Source:Campbell to Preston, October 1 1774

From source:Thwaites and Kellogg, 1905:219-222 l Hamilton prepared a brief article article on this incident. According to Hamilton the incident involved three men who had gone out to check on a pigeon trap. The other two men, whose names have not survived, managed to get back to the fort unharmed. Hamilton says that the leader of this party of Indians was John Logan. It is not known on what Hamilton based these additional data.

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Maj. Arthur Campbell to Col. William Preston. Draper MSC 3QQ109 Saturday Oct. 1, 1774

Dear Sir—Last Thursday [Sept. 29] between sunset and dark, three Men was fired at within 300 Yds [of] Moors Fort on Clinch one John Duncan was shot dead on the Spot; and Scalped, altho a party of Men ran out of the Fort to the place as soon as the Guns fired; The Indians ran off and Night prevented them then being followed. The Express came of[f] next morning early. Mr. Boone was preparing to go in search of the Enemy. Mr. Boone also informs me that the Indians has been frequently about Blackmores, since the Negroes was taken; And Capt. Looney has so few Men that he cannot venture to go in pursuit of them, having only eleven Men I have had no Word yet from Doack, Thompson, Montgomery or Cox, and indeed I am afraid there will few if any come, If I may now judge of their conduct from that in time of the former alarms. If the[y] don't come I hope you will judge it expedient to endeavour to raise Men elsewhere.

I Wrote Capt. Thomas Bryan lately who has a large stock on Mockison, that I would be glad he could come over and bring a parcel of good Woodsmen with him, but as I give himself no encouragement to be employed asistance from there is uncertain. Mr. Boone has sent me the War Club that was left it is diffirent from that left at Blackmores; Mr. Boone thinks it is the Cherokees that is now annoying us, I rather believe it is some of Major M-Donalds desperate fugitives that has taken refuge some where on the Ohio [to] the back of us; and would willingly deceive us into a belief that it is the Cherokees, that they may succeed that way to create a misunderstanding between us and the old Chiefs. Your Letter to Ocanas-soto I expect will have a speedy conveyance as there is at Wattaga two Cherokees friends of ours who I expect will carry it for a small reward; and I have wrote to Mr. Carter that the Messenger must bring an Answer, before he gets his pay For which I will wait with impatience, as it may clear up the Present doubts.

I have inclosed a letter of Abraham Bledsoe to me. The Man is a good Woodsman, as to the other parts of his Character I am but a stranger to. I don't know as Col. Wright or Armstrong is to be trusted as I am well informed they behaved with extreme duplicity to Capt. Jones on a late occasion; besides I understand Armstrong wants to get possession of that part of Colo. Donelsons purchase between Holston and the West Line. As Armstrong looks upon it he has a right to the emoluments of that bent [bend] as a Surveyor in North-Carolina.

Capt. Tom. Bryan is a good honest fellow if he raises Men I wish you would encourage him. If you have an oppertunity Please let Capt. Bledsoe know I have ordered Men to be stationed at his House; besides there is upwards of 20 Men ranging between him and the North-fork. It may be well to let him know this piece of News, as the present alarms may go to the levels worse than it is, and he may do a disservice if he should turn home. I shall have a particular attention to all the Gents. Ladies that is on the Expedition[1], and shall afford them all reasonable assistance in my power. I am Dear Sir Your most Obedient Servant

___________________________________________________________ Notes: 1. This is a reference to the expedition that culminated in the Battle of Point Pleasant, the effective end of Dunmore's War on 10 October, 1774.