The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1859-09-14
MAI. MOSES VAN CAMPS
EARLY LIFE IN
G OIL u M 3 IA UNITY

/
Kelly, who stationed us at Big Isle, OH the
West Branch of the Susquehanna. Moth
ing particular transpired during that lime
and in March, i77s, was appointed lieu
tenant of company of sx-mon,hs men -
Shortly afterward, | was ordered by Col
Samuel Hunter 10 proceed with about 90
men to Fishipgcreek, (Which emp.ies into
the North Branch of the Susquehanna about
90 miles from Northumberland and TO
build fort about three miles from its mouth,
for the reception of the Inhabitants in case
of ali alarm from the Indians. In May, my
fort being nearly completed, our spies dis.
covered large body of Indians making
their way towards the fort. The neighbor-
ing residents had barely time 10 fly 10 the
fort for protection, leaving their goods be
hind. The Indians soon made their ap-
pearance, and having plundered and burnt
the houses, attacked the fort, keeping a
steady fire upon us during the day. AT
night they withdrew, burning and destroy.
ing everything in their route. What loss
they sustained we could not ascertain, as
they carried off all the dead and wounded,
though from the marks of blood on the
ground, it must have been considerable -
The inhabitants that took shelter in the fort
had built yard for their cattle at the head
OF small flat at a short distance from the
fort and one evening in the month of June,
just as they were milking them, my senti.
mel called my attention 10 some movement
in the brush, which soon discovered TO be
Indians, making their way 10 the cattle yard.
There was no time TO be lost immediate
ly selected Ten of my sharp-shooiers, and
under cover of rise of land, got between
them and the mixers. On ascending the
ridge we found ourselves within pistol-shot
of them; fred first, and killed the leader,
but volley from my men did no further
execution, the Indians running off at once.
Ir the mean time the milk pals flew in
every direction, and the best runner got to
the fort frst AS the season advanced, In
dian hostilties increased, and notwiths,and.
ing the vigilance of our scouts, which were
constantly out, houses were burnt and fam
lilies murdered.
On the return of the army | was taken
with the camp-iever, and was removed 10
the fort which had built in '7s, where my
father was still living. In the course Of the
winter recovered my health, and my faith
er's house having been burnt in ;78 by the
party which attacked the before mentioned
fort, my father requested me 10 go with him
and younger brother to our farm, about
four miles distant, 10 make preparations for
building another, and raising some grain
But little apprehension was entertained of
moestations from the Indians this season
as they had been so completely routed the
year before. We left the fort about the last
of March, accompanied by my uncle and
his son, about twelve years old, and one
Peter Pence. We had been on our farms
about four or five days, when on the morn
ing of the 30th of March, we were surpris-
ed by party of ten Indians. My father
was Iunged through with war spear, his
throat was cut, and he was scalped; while
my brother was tomahawked, scalped, and
thrown into the fire before my eyes. While
| was struggling with warrior, the fellow
who had killed my father drew his spear
from his body and made violent thrust at
me. shrank from the spear; the savage
who had hold of me turned ii with his hand
so that it only penetrated my vest and shirt.
They were then satisfied with taking me
prisoner, as they had the same morning ia
ken my uncle's little son and Pence, though
they killed my uncle. The same party, be-
fore they reached us, had touched on the
lower settlements of Wyoming, and killed a
MIR. Upson, and took boy prisoner OF the
name os Rogers. We were now marched
off up Fishiugcreek, and in the afternoon OF
the same day we came 10 Huntington,
where the Indians found four while men a:
sugar camp, who fortunately discovered
the Indians and fled 10 house the Indians
only fred on them aud wounded Captain
Ransom, when they continued their course
till night. Having encamped and made
their fire, we, the prisoners, were tied and
well secured, five Indians lying on one side
of us and five on the other; in the morning
they pursued their course, and, leaving the
waters of Fishingcreek, touched the head.
waters OF Hemlock creek, where they found
one Abraham Pike, his wife and child
Pike was made prisoner, but his wife and
child they painted, and told Joggo, squa,0
go home. The continued their course thai
day, and encamped the same night in the
same manner as the previous. 1t came into
my mind that sometimes individuals per
formed wonderful actions, and surmounted
the greatest danger. then decided that these
fellows must die; and thought of the plar
10 dispatch them. The next day had al
opportunity 10 communicate my plan 10 my
fellow prisoners; they treated it as vision
| ary scheme for three men to attempt 10 dis
pacth ten Indians spread before :hem the
advantages that three men would have owe
ten when asleep; and that we would be thu
first prisoners that would be taken into thei
towns and villages after our army had des
troyed their corn, that we should be tied Il
the stake and suffer cruel death we hat
now an inch of ground TO fight on, and
we failed, it would only be death, and W.