The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 29.

Extract of a Letter from Carlisle, September 20, 1763.

"Of late we have had no Disturbance on this Frontier from our savage Neighbours; which is, by no Means, I apprehend, to be accounted for from any Change in their Dispositions, but from their Time being taken up in removing their Families, and putting themselves into a better Situation to accomplish their bloody Designs. I was last Week through the upper End of this Country, where the People are, at present, following their Labour as usual, and will, unless prevented by fresh Troubles, have in a large Fall Crop. A considerable Number of the Inhabitants of both Coves were then gone home, and designed to put in some grain, for the future Support of their Families. Many of the Inhabitants had likewise returned to the Conallaways, but on Fresh Alarms from the Virginia Frontiers were, as I was informed, come back to Fort Frederick. Thro' all the late Scene of Troubles, one Man, and his Wife, kept their Places in the Little Cove, though entirely by themselves.

"While I was up there, we had several Reports from Virginia, to know the Certainty of which, I sent to a Gentleman of Note near Potowmack, who was gone from Home; but his Wife informed the Messenger, that her Husband had received Letters from Virginia, advising, that some Time of the Week before last, a large Party of Indians came down on the Frontier of Augusta County, designing, as was supposed, to strike a small Town there: but being discovered by some Men, who were out hunting Horses, the Inhabitants were alarmed of their Approach, and turned out, in a large Body, to meet them, which they accordingly did, and an obstinate Engagement ensued; wherein, though the White People lost a considerable Number, yet they kept the Field, and brought off with them 15 Indian Scalps, and a considerable Quantity of Plunder.

"The Messenger was also informed, that a Party of the Virginia Rangers having, the same Week, come on some Tracks of Indians going out from the Inhabitants, followed them till Evening; when, sending some of their Party to the Top of a Hill, they discovered the Indian Fire, and made towards it; And that as they went along, they heard the Enemy fire 15 Guns, which they supposed was the Party emptying their Pieces, as the Day had been wet, in order to clean them; upon which they hasted up, and immediately fired on the Savages, as they sat round the Fire, and killed three of them; the rest fled, leaving behind 13 Guns, and a Number of Mocassons.

"I was also informed, that on Thursday Night, the 8th Instant, a large Party of Indians were discovered dancing round their Fire, on Patterson's Creek, which empties into the South Branch of Potowmack; but that the Persons who saw them, being but three or four, did not discover themselves, but went and alarmed the Neighbours.

"It is certain that they have had on that Frontier frequent Alarms, and several Skirmishes with the Indians, in which the White People always beat the Enemy. And it is worth remarking, that since the War broke out, there has not been one Engagement in which the Indians got the better of our People, on any Part of the Frontier, that I can recollect.

"On Tuesday, the 12th Instant, a small Party of Indians were chased, in the Little Cove, by a Party of the Maryland Scouts. The Inhabitants of Path Valley, and a Number of Shearman's will, I expect, have in Crops sufficient for next Year's Support, if no new Troubles come upon us, and a Guard be continued; but ranging Parties, and a Reward for Scalps, are the Means which, under GOD, would most likely answer the End."