The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-11-14

Hron TIE camp. llere was Dut Que III
lian in it; the rest we're all out hunting
The red man was seated, singing, and
playing on some bones, made into rude
musical instrument, when Hughes crept
rp and shot him. The ranger then took
the scalp. and FASTENED home in triumph
TO tell bis adventures to bis less daring
e"nlpanIous.
SIEGE OF FORT HENRY.
The siege of Fort Henry. at the mouth
Of Wheeling creek, in the year iii, is
one Of the mos. memorable events in In
dian Sarfare-remarksble for the indom-
liable bravery displayed BY the garrison
in general, and for some thrilling attcn-
d.nt incidents. The fort stood imnedi-
stsly on the left bank Of the Ohio river,
about a quarter of mile above Wheeling
creek, and at much less distance from ID
cminence which rises abruptly from the
bottom land. Tho space inclosed was
aJou, three-quartcr, Of an acre. In shape
The fort was q parallelograpl, having a
block-huuse at each corner with lines Of
picke,s eight feet high between. Within
the Enclosures was re.housc, barrack-
rooms, gsrrison-well, and uumber Of
cabins sor the use OF families. The prin-
cipal entrance was gateway on the east
ern ride Of the fort. Much Of the ada
cent land was cleared and cultivated, and
near the base Of the hill stood some
twenty-five or thirty cabins, which form
the rude beginning Of the present city Of
Wheeling The for, is said to have been
planned by Genera! George Rogers
Clarke; and Was constructed by Ebenrzsr
| Zane and john Caldwell. When first
erected. it was called Fort Fincas,le: but
the name was af erwards changed in CON-
plimcnt to Patrick Henry, the renowned
orator and patriotic governor of Virginia
At the time Of the commencement o.
the siege, the garrison Of Fort Henry
numbered only for'y-twO men. some o
whom were enfeebled BY age, while 9th
crs were mere boys. All, however, were
excellent marksnen, and most of then
skilled in border warfare. Colonel DaviG
Shepherd was brave and rcsulu,e officer
in whom the borderers had full conf
dencc. The stors-house was well sup
piled With small arms, particularly mus
kets. but sadly deficient in ammunition
In the carly part Of September, iii
it Was ascertaincd that large Indian ar
my was concentrating on the Sandusk,
river, under the command OF the bold
active and skilful renegade, Simon Girty
Colonel Shepherd had many trus'y au'
ethc1t4-. scouts on the witch but Girt.
deceived lhNem all and actually trough
hlS whole forces Of between four aud fy
hundred lndlsns i.fpre Fort Henry be
fore his real object was dise,o7ered.
On the 26,h. an alarm being given a
the inhabitants in the vicinity rcpairea' t
tho fort for safety. At break Of day, On
the 9th, Colonel Shepherd, wishing tc
dispatch an express to the nearest settle
/ mcnts for aid, sent white man and .
negro TO bring in some horses. While
these men were passing through the corn
field south Of the fort, they encountered
party Of six Indians, one Of whom rais0t
his gun and brought the white man to th'
4 ground. The negro fed and reached th'
for; without receiving any injury. A.
soon as he related his story, Colouel Shep
herd dispatched Captain Mason, with four
teen men. To dislodge the Indians from
1.-The eornfeld. Mason marched almost II
the creek without finding any Indians
and WAC about 10 return, when he wa
furiously as,ailed in front, flank and rea
BY the wholc Of Girty's army. Of cours
the little baai ~as thrown into coBiu
sion, but the brave captain rallied hi
men, and taking the lead, hewed pas
sage through the savage host. lu the
struggle, more than half OF the party were
slain, and the gallant Mason seVnreI;
xonnded. An Indian fred at the captain
at the distau's of FIVE PAGES, and wound
ed but did not disable him. Turning
about, hehurled bis gun, felled the sav,
age 10 ,'e earth, and then succeeded ii
hiding himself 10 pile of fallen timter,,
whef he was compelled to remain to the
f. ynf ,La .;on. n.iL, tro of III man