Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-08-02

OF RICHARD WI.
they could in the fight that still seemed
to be raging. Abel Cutbush was the on
ly married man in the party, and he
started at once for his home at Wilkes
barre. The others made their way down
the valley as rapidly as possible, but it
was dusk when they reached the river,
and by that time a deadly stiffness had
succeeded the sounds of carnage. They
crossed the Susquehanna by fording and
as darkness fell they reached and enter
cd Forty Fort. which was large stock
ace enclosed with double rows of huts
inside. Here the scene was p.tiable and
hearlrending. Women and children
were weeping anG wr.nging their hands
as they called the names OF missing ,ov-
cd ones. Bleeding and powder grimed
men-the survivors of the recent disas-
trOus battle-stood about in a dazed and
weary groups.
The new arrivals were sadly greeted
by old friends, and their heroic but use
less march was praised by Colonel Zeb-
ulCn Butler and COlone, Dennison, who
were in command OF the settlers. The
former officer related the days events
and his hearers listened in silent horror
That mOrning-Juiy 3d-neariy all
the bodied men of the valley num-
bering about 300, had assembled at For
ty Fort. Zebulon Butler took command
and on learning before noon that the In
dams and Tories were advancing down
the valley. he resolved to give them ba,-
tie. He marched out with his force
and within two niles he encountered
the euemy-a body OF nearly a thous-
and commanded by the half-breed,
Brandt, and Colonel John Butler, the
latter not relative of the patrio; lead
er.
For hours the battle ragged despately,
and finally the settlers were out-fankei
and caught between two fires Rout
and confusion followed. The wretched
men were pursued in all directions and
butchered. Queen Esther, though
woman, proved the most fercc.ous of the
Indians. In revenge for the death Of
her son, she tomahawked, with her own
hand, fourteen prisoners. OF the band
OF 300 that Zebulon Butler led out, only
fifty struggled back 10 the fort at sun
set; the rest lay dead. mUtilated in the
woods, or amid the smoking embers OF
the cabins where they had vainiy sough:
shelter.
Such was the narrowing tale that
heated the blood OF Barnabas and h
companions, as they looked on the
widowed wives and fatherless children
every man thirsted for revenge. Bu-
nothing could be done. So terrible was
the defeat that the survivors were will
ling to submit TO any terms TO save their
lives.
The night was full of horror, for ali
attack was constantly expected. From
sunset til dawn settlers with their fam
lies. hocked TO the fort from the lower
part Of the valley, and a few sore
wounded fugitives crept n. Nathan
could not sleep. and for hours he wan
dered about within the stOckade, gree
ing such old friends as he recognized.
The disaster had stunned him-un-
used as he was TO the horrors OF Indian
wsrfare The past wee. with its rec
ord of bloodshed and battle, had made
a man of the lad. How dream-like and
long-ago seemed his student life in
Philadelphia.
The outcome of the Tory and Indian
raid upon the colonists Of the Wyoming
valley may be briefly told. On the
morning of the Fourth of July-the day
Following the assacre-Zebuion But
Ter started for the nearest town on the
tehigh. TO send q report 10 The board OF
war. Colonel DennisOn opened nego-
tiaticns with the leaders OF the enemy,
and after hours of suspense and discus
son it vas agreed to surrender the fort
on condition that the lives CT the sur
vivOrs should be spared.
The articles of capjtUlation were
signed. and on the afternoon OF the 9Th
a sad and bitter ceremony to0k place
en- the blum of the Susquehanna. The
gates of Forty Fort were thrown open,
the flag hauled down. and TO the music
of drums and flies the enemy was Jed
in by Colonel John Butler-company af
ter company of Rangers and Tcries.
Captain Caldwell's Royal Greens. and
the sullen, painted-faced Indians, head
ed by two human fiends, Brandt and
Queen Esther.
Colonel Butler prevented any imme-
date bloodshed. but the settlers were
ruthlessiy pundered as they marched
out. Knowing Their danger only too
well. they fed in all directions, some
toward the Delaware, otlnrs down the
SusQuehanna by water and land.
The Indians and Tories at once laid
waste the valley. destroying what they
could not carry away, burning the
town of WilkeSbarIe and many cabins,
and driving the horses and cattle 10
Niagara. The relief force that had start
ed from Washington's army turned back
when the news of the massacre reached
them at Sroudsburg. and for a time the
lovely vale of Wyoming was abandoned
10 ruin and solitude.
II.
Among t1e last 10 leave Forty Fort