He Was Killed by Those Barbarous People

Tolbert Major yawns and glances at his brother-in-law, Asbury Harlan. All is quiet in Fishtown. Garrison duty is often boring. Usually, there are five men on guard and he has someone to talk to besides Asbury. However, on the morning of November 5, 1851, the three other guards have volunteered to help build houses for new arrivals. From his vantage point, Tolbert glances toward the settlement. Out of the corner of his eye, he spots movement in the underbrush. The hostile Fishmen kill Tolbert, Asbury, and several others in their assault on Fishtown. They attack Bassa Cove a few days later. Wesley Harlan is shot in the face and subsequently loses an eye. Tolbert’s widow writes to Ben and breaks the news.