rescue, in fact on August 7th, Samuel Henderson and Miss Elizabeth Calloway were married, the ceremony being by Squire Boone, an ordained minister of the Baptist church, and thus in the midst of the forest, in constant danger of death or capture at the hands of the savages who surrounded them, occurred the first marriage in Kentucky. Some time afterwards the other young couples were also married, thus setting a good example to those who were to come after them, and at the same time observing the scriptural exhortation to "multiply and replenish the earth." And they did it. There was no race suicide in the days of our forefathers in Kentucky.

This diversion was for the purpose of stating an interesting incident of the life of the pioneers. Kentucky Kentucky contains today many good people in whose veins courses the blood of the brave young girls who were the subjects of the turning away from the course of the narrative of British intrusion into the affairs of the colonists.

Hamilton kept constantly informed as to the stations in Kentucky, selected Harrodsburg for the first attack by his Indian allies. Hamilton was playing a double game, permissible in warfare. He was not only retarding the settlement of Kentucky but was, by the active use of his Indian allies, preventing the sending eastward of forces to reinforce the Continental army which sadly needed them.

When his Indian forces, commanded by Chief Blackfish, arrived in the vicinity of Harrodsburg, they came upon one James Ray and his associates who were members of a surveying party, of whom none but Ray escaped, it would seem almost by the interposition of Divine Providence. Closely pursued by the savages, Ray, who was a noted athlete and superior even to the Indians, as a runner, made his way to the fort and gave the alarm. The proper steps for the protection of the station were at once taken, the fighting force being organized and provisions and water col

lected. Of the companions of James Ray, who had been left behind when he made his successful run to the station, William Ray was killed, William Coomes escaped capture and afterwards joined his comrades at the fort, while Thomas Shores was captured by the Indians, who kept him among them for years, but he finally returned to his friends.

The forces who had attacked the fort at Harrodsburg attempted by artifice to draw its occupants without its protection by setting fire to an outlying cabin. When the settlers came out to extinguish this fire the savages swarmed all about them. The whites at once began a retreat, each man for himself, and each protecting himself as far as possible with his trusty rifle without which none ever trusted himself outside the stockade. As the retreating forces drew near, the gates were opened and all passed within to safety.

The savages, knowing the strength of the fort, were not inclined to make a direct attack and accordingly withdrew hoping to find some smaller stations less strongly protected. April 15th they appeared at Boonesborough to the number of one hundred, where they began an attack. There were but twenty-two guns in the fort, but they were held and aimed by gallant men and with no thought of surrender the brave fellows fought with such excellent effect that at the end of two days' fighting, the Indians drew off their forces, abandoning the siege and taking with them their dead and wounded.

They next appeared before Logan's Fort, upon which they made an unexpected attack while the women of the fort, guarded by the men, were engaged in milking the cows. One man was killed and two wounded in this sudden attack before the men and women could gain the protection of the stockade. Once within the gates, it was found that one of the wounded men had been left behind and was at the mercy of the savages. This man was seen from the stockade to raise himself with much

alties to but twelve effective men and, though the sympathy of every one was with the wounded man, it seemed impossible to afford him assistance.

Finally the gallant Col. Benjamin Logan decided to make an effort to rescue his suffering comrade, and called for volunteers to aid him. It seemed like going out to certain death and these brave pioneers hesitated to answer Logan's call. One of them, however, (John Martin), at length agreed to accompany him

carried him to safety within the walls of the fort, where he was received with the enthusiastic cheers of the little garrison. Colonel Logan was a tower of strength to the struggling pioneers, and to him is due the highest praise not only for his many courageous acts but for his wisdom in council. The name of Logan is a part of the history of the commonwealth, and those of the name who came after him have worthily upheld the manly traditions of the family.

Though failing to reduce any of the stations or to inflict more than temporary damage, these Indian attacks had in part accomplished Colonel Hamilton's purpose, in that they had checked western settlement. In this, however, he had unconsciously worked to the interests of the struggling Colonies, who were battling with England's power on the eastern frontier. The young men of Virginia and North Carolina who, but for this renewal of Indian warfare in Kentucky, might have come out to the new land in search of homes, found an outlet for their youthful enthusiasm in another direction and enlisted in the Continental army, thus becoming important factors in the working out of the destiny which was finally to add a new government and a new world power to history.

But Hamilton had partially succeeded in his efforts to restore Kentucky to the Indians and to the wilderness. By January, 1778, Kentucky was practically deserted, save for the three stations of Boonesborough, Logan's Fort and Harrodsburg, whose armament did not exceed one hundred guns, save when occasional visits were made by Virginia militia, while the entire population-men, women and children-did not number more than two hundred persons. But what splendid souls these were; braving every danger, suffering every hardship, uncomplainingly they wrought at the task they had assigned to themselves, that of laying strongly the foundations of a new

commonwealth; and they never stopped until their high purpose had been accomplished.

Logan's Fort experienced all the horrors of Indian investment which followed, the crafty savages using every device known to their system of warfare to lure the whites without their gates. Especially did they pretend to retreat, hoping that the whites would follow into their ambuscades, but in this they were unsuccessful. Failing in this expedient, they next sought to cut off the supplies of food and water by preventing any of the occupants. of the fort from passing out or in. They held the fort in close siege for weeks, but finally in August Colonel Bowman's advance guard came into Kentucky county and began its march to the relief of the beleaguered fort. The Indians, learning of the coming of reinforcements, raised the siege of Logan's Fort and prepared for a retreat, but in doing this, no doubt under the advice of some British officer with them, they ambuscaded the advance guard of Bowman's forces, firing upon and killing several of them. Upon one of these they placed copies of a proclamation signed by Col. Henry Hamilton, offering protection to all Americans who would subscribe to the oath of allegiance to King George III, and threatening vengeance against all who refused to subscribe to such oath. Many years later, in the War between the States, the descendants of these gallant pioneers had offered to them like advantages or punishment, as the

case might be, which offer many of them bravely declined, preferring to endure imprisonment rather than forswear themselves.

The offer of immunity from Hamilton was found by one of the fellow-soldiers of the dead man who, properly, took it to Col. Logan who concealed it, fearing that his men, worn out by long service, anxiety and privation, might be tempted by the promise of immunity.

George Rogers Clark, then the only real military genius of the western frontier, searching for the best means of securing the stations in Kentucky from attack, decided that the forts of the British in the northwest should be attacked and reduced. But he must have definite information as to the location and garrison of these several stations before making an effort to capture them. To this end he sent two spies into the Northwestern territory with instructions to thoroughly investigate conditions there and, as soon as possible, make a report to him. On the return of these men, Clark learned the truth of what he had all the time suspected: That the British at Detroit were responsible for the Indian attacks. He also conceived the idea, based upon the reports of his scouts, that he could capture these posts without the use of large bodies of troops. He learned that the numerous French inhabitants of the territory in question were disposed to be friendly toward the Americans, though the British had used every effort to prejudice them against the Virginia and Kentucky people, whom they represented as more barbarous than the Indians. Clark was encouraged by this information and believed that he could ally the French with the American cause, if they could be removed from the influence of the British emissaries.

With this belief in mind, which he kept entirely to himself, Clark, on October 1st, set out for Williamsburg, Virginia, where he arrived some two months later, and at once met Governor Patrick Henry. When Clark last

met Henry, his modest request was for five hundred pounds of powder, which, as has been seen, he secured and safely conveyed to the beleaguered colonists in Kentucky. He now came with a more ambitious scheme: A descent upon the posts of the enemy north of the Ohio river and the capture or destruction of his forces. To this end, he asked for both men and money to fit out an expedition for the performance of what no one else had dreamed of and which seemed almost impossible.

Clark says, in his memoirs, that Governor Henry was, at first, fond of the scheme, but feared the result of sending a force to so great a distance into the enemy's country. Nothing but secrecy, he claimed, could make it a success, and to lay Clark's proposal before the assembly would be to make it public and ere long the Indians would know of it and would prepare themselves to resist the proposed movement in which, of course, they would have the assistance of their British allies. But Governor Henry knew Clark and had confidence in his military judgment and sagacity. Therefore he did not decline his proposition, though for the reasons stated, he did not submit it to the assembly. He did better by calling together Thomas Jefferson, George Wythe and George Mason, to whom he requested Clark to submit his views. These stalwart patriots and statesmen considered Clark's plans for several weeks, finally approving them and on January 2, 1778, communicating them with a favorable decision, to the council, urging the taking of all necessary steps at once and with the utmost secrecy, for their execution.

On the same day Colonel Clark received two sets of instructions, the first being a blind to the enemy, while the second was for his private use and contained his real instructions. For copies of these two sets of instructions thanks are due to McElroy's "Kentucky in the Nation's History." The first paper intended as a blind is as follows:

"LIEUT. COL. GEORGE ROGERS CLARK-You are to proceed without loss of time to enlist seven companies of men, officered in the usual manner, to act as militia under your orders. They are to proceed to Kentucky, and there to cbey such orders and directions as you shall give them, for three months after their arrival at that place; but to receive pay. etc., in case they remain on duty a longer time.

"You are empowered to raise these men in any county in the commonwealth, and the county lieutenants, respectively, are requested to give you all possible assistance in that business.

"Given under my hand at Williamsburg, Jan. 2, 1778. P. HENRY."

"(Signed)

The private instructions, which really meant business, were as follows:

"IN COUNCIL, WILLIAMSBURG, Jan. 2, 1778. "Col. George Rogers Clark:-Sir:-You are to proceed with all convenient speed to raise seven companies of soldiers to consist of fifty men each, officered in the usual manner and armed most properly for the enterprise, and with this force, attack the British force at Kaskasky.

"It is conjectured that there are many pieces of cannon and military stores to a considerable amount at that place, the taking and preservation of which would be a valuable acquisition to the state. If you are so fortunate, therefore, as to succeed in your expedition, you will take every possible measure to secure the artillery and stores and whatever may advantage the state.

"For the transportation of the troops, provisions, etc., down the Ohio, you are to apply to the commanding officer at Fort Pitt for boats, etc. During During the whole transaction you are to take especial care to keep the true destination of your force secret. Its success depends upon this.

"It is earnestly desired that you show humanity to such British subjects and other persons as fall in your hands. If the white inhabitants of that post and the neighborhood will give undoubted evidence of their attachment to this state, for it is certain they live within its limits, by taking the test prescribed by law and by every way and means within their power, let them be treated as fellow citizens and their persons and property duly secured. Assistance and protection against all enemies whatever, shall be afforded them and the commonwealth of Virginia is pledged to accomplish it. But, if the people will not accede to these reasonable demands, they must feel the miseries of war under the direction of that humanity

that has heretofore distinguished Americans, and which it is expected you will ever consider as the rule of your conduct and from which you are in no instance to depart.

"The corps you are to command are to receive the pay and allowance of militia, and to act under the laws and regulations of this state, now in force, as militia. The inhabitants of the post will be informed by you, that in case they accede to the offer of becoming citizens of this commonwealth, a proper garrison will be maintained among them and every attention bestowed to render their commerce beneficial, the fairest prospects being opened to the dominions both of France and Spain.

"It is in contemplation to establish a post near the mouth of the Ohio. Cannon will be wanted to fortify it. Part of those at Kaskasky will be easily brought thither or otherwise secured as circumstances will make necessary.

"Wishing you success, I am
"Sir,

"Your humble servant,

"P. HENRY."

It will be noted that without naming the alleged colony of Transylvania, Governor Henry in the secret instructions to Clark, asserted authority not only over Kentucky, where the Landed Proprietors had claimed sovereignty, but also over Kaskasky and all the territory thereabout, when in speaking of the inhabitants of that post, and their possible adherence to Virginia, he used the forcible term: "for it is certain they live within its limits." Furthermore, he asserted his independence and that of Virginia, when referring to it not as a colony but as a "state." The belief in the ultimate success of Clark is cleverly set forth in the concluding paragraph of the secret instructions, wherein the artillery at that time in the possession of the British at Kaskasky is disposed of as a part of the defense at the proposed post at the mouth of the Ohio.

On the day following the receipt of his instructions, Colonel Clark received from Messrs. Jefferson, Mason and Wythe authority to use certain inducements as a means of rapidly recruiting the desired forces. Their letter follows: