The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1898-06-07

n RDlN MS v, hedG OI SUrl1e, DO
y 4 ~ ing those brave
and noble deeds
which have brought their names down
to us covered with immortal renown.
There! we now stand within the
walls OF q Western fortress, and on all
sides we are inclosed by strong pail
sades, about eight feet in height, which
mark out the ground, some three
quarters of an acre, in the form Of a
Parallelogram. At each of the fonr
corners Is block house made of logs.
which rises above aud projects beyond
the stout pickets or palisades, and in
each of these block houses are loon
holes, which enable us to look out
upon tho surrounding country. and
also along the outside of the pickets
without being ourselves exposed by
inc view OF whatever enemy may be
lurking about.
Aud what do we seer On one side
the Ohio River; on another n straa.
gilng wood, stretching back into
mighty forest; on the third large
cointield, Enclosed by Virginia fence.
on the fourth, n small village of log.
houses; aud Oh oil sides hideeusly
painted and half naked savages.
les, we are surrounded by Indians
"A largo body of vindictive red men
who are thirsting for the blood of
those who are III the fort with us for
we are not the only occupants of this
stronghold. 1t is now past o'clock.
oil warm, clear, bright, autumnal
day, aud since the golden rising of the
sun there have been some terrible
scenes enacted, and many human be-
lngs have passed from time to eternity
by the most violent deaths.
Last night-soon after the tenants
OF yonder log houses, which we have
pointed out to you, had retired Go rest
the whole village was reused bv the
alarming intelligence, brought by an
Indian hunter, that n great body of
sava5es were prowlin9 about the vicin-
ity; and men, women and children.
catching up their most valuable arti.
Giles, rushed Into the fort. aud spent
.ne night here in peace aud safety.
This morning tho garrison numbered
forty two fighting males, including
several youths, some quite young. but
all brave.
About daylight this morning. there
beng no signs of the enemy, the COM
mandant of the fortress dispatched n
white man and nergo back into the
country on al errand--but the white
man never will retlrn. As he wds
passing through yonler corr-feld, n
notwithstanding savage suddenly rose
up before him, Knocked him down
with his musket, and then killed and
scalped him. The negro saw the deed
performed, and with a veil of horror.
he'd back to the fort, where he com
municated to anxious listeners the
startling fact.
We must dislodge the enemy.
which doubtless is small, " said Colonel
Shepherd, the commandant OF the
tort. Captain Mason, take fourteen
picked men, and let the red men have
taste of your bravery and skill"
And Captain Mason marched out
with his fourteen brave followers.
through large gate in the cen
TER OF the eastern line OF pick
cts, and hurried down to the corn
field, where he thoroughly searched
for the savage foe, but without find
ing him; aud he was on the point Of
retracin8 his steps, when there came
the crash of hundred muskets; n
hundred balls came whizzing among
his little force, killing several an
woundiug nearly all; and then up
rose, on every side--front. flank and
rear-many hundreds of vindictive
red men, who, with shrill whoops and
yells, rushed upon Che gallant few
stu living, and began 10 hew them
down. They made a brave resistance
but what could such q handful do
against such q host? One by ono
they fell, and were tomahawked and
scalped. Captain Mason fought des-
perately; aud, cutting his way through
the ranks Of the enemy, succeeded in
reaching some fallen timber, where.
though badly wounded, NE is now
concealed, though oil his friends in
the fort think him dead
Twelve more men, under CAPTAIN
Ogle, rushed from the fort 10 cover the
retreat Of their gallant comrades: but
they, too, were drawn into an ambus-
cade, and were all cut of from reioin-
ing their friends in the fortress only
some two or three Of the party being
now alive, secroted in the underbrush
OF yonder wood. And still three more
o. the little garrison sailed forth 10
the support Of Captain Ogle, but they
were forced to make n hanty retreat
and were pursued TO the very gate Of
tho fort and fred upon MS they en-
tered, and had one Of their number
m ortally wounded.
Aud now the siege commenced in
earnest With whobps and yells of
triumph somo five hundred sayages