"Journal of a voyage, intended by God's permission, in the good
boat Adventure" is the title of the log book in which Captain
Donelson entered the events of the four months' journey. Only a
few pages endured to be put into print: but those few tell a tale
of hazard and courage that seems complete. Could a lengthier
narrative, even if enriched with literary art and fancy, bring
before us more vividly than do the simple entries of Donelson's
log the spirit of the men and the women who won the West? If so
little personal detail is recorded of the pioneer men of that day
that we must deduce what they were from what they did, what do we
know of their unfailing comrades, the pioneer women? Only that
they were there and that they shared in every test of courage and
endurance, save the march of troops and the hunt. Donelson's
"Journal" therefore has a special value, because in its terse
account of Mrs. Jennings and Mrs. Peyton it depicts unforgettably
the quality of pioneer womanhood.*
* This Journal is printed in Ramsey's "Annals of Tennessee."
"December 22nd, 1779. Took our departure from the fort and fell
down the river to the mouth of Reedy Creek where we were stopped
by the fall of water and most excessive hard frost."
Perhaps part of the "Journal" was lost, or perhaps the "excessive
hard frost" of that severe winter, when it is said even droves of
wild game perished, prevented the boats, from going on, for the
next entry is dated the 27th of February.
Pages:
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