Hi Esther,
Here's one you may find somewhat humerous. On June 7, 1663, The
Esopus Indians attacked and burned down the village of Hurley, Then known
as the New Village of Wiltwyck (Kingston, NY). Several people were taken
hostage for three months including Louis Du Bois' wife, Catherine
Blanshan, and their three children. When a friendly Indian informed the
settlers where their families were being held, Louis Du Bois was quick to
get a group together to go find them.
Du Bois and his companions, guided by the Indian, traveled 26
miles without rest. When they got to the Esopus hiding grounds they
discovered that several of the hostages had been put on funeral pyres to
be burned alive, including Catherine Du Bois. The Indians paused their
execution when Catherine began singing hymns, possibly to calm the other
hostages. The Indians were used to warriors singing death songs, but they
had never heard a woman sing one before and were impressed. Just then a
dog gave away the spot where Du Bois and his men were observing the
goings-on, and they were forced to make a sudden assault. Catherine, who
was not tied to her pyre yet, began running with her enemies in the
confusion. It was not untill Louis yelled out "Catherine, Stop or I'll
shoot!" that she realized that this was a rescue.
The Indians defeat was a major blow, and marked a end of several
years of bloody hostility. In the process, the town of New Paltz, NY was
discovered.
Hope you can use this.
David R, Jansen