The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1882-07-19
A Story by a MotIlcr or the Reyo.
Luton.


Horn, unpining hersnow-white neck.
erchief, and calling Intention to a
broad scar reaching one-third round
the right side Of her neck,) l have
carried almost seventy years. 1t is
the track Of o musket ball from a
British soldiers gun. You young
folks have all heard Cr read Of the
dreadful times we experienced down
in the Mohawk country, when the
bloodthirsty miscreant, John Butler,
with his Tories and Indians, made
those beautiful valleysscenes of blood.
shed and desolation.
was quite a girl then-in my
twelfth year, and csn recall them
with distinctness. They were well
calculated to make a lasting impress.
ion upon the tendaf and susceptible
heart of a child like me-. asss' q.
When those wretches commenced
their work Of death and rapine in
the upper settlements of the Mohawk,
the people living along the valley Of
Schoharie Creek, expecting that their
own neighborhood would not be ex-
empted from their visitation, immed-
lately assembled and erected picket.
ed enclosures and blocR-houses for
the protection of their families, and
their most valuable stock. There
were several Of those log forts at con.
venient distances, on each side of the
stream.
The block housein our immediate
neighborhood was the last that was
built; and scarcely had it been COM
pleted, and small store Of provisions
conveyed to it, than the valley was
alarmed by mounted messengers, who
galloped up the creek, with the ter
rible report that the Tories and their
Indian allies were approaching down
the Mohawk, numbering the settlers,
destroying their buildings and crops,
and driving off their stock for the use
of the Brithish army in New York.
Our fort was the lowest on the
creek, and about two or three miles
distant from the nearest one, which
was on the other bank. l. was sit
uated on rising ground, and over.
looked q good portion of the valley
for a considerable distance.
The enemy was reported close at
hand, and the people collecting their
most valuable goods, and loading
them upon the wagons and horses,
made good their retreat to the shelter
of the strong buildings. There were
about a dozen families Of us in our
fort, and all being safely housed a
party of young men, and my father,
started to the hills, to drive in as
many sheep and cows as could be
found. They had collecteda number,
and were on the way to the block
house with them, when they were
startled by a sudden burst of Indian
yells close in their rear. Fearing for
the safety Of the people left in the
fort, made no attempt 10 save the cat
tie, but came, as fast as they could
run, to the place. 1t was well they
did so, for scarcely were the gates Of
the outer pickets closed after their
admission, then we were surrounded
by Tories and Brant's savages, who,
approaching as near as they thought
prudent, raised wild war whoop
and with threatening gestures and
signs, called our attention to the
smoke and flames that began to rise
from every part Of our beautiful val.
ley.
But need not tell you Uf these
terrible scenes, nor how in one short
day, our people found themselves
suddenly deprived of the dear homes
they had been for years in preparing,
how our stacks Of grain and hay
which had just been secured melted
away in an hour, and every article Of
value was destroyed, while we were
obliged to look on without making
an effort TO save them. 1t was q ter
rible trying moment, when l looked
from the loop-holes of my shelter,
down upon the spot where stood my
own home-the most lovely and val.
liable in the whole valley-and saw
the red flames leaping from windows
and doors and roofs, while a fierce
80 hklo &c r. 1 ,,,1o -, l. "a. :.