University of Virginia Library

On Monday afternoon, September 11, 1782, a body of about 300 Indians,
and 50 British soldiers, composing part of a company known as the `Queen's
Rangers,' appeared in front of the fort, and demanded a surrender. These
forces were commanded respectively by the white renegade Girty, and a
Captain Pratt.

The demand for a surrender was of course uncomplied with, and the
attack then commenced.

During the forenoon of Tuesday, September 12th, the enemy having temporarily
withdrawn from the attack, but occupying a position within gunshot
of the fort, those within the stockade observed a female leave the
residence of Colonel Zane, and advance with rapid movements towards the
fort. She made for the southern gate, as it was less exposed to the fire of
the enemy. The gate was opened immediately, and she entered in safety
That person was none other than Molly Scott, and the object of her mission,
was to procure powder for those who defended the dwelling of Colonel Zane!
The undersigned was at that time in her 17th year, and remembers with
perfect distinctness every circumstance connected with the incident. She
saw Molly Scott enter the fort, assisted her in getting the powder, and
saw her leave, and avers most positively that she, and she alone, accomplished
the feat referred to, and deserves all the credit there may be attached
to it.

The ammunition at that time was kept in the `store-house,' adjoining
the residence of my father, known as the `Captain's house.' My father
having left for help on the commencement of the attack, and I being the
oldest child under the paternal roof, was directed by my mother to go with
the messenger (Molly Scott), to the store-house, and give her whatever
ammunition she needed. This the undersigned did, and will now state without
the fear of contradiction, that the powder was given to Molly Scott, and not
to Elizabeth Zane.

The undersigned assisted said Molly Scott in placing the powder in her apron,
and to this she is willing to be qualified at any time. * *

Elizabeth Zane, for whom has long been claimed the credit of this heroic
feat, was at that time at the residence of her father, near the present town
of Washington, Pa. * * * * * *

At the time of its occurrence, the achievement was not considered very

extraordinary. Those were emphatically times when woman's heart was
nerved to deeds of no ordinary kind;—we all felt it was then `to do or die;'
and the undersigned does not hesitate to say, that more than one within the
little stockade at Wheeling, would have accomplished the feat with as much
credit as the one whose name seems destined to an immortality in border
warfare.

But undersigned does not wish to detract any from the heroism of that
feat, she only desires to correct a gross error—to give honor to whom honor
is due. This she deems imperative, that the truth and justice of history
may be maintained.

The undersigned disclaims all unkind feelings towards any one, in relation
to this statement. Elizabeth Zane was one of her earliest acquaintances,
whom she knew to be a woman brave, generous and single-hearted.

Given under my hand and seal, this 28th day of November, 1849.