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Page 48
"Do you mean to say that the coward is the wisest man?" enquired
Kinnison, in astonishment.
"Oh, no. A coward is one who will not grapple with danger when he meets
it, but shrinks and flies. A man who is conscious of dangers to be met,
and feels a distrust of his own power to meet them, is a different sort
of person," replied Hand.
"Well, that's a very nice distinction," remarked one of the young men.
"There's truth in what he says, however," said Ranson. "I have felt a
fear of consequences many a time, yet I know that I am not a coward;
for my conduct in the time of battle, and when death was hailing around
me, proves it."
"I can't see any distinction between a coward and a man of many fears,"
remarked Davenport; "though, of course, I don't know enough of words to
argue the point."
"To make it clearer," replied Hand, "I will assert that Washington was a
man fearful of consequences, and some of those who refused to go to the
aid of the heroes of Bunker Hill were cowards."
"It's all plain enough to me," observed Colson. But the rest of the
company, by shakes of the head and meditative looks, indicated that the
distinction was not perceptible to their mental vision.
THE BATTLE OF ORISKANY.
"Well now, my friends, I can tell you of a brave man who was not fearful
enough to be prudent," observed Colson. "I allude to Gen. Herkimer. No
man can dispute his courage; and it is clear that if he had possessed
more fear of Indian wiles, he would not have fallen into an ambuscade."
"Will you tell us about the battle in which he fell?" enquired Hand.
"I was about to do so," replied Colson. "Brig. Gen. Herkimer was the
commander of the militia of Tryon County, N.Y., when news was received
that St. Leger, with about 2,000 men, had invested Fort Schuyler. The
General immediately issued a proclamation, calling out all the
able-bodied men in the county, and appointed a place for their
rendezvous and a time for them to be ready for marching to the relief of
Fort Schuyler.
"Learning that Gen. Herkimer was approaching to the relief of the
garrison, and not being disposed to receive him in his camp, St. Leger
detached a body of Indians and tories, under Brant and Col. Butler, to
watch his approach, and to intercept, if possible, his march. The
surrounding country afforded every facility for the practice of the
Indian mode of warfare. In the deep recesses of its forests they were
secure from observation, and to them they could retreat in case they
were defeated. Finding that the militia approached in a very careless
manner, Butler determined to attack them by surprise. He selected a
place well fitted for such an attack. A few miles from the fort there
was a deep ravine sweeping toward the east in a semicircular form, and
having a northern and southern direction. The bottom of this ravine was
marshy, and the road along which the militia were marching crossed it by
means of a log causeway. The ground thus partly enclosed by the ravine
was elevated and level. Along the road, on each side of this height of
land, Butler disposed his men.
"About ten o'clock on the morning of the 6th of August, 1777, the Tryon
County militia arrived at this place without any suspicions of danger.
The dark foliage of the forest trees, with a thick growth of underbrush,
entirely concealed the enemy from their view. The advanced guard, with
about two-thirds of the whole force, had gained the elevated ground, the
baggage-wagons had descended into the ravine--Col. Fisher's regiment was
still on the east side--when the Indians arose, and with a dreadful yell
poured a destructive fire upon them. The advanced guard was entirely cut
off. Those who survived the first fire were immediately cut down with
the tomahawk. The horror of the scene was increased by the personal
appearance of the savages, who were almost naked and painted in a most
hideous manner. They ran down each side, keeping up a constant fire, and
united at the causeway; thus dividing the militia into two bodies. The
rear regiment, after a feeble resistance, fled in confusion, and were
pursued by the Indians. They suffered more severely than they would have
done had they stood their ground, or advanced to the support of the main
body in front.
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