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Date: April 14, 1792 - Capt Kenton and Capt McIntire left to find several horses that were stolen by Indians.

In the month of April, 1792, a number of horses belonging to Captain Luther Calvin of Mason county, were stolen by the Indians; and, as usual, a strong party volunteered to go in pursuit of the enemy and recover the property.  The party consisted of thirty-seven men, commanded by Captains Calvin and Kenton, and was composed chiefly of young farmers, most of whom had not yet met an enemy.  Captain Charles Ward, late deputy sheriff of Mason county, was one of the volunteers, and was at that time a mere lad, totally unaquainted with Indian warfare.  They rendezvoused upon the Kentucky shore, immediately opposite Ripley, and crossing the river in a small ferry boat, pursued the trail
for five or six miles with great energy.  Here, however, a specimen of the usual caprice and uncertainty attending the motions of militia, was given.  One of the party, whose voice had been loud and resolute while on the Kentucky shore, all at once managed to discover that the enterprise was rash, ill advised, and if prosecuted, would certainly prove disastrous.  A keen debate ensued, in which young Spencer Calvin, then a lad of eighteen, openly accused the gentleman alluded to of cowardice, and even threatened to take the measure of his shoulders with a ramrod, on the spot.  By the prompt interference of Kenton and the elder Calvin, the young man's wrath was appeased for the time, and all
those who preferred safety to honor, were invited instantly to return.  The permission was promptly accepted, and no less than fifteen men, headed by a recreant already mentioned, turned their horses’ heads and re-crossed the river.  The remainder, consisting chiefly of experienced warriors, continued the pursuit.

The trail led them down on the Miami, and about noon on the second day, they heard a bell in front, apparently from a horse grazing. Cautiously approaching it, they beheld a solitary Indian, mounted on horseback, and leisurely advancing towards them.  A few of their best marksmen fired upon him and brought him to the ground.  After a short consultation, it was then determined to follow his back trail, and ascertain whether there were more in the neighborhood.  A small, active, resolute woodsman, named McINTYRE, accompanied by three others, was pushed on in advance, in order to give them early notice of the enemy's appearance, while the main body followed at a more leisurely pace.  Within an hour, McINTYRE returned, and reported that they were then within a short distance of a large party of Indians, supposed to be  greatly superior to their own.  That they were encamped in a bottom upon the borders of a creek, and were amusing themselves, apparently awaiting the arrival of the Indian whom they had just killed, as they would occasionally halloo loudly, and then laugh immoderately,
supposing, probably, that their comrade had lost his way.

This intelligence fell like a shower bath upon the spirits of the party, who, thinking it more prudent to put a greater interval between themselves and the enemy, set spurs to their horses, and galloped back in the direction from which they had come.  Such was the panic, that one of the footmen, a huge hulking fellow, six feet high, in his zeal for his own safety, sprung up behind Capt. Calvin, (* who was then mounted upon Capt. Ward's horse, the captain having dismounted in order to accommodate him), and nothing short of a threat to blow his brains out, could induce him to dismount.  In this orderly manner they scampered through the woods for several miles, when, in obedience to the orders of
Kenton and Calvin, they halted, and prepared for resistance in case (as was probable) the enemy had discovered them, and were engaged in the pursuit.  Kenton and Calvin were engaged apart in earnest consultation.  It was proposed that a number of saplings should be cut down and a temporary breastwork erected, and while the propriety of these measures was under discussion, the men were left to themselves.

Finding themselves not pursued by the enemy, as they had expected, it was determined that they should remain in their present position until night, when a rapid attack was to be made, in two divisions, upon the Indian camp, under the impression that the darkness of the night, and the surprise of the enemy, might give them an advantage, which they could scarcely hope for in daylight.  Accordingly, every thing remaining quiet at dusk, they again mounted and advanced rapidly, but in profound silence, upon the Indian camp.  It was ascertained that the horses which the enemy had stolen were grazing in a rich bottom below their camp.  As they were advancing to the attack therefore, Calvin detached his son with several halters, which he had borrowed from the men, to regain their own horses, and be prepared to carry them off in case the enemy should overpower them.  The
attack was then made in two divisions.

Calvin conducted the upper and Kenton the lower party.  The wood was thick, but the moon shone out clearly, and enabled them to distinguish objects with sufficient precision.  Calvins’s party came first in contact with the enemy.  They had advanced within thirty yards of a large fire in front of a number of tents, without having seen a single Indian, when a dog, which had been watching them for several minutes, sprung forward to meet them, baying loudly.  Presently an Indian appeared approaching cautiously towards them, and occasionally speaking to the dog in the Indian tongue.  This sight was too tempting to be borne, and Calvin heard the tick of a dozen rifles in rapid succession, as his party cocked them in order to fire.  The Indian was too close to permit him to speak, but turning to his men he earnestly waved his hand as a warning to be quiet.  Then cautiously
raising his own rifle, he fired with a steady aim, just as the Indian had reached the fire, and stood fairly exposed to its light.

The report of the rifle instantly broke the stillness of the night, and their ears were soon deafened by the yells of the enemy.  The Indian at whom Calvin had fired, fell forward into the burning pile of faggots, and, by his struggles to extricate himself, scattered the brands so much, as almost to extinguish the light.  Several dusky forms glanced rapidly before them for a moment, which drew a volley from his men, but with what effect could not be ascertained.  Calvin, having discharged his piece, turned so rapidly as to strike the end of his ramrod against a tree behind him, and drive it into its sheath with such violence, that he was unable to extricate it for several minutes, and finally fractured two of his teeth in the effort.

A heavy fire now commenced from the Indian camp, which was returned with equal spirit by the whites, but without much effect on either side.  Trees were barked very plentifully, dogs bayed, the Indians yelled,  the whites shouted, the squaws screamed, and a prodigious uproar was maintained for about fifteen minutes, when it was reported to Calvin that Kenton’s party had been overpowered, and was in full retreat.  It was not necessary to give orders for a similar movement.  No sooner than the intelligence been received, than the Kentuckians of the upper division broke their ranks, and every man attempted to save himself as he best could.  They soon overtook the lower division, and a hot scramble took place for horses.  One called upon another to wait for him until he could catch his horse, which had broken his bridle, but no attention was paid to the request.  Some fled upon their own horses, others mounted those of their friends. “First come, first served,” seemed to be the order of the night, and a sad confusion of property took place, in consequence of which, to their great terror, a few were compelled to return on foot.  The fight was originally caused by the panic of an individual.  As the lower division moved up to the attack, most of the men appeared to advance with alacrity.  The
action quickly commenced, and at the first fire from the Indians, Barre, a young Kentuckian, was shot by _______’s side. (Authors omission)  This circumstance completely overthrew the courage of this one of the party, who had been the most boisterous and blustering when the chase commenced, but whose courage had visibly declined since the first encounter of the morning; and elevating his voice to its shrillest notes, he shouted, “boys! it won't do for us to be here; Barre is killed, and the Indians
are crossing the creek!”  Bonapart has said, that there is a critical period in every battle, when the bravest men will eagerly seize an excuse to run away.  The remark is doubly true with regard to militia.

No sooner had this speech been uttered by one who had never yet been charged with cowardice, than the rout instantly took place, and all order was disregarded.  Fortunately, the enemy were equally frightened, and probably would have fled themselves, had the whites given them time.  No pursuit took place for several hours, nor did they then pursue the trail of the main body of fugitives.  McINTYRE, however, who had turned off from the main route, was pursued by the Indians, overtaken, tomahawked and scalped.

It is somewhat remarkable, that a brother of Capt. Ward’s was in the Indian camp at the moment when it was attacked.......he afterwards ascertained that she was his brother's child.

The celebrated Tecumseh commanded the Indians.    His cautious yet fearless intrepidity made him a host wherever he went.  In military tactics night attacks are not allowable, except in cases like this, when the assailing party are fare inferior in numbers.  Sometimes, in such attacks, panics and confusion are created in the attacked party, which may render then a prey to inferior numbers.  Kenton trusted to this on the present occasion, but Tecumseh's presence and influence over the minds of his followers infused such confidence that superior numbers only could prevail over them.
 

In the name of God Amen I Willliam McEntire of the County of Washington in the State of Pennsylvany Being weak in body but sound in memory knowing it is once appointed for all men to die First I recommend my Soul to God that gaive it, my body to the Earth from whence it was taken, to be buried in a decent manner and of all the worldy goods wherewith it hath pleased god to bless me.  I will Dispose of in the following manner (viz) I the first place I will and bequeath Unto my Dear beloved wife Elizabeth all my moveable estate and the whole use of all my Land during the time she remains my widdow and if she should marry she is to have the one third part of all my Estate real and personal to her and her hears and assigns for ever, the Other two thirds to be equally divided amongst all my Childrin to them their heirs and assigns for ever and it is farther my will that my trusty friends my Father and Father in law Nicholas McEntire, and Colo. David Shepherd, be my Exuctors I do hereby declare this to be my last will and Testament Given under my hand and sale this twenty seventh Day of December in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty two N. B. the words Intirlined between the tenth and  Elevinth lines was Entered before signd.

William McEntire did on the day and year above written Declared this to be this last will and testament and sign the same in the presence of us brice virgin, Mathew Morkland, Joseph Clark.

William McEntire (seal)

The above will was proved in Court by Brice Virgin, Matthew Markland & Joseph Clark the Subscribing witnesses and Ordered to be Recorded.

David McClure Clk.