Simon Auxier
Simon Auxier
Early in the year of 1783, Simon Auxier, Henry Dickenson and Charles Bickley were working at a mill near Fort Hamblin in southwestern Virginia. Hamblin's Mill had twice previously come under attack by Indians. Henry Hamblin's home was invaded by Indians in the spring of 1872 and the entire family was killed and scalped with the exception of a small boy who was carried off into captivity. Simon and his companions were unaware that a band of Indians was again in the area as they carried on their work.
On this day, 17 Indians were in a murderous mood. They attacked the nearby home of Joseph Ray, killed and scalped Ray and several members of his family and kidnapped others. They also killed Samuel Hughes who was visiting the Ray home. As the Indians approached Fort Hamblin they encountered a young woman who’s name was Ann Neece. Ann tried desperately to escape but was tomahawked, scalped and left for dead. Feeling invincible, the Indians approached Fort Hamblin.
Simon Auxier heard a noise and as he turned from his work he saw the savages approaching. At the same time, the Indians saw the three men. Auxier, Dickenson and Bickley were unarmed and knew that their situation was desperate. The Indians raised their guns and Bickley yelled "Boys, follow me!" The three men started running at full speed to reach the safety of the fort. The Indians paused only long enough to fire, missing the men by inches. In a shower of musket balls, Auxier, Bickley and Dickenson reached the confines of the fort. Two guns were the only defense inside the fort. Simon Auxier and Henry Dickenson grabbed the two guns and, with practiced precision, each man fired and an Indian fell dead. The remaining savages, not knowing the strength of the fort and not taking the time to reload their own muskets, retreated into the woods.
Auxier, Dickenson and Bickley remained inside Fort Hamblin for several hours because they feared another attack. Later in the afternoon, they saw Ann Neece slowly walking toward the fort. She was drenched in blood but still alive. She survived the horrible attack and lived to marry and raise a family.
On hearing about the atrocities, Colonel Daniel Smith formed a company and marched to Fort Hamblin intending to pursue the Indians and recover the captives. When he arrived, he found that Simon Auxier and fourteen other men had already taken up the trail.