The full text of this book can be found at the Hacker's Creek site : http://www.rootsweb.com/~hcpd/ >From CHRONICLES OF BORDER WARFARE, Alexander Scott Withers : "On the south fork of the South Branch of Potomac, in , what is now the county of Pendleton, was the fort of Capt. Sivert. In this fort, the inhabitants of what was then called the "Upper Tact,: all sought shelter from the tempest of savage ferocity; and at the time the Indians appeared before it, there were contained within its walls between thirty and forty persons of both sexes and of different ages. Among them was Mr. Dyer, (the father of Col. Dyer now of Pendleton) and his family. On the morning of the fatal day, Col. Dyer and his sister left the fort for the accomplishment of some object, and although no Indians had been seen there for some time, yet did they not proceed far, before they came in view of a party of forty or fifty Shawanees, going directly towards the fort. Alarmed for their own safety, as well as for the safety of their friends, the brother and sister endeavored by a hasty flight to reach the gate and gain admittance into the garrison; but before they could effect this, they were overtaken and made captives. The Indians rushed immediately to the ford and commenced a furious assault on it. Capt. Sivert prevailed (not without much opposition.) on the besieged, to forbear firing 'till he should endeavor to negotiate with, and buy off the enemy. With this view, and under protection of a flag he went out, and soon succeeded in making the wished for arrangement. When he returned, the gates were thrown open, and the enemy admitted. No sooner had the money and other articles, stipulated to be given, been handed over to the Indians, than a most bloody tragedy was begun to be acted. Arranging the inmates of the fort, in two rows, with the space of about ten feet between them, two Indians were selected; who taking each his station at the head of a row, with their tomahawks most cruelly murdered almost every white person in the fort; some few, whom caprice or some other cause, induced them to spare, were carried into captivity, -- such articles as could be well carried away were taken off by the Indians; the remainder was consumer, with the fort, by fire." ----- Original Message ----- From: MLS <autolycous@excite.com> To: <WVPENDLE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 1999 8:32 PM Subject: Fort Seybert--Howdershell > Ok, you guys, I've got a little tale that was told to me by my g-aunt. I'm > wondering if maybe someone else has heard anything similar. > > "One of the Howdershell women was kidnapped along with another woman named > Calger from a place called Fort Seybert, WVa. There was either 5 or 7 women > kidnapped. The indians took them to Chilcothey(sp?), Ohio. The Calger > woman and Howdershell woman escaped, came home. The Howdershell woman had a > baby by the indian. She named him Henry Howdershell." > > This may be the same Henry Howdershell who was the father of my > gg-grandmother, Mahala Josephine Howdershell b. abt 1858 in Pendleton Co. > Her mother was Elizabeth DERM. (Of course this info was given to me and I > have yet to prove it.) I believe the indians my aunt spoke of were Seneca. > > Any ideas? Anyone? > Just the tiniest clue would be much appreciated. > Thanks, > Michele, VA > > > > > _______________________________________________________ > Get your free, private email at http://mail.excite.com/ >