and is on the east side of the rock. How long the stain of human blood would remain visible in a position like this, the author cannot pretend to express an opinion; but he well recollects the late Gen. Isaac Zane informed him that the Indians beat out the brains of an infant (near his old iron works) against a rock, and the stain of the blood was plainly to be seen about forty years afterwards. In this battle it is said but one Delaware escaped, and he did so by leaping into the river, diving under the water, and continuing to swim until he crossed the Cohongoruton.*

A great battle between these hostile tribes, it is said, was fought at what is called the Hanging Rocks, on the Wappatomaka, in the county of Hampshire, where the river passes through the mountain.† A pretty large party of the Delawares had invaded the territory of the Catawbas, taken several prisoners and commenced their retreat homewards. When they reached this place, they made a halt, and a number of them commenced fishing. Their Catawba enemies, close in pursuit, discovered them, and threw a party of men across the river, with another in their front. Thus enclosed, with the rock on one side, a party on the opposite side of the river, another in their front, and another in their rear, a most furious and bloody onset was made, and it is believed that several hundred of the Delawares were slaughtered. Indeed, the signs now to be seen at this place exhibit striking evidences of the fact. There is a row of Indian graves between the rock and public road, along the margin of the river, of from 60 to 70 yards in length. It is believed that but very few of the Delawares escaped.

There are also signs of a bloody battle having been fought at the forks of the Wappatomaka; but of this

*Capt. James Glenn, confirmed by Mr. Garret Blue, of Hampshire. Indeed this tradition is familiar to most of the elderly citizens on the South Branch, as also the battle of the Hanging Rocks.

tAs the author expects to give a detailed description of this extraordinary place, in his chapter of natural curiosities, he will barely mention the fact, that this rock, on one side of the river, is a perpendicular wall of several hundred feet high, and several hundred yards in length.

battle, if it ever occurred, the author could obtain no traditional account.

Tradition also relates that the Southern Indians exterminated a tribe, called the Senedos, on the North fork of the Shenandoah river, at the present residence of William Steenbergen, Esq., in the county of Shenandoah. About the year 1734, Benjamin Allen. Riley Moore, and William White, settled in this neighborhood. Benjamin Allen settled on the beautiful estate called Allen's bottom. An aged Indian frequently visited him, and on one occasion informed him that the "Southern Indians killed his whole nation with the exception of himself and one other youth; that this bloody slaughter took place when he, the Indian, was a small boy."* From this tradition, it is probable this horrid affair took place some time shortly after the middle of the seventeenth century. Maj. Andrew Keyser also informed the author that an Indian once called at his grandfather's, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, appeared to be much agitated, and asked for something to eat. After refreshing himself, he was asked what disturbed him. He replied, "The Southern Indians have killed my whole nation."

There are also evident signs of the truth of this tradition yet to be seen. On Mr. Steenbergen's land are the remains of an Indian mound, though it is now plowed down. The ancient settlers in the neighborhood differ in their opinion as to the original hight. When they first saw it, some say it was 18 or 20 feet high, others that it did not exceed 12 or 14, and that it was from 50 to 60 yards in circumference at the base. This mound was literally filled with human skeletons; and it is highly probable that this was the depository of the dead after the great massacre which took place as just related.

This brief account of Indian battles contains all the traditionary information the author has been able to collect, with one exception, which will be noticed in the

"Mr. Israel Allen related to L. tradition to the author.

next chapter. There is, however, a tradition, that on one particular occasion, a party of thirty Delaware Indians, having penetrated far to the south, surprised a party of Catawbas, killed several, and took a prisoner. The party of Delawares, on their return, called at Mr. Joseph Perrill's, near Winchester, and exulted much at their success. The next day a party of ten Catawbas called at Mr. Perrill's in pursuit. They inquired when their enemy had passed. Being informed, they pushed off at a brisk step, overtook the 30 Delawares at the Cohongoruton (Potomac), killed every man, recovered their prisoner, called at Mr. Perrill's on their return, and told what they had done. But it is probable this is the same affair which took place at the mouth of Antietam, though it is possible that it may be a different one. Mr. Tomlinson is under the impression that there was an Indian battle fought at the mouth of Opequon.

The author has seen and conversed with several aged and respectable individuals, who well recollect seeing numerous war parties of the Northern and Southern Indians passing and repassing through the valley. Several warrior paths have been pointed out to him. One of them led from the Cohongoruton (Potomac), and passed a little west of Winchester southwardly. This path forked a few miles north of Winchester, and one branch of it diverged more to the east, crossed Opequon, very near Mr. Carter's paper mill, on the creek, and led on toward the forks of the Shenandoah river. Another crossed the North mountain and the valley a few miles above the Narrow Passage, thence over the Fort mountain to the South river valley. Another crossed from Cumberland, in Maryland, and proceeded up the Wappatomaka or Great South Branch valley, in the counties of Hampshire and Hardy.

An aged and respectable old lady, on Apple-pie ridge, informed the author that she had frequently heard her mother speak of a party of Delaware Indians once

* Gen. John Smith communicated this tradition to the author.

sto, ping at her father's, where they stayed all night. They had in custody a young female Catawba prisoner, who was one of the most beautiful females she had ever seen. Maj. R. D. Glass also informed the author that his father, who then resided at the head of Opequon, stated the same fact. It was remarkable to see with what resignation this unfortunate young prisoner submitted to her fate. Her unfeeling tormentors would tie her, and compel her at night to lay on her back, with the cords distended from her hands and feet, and tied to branches or what else they could get at to make her secure, while a man laid on each side of her with the cord passing under their bodies.

Mr. John Tomlinson also informed the author, that when about 7 or 8 years of age, he saw a party of Delawares pass his father's house, with a female Catawba prisoner, who had an infant child in her arms; and that it was said they intended to sacrifice her when they reached their towns.*

Tradition also relates a very remarkable instance of the sacrifice of a female Catawba prisoner by the Delawares. A party of Delawares crossed the Potomac, near Oldtown, in Maryland, a short distance from which they cruelly murdered their prisoner: they then moved The next day several of them returned, and at off the soles of her feet, in order to prevent her from pursuing and hanting them on their march.t

on.

Capt. Glenn informed the author that a Mrs. Mary Friend, who resided on or near the Potomac, stated to him that she once saw a body of four or five hundred Catawba Indians on ther march to invade the Delawares; but from some cause they became alarmed, and returned without success.

The same gentleman stated to the author that a Mr. James Hendricks informed him that the last sacrifice made by the Delawares, of their Catawba prisoners,

"Mr. Tomlinson's father then resided about 7 miles below the mouth of Conococheague, on or near the Potomac, on the Maryland side.

Mr. G. Blue, of lampshire, stated this tradition to the author.

was at the first run or stream of water on the south side of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Here several prisoners were tortured to death with all the wonted barbarity and cruelty peculiar to the savage character. Mr. Hendricks was an eye witness to this scene of horror. During the protracted and cruel sufferings of these unhappy victims, they tantalized and used the most insulting language to their tormentors, threatening them with the terrible vengeance of their nation as long as they could speak.

This bloody tragedy soon reached the ears of the governor of Pennsylvania, and he forthwith issued his proclamation, commanding and requiring all the authorities, both civil and military, to interpose, and prohibit a repetition of such acts of barbarity and cruelty. The author will now conclude this narrative of Indian wars with a few general reflections.

It is the opinion of some philosophers that it is inherent in the nature of man to fight. The correctness of this opinion Mr. Jefferson seems to doubt, and suggests that "it grows out of the abusive and not the natural state of man." But it really appears there are strong reasons to believe that there does exist "a natural state of hostility of man against man." Upon what other principle can we account for the long and furious wars which have been carried on, at different periods, among the aboriginals of our country?

At an immense distance apart, probably little less than six or seven hundred miles, without trade, commerce, or clashing of interests-without those causes of irritation common among civilized states,--we find these two nations for a long series of years engaged in the most implacable and destructive wars. Upon what other principle to account for this state of things than that laid down, is a subject which the author cannot

*The Catawba tribes reside on the river of that name in South Carolina. They were a powerful and warlike nation, but are now reduced to less than two hundred souls. The Delawares resided at that period on the Susquehanna river, in Pennsylvania, and are now far west of the Allegany mountains.