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Page 94
A consultation between Colonels Logan and Boone, resulted in the
decision to march forthwith to the battle-ground. Accordingly every
thing being got in readiness, Colonel Logan set out with his command,
at a late hour the same night, accompanied by Boone, and a few of the
survivors of the ill-fated engagement. Towards morning a halt of three
hours was ordered for rest and refreshment: when the line of march was
again taken up; and by noon of the day succeeding the battle, the forces
arrived upon the ground, where a most horribly repulsive scene met their
view.
The Indians had departed on their homeward route, bearing their killed
and wounded away from the field of carnage; but the dead and mutilated
bodies of the whites still remained where they had fallen, presenting
a spectacle the most hideous and revolting possibly to be conceived.
In the edge of the stream, on the banks, up the ridge, and along the
buffalo trace to the ravines, were lying the bloody and mangled corses
of the gallant heroes--who, the day before, full of ardor and life,
had rushed on to the battle and an untimely and inglorious death--now
swollen, putrid, and in the first stage of decomposition, from the
action of the scorching rays of an August sun--surrounded by vultures
and crows, and all species of carrion fowl; many of which, having gorged
themselves on the horrid repast, were either sweeping overhead in large
flocks, and screeching their funeral dirges, or wiping their bloody
bills on the neighboring trees. Some of the bodies in the stream had
been gnawed by fishes--others by wolves--and all had been so disfigured,
by one means and another, that but very few could be recognized by their
friends.
"Great Heaven! what a sight!" exclaimed Colonel Logan, as he ran his eye
over the scene.
"A dark and terrible day for Kaintuck," answered Boone, who was standing
by his side; and as he spoke, the old hunter turned away his head to
conceal his emotion; for his mind reverted to the death of his noble
son.
Orders were now given by Colonel Logan, to have the bodies collected,
and interred in a manner as decent as circumstances would permit. This
being accomplished, he returned with his men to Bryan's Station, and
there dismissed them--it not being thought advisable to pursue the enemy
further. In this ever memorable battle of Blue Licks, the Kentuckians
had sixty killed, twelve wounded, and seven taken prisoners, most of
whom were afterwards put to the tortures. As we said before, it was
a sad day for Kentucky, and threw the land into mourning and gloom.
Colonels Todd and Trigg, and Majors Harlan and McBride, were men beloved
and respected in life, and bitterly lamented in death by a long list of
true-hearted friends.
The great trace where the battle was fought, is now green with low
branching cedars; and a solitary monument near by, informs the curious
spectator of the sad disaster of by gone times. The Blue Lick Springs
are much resorted to in the summer season by invalids and others, for
whose convenience a magnificent hotel stands upon the banks of the
lovely and romantic Licking.
A few words more and our general history will be closed. On receiving
the intelligence of the battle of Blue Licks, General Clark--who then
occupied a fort at the Falls of the Ohio, on the present site of
Louisville--resolved upon another expedition to the enemy's country; for
which purpose it was proposed to raise an army of one thousand men, who,
under their respective commanders, should congregate opposite the mouth
of the Licking, on the present site of Cincinnati. The interior and
upper country were to rendezvous at Bryan's Station, under the command
of Colonels Logan and Floyd; and the lower settlements at the Falls of
Ohio, under General Clark; who, on all parties arriving at the grand
rendezvous, was to be commander-in-chief of the expedition. One thousand
mounted riflemen were raised without a draft, who marched upon the
enemy in their own country, destroyed their villages, provisions, and
cornfields, took several prisoners, and carried with them so much terror
and desolation, that the Indians never sufficiently recovered from the
shock to renew hostilities in a formidable body; and the Kentuckians
henceforth, save in individual cases, were left unmolested.
On their march they came upon the rear of Girty's party, returning from
their successful battle; but an Indian scout gave the renegade and his
companions warning in time for them to escape the whites by flight. In
this expedition, Colonel Boone volunteered and served as a private;
being the last in which the noble old hunter was ever engaged in defence
of the settlements of Kentucky. Algernon Reynolds and Isaac Younker were
his companions in arms; who, on the dismissal of the troops, returned
again to Bryan's Station.
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