could find in the woods and prairies, and rawhides. The garrison relieved and Col. Gibson’s men who had become too weak and emaciated by hunger for garrison duty, were ■ conducted to Ft. McIntosh, and fresh troops were left in their stead. Major Varnum succeeded Col. Gibson in . command at Ft. Laurens. Sometime in June the place was again threatened by about one hundred and ninety British Indians and a few . British soldiers said to have been under the leadership of Simon Girty, but the enemy . moved oft' toward the Ohio without making an attack. It is said that had an attack been made at that time, it must have resulted in surrender and massacre. The fort was finally evacuated in August. 1779, it being found untenable at such a distance from the frontier. Henry Jolly, from whose account of the place we have drawn largely in this narrative, was one of the last men to leave it holding at that time the commission of ensign in the continen tai service. The Ohio Canal now passes through the eastern portion of the fort, and only faint traces of it still can be seen. Buckskin Currency.—Necessity is said to
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