ere
left dead on the field, and many, were no doubt wounded.[16]

So signally was the savage army repulsed, in their repeated attacks on
Boonesborough, that they never afterwards made any great effort to
effect its reduction. The heroism and intrepidity of Boone and his
assistants rendered it impregnable to their combined exertions to
demolish it; while the vigilance and caution of the inhabitants,
convinced them, that it would be fruitless and unavailing to devise
plans for gaining admission into the fort, by stratagem or wile. Still
however, they kept up a war of ravage and murder, against such as were
unfortunately found defenceless and unprotected; and levelled combined
operations against other and weaker positions.

[196] The success of the expedition under Col. Clarke, though
productive of many and great advantages to the [195] frontier
inhabitants, did not achieve for them, an unmolested security. Their
property was still liable to plunder, and families newly arrived among
them, to be murdered or taken prisoners. Combined efforts were
required, to put a period to savage aggression; and a meeting of the
settlers was held at Harrodsburg, to concert measures to effect that
object. Their consultation resulted in a determination, to carry the
war into the enemy's country; and as the Shawanees had been most
efficient in waging hostilities, it was resolved to commence
operations, against their most considerable town. Two hundred
volunteers were accordingly raised, and when rendezvoused at
Harrodsburg, were placed under the command of Col. Bowman, and
proceeded against Chillicothe.[17]

The expedition thus fitted out, arrived, by forced marches, near to
Chillicothe in the evening towards the latter end of July, 1779; and
on deliberation, it was agreed to defer the attack 'till next morning.
Before dawn the army was drawn up and arranged in order of battle. The
right wing led on by Col. Bowman, was to assume a position on one
side of the town, and the left, under Capt. Logan, was to occupy the
ground on the opposite side; and at a given signal, both were to
develope to the right and left, so as to encircle and attack it in
concert.[18] The party, led on by Logan, repaired to the point
assigned, and was waiting in anxious, but vain expectation for the
signal of attack to be given, when the attention of the Indians was
directed towards him by the barking of their dogs. At this instant a
gun was discharged by one of Bowm