The Attack on Logan's Station

One of the things that make history so exciting for me is to read of the daring exploits of those men who have gone before us.  These compelling stories should be more than just entertainment for us, they should be examples for us to follow and emulate in our quest for living a life of Christian manhood.  Here is another example from the days of the colonial frontier.

On the night preceding the commencement of the attack on the fort [Logan’s Station], the Indians had approached near to it unperceived, and secreted themselves in a cane brake, which had been suffered to remain around the cabins.

Early in the morning [May 30, 1777] the women, went out to milk, guarded by most of the garrison; and before they were aware of impending danger, the concealed Indians opened a general fire, which killed three of the men, and drove the others, hastily within the fort.  A most affecting spectacle was then presented to view, well calculated to excite the sympathies of human nature, and arouse to action a man possessed of the generous sensibility and noble daring, which animated the bosom of [Capt. Benjamin] Logan.

One of the men who had fallen on the first fire of the Indians and had been supposed by his comrades to be dead, was in truth though badly wounded, yet still alive; and was observed feebly struggling to crawl towards the fort.  The fear of laceration and mangling from the horrid scalping knife, and of tortures from more barbarous instruments, seemed to abate his exertions in dragging his wounded body along, lest he should be discovered and borne off by some infuriated and unfeeling savage.  It was doubtful too, whether his strength would endure long enough to enable him to reach the gate, even if unmolested by any apprehension of danger.  The magnanimous and intrepid Logan resolved on making an effort to save him.  He endeavored to raise volunteers, to accompany him without the fort, and bring in their poor wounded companion.  It seemed as if courting the quick embrace of death, and even his adventurous associates for an instant, shrunk from the danger.  At length a man by the name of Martin, who plumed himself on rash and daring deeds, consented to aid in the enterprise; and the two proceeded towards the gate.  Here the spirit of Martin forsook him, and he recoiled from the hazardous adventure. Logan was then alone. He beheld the feeble, but wary exertions of his unfortunate comrade, entirely subside; and he could not hesitate.  He rushed quickly through the gate, caught the unhappy victim in his arms, and bore him triumphantly into the fort, amid a shower of bullets aimed at him; and some of which buried themselves in the pallisades close by his head.  A most noble and disinterested achievement, and worthy of all commendation.¹

Amen!  Such selfless bravery is worthy of our commendation and emulation.

Christ, not man, is King!

Dale

1)   Alexander Scott Withers, Chronicles of Border Warfare (Cincinnati, OH: Stewart & Kidd Company, 1912), p. 202-04.