re unmeaning and inexpressive; and what with the effect
produced on the dead bodies, by the excessive heat and the mangling
and disfiguration of the tomahawk and scalping knife, scarcely one
could be distinguished from another. Friends tortured themselves in
vain, to find friends, in the huge mass of slain,--fathers to
recognize their sons. The mournful gratification of bending over the
lifeless bodies of dear relations and gazing with intense anxiety on
their pallid features, was denied them. Undistinguished, though not
unmarked, all were alike consigned to the silent grave, amid sighs of
sorrow and denunciations of revenge.

An expedition against the Indian towns was immediately resolved upon,
and in September, Gen. Clarke marched towards them, at the head of
nearly one thousand men. Being discovered on their route and the
intelligence soon spreading that an army from [262] Kentucky was
penetrating the country, the savages deserted their villages and fled;
and the expedition was thus hindered of its purpose of chastising
them. The towns however were burned, and in a skirmish with a party of
Indians, five of them were killed, and seven made prisoners, with the
loss of only one man.[12]

The Indian forces which were to operate against North Western
Virginia, for some time delayed their purpose, and did not set out on
their march, until awhile before the return of those who had been
sent into Kentucky. On their way, a question arose among them--against
what part of the country they should direct their movements--and their
division on this subject, rising by degrees 'till it assumed a serious
aspect, led many of the chiefs to determine on abandoning the
expedition; but a runner arriving with intelligence of the great
success which had crowned the exertion of the army in Kentucky, they
changed that determination, and proceeded hastily towards Wheeling.

In the first of September, John Lynn (a celebrated spy and the same
who had been with Capt. Foreman at the time of the fatal ambuscade at
Grave creek) being engaged in watching the warriors paths, northwest
of the Ohio, discovered the Indians marching with great expedition for
Wheeling, and hastening to warn the inhabitants of the danger which
was threatening them, swam the river, and reached the village, but a
little while before the savage army made its appearance. The fort was
at this time without any regular garrison, and depended for defence
exclusively, on the exer