The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-10-21

Immediately after day-break the
Indians and British withdrew 10 the
spring. and cessation Of hostilities for
several hours ensued.
IL WAS about noon Of this day that an
incident occurred which has been the
theme of history, poetry aud romance.
We allude 90 the ''gunpowder exploit"
as IL Is familiarity known in border
story.
As we have already stated, Colonel
Zane remained in his cabin near the
tort, during the whole siege. Finding
that his supply OF powder WAS likely 10
run out, he proposed TO those present,
that some one Of them would have 10
visit the fort aud renew the stock. IL
was known To be hazardous under
taking, aud unwilling TO order any OF
the white men TO 30 perilOus an enter
prise, Colonel Zane Submitted the mat
Ter to their own devotion and courage.
One Of them instantly profiered his ser
vices. but "A female member OF Colonel
Zane's family came forward and said,
NO! / cW 90: should 1 be killed, 4
can be better spared than one n these
men," That woman. according To the
traditionary accounts OF the country,
WIS Elizabeth Zane, sister 20 Colonel
Zane. She Is represented to have been
a young woman Of great resolution and
much energy Of character, aud those
who knew her intimately say unhesi-
tatingly, that she was Just the person
for such an exploit. Preparing herself
for the feat, the intrepid girl stepped
from the cabin ana bounded to the fort
with the speed of deer. A number of
Indians concealed in the neighborhOOd,
saw her emerge from the cabin, bat did
not attempt to shoot, only exclaiming
with eontemptuous epithets, "Squsw,
squaw." She reached the fort, aud ty-
ing about her person eight or ten
pounds Of powder, again ventured
forth, aud moved rapidly towards the
cabin Of Colonel Zane. Suspecting all
was not right, the savages opened upon
her volley OF rifle balls, but un-
scathed, the courageous girl bounded
into the arms of those who stood ready
TO receive her.
That act OF the heroic and single
hearted female saved the Inmates OF
Colonel Zane's house from certain
destruction. Their ammunition had
been exhausted, and every soul would
have fallen sure prey of the sayages
had not supply been obtained.
Night closing In, the enemy renewed
the attack. and maintained II without
intermissiOn until day-bresk.
Shortly after sunrise, the enemy
espairing OF success, commenced XIII
ing the cattle, burning the vacant
cabins, Sc.
About ten o'clock A. NJ, an Indian
spy, who had been sent out to watch
the approach OF a relief, returned, and
hen within sight OF the fort, gave n
long, deep, peculiar wboop, which the
well-trained Indian hunters fully un-
derstoOd as a signal to be- of. Scarcely
had the echoes OF his shout ceased re-
yerberating along the valley than the
entire hostile army moved rapidly
toward the river, which they crossed
near where the Northwestern Bank
now stands. In less than half an hour
after the retreat, Captain Williamson
with seventy mounted men rode up TO
the fort, and great was the rejoicing Mt
the appearance of his gallant band.
Thus ended the final investment OF
Fort Henry. The Indians never again
attempted To modest IL, but gave the
place ns wide latitude AS convenient
la their expeditions against the back
settlements.