“beheld the ample plains and beauteous tracts” — Daniel Boone Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin

Today, the Daniel Boone Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin remembers when he and his companion were captured on December 22, 1769.

The Scots Magazine of January 1791 included the Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone, one of the original settlers at Kentucke, Written by Himself.

An excerpt:

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On the 22d of December, John Stuart and l had a pleasing ramble; but fortune changed the day at the close of it.

We had passed through a great forest, in which stood myriads of trees, some gay with blossoms, others rich with fruits.

Nature was here a series of wonders, and a fund of delight. Here she displayed her ingenuity and industry in a variety of flowers and fruits, beautifully colored, elegantly shaped, and charmingly flavored; and we were diverted with numberless animals presenting themselves perpetually to our view.

In the decline of the day, near Kentucke river, as we ascended the brow of a small hill, a number of Indians rushed out of a thick cane-brake, and made us prisoners.

The Indians plundered us, and kept us in confinement seven days.

During this, we discovered no uneasiness or desire to escape, which made them less suspicious; but in the dead of night, as we lay by a large fire in a thick cane-brake, when sleep had locked up their senses, my situation not disposing me to rest, I gently awoke my companion.

We seized this favorable opportunity, and departed, directing our course towards our old camp, but found it plundered, and our company dispersed, or gone home.

About this time my brother, Squire Boone, with another adventurer, who came to explore the country shortly after us, was wandering through the forest, and accidentally found our camp.

Notwithstanding our unfortunate circumstances, and our dangerous situation, surrounded with hostile savages, our meeting fortunately in the wilderness gave us the most sensible satisfaction.

Soon after this, my companion in captivity, John Stuart, was killed by the savages; and the man that came with my brother returned home by himself.

We were then in a dangerous helpless situation, exposed daily to perils and death amongst savages and wild beasts, not a white man in the country but ourselves.

Thus, many hundred miles from our families in the howling wilderness, we did not continue in a state of indolence, but hunted every day, and prepared a little cottage to defend us from the winter storms.

We met with no disturbance during the winter.

On the 1st of May 1770, my brother returned home by himself for a new recruit of horses and ammunition, leaving me alone, without bread, salt, or sugar, or even a horse or dog.

I passed a few days uncomfortably. The idea of a beloved wife and family, and their anxiety on my account, would have disposed me to melancholy, if I had further indulged the thought.

One day I undertook a tour through the country, when the diversity and beauties of nature I met with in this charming season, expelled every gloomy thought.

Just at the close of day, the gentle gales ceased; a profound claim ensued; not a breath shook the tremulous leaf.

I had gained the summit of a commanding ridge, and, looking round with astonishing delight, beheld the ample plains and beauteous tracts below.

On one hand I surveyed the famous Ohio rolling in silent dignity, and marking the western boundary of Kentucke with inconceivable grandeur.

At a vast distance I beheld the mountains lift their venerable brows and penetrate the clouds.

All things were still.

I kindled a fire near a fountain of sweet water, and feasted on the loin of a buck which a few hours before I had killed.

The shades of night soon overspread the hemisphere, and the earth seemed to gasp after the hovering moisture.

My excursion had fatigued my body, and amused my mind.

I laid me down to sleep, and awoke not until the sun had chased away the night.

I continued this tour, and in a few days explored a considerable part of the country, each day equally pleased as at first; after which I returned to my old camp, which had not been disturbed in my absence.

I did not confine my lodging to it, but often reposed in thick cane-brakes to avoid the savages, who, I believe, often visited my camp, but, fortunately for me, in my absence.

No populous city, with all the varieties of commerce and stately structures, could afford so much pleasure to my mind as the beauties of nature I found in this country.

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The Daniel Boone Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin shows with an artist’s woodcut image of the capture of Boone and Stuart.

Daniel Boone Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin