July 4th. The great day of American independence was commemorated by the discharge of thirteen guns, after which the troops were served with extra rations of liquor, and allowed to get as drunk as they pleased.
8th. We are brought down to half rations, and have sent out a party of men to hunt. They returned without much success, although game is plenty in the woods.
9th. We discovered some Indians crossing the Ohio in a canoe, below the garrison, and sent a party after them, but could not overtake them.
10th. Ensign Kingsbury, with a party of nine, embarked for Wheeling in quest of provisions.
12th. Captain Strong arrived from Fort Pike.
16th. We were visited by a party of Indians, who encamped at a little distance from the garrison, and appeared to be very friendly. They were treated kindly by the officers, who gave them some wine and the best the garrison afforded.
17th. Our men took up a stray canoe on the river. It contained a pair of shoes, two axes and some corn. We suppose the owners were killed by the Indians. Same day Lieutenant Kingsbury returned with only a supply of food for six or seven days.
18th. Captain Strong’s company began to build their range of barracks, to make ourselves comfortable for the winter.
19th. This day buried the fifer to Captain Hart’s company. Our funerals are conducted in the following manner: The men are all paraded without arms, and march by files in the rear of the corpse. The guard, with arms, march in front, with their pieces reversed; and the music in the rear of the guard, just in front of the coffin, playing some mournful tune. After the dead is buried they return in the same order, playing some lively march.
21st. A boat arrived from Fort Pit with intelligence of a drove of cattle at Wheeling for this garrison.