xt7rfj299b1n https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7rfj299b1n/data/mets.xml  18  books b92-77-27211874 English Henry J. Wehman, : New York : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Boone, Daniel, 1734-1820 Fiction. Wehman's book on the adventures of Daniel Boone text Wehman's book on the adventures of Daniel Boone 18 2002 true xt7rfj299b1n section xt7rfj299b1n 


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DANIEL BOONE.



   ADVENTURES OF COLONEL DANIEL BOONE.

   THE state, now known by the name of Kentucky, derived its name from that
of a long, deep-channeled and clifty river, called by the Indians Kan-tuck-kee.
This delightful country, from time immemorial had long been the resort of
wild beasts, and of men no less savage; when, in the year of 1767, it was visited
by John Finley, and a few wanderers from North Carolina. These men were
allured to the wilderness by a love of hunting, and the desire of trading with
the Indians, who were then understood to be at peace. The aborigines were
a race of men, whose origin lies buried in the most profound obscurity. They
were ignorant of all the arts of civilized life; and depended on hunting and
fishing by the men, and a scanty supply of maize, raised by the women, with
rude instruments, for subsistence. Their clothing was made of the skins of
wild animals, and afterwards they obtained coarse cloth and blankets from
itinerant pedlars, who visited their camps, or towns, in exchange for furs.
Sometimes at peace-but more generally at war, these Indians may be cha-
racterised as active, vigilant, and enterprising in their pursuits; of a dark
red color, black hair and eyes, straight limbs, and portly bodies; equally
crafty or brave, as circumstances require, and remarkable for the sagacity of
their conceptions, brevity of their speech, and admirable eloquence.
  At the time Finley visited it, the proud face of creation here presented itself,
without the disguise of art. No wood had been felled-no field cleared-no
human habitation raised; even the Red Man of the forest had not put up his
wigwam of poles and bark for habitation. But that mysterious Being, whose
                                  1                          (6)


 
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productive power we call Nature, ever bountiful, and ever great, had not
spread out this replete and luxurious pasture without stocking it with nume-
rous flocks and herds: nor were their fetocious attendants, who prey upon
them, wanting, to fill up the circle of created being. Here we see the timid
oaer, the towering elk, the fleet stag, the surly bear, the crafty fox, the rave-
nous wolf, the devouring panther, the insidious wild cat, the haughty buffalo,
besides innumerable other creatures, winged, four-footed, or creeping. And
here, at some time unknown, had been, for his bones are yet here, the levia-
than of the forest, the monstrous mammoth, whose teeth, nine feet in length,
inflicted death and destruction on both animal and vegetable substances until,
exhausting all within its range, itself became extinct. Such were the aspects
which Kentucky exhibited, when it was seen by John Finley and his comrades,
in 1767. They traversed the boundless scene with sensations of wonder and
delight, never known by them before; and thence returned home the same
year, to give to their friends an account of the new Eden which they had found.
Their narrative excited much curiosity, some belief, and not a little doubt;
but raised up no immediate adventurers.
  The country once seen, however, held out inducements to be revisited and
better known. Among the circumstances best adapted to engage the attention
and impress the feelings of the adventurous hunters of North Carolina, may
be selected the uncommon fertility of the soil, and the great abundance of
wild game, so conspicuous at that time. Two years after the return of Finley,
some of the adventurers again visited the country, with Daniel Boone. Of
John Finley, except that he was the pilot of Boone, and was left in the camp
when Boone and Stuart were captured, nothing is known. This is a subject of
regret, and were it permitted to indulge the imagination, in drawing a por-
trait of this man-first to penetrate and explore a remote and savage country-
strength of body and vigorous intellect, the necessary basis of bold concep-
tions and successful enterprise, would form the prominent features of the
foreground.
  The party under Boone remained a longer time in the country than Finley's
party had done; and they traversed its sections more generally. They dis-
ct. vered its variety of soil and surface-they ranged through its forests-and
they found its different rivers-and by pursuing the trodden paths and roads
made by the wild beasts, particularly the buffalo, which lay in their way, they
were led to many of the salt springs, to which the animals resorted for the
use of the salt, so necessary to their health and vigor. The party did not
remain long ignorant of another fact, of equal importance to any before dis-
covered. It was, that, notwithstanding that there were no human habitations
in the country, for the hospitable reception of the stranger, yet it was the
hunting-ground, and often the battle-field, for the different neighboring tribes
of Indians from the north, the south, and the west. Possessed by none of
these for residence, or cultivation, the country was claimed as the property
of some, which, however, was disputed by others; while all considered it the
hunting-ground, or common park, where each were to kill what game they
pleased. Here these savage but dexterous hunters often met, and here thev
fought each other for the skins of the beasts which they killed; to them, their
greatest riches: or else, to prevent, and drive each other, from killing such
as remained, and were to remain to the conquerors. In consequence of which,
and because these combats were frequent, the country being thickly wooded
and deeply shaded-was called in their expressive language, " the dark and
bloody ground."
  The ancestors of Daniel Boone, resided in Berks county, Pennsylvania,
where he was born about the year of 1730. Soon after his birth, the family
removed to Maryland. Before he attained his majority, he went to Virginia



DANIEL BOUNI




 
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and finally settled in North Carolina. Each of these states claim the birth
of the first settler of Kentucky. From his boyhood, Boone displayed a strong
prepossession for hunting, and ranging the uncultivated parts of the country.
And to this disposition may be ascribed his removal, without his parents, to
Virginia, and thence to North Carolina; in both instances as a hunter, to
countries abounding at that time with wild game. Without the incumbrance
of worldly goods, to give him local attachments, and without education to
enable him to shine in society; at the age of eighteen, he found himself pos-
sessed of high health and a vigorous constitution, supported by great muscular
strength and activity. His sole reliance for support was on his own arm, and
that had been taught more to poise the rifle than to use the plough. He de-
lighted to hunt the wild deer, and this propensity led him to places remote
from the habitations of men. Accustomed to be much alone, he acquired the
habit of contemplation and self-possession. His mind was not of the most
ardent nature; nor does he ever seem to have sought knowledge through the
medium of books. Naturally, his sagacity was considerable, and as a woods-
man, he was soon expert, and ultimately unequalled. Far from ferocity, his
temper was mild, humane, and charitable; his manners gentle, his address
conciliating, his heart open to friendship and hospitality. Yet his most re-
markable quality was an enduring and unshaken fortitude. He was married
and living with his family on the Yadkin river, when he heard the glowing
accounts of Finley's visit to Kentucky, and determined to visit that place him-
self. The following aceount of his adventures and settlement in that country,
he dictated to a friend, some years before his death.
   On the 1st of May, 1769, says Boone, I resigned my domestic happiness,
and left my family and peaceful habitation on the Yadkin river, North Caro-
lina, to wander through the wilderness of America, in search of the country
of Kentucky, in company with John Finley, John Stuart, Joseph Holden,
James Alonay, and William Cool. On the 7th of June, after travelling in a
western direction, we found ourselves on Red river, where John Finley had
formerly been trading with the Indians, and from the top of an eminence saw-
with pleasure the beautiful level of Kentucky. For some time we had expe-
rienced the most uncomfortable weather. We now encamped, made a shelter
to defend us from the inclement season, and began to hunt and reconnoitre
the country. We found abundance of wild beasts in this vast forest. The buf-
faloes were more numerous than cattle on the settlements-,browsing on the
leaves of the cane, or cropping the herbage on these extensive plains. We saw
hundreds in a drove, and the numbers around the salt springs, or licks, were
amazing. In this forest, the habitations of beasts of every kind. we hunted
with great success until December.
  On the 22d of December, John Stuart and I had a pleasing ramble; but for-
tune changed the day at the close of it. We passed through a great forest, in
which stood myriads of trees, some gay with blossoms, others rich with fruits.
Nature was here a series of wonders, and a fund of delight. Here she dis-
played her ingenuity and industry in a variety of flowers and fruits, beauti-
fully colored, elegantly shaped, and charmingly flavored; and we were favored
with numberless animals presenting themselves perpetually to our view. In
the decline of the day, near Kentucky river, as we ascended the brow of a
small hill, a number of Indians rushed out of a cane-brake and made us pri-
soners. The Indians plundered us and kept us in confinement seven days.
During this time we discovered no uneasiness, or desire to escape, which
made them less suspicious; but in the dead of night, as we lay by a large fire,
in a thick cane-brake, when sleep had locked up their senses, my situation not
disposing me to rest, I gently awoke my companion. We seized this favorable
opportunity and departed; directing our course towards the old camp, but on



8



DANIEL BOONE .


 
                            DANIEL BOONE.                            9

 driving there, we found that it had been plundered, and our company werO
 destroyed or dispersed.
   About this time, as my brother with another adventurer, who came out to
 explore the country shortly after us, were wandering through the forest, they
 accidentally found our camp. Notwithstanding our unfortunate circumstances,
 and our dangerous situation, surrounded by hostile savages, our meeting for-
 tunately in the wilderness gave us the most sensible satisfaction. Soon after
 this, my companion in captivity, John Stuart, was killed by the savages, and
 the man who came with my brother, while on a private excursion, was attacked
 and killed by the wolves. We were now in a dangerous and helpless situa-
 tion, exposed daily to perils and death, among savages and wild beasts, not a
 white man in the country but ourselves. Although many hundred miles from
 our families, in the howling wilderness, we did not continue in a state of indo-
 lence, but hunted every day, and prepared a little cottage to defend us from
 the winter.
   On the 1st of May, 1770, my brother returned home for a new recruit of
 horses and ammunition; leaving me alone, without bread, salt, or sugar, or
 even a horse or a dog. I passed a few days uncomfortably. The idea of a
 beloved wife and family, and their anxiety on my account, would have disposed
 me to melancholy, if I had further indulged the thought. One day I under-
 took a tour through the country, when the diversity and beauties of nature I
 met with in this charming season, expelled every gloomy thought. Just at
 the close of the day, the gentle gales ceased, a profound calm ensued, and not
 a breath shook the tremulous leaf. I had gained the summit of a commanding
 ridge, and looking around with astonishing delight, beheld the ample plains
 and beauteous tracts below. On one hand I beheld the famous Ohio rolling
 in silent dignity, and marking the western boundary of Kentucky with incon-
 ceivable grandeur. At a vast distance I beheld the mountains lift their vene-
 rable brows and penetrate the clouds. All things were still. I kindled a fire
 near a fountain of sweet water, and feasted on the line of a buck, which I had
 killed a few hours before. The shades of night soon overspread the hemi-
 sphere, and the earth seemed to gasp after the hovering moisture. At a dis-
 tance I frequently heard the hideous yells of savages. My excursion had fa-
 tigued my body and amused my minut. I lay down to sleep, and awoke not
 till the sun had chased away the night. I continued this tour, and in a few
 days explored a considerable part of the country, each day equally pleasing
 as the first. After which I returned to my old camp, which had not been dis-
 turbed in my absence. I did not confine my lodging to it, but often reposed
 in thick cane-brakes to avoid the savages, who I believe frequently visited my
 camp in my absence. No populous city, with all its varieties of commerce
 and stately structures, could afford such pleasure to my mind, as the beauties
 of nature which I found in this country. Until the 27th of July, I spent my
 time in an uninterrupted scene of sylvan pleasures, when my brother, to my
 great felicity, met me, according to appointment, at our old camp. Soon after
 we left the place and proceeded to Cumberland river, reconnoitering that part
 of the country, and giving names to the different rivers.
 In March, 1771, I returned home to my family, being determined to bring
 them as soon as possible, at the risk of my life and fortune, to reside in Ken-
 tucky, which I esteemed a second paradise. On my return I found my family
 in happy circumstances. I sold my farm on the Yadkin, and what goods we
 oould not carry with us; and on the 25th of September, 1773, we took leave
 of our friends, and proceeded on our journey to Kentucky, in company with
 five more families, and forty men that joined us at Powell's Valley, which is
 one hundred and twenty miles from the new settled parts of Kentucky. But
this promising beginning was soon overcast with a cloud of adversity. On the




 


IDAN19tL BOONE.



INDIANS PREPARING TO ATTACK THE EMIGRANTU.



10th of October, the rear of our company was attacked by a party of Indians,
who killed six, and wounded one man. Of these my eldest son was one that
fell in the action. Though we repulsed the enemy, yet this unhappy affair
scattered our cattle, and brought us into extreme difficulty. We returned forty
miles to Clinch river. We had passed over two mountains, Powell's and Wal-
den's, and were approaching Cumberland mountain, when this adverse fortune
overtook us. These mountains are in the wilderness, in passing from the old
settlements in Virginia to Kentucky. They range in a south-west and north-
east direction, and are of great length and breadth, but not far from each
ther. Over them nature has formed passes less difficult than might be ex-


 


peoted from the view of such huge piles. The aspect of these lliffs are so
wild and horrid, that it is impossible to behold them without horror. Until
the 7th of June, 1774, I remained with my family on the Clinch, when myself
and another person were solicited by Governor Dunmore, of Virginia, to con-
duct a number of surveyors to the falls of Ohio. This was a tour of eight
hundred miles, and took sixty-two days.
   On my return, Governor Dunmore gave me the command of three garrisons
 during the campaign against the Shawnese Indians. In March, 1775, at the
 solicitation of a number of gentlemen of North Carolina, I attended their
 treaty at Wataga with the Cherokee Indians, to purchase the lands on the
 south side of Kentucky river. After this, I undertook to mark out a road in
 the best passage from the settlements through the wilderness to the Kentucky.
 Having collected a number of enterprising men, well armed, I soon began
 this work. We proceeded until we came within fifteen miles of where Boones-
 borough now stands, where the Indians attacked us, killed two and wounded
 two of our party. This was on the 22d of March, 1775. Two days after we
 were again attacked by them, when we had two more killed and three wounded.
 After this we proceeded on to the Kentucky river without opposition.
   On the 1st of April, we began to erect the fort at Boonesborough, at a salt-
 lick, sixty yards from the river, on the south side. On the 4th, the Indians
 killed one of our men. On the 14th of June, having completed the fort, I
 returned to my family on the Clinch river, and whom I soon after removed to
 the fort. My wife and daughter were supposed to be the first white women
 that ever stood on the banks of the Kentucky river.
   On the 24th of December, the Indians killed one of our men, and wounded
another: and on the 14th of July, 1776, they took two of Colonel Calloway's
daughters and one of mine prisoners, near the fort. I immediately pursued
them with eight men, and on the 16th, overtook and engaged them. I killed
two of them, and recovered the girls. The Indians, having divided themselves
into several parties, attacked in one day, all our infant settlements and fort
doing a great deal of mischief. The husbandmen were shot in the field, and
most of the cattle were destroyed. They continued their depredations until
the 15th of April, 1777, when a party of one hundred of them attacked Boones-
borough, and killed one man and wounded four. July 4th, they attacked it
again with two hundred men, and killed one and wounded two of our men.
They remained forty-eight hours, during which we killed seven of them. All
the settlements were attacked at the same time. July 19th, Colonel Logan's
fort was besieged by two hundred Indians. They did much mischief: there
were only fifteen men in the fort; they killed two and wounded four of them.
Indian loss, unknown. July 25th, twenty-five men came from Carolina. About
August 20th, Colonel Bowman arrived with one hundred men from Virginia.
Now we began to strengthen, and had skirmishes with the Indians almost
every day. The savages now learned the superiority of the "Long Knives,"
as they called the Virginians: being out-generalled in almost every battle.
Our affairs began to wear a new aspect; the enemy did not now venture open
war, but practised secret mischief.
  On the 1st of January, 1778, I went with thirty men to the Blue Licks, on
Licking river, to make salt for +he different garrisons. February 7th, hunting
by myself, to procure meat for the company, I met a party of one hundred
and two Indians, and two Frenchmen, marching against Boonesborough. They
pursued and took me. The next day I capitulated for my men, knowing they
could not escape. They were twenty-seven in number, three having gone
home with salt. The Indians, according to the capitulation, used us gene-
rously. They carried us to Old Chilicothe, the principal Indian town on the
Little Miami. On the 18th of February, we arrived there, after an uncom-



DAgo BOONE.



11




 
DANIEL BOONEL



                           APTVRE OF BOONE.

fortable journey, in very severe weather. On the 10th of March, I and ten
cf my men were conducted to Detroit. On the 30th, we arrived there, and
were treated by Governor Hamilton, the British commander at that post, with
great humanity. The Indians had such an affection for me, that they refused
one hundred pounds sterling offered them by the governor, if they would leave
me with the others, on purpose that he might send me home on my parole.
Several English gentlemen there, sensible of my adverse fortune, and touched
with sympathy, generously offered to supply my wants, which I declined with
many thanks, adding, that I never expected it would be in my power to re-
compense such unmerited generosity. On the 10th of April, they brought me
towards Old Chilicothe, where we arrived on the 25th of the same month.
This was a long and fatiguing march, through an exceedingly fertile country
remarkable for fine springs and streams of water.




 














2RI



AN INDIAN WARFUnR



2



18


 



   At Chilicothe I spent my time as comfortably as I could expect; was adopted,
according to their custom, into a family, where I became a son, and had a
great share in the affections of my new parents, brothers, sisters, and friends.
I was exceedingly familiar and friendly with them, always appearing as cheer-
ful and satisfied as possible, and they put great confidence in me. I often
went a hunting with them, and frequently gained their applause for my ac-
tivity at the shooting matches. I was careful not to exceed many of them in
shooting: for no people are more anxious than they are in this sport. I could
observe in their countenances and gestures, the greatest expression of joy
when they exceeded me, and, when the reverse happened, of envy. The Sha-
wanese king took great notice of me, and treated me with profound respect
and entire friendship, often entrusting me to hunt at my liberty. I frequently
returned with the spoils of the woods, and as often presented some of what I
had taken to him, expressive of my duty to my sovereign. My food and lodg-
ing was in common with them; not so good, indeed, as I could desire, but
necessity made every thing acceptable. I now began to meditate an escape,
but carefully avoided giving suspicion. Until the 1st of June, I continued at
Old Chilicothe, and then was taken to the salt springs, on the Sciota, and kept
there ten days, making salt. During this time I hunted with them, and found
the land, for a great extent about the river, to exceed the soil of Kentucky, if
possible, and remarkably well watered. On my return to Chilicothe, four
hundred and fifty of the choicest Indian warriors were ready to march against
Boonesborough, painted and armed in a dreadful manner. This alarmed me,
and I determined to escape.
  On the 16th of June, before sunrise, I went off secretly, and reached Boones-
borough on the 20th; a journey of one hundred and sixty miles, during which
I had only one meal. I found our fortress in a bad state; but we immediately
repaired our flanks, gates, posterns, and formed double bastions, which we
completed in ten days. One of my fellow-prisoners, escaping after me, brought
advice, that on account of my flight, the Indians had put off the expedition for
three weeks. About August 1st, I set out with nineteen men, to surprise
Point Cre-ek town, on the Sciota. Within four miles, we fell in with thirty
Indians going against Boonesborough. We fought, and the enemy gave way.
We suffered no loss. The enemy had one killed and two wounded. We took
three horses and all their baggage. The Indians having evacuated their town,
and gone altogether against Boonesborough, we returned, passed them on the
6th, and on the 7th arrived safe at Boonesborough. On the 8th, the Indian
army, four hundred and forty-four in number, commanded by Captain Du-
quesne, and eleven other Frenchmen, and their own chiefs, came and sum-
moned the fort. I requested two days' consideration, which they granted.
During this, we brought in, through the posterns, all the horses and other
cattle we could collect. On the 9th, in the evening, I informed their com-
mander, that we were determined to defend the fort while a man was living.
They then proposed a treaty, and said, if we sent out nine men to conclude it,
they would withdraw.. The treaty was held within sixty yards of the fort, as
we suspected the savages. The articles were agreed to and signed; when the
Indians told us it was their custom for two Indians to shake hands with every
white man, as an evidence of friendship. We agreed to this also. They im-
mediately grappled us, to take us prisoners; but we cleared ourselves of them,
though surrounded by hundreds, and gained the fort safe, except one that was
wounded by a heavy fire from their army. On this they began to undermine
the fort, beginning at the water-mark of Kentucky river, which is sixty yards
from the fort. We discovered this by the water being made muddy with the
clay, and countermined them by cutting a trench across their subterranean
passage. The enemy discovering this, by the clay we threw out of the fort,



DANAL BOONE.



14


 
DANIEL BOONE.



lesisted. On the 22d of August, they raised the siege. During this dreadful
siege, we had two men killed and four wounded. We lost a number of cattle.
We killed thirty-seven of the enemy, and wounded a great number. We picked
up one hundred and twenty-five pounds of their bullets, besides what stuck in
the logs of the fort. Soon after this, I went into the settlement, and nothing
worthy of notice occurred for some time.
   In July, 1779, during my aDsence, Colonel Bowman, with one hundred and
 sixty men, went against the Shawanese, of Old Chilicothe. He arrived undis-
 covered; a battle ensued, which lasted till ten in the morning, when Colonel
 Bowman retreated thirty miles. The Indians collected all their strength and
 pursued him, when another engagement ensued for two hours, not to Colonel
 Bowman's advantage. Colonel Harrod proposed to mount a number of horses
 and break the enemy's line, who at this time fought with remarkable fury.
 This desperate measure had a happy effect, and the savages fled on all sides.
 In these two battles we had nine men killed, and one wounded. The enemy's
 loss was uncertain, only two scalps being taken. June 22d, 1780, abou