n the second night thereafter, encamped within one mile of the
village of Gnadenhutten; and in the morning proceeded towards it, in
the order of attack prescribed by a council of the officers.

The village being built upon both sides of the river, and the scouts
having discovered and reported that it was occupied on both sides,
one-half the men were ordered to cross over and bear down upon the
town on the western bank, while the other half would possess
themselves of that part of it which lay on the eastern shore. Upon the
arrival of the first division at the river, no boat or other small
craft was seen in which they could be transported across; and they
were for a time, in some difficulty how they should proceed. What
appeared to be a canoe was at length discovered on the opposite bank,
and a young man by the name of Slaughter, plunging in swam to it. It
proved to be a trough for containing sugar water, and capable of
bearing only two persons at a time. To obviate the delay which must
have resulted from this tedious method of conveying themselves over,
many of the men unclothed themselves, and placing their garments, arms
and ammunition in the trough, swam by its sides, notwithstanding that
ice was floating in the current and the water, consequently, cold and
chilling.

When nearly half this division had thus reached the western bank, two
sentinels, who on the first landing had been stationed a short
distance in advance, discovered and fired at, one of the Indians.
[235] The shot of one broke his arm,--the other killed him. Directions
were then sent to the division which was to operate on the eastern
side of the river, to move directly to the attack, lest the firing
should alarm the inhabitants and they defeat the object which seemed
now to be had in view. The few who had crossed without awaiting for
the others, marched immediately into the town on the western shore.

Arrived among the Indians, they offered no violence, but on the
contrary, professing peace and good will, assured them, they had come
for the purpose of escorting them safely to Fort Pitt, that they might
no longer be exposed to molestation from the militia of the whites, or
the warriors of the savages. Sick of the sufferings which they had so
recently endured, and rejoicing at the prospect of being delivered
from farther annoyance they gave up their arms, and with alacrity
commenced making preparations for the journey, providing food as well
for the w