most remarkable men of early Kentucky), Clough Overton, John Kennedy, (little) James Graham, Wm. Stewart, John Wilson, Israel Boone, Andrew McConnell.

Of the 109 who survived the battle, in addition to the three returned prisoners above, the author has ascertained only the following sixteen names: Col. Daniel Boone, Maj. Hugh McGary, Col. Robert Patterson, Col. John Smith, Maj. Geo. Michael Bedinger, Maj. Lavi Todd, Maj. Benj. Netherland, Capt. Samuel Johnson, Aaron Reynolds, Judge Twyman, Jas. McCullough, Benj. Hayden, Henry Wilson, Peter Harget, Jas. Morgan, Wm. Field. Thus thirty-four names out of 176 engaged, are preserved of which 176, over one-fourth were commissioned officers.

Nicholas Hart and several others of the prisoners taken at the capture of Ruddle's and Martin's stations in now Harrison and Bourbon counties, on June 22, 1780-more than two years before-had been brought along with the Indians on this expedition; for what purpose is not known. They were the unwilling witnesses of the siege of Bryan's station, and of the terrible disaster at the Blue Licks-where many of their personal friends fought their last battle and slept their last sleep.14

The foregoing accounts of the battle of Blue Licks were based largely on what Marshall said of it in his History of Kentucky. His description of the battle is given. The testimony of some of the survivors was not available to Marshall, and there accumulated other evidence which he did not have, but his account of this disaster is worthy of preservation here, and is, therefore, set out:

Two years before, a similar army had surprised and taken Ruddle's station--Martin's shared the like fate-and that of Grant had been abandoned. Bryan's station was thence the frontier, on that quarter approaching nearest of the enemy. It consisted of about thirty, or forty, cabins; and from forty to fifty men. It had a bastion at either end, composed of strong logs, built in the block house form, with necessary loop holes. The cabins were ranged in two, or three rows parallel to each other; and connected by strong palisades, where they did not otherwise join. It had no supply of water within, but a very fine spring ran from the foot of the point, on which it stood, near to the bank of Elkhorn; at that place, but a small creek.

On the fifteenth of August, some few of the men, being absent, and others in the adjacent corn field; but the greater part of them, about the station; the Indians suddenly appeared before the place; and without any summons, commenced an attack with small arms. Fortunately, they had no cannon; and it was recollected that no station had been taken without. Their numbers were not known, as they were dispersed among the growing corn, or concealed by the fences and the weeds.

The fort gates were immediately manned, and kept, for the reception of those who were out, and should desire to enter: others of the garrison ran to the bastions and loop holes, from which they fired, and kept off the assailants. Some of the men, belonging to the fort, entered from without others, thinking the attempt too hazardous, or else, that it was proper to alarm their neighbors, repaired to Lexington, and other places, with the news; and a call for help. To render this, the utmost alacrity was everywhere shown. Some volunteers from Lexington, with great speed and gallantry, threw themselves into the place that evening-the next day it was reinforced by detachments from Boone's and Strode's stations-ten or twelve miles distant. These parties rode through a lane, which led to the place besieged, and were fired on by the Indians, lying behind the fences, without injury.

In the meantime, the besieged had defended themselves with all the vigilance and intrepidity demanded by the importance of the crisis and 14 Collins, History of Kentucky, Vol. II, pp. 661-663.

the ferocious nature of the enemy. The Johnsons, and Craigs, were in the number of the most reputable of the inhabitants-while Jacob Stucker, Jerry Craig, the Herndons, and Mitchells, were distinguished among its best soldiers, while each acted well his part.

The Indians had made their camps on both sides of the creek, then in wood, above the stations, and so near the spring, as to render it useless to the garrison, without incurring the most imminent danger in attempting to get the water, by day; or even, by night; notwithstanding which, it was, however, obtained. The place was closely infested for the two succeeding days during which time the Indians kept up almost a constant fire, on the one side, or the other, from fences, trees, or stumps— whereby they killed four men, and wounded three others. They made several attempts to fire the cabins; and for that purpose, shot lighted arrows on the roofs-and even approached the walls with torches-but from these they were repulsed-nor had their ignited arrows the desired effect, owing, no doubt, to their imperfect skill in fire-works. Otherwise nothing could have been more easy than to have fired the place; as the height of their cabin walls did not exceed twelve feet, and the roofs of boards were fastened on with cross poles, which afforded lodgments for combustible matter, within hand's throw, of various parts, to which they could approach without being seen, or exposed to danger. They killed a great number of cattle, some of which they ate and after killing some, they took away, other horses. But having exposed themselves considerably, in their various attempts-some of which were bold; and after suffering, as it was believed, the loss of about thirty warriors killed, and many others wounded; they raised the siege the morning of the fourth day. This experiment had proved that they were not likely to take the place, in any short time; while they could not apprehend that if they continued before it, the country would be raised in arms, and brought upon their backs; they, therefore, after remaining the third night, in their camp, about sunrise the next morning, left their fires burning, some bits of meat on their roasting sticks-and deliberately took the road, made by buffaloes, and hunters, to the lower Blue Licks; by the way of Ruddle's station-which two years before, as was mentioned, they had reduced— for the purpose, as it was surmised, of alleviating their present mortification; by viewing, in ruins, the scene of their former triumph. For it was neither the shortest, plainest, nor smoothest way to the licks.

That they could not expect, and did not desire to conceal their route, will appear in the sequel.

In the meantime, Col. John Todd, who resided in Lexington, despatched intelligence to Lieutenant Colonel Trigg, living at Harrodsburg, of the attack on Bryant Station; leaving it to the latter to give the intelligence to his superior, Col. Benjamin Logan. Neither Colonel Trigg, nor Colonel Boone, who had also been called on, lost any time in collecting the men in their respective neighborhoods-but with singular promptitude, on the 18th of the month; but after the Indians had left the ground, repaired to Bryant Station under the command of Todd, as the superior officer from Lexington, where they had rendezvoused their men, under their appropriate officers. The majors were McGary, and Harland, from near Harrodsburg; and Levi Todd, of Lexington.

The enemy having retreated, a council was held, in which it was promptly decided to pursue the Indians, without waiting for the arrival of Colonel Logan, who was known to be collecting a strong party-and to be expected on the ground in a few days-but when arrived, would, as the superior officer, have the command. A circumstance, which it was suspected, both Todd and Trigg, desired to avoid-thinking themselves equal to the command, and sanguine of success-as they were emulous of praise, and possessed an idea of mental superiority.

In consequence of the determination of the council, the march was. immediately ordered, and forthwith commenced, under the command of Colonel Todd, and next to him, Colonel Trigg, on the route of the enemy, whose numbers, as yet, though considerable, were not known. They had not proceeded very far, before Boone, and some others, experienced in the manners of the Indians, discovered signs of ostentation, and of tardiness, on their trail; indicative of their willingness to be pursued; and calculated to point out their route; while apparent caution had been taken to conceal their numbers. The one was effected by chopping the trees on the way-the other, by treading in single file a narrow tract; contracting their camp, and using but few fires, where they stopped to eat. No Indian was seen, although it was apparent they were at no great distance in advance, until the pursuers reached the southern bank of Licking, at the licks. The van of the party then discovered a few of them on the opposite side of the river, traversing the hill side; and who, apparently without alarm, and leisurely, retired over the hill from their sight. A halt was called, the principal officers being assembled-the information then given -and the questions asked: "What shall be done? Whether, is it best, immediately to cross the river, and continue the march, or stand here, until the country round about can be reconnoitered by proper parties and measures ultimately taken according to circumstances either by attack, if the enemy were near, or wait the arrival of Colonel Logan?"

Neither of the superior officers were much skilled in the manner, or custom of Indian warfare-they were however willing to be informed, and had actually called upon Colonel Boone for his opinion of the case, and how they should act. This he was detailing with his usual candor and circumspection by adverting to his own observations, on the different appearances on the road; and the fact of the Indians showing themselves on the next hill. As to the number of the enemy, his conjectures varied, from three, to five hundred; owing to the ambiguous nature of the sign they had made on the road. From the careless manner in which the Indians, who had been seen, conducted themselves, he was of the opinion that the main body was near, and prepared for action. Hel was particularly well acquainted with the situation of the ground about the licks; and the manner in which the river winds into an irregular ellipsis, embracing the great buffalo road and ridge, from the licks, towards Limestone, as its longest line of bisections; and which is terminated by two ravines heading near together, a mile from the licks; and extending in opposite directions to the river. He had suggested the probability of the Indians having here formed an ambuscade, the advantages to them, and the disadvantages to the party of Colonels Todd, and Trigg, should this conjecture be realized, and the march continued. He proposed that the party should divide; the one half march up Licking on the south side, to the mouth of a small creek, now called Elk creek, and there crossing over, proceed on the ridge to the outside of the ravines-while the other half should advance to the high ground on the north of the licks, and place itself in a situation to co-operate on the enemy, in case of attack. He showed that the whole advantage of position might be thus turned against the enemy. And he insisted, as the very least that should be done, if his superiors were determined not to wait for Colonel Logan, was to have the country explored, round about, before they marched the main body, over the river; for they were yet ignorant whether the Indians had crossed, or not—and in either event, if they were near, they meant to take advantage of the measure; which their superiority of number would render decisive. Already had Boone, nearly gained the entire approbation of his superiors, and of those who heard his counsel-for in fact, they only hesitated between his propositions-when Major McGary, ardent and impatient of delay, rushed his horse forward to the water's edge,

and raising the war whoop, next cried out with a loud voice, "Those who are not cowards follow me-I will show them where the Indians are"spurred his horse into the river. One followed, and then another in quick succession; until a motion and agitation was communicated to the whole -the council was broken up-the officers, who might have been otherwise inclined, were forced along in the crowd and tumult-nothing had been concerted-no distinct orders were given; or if given, not observed-they crossed the river, and pursued the road, as the general guide kept by McGary, in front. On either side of which, parties flanked off, as the unevenness and irregularity of the ground would permit; all moving forward, with the utmost disorder, and precipitation over a surface covered with rocks, laid bare by the trampling of the buffalo, and the washing of the rains for ages past. When the van approached the ridge next within the ravines, which have been mentioned, to the left, an Indian, or two, were observed on it, at a distance; these appeared to retreat along the ridge, which led to the point between the ravine and river. One moment of cool reflection might have suggested the idea of decoy; and the next would have shown the propriety of caution. It appears, however, that the determination to find the enemy so engrossed the party that prudence was, like fear, completely excluded and banished. The party, therefore, pressed on, toward the end of the ridge where it was covered by a forest of oak trees of middling size, and the ravines with small saplings or brush wood; while the whole extent of the ellipsis had been stripped of all herbage, by the herds of buffalo, which were in the habit of resorting to the licks. Some scattering trees here and there appeared, on a pavement of rock, as rude as it was singular, throughout the whole extent of the field. Both Todd and Trigg had deviated from the main road; and probably with a view of taking their position on the right of the troops were far from the front, which moved rapidly, and rather obliquely, headed by McGary, Harland, and McBride; and followed by the rest, without regular order; the whole, with a few exceptions, being armed with rifles, and mounted on horses, formed a broken line corresponding with the ridge, and nearly parallel to the ravines; which were filled with Indians.

No sooner had McGary entered the forest, than he discovered the enemy waiting for him-here the action immediately began, and soon became warm, and bloody-on either side the rifle was pointed-on either side, the warrior fell. It was discovered that the ravines extending the whole length of the line of Kentuckians had concealed the savages, who fired and rushed upon their foes, not half their equal in point of numbers. Todd, and Trigg, who were on the right, when the line fronted the ravines, were thrown into the rear, when its flank was changed, and it moved to the left, where the battle began: Already had these fallenalready were the Indians turning the right, or rear, of this line—already had twenty, or more, of those brave men who first engaged breathed their last-already was the line everywhere assailed-when a retreat commenced, under the uplifted tomahawk. At the beginning of the battle, many of the men dismounted, while others did not; in the retreat, some recovered their horses-others fled on foot-over rocky field, already described, which was environed by high and rugged cliffs, on either hand, until it declined into a flat, as it approached the salt spring. The ford was narrow, and the water, though shallow on it, was deep, both above, and below. Some of the fugitives were overtaken on the way to the river, and fell beneath the stroke of the Indian spear, or hatchet-but at the water, was a greater havoc-some were slain in the water; some on either shore. Here it was that a singular phenomenon was exhibited-a man by the name of Netherland, well mounted, and among the foremost in the flight, having crossed the Licking and gained the farthest bank, think

ing himself out of danger, checks his horse, takes a back view, sees the savages preparing to rush into the water, and there, to extinguish the remains of many lives, almost exhausted by wounds, and the fatigue of flight, cries out, with a shrill, and commanding voice, to those who had made the shore next to him-"Halt: fire on the Indians, and protect the men in the river." The call had the desided effect, on ten, or a dozenwho immediately halt, fire on the enemy, and check their pursuitprobably, by so doing, as many lives were saved. This resistance, however, proves but momentary; the Indians gather rapidly on the shorenumbers of them are seen crossing the river-and personal safety suggests a speedy flight.

The fugitives were pursued for miles; nor did they find a place of safety short of Bryant's Station, thirty-six miles from the scene of action. Here, many of those on horseback arrived within six, and others on foot, within eight hours, after the battle.

At Bryant's, the survivors of this tragedy recount the exploits of their comrades and their own disasters. Here they tell that Captain Robert Patterson, exhausted in the retreat, and ready to yield himself to the scalping knife of the savage, just in his rear, is accosted by Reynolds, a soldier on horseback, who dismounts-assists Patterson, into his seat, and ensures his escape-while himself, now closely pressed, falls into the hands of three or four of the enemy-he seems alert, and they have not time to kill him-but they take his arms, and leave him in the custody of an Indian, who by this time had arrived, but seeming less expert than the captors, who continue the pursuit-sure of the pleasure of torturing one white man, when they should have more leisure. But the Indian, with the prisoner, continuing to move him, his moccasin came loose; and while he stooped down to tie it, Reynolds snatches his gun from him— knocks him down with its butt-and makes his own escape.

For this singular instance of real magnanimity, and essential service, Patterson, who had no prior claims on Reynolds, afterwards made him a present of 200 acres of land.

Never had Kentucky experienced so fatal a blow as that at the Blue Licks; of the 166 brave men, who repaired to the assistance of Bryant Station, one half, or more, were from Harrodsburg and its vicinity. These, fired by the generous spirit of their officers, turned out upon the first call, ready, not only to risk, but to sacrifice their lives, if necessary in the defence of their country; these were led directly into the front of the battle of these, the greater number fell, before it was ended. Those from other places, equally brave, were little less unfortunte. The whole loss on the side of Kentucky was sixty killed and seven made prisoners. Of the wounded, but few escaped. The Indians, it was said, lost sixty-four, killed--besides a number wounded. Such were the reports from their towns, afterwards; and that they massacred four of their prisoners, to make the loss equal. The equal loss is doubted.

Greatly did the country feel and deplore the loss of Colonels Todd and Trigg; who, although they had not acquired the reputation of great Indian warriors, were men of intelligence, of personal worth, and of public usefulness. They were particularly qualified to counsel, enlighten and guide the people in their private and civil concerns, while the suavity of their manners and the urbanity of their minds rendered them easy of access; and always ready to assist those who wanted their information or advice. Their deaths were a real public calamity of more than common

measure.

In this action the gallant Harland fell, nor was there an officer more brave or one more beloved in the field.

Colonel Boone here lost his second son and very narrowly escaped with his own life. To him the incidents of the day must have been ex