ucky. Marshall says, that the
people in their eagerness to take up land, had almost forgotten the
existence of hostilities. Fatal security! and most fatal with such a
foe, whose enterprises were conducted with such secrecy that their
first announcement was their presence in the midst of the unprepared
settlement. In fact, the carelessness of the Western borderers is often
unaccountable, and this is not the least surprising instance of it.

That they did not anticipate an attempt to retaliate the incursion of
Bowman into the Indian country, is indeed astonishing. It was very
fortunate for the Kentuckians that their enemies were as little gifted
with perseverance, as they were with vigilance. This remark is to be
understood in a restricted sense, of both parties. When once aroused
to a sense of their danger none were more readily prepared, or more
watchful to meet it than the settlers; and on the other hand, nothing
could exceed the perseverance of the Indians in the beginning of their
enterprises, but on the slightest success (not reverse) they wished to
return to exhibit their trophies at home. Thus, on capturing Boone and
his party, instead of pushing on and attacking the settlements which
were thus weakened, they returned to display their prisoners.

The consequences were that these defects neutralized each other, and no
very decisive strokes were made by either side. But the English Governor
Hamilton, who had hitherto contented himself with stimulating the
Indians to hostilities, now aroused by the daring and success of Clark,
prepared to send a powerful expedition by way of retaliation, against
the settlements. Colonel Byrd was selected to command the forces which
amounted to six hundred men, Canadians and Indians. To render them
irresistible, they were supplied with two pieces of artillery. The posts
on the Licking were the first objects of the expedition.

In June they made their appearance before Ruddle's station; and this,
it is said, was the first intimation that the garrison had received of
their danger, though Butler states that the enemy were twelve days on
their march from the Ohio. The incidents of the invasion are few. The
fort at Ruddle's Station was in no condition to resist so powerful an
enemy backed by artillery, the defenses being nowise superior to those
we have before described.

They were summoned to surrender in the name of his Britannic Majesty,
with the promise of protection for their lives