ave held out, against the bravery and impetuosity of
two hundred backwoodsmen, stimulated to exertion by repeated
suffering, and nerved by the reflection, that they were requiting it
upon its principal authors. Col. Bowman doubtless believed that he was
pursuing a proper course. The gallantry and intrepidity, displayed by
him on many occasions, forbid the supposition that he was under the
influence of any unmilitary feeling, and prompted to that course by a
disposition to shrink from ordinary dangers. His motives were
certainly pure, and his subsequent exertions to rally his men and
bring them to face the foe, were as great as could have been made by
any one; but disheartened by the fear of unreal danger, and in the
trepidation of a flight, deemed to be absolutely necessary for their
safety, they could not be readily brought to bear the brunt of battle.
The efforts of a few cool and collected individuals, drove back the
pursuers, and thus prevented an harrassed retreat.

Notwithstanding the frequent irruptions of the Indians, and the
constant exposure of the settlers to suffering and danger, Kentucky
increased rapidly in population. From the influx of emigrants during
the fall and winter months, the number of its inhabitants were
annually doubled for some years; and new establishments were made in
various parts of the country. In April 1779, a block house was erected
on the present site of Lexington,[21] and several stations were
selected in its vicinity, and in the neighborhood of the present town
of Danville. Settlements were also made, in that year, on the waters
of Bear Grass, Green and Licking rivers, and parts of the country
began to be distinguished by their interior and frontier situation.

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[1] Called by the English, Fort Sackville.--R. G. T.

[2] From Clark's Journal: "January 29.--M. Vigo, a Spanish
subject who had been at Post St. Vincents on his lawful
business, arrived and gave us intelligence that Governor
Hamilton, with thirty regulars and fifty volunteers and about
400 Indians, had arrived in November and taken that post with
Capt. Helms and such other Americans who were there with arms,
and disarmed the settlers and inhabitants."--R. G. T.

[3] Forty-six men, under Lieut. John Rogers, went with the
artillery and stores, in a large galley or batteau, called the
"Willing." The distance to Vincennes by land, was a hundred and