Weekly Trinity journal., 1859-04-23
Revolutionary Rcminisceuce,

TENWTWTTOIIWTV TT,
sergeant aud twelve armed men undertook q
journey through the wilderness in the State OF
New Hampshire. Their route was remote from
any settlements, and they were under the neces'
sity of encamping over night in the woods. In
the early part of our struggle for independence,
the Indians were numerous, and did not stand
idle spectators to q conflict carried on
with so much zeal and ardor by the whites. Some
tribes were friendly to our cause. while many
upon our border took part with the enemy. and
were very troublesome in their savage kind of
warfare, as our countrymen often learned from
the woful experience Of their midnight depreda-
tions. The leader Of the above mentioned party
was well acquainted with different tribes; and
from much intercourse with them previous to the
war; was not ignorant of the idiom. physiognomy,
and dress of each, and at the commencement of
hostilties was informed for which party they had
raised the hatcbet
Nothing material happened the first day of
their excurson but early in the afternoon Of the
second, they, from an eminence, discovered a
body of armed Indians advancing towards them,
whose number rather exceeded their own. As
soon as the whites were perceived by their red
brethren, the latter made signals, and the two
parties approached each other in amicable man
ner The Indians appeared to be much gratifed
with meeting the sergeant and his men, whom
they observed they considered as their protectors;
said they belonged to a tribe which had raised
the hachet with ze al in the cause of liberty, and
were determined to do all in their power to injure
the common enemy. They shook hands in friend
ship, and it was, " How dye do, pro d? how dye
do, pro ?" that being their pronunciation Of the
word brother. When they had conversed with
each other for some time, and exchanged mutual
good wishes, they at length separated, and each
party Travelled in different directions. After
proceeding to the distance OF a mile or more, the
sergeant halted his men, and addressed them in
the following werds: "My brave companions,
we must use the utmost caution, or this night
may be our last. Should we not make some ex-
traordnary exertions to defend ourselves, to-
morrow's sun may find Us sleeping never to wake.
You are surprised comrades at my words: and
your anxiety will not be lessened when inform
you that we have just passed our most inveterate
Toe who, under the mask Of pretended friendship
you have witnessed, would lull us into security,
and by such means, in the unguarded moments Of
our midnight slumber, without resistance, seal
our fate"
The men with astonshment listened to this
short harangue and their surprise was greater,
as not one of them bad entertained the sus picOn
but that they had just encountered friends. They
all Immediately resolved to enter into some
scheme for their mutual preservation and the
destruction of their enemies. BY the proposal of
their leader the following plan was adopted and
executed:
The spot selected for their nights encampmcnt
was near a stream Of water, which served TO cover
their rear. They felled large tree, before which,
on the approach of night, brilliant fire was
lighted. Each individual cut log of wood
about the size Of his body, rolled it nicely in his
blanket, placed his hat upon the extremity, and
laid it before the fire, that the enemy might be
deceived, and mistake it for a man. After logs
equal in number to the sergcant's party were thus
fitted out, and so artfully arranged that they
mi ght easily be taken for so many soldiers, the
men with loaded muskets placed themselves be-
hind the fallen tree, by which time the shades Of
evening began to close around. The fire was
supplied with fuel aud kept burning brilliantly
until late in the evening, when it was suffered to
decline. The critical time was now approaching,
when an attack might be expected from the In
dians; but the sergeant's men rested in their
places of conceament with great anxiety till
near midnight, without perceiying any movement
of the enemy.
At length a tall Indian was discovered, through
the glimmering of the fire, (Which was now get
ting low,) cautiously moving towards them,
making no noise, and apparently using every
means in his power to conceal himself from any
one about the camp. For time, his actions
showed him to be suspicious that guard might
be stationed to watch any unusual appearance,
who would give the alarm in case OF danger; but
all appearing quiet, he ventured forward more
boldly, rested upon his toes, and was distinctly
seen to move his finger as he numbered each log
Of wood, or what he supposed to be human
being quietly enjoying repose. To satisfy himself
mere fully as to the number, be counted them
over second time and cautiously retired. He
was succeeded by another Indian, who went
through the same movements and retired in the
same manner Soon after the whole party, six
teen in number, were discovered, cautiously ap-
preaching and greedily eyeing their supposed
victims. The feelings of the sergeant's men can
better he imagined than described, when they saw
the base and cruel purposes of their enemies,
who were now so near that they could hardly be
restrained from firing upon them. The plan,
however, of the sergeant was, to have his men
remain silent in their places of conceament till
the muskets of the savages were discharged, that
their own fire might be more eilectual and oppo-
sition less formidable.
The suspense was not Of long duration. The
Indians, in body, cautiously approached, till
within short distance; they then halted, took
deliberate aim, discharged their pieces upon
inanimate I0gs, gave the dreadful war-wboop and
instantly rushed forward with tomahawk and
scalpng knife in hand to dispatch the living and
obtain the scalps Of the dead. As soon they
had collected in close order, more elltctualy to
execute these horrid intentions, the party of the
sergeant with unerring aim, discharged their
pieces, not on logs of wood, but perldOus
savages, not one Of whom escaped destruction by
the snare into which their cOwardly and blood
thirsty dispositions had led them
Isn't THIS NICE Such was the exclamation