Frontiersmen Weren't Special Forces Ninja Warriors : PART 1

A Heroic and Romantic 19th Century Depiction of Daniel Boone fighting an Indian

 It's very easy for us to view the frontiersmen of the past as rugged individuals, out for days alone in the wilderness like some kind of specials forces ninja able to smell an Indian from a mile away and being completely self sufficiant, cut off from the rest of society in some quest for solitude.

 This idea was perpetuated by wild stories of Daniel Boone and Davy Crocket in the 19th century and became a popular part of our American identity.

 But how true is this rugged individualism?

 Daniel Boone said later in his life :


Many heroic actions and chivalrous adventures are related of me which exist only in the regions of fancy. With me the world has taken great liberties, and yet I have been but a common man.

— Daniel Boone

 Let's look at just a few things commonly thought about Frontiersman and see if we can't dispel some of the myths. I will be using the Cressweel Diary as my main source for this particular write up.

 #1 . Frontiersmen  were Skilled Expert Woodsmen

 While in many cases this could be true, was it normative? Let's look at some examples of Longhunters being somewhat inept and some of the things they didn't prepare for.

 Wednesday, May 24th, 1775. Land in general covered with Beech. Limestone in large flags. Few rivulets empty into the River, or few springs to be seen, which makes me suppose the country is badly watered. Camped at a place where the Buffaloes cross the River. In the night were alarmed with a plunging in the River. In a little time Mr. Johnston (who slept on board) called out for help. We ran to his assistance with our arms and to our great mortification and surprise found one of our Canoes that had all our flour on board sunk, and would have been inevitably lost, had it not been fixed to the other. We immediately hauled our shattered vessel to the shore and landed our things, tho' greatly damaged. It was done by the Buffaloes crossing the River from that side where the vessel was moored. Fortunately for Mr. Johnston he slept in that Canoe next the shore. The Buffaloes jumped over him into the other, and split it about fourteen foot. Mr. Nourse and Mr. Taylor's servants usually slept on board, but had by mistake brought their blankets on shore this evening and were too lazy to go on board again or probably they would have been killed. 

 Sunday, May 28th, 1775. Proceeded up the River. Saw a great many Buffaloes cross the River above us, all hands went ashore to surround them. I kept on the outside of them and shot a fine young Heifer,  some of the rest shot a Cow and Calf. Our stupid company will not stay to jerk any, tho' we are in want of provisions. Camped on a gravelly Island. Beech bottoms and cedar hills with few rivulets.

Saturday, June 24th, 1775. This morning set out to the Lick without breakfast. The reason was we had nothing to eat. Three of us stayed at the Lick till the afternoon waiting for the Buffaloes but saw none. When our out Hunters came loaded with meat and informed us they had killed a Buffalo about five miles off, set out and found it, and loaded ourselves and returned to the Camp, but never so much fatigued before. Having already experienced the want of victuals, was willing to guard against it for the future. I believe I have exerted myself more than I can bear. It is judged by the company that I brought between 70 and 80 pound of meat, exclusive of my Gun and Shot pouch. To add to my distress my shoesoles came off and I was obliged to walk bare foot for six miles. Find myself very unwell. Shot a Pole Cat. One of our Company missing.All the rest (except Tilling and myself) are going this evening, as they expect he is killed by the Indians. But I think he has lost himself in the Woods. Very arduous task to persuade them to stay, as they all expect to be killed before morning. 

Sunday, June 25th, 1775.  Slept little last night, over-fatigued. This morning our company are for setting out immediately, confident that the man is killed. With much importunity prevailed on them to stay till evening but could not persuade any of them to goto seek the man. About sundown they all prepared for going, notwithstanding all that Mr. Tilling and I could say against it, but just as we were going aboard saw the man come along shore to our great joy. It had happened as I supposed--he lost himself in the Woods and had rambled all night. If we had left him, he must have perished. Very unwell.

Out of twelve Guns five were rendered unfit for present use by the wet, mine happened to be in goodorder and I loaded her with an ounce bullet and seven swan shot. The command of our Canoes was given to me. We had only two Guns on board fit for use, Mr. Tilling's and 

mine. Tom O'Brien in the scuffle let his fall in the River and got her filled with water.