The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-09-11

Just ono hundred and fourteen years
ago to-day the last gun OF the American
Revolution was fred In the Siege OF Fort
Henry. on the ground in tho city Of
Wheeling where towering business
blocks now stand, the exact site being on
Main street where the building occupied
by Alcxandcra shoe store stands.
The Sons Of the Revolution were TO
have held II celebration here to-day, but
It was abandoned some time ago and
~ concerted celebration VIII occur this
year, The Sons talked OF erecting u
tablet on the site OF the fort.
In addition to being notable as the
last battle Of the Revolution, the Siege
OF Fort Henry is notable rs being the &C.
cnSlun OF the celebrated powder exploit
OF Elizabeth Zane. the young girl whose
name will live In American history ~
long az patriotism Is all American char
actcrlStlc.
on tho day mentioned the people OF
Wheeling settlement knew nothing OF
approaching danger, but In the after
noon n scout arrived with the lntaIll-
Eence thnt body OF forty British troops
under Captain Pratt and 900 Indians
under George Glrty. was approaching
the settlement from the north. He swan
but short time until the hostile forces
appeared, Fort Henry was gurrIsoned
by very small body Of men. Adjoining
the fort was the dwelling OF Col. Ebcne-
ger Zane; there the colonel went with
four men and several women, including
Elizabeth Zane. The fort was COM
mandcd by Colonel Slla6 Zane, Il brother
OF Ebenczer, who had about twenty
mon ns EnrrlSon. tho quick appearance
OF the bcHleGinE force preventing many
settlers from gaining the shelter OF the
fort. Lines OF Investment were quickly
formed and the surrender OF the fort de-
mnnded. This WINS promptly refused by
Zane. The first assault was met by
vigorous return fire anl the beslcgcrs
fcll back. AEnin they nEsnllod the fort
and again they were unsuccessful. The
british and sIvngeF retired TO the shelter
OF the forest ut the base OF Wheeling
hill. only to renew the attack under
cover OF the darkness Their attempts
to burn tho fort and Colonel Zane's
dwelling. which was well fortified, were
unsuccessful Though the vigilance or
the Elrrison. At midnight nm assault
was made and rcpulsed and another was
unsuccessful.
The next morning the enemy captured
boat proceeding from Fort Pitt to the
Falls Of the Ohio UIOuisvIllc), lOndcd
with cannon balls. These balls
they proposed to use in an
improrlsGd cannon made OF
hollow log. hut nj the FIRST discharge the
cannon burst and Killed several OF tho
LesiCgerS. Then another assault WINS
made. hut the well directed fire OF the
garrison. whose shot guns were loaded
by the heroic women Of the garrison as
fact u = thou
my. aHnin induced the Indians and red
coats TO retire.
At this juncture the powder supply OF
the fort became exhausted The mnga-
zine was located In Col. Ebenczcr ZaRe's
house, and 1t was necessary for some
one or the garrison to so 10 the house
and return with powder. Among those
who volunteered for this hazardous mis-
sion Wig Elizabeth Zane. When told
that man would encounter less of dam
ger on account Of greater flcetncSs OF
foot, she replied:
And should he fall. his loas will be
mora severely felt. You have not one
man to spare; woman will not be miss
ed In the defense OF the fort"
These words deserve place with the
words Of James Lawrence on the Con-
stItution nnd those OF Perry In that dis
patch to General Harrison. telling of the
dc tent OF tho British naval forces on
Lake Erie.
In tho end she prevailed upon Colonel
Zane 10 allow her 10 make the dangerous
journey. When the Indians saw her
leave the fort they turned up their noses
and made no effort to shoot down n
"sQuaw." But when she started on the
return journey with the powder wrap
ped In her apron, she was met with ball
inter ball from the rifles Of the enemy.
She reached the fort, however. without
being harmed and the defense OF the fort
was assured.
The siege was continued another dry,
hut every attempt TO carry the fort was
repulsed.