CHAPTER II.

THE ALARM ON THE BORDERS - THE KILLING OF TWO INDIANS BY THE WHITES - 
ATTACK UPON THE INDIANS AT CAPTINA - THE AFFAIR AT YELLOW CREEK - 
LOGAN ON THE WAR-PATH - LETTER OF EBENEZER ZANE - EXPEDITION 
COMMANDED BY COL. ANGUS MC DONALD - DUNMORE'S CAMPAIGN - BATTLE AT 
POINT PLEASANT - DUNMORE ENTERS INTO A TREATY WITH THE INDIANS. 

DURING the early part of the year 1774 the tranquility which had 
prevailed along the borders in the interval between this year and the 
year 1764, by virtue of the treaty entered into between the Shawnees 
and the Delawares and Col. Bouquet was now interrupted. Prior to the 
year 1774 numbers of persons were induced to settle and to seek homes 
in these western wilds upon and contiguous to the waters of the Ohio, 
where lands were cheap and easily acquired, many of which latter were 
held by no other title than that of a "tomahawk right." The peace and 
quiet which prevailed during the period mentioned had encouraged a 
great number of land jobbers in addition to the permanent inhabitants 
to flock into the new settlements, who took up large quantities of 
land amounting in the aggregate to many thousands of acres. The 
movements of these land jobbers in taking up and appropriating such 
large quantities of the best lands aroused in the settlers a desire 
to go and do likewise and the spirit of land speculation speedily 
became rife among them. This aroused the jealousy of the neighboring 
tribes which was intensified by the settlement and appropriation of 
land by the whites on the Virginia side of the river below the mouth 
of the Scioto which the Shawnees claimed as belonging to the Indians, 
the title to which, as they insisted, had never been parted with by 
them.

In the early spring of this year Col. Ebenezer Zane in company with 
others had left Wheeling and descended the river to the mouth of 
Sandy for the purpose of selecting and taking up land. It was while 
thus engaged that they received information that hostile acts were 
being committed against the settlers by the Indians in the way of 
thieving, plundering and robbing and that the lives of jobbers and 
settlers alike were in imminent peril, and advising them to return at 
once. This induced the immediate return of Col. Zane and his party as 
well as others absent on the same errand. Upon their arrival at 
Wheeling they were regaled with exaggerated stories concerning the 
hostile attitude of the Indians, expressing their fears that they 
would soon gather in force and fall upon and slaughter them.
 
In the excitement which prevailed conflicting views were entertained 
and urged. Some proposed to anticipate them in their movements and at 
once inaugurate measures to surprise and attack them, thinking it 
probable that such prompt action upon the part of the whites would 
strike terror to their foes and paralyze their efforts. But others 
again, and Col. Zane among them, counselled moderation and prudence, 
and wisely sought to restrain the more precipitate. In the midst of 
the agitation which prevailed it was reported that a canoe containing 
two Indians was on the river a short distance above the settlement, 
and was approaching. This information served to inflame the indignant 
passions of the settlers, or at least that portion of them who 
harbored in their breasts resentment and revenge, and it was proposed 
to intercept them. Col. Zane, the proprietor of the settlement, 
strenuously objected to any overt act of hostility on the part of the 
whites, giving as a reason that the killing of these Indians would 
result in a general war, and that in itself it would be an atrocious 
act and nothing less than criminal murder, which would forever 
disgrace the names and memories of the perpetrators. But these humane 
and peaceful counsels were unheeded. His advice counsels and 
arguments all proved to be in vain. In opposition to all efforts put 
forth to restrain them a party set out, whose thirst for blood could 
only be quenched by the slaughter of their intended victims. Upon 
their return within a few hours subsequent to their departure, upon 
inquiry made of them as to what had become of the Indians, at first 
their replies were evasive and unsatisfactory. They finally stated 
that the Indians had "fallen overboard." Their cool indifference, and 
especially the significance of their statement that the warriors had 
fallen overboard, produced the conviction in the minds of their 
hearers that the warriors had been wantonly murdered, and this 
conviction was fully confirmed when the canoe was afterward found 
which was splotched with blood and pierced with numerous bullets. The 
result was as predicted - the tribes at once entered upon the war-
path to avenge this as well as other acts of wanton provocation. The 
wise and discreet among the settlers condemned the act at the time in 
unmeasured terms and characterized it very properly as a wanton 
outrage and a gross and unjustifiable deed. 

No doubt these manifestations of disapproval upon the part of their 
acquaintances and neighbors instead of mollifying the tempers and 
dispositions of those who had been engaged in this affair, served 
only to exasperate them; for either on the evening of the same day or 
the day following (it is not clear which), the same party received 
intelligence that some warriors were encamped at the mouth of Captina 
creek on the Ohio side of the river, about sixteen miles below 
Wheeling, upon whom an attack was made which resulted in the killing 
of one or two of the Indians. In this affair one of the whites was 
severely wounded, but was safely brought away by his comrades. Much 
confusion prevails as to the precise dates on which these occurrences 
transpired, some historians fixing the time in the latter part of 
April, and others again in the latter part of May; but the weight of 
evidence seems to preponderate in favor of the latter part of April. 
However, this does not affect the reality of the events, and is more 
a matter of idle curiosity than substance, as there is nothing in 
regard to which the human memory is more treacherous than the 
correctness of dates.
 
About the time of the happening of this affair at Captina, occurred 
the massacre (for by that name only can it be justly described), at 
the mouth of Yellow creek, a stream emptying into the Ohio river on 
the Ohio side about forty-two miles above Wheeling. A nervous feeling 
of dread existed among the settlers along the whole line of the 
frontier of that subtle and indefinable character which though felt 
cannot be fully explained. Their apprehensions led them to realize 
that they were standing on the verge of a crater which was liable, 
without a moment's notice, to burst forth in volcanic eruption. Such 
appears to have been the state of public feeling when the murderous 
assault and consequent destruction of life took place at Yellow 
creek, which was not only one of the most inexcusable, but one of the 
most unjustifiable acts ever perpetrated by the whites upon a 
deceived and unsuspecting foe, and for which they eventually suffered 
the direst vengeance. 

It appears that in the latter part of April, 1774, a large body of 
Indians were encamped just above the mouth of Yellow creek, on both 
sides of that stream. A person by the name of Daniel Baker, who had 
been in the habit of selling "fire water" to the Indians, resided on 
the Virginia side of the river. Under the pretext of protecting Baker 
and his family, one Daniel Greathouse, in command of a force of some 
thirty men, went to his relief. It is said that upon arriving in the 
vicinity of Baker's house he placed his men in ambush and crossing 
the river, under pretence of making a friendly visit, entered the 
Indian encampment with a view really to ascertain their strength and 
position, intending, if his force was sufficient for the purpose, to 
cross to their side and attack them.  The Indians, deceived by his 
apparent frankness and friendship, and not for a moment suspecting 
his motives, welcomed him into their midst and received him in the 
same spirit in which he professed to be influenced. He spent some 
time with them, mingling freely among them, but at the same time 
taking note of their numbers, position, etc. Having effected his 
purpose he recrossed the river and returned to his command, and 
reported that their strength and the weakness of his command 
precluded the idea of openly attacking them, and he therefore 
proposed to effect by stratagem what he could not otherwise 
accomplish. It was therefore arranged between Baker and himself, that 
the former should furnish free to such Indians as might cross the 
river as much "fire water" as they could drink, and thereby get as 
many of them drunk as he possibly could. In this proposition it is 
said that Baker acquiesced and it was not long before he had the 
opportunity of carrying out his undertaking, as several Indians came 
over and were supplied with drink to such an extent that they became 
hopelessly intoxicated, except one - Logan's brother- but he, with 
the others, was shot down like so many brutes. It is however a 
redeeming trait in the characters of a large majority of those who 
were members of this expedition that they refused to sanction or take 
part in the accomplishment of the base artifice which had been 
practiced by their commander. Not more than eight or ten out of the 
entire number were actors in the foul conspiracy, and the remainder 
stoutly protested against it, but in vain. The firing having 
attracted the attention of the Indians in camp, they sent over two of 
their number in a canoe to ascertain and report the cause of the 
alarm, but these last had no sooner landed than they were ruthlessly 
and mercilessly shot down. Thereupon, another and larger canoe was 
promptly manned, filled with armed Indians who ventured out and 
essayed in vain to reach the shore, being prevented from so doing by 
a well directed fire which proved to be so deadly and effective as to 
greatly cripple them and compel their return. Shots were then 
exchanged between the parties across the river, but these did but 
little if any execution, the distance being too great to prove 
disastrous to either. Among the killed, however, were the brother and 
sister of Logan, the famous Mingo chief, who, with himself, were the 
only remaining members of his family.
 
Prior to this time Logan had been the firm friend and unflinching 
ally of the whites and the advocate of peace, on many occasions 
efficiently using his efforts to promote harmony and good feeling, 
but this disastrous event aroused all the frenzy of the savage in his 
nature and the implacable hatred towards the whites thereafter became 
as bitter, as before his devotion to them had been unswerving. A 
brief quiet followed, but it was the calm which preceded the 
approaching storm when it gathers its forces for its fierce outburst. 
In the meantime measures were taken to arouse all the tribes by 
sounding among them the tocsin of war.

In July, 1774, Logan, at the head of a small party of eight warriors, 
made his presence felt where it was least expected, by striking a 
blow against some inhabitants on the Monongahela. It was presumed by 
every one, that in case of war, the settlements on the Ohio would be 
the first to be attacked. Taking advantage of this belief, was the 
reason for his successes. Drake, in his Indian Biography, Book V., P. 
41, says: Logan's "first attack was upon three men who were pulling 
flax in a field." One was shot down and the two others taken. These 
were marched into the wilderness, and as they approached the Indian 
town, Logan gave the scalp halloo, and they were met by the 
inhabitants who conducted them in. Running the gauntlet was next to 
be performed. Logan took no delight in tortures, and he in the most 
friendly manner instructed one of the captives how to proceed to 
escape the severities of the gauntlet. This same captive, whose name 
was Robinson, was afterward sentenced to be burned; but Logan, though 
not able to rescue him by his eloquence, with his own hand cut the 
cords that bound him to the stake, and caused him to be adopted into 
an Indian family. He became afterward Logan's scribe." 

As confirmatory of the facts which led to the war, known as Dunmore's 
war, we submit the following extract from a letter from Colonel 
Ebenezer Zane to Hon. John Brown, one of the senators in congress 
from Kentucky, dated " Wheeling, February 4, 1800." 

"I was myself, with many others, in the practice of making 
improvements on lands upon the Ohio, for the purpose of acquiring 
rights to the same. Being on the Ohio, at the mouth of Sandy creek, 
in company with many others, news circulated that the Indians had 
robbed some of the land-jobbers. This news induced the people, 
generally, to ascend the Ohio. I was among the number. On our arrival 
at Wheeling, being informed that there were two Indians with some 
traders near and above Wheeling, a proposition was made by the then 
Captain Michael Cresap, to waylay and kill the Indians upon the 
river. This measure I opposed with much violence, alleging that the 
killing of those Indians might involve the country in a war. But the 
opposite party prevailed, and proceeded up the Ohio with Captain 
Cresap at their head. In a short time the party returned, and also 
the traders in a canoe; but there were no Indians in the company. I 
enquired what had become of the Indians, and was informed by the 
traders and Cresap's party that they had fallen overboard. I examined 
the canoe and saw much fresh blood and some bullet-holes in the 
canoe. This finally convinced me that the party had killed the two 
Indians, and thrown them into the river.
 
"On the afternoon of the day this action happened a report prevailed 
that there was a camp or party of Indians on the Ohio below and near 
Wheeling. In consequence of this information Captain Cresap, with his 
party, joined by a number of recruits, proceeded immediately down the 
Ohio for the purpose, as was then generally understood, of destroying 
the Indians above mentioned. On the succeeding day Captain Cresap and 
his party returned to Wheeling, and it was generally reported by the 
party that they had killed a number of Indians. Of the truth of this 
report I had no doubt, as one of Cresap's party was badly wounded, 
and the party had a fresh scalp, and a quantity of property which 
they called Indian plunder. At the time of the last mentioned 
transaction, it was generally reported that the party of Indians down 
the Ohio were Logan and his family; but I have reason to believe that 
this report was unfounded. 

"Within a few days after the transaction above mentioned, a party of 
Indians were killed at Yellow creek. But I must do the memory of 
Captain Cresap the justice to say that I do not believe that he was 
present at the killing of the Indians at Yellow creek. But there is 
not the least doubt in my mind that the massacre at Yellow creek was 
brought on by the two transactions first stated. 

"All the transactions which I have related happened in the latter end 
of April, 1774; and there can scarcely be a doubt that they were the 
cause of the war which immediately followed, commonly called 
Dunmore's war. 

     "I am with much esteem, yours, etc., 
                          EBENEZER ZANE." 

Prior to the successful attacks made by Logan on the settlements on 
the Monongahela it had been ordered by the authorities of Virginia, 
that a force should be raised in the district of West Augusta for the 
purpose of making an inroad into the Indian country and attacking 
their towns with a view of calling off the straggling bands of 
predatory Indians which greatly infested the neighborhoods of the 
frontier settlements, in which forts were erected by the settlers for 
their protection. It was in this year that the fort at Wheeling was 
erected. At the same time many private ones were erected, among which 
may be mentioned Tomlinson's, at Grave creek, Shepherd's and 
Bonnett's, near Wheeling, Van Metre's on Short creek, the court 
house fort at West Liberty, Wolff's on the waters of Buffalo, 
Jackson's on Ten-mile with other stockades and defences too numerous 
to mention.
 
Owing to the threatening state of affairs expresses were sent to 
Williamsburgh, the then seat of government of Virginia, informing the 
authorities of the commencement of hostilities, and thereupon a plan 
was adopted for the purpose of taking active measures against the 
Indians. Withers in his account of the expedition raised at this time 
says: "Early in June the troops, destined to make an incursion into 
the Indian country, assembled at Wheeling, and being placed under the 
command of Col. Angus McDonald, descended the Ohio to the mouth of 
Captina, debarking at this place from their boats and canoes they 
took up their march to Wappatomica, an Indian town on the Muskingum. 
The country through which the army had to pass was one unbroken 
forest presenting many obstacles to its speedy advance, not the least 
of which was the difficulty of proceeding directly to the point 
proposed. To obviate this, however, they were accompanied by three 
persons in the capacity of guides; *whose knowledge of the woods, and 
familiarity with those natural indices, which so unerringly mark the 
direction of the principal points, enabled them to pursue the direct 
course. When they had approached within six miles of the town, the 
army encountered an opposition from a party of fifty or sixty Indians 
lying in ambush; and before these could be dislodged two whites were 
killed and eight or ten wounded - one Indian was killed and several 
wounded. They then proceeded to Wappatomica without further 
molestation.
(*They were Jonathan Zane, Thomas Nicholson and Tady Kelly. A better 
woodsman than the first named of these three, perhaps never lived.) 

"When the army arrived at the town, it was found to be entirely 
deserted. Supposing that it would cross the river, the Indians had 
retreated to the opposite bank, and concealing themselves behind 
trees and fallen timber, were awaiting that movement in joyful 
anticipation of a successful surprise. Their own anxiety and the 
prudence of the commanding officer, however, frustrated that 
expectation. Several were discovered peeping from their covert, 
watching the motion of the army; and Col. McDonald, suspecting their 
object, and apprehensive that they would re-cross the river and 
attack him in the rear, stationed videttes above and below, to detect 
any such purpose, and to apprise him of the first movement toward 
effecting it. Foiled by these prudent and precautionary measures, and 
seeing their town in possession of the enemy, with no prospect of 
wresting it from them until destruction would have done its work, the 
Indians sued for peace; and the commander of the expedition 
consenting to negotiate with them, if he could be assured of their 
sincerity, five chiefs were sent over as hostages, and the army then 
crossed the river, with these in front. When a negotiation was begun, 
the Indians asked that one of the hostages might go and convoke the 
other chiefs, whose presence, it was alleged, would be necessary to 
the ratification of a peace.  One was accordingly released; and not 
returning at the time specified, another was then sent, who, in like 
manner, failed to return. Col. McDonald suspecting some treachery, 
marched forward to the next town, above Wappatomica, where another 
slight engagement took place, in which one Indian was killed and one 
white man wounded. It was then ascertained that the time which should 
have been spent preparatory to negotiations, had been employed in 
removing their old men, their women and children, together with what 
property could be readily taken off, and for making preparations for 
a combined attack on the Virginia troops. To punish this duplicity 
and to render peace really desirable, Col. McDonald burned their 
towns and destroyed their crops; and being then in want of 
provisions, retraced his steps to Wheeling, taking with him the three 
remaining hostages, who were then sent on to Williamsburgh. The 
inconvenience of supplying provisions to an army in the wilderness, 
was a serious obstacle to the success of expeditions undertaken 
against the Indians. The want of roads at that early period, which 
would admit of transportation in wagons, rendered it necessary to 
resort to pack horses; and such was at times the difficulty of 
procuring these, that not unfrequently, each soldier had to be the 
bearer of his entire stock of subsistence for the whole campaign. 
When this was exhausted, a degree of suffering ensued, often attended 
with consequences fatal to individuals, and destructive to the 
objects of the expedition. In the present case the army being without 
provisions before they left the Indian towns, their only sustenance 
consisted of weeds, an ear of corn each day, and occasionally a small 
quantity of venison; it being impracticable to hunt game in small 
parties, because of the vigilance and success of the Indians in 
watching and cutting off detachments of this kind, before they could 
accomplish their purpose and regain the main army. No sooner had the 
troops retired from the Indian country, than the savages in small 
parties invaded the settlements in different directions seeking 
opportunities of gratifying their insatiable thirst for blood. And 
although the precautions which had been taken, lessened the frequency 
of their success, yet they did not always prevent it. Persons leaving 
the forts on any I occasion, were almost always either murdered or 
carried into captivity - a lot sometimes worse than death itself." 

In addition to the measures, we have recounted for the repression of 
Indian outrages, more extensive ones had been taken by Governor 
Dunmore in the adoption of a plan of campaign, by an army of such 
superior force, as promised to effectually crush the spirit of the 
Indians and call a halt in their warfare on the borders. To resist 
this force would require the combined efforts of all the Indian 
warriors. The army, designed for this expedition was chiefly composed 
of volunteers and militia collected from the counties West of the 
Blue Ridge, and consisted of two columns, the one commanded by the 
Earl of Dunmore in person, and the other by Gen. Andrew Lewis. The 
former were to assemble at Fort Pitt and the latter were to 
rendezvous at Camp Union, in the Greenbrier country. 

On the 17th of September, 1774, Gen. Lewis with a force of 1,100 men 
took up his line of march from Camp Union (now Lewisburgh) for Point 
Pleasant, situated at the confluence of the Great Kanawha and the 
Ohio, a distance of 160 miles. This march was through an unbroken 
wilderness through which by means of a guide acquainted with the 
passes in the mountains and the trails of the Indians, they were 
safely conducted to the Point after a laborious and toilsome march of 
nineteen days, arriving there on the afternoon of the 30th of 
September, fully expecting, according to the arrangements with the 
Earl of Dunmore to meet this latter at this place. To the great 
disappointment and chagrin of Gen. Lewis, Dunmore failed to keep his 
appointment. The army at once went into camp, expecting daily the 
arrival of the column from Fort Pitt. After an interval of nine days 
a runner from Dunmore came into camp, sent by the nobleman to convey 
to Gen. Lewis the announcement of a change of his original plan of 
operations and also conveying the information that he had marched for 
the Chellico, the town at which place he gave instructions to Gen. 
Lewis to join him. Prior to the arrival of the runner sent by 
Dunmore, Gen. Lewis had dispatched runners by land to Wheeling and if 
necessary to proceed to Fort Pitt, to obtain if possible some tidings 
of Earl Dunmore and to ascertain the reason of his delay, with 
instructions to advise him promptly. In their absence, however, as 
already indicated, advices were received on the 9th of October from 
Dunmore, that he had concluded to proceed across the country by the 
most direct route to the Shawnee to towns without mentioning the 
reasons which had influenced him in arriving at such determination. 
Though left in doubt as to these, Gen. Lewis recognized it to be his 
duty to at once obey the command of his superior officer and 
immediately began to make preparations for the transportation of his 
troops across the 0hio river. But before the necessary preparations 
for crossing were concluded an attack was made upon the force of Gen. 
Lewis by a large body of Indians, composed of the Shawnee, Delaware, 
Mingo and Wyandot tribes. This attack occurred on Monday morning, the 
10th of October. The main part of the army under the command of Col. 
Charles Lewis and Col. Fleming was at once involved. The Indians as 
usual took advantage of cover and fought from behind logs and fallen 
timber, forming a line extending across the Point from the Ohio to 
the Kanawha. The battle commenced at sunrise and the severity of the 
engagement was unequalled. Victory for a time hung in an equal 
balance. But at last the pluck and discipline of the whites turned 
the scales in their favor, and as the sun went down in the west the 
shouts of victory from the whites arose and were borne away on the 
wings of evening as she spread the mantle of her covering over the 
sanguinary field. 

During the engagement Col. Lewis was slain, and Col. Fleming was 
wounded. The battle was sustained with stubbornness and obstinacy by 
both sides. During the engagement a large number of officers were 
killed, besides privates, these latter numbering not less than 
seventy and about 140 wounded. Owing to their peculiar mode of 
warfare and the facility with which they carry away and conceal their 
slain, it is impossible to give an accurate account of the number of 
Indians who were killed, but thirty-seven of their dead were found 
upon the field and it is known that many of their slain were cast 
into the waters of the Ohio. It is also impossible to state the 
number of the enemy engaged. Some of their prominent leaders were Red 
Hawk, a Delaware chief; Scopathus, a Mingo; Ellinipsco, a Shawnee; 
Chyawee, a Wyandot, and Logan; but the most prominent one, whose 
bravery was prominent and whose skill was conspicuous, was that able 
and consummate warrior, Cornstalk. If for a moment amid the contest 
his warriors seemed to waver, his shout in stentorian tones rung out 
above the din of the conflict as he urged them onward, with the voice 
of a trumpet, "Be strong! Be strong!" If one hesitated and was 
reluctant to engage in the charge, or showed the least sign of 
trepidation, with giant-blow he severed the skull of the recreant 
with one swing of his tomahawk. Inspired by his presence and animated 
by his example, his undisciplined followers manifested a bravery and 
exhibited a fortitude unexcelled by the most thoroughly furnished and 
well-drilled troops among civilized nations. 

Withers in his mention of this battle, in speaking of Cornstalk says: 
"This distinguished chief and consummate warrior, proved himself on 
that day, to be justly entitled to the prominent station which he 
occupied. His plan of alternate retreat and attack was well conceived 
and occasioned the principal loss sustained by the whites."
 
After burying his dead he entrenched his camp, and leaving a 
sufficient guard to minister to the wounded and to protect them 
during his absence, on the day subsequent to the battle, Gen. Lewis 
commenced his march to the Shawnee's towns on the Scioto. Dunmore, 
who had in the meanwhile gathered his forces at Fort Pitt, where he 
had provided boats and canoes, descended the river to Wheeling, 
arrived at which latter place he halted his army and remained for a 
few days before proceeding down the river on his voyage. While at 
Fort Pitt he was joined by the notorious Simon Girty, who remained 
with him until the close of the expedition. After completing some 
necessary arrangements at Wheeling he continued his journey down the 
Ohio, and on his way was joined by that infamous tory, Dr. John 
Connolly. Instead of proceeding to the mouth of the Great Kanawha, as 
he had arranged to do with Gen. Lewis, he landed at the mouth of the 
Big Hockhocking, where he built a block house as a receptacle for his 
surplus stores and ammunition. Resuming his movements from this point 
and re-commencing his advance toward the Indian towns, in a day or 
two he was met by an Indian trader bearing a flag of truce, with 
proposals of peace and requesting that a council might be held at 
Fort Pitt. Dunmore replied to these overtures in effect that as the 
chiefs were already near him, it would be advisable and more 
convenient to hold a treaty then and there. The movements of Gen. 
Lewis after he had crossed the Ohio were rapid, and in a short time 
he had reached the Pickaway plains. Here he was met by an express 
from Dunmore ordering him to stop, as he was about to negotiate a 
treaty of peace with the Indians. But Lewis, disregarding the orders, 
continued to advance until when he had arrived within three or four 
miles of Dunmore's camp, he was met by Dunmore himself, who 
reiterated his orders and peremptorily ordered him to return to Point 
Pleasant, where he was to leave a competent guard to protect the 
place and a sufficient amount of provisions for the wounded, and then 
to march the remainder of his troops to the place of rendezvous, 
where he was instructed to disband them. 

It would be in vain to attempt to describe the chagrin and 
disappointment of these brave men exasperated by the losses they had 
met with in the battle at the Point and the hardships they had 
experienced in their difficult march through the wilderness, to be 
compelled to forego the object of the expedition, which was now so 
near its accomplishment and just within their grasp. It was no wonder 
that indignant murmurings were indulged in and fearful threats were 
uttered. But these were quelled by the tact of Gen. Lewis, who, 
although his sympathies were with his men yet his duty as a soldier 
led him to set the example of obedience which is the highest virtue, 
of those who bear arms. 

After the treaty was concluded the division of the army led by 
Dunmore returned over the same route by which they had advanced, to 
the mouth of the Hockhocking, where he disbanded his troops and they 
returned to their homes in Virginia, with the exception of a few who 
accompanied Dunmore by water to Fort Dunmore, which name had been 
bestowed upon Fort Pitt, by Dr. John Connolly, a protege of Dunmore, 
and which had been forcibly seized under the orders of Dunmore and at 
his instance, by Connolly in the winter preceding. The seizure was 
made under the claim that it was within the jurisdiction of Virginia. 
It was also claimed by Pennsylvania as being within her boundaries. 
These occurrences transpired at a time when the feeling between the 
mother country and the colonies was daily growing more bitter and 
intense. The destruction of the tea in Boston harbor had occurred in 
the month of March, of this year. 

The Boston port bill, the immediate cause for actual conflict between 
the mother country and the colonies, had been received by the House 
of Burgesses in May, and they had recommended that the first day of 
June, the day on which the bill was to go into operation, be observed 
"as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, imploring the Divine 
interposition to avert the heavy calamity which threatened 
destruction to their civil rights and the evils of a civil war." It 
was on account of this recommendation, that Gov. Dunmore prorogued 
the assembly. Dunmore, as we have already stated, on his way from 
Fort Pitt, had halted with his army at Wheeling. It was while at this 
place on that occasion that he received dispatches from the British 
government, but what their tenor was we are unable to state, but it 
is certain that the plan of campaign settled on between him and Gen. 
Lewis at Williamsburgh, was not changed until after their receipt.
 

It would not, however, be a violent conjecture in view of his 
dissolution of the assembly, and the sudden change made by him in the 
plan of his campaign while at Wheeling and the state of feeling 
existing at the time between the mother country and the colonies, to 
conclude that his government had instructed him to take necessary 
steps to secure the Indians, if possible, as allies of Great Britain 
in the apprehended conflict, which was now looming up in the near 
future. It is certain, at all events, that his treaty with the 
Indians was entered into at a time and under circumstances which gave 
just cause of suspicion to his conduct, and that he was inimical to 
the interests, well-being and prosperity of the colony of Virginia. 
The treaty entered into with the Indians by Dunmore was not assented 
to by Logan, who indignantly refused to be present and participate in 
it, but instead he sent in a belt of wampum, his famous speech which 
is known to every school boy and is so familiar that we forbear 
quoting here.  Thomas Jefferson first gave this speech to the public. 
Shortly after its publication attempts were made to cast doubt upon 
it, and it was declared to have been the coinage of Mr. Jefferson's 
brain.
 
The most prominent among these questioners was the able and 
distinguished Luther Martin, of Maryland, a son-in-law of Col. 
Cresap, who pronounced it a sheer fabrication. A long and bitter 
controversy ensued, which was participated in, not only by the 
immediate parties interested, but by many others also not directly 
interested. Evidently Logan was mistaken in his views that Col. 
Cresap was involved in the Yellow creek massacre or that he took any 
part in it.