The constitutional union., 1861-02-01
ANEcD0rE OF 4 KENTUCKY PI01EER.

The late John Haggin, Esq, of Mercer county, came to Kentucky at an early period On his arrival, the few inhabitants resided principally at Harrodsburg and Boonsboro' Lexington had not then been settled. Mr.
 Iaggin, desirous of commencing the cultiva- tion of the fertile land in this region of coun- try, made some entries, that is purchased several tracts from the government; among the rest, one at q place near where Harrison Bourbon and Fayette counties unite. He commenced the improvement of the place removed some of the trees, erected small log-house, and brought to his new residence some furniture; among other things, few iron kettles, to be used in making sugar from the sugar-tTees, which were then and are now abundant in that country. Owing to the want of roads and means of transportation heavy iron utensils were of great value, and but few persons had or could procure them Shortly after MT. Haggin commenced work ing on his new place, the hostility of the sav- ages became so alarming, that he was con- strained to abandon his cabin and seek secur- ity in the fort at uarrodsburg Previously however, to his departure, he used the precau- ton of burying his kettles. He was accom- panied to uarrodsbur9 by his wife and one child, daughter who is now residing in Woodtord county, united in marriage to a gentleman of responsibility.
 Mir. Haggin spent the winter with his wife in the fort, where they were somewhat in commoded by the crowd of persons within so small place. In the spring, perceiying no Indication of the sayages in the vicinity and deslous of getting out of the fort, he erected a cabin in a valley near the stream from the big spring toward the fort, on the side next to where the town of Uarrodsbarg now is, situated less than quarter of d mile distant from the fort, (the fort beingon an eminence) but directly in view. Mir. Hagein and tami- ly spent the summer at their little tenement, engaged in domestic concerns and in cultyat- ing small portion of land, released, to be sure, from the confinement of the fort, but under continual approximations of visit from the Indians Each morning, before the door was unbarred they peeped out of tha cabin, " illuminated by many cranny, Ju spy out the insidiOus enemy, who, 1t Was feared, might be lurking about behind logs and trees ready to rush in and murder the family They remained, however, in great measure unin- terruptcd until fall, when Mir. Haggin deter mined to revisit his place OF this side of the river, for the purpose of removing some of his kettles to Harrodsburg, preparatory to making sugar in the winter. He set out with an active woodsman that he had hired to as sist him. On the second day they came in sight of MT. Haggins place, on the edge of what is now Harrison county; they were rid ing slowly and cautiously along, watching for enemies, when, looking forward to the place where the cabin had stood, they perceived that 1t had just been burned down, and saw three or four Indians sitting near the ruin
 Haggin proposed to his companion that they should fall back and prepare themselves, and return and give the Indians battle They retreated a few hundred yards, dismounted, and took off their exterior clothing, retaining only their shirts, leggings, and moccasins, tied the other clothing on their horses and turned them loose, intending, in case of retreat to regain their horses, but, if they could not succeed in that, they deemed 1t prudent to be lightly clothed that they might fly with more celerity. Having examined their rifles and HCCH ludo CNClJ J tH4LlS heto Ill OIuGT they SCI out to attack the enemy. It was arranged that Haggin should proceed on foremost, fire his gun at the sayages and retreat to a tree that his companion should reserve his shot until the enemy approached, and then fire and retreat; thus they should fire and load alternately. But this well-arranged plan, like many others equally sagacious, proved abor- tive. While Haggin and his companion were engaged in council of war, it did not occur to them that the savages were concertin2 plans also.
 Mr. Haggin, agreeably to the mode of at tack agreed on, advanced slowly his body bent down, casting his eye forward, intently watching for sight of an Indian to get shot at. He heard a low voice behind him
 he listened; his companion cried out in ; quick under-tone, Haggin, don't you see w are about to be surrounded Let us retreat Haggin cast his eyes around and saw hun dreds of Indians rise up from among the cane having nearly surrounded him. He immedi ately fled, they pursued, but didnot then fire
 lest, in shooting across, they should kill eacl