The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1866-02-02
Uhe 8pQforQ 6azette.
0TR LOCAL HISTORY.

the frontier, during the years 1866, 'G7,
and '6s. But in l769the Indians began
again to make incursions into the un-
protected settlements. The recollec-
ton Of the summary manner in which
Col. Smith had punished the traders for
attempting to supply the Indians with
munitions of war, no longer operated
to restrain men whose love of gain in
duced them to barter away the lives of
their own countrymen. Notwith-
standing the fact that the savages had
again lifted the tomahawk against the
settlers. there were found persons base
enough to carry on with the former a
traffic which supplied them the means
10 carry destruction to the homes Of the
frontier. The severe measures made
use Of by Col. Smith four years previ-
Gus, Wereagain resorted to by the "Black
Boys of Bedford. Wefind the follow
ing account of their proceedings and
the consequences which followed III
Smiths" Narrative, (which has already
been quotedlargely: "In the year 1863,
the Indians again made incursions on
the frontiers: yet the traders continued
carrying goods and warIike stores to
them. The frontiers took the alarm,
and Il number of persons collected, de-
stroyed and plundered a quantity of
their powder, lead, DC, in Bedford
county. Shortly after this some Of
these persons, with Others, were appre-
hended and laid in irons in the guard
house in Fort Bedford, on suspicion of
being the perpetrators Of this crime.
Though ! did not altogether approve
of the conduct of this new club of black
{ boys, yet I concluded that they should
not lie in irons in the guard house, or
remain in confinement, by arbitrary or
military power. / resolved, therefore,
if possible, to release them, if they
even should be tried by civil law after
wards l collected eighteen Of my old
black boys, that [ had seen tried in the
Indian war, &c. 1 did not desire a
large party, lest they should be too
much alarmed at Bedford, and accor-
dinghy be prepared for Us. We march
ed along the public road in daylight,
and made no secret OF our design: We
told those whom we met. that we were
going to take Fort Bedford, which ap-
peared to them very unlikely story.
Before this / made it known to one
William Thompson, a man whom |
could trust, and who lived there; him
l employed as spy, andsenthimalong
on horseback before, with orders tomeet
me at certain place near Bedford one
hour before day. The next day, lit
1 tie before sunset, Weencamped nearthe
( crossings of the Juniata, about four
/ teen miles from Bedford, and erected
/ tents, as though we intended staying
all night; and not man in my compa-
( ny knew to the contrary, save myself.
Knowing that they would hear this in
Bedford. and wishing it TO be the case,
+ I thought to surprise them by stealing
a march. As the moon rose about II
o'clock, l ordered my boys to march,
/ and We went ON at the rate Of five
miles an hour, until we met ThOmp-
son at the place appointed. He told
/ us that thecommanding officer had fre-
quently heard of Us by travellers, and
had ordered thirty men upon guard.
( He said they knew our number, and
only made game Of the notion of eigh-
( teen men coming to rescue the prison
ers; but they did not expect Us until
towards the middle of the day. as
ked him if the gate was open? He
said it was shut, but he expected they
would open itae usual at daylight, as
they apprehended no danger. | then
moved my men privately up under the
banks of the Juniata, where we lagoon
cealed about one hundred yards from
the fort gate. had ordered the men
I to keep a profound silence until we got
into it. ! then sent Off Thompson a.
gain to spy. At daylight he returned
and told us that the gate was open and
three sentinels were standing upon the
wall; that the guards were taking 3
morning dram and the arms standing
together in one place. / then conclu
ded to rush into the fort, and told
| Thompson to run before me to thearm