1835 ACCOUNT DETAILING ENCOUNTER WITH HOSTILE NATIVE AMERICAN WARRIORS

...it was too late to retreat, for the Indians on the other side were close upon them, so firing their rifles and striking their spurs into their horses at the same time they succeeded in passing their enemies..."

Autograph document signed. N.p., [1835]. 2 pages, 4to. 

A compelling account of two frontiersmen and their encounter with a band of Native Americans. 

The document reads in full: "On the twentieth of March 1835 might have been seen two Horsemen slowly making their way through the woods in the northern part of the Indian Territory. They were dressed in the manner of the Backwoodsmen, with Buckskin frocks, and a belt around the waist in which was thrust a long knife, together with a brace of pistols. Their mission if we might judge by their looks, was not of the safest kind for they proceeded in the most cautious manner, the horses seeming to partake of the same spirit of silence as the riders. As the darkness came on they halted by the side of a small stream to camp for the night. After tying their horses to a tree they sat down, and taking a piece of raw salt pork from their knapsacks without anything else except some water from the stream they finished their meal and lay down on the grass for the night. At about 2 o'clock they were startled by a slight noise at no great distance from them and before they had time to collect themselves they were surrounded by a band of Indians. They both grasped their rifles and, springing into the saddles dashed towards the spot where they supposed there was the least number of Indians, though in this they were mistaken, but it was too late to retreat for the Indians on the other side were close upon them so firing their rifles and striking their spurs into their horses at the same time they succeeded in passing their enemies, who as soon as they saw that their prey had escaped darted off in pursuit."

Another hand has signed “William H. Rigg,” though it remains unclear whether this individual was the author, a later owner, or otherwise connected to the events described.

 [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [Native Americans, Native American History, American Indian, Indian History]