somewhat; chiefly as to the number of cabins burnt—­from five to forty, and of horses captured—­from thirty to three hundred.  They agree in all essential points.  But as among the whites themselves there is one serious question.  Logan’s admirers, and most Kentucky historians, hold Bowman responsible for the defeat; but in reality (see Butler, p. 110) there seems strong reason to believe that it was simply due to the unexpectedly strong resistance of the Indians.  Bird’s letter shows, what the Kentuckians never suspected, that the attack was a great benefit to them in frightening the Indians and stopping a serious inroad.  It undoubtedly accomplished more than Clark’s attack on Piqua next year, for instance.] Logan, Harrod, and other famous frontier fighters went along.  The town was surprised, several cabins burned, and a number of horses captured.  But the Indians rallied, and took refuge in a central block-house and a number of strongly built cabins surrounding it, from which they fairly beat off the whites.  They then followed to harass the rear of their retreating foes, but were beaten off in turn.  Of the whites, nine were killed and two or three wounded; the Indians’ loss was two killed and five or six wounded.

The defeat caused intense mortification to the whites; but in reality the expedition was of great service to Kentucky, though the Kentuckians never knew it.  The Detroit people had been busily organizing expeditions against Kentucky.  Captain Henry Bird had been given charge of one, and he had just collected two hundred Indians at the Mingo town when news of the attack on Chillicothe arrived.  Instantly the Indians dissolved in a panic, some returning to defend their towns; others were inclined to beg peace of the Americans.  So great was their terror that it was found impossible to persuade them to make any inroad as long as they deemed themselves menaced by a counter attack of the Kentuckians. [Footnote:  Haldimand MSS.  De Peyster to Haldimand, Nov. 20, 1779.]

    Occasional Indian Forays.

It is true that bands of Mingos, Hurons, Delawares, and Shawnees made occasional successful raids against the frontier, and brought their scalps and prisoners in triumph to Detroit, [Footnote:  Haldimand MSS.  De Peyster to Haldimand, Oct. 20, 1779.] where they drank such astonishing quantities of rum as to incite the indignation of the British commander-in-chief. [Footnote:  Haldimand MSS.  Haldimand’s letter, July 23, 1779.] But instead of being able to undertake any formidable expedition against the settlers, the Detroit authorities were during this year much concerned for their own safety, taking every possible means to provide for the defence, and keeping a sharp look-out for any hostile movement of the Americans. [Footnote:  Haldimand MSS., April 8, 1779.]