The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-01-23
Mnce&otss NMA RcS\eet>oMs
By ALEXANDER g. wlTHERs.

them had come from about Detroit at th,
Instance Of the French cotumandaut Their
to fort;fy Fors du Quesnt against an a,
tack by Forbes the hunting season had
arrived and man ofthem we're anxious to
return to their town. The question which
attracted their attention most seriously was,
whether General Forbes would then retreat
or advance. As Grant had been most sig
nally defeated, many supposed that the
main army would retire into winter quar-.
GERS, as dunbar had, after the battle OIL
ii. Mouongahela. The French expressed
dif:ren. opinion, and enieavored Ia
prevail on the Indians to remain and wit
ness the result. This however they re.
fused to do, and the greater part Of them
left Fort du Quesne. Upon this the com.
nlander Of the fort, in order TO learn the
course which General Forbes would pur.
sue, and to impress upon the English, an
ides that the French we're in return pre-.
pairing 70 attack them, ordered the re.
mainder Of the Indians. a number Of Ca
nadians and sonic French regulars to re.
eounoitre the route along which General
Forbes would be most likely to march hi.
army, to watch their motions and harass
them as much as possible; determining il
they could not thus force him to abandon
The idea Of attacking Du Quesne during
that campaign, they would evacustc the
fort and retire into Canada.
When Major Gran, with his men had
been ordered on to Du Quesne. the main
army had been left at Rayaown, where it
continued for ZONE time; an advance was
however posted at Fort Ligonicr. Between
this vanguard and the detachment from
Do Quesne there uas partial engsgs1cnt
which resulted in the loss Of some Of the
Maryland troops. Fort Lsonier was then
closely watched BY the French and Indians,
and several ofthe ssntine!s were killed be-.
fore the point from which the fires we're
directed, was discovered; it was at length
asoertainsd tia, parties ofthe enemy would
creep under the bank Of The Loyal Hanna
till they could obtain position from which
to do execution. Some soldiers wers then
stationed to guard tbi, point. who sue.
ceeded in killing two Indians. and 10
mounding and making prisoner Of one
frenchman. From him the English Oh.
'sined information tina, he greater part of
the Indians had lief. DIV Quesne, and that
toe fort was defeuGeless; the army then
moved forward and ,Dking possession Ofirs
ruins established thereon Fort Pitt. The
country around began immediately to be
settled and several other forts we're erected
TO protect emigrant', and to keep the In
diana in awe.
Previous to thi, an attempt had been
made by David Tygar. aud Mr. Files to
s'sblish themselves on an upper branch of
the Monongahela river. They had been for
some timefrontier's mcnand were familiar
With the scenes usually exhibited on remote
and unprotected borders and nothing
daupted by the cruel murders aud savage
epormiiies which they had previously wit
messed, were induced by some cause, most
probably the uninterrupted enjoyment Of
the forest in the pursuit ofgams. to ven
ture still farther into the wilderness.
About the year 1854. these two men, with
their families, arrived on the east fork Of
tbs Monongahela. and after examining the
country. selected positions for their future
residence. Files chose sro. on the river,
at the mouth Of creek which still bears
his name. where Beverly, the county seat
Of Randolph has been since established.
TygArt settled few miles further up and
also on the river. The valley 10 which
they had thus taken up their abode, has
been since called Tygart's valley, and the
east fork Of the MOnOngabela. Tygar,',-
valley river.
The difficulty Of procuring bread stufs
for their families, their cOntiguity to an In
dian village, and the fact that an Indian
war path passed near their dwellings, soon
determined them to retIace their steps.
Before they carried this determination into
effect, the family of Files became the VIC
Tins Of savage cruelty. Al time when
all the family were at their cabin, except
IN elder SOD. they were discovered by a
party Of Indians. supposed TO be returning
from the souih Branch. who inhumanly
buichered them sll. Young Piles being
not far from the house. and hearing the
upronr. approached until be saw, TOO dis. |