Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1873-02-19
DOddridge's Notes on the Settlement
and Indian Wars OF the Western
Parts Of Pennsylvania and Virginia.
ATTACK on R1cE's FORT.

ATTACK on RICE's FORT.
This fort consisted of some cabins
and a small block house, and was. in
dangerous times, the residence and
place of refuge for twelve families of
its immediate neighborhood. 1t was
situated on Buffalo Greek, about
. twelve or fourteen miles from its iune-
! ton with the Ohio river.
J Previously to the attack on this fort,
! which took place in the month OF
September, 1732, several of the few
men belonging to the fort had gone
to Hagerstown to change their peltry
and furs for salt, iron and ammunition,
, as was the usual custom of those
times. They had gone on this journey
somewhat earlier that season than
usual, because there had been "a still
time" That is, no recent alarms Of
the Indians.
A few days before the attack on
this fort about 800 Indians had made
their last attack on Wheeling FORT
On the third night of the investment
Of Wheeling the Indian chiefs held 3
council in which it was determined
that the siege of Wheeling should be
raised, two hundred of the warriors
return home, and the remaining hun
dred of picket men make dash into
the country and strike q heavy blow
somewhere before their return. 1t
was their determination to take fort
somewhere and massacre all its peo-.
pie in revenge for their defeat at
Wheeling.
News of the plan, adopted by the
Indians, was given by two white men,
/ M m bod haav, r-,oA-.
lads, raised among the Indians and
taken to war with them. These men
deserted from them soon after their
council at the close Of the siege Of
/ Wheeling. The notice indeed was
but short, but it reached Rlce's fort
about half an hour before the com
meneement Of the attack. The INTEL
ligence was brought by Mr.. Jacob
Miller, who received it at DR.. Moore's
in the neighhOrhood Of Washington.
Making all speed home, he fortunate
ly arrived in time to assist in the de.
fence of the place. On receiving this
news, the people of the fort felt as
sured that the blow was intended for
them and in this conjecture they were
not mistaken But little time was |
allowed them for preparation.
Tue Indians had surrounded the |
place before they were discovered; but |
they were still at some distance
When discovered, the alarm was Civ.
en-, on which every man ran to his
cabin for his gun and took refuge in
the block house. The Indians ans
wering the alarm with 3 war WhOOp
from their whole line, commenced
firing and running towards the fort 1.
from every direction. 1t was evil
IDENTIFY their intention to take the
place by assault; but the fire of the l
Indians was answered by that of six
brave aud skilfnl sharpshOOters. This
unexpected reception prevented the
intended assault and MADE the Indi.
ans take refuge behind logs, stumps
and trees. The firing continued with
little interruption for about four
hours.
In the intervals of the firing the
Indians frequently called out to the
people Of the fort "glve up, give up,
too many Indian. Indian too big
No kill.n They were answered with
defiance. "Come on YOU towards;
we are ready for you. Show US your
yellow hides and we will make holes
In them for you"
-
Indians, at some distance from the
fort. amused themselves by shooting
the horses, cattle, hogs and sheep.
until the bottom was strewn with
their dead bodies. l
About ten o'clock at night the In
dians set fire to barn about thirty :
yards from the fort. The flame was
frIghtful and at first it seemed to en- y
danger the burning of the fort, but y
the barn stood on lower ground than u
the fort. The night was calm, with Q
the exception Of a slight breeze up q
the creek. This carried the flame .
and burning splinters in q different !
direction, so that the burning of the Il
barn which at first was regarded as a
If not fatal occurrence. 2
proved in the issue the means of throw I
ing a strong light to q great distance I
In every direction, so that the Indi- o
ans burst not approach the fort to set }
ire to the cabins, which they might {
have done at little risk, under the COW q
n Of darkness.
After the barn was set on fire the Z
indians collected on the eide Of the
ort opposite the barn, so as to have
he advantage of the light and kept !
pretty constant fire, which was stea-
lily answered by that of the fort, until
lbOut two o'clock, when the Indians :
eft the place and made a hasty re-
.reat. I
Thus was the little place defended
Oy spartan band of six men against
)ne hundred chosen warriors, eXas- =
Derated to madness by their failure at
fort. Their names shall be :
Inscribed in the list of the heroes of !
BUR early times. They were Jacob :
Miller, George Lefier, Peter Fullen-
weider, Daniel Rice, George Fele-
baum, and SaeOb Letter, Jr. George 9
Felebaum was shot in the forehead :
through a port hole at the second fire u
1f the Indians and instantly expired,
20 that in reality, the defence of the
place was made by only five men. q
The loss OF the Indians was four,
three of whom were killed at the first &
ire from the fort, the other was killed n
about sundown. There can be no d
doubt that a number more were killed y
and wounded in the engagement, but \
or carried OIL. p
A large division of these Indians D
IN their retreat, passed within a mile 4
IF my fathers fort. In following their t
rail, a few days afterwards, / found q
/ large pOultice of chewed sassafras q
caves. This is the dressing which il
he Indians usually apply to recent is
run shot wounds. The poultiee which o
found had become too old and dry, tl
vas removed and replaced with new b
me. a
Examples of personal bravery and a
lair breadth escapes are always ae- p
,eptable to readers Of history. An D
Instance of both of these happened p
luring the attack on this fort, which b
nay be worth recording. b
Abraham Rice, one of the prinei- b
)al men belonging to the fort of that B
lame, on hearing the report Of the te
leserters from the Indians, mounted Il
very strong active mare and rode in u
III haste to another fort, about three el
ND half miles distant from his own, d
or further news, If any could be had, Il
the presence of a body of "
indians In the neighbOrhoOd. W
Just as hereached the place he heard Of
he report of the guns at his own fort. q
lie instantly returned as fast as pos
ible, until he arrived within sight Of
he fort. Finding that it still held u
ut, he determined to reach 10 and as Z:
ist in its defence or perish IN the at q
empt In doing this, he had to cross a
he creek, the fort being some distance ],
rom IL on the opposite bank. He saw to
o Indians until his mare sprang 8
own the bank Of the creek, at which pl
lstant about fourteen ofthem jumped W
p from among the weeds and bushes b:
nd discharged their guns at him. 80
4 n 4 Il n u - n