Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-08-19
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From the Note Book Of Captain Benham.
A WONDERFUL ESCAPE.

1t was in the Autumn of 1879, that a
party of us left the Falls of the Ohio, in
keel-boats, under the command of Ma
jor Rodgers, for the purpose of making
an attack upon the Indians at the old
town of Chillicothe. On our way UP
the river, we met with no remarkable
adventure, till we approached the mouth
of the Licking-which we did about sun
set of delightful day. We observed a
few Indians standing upon projecting
sand bar, at point where the two
streams unite, apparentlywatching some
companions in a canoe, who were cross
ing to them from the opposite bank of
the smaller stream. If they saw us.
there was nothing in their manner to in
dictate the fact; and thinking it possible
to take, them by surprise, Major Rodg-
ers ordered the boats to be run under
some bushes along the 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. Quietly, stealthily, we pushed
onward, spreading out as we advanced,
till at length we reached and fairly en-
circled the fatal spot; when, just as the
order was being given to rush in upon
the foe, we were startled and thrown in
to the greatest confusion, by the upris-
ing on every side of us, of several hun
dred yelling Indians. 3
We had been drawn into complete
ambuscade-had been taken by our enc
mics In the very trap we had set for
them. Instantly they poured in de-
structive fire, and then fell upon us with
knife and tomahawk, when the panic on
our part became fearful, and the slaugh-
ter 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 savage as their own, we
broke through their lines, and rushed
tor our boats. But the Indians compre-
hending our designs, reached them be-
fore us, and made capture of all save
one, in which the men left in charge had
made their escape. Our only chance
now was to break their lines again, and
start through the forest to the station of
Harrodsburgh. Favored by the gath
ering shades of night, some twenty of
our whole party escaped, though hotly
by our blood thirsty foes.
But | was not one of that fortunate
few; for, as l was in the act of clearing
some five or six of the enemy, who bar
red my way to dense thicket, and lust
as | had cut down couple of the near
est. a ball passed through my hips, shat
terlng the bones. At once I fell, but
luckily among some thick bushes, which
Tor the moment concealed me; and the
others, probably thinking me dead or es.
capped, Immediately darted off in pursuit
OF my flying friends. Ihad my rifle still
In my hands, and wounded and suffering
as l was, proceeded to load it as Law
on the ground-my only hope now be-
ing that l should succeed in killing one
more OF the wretches before terminus
should be put to my own existence.
AS minute after minute went by, how
ever, and the yells of the savage 5 grew
more and more distant, and night began
fast to envelop me in her welcome paIl
OF darkness, a new hope sprung up in
my breast, that [ might possibly SO Sc
crete myself as to escape the observa-
ten OF the enemy altogether. Slowly
dragging myself through the bushes to
fallen tree, which lay within few feet
ofme, |, with the most circulating pain
crept under the branches, which / dis
posed above my person in the best man.
ner l could.
Here for hours / lay, suffering agonies
OF body and mind, which no LANGUAGE
has power to describe, dared not stir
again, scarcely to breathe; 1 heardRtbe
Indians return, and l could tell by the
sound that they were going over the
ground and butchering all the wounded
they could find. About midnight. as
near as | could judge, they once more
drew off and lit their camp fires. the
glimmering of which could family per-
ceive through the thick foliage which
surrounded me. Z ~ s 9
Let me pass over that night of horror.
II any one would have the faintest idea
OF what l suffered, he must imagine him.
sen IN my situation = therein the
branches of that tree-with both hips
snattered-surrounded by nv dead
triends-and, worse still, my living foes
dared not change my position, nor rive
vent to single groan, and at times it
seemed that nature must compel from
me some expression of pain, in spite OF
my utmost will. o, it was a horrible
night! and may God deliver me from ey-
er 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
plumber? And at times the thought of
this SO worked upon my feelings, that I
was more than once tempted to shrek
OUT and let my position be known. and
thus bring upon my self the relief of a