Meantime the Shawanese were continuing their depredations upon the Ohio border of Virginia, with results certainly not unfavorable to the former. Colonel Boon being absent in North Carolina, Colonel Bowman led an expedition of one hundred and sixty men, in July, against the Shawanese of Old Chilicothe. Although Bowman fell upon the Indians suddenly, and without knowledge on their part of his approach, they nevertheless fought him bravely for several hours, and compelled him to retreat. Falling back thirty miles, Bowman made a stand, and was shortly overtaken by the Indians with augmented numbers. Another engagement ensued, which, during the first two hours, promised no advantage to the forces of Bowman. Colonel Harrod then proposed to mount a number of men upon horses and make a cavalry charge. The suggestion was adopted, and the expedient succeeded. The Indians fought with remarkable fury, but were, nevertheless, broken, and compelled to fly in all directions. [FN]
[FN] Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone.
With these incidents closes the present volume. The second will open with a narrative of the most formidable Indian campaign undertaken during the contest for American Independence.
NOTE.
It is desirable that the present note should be read in connection with the sixth chapter of this volume, containing the account of General Schuyler's expedition to Johnstown in February, 1776, for the purpose of disarming the Tories of Tryon County, and of arresting Sir John Johnson. The immediate causes of that expedition, aside from the information of a wretch named Connell, do not appear with sufficient distinctness to divest the proceedings of General Schuyler of a character almost of harshness. But while the author has entertained little, if any, doubt, that Congress had good and sufficient reasons for directing the expedition, and Schuyler for his energetic execution of his orders, the reasons for the urgency of the movement have never transpired. Since the preceding sheets were from the press, however, the author has received copies of certain documents from the archives of the British Government, which reflect all the light upon the subject that can be desired. After the perusal of these papers, the propriety of the measure, if it ever has been, can no longer be questioned:—
"Governor Tryon to Lord George Germaine.
"On board H. B. M. Ship, Dutchess of Gordon,}
New-York Harbor, 3d Jan. 1776.}
"My Lord,
"The gentleman who delivered me the enclosed letter from Sir John Johnson, assured me that by Government's complying with its contents, Sir John could muster five hundred Indians to support the cause of government, and that these, with a body of regulars, might retake the forts. If Sir John had the title of Superintendent of Indian Affairs, it would give the greatest weight to his Majesty's Indian affairs—the Indians having the greatest affection for the son of their late benefactor. I wish your Lordship may think as favorably of Sir John's proposals as I do," &c. &c.