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

LOCAL "REMINISCENCES.
Further Extracts from DE Has His
tory of the wesI virginia Border---
The second siege of Port Henry al
wheeling--A Thrilling chapter from
the Early History Of our Ci'y--ihe
memorable Years OF 1871 and 1854
MEDITATED ATTACK on WHEELING.
In September OF this year, occurred
what may be called the second attempt
upon Wheeling.
Fortunately, the purpose OF the IN
dams was frustrated by the timel ylnlor-
nation communicated by ol.Brodhead
then commanding the western division
Of the army. The despatch Of Colonel
Is. was as follows:-
Fort PITT, August "a, l1sl.
SIR:-I have this moment received
certain intelligence that the enemy are
coming In great force against US, ana
particularly against Wheeling. You
will Immediately put your garrison IN
the best posture OF defence, and lay in
as great quantity OF water as circum-
stances will admit, and receive them
coolly. They intend to decoy yonr gar.
rison. but you are to guard against
stratagem, aud defend the post 10 the
last extremity.
You NAV rely upon every aid in my
power TO Illustrate the designs OF the en-
envy but you must not fail to give the
alarm to the inhabitants In your reach,
and make it AS general rs possible, IN
order that every man may be prepared
at this crisis.
lam, sir, your most oh't serVt'
Signed DANIEL BRoDHEAp,
Col. Commanding W. ID.
TO the Commanding officer al Fort Hem
~, Wheeling.
This information, as may well be
supposed, startled the inhabtanls al
Wheeling; but, not unmindful soi the
notice, thew put themselves IN reHdi-
ness To meet and resist any attack the
enemy might make. The fort was im-
mediately placed In proper condition
for defence, and nothing left undOne to
secure their safety.
AbOatten days after the reception OF
the dispatch Of Col. Brodhead, a party
of one hundred Indians suddenly APP
peAred iu the vicinity of the fort. The
first inumatiOn those within the stock
AIDE had of the presence of the enemy,
was hy "A boy named George keikart,
reaching the tort almost exhausted,
who stated that a large party OF Indians
were at the spring, (near the hill,) and
that they had killed his companion,
John Ryan, and taken David Glenn
prisoner.
The approach Of the Indians had been
40 sudden and noiseless, that Ryan was
shot down, and Glenn taken prisoner,
but Reikart was some distance on,
gathering walnuts, escaped. just Ms he
entered the fort-gate, a ritie-ball struck
him on the wrist.
moment, those within were ready
to receive them; but, II IL SUPPOSED,
that the savages, nom information OF
Glenn, anticipated warm reception,
and deemed irbetter valOr tn make OF
at once. This they did, afler demand
ing in pOmpOus manner the surfen-
der of the fort, which req uest the iu-
mates very politely declined acceding
TO.
Thus, owing 10 the timely iniorma-
ton of Col. Brodhead, the settlement
at Wheeling was, doubtless, saved rom
what might have been bloody vista
ton
SECOND sEIGE OF FORT HENRY.
The last beleagurenent of the fort at
wheeling, was certainly one or the
most important events in the settle
ment of the northwest, One, upon
which IL may emphatically be said, the
very existence of the frontier Of Nir-
ginia depended.
ON the eleventh day Of September,
1872, n body OF three hundred and my
Indians and whites the former Shaw
anese and Delawares, under the COM
mand of George Girty, and the latter, n
company known M the Queens Ran
gers" commanded by Captain Pratt,
made their appearance in front OF the
nttle stockade at Wheeling, and per
emptorily demanded a surrender. The
besiegers marched up in regular nle,
headed by tiie and drum, with the
British flag flying over them.
Girty, upon whom the whole COM
maud deyolyed, dehled his men by the
spring near where the market-h0uss
now stands and in the name of the Brit
ish Governor demanded surrender.
He promised to all who would give up,
"the besI protection King George could
afford" To this, the brave anu daunl-
less inmates OF the tort returned con-
temptuous answers, and dened the saw
ages, both white and red. 10 do their
worst.
Girty, deeming it imprudent to com
mence the attack in daylight, KEPT MS
men al "A convenient distance unul
nightfall. The conversation, however,
was continued between the besleged
and besieger-, the former delightlng 10
load the renegade with the most OpprO-
brious epithets. Shots were occasion
ally fired at hun, but the distance was
too great for effect.
Fortunately Tor tae inmates that the
attack had not commenced half AN hour
earlier. For several days previous 10
the appearance of the savages, scosls
had been across the Ohio, but discover
ing no traces OF the enemy, returned on
the afternoon OF Saturday, and report
"a accordingly. This news had the el
feet OF lulling the inmates into ls.l
ing of security, 50 that II was scaroely
deemed necessary TO iasten the gates NJ
night. A.. r.,
A day or two previous to the time OF
which We write, Andrew Zane hhu
gone 10 Catfish, for a supply of liquor
returning Win AWN ~ - w.
and of bag, he discovered, as ne sup
posed, when near the present site OF
Mount Wood Cemetery, indications OF
Indians. COncealipg his kegs, he hnr-
ried 10 the fort with all haste. aud gave
the alarm. Those who had j1st return
ed from the Indian country, lAugheu \,
his fears, but most OF the men salu
thew would 20 along, and have
spree"
Searlv the whole efficient force OF the
Garrison accompanied Zane, and md
/ ing no indians, repaired To the spring
already alluded to, and there treated
thsmsely Ell TO a glorious "blow out
Before starting with Zane, II was deem
"a advisable, with the characteristic
caution OF experienced frontiersmen, u
send across the r1yer two spies; who
might give the alarm IN case OF uan'
ger As the party at the spring were
| hnsv with their "grog," the alarm guns
- H. .couts were bred on the island,