Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-03-19

] 1ilNis
The Indians Of the upper town
were apprised Of their danger IN
due time to make their escape,
two of them having found the
mancled body of Shabosh. PrOvl-
dentially they all made their es-
cape, although they might have
teen easily overtaken by the party,
if they had undertaken their pur-
suit. A division of the men were
ordered to 60 to Shonbrun; but
finding the place deserted, they
took what plumber they could find
and returned to their companions
without looking farther after the
Indians.
After the work of death was
finished, and the plunder secured,
all the buildings in the town were
set on Are aud the slaughter houses
among the rest. The dead bodies
were thus consumed to ashes. A
rapid retreat to the settlements
finished the campaign.
Such were the principal events
of this horrid affair. A massacre
of innocent, unOflcnding people,
dishonorable not only to our coun-
try, but human nature itself.
Before making any remarks on
the causes which led to the dis
graceful events under considera-
ton, it may be proper to notice the
manner in which the enterprise
was conducted, as furnishing evl-
dencc that the murder Of the Mora
vians was intended, and that no
resistance from them was antlcl-
pated.
In military point of view, the
MoTayian campaign was conducted
in the very worst manner imagin-
able. 1t was undertaken at so
early a period, that deep fall of
snow, thing very common in the
early part OF March in former
times, would have defeated the
enterprise. When the army came
to the river, instead Of construct
ing sufficient number Of RATS to
transport the requisltennmber over
the river at once, they commenced
crossing in sugar trough, which
could carry only two men at a
time, thus jeopardizing the safety
of those who first went over. The
two sentinels who shot ShabOsh,
according to military law ought 10
have been executed on the spot for
having fired without orders, thereby
giving premature notice Of tho ap-
proach OF our men. The truth is,
nearly the whole number OF the
army ought to have been trans
ported over the river; for after all
their forces employed, and precau
ton used in getting possession of
the town on the east side Of the
river, there were but one man and
one sQuaw found in il, all the
others being on the other side
THIS circumstance they Onght to
have Known beforehand, and acted
accordingly. The Indians on the
west side of the river amounted to
about eighty, and among them
above thirty men, besides num-
Der Of young lads, all possessed of
guns and well accustomed to the
use of them yet this large number
was attacked by about sixteen
men. II they had really antlcipa.
, ted resistance, they deserved to
lose their lives for their rashuess.
1t is presumable, however, that
having full confidence in the pacific
principles Of the MOravians, they
did not expect resistance; bnt
Acalcnlated on blood and plunder
, without having shot fired at
them. If this was really the case,
the author leaves ii to justice to
:, find, if it can, a name for the trans
action.
1 One can hardly help rejecting
a with regret, that these Moravians
q did not for the moment lay aside
r their pacific principles and DC
/ themselves Justice. With a mere
! show of defense, or at most few
q shots, they might have captured and
q disarmed those few men, and held
. them as hostages for the safety O
L their way This they might have
!. done on the easiest terms, as the
remainder of the army could no'
. have crossed the river too high tC
- be forded. But alas these truly
\ christian people suffered them
: selves to be betrayed by hypocrltl'
. cal professions Of friendship, unit
- "they we're led MS sheep to thu
= slaughter" Over this horrid dee'
!, humanity must shed tears Of com
4 misseration, as long as the recort
of it shall remain.
@ Let not the reader suppose tha
IL | have presented him with mere
N imaginary possibility of defense OF
N the part of the Moravians. Thi
q defense would have been an easy
IF task. Our people did not go ol
# that campaign with n view o
n fighting. There may have beer
., some brave men among them bu
they were far from being all such
n. For my part, | cannot suppose TO
, a moment that any white man, ,wh
q can liarhor a thought of using hi
N arms for the killing Of women AM
49, children in any case. can be