That Dark and Bloody River (Historical Fiction)

The Ohio River was the "western border" for the 8 years surrounding the Revolutionary war. The Indians tried desperately to enforce the border, seeking help against the settlers pouring across it from the French and also from the British during the war. This was their big first battleground to try to stymie the settlers pouring westward. The British even paid the Indians for settlers' scalps...more

The Ohio River was the "western border" for the 8 years surrounding the Revolutionary war. The Indians tried desperately to enforce the border, seeking help against the settlers pouring across it from the French and also from the British during the war. This was their big first battleground to try to stymie the settlers pouring westward. The British even paid the Indians for settlers' scalps during the war. Zane Grey's trilogy about Fort Henry and the settlement of Wheeling, WV is based on this era, but doesn't come close to the detail. This book is a narrative history based on actual British, U.S. and French historical documents and accounts, written in a fairly unbiased manner unlike most of our history books, which take a U.S./Revolutionary bend. It details the paths and turning of renegades like the Girty brothers. It explains the motives of the people who made them into enigmas. It follows Lewis Wetzel, the famous Indian killer's life and actions from birth to disappearance. I've been to many of the landmarks of the events in this book, unknowingly. I have unknowingly lived along one of the Indian paths for years. To read an account written from all sides was amazing, even if it was probably the most gory factual story I've ever read. This author did an incredible amount of research, and put it together into an amazing story. I expect someday a movie will be made of it. Very gory, but it is a narrative history on the role the Ohio River played as a border between the settlers and the Indians during the Revolutionary War. It details facts found in documents about how the British paid the Indians for scalps, among many other events. Those who tried to make peace were continually undermined by devious players. For future peacemakers, it is a must-read. Nothing in this world has changed much since then on many accounts. It is also good to know the true history behind our nation.   hide