Attakullakulla
Attakullakulla
Onthe river Tennessee, in former times, there was situated a fort, calledFort Loudon. This fort was far back in the woods, 500 miles from Charleston,and at a distance from any white settlement. It was built in 1756, for the purpose of preventing the encroachments of the French, who used to steal down from Canada, and annoy the white English inhabitants, who were forming settlements in that part of the country. At the same time, it was a safeguard against the Indians, numerous tribes of whom lived round about. These Indians, at all times savage and cruel, were particularly hostile to the whites; and more so, as they perceived them forming settlements in their neighborhood.
In the above fort, at the time my story commences, there were but few soldiers. This fact the Indians, by some means, discovered, and they determined to make an attack upon it; and, if possible, to massacre the soldiers.
The plan was conducted, as usual, with much secrecy and cunning; and, before the soldiers were aware, the fort was surrounded by a large number of savages, thirsting only for their blood. The fort was strong, however; the gates were shut, and the Indians found it impossible to enter. But they could watch it. They might perhaps in time force the soldiers to surrender, because their provisions could not last always. A guard was, therefore, constantly kept round about; and so vigilant were they, that not a single white man durst venture abroad, nor could any come to their assistance.
For a time, the provisions in the fort held out well; but, at length, the soldiers were obliged to resort to the flesh of their horses and dogs, which, by reason of scanty food, had dwindled away nearly to skeletons. For two long months, however, the soldiers bore up under the pressure of confinement, and stinted fare. The enemy that surrounded them, they well knew, were at all times savage and cruel; butnowthey would be doubly so, having become exasperated by watching for so long a period.
The soldiers had stout hearts and good courage; but, at length, they told their officers, that they could hold out no longer. Upon this, the officers came together, and, after due consultation, it was agreed to surrender, and to obtain the best treatment from the Indians they were able.
There was one man among them, whom the Indians esteemed. His name wasCaptain Stewart. He was accordingly selected to inform the Indians that they had held out sufficiently long, and were willing to surrender, provided they were treated kindly.
In reply, the Indians told Captain Stewart that they might march out with their guns, and a little powder and shot; but that they must leave the fort that very day. The Indians added, that they would accompany them to Fort George, where their white brethren lived.
As these were better terms than were expected, the English officers did not hesitate to accept them. They marched out accordingly, and that very day set out upon their journey for Fort George. It was noon when they left the fort, and night before they paused.
Wearied with their toilsome march, they soon laid themselves down to rest. Just as they were doing this, they perceived that the whole body of Indians were leaving them. The object of this movement they were unable to explain; but, well knowing how cunning and treacherous the Indians were, they could sleep no more. A few, perhaps, more weary than the others, were occasionally lost for a few minutes; but the painful state of anxiety in which they were, made their sleep short and unrefreshing. Several hours passed in this state of suspense; but as no Indians came near them, they began to indulge the hope, that theenemy had left them, to return no more. They, therefore, generally laid themselves down, and one after another became lost in sound sleep. About the dawn of day, one of the men, who had been placed as a guard, came running, in great haste, to inform them that a large body of Indians were secretly approaching.
The alarm was instantly given, and the men ordered to stand to their arms. The summons, however, was so sudden, and the terror so universal, that not a single soldier had his gun loaded when the tremendous war-whoop broke upon them. The onset of the savages, upon this comparatively feeble and unprepared band, was so furious, that resistance was in vain. Some were killed, and the rest taken prisoners. Captain Stewart had his hands tied behind him, and at the head of the others, was led back to the fort.
On their arrival, an Indian chief, taking Captain Stewart by the hand, conducted him to his own hut, unbound his arms, and fed him from his own bowl. This wasAttakullakulla. A few days following, the Indians held a great council about the disposal of the prisoners. The chiefs were all present, and, though some differed for a time from others, in conclusion, they sent for Captain Stewart, and informed him that they were about proceeding to the attack of Fort George. “You and your men,” said they, “will accompany us. You will fight with us. This is the result of our talk!”
“You must do more,” added they. “Write to the captain of Fort George—tell him of our coming—tell him that if he surrenders the fort peaceably, it is well—if not, we will strip his friend Captain Stewart, and burn him before his eyes.”
This was indeed cruel. Captain Stewart seated himself; and, in the presence of the savages, wrote the letter required; but he thought within himself, that before he would fight his brethren, he would undergo the pains, even of savage torture. On returning home, said he to Attakullakulla, “You are my friend. You have shown your friendship, in the hour of danger and of trial. Now, can you show it again?—I cannot fight my brethren—I must escape, or I must die.”
Attakullakulla replied, “I have been your friend once; I will be so again. You must not fight your brethren. The red men must not kill you. Come with me, and I will take you far from the reach of the bloody tomahawk.”
Before the next morning, Attakullakulla and Captain Stewart were far on their journey, in the depths of the wilderness. By day, they travelled with great expedition, and at night slept upon the open ground. The sun and moon served as guides to the sagacious Indian chief; and, as they kept on over hills and mountains, valleys and rivers, Captain Stewart wondered where their journey would end. On thefourteenthday, they saw fires at a distance, and they knew that men were near. As they came nearer, they met a party of soldiers, who told them that they were inVirginia, and that this was the camp ofColonel Bird. They told them to go on further, where they would see Colonel Bird himself. When they came up to this officer, Captain Stewart introduced himself and his Indian friend to the colonel. He was delighted to hear of his escape, and was much pleased with the friendship which the Indian had shown to the white man. “This,” said he, “istrue friendship, which shows itself in action, not in words.”
When Attakullakulla said he must depart that night, the two officers begged him to remain with them for a few days. But the old man said, “No.” When they found that he could not be persuaded, they loaded him with presentsof all kinds, and bidding him “Farewell,” they saw him depart for his home. On his return to his tribe, he met some soldiers, who told him they had been sent fromFort George, the place which the Indians were going to attack. They said that the captain of Fort George had received their letter, and had heard that they were coming to fight him. But he desired Attakullakulla to inform his brethren, that they must not come to Fort George; for that there was much powder and ball buried in holes around the fort to blow up any enemies, who might come; and that if they dared to come, they would certainly be blown in pieces.
The chief promised the soldiers that he would tell the Indians of this, and again proceeded on his way. On reaching Fort Loudon, he called the Indians together, and told them of the word that the white men had sent them. They were much frightened, when they heard of the powder and shot, and blessed the Good Spirit that he had not permitted them to attack the fort, as they must all have been killed.
But to return to Capt. Stewart. Now that he had himself escaped, he began to think of the poor soldiers whom he had left in captivity. For a time he could hear nothing of their fate; and was in doubt, whether his escape might not have led to the massacre of them all. But, at length, he had the pleasure to know, by means of one who had escaped like himself, that they were alive, though still in captivity.
Upon this intelligence, he collected such articles, as he thought would be acceptable to the Indians—beads, buttons, red belts, &c., and sent them to his old friend, Attakullakulla, and begged him to divide them among the chiefs, and to ask them that their white prisoners might be sent to him in return. The presents proved acceptable to the Indians; and, in the fulness of their joy, they said they must send something in return to their friend Captain Stewart; but for an appropriate present they were quite at a loss. Attakullakulla told them he could help them out of their difficulty, and now informed them of the request of Captain Stewart. To this, they unanimously assented, and forthwith communicated to their prisoners that they were at liberty.
The joy of the prisoners need not be told. Under the guidance of the man whom Capt. Stewart had sent with the presents, they were conducted in safety to Fort George, where they had the pleasure to meet once more their friend and benefactor, Captain Stewart, and to thank him in person for his kind remembrance of them in the land of their captivity.
From the above story it may be useful to remark, that although Indians have many bad traits of character, yet they are not destitute of good ones. This good chief, Attakullakulla, saved, by his faithfulness, the life of his friend, and was the means through him, of saving all the other prisoners. It is an excellent thing to be faithful to our friends. “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”—So Captain Stewart found it.