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almost at this moment another regiment under Colonel Field arriving to their aid, and coming up with great firmness to the attack, effectually checked the savages in the pursuit, and obliged them in turn to give way till they had retired behind a breastwork of logs and brush which they had partially constructed.

Lewis, on his arrival at the place, had encamped quite on the point of land between the Ohio and Kenhawa, and having moved but a short distance out to the attack, the distance across from river to river was still but short. The Indians soon extending their ranks entirely across, had the Virginians completely hemmed in, and in the event of getting the better of them, had them at their disposal, as there could have been no chance for escape.

6

"Never was ground maintained with more obstinacy; for it was slowly, and with no precipitancy, that the Indians retired to their breast work. The division under Lewis was first broken, although that under Fleming was nearly at the same moment attacked. This heroic, officer first received two balls through his left wrist, but continued to exercise his command with the greatest coolness and presence of mind. His voice was continually heard, Don't lose an inch of ground. Advance, outflank the enemy, and get between them and the river.' But his men were about to be outflanked by the body that had just defeated Lewis; meanwhile the arrival of Colonel Field turned the fortune of the day, but not without a severe loss; Colonel Fleming was again wounded, by a shot through the lungs; yet he would not retire, and Colonel Field was killed as he was leading on his men. The whole line of the breastwork now became as a blaze of fire, which lasted near

ly till the close of the day. Here the Indians under Logan, Cornstock, Elenipsico, Red-Eagle, and other mighty chiefs of the tribes of the Shawneese, Delawares, Mingos, Wyandots and Cayugas, amounting, as was supposed, to fifteen hundred warriors, fought, as men will ever do for their country's wrongs, with a bravery which could only be equaled. The voice of the mighty Cornstock was often heard during the day, above the din of strife, calling on his men in these words: 'Be strong! Be strong! And when by the repeated charges of the whites, some of his warriors began to waver, he is said to have sunk his tomahawk into the head of one who was cowardly endeavoring to desert. General Lewis, finding at length that every charge upon the lines of the Indians lessened the number of his forces to an alarming degree, and rightly judging that if the Indians were not routed before it was dark, a day of more doubt might follow, he resolved to throw a body, if possible, into their rear. of the Virginians turned, the bank of the river favored this project, and forthwith three companies were detached upon the enterprise, under the three captains, Isaac Shelby, (after renowned in the revolution, and since in the war with Canada,) George Matthews, and John Stewart. These companies got unobserved to their place of destination upon Crooked Creek, which runs into the Kenhawa. From the high weeds upon the banks of this little stream, they rushed upon the backs of the Indians with such fury, as to drive them from their works with precipitation. The day was now decided. The Indians, thus beset from a quarter they did not expect, were ready to conclude that a reinforcement had arrived. It was about sunset when

As the good fortune

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they fled across the Ohio, and immediately took up their march for their towns on the Sciota."*

Of the loss of both Indians and whites in this engagement, various statements have been given. A number amounting to seventy-five killed, and one hundred and forty wounded of the whites, has been rendered; with a loss on part of the Indians not so great, but not correctly known.

• Drake.

CHAPTER XIX.

Governor Dunmore descends from Fort Pitt-Sends messengers to Genneral Lewis-At the mouth of Hockhocking-Simon Girty-Old Revolutioners--Retreat of General Lewis-Speech of Cornstalk-Logan's celebrated speech--Difficulties with the Indians consequent to the American Revolution--Cornstalk visits the fort at Point Pleasant --Retained in the fort--The assassination of himself and his son.

Governor Dunmore having rendezvoused his troops at Fort Pitt and provided boats for their conveyance, descended the river to Wheeling, where an additional number of canoes, pirogues and keel-boats were obtained; and they continued down to the mouth of Hockhocking. On arriving here, two scouts were despatched to General Lewis with orders, that as the plan of operations were changed, he should continue his march across towards the Shawnee towns, where a junction of the troops should take place, instead of at Point Pleasant as agreed before.

Simon Girty, afterwards so conspicuous as a refugee among the Indians, was one of these scouts. The other was a youth of eighteen, who still survives, and is a resident of Westmoreland county in this state. By the aid of this worthy (now) old gentleman, and of another, Samuel Murphy of Armstrong county, who likewise served in Dunmore's campaign, we are able to present a correct account of this expedition, concerning which such varied statements have been given heretofore.

The two scouts having descended to the mouth of the Kenhawa, Lewis was found not to have arrived. They

DESPATCHES TO GENERAL LEWIS.

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concluded then to proceed up that stream till they should meet him, as he would arrive from that direction. But before they had gone above three miles, meeting with fresh traces of Indians, they concluded not to proceed any farther, as they doubtless would be intercepted before they could reach the approaching troops. Accordingly it was agreed that the despatches should be left, and they would return. A large hollow beech tree stood near by the path; in this the papers were carefully deposited, and signs left on the outside to direct attention to them.

Girty and Parchment now crossed the Ohio, and soon came upon a fine buck, which they killed and dressed, and as night was approaching an encampment was made and some of the meat broiled for a repast.

The next morning about sunrise, as they were preparing to continue their journey, the report of a number of guns was suddenly heard below, at the mouth of the Kenhawa. Lewis had arrived the evening before at the Point, and this was ascertained to be the commencement of the battle between him and the Indians.

Two days after the return of Girty and Parchment to the mouth of Hockhocking, Dunmore continued his march up that stream and across in a direction towards the Piqua plains.

Before he had reached that place, the Indians, aware of his approach, and perhaps intimidated by their late misfortune, sent messengers to meet him, sueing for peace. After a time Dunmore determined to comply, and halting, sent an express to General Lewis, ordering him to retreat. Lewis supposing that he perhaps was still uninformed of the victory that had been gained at the Point, and the consequent importance of following it up, continued his march until he was met by Dunmore