West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-06-19

the family of Col. Cresap. 1t is
called Dams Mountain" and its
summit Dams Rock" 1t was
named for Daniel Cresap, oldest
son of Col. Cresap, because of a
daring and brave hunting exploit in
his early youth and it will wear his
name forever. II is near RAWLINGS
Station" where stands also Daniels
stone house. Dams Mountain,
though rugged, steep and difficult of
ascent is much frcquented by tour
lists but they do not ascend on foot
as Daniel did. SO tic very noun
tains testify to the bravery of Col.
Cresap and his family.
The troubles of our colonis,s in
creased. October 10th, I7s5, the
frontier men gathered at Col. Cres.
APPS and strengthened his block
house for defense. Gov. Sharpe
then ordered into service the militia
of the eastern counties too. His
order reads -"Thc troops are to
march TO Frederick where lanes
Dixon will furnish them provision
for live days, thence to the mouth
OF the Conecocheague where George
Ross will furnish subsistence for
eight days or until they can reach
Col. Cresap's. where they are to
assist in the protection of the from
tier" Once at Col. Cresap's, the
Governor seemed to know that they
would be provided without any
special command. Still the war
ragged, and in large scalpiug parties
the Indians were ravaging the whole
frontier. 1t was a concerted attack
and Washington wrote thus: can
other tempest has broken out on
the frontier and the alarm spreads
wider than ever. In short the in
habitants are so apprehensivc of
danger that no families remain
above Conecocheague road and
many are gone from below. The
harvests are lost and the distresses
OF the settlements are evident and
manifold" On the 10th Of July
1863, Col. Cresap wrote Gov.
Sharpe for aid and men TO assist in
repelling the savages. Said "his
fort was filed with distressed
families who had fed to his stock.
AIDE for safety and they were all in
hourly danger Of being butchered
unless relief was afforded" His
letter is a vivid picture of the suffer
ings of orr ancestors and is still In
existence. preserved by the Histor-
ical Society OF Maryland, and we
herewith produce certified copy:
OLD Town July 18th 1903
NAY II Please .yoar Eseelleney
l take this opportunity in tho
hight of Confusion to acquaint YOU
with our unhappy & most wretchcd
Situation at this time being in
Hourly Expectation of being Massi-
e.sad by our DarbeFous & Inhuman
Enemy the Indians we having been
three days Successfully Attacked
by them viz. the 10, IA & this In.
slant on the 18th as men were
shocking some wheat in the field {
Indians fired on them & Killed one
but was prevented Scalping him by
one of the other men firing on them
as they Came to do it & Others
Running 10 their assistance. On
the II Indians Crep up to & fred
on about 10 men who were Sitting
& walking under a Tree at the En-.
trance of my Lane about 100 yards
from My House but on being fired
at by the white men who much
wounded Some of them they Imme
diately Rum off & were followed
by the white men about Mile all
which way was great Quantitys of
Blood on the Ground the white men
got 3 Of their Bundles Containing
Sundry Indian Implements & Goods
about 3 after Several gums were
fired in the woods on which a Party
went in Quest Of them & found 4
Beaves Killed by them, the Indians
wounded one man at their first fire
tho but slightly. On this Instant
as MIR. Saml. Wilder was going TO
house of his about 800 yards Distant
from mine with 6 men & Several
women the Indians Rushed on them
from Rising Ground but they
Perceiving them Coming, Run to
wards my House hollowing which
being heard by those at my house
they Run to their Assistance * met
them & the Indians at .he Entrance
of my lane on which the Indians
Immediately fred on them TO the
Amount OF rS or Twenty & Killed
Mr.. Wilder, the Party of white men
Returned their fire & Killed one Of
them dead on the spot & wounded
Several Of the Others a. appeared
by Considerable Qusntitys OF Blood
Strewed on the Ground as they Run
OF which they Immediately did &
by their leaving behind them 4
Gums one Pistol q Sundfy other
implements Of war; &c &c.
| have Enclosed a List OF the
Disolatc men women q Children
who have fed to my House which
IS lnclosed by Small Slockade for
G.f .N. 4. q