forced, when the savages gave way, were driven by the infantry into the marshes, and pursued by the dragoons as far as the ground would permit.

Governor Harrison had positive orders not to be the aggressor, and this necessarily embarrassed his operations His army consisted of about 800 men, although the previous talk was of 5000 men raised from the several adjacent territories. That of the enemy was not much less than the American actual force. The United States troops had 42 men killed, and 179 wounded. A large number of brave officers, some of the first characters of the Indiana territory fell, leaving large families in a state of indigence, towards whom the government of the United States has generously resolved to extend the public bounty. A Patawatimie chief left on the field of battle, whose wounds received every possible attention, was sent home to his tribe, which, he was satisfied, would never more wage war against the United States, and to the past aggressions they had been instigated by the deceptions practised on them by the prophet. Not one of our troops was taken prisoner, and only one scalp was carried away. The Indians are said to have owned that 214 of their men were killed. The Americans acted with great bravery; and the fourth United States regiment of infantry of 300 men highly distinguished itself, of whom the loss in killed and wounded was 77.

The result of this expedition was an engagement, on the side of the Indians, of peace with the Americans. The Kickapoos, Winebagoes, Piankeshaws and Puttawattimies said, they would throw the tomahawk on the ground; and, in pity to their women and children, whom they loved as they did themselves, they would henceforth bury the war club.

To what extent these professions are sincere, time alone can evince. Doubts still remain, whether they are humbled or disposed to a lasting peace. As lately as June, 1812, they were still committing horrid massacres and pillage in many ports of the northwestern country within the United States. It is the opinion of many that the Indian war is only begun. The people on the frontiers, feeling no longer safety, are leaving in great distress the unprotected settlements, retiring into older towns, while even these are resorting to piquets, garrisons and forts for security.

Apprehensions are felt for the safety of Vincennes itself, to which governor Harrison and family had retired, with

very inadequate forces, while all around it murders and ravages were committed; and, no further than on the opposite side of the river, the distressing cries of "Indians! Indians!" were distinctly to be heard.

CHAPTER XVII.

Indian affairs in Vermont. First Settlement. First Settlement. Fort Dummer. Deerfield destroyed. Defeat of Dieskaw. Forts. Massacre at Castleton. Indian ravages. Royalton burned. Savages more humane. Indian fields. Arrow heads, mortars, pestles and utensils. Stone axes, hatchets, gouges, ornament and spear head. Calumet. Indian burying ground. Engravings and inscriptions. Painting. A curious Indian pot, and other antiquities of the origi nal natives. Indian claims to the north western part of

Vermont.

EVERY part of Vermont has, no doubt, been inhabited by the original natives. This section of the United States, however, was not settled by the English at the time when the savages carried murders and destruction into the other parts of New-England.

The first English settlement in Vermont was at Brattleborough in the year 1724. A fort was built in that town, the pickets of which are yet to be seen. It was called fort Dummer after the governor, who was also the liberal founder of the academy in Byefield, a parish in Newbury in Massachusetts.

This fort, the only one west of Connecticut river, was nearly opposite to Bridgman's in Vernon, which was of great importance against the sudden irruptions of the savages, who should come down Connecticut river, or from lake Champlain. Near fort Dummer were several attacks made by the savages in 1745, the results of which were some murders and captivities.

The Indians were accustomed to travel through Vermont, when they made their depredations on the older New-England settlements. In the assault on Deerfield, on the 29th of February, 1704, the French and Indians, conducted by de Rouville, passed from Canada through lake Champlain, up Onion river, and then went down Connecticut river to the place of destination. A previous assault upon this town in 1697 had failed. The forces now led against it consisted of

about 300 men. Two hours before day the attack was made while all the inhabitants were lost in sleep and dreams of security. One garrisoned house alone made a successful resistance; and the door is yet preserved bearing the marks of the Indian hatchets. Forty-two persons were murdered, among whom was Mrs. Williams, the clergyman's wife, who was knocked on head a few miles from the town, when it was found that she could not endure the fatigues of captivity. One hundred and twelve were carried into Canada as prisoners. In the retreat of the enemy, they were pursued without much effect, a few lives being lost on each side. The Indian and the French savages took the same route back, and were 25 days in reaching Chambly.

During the French wars, the Indians passed through lake Champlain and the western parts of Vermont. In the defeat at Fort Edward, Dieskaw had brought with him from Canada 800 Indians.

In the time of the revolution in America a fort was established at Pittsford connected by others on the lake, the region north of which fort was filled with scouting parties of tories, English and savages.

One of these parties, on the 8th of July, 1777, killed Capt. John Hall of Castleton, on his return from public worship. Several were made prisoners in this town as well as in Hubbardton. At Vergennes, they made an attack on the house of a Mr. Eli Roburds, destroyed property, burned the beds, made him and two of his sons captives, whom they carried into Canada. At Shelburne, they made an attack on the house of a Mr. Pierson. In a second assault, they succeeded; and among the captives were the two sons of Mr. Pierson, Uzai and Ziba, about 16 years of age, now among the best farmers in Vermont. These youths found means to make their escape from captivity, and were 40 days in the woods with no means of subsistence but what their own enterprise and chance threw in their way. When they arrived at their former residence, no human being was to be seen, all was waste and desolate. At length, they found their relations removed to older settlements for security. Better fortune has since rewarded them and their highly respectable families in the excellent farming town of Shelburne.

In the beginning of October, 1780, a severe attack was made upon Royalton. This party consisted of 210 men, all of whom were Indians, except 7. Their object was Newbu

ry, where they were desirous of taking revenge on one Whitcomb, who had been guilty of mortally wounding a British officer for the sake of obtaining his watch and sword. Having passed up Onion river, they met two hunters, who informed them that Newbury was prepared to give them a warm reception. This diverted their course to White river. In Tunbridge, they burnt a house, and took three prisoners. In Royalton, they killed two persons, and took several captives. In Sharon, they took two more prisoners, and consumed some houses and barns. On another branch of White river, they took several prisoners more, burned houses and destroyed other property. After consuming 21 houses in Royalton, they proceeded to Randolph, where on the same day they destroyed several more. They were pursued at night by Capt. House and his men. One Indian was shot and more wounded. Here, the savages killed some of the prisoners. They had sent a message to the Americans, that in case of a further pursuit, all the captives would be put to death. While the pursuers were deliberating, the Indians secured their retreat for Canada. Twenty-five went into captivity.

The Indians seemed more humane than ever. They killed none but those who made resistance; and did not seem desirous of captivating women and children. The savages carried clothes to women who, motionless with fear, stood at the outside of their houses. They permitted them to return home; and, in a fit of good nature, one of the Indians carried on his back a lady across the river. To another they gave up about a dozen of her neighbor's children. Their captives too fared as well as their masters. Intercourse with the French had given them more correct notions of what was due to humanity.

Indian cornfields are plainly to be seen in various parts of Vermont. In the intervals at Burlington, several hundred acres together were found by the American settlers entirely cleared, not a tree upon them, the lands perfectly level, the soil made by the vernal freshets, and than which there can be no richer land.

Bows and arrows are from the nature of the materials more perishable; but arrow heads are to be found in almost every spot. They are very numerous on Onion river and in all the woods in Burlington. Bushels of them are annually ploughed up around Bombazeen pond in Castleton, where