ever invaded Kentucky; and they indignantly
resented this violation of their territory. The evacuation of the fort
was the terms of a peace which the Chickasaws faithfully observed.

The winter of 1781, was one of unusual length and distress for the young
settlement of Kentucky. Many of the immigrants arrived after the close
of the hunting season; and beside, were unskilful in the difficult
pursuit of supplying themselves with game. The Indians had destroyed
most of the corn of the preceding summer, and the number of persons to
be supplied had rapidly increased. These circumstances created a
temporary famine, which, added to the severity of the season, inflicted
much severe suffering upon the settlement. Boone and Harrod were abroad,
breasting the keen forest air, and seeking the retreat of the deer and
buffalo, now becoming scarce, as the inhabitants multiplied. These
indefatigable and intrepid men supplied the hungry immigrants with the
flesh of buffaloes and deers; and the hardy settlers, accustomed to
privations, and not to over delicacy in their food, contented themselves
to live entirely on meat, until, in the ensuing autumn, they once more
derived abundance from the fresh and fertile soil.

In May, 1782, a body of savages assaulted Ashton's station, killed one
man, and took another prisoner. Captain Ashton, with twenty-five men,
pursued and overtook them. An engagement, which lasted two hours,
ensued. But the great superiority of the Indians in number, obliged
Captain Ashton to retreat. The loss of this intrepid party was severe.
Eight were killed, and four mortally wounded--their brave commander
being among the number of the slain. Four children were taken captive
from Major Hoy's station, in August following. Unwarned by the fate of
Captain Ashton's party. Captain Holden, with the inadequate force of
seventeen men, pursued the captors, came up with them, and were defeated
with the loss of four men killed, and one wounded.

This was one of the most disastrous periods since the settlement of the
country. A number of the more recent and feeble stations, were so
annoyed by savage hostility as to be broken up. The horses were carried
off, and the cattle killed in every direction. Near Lexington, a man at
work in his field, was shot dead by a single Indian, who ran upon his
foe to scalp him, and was himself shot dead from the fort, and fell on
the body of his foe.

During the severity of winter, the fury of Indian