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Page 87
As Algernon had stated to Girty, the country was indeed roused to a
sense of their danger. The news of the storming of Bryan's Station
had spread fast and far; and, early on the day succeeding the attack,
reinforcements began to come in from all quarters; so that by noon of
the fourth day, the station numbered over one hundred and eighty
fighting men.
Colonel Daniel Boone, accompanied by his son Israel, and brother Samuel,
commanded a considerable force from Boonesborough--Colonel Stephen
Trigg, a large company from Harrodsburgh--and Colonel John Todd, the
militia from Lexington. A large portion of these forces was composed
of commissioned officers, who, having heard of the attack on Bryan's
Station by an overwhelming body of Indians, had hurried to the scene of
hostilities, and, like brave and gallant soldiers as they were, had at
once taken their places in the ranks as privates. Most noted among those
who still held command under the rank of Colonel, were Majors Harlan,
McGary, McBride, and Levi Todd; and Captains Bulger, Patterson and
Gordon.
Of those now assembled, Colonel Todd, as senior officer, was allowed to
take command--though, from the tumultuous council of war which was held
in the afternoon, it appears that each had a voice, and that but little
order was observed. It was well known that Colonel Benjamin Logan was
then in the act of raising a large force in Lincoln county; and at the
furthest would join them in twenty-four hours; which would render them
safe in pursuing the savages; and for this purpose the more prudent,
among whom was our old friend, Colonel Boone, advised their delay;
stating, as a reason, that the Indians were known to outnumber them
all, as three to one; and that to pursue them with a force so small,
could only result, should they be overtaken, in a total defeat of the
whites. Besides which, Boone stated that the scouts who had been sent
out to examine the Indian trail, had reported that it was very broad,
and that the trees on either side had been marked with their tomahawks;
thereby showing a willingness on the part of the enemy to be pursued,
and a design to draw the whites into an ambuscade, the consequences of
which must necessarily be terrible. In this view of the case, Colonel
Boone was strongly seconded by Major McGary, who, though a hot-headed
young officer, eager on almost all occasions for a fight, now gave his
voice on the side of prudence.
But these prudent measures were combatted and overruled by Todd; who,
being an ambitious man, forsaw that, in waiting for Logan, he would be
deprived of his authority as commander-in-chief of the expedition, and
the glory which a successful battle would now cast upon him. By him it
was urged, in opposition to Boone and McGary, that to await the arrival
of Colonel Logan, was only to act the part of cowards, and allow the
Indians a safe retreat; that in case they were overtaken and their
numbers found to be double their own--which report he believed to be
false--the ardor and superior skill of the Kentuckians would more than
make them equal, and the victory and glory would be their own. Whereas,
should the Indians be allowed to escape without an effort to harass
them, the Kentuckians would be held eternally disgraced in the minds of
their countrymen.
The dispute on the matter waxed warm, high words ensued, and the
discussion was in a fair way of being drawn out to great extent; when
Boone, becoming tired and disgusted with the whole proceedings, replied:
"Well, I've given my conscientious opinion about the affair, and now you
can do as you please. Of course I shall go with the majority, and my
seniors in command; and ef the decision's for a fight, why a fight we
must venter, though every man o' Kaintuck be laid on his back for the
risking. Ef we fail--and its my opine we shall--let them as takes the
responsibility bear the blame. I'll give my voice, though, to the last,
that we'd better wait the reinforcements o' Colonel Logan."
"Sir!" exclaimed Colonel Todd, turning fiercely to Boone; "if you are
not a _coward_, you talk like one! Don't you know, sir, that if we wait
for Logan, he will gain all the laurels?--and that if we press forward,
we shall gain all the glory?"
"As to my being a coward, Colonel Todd," replied Boone, mildly, with
dignity, "when the word's explained so as I know the full meaning on't,
prehaps I'll be able to decide ef I be or not. Ef it means prudence in a
time o' danger, on which the welfare o' my country and the lives o' my
countrymen depends, I'd rather be thought cowardly than rash. Ef it
means a fear to risk my own poor body in defence o' others, I reckon as
how my past life'll speak for itself; and for the futer, wharsomever
Colonel Todd dars to venter, Daniel Boone dars to lead. As to _glory_,
we'll talk about that arter the battle's fought."
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