History of the early settlement and Indian wars of Western Virginia embracing an account of the various expeditions in the West, previous to 1795. Also, biographical sketches of Ebenezer Zane, Major Samuel M'Colloch, Lewis Wetzel, Genl. Andrew Lewis, Genl. Daniel Brodhead, Capt. Samuel Brady, Col. Wm. Crawford, other distinguished actors in our border wars |
CONTENTS. |
 | I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
 | History of the early settlement and Indian wars of Western Virginia |  |
CONTENTS.
| PART I. | |
| GENERAL INTRODUCTORY HISTORY. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| America anterior to Columbus—Discovery by Columbus | 16 |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Early English Discoveries—Patent to Sir H. Gilbert—English in America—First Colony in Virginia—Jamestown Settlement—Its ultimate Influence |
20 |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Early French Discoveries—Cartier—Quebec Founded—Mississippi Discovered— Death of Marquette—La Salle |
27 |
| PART II. | |
| EARLY SETTLEMENT OF WESTERN VIRGINIA. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Indian Towns on the Ohio—Governor Spottswood's Expedition—Order of the Golden Horse-Shoe |
33 |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| First Settlement of the Valley—Captivity of an Explorer—Early Description of the West—Burden's Grant—Virginia Settlers—A Contrast |
37 |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Greenbriar Country—First Settlers West of the Alleghanies—Corn Rights | 41 |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| Land Operations in the West—The Ohio Company—Grants to Land Companies— France Asserts her Claim—Convention at Logstown—Shingiss |
43 |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| French and English Claims to the Ohio—Interesting Relic—Leaden Plates | 48 |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| The Brewing Storm—Virginia Prepares to Assert her Rights—Movements in the West—Washington's Mission—His many Privations—Miraculous Escape— Washington's Humanity |
52 |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| Fort at the Forks—Warlike Attitude of Virginia—Surrender of the Forks—Summons of Contrecœur—Fort Du Quesne—Washington on the Mountains—His First Battle—Fort Necessity—French Attack—A Parley—Capitulation—The Terms—Vote of Thanks to the Virginians—Acknowledgment—Error Corrected —Lancaster Treaty |
58 |
| PART III. | |
| EARLY SETTLEMENT OF NORTH-WESTERN VIRGINIA. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| First Settlement on the Monongahela—Early Settlers—Discoveries by Hunters— Home in the Wilderness—The Lonely Man—Some of the First Settlers—Rapid Emigration |
73 |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| First Settlement at Wheeling—Settlement at Grave Creek—Emigrants—An Incident—Early Settlers—Spirit of the First Settlers—Their Energy and Patriotism—Habits and Character—Content and Happiness—Increased Emigration—Pioneer Life |
80 |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Primitive Customs—Acquiring Land—Furniture, Diet, Dress, etc.—The Fort— Places of Defence—Hunting—Pioneer Wedding—Considerate Custom—House Warming—Sports—Amusements |
90 |
| PART IV. | |
| FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Expedition of Braddock—Braddock's Army on the Mountains—Braddock's Field —The Battle—The Defeat—Washington—Character of Braddock—Unfitness for Indian Warfare—Relics |
105 |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Indian Depredations—William Pitt—Expedition against Fort Du Quesne—Grant's Defeat—Destruction of Fort Du Quesne—Overthrow of French Power |
115 |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Indian Jealousy—Pontiac—Bouquet's Expedition—Admirable Stratagem—Braddock's Route—Who Killed Braddock?—Sash Worn by Braddock—General Taylor—An Incident |
121 |
| PART V. | |
| CIVIL AND MILITARY EXPEDITIONS IN THE WEST | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Peace Movements—Detroit Treaty—Bouquet's Expedition in Ohio—Croghan Visits the Wabash |
131 |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Indian Hatred of the British—Land Companies—Treaty at Fort Stanwix—Virginia Lands—Mississippi Company—Movements in the West—Washington on the Ohio |
135 |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| The War of 1774—Early Causes—Connolly's Mission—Murders on the Ohio— Captain Cresap—Murder of Logan's Family—Clark's Statement—Kill-Buck and Cresap—Cresap Exonerated |
142 |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| Indians Retaliating—Colonel McDonald—Indian Towns Destroyed—Logan | 150 |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| Dunmore's Campaign—Battle of Point Pleasant—Defeat of the Savages—The Indian Army—The Sufferers—Lewis Ordered to Return—Cornstalk Opposed to War—Logan's Speech—Dunmore's Motives for Peace—Historical Error— Dunmore Sustained |
154 |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| Indians Employed as Allies—Britain Offers Bounty for Scalps | 168 |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| Cornstalk Visits Point Pleasant—Gives Important Intelligence—Murder of Cornstalk—His Character |
170 |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| Renewal of Indian Hostilities—Fort McIntosh Built—Fort Laurens—Investment of the Fort—Relief Afforded |
174 |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| Colonel Brodhead's Campaign—Rendezvous at Wheeling—Indian Towns Taken —Treacherous Murder |
179 |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| Williamson's Campaign—Expedition Organized—Arrival at the Towns—Indians Surrender—Atrocious Murder—Colonel Williamson's Part—Character of the Men |
182 |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| Crawford's Campaign—Rendezvous at Mingo Bottom—Indian Vigilance—Retreat of the Army—Captivity of Colonel Crawford—Disastrous Issue—Clark's Operations in the West—He Conquers Illinois—Arrest of Hamilton |
189 |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| Closing Military Operations in the West—Relinquishment of Indian Title—St. Clair's Expedition—Wayne's Victory |
197 |
| PART VI. | |
| INDIAN WARS. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Depredations East of the Mountains—Captivity of Mrs. Neff—Historical Errors —Attack on Fort Edwards—Whites made Prisoners—Burning a Prisoner— Massacre at Seybert's Fort—A Modern Samson—Just Rebuke—Indian Depredations—Murders and Escapes—A Formidable Foe—Origin of "Long-Knives" —Captivity of Mrs. Renick—Greenbriar Settlements Destroyed—Courageous Woman—Surprise of a Family—The Bloody Year—Murder of Mrs. Grigsby— Fort Crawford Erected—Siege of Fort Henry—Indian Army under Girty—Defeat of Captain Mason—Captain Ogle's Defeat—Girty's Demand to Surrender —The Attack Commenced—Signal Failure—Siege Raised—Captain Foreman —The Ambuscade—Timely Aid from the Scouts—Surprise a Camp—Family Murdered—Unavailing Pursuit—Death of Grandstaff—General Indian War— Attack on Harbert's Block-House—A Savage Monster—Outrages—Fort Randolph Attacked—Attack on Donally's House—Indian Murders—Death of Mrs. Freeman—Successful Deception—Severe Loss—Morgan's Rencontre—A Dream —Shoots one of the Indians—A Desperate Struggle—Revolting Barbarity— Affair at Martin's Fort—Death of a Young Lady—Murder of Mr. Schoolcraft's Family—Captivity and Death of Mrs. Wallace—Murder of Captain Thomas' Family—Singular Fatality—Wheeling Threatened—Indians Before the Fort— Affair at Link's Block-House—Back Settlements Attacked—A Dangerous Man —Depredations near Clarksburgh—Second Attack on Wheeling—Whisky— Almost a Disaster—Enemy Demand a Surrender—Hero-Women—Wooden Cannon—Prisoner—An Incident—Noble Conduct of a Female—Injustice of History —Attack on Rice's Fort—Successful Defence—Dillie's Block-House—Fate of the Piatt Family—Murder of the Tait Family—American Cannibalism—Death of Hugh Cameron—Fort Henry—Historical Error Corrected—Losses by Foreman's Defeat—Statement of Mrs. Cruger—Defenders of Fort Henry |
201 |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Miraculous Escape—Affair at Grave Creek—Captivity of Mrs. Cunningham— Death of her Children—Captivity of John Wetzel—The Enemy Surprised— Captive Released—Murder of Doolin—Attack on a Family—Captivity of Mrs. Frances Scott—Escape of Mrs. Scott—Two Sisters Killed—Account by an EyeWitness—Death of Mr. Strait—Bloody Scene—The Western Heroines—Prowess of a Woman—The Becham Affair—Confusion of Dates—The Johnson Boys— Successful Deception—Resolve to Kill their Captors—Death of the Indians— Courageous Boy—Surprising a Family—Captivity of Mrs. Glass—Pursuit and Rescue—Neil's Block-House—Escape of Carpenter—The Grice Massacre—Destruction of a Family—Attack on Kirkwood's Cabin—Manly Defence—Relief for Wheeling—Fatal Decoy—Hunters Surprised—Fatal Sport—Massacre of Jolly's Family—Captain Van Buskirk—Party of Whites Defeated—The Tush, Murder—Family Murdered—Two Brothers Killed—A Dead Shot—Attack on Mr. Armstrong—Indian Violence—Death of Proctor—Letter from Mr. Darby —Interesting Statement—Grateful Remembrance |
282 |
| PART VII. | |
| SKETCHES OF BIOGRAPHY AND PERSONAL ADVENTURE. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Colonel Ebenezer Zane— | |
| First Visit to the West—A Change—Personal History—Remarks—Employed by Congress—Zane Family |
331 |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Major Samuel McColloch— | |
| Difficulties in the Way of the Historian—Pursued by the Savages—The Leap— Death of the Hero—Question of Identity |
338 |
| Lewis Wetzel— | |
| The Great Borderer—His Character—Death of the Elder Wetzel—Captivity and Escape—Hunter's Life—Unparalleled Feat—Remarkable Trait—Singular Mode of Warming—Attacks an Indian Camp—Fearful Scene—A Quandary—Arrested for Killing an Indian—Escapes—Swims the Ohio Handcuffed—Attempt to Retake Him—Popular Indignation—Pursuit of a Captive—Rescues a Young Lady —Imprisonment at New Orleans—Indian Cunning Outwitted—The Way it was Done—Personal Appearance |
344 |
| Andrew Poe— | |
| Poe and Big-Foot—Character and Appearance—Thrilling Incident—Powerful Antagonist—Fearful Struggle—Death of Big-Foot—A Bold Act |
355 |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Colonel William Crawford— | |
| An Early Surveyor—Defeated by the Indians—Savages Pursue Him—Captivity —Condemnation to the Stake—Preparation for Burning—Horrid Scene |
372 |
| Captain Samuel Brady— | |
| Leader of the Spies—Security Afforded by the Spies—Secret Mission Successfully Executed—Rescue of a Woman and Child—Battle of Brady's Bend—Prepares for a Scout—Discovers an Indian Camp—The Lone Indian—Makes Him Captive—Treachery and its Consequences—A Terrible Alternative—Attempt to Ambush |
382 |
| General Andrew Lewis— | |
| Sketch of the Lewis Family—Perilous Situation—Successful Defence—A Virginia Matron—Character of General Lewis—Personal Appearance |
393 |
| General Daniel Brodhead— | |
| Ancestry of General Brodhead—Appointed to Western Division—Letter from General Washington—Proceeds against the Indians—Proposition to take Detroit—Retires from the West |
400 |
| Jesse Hughes— | |
| A Mountain Hunter—An Incident—His Sagacity—Outwits the Indian—Another "Turkey" Caught—Old Fort at Morgantown |
407 |
| History of the early settlement and Indian wars of Western Virginia | |