Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-06-16
A WONDERFUL ESCAPE.

FROM THE NOTE BOOK OF THE LATE CAPTAIN
ROBERT BENHAM.
1t was in the autumn of 1899 that a part of
as 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 Chillicothe. On onr way
up the river we met with no remarkable ad-
venture, till we approached the mouth of the
Licking-which we did about sunset of de-
lightful day. We observed a few Indians
standing upon projecting sand bar, at a
point where the two streams unite, apparently
watching some companions in a 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 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, spread
reached and fairly encircled the fated spot :;
when, just as the order was being given to
rush in upon the foe, VIC were startled and
thrown into the greatest confusion by the up
rising every side of us several hundred
yelling Indians.
We had been drawn into 4 complete ambus-
cade-had been taken by our enemies in the
tran w had Snt fnr 10 how
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 hud-
died together; and then, finding ourselves
hcmmcd in by our foes, who hewed us down
rs fast as they reached us, we turned at bay
and poured back a volley from our side. Then
with yclls as wild and savage as their own, we
broke through their lines, and rushed for our
boats. But the Indians, comprehendng 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 break their lines again, and
start through the forest to the station of Har-
rodsburgh. Favored by the gathering shades
of night, some twenty of our whole party es-
capped, though holly pursued by our blood
thirsty toes.
But was not one of that fortunate few !;
for, as was in the act of clearing some five
or six of the enemy, who barred my way to 4
dense thicket, and just as had cut down a
couple of the nearest, a ball passed through
my hips, shattering 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, imme-
diately dartcd off in pursuit of my flying
friends. 1 had my rifle still in my hands; and
wounded and suffering as l was, proceeded
to load it as lay on the ground-my only hope
now being that should succeed in killing one
more of the wretches before a terminus should
be put to my own existence.
AS minute after minute went by however,
and the yells of the sayages 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 secrete myself as to escape the
observation OF the enemy altogether. Slowly
dragging myself through the bushes to fall
len tree, which lay within few feet of ME, l
with the most excruciating pain crept under
tho branches, which L disposed above my per-
son in the best manner l could.
Here for hours L 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
could tell by the sound that they were going
over the ground and butchering all the woun-
ded they could find. About midnight, as near
as l could judge, they once more drew off and
lit their camp fires, the glimmering of whic h
i could family perceive through the thick TO-
liage which surrounded me.
Let me pass over that night of horror. If
any one would have the faintest idea of what 1
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
dare not change my position, nor give vent