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Eli Gerard (abt. 1750 - 1777)

Eli Gerard
Born about in Frederick County, Virginiamap
Ancestors ancestors
[spouse(s) unknown]
[children unknown]
Died at about age 27 in Harrodsburg, Kentuckymap
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Profile last modified | Created 14 Oct 2014
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Spelling Variations Gerard, Gerrard, Garard, Garrard [citation needed]

Biography

This profile is part of the Gerard Name Study.

Eli was shot in the middle of the head during a skirmish with Indians. He was found in the same hole as the Indian he had killed.

George Rogers Clark's papers; Illinois Historical Collection, Virginia Series, Vol. 3 as follows . . . . pg 6
He left Garard's Fort in the spring of 1774 with James Harrod for KY and was one of the original settlers of Harrodsburg, 16 Jun 1774.
In the fall of 1776, a party of 36 or 37 men left Fort Harrod to go to assist Capt. Joseph Bowman in shelling corn. They were attacked by Indians and in the skirmish that ensued, Eli and several others were killed. In Clark's papers, he states, "Eli Gerard of Col. George Rogers Clark's Regiment was killed by Indians near Harrodsurg, KY, 12 Sept. 1777". This incident has been referred to as the corn crib skirmish.
Additional info was provided by a Mr. Cowan who was a merchant in Louisville whose father had carried Eli on his horse back to the fort. "He was shot about the middle of the forehead and was badly powder burned. He was found in the same hole as the Indian he had killed. The Indian was shot just above the right eye and was badly powder burned. The Indian had not scalped Eli Gerard. Their guns, tomahawks and knives were by their side.'
He was unmarried
Source: Elias Gerrard, Seven Sons of his "Numerous Family" and Descendants, compiled by Eleanor Gerard Russell, Feb 1951.


Note: the spelling in the following narrative is according to the referenced document.
Battle of Cove Spring. Sept. 9/11: party of 37 men under Bowman went from Harrodsburg to Josph Bowman's settlemtn at the Cove Spring, 5 miles southeast, to shell corn and bring it to the fort. While so engaged, party of Kickapoos stole through a canebrake and fired upon them; Bowman: "Stand your guard! We are able to beat them, by the Lord!" Squire Boone among the men. Had a small 3 edged sword which he had drawn half out of the scabbard for use in case. Upon first alarm he jumped behind a tree and shot at the Indians, then squatted in the weeds to reload; while reloading, Eli Gerrard, next to him, shot dead, body fell on SB. Indian who had shot ran up with tomahawk in hand to secure Gerrard's scalp, not knowing SB there. Both saw each other when only 10 feet apart. Indian exclaimed "WAUGH!" raised his tomahawk and slashed SB across the forehead two inches; blow was pratially broken, tomahawk knocked in some way from the Indian's grasp. SB had dropped his gun, thrust his sword into the Indian's abdomen with one hand, while with the other seized the Indian's belt and pulled him towards him, shoving the sword completely through his body, the point coming through some fourten inches. Indian made several attempts to draw SB's knife from the sheath attached to his shotpouch strap, but blood from SB's forehead falling upon the handle made it so slippery that he could not get a grip. Indian bagan to back off toward a low fence, SB still holding on till they reached the fence when he let go and the Indian threw himself over the fence, fell upon his back, and broke off the point of the sword, expired and died. Another Indian killed. Six colonists wounded beside SB; one died that night. Indians retreated. Clark came up with reinforcements and brought the wounded in. (4B135-36)
File: 4B5.DR1
Source: Draper Manuscripts: Daniel Boone Papers, 1760-1911, Series B, Wisconsin Historical Society (Madison, Wisconsin)

Sources





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