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tached part of the county of Fincastle, with the benefits of civil and military organization; that its south-western section was erected into a new, and distinct county, by the name of Kentucky: "lying south and westward of a line beginning on the Ohio, at the mouth of Great Sandy creek, and running up the same, and the main, or north-easterly branch thereof, to the great Laurel ridge, or Cumberland mountain, and with that, to the line of North Carolina." This may justly be considered an important event in the condition of the Kentucky settlers. As a part of Fincastle county, they had in fact, no part, or lot, in its police; nor could they vote at elections for representatives-receive military protection, or be distinctly heard in the legislature, in consequence of their detached situation: but composing a county themselves, they, by the constitution of the state, were to be thenceforth entitled to two representatives of their own choosing. They were also entitled to have a county court of civil jurisdiction of matters in both law, and equity-justices of the peace-militia officers-sheriffcoroner, and surveyor: in fine, to be a civil, and military, municipality, or corporation; with powers competent to their own government, agreeably to the general laws of the commonwealth. With these events, and prospects, terminated the annual period.

[1777.] The year 1777 ensued, and realized all the advan tages to be derived from the late change of political situation, as far as circumstances would admit. The new county was organized. A court of justice, one of the most beneficent acquisitions of civilization, was opened, quarter yearly, `at Harrodsburgh. It was composed of six or eight of the most respectable men in the county, for literary information; who had been commissioned by the governor, as justices of the peace. And who could, moreover, hold monthly sessions, for the despatch of ordinary business. Among them, is recollected, the names of John Todd, John Floyd, Benjamin Logan, John Bowman, and Richard Calloway: They were attended by the sheriff of the county, whom the governor had also commissioned; and by Levi Todd, whom they had appointed clerk of

the court. The requisite officers for a regiment of militia, were also commissioned; who promptly placed the citizens, whether resident, or not, in companies, and battalions. So that, in reality, the county, in effect a colony of Virginia; assumed the appearance of an infant commonwealth-whose military operations were under the controul of a county lieutenant, with the rank of colonel.

The truce, imposed by winter, was of course broken by the return of spring, which brought out the Indians, whom no laws, but those of force, could restrain. Early in this year, Benjamin Logan made up a small party, and returned to his own camp, or station, which he improved by new buildings; and strengthened, for defensive purposes. Much as the Indians were in the country, Logan's fort escaped attack till May. In the mean time, however, and as early as March, they made trial of Harrodsburgh. This place, from the time of settlement, had usually been the strongest in the country: but this spring, a number of the men had left it; and on the 6th, a large party of the Indians having marched through the woods with great privacy, surprised a small company of improvers, at a new settlement about four miles from Harrodsburgh, as they were aiming for that place. This company, consisting of the present General James Ray, then about fifteen years of age; à brother of his, who was killed; and another man, who was made prisoner: the first of whom only, saved himself. The fortunate escape of James Ray, who ran to the fort and gave the alarm, was the probable cause of saving that place, from a like surprise, and a similar catastrophe.

The Indians, aware of the intelligence which would of course be given to the garrison, by the man who had escaped them, or for some superstitious reason, seemed to check their march. They were looked for, but did not appear, that day. Time was thus afforded to collect the men, and to put the place in the best state of defence that was practicable. On the 7th, Harrodsburgh was invested, by the savage army, in the manner of an Indian siege. Firing of small arms immediately commenced; and some execution was done on both sides. It

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was not very long, however, before the assailants were repulsed leaving one of their dead on the field. A circumstance, indicating great discomfiture on their part; or greater rashness on the part of the slain. For their custom was to remove from the field of battle, the killed, as well as the wounded. But the deceased might have lost his life, where his comrades would not risk theirs.

There is no pleasure in depicting distress-nor in painting. the alarm of women and children; these are scenes which of course take place on such occasions-and where there is no particular interest involved, or end to answer, may be by the historian, left to the natural disposition, and sensibility of the reader.

The Indians, wholly unskilled in the civilized arts of storming, or besieging towns-and destitute of that open, daring, and disciplined firmness, necessary to carry them by assaulthaving failed to surprise, and soon despairing of success by force, retired from before Harrodsburgh, into the adjoining forest; which served them for a cover, and contained the game they wanted for food: and where, moreover, their skill and numbers, gave them, while they kept together, a decided superiority. They were not pursued.

The fifteenth of April, a party of these savages, to the number of one hundred, surrounded Boonesborough. An attack was forthwith began, and returned with spirit by the people in the fort. The Indians, finding so warm a reception, presently disappeared; having killed one man, and wounded four others, in the place; and carefully withdrawn all their own killed and wounded, so that their loss could not be ascertained-always a point of importance with them.

The twentieth of May, Logan's fort was besieged by about the same number, and probably the same Indians, who had so recently invested Boonesborough. The garrison at that time consisted of fifteen men only; of whom two were killed, and a third wounded. The loss of the enemy, if any, was not known. Harrodsburgh, and Boonesborough, were about equidistant; and the only places, from whence any assistance could be ex

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pected. The numbers of men in these, were but small, and the Indians took care to keep them alarmed for their own safety; so that in fact, no recruits were obtained. These were alarming and calamitous times the little garrison in Logan's fort suffered extremely-the women and children still more: but aided by Logan, and encouraged by his example, they would not complain, much less despair. On the twenty-fifth of July, a party from North Carolina, consisting of forty-five men, arrived in the country; but went to Boonesborough.Even this, had its effect, upon the spirits of the country.

There are other incidents of this siege, well deserving commemoration. Some of which will be narrated. At the time mentioned, the cabins which composed the fort, being habitable; while the women, guarded by a part of the men, were milking their cows, outside of the fort, they were suddenly fired upon by a large party of Indians, till then concealed in the thick cane, which stood about the cabins not yet cleared away.

In this attack one man was killed, and two others wounded; one of them mortally. The residue, with the women, got into the fort unhurt. At this time the whole number of souls with Logan, did not exceed thirty-five; the men were less than half that amount. The enemy were numerous. The besieged being concealed from their fire, it abated; and they having a moment's leisure to look about, discovered one of the wounded men, who had been left on the ground, yet alivethe other, had gained the fort; this, had been supposed dead. A more pity-moving object, cannot well be conceived; exposed every moment to be scalped by the Indians-sensible of his danger, yet incapable of getting into the fort. His name was Harrison, and he had a family in the place, whose apprehension of danger, had almost rendered it insensible of its loss. Logan could not bear to see the man struggling, and weltering on the ground; but exerted himself to raise a little party, to take him up; so imminent, however, appeared the danger, that he met only, objection, and refusal: for it was thought that whoever made the attempt, would expose himself to almost certain death,

John Martin, whose pride lay in being called a soldier, stimulated by his leader, at length seemed to collect sufficient forti tude to make the experiment, and with Logan, proceeded to the fort gate; at this instant, Harrison appeared to raise himself up on his hands and knees, as if able to help himself, and Martin withdrew; thinking he found a sufficient apology in the circumstances, or appalled by the obvious hazard. In this situation, Logan, collected, and alone, rushed to the help of the wounded man; who, by that time, exhausted by the effort, after crawling a few paces, had fallen to the ground; took him up in his arms, and brought him into the fort, amidst a shower of bullets; many of which struck the palisades about his head, as he entered the gate, unharmed.

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At this, time, there was but little powder, or ball, in the fort, nor any prospect of supply from the neighbouring stations; could it even have been sent for, without the most imminent danger, but which was not to be done. The Indians continuing to invest the place, there was but one alternative apparent to this little garrison. They must either send to Holston for ammunition, or expose themselves to be taken by the enemy, in case no supply was obtained. Peril the most obvious and alarming, attended either course. The individuals who should attempt the journey, would be greatly exposed-and the garrison, already small, would be reduced by their absence: if the supply was not successfully attempted, the consequence seemed still more terrible, and certain, In this dilemma, the part of prudence was to encounter the less, in order to escape the greater danger to run the risk, rather than wait the arrivak of certain ruin-in fine, to expose a part to be lost, for the salvation of the residue. Holston was to be reached, and a supply achieved, be the consequence to the adventurers, what it might; or all would be lost. The only question now was, who should obviate the possible catastrophe, by at once encountering the perils attendant on the enterprise of procuring the necessary supply. In this case, Logan, now distinguished by the title of captain, left not to others, what himself could do: but where the greater labour, or danger, was, there was he, ready to encounter, or to execute..

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