Oregon Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1870-1872, 1870-08-20
A RUN FOR LIFE.

One Of the feetest runners, most
athletic hunters, and intripid rangers
that ever lived, was William kennan,
of Kentucky.
Some seventy or eighty years ago St.
Clair led regular organized army Of
two thousand men into the West, for
the purpose Of punishing the numerous
Indians who had massacreed Col. Craw-
ford, almost annifilated the forces of
G. neral Harmar, aud committed innu
merable optragcs upon the frontier.
Through gross mismanagement this
campaign proved far more disastrous to
our arms than either of its predecessors
The d feat of General Braddock, forty
years before, was not more complete
The attack, as usual, was made at night
The long grass, bushes and logs seemed
ablaze with savages.
Instances of individual bravery were
not wanting, and the officers mingled in
-she hottestssf the -fshein the effort II
rally their men; but the army was
hopelessly demoraiized," and they re-
treated turbulently before their unre,
lenting enemies like panic stricken
mob.
It was on the day preceding this
action that Kennan met with an adven
ture. He was attached to the light
corps, and was universally admitted 10
be the feetes. runner in that body. On
the march into the wilderness he proved
this on more than one occasion; aud
by common consent, be was looked upon
as one of tho leading spirits of the
company. Unmistakable signs proved
to the advancing army that they were
upon the eve of battle and, in order
to give notice of the approach OF th'
savages, the light corps was advanced II
the front Of the first line of infantry
It's sentinel duty was performed SO wei
that no demonstration was made by til,
Indians, although subsequent event
proved that this was the time fixed upol
for the assault.
Just as the day was dawning, ant
objects were becoming dimly visible
'Kennan turned to a. comrade besid
him, and whispered in an excited un
dertone:
II tell you there are Injins in thos
bushes yonder, and they are creeping
up to us!'
"Let's crack away at 'em, and di!
dirtr' suggested his companion, show
ing some signs of trepidation. "
don't like the looks Of them copper
coiored imps"
There were some twenty ranger
standing beside Kennan at this tim
fhe rest being considerably in the rea,
None except the one referred to ex
pressed any desire to flee, but the
were all anxious to secure shelter fo
themselves.
hPhey don't outnumber us mucl
boys added KEENAN,, a moment later
$50 let's all strike for kiver, and there
@ powerful chance for fun"
As he spoke the ranger sp-ang fol
ward several PAGES to spot where tt
grass was unusually luxuriant, and tai
ingauick aim, laid the foremost Inoii
dead In bis track. Then dropping f
upon his face, he commenced reloadir
his rifle With great rapidity, not dout
ing for a second but that his compa
ions would maintain their position il
mediately behind him and support hi
i'm the skirmish.
KEENAN,, however, was mistaken
supposing that not more thar twent
Eve or thirty Indians were before hi
Fully ten times that number were a
vancing, and they now poured in,
such overwhelming force that bis col
panions only escaped with their liv
by preeipitats flight. Not suspectil
the stampede, Kennnn was rammil
the charge home in his piece, when 9