We need scouts and riflemen.

Come to the fort for any food and ammunition you may need." The five gave their most earnest assurances that they would stay, and do all in their power.

In fact, they had come for that very purpose.
Satisfied now that Colonel Butler and his officers had implicit faith in them they went forth to find that, despite the night and the darkness, fugitives were already crossing the river to seek refuge in Forty Fort, bringing with them tales of death and devastation, some of which were exaggerated, but too many true in all their hideous details.

Men had been shot and scalped in the fields, houses were burning, women and children were captives for a fate that no one could foretell.

Red ruin was already stalking down the valley.
The farmers were bringing their wives and children in canoes and dugouts across the river.