In the early morning hours before daylight on this day 250 years ago on Silver Creek in Kentucky, a party of Native Americans attack the encampment of Daniel Boone’s trailblazing party while they were constructing the Boone Trace. Captain William Twitty (sometimes spelled Twetty) was mortally wounded, and his slave, Sam, was killed instantly. Felix Walker was severely wounded but eventually survived. The Native Americans captured a couple of horses and then disappeared into the night.
Boone and other members of the party were not injured in the assault but the injuries to Twitty and Walker were so severe that they could not be moved safely. Boone’s company built a log shelter as a protective defensive position for the entire party while Twitty and Walker recovered. Within a few days Twitty died and was buried with Sam at the site. The wooden structure became known as “Twitty’s Fort” or “The Little Fort” and was occupied for many years afterwards as the first white settlement in Kentucky.
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And on this day 250 years ago in Richmond, the Virginia Convention resolved to close the official courts authorized by the British government and that
the lawyers, suitors, and witnesses, ought not to attend the prosecution or defence of civil suits at the next General Court; and it is recommended to the several courts of justice not to proceed to the hearing or determination of suits on their dockets . . . . And during this suspention of the administration of justice, it is earnestly recommended to the people to observe a peaceable and orderly behaviour, to all creditors to be as indulgent to their debtors as may be, and to all debtors to pay as far as they are able; and where differences may arise which cannot be adjusted between the parties, that they refer the decision thereof to judicious neighbours, and abide by their determination.
The Virginia Convention also adopted a resolution organizing the Militia drafted by a committee that included Thomas Jefferson and George Washington:
that it be recommended to the inhabitants of the several counties of this colony that they form one or more Voluntier companies of infantry and troops of horse in each county and be in constant training and readiness to act on any emergency.
. . .
That each company of infantry consist of sixty eight rank and file to be commanded by one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, four serjeants, four corporals and that they have a drummer and be furnished with a drum and colors: that every man be provided with a good Rifle if to be had, or otherwise with a common firelock, bayonet and cartouch box; and also with a tomahawk, one pound of gunpowder, and four pounds of ball at least fitted to the bore of his gun; that he be cloathed in a hunting shirt by way of uniform; and that all endeavor as soon as possible to become acquainted with the military exercise for infantry appointed to be used by his majesty in the year 1764.
That each troop of horse consist of thirty exclusive of officers: that every horseman be provided with a good horse, bridle, saddle with pistols and Holsters, a carbine or other short firelock with a bucket, a cutting Sword or tomahawk, one pound of gunpowder and four pound of ball at the least, and use the utmost diligence in training and accustoming his horse to stand the discharge of firearms, and in making himself acquainted with the military exercise for Cavalry.
That in order to make a further and more ample provision of ammunition it be recommended to the Committees of the several counties that they collect from their constituents in such manner as shall be most agreeable to them, so much money as will be sufficient to purchase half a pound of gun-powder, one pound of lead, necessary flints and cartridge paper for every titheable person in their county, that they immediately take effectual measures for the procuring such gunpowder, lead, flints and cartridge paper, and dispose thereof when procured in such place or places of safety as they may think best. And it is earnestly recommended to each individual to pay such proportion of the money necessary for these purposes as by the respective committees shall be judged requisite.
Sources: https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/rbc/rbpe/rbpe17/rbpe178/17802300/17802300.pdf; “Report of Committee to Prepare a Plan for a Militia, [25 March 1775],” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-01-02-0098. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 1, 1760–1776, ed. Julian P. Boyd. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1950, pp. 160–162.]
And on this day in New York City, in contrast to the preparations for War by the Virginia Convention, the General Assembly of the Colony of New York adopted a “humble petition” that asked the King to hear their “Prayer of your faithful Subjects, and while we are pleading our own Cause, and the Course of Liberty and Humanity, deign to consider us as Advocates for our Sister Colonies also.” The petition then politely asked the King to repeal each of the Intolerable Acts.
On This Day In The Revolution 