The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

PHILADELPHIA, April 5.

Since our last we have received what follows from Carlisle.

The Distresses of our Back Inhabitants are greater than can well be conceived. Two Hundred Miles of an extended Frontier are so exposed to the Incursions of the Indians, that no Man can go to sleep within 10 or 15 Miles of the Borders, without being in Danger of having his House burnt, and himself and Family scalped, or led into Captivity, before the next Morning. No Man can tell where the Indians will strike the next Blow, when they have begun their Murders and Devastations. On the 20th. of last Month Agnes Davidson, and her Child, an Year old, Andrew Sims, 14 Years old; Margaret Stephens, 11 Years old; and Joseph Mitchell 3 Years old, were made Prisoners. Seven Houses were burnt down on the twenty First, and a great Number of Horses, Cows, Sheep and Hogs were killed. On the twenty Second a Barn was burnt in the Path Valley, a Horse was killed, and two taken away; about twelve Indians carried off the Captives, and seven or eight tarried behind, and did considerable Damage. The Captains Piper and Brady, with their Companies, did all that lay in their Power to protect the Inhabitants; and Lieutenant Chambers, and Ensign Axy, pursued the Indians, to rescue the Prisoners, but without Success. Some Indians are suspected to be still lurking about Shippenburgh, which seems the more probable, as Samuel Rippy's Barn, in the Town, was set on Fire, and believed to be done by these Enemies. These fresh Troubles greatly discourage the poor People, who intended to return early in the Spring to their deserted Habitations.

The following Paragraph of a Letter from a Gentleman in Carlisle, to his Friend in this City, may serve to give us some Idea of their Distresses, which bears date, March 26, 1764.

Many of the Inhabitants of the Path and Shearman's Valleys, were purposing to adventure home, but this Affair has quite disconcerted their Measures, and the People along the North Mountain are moving further in, especially about Shippenburgh, which is crowded with the Families of that Neighbourhood. Our Country has the appearance of nothing but Confusion and Distress, which I fear will increase. What shall so many Families do, who have spent the Winter with us, chiefly supported by the Contributors of Philadelphia, in Hopes of returning to their Settlements in the Spring? Many of them have been forced to sell what few Cattle they saved, to support their Families; and others who, in the Fall, would not apply for a Share in the public Contributions, are obliged by want to apply now, when our Funds are almost spent. The above seven Families got nothing saved but their wearing Cloaths, so sudden was the Alarm; one poor Woman delivered of a Child, was obliged to remove in about two Hours Time after. Sir, I have but a melancholy Time of it, amidst such Calamities and Woes, I pray God may in Mercy shorten these Days of Misery.

We likewise hear, that on the 26th last. one Man was killed and scalped, and another carried off from near Fort Bedford: And that the last Messenger that went from Carlisle to Bedford, was pursued by the Enemy for many Miles; but being a good Woodsman got safe in with his Dispatches.