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

n
rush was made for the fort; and scarce
ly had the last man entered, when the
Indians. appeared in large numbers
crossing the bottom.
All at once became activity and bus
tie within the fort. The men prepared
for AN energetic defence, each arming
himself with rifle, t0mahawk scalp
ing knife and spear. The women were
busy In running bullets, securing the
children, etc. The whole number OF
fighting men within the stockade did
not exceed eighteen. while the number
Of women aud children was about
forty.
shortly before the enemy appeared, a
perOgue loaded with cannon balls, de-
signed for Gen. Clark. At Louisville. in
charge of man named Sullivan, aud
two others, landed at Wheeling, TO re-
main over night. sullivan was a
shrewd and experienced soldier, well
versed In Indian cunning; and on this
account was selected 20 manage the
affairs OF the fort during the seige, ~
the cOmmandant. Capt. Boggs, had
gone for succOr Immediately ON the
alarm of the enemy's approach. Sulli-
van was man Of discrimination and
courage, and well qualified for the
post OF commander. His shrill voice
could be heard at all hours, urging on
the men, and consoling the women.
But ut length he was wounded, and Tor
time had To give way.
About slndown, Girty madea second
demand for surrender, declaring that
should be his last summons, and swear.
ing, If they refused, that the tort would
be slormed, and every soul mastered.
Ne WAS answered by taunts OF defiance;
said they remembered too well the late
OF Col. Crawford, 10 give mp, and be
butchered like dogs. Girty replied.
that their doom was sealed-he had
taken their express, and all hope OF
safety might be given up. Sullivan in
qulred what sort OF a looking man the
messenger was2 "A tine, smart, active
young fellow" answered the outlaw
chief. That's DID lie," said Sulli-
van, ''he Is an old gray.headed man."
Finding all attempts TO intimidate In
vain, Girty led on his white and red
army OF savages, and attempted TO car
~ ont his threat of storming the fort.
Near the centre Of the stOckade, and
at point sufficiently elevated to clear
the pickets, was small French can
non, which the enemy could at times
see, but which they tauntingly said Was
wood" and dared them 10 "shoOt."
Having approached within a conve-
nient distance, and just rs the whole
party was pressing up In deep columns,
the "hull dog" was let of, cutting n
wide passage through the ranks OF
wondering and affrighted ssvages.-
Captain Pratt, who had heard guns,
and knew how they sounded, cried out
to his swarthy comrades, 'Stand back
by C.. there's no wood about thatl"
The Indians and the Rangers" gave
way at the first discharge, but soon rail-
lied aud returned. Girty divided his
force into small parties, and attacked
the fort at different points now at
tempting to storm Ia; and again To fire
IL. In this manner the seige WAS kept
up during the whole night; and but
lew such nights were ever passed upon
the frontier.
One of the bastions having given
way, but two were of use, and these
the men occupied in turn. The women,
during the whole OF that long and per-
ilous night, proved the mselves herolnes
of no ordinary type. They stood IT
their po-As like soldiers OF a dozen
rifles of their husbands, brothers, and
lovers. Such women were worthy the
love and devotion OF men like these.
No timid shrieks escaped them no
maidenly fears caused them TO shrink
FROM their self-impOsed and most oner-
Gus task. Such were the pioneer
mothers of the west-wOmeu whose
souls aud bodies were sorely tried IN
a. Of
Through the whole OF that long and
terrible night, without food and with
out rest, did these brave ana noble
women stand TO their duty, regardless
of fatigue, but neryiug their hearts 10
the contest, aud animating the men
with hope and courage. The Greek
matron, who urged her son 10 the con-
flict, charging him to return with his
shield or upon il, displayed no more
zeal, devotion, and true courage, than
these hero. women of the west. History
il full of examples OF female herOlsm.
Israel had Der Judith and Deborah;
France glories In her Joan and Lava
lette;-twO of them uuseXed them
selves in the excitement of baltler one
ingloriously stained her hands IN hui
mau gore, and the other had nothing To
lose by her successful efforts; hut the
western heroiues, without the ccidt OF
female warriors, displayed more trueI
courage throughout the long and
stormy days of our Indian warfare.
aud exhibited more Of the true spirit of
herOism, than any example in ancient
or modern history.
At an early hour in the evening the
Indians deserted the perogue already
referred TO, and ut once resolved TO try
the sport OF cannonading. Procuring
a stout log OF sufficient size and length,
these simple minded men split II open,
and having cut out the centre with
their tOwahawks, fastened the parts to-
xather with iron bands, and chains.
found In n smith--hop belonging TO n
man named Reikart. They then
charged IL heavily with powder and
ball, and first announcing that their ar
tillery had arrived, applied the torch,
when instantaneOusly halfdOzen OF
the gaping sayages, who had clustered
around 10 witness the discharge, were
blown into eternity. Their frsil gun
had bursted, scattering death and con-
sternatiOn all around.
During the night, u large number OF
Indians posted themselves In the lott OF
house which stood thirty or forty
yards north OF tho fort. These amused
themselves by dancing, shouting. and
yelling, making night hldeOus
with their hOrrid noise. Thinking To
dislOdge them, several Intellectual at
tempts were made 10 do 80 with grape
shot: but falling, full-sized ball was
fired, which cut of "A sleeper, and let
the whole mass down together. This
dis.afsr frightened the hssailants OIL
Tor a time.
during the first night, doing more or
less execution at each discharge. IL
WAS managed by man named John
TAFT, shortly afterwards killed and
partly eaten by the sayages, on Dillie's
Bottom, opposite Grave creek.
Al the Time OF the Indian visitation
in l777, it will be remembered, they
burned all the houses, killed the cattle,
etc. Similar outrages were again at
tempted in ISL, and then Colonel
Ebenezer Zane resolved, that should
the ssvages again visit the settlement,
he would remain in his house and per
ish, sooner than abandon N TO the torch
of the enemy. On the temperance OF
the Indians, Colonel Zane continued In
his house, aud declared his liked deter
mination to defend il 10 the last. In
the hou 80 with him were several men,
bers of his family, Including his broth
or Silas. There were also two brothers
named Green, and a black servant, by
the name of Sam. So constantly did
these lour keep up the ire against the
enemy, that they were slow 10 approach
within range OF the guns.