Year: 1868

TRIP TO FREMONT, OHIO, IN lTeO.


In 1880, small fort stood within the
present limits of Pittsburg, and was the
headquarters of Gen. Brodhead, who
was charged with the defense of thi'
portion of the frontier. At this period
the country north and west of the AL
was in the possession of the
! different tribes of Indians.


Gen. Washington, whose sagacity and
far-reaching mind took in all the
dangers that menaced the young Union,
sent word to General Brodhead to select
suitable officer and send him to San.
duskv, for the purpose of examining
the place and learning the force of the
British and Indians assembled there,
and to learn if possible their intentions,
with view to measures of preparation
and defense against any danger from
that quarter.


General Brodhead knew just where
to turn for such man. It was a deli
cate and dangerous duty; but there was
ore who, of all others, was fitted for
the task. That man was Brady, who
was then a captain under his command.


He sent for the officer and showed
him Washington's letter and rough
map of tie country it would be neces-
sary for him to traverse. Brady ex-
amiped the draft, and knew at once it
was very defective; he saw, too, that it
would be most hazardous undertaking
for him TO venture thus far into an
enemy's country; yet he could not but
see the importance of the duty. 1t
must be of incalculable benefit to the
frontiersmen to know precisely what
danger threatened them, and to make
their preparations. He delberated a
moment and then announced his readi-
ness to undertake the task.


"Select your companions and start
as soon as possible" said General Brod-
head.


Brady selected four tried soldiers,
whose mettle he understood, and whom
he knew could be relied upon for the
occasion, and with four Chickasaw
Indians for guides, he straightway cross
ed the Allegheny river and found him
self Immediately in the enemy's coun-
try.


1t was a charming season of the
year, being late in May, when the
woods were in their most exuberant
vegetation, and the whole appearance
of nature was of the most inviting
character. However, the season was
uncommonly wet, and every stream was
found swollen to far more than its
usual size. No bridges, nor fords, nor
settlers houses, were in their way, and
from the necessity of the case they
could carry but few provisions with
them, so that it can be seen that they
had started upon no holiday march.


As it was necessary to shoot such
game as they secured, they ran great
risk of being discovered only when it
was absolutely necessary would Brady
allow it to be done. Indeed, it is al.
most impossible for us to understand,
to this day, the wonderful skill, deli
cacy and knowledge of woodcraft neces-
sary upon the part of all for them to
hope for any chance to succeed.


The slightest footprint on the bank
of river, the dead ashes of their camp
fire, the glimpse of one of their number
as they crossed a stream or appeared in
an open space, might betray their
presence, and lead to the determination
of the whole party.


But Brady understood allthe subtitle
ty of Indian strategy, and had thor
oughly disguised himself as savage
warrior, and being well acquainted with
their tongue, and the signs used by
them when upon the war-path, he had
strong hopes Of success.


All went well until the night before
they reached Sandusky. 1t was then
that they detected the glimlner of a
campfire, and Brady took upon him
self the task of ascertainiug the identity
of his neighbors.


Stealing as noislessly through the
woods as phantom, be gradually near
ed the campfire until he obtained
full view of those who surrounded it. |
He then saw two squaws reposing beside |
it. a good sign, as such could hardly |
be the case if their husbands and their
brothers had been aware of the vicinity |
OF the spies. Brady did net dare to !
disturb them, even if he had the desire
to do so, and the entire party passed
by without giving the least evidence of
their presence. -asls i


But on that same night tae four
Chickasawa that he had brought with
him as his guides suddenly disappeared.
There could be no question but that
they had deserted, and this, too, when
in tho VarV ,,raennoa - ihair onn,.,,o,