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Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
On March 23, 1791, a boat traveling from Fort Pitt to Limestone on the Ohio River was attacked by Indians near Muskingum. One man killed, two wounded including the letter writer; a rear boat captured with women and children aboard. The group fought off the attackers and reached Limestone safely. Indians have not attacked boats since.
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Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Frankford, on the Kentucky river, to his brother in this city, dated May 16, 1791.
On the 10th of March we left Fort Pitt with only 4 men, in company with two boats, to go to Limestone. On the 22d we took in 5 men at Muskingum. The next morning, our boat being foremost, we were hailed by the Indians, who came up with us in four boats, with about 20 men in each, and killed one of our men and wounded two the first shot, we waited till they were within 30 yards, and then fired, which did great execution; I then received a shot through my arm; one of the boats attempted to board us, but we beat them off; they then attacked a boat in our rear, took her, and in a most inhuman manner placed the women and children in the center of their boats, and attacked us again; we had only three men and myself able to fight. but we beat them off. During this attack we drifted within 50 yards of the shore, where they attacked us again, and pursued us about a mile and a half along the shore, before we could get out of their reach, Out of 10 men two only escaped unhurt. We had on board one woman and eight children, one of the children received a slight wound. We arrived at Limestone at 11 o'clock that evening. The Indians are very troublesome in this country, and do great mischief; but they have not attacked a boat on the river since our action. The loss they sustained from us we could not ascertain. but they suffered severely -for their attempt.
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Muskingum
Event Date
March 23, 1791
Outcome
one man killed, two men wounded including the letter writer through the arm, one child slightly wounded; rear boat captured with women and children; out of 10 men, two escaped unhurt; indians suffered severe but unascertained losses; no subsequent boat attacks reported.
Event Details
A boat with 9 men (after picking up 5 at Muskingum), one woman, and eight children was attacked by Indians in four boats with about 20 men each. The Indians hailed, fired first killing one and wounding two; the boat crew fired back at 30 yards doing great execution. An Indian boat attempted to board but was repelled. Indians captured the rear boat, placed its women and children in their boat centers, and attacked again. With only four able to fight, the crew beat them off, drifted near shore, faced another attack, and were pursued a mile and a half before escaping. Arrived at Limestone that evening.