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a road in the best passage from the settlement through the wilderness to
Kentucke； with such assistance as I thought necessary to employ for such
an important undertaking。
I soon began this work； having collected a number of enterprising men；
well armed。 We proceeded with all possible expedition until we came
within fifteen miles of where Boonsborough now stands； and where we
were fired upon by a party of Indians that killed two； and wounded two of
our number； yet； although surprised and taken at a disadvantage； we stood
our ground。 This was on the twentieth of March； 1775。 Three days after；
we were fired upon again； and had two men killed； and three wounded。
Afterwards we proceeded on to Kentucke river without opposition； and on
the first day of April began to erect the fort of Boonsborough at a salt lick；
about sixty yards from the river； on the S。 side。
On the fourth day； the Indians killed one of our men。We were busily
employed in building this fort； until the fourteenth day of June following；
without any farther opposition from the Indians； and having finished the
works； I returned to my family； on Clench。
In a short time； I proceeded to remove my family from Clench to this
garrison； where we arrived safe without any other difficulties than such as
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are common to this passage； my wife and daughter being the first white
women that ever stood on the banks of Kentucke river。
On the twenty…fourth day of December following we had one man
killed； and one wounded； by the Indians； who seemed determined to
persecute us for erecting this fortification。
On the fourteenth day of July； 1776； two of Col。 Calaway's daughters；
and one of mine； were taken prisoners near the fort。 I immediately pursued
the Indians； with only eight men； and on the sixteenth overtook them；
killed two of the party； and recovered the girls。 The same day on which
this attempt was made； the Indians divided themselves into different
parties； and attacked several forts； which were shortly before this time
erected； doing a great deal of mischief。 This was extremely distressing to
the new settlers。 The innocent husbandman was shot down； while busy
cultivating the soil for his family's supply。 Most of the cattle around the
stations were destroyed。 They continued their hostilities in this manner
until the fifteenth of April； 1777； when they attacked Boonsborough with a
party of above one hundred in number； killed one man； and wounded four…
…Their loss in this attack was not certainly known to us。
On the fourth day of July following； a party of about two hundred
Indians attacked Boonsborough； killed one man； and wounded two。 They
besieged us forty…eight hours； during which time seven of them were
killed； and at last； finding themselves not likely to prevail； they raised the
siege； and departed。
The Indians had disposed their warriors in different parties at this time；
and attacked the different garrisons to prevent their assisting each other；
and did much injury to the distressed inhabitants。
On the nineteenth day of this month； Col。 Logan's fort was besieged by
a party of about two hundred Indians。 During this dreadful siege they did a
great deal of mischief； distressed the garrison； in which were only fifteen
men； killed two； and wounded one。 The enemies loss was uncertain； from
the common practice which the Indians have of carrying off their dead in
time of battle。 Col。 Harrod's fort was then defended by only sixty…five men；
and Boonsborough by twenty…two； there being no more forts or white men
in the country； except at the Falls； a considerable distance from these； and
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Adventures of Col。 Daniel Boone
all taken collectively； were but a handful to the numerous warriors that
were every where dispersed through the country； intent upon doing all the
mischief that savage barbarity could invent。 Thus we passed through a
scene of sufferings that exceeds description。
On the twenty…fifth of this month a reinforcement of forty…five men
arrived from North…Carolina； and about the twentieth of August following；
Col。 Bowman arrived with one hundred men from Virginia。 Now we
began to strengthen； and from hence； for the space of six weeks； we had
skirmishes with Indians； in one quarter or other； almost every day。
The savages now learned the superiority of the Long Knife； as they
call the Virginians； by experience； being out…generalled in almost every
battle。 Our affairs began to wear a new aspect； and the enemy； not daring
to venture on open war； practised secret mischief at times。
On the first day of January； 1778； I went with a party of thirty men to
the Blue Licks； on Licking River； to make salt for the different garrisons in
the country。
On the seventh day of February； as I was hunting； to procure meat for
the company； I met with a party of one hundred and two Indians； and two
Frenchmen； on their march against Boonsborough； that place being
particularly the object of the enemy。
They pursued； and took me； and brought me on the eighth day to the
Licks； where twenty…seven of my party were； three of them having
previously returned home with the salt。 I knowing it was impossible for
them to escape； capitulated with the enemy； and； at a distance in their view；
gave notice to my men of their situation； with orders not to resist； but
surrender themselves captives。
The generous usage the Indians had promised before in my
capitulation； was afterwards fully complied with； and we proceeded with
them as prisoners to old Chelicothe； the principal Indian town； on Little
Miami； where we arrived； after an uncomfortable journey； in very severe
weather； on the eighteenth day of February； and received as good
treatment as prisoners could expect from savages。On the tenth day of
March following； I； and ten of my men； were conducted by forty Indians
to Detroit； where we arrived the thirtieth day； and were treated by
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Governor Hamilton； the British commander at that post； with great
humanity。
During our travels； the Indians entertained me well； and their affection
for me was so great； that they utterly refused to leave me there with the
others； although the Governor offered them one hundred pounds Sterling
for me； on purpose to give me a parole to go home。 Several English
gentlemen there； being sensible of my adverse fortune； and touched with
human sympathy； generously offered a friendly supply for my wants；
which I refused； with many thanks for their kindness； adding； that I never
expected it would be in my power to recompense such unmerited
generosity。
The Indians left my men in captivity with the British at Detroit； and on
the tenth day of April brought me towards Old Chelicothe； where we
arrived on the twenty…fifth day of the