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I remained with my family on Clench until the sixth of June, 1774, when I and
one Michael Stoner were solicited by Governor Dunmore, of Virginia, to go to the
Falls of the Ohio, to conduct into the settlement a number of surveyors that had
been sent thither by him some months before; this country having about this time
drawn the attention of many adventurers. We immediately complied with the
Governor's request, and conducted in the surveyors, compleating a tour of eight
hundred miles, through many difficulties, in sixty-two days.
Soon after I returned home, I was ordered to take the command of three garrisons
during the campaign, which Governor Dunmore carried on against the Shawanese
Indians: After the conclusion of which, the Militia was discharged from each
garrrison, and I being relieved from my post, was solicited by a number of
North-Carolina gentlemen, that were about purchasing the lands lying on the S.
side of Kentucke River, from the Cherokee Indians, to attend their treaty at
Wataga, in March, 1775, to negotiate with them, and, mention the boundaries of
the purchase. This I accepted, and at the request of the same gentlemen,
undertook to mark out a road in the best passage from the settlement through the
wilderness to Kentucke, with such assistance as I thought necessary to employ
for such an important undertaking.
I soon began this work, having collected a number of enterprising men, well
armed. We proceeded with all possible expedition until we came within fifteen
miles of where Boonsborough now stands, and where we were fired upon by a party
of Indians that killed two, and wounded two of our number; yet, although
surprised and taken at a disadvantage, we stood our ground. This was on the
twentieth of March, 1775. Three days after, we were fired upon again, and had
two men killed, and three wounded. Afterwards we proceeded on to Kentucke river
without opposition; and on the first day of April began to erect the fort of
Boonsborough at a salt lick, about sixty yards from the river, on the S. side.
Adventure 8
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