Minisink Battle
page 6

     Brandt killed Wisner with his own hand.  Some years afterward he was heard to say that after the battle was over, he found Wisner on the field so badly wounded that he could not live nor be removed; that if he was left alone on the battle-field wild beasts would devour him; that he was in full possession of all his faculties; that for a man to be eaten by wild beasts while alive was terrible; that to save Wisner from such a fate, he engaged him in conversation, and shot him dead.
      Captain Benjamin Vail was wounded in battle, and after the fight was over, was found seated upon a rock, bleeding.  He was killed while in this situation, and by a Tory.
 Doctor Tusten was behind a rock attending to the necessities of the wounded when the retreat commenced.  There were seventeen disabled men under his care, who appealed for protection and mercy.  But the savages fell upon them, and all, including the Doctor, fell victims to the tomahawk and scalping-knife.
     Several attempted to escape by swimming the Delaware, and were shot.  Of those engaged in the battle, thirty escaped, and forty-five, it is known, were killed.  The remainder were taken prisoners, or perished while fugitives in the wilderness.
      Major Wood, of the militia, though not a Mason, accidentally gave the Masonic sign of distress.  This was observed by Brandt, who interposed to save Wood's life, giving him his own blanket to protect him from the night air while sleeping.  Discovering subsequently that Wood was not one of the Brotherhood, he denounced the deception as dishonorable, but spared his life.  The blanket was accidentally damaged while in the prisoner's possession, which made Brandt very angry.
     One of the militiamen attempted to escape with the others, but was so far exhausted that he was forced to turn aside and rest.  In a little while he saw several Indians, one after the other, pass by in pursuit of the militia, but managed to keep himself out of their sight.  Presently a large and powerful Indian discovered him, when, raising his gun, he fired his last shot and fled.  The savage did not pursue; he was probably disabled by the shot if not killed.
      Samuel Helm was stationed behind a tree, when he discovered the head of an Indian thrust from behind a neighboring trunk, as if looking for a patriot to shoot at. Helm fired and the savage fell; but Helm was immediately hit in the thigh by a ball from another Indian whom he had not seen. Helm dropped to the earth, but the savage did not immediately rush up to take his scalp, being anxious first to discover the result of his shot.  This gave Helm a chance to reload which he did behind a natural breast-work which screened him from view.  After dodging about a little the Indian made a dash for his scalp, but received a bullet instead, which put an end to his life.  Helm said that the consternation of the Indian, on being confronted with the muzzle of his gun, was truly ridiculous.



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
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