This is the story of “Mad” Anne Bailey's life. In 1791 what is now West Virginia was largely unsettled wilderness, where a storm
of savage warfare raged between the Indians, the frontiersmen and the settlers.
From the moment she heard news of her husband’s death at the Battle of Point Pleasant, a strange, wild dream seemed to
possess her and she became determined to avenge his death. Clad in buckskin pants, a petticoat, brogan shoes, a man’s coat
and hat, a belt about her waist which held a knife and a tomahawk, she shouldered a rifle and took up the life of a frontiersman and
a messenger carrying dispatches between Fort Lee at present day Charleston, WV, Fort Savannah at present day Lewisburg, and
Fort Randolph at present day Point Pleasant, WV.
In 1791, large bodies of Indians were discovered hovering near Fort Lee, preparing for attack. The powder supply was perilously
low. It was one hundred miles to Fort Savannah, the only place for re-supply. The commander asked for volunteers to go and bring
back powder. No man was willing to put their lives in jeopardy, but Mad Anne Bailey, without hesitation, shouted, “I will go!”
of savage warfare raged between the Indians, the frontiersmen and the settlers.
From the moment she heard news of her husband’s death at the Battle of Point Pleasant, a strange, wild dream seemed to
possess her and she became determined to avenge his death. Clad in buckskin pants, a petticoat, brogan shoes, a man’s coat
and hat, a belt about her waist which held a knife and a tomahawk, she shouldered a rifle and took up the life of a frontiersman and
a messenger carrying dispatches between Fort Lee at present day Charleston, WV, Fort Savannah at present day Lewisburg, and
Fort Randolph at present day Point Pleasant, WV.
In 1791, large bodies of Indians were discovered hovering near Fort Lee, preparing for attack. The powder supply was perilously
low. It was one hundred miles to Fort Savannah, the only place for re-supply. The commander asked for volunteers to go and bring
back powder. No man was willing to put their lives in jeopardy, but Mad Anne Bailey, without hesitation, shouted, “I will go!”
| Virgil Anson Lewis |
| "Mad" Anne Bailey Heroine of the Kanawha Valley Born 1742 in Liverpool, England, Died 1825 in Gallia County, Ohio |
A re-print of the original book
first published by the author in
1891.
first published by the author in
1891.
