The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-06
n BY ALEXANDER s. w1TnERs.

md Mingo warriors assembled the Great
Sandy and came over on New river, where
they separated, and forming two parties,
directed their steps toward difcrrn. settle
ments-one party going towards Roanoke
and Cawtuba-the other in the direction
Of Jackson's river. They had not long
passed, when their trail was discovered BY
three men, Swope, Pack and pitmnn, who
we're trapping on New river. These men
followed the trail till they came to where
the Indian party had divided, and judging
from the routes which had been taken,
that their object was to visit the Roanoke
aud Jackson's river settlements, they de-
ter'nined on apprizing the inhabi ants of
their danger Swope and Pack set out for
Roanoke and Pitman for Jackson's river.
Bu, before they could accomplish their OBJ
ject the Indians had reached the settle
nents on the latter river, and on Cataw-
ba.
The party which came to Jackson's riv-
er travelled down Duulap's creek aud
crossed James river, above Fort Young, in
the night and unnoticed; and going down
this river to William Carpenters where
was stoekade fort under care Of Mr..
Brown, they met Carpenter Just above bis
house and killed him. They Immediately
p, oceeded to the house and made prison.
ers ola son of Mr.. Carpenter, two sons OF
Mr.. Brown, Gall small childIen) and one
woman the others belonging to the house
were 10 the field at work. The Indians
then despoiled the house, aud taking of
some horses, commenced rreciritate re-
trsat--fearing discovery and pursuit.
When Carpenter was shot. the report Of
the gun was heard by those at work in the
field; and Brown carried the alarm to Fort
Young. In consequence Of the weakness
Of this fort, messenger was despatched to
Fort Dinwiddie with the intelligence.
Captain Paul, who still commanded there,
Immediately commenced o pursuit with
twenty of his men, and passing out at the
head Of Dunlup's creek, descended Indian
creek and New river to Piney creek,
without making any discovery fthe
enemy On Indian creek they met Pit
man, who had been running all the day
and night before to apprise the garrison at
Fort Young Of the approach Of the H.
dams. Pitman Joined in pursuit of the
party who had killed Carpenter; but they,
app,ehending that they would be followed,
he'd escaped to Ohio by way Of Greenbrier
and Kanawha rivers.
As Captain Paul and his men were re-
turning, they accidentally met with ,heo,h
sr party OF Indians, who had been to Cataw-
ba, and committed some depredations and
murders there. They we're discovered about
midnight, encamped on the north bank Of
New river, opposite an island at the
mouth Of Indian creek Excepting some
few who were watching three prisoners,
(whom they had taken on Catawba, and
who were sitting in the midst Of tbsm, J
shey we're lying around o small fire,
wrapped iu skins and blankets. Paul's
men not knowing that there we're captiyes
among them, fred in the midst, killing
three Indians, aud wounded several others,
one Of whom drowned himself to preserve
his scalp-the rest Of the party fed hastily
dOwn the river and escaped.
In an instant sitter tho firing, Captain
Paul and his men rushed forward to Sc
cure tho wounded and prevent further es-
capcs. One Of the foremost Of bis party
seeing, as be supposed, squaw sitting
colnposedly awaiting the result, raised hi,
tOlnahavk, and just as it was descending,
Captain Paul threw himself between the
sssailant and his victim. and receiving the
blow on his arm, exclaimed, at is
shame to hurt a woman. even souaw."
Recognising the voice Of Paul the woman
named him. She was Mrs. Catherine
Gum. On English lady, who had come to
the country some years before, and who,
previous to her marriage. had lived 10 tho
family of Captain Paurs fa,her.;n law,
Thera she became acquainted with tina,
gentleman. She had been taken captive
by The Indians On the Catawba, n few
days before, when her husband and two
only children were killed by ihcm. When
questioned why she had not cried out. or
otherwise made known that she was white
prisoner, she replied--"I had as soon be-
killed as Rot--my husband is murdered
my children are slain, my parents pre dead