Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-03-26


In the intervals of the lriug toe
Indians frequently calrd utt"Ihe
people Of the fort, "Gno ~, on {
up, too many Indian; Indian too
big: no kill.r They were answered
with defiance, "Come on, you cow
ards; we are ready for you; shew
us your yellow hides, and we will
make holes in them for you"
During the evening many of the
Indians at some distance from the
fort amused themselves by shooting
the horses, cattle, hogs and sheep
until the bottom was strewed with
their dead bodies.
About ten O'Clock at night the
Indians set are to a barn about
thirty yards from the fort. 1t was
large and full Of grain and hay.
The flame was frightful, and at first
it seemed to endanger the fort, but
the barn stood Ou lower ground
than the fort. The night was calm
with the exception of a slight
breeze up the creek. This carried
the fame and burning splinters in
a different direction, so that the
burning of the barn, which at first
was regarded as dangerous il not
fatal occurrence, proved in the issue
the means Of throwing a strong
light to a great distance in every
direction, 30 that the Indians burst
not approach the fort to set nre to
the cabins, which they might have
done at little risk under the cover
of darkness.
After the barn was set on nre the
Indians collected on the side of the
fort opposite the barn, so as to have
advantage of the light, and kept up
a pretty constant fire, which was as
steadily answered by that of the
fort, until about two o'clock, when
the Indians left the place and made
o hasty retreat.
Thus was this little place defend
ed by a Spartan band of six men
against one hundred chosen war.
riors eIssperated to madness by
their failure at Wheeling fort.
Their names shall be inscribed in
the list Of heroes of our early times.
They were Jacob Miller, George
Letter, Peter Fullsnweider, Daniel
Rice, George Felebsum and Jacob
Letter, jr. George Felebaum was
shot in the forehead, through a port.
hole, at the second fire of the In
dians, and instantly expired, so
that in reality the defense of the
place was made by only five men.
The loss of the Indians was four,
three of whom were killed at the
first fire from the fort, tho fourth
killed about sundown. The can be
no doubt but that a number more
were killed and wounded in the en-
gagement, but were concealed or
carried OFF.
A large division OF these Indians
on their retreat passed within lit
tie distance of my fathers fort. In
following their trail a few days
afterwards | found large poultice
of chewed sassafras leaves. This
is the dressing which the Indians
usually apply TO recent gunshot
wounds. The poult:ce which |
found having become too Old and
dry was removed and replaced with
q new one.
Examples Of personal bravery
aud hairbredth escapes are always
acceptable to readers of history.
An instance Of both of these hap.
pened during the attack on this
fort, which may be worth record
ing.
Abraham Rice, one Of the princi.
pal men belonging to the fort of
that name, OH hearing the report OF
the deserters from the Indians
mounted a very strong active mare
and rode in all haste to another
fort about three and a half miles
distant from his own for further
news, if any could be had, concern.
ing the presence of q body OF In
dams In the neighbOrhood. Just
as he reached the place he heard
the report of the guns at his own
fort. He instantly returned as fast
as possible, until he arrived within
sight of the fort. Finding that it
still held out, he determined to
reach it and assist in its defense, OF
perish in the attempt. In doing
this he had to cross the creek, the
fort being some distance from it on
the opposite bank. He saw no In
dians until his marc sprang down
the bank of the creek, at which in'
slant about fourteen of them jump
ed up from among the weeds and
bushes and discharged their guns
at him. One bullet wounded him
in the 6eshy part Of the right arm
above the elbow. BY this time sew
eraI more Of the Indians came up
and shot at him. A'secOnd ball
wounded him in the thigh a little
above the knee, but without break
ing the bone, and the ball passed
transyersely through the neck Of
the mare. She however sprang up
the bank Of the creek, fell to her
knees, and stumbled along about a
rod before she recovered. During
this time several Indians came run
ming M TO tomahawk him. Yet he