Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-11-06
M IS @ ella N Y.
5I-~0o----~~@07
- @ From the Neao York Ledger.
THE DEATH OF LOGAN.
BY DIR. $. COMPTON SMITH.


~ -
While lad, this noted Indian was taken pris-
oner by party of Rangers under the command
of CAPT. Benjamin Logan, of Kentucky. So no.
Bile and fearless was the conduct OF the youth on
this occasion, that be won the admiration of bis
captors. The captain carried him with him to
his home. where he was received and adopted as
a member of his own family; and after receiv-
ing frontier education, was permitted to return
to his own people. A few years after his return
he became chief, but during his whole life he
was warmly attached to the family of his adop-
ted father whose name he always retained.-
he was also an unwavering friend of the coun-
try-and after the English, by promises which
| tbey had neither the means nor intention of full
l6lling. had induced the various Indian tribes Of
the west to fight against their old neighbors the
tribe of which Logan was member took up the
tomahawk against the whites. He, however,
with few of the principle warriors of his band,
remained faithful to the cause of the United
States. and during the war his services were of
the utmost importance to the country. He act
ed as a guide to General Hulrs army in its ad
| vance upon Detroit, and was employed on va
rious important commissions, requiring much
tact. prudence and inteligence-all of which he
performed in manner to elicit the commenda
ton and thanks of his employers.
s
tered the place through the midst of hostile In
| dians and British, bearing important informa
ltion-and again sallying out from the stockade,
made good his escape, so as to be the means OF
timely relief to the invested fort. In fact, this
gallant warrior and faithful friend of the Ameri-
cans eyinced his fidelity ON every occasion when
his services were called into requisition.
Perhaps no man in our army had higher
sense of honor or self-respect than Logan, be
was extremely sensitive of the least doubt OF his
sentiments, and venture to cay that few white
men regarded their word as sacred as did this
Savage Indian. There were few leaders in our
army at that time who in that respect could
compare with him.
Still. with the knowledge of the Invaluable
services rendered by this brave and honorable
man. there were in the army spirits, actuated,
doubtless, by envy of his just reputation, so mean
and contemplate as to throw suspicious and mis-
representations upon his intentions.
During the autumn of 1872 the country about
the Ohio and Indiana frontier, and particularly
along the Maumee river, was covered with hos
tile Indians and English, under that arch coward
and villain. the eInfamous PROCTOR" and late
in the Fall General Harrison directed Logan,
with a small band of warriors to proceed to the
Rapids of the Maumee, and reconnoitre the
country in that vicinity. But when approach
ing the Rapids, Logans command was ambushed
by large body of the enemy, and forced to re-
treat. after hot skirmish.- Logan who was ac-
companied by captain Johny and Brighthorn,
succeeded in escaping, with portion of their
followers. to the left wing of the army, under
the command of General Winchester, to whom
he related all the circumstances of the affair.
Here, without the slightest ground for so foul
a charge, an officer covertly accused him of in
fidelity to the American cause, and OF secretly
conveying intelligence of the condition and in
tention of our army to Proctor at Maiden.
This slanderous accusation reached the ears of
the chief, and stung to the quick by SO false and
ungenerous report he Immediately sought his
friend, the gallant captain Oliver and with tears
in his eyes, communicated what bis warriors had
heard. His first impulse was to proceed to the
Quarters of the officer and in the presence of his
command accuse him of his falsehood, but upon
reflection he determined upon the course he
afterwards adopted.
Oliver assured him that an accusation so ut
terly groundless could in no wise compromise
him in the estimation of the brave officers and
men of the army, and that such opinions and
tattle were beneath the notice of so honorable
a man as his friends knew him to be.
This advice was doubtless good, and had the
gallant Logan taken no further notice of the re-
port, it, perhaps would soon have been forgot
ten. But still burning with indignation, the
chief replied:
''You, my friend, know me well, and you
know your country has no truer hearts than
those that beat in the breasts of Logan and his
red warriors-you know this, Winchester and
Harrison know it, and so do most of the army
But must convince this split tongue pale-face
and his people that his words are lie, or my
bones shall be given to their enemies Either
their blood shall wash out this black reproach,
or Logan shall never show his face again among
his white friends"
This was the evening of the 21st of November,
and on the following morning, after consulta-
ton with his faithful friends, Captain Johny and
Brighthorn, the three sailed out of the camp
together, leaving their warriors behind, to await
their return, or the news of their deaths. It |
was evident to Captain Oliver and his friends
that the three brave Indians were bent upon
some desperate adventure in search of trophies
by which to disprove the contemplate report
which the officer had set ahoat concerning Lo-
gan.
The little party wended their way cautiously
down the banks of the Maumee, and at noon en-
camped in thick clump of underground, to
partake of their dinner of dried beef and army
bread While engaged in this occupation thew
WARE necessarily off their cuard opd ,r,oro