends--and, worse still, my living foes.
! dared not change my position, nor give vent
TO single groan; and at times it seemed
that nature must compel from ne some OK
prossion Of pain, in spite of my utmost viii.
o, it was a horrible night and may God de-
liver me from ever passing such another
But the end was not yet Horrible as that
was, / dreaded to see the morrow. How
could expect to escape the lynx eyes of so
many savages, when they should begin to
beat over the ground for plunder; And at
times the thought of this so worked upon my
feelings, that ! was more than once tempted
to shrek out. and let my position be known,
and thus bring upon myself the relief OF a
speedy death for ! knew, from my disabled
condition, that the Indians would not think
of taking me prisoner, but butcher me at
once. And yet the instincts of life were
greater than the temptation speak Of And
these same instincts, by the way, seem wisely
sent for our preseryation--to act when reason
tells us that hope is lost, and We had better
end our woes at once.
How painfully / watched the dawning of
the day How eagerly and tremblngly /
listened to every sound At length could
hear the Indians astr; and soon after they
he gan to traverse the scene Of slaughter, and
gather up the arms of my companions, aud
strip their bodies Of every garment. They
were hours at their work and to me those
hours were ages. At times when some of
them drew near the spot where lay, ! felt
my heart in my very throat, and it seemed as
IL should die of suffocation. Twice a small
party of them were so close that | could sec
their half-naked, hideously painted forms thro'
the leaves aud once a single warrior stalkod
by me, within reach of my rife. Up and
down, and over the ground they passed and
repassed many times, till they were evidently
satisfied that none Of the dead or wounded
had escaped their notice. They then drew
off in body along the bank of the river
where they remained !or hours--in fact, till
late in the day--when, being Joined by the
rest of their companions, who had probably
l.. =. Of tho Gtui-