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Arthur Campbell was born in Augusta County in 1742. When fifteen years old, he volunteered as a militiaman,
to perform duty in protecting the frontier from incursions of the Indians. He was stationed in a fort on the Cowpasture
river, near where the road crosses leading from Staunton to the Warm Springs. While engaged in this service, he
was captured by the Indians, who loaded him with their packs, and marched seven days into the forests with his
captors, who were from Lakes Erie and Michigan, and were on their return. Campbell, at the end of seven days, was
so exhausted that he was unable to travel, and was treated by the Indians with great severity. An old chief, taking
compassion on him, protected him from further injury, and on reaching the Lakes adopted Campbell, in whose family
the young man remained during his three years' captivity.
During this time, Campbell made himself familiar with the Indian language their manners and customs, and soon acquired
the confidence of the old chief, who took him on all his hunting excursions. During these they rambled over Michigan
and the northern parts of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. In 1749, a British force marched towards the Upper Lakes,
of which the Indians were informed by their scouts. Campbell formed the bold resolution of escaping to this force.
While out on one of their hunting excursions, Campbell left the Indians, and after a fortnight's tramp through
the pathless wilds reached the British. The British commander was much interested In Campbell's account of his
captivity and escape, and with his intelligence, and engaged him to pilot the army, which he did with success.
Shortly after he returned to Augusta, after an absence of more than three years. For his services in piloting the
army he received a grant of r,ooo acres of land near Louisville, Kentucky.
In 1772, his father, David Campbell, and family, removed to the "Royal Oak," on Holstein river, and in
1776, Arthur Campbell was appointed major in the Fincastle militia, and elected to the General Assembly. He was
also a member of the convention for forming the Constitution. When Washington county was formed he was commissioned
colonel commandant, and during the time he was in commission commanded several expeditions, particularly that against
the Cherokees.
He was tall, of a dignified air, an extensive reader and good talker. He married a sister of Gen. William Campbell,
and left issue at his death, in 1816, in Knox county, Kentucky.
FROM:
History of Augusta County, Virginia
By: J. Lewis Payton
Samuel M. Yost & Son. Publisher
Staunton, Virginia
1882
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