# Christian Fast

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[[Image:AdventureCFast.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Cover of ''The Adventure of Christian Fast''.<ref>[Oakley, Don](/source/Don_Oakley). 1989. The Adventure of Christian Fast. Eyrie Press, Marietta GA. 267 pp.</ref>]]

'''Christian Fast''' (1762–1841) was born in [Maryland](/source/Maryland), the youngest son of German immigrants, Johann Nicklaus Fast and Cadarina Dörner, who were from Göcklingen, Germany (Nicklaus) and Ilbesheim, Germany (Cadarina),<ref>Robert G. Fast: Nicklaus Fast of Göcklingen, Germany, 1994</ref> although he spent much of his youth in [Pennsylvania](/source/Pennsylvania)/[Virginia](/source/Virginia). He joined the [Virginia Militia](/source/Virginia_Militia) in 1780, as a substitute for his brother Jacob, and helped man a local fort for a short while. In mid-1781 he joined the Pennsylvania Militia, soon becoming part of an expedition headed by General [George Rogers Clark](/source/George_Rogers_Clark) (the older brother of [William Clark](/source/William_Clark_(explorer)), of [Lewis & Clark](/source/Lewis_and_Clark_Expedition) fame), under the direct command of Colonel [Archibald Lochry](/source/Archibald_Lochry). The purpose of the expedition was to capture Fort Detroit, while subduing some of the intervening Native American tribes who had sided with the British. Christian, however, along with many of his fellows, was very soon captured by the [Delaware Indians](/source/Lenape) in an engagement usually referred to as "[Lochry's Defeat](/source/Lochry's_Defeat)".

Large numbers of the prisoners were killed after capture, but Christian, who was wounded during the fight, was given the personal protection of a [Delaware](/source/Lenape) warrior of some fame, Tom Lyons, who admired the young Fast's courage.  Lyons was  especially entertained by his ability to walk on his hands, something he had not seen before. In fact, Christian was adopted into the [Delaware](/source/Lenape) tribe, complete with appropriate grooming and attire. As an "Indian" he met some notable historical individuals: the [Delaware](/source/Lenape) chief, [Captain Pipe](/source/Captain_Pipe), as well as [Simon Girty](/source/Simon_Girty), a much-hated American who now sided with the Indians and the British,.<ref>Duff, William A.  1931.  Chapter 12, Christian Fast, Indian Captive. pp. 97-102  ''In'' History of North Central Ohio, Vol. 1.  Historical Publishing Co., Topeka KS and Indianapolis IN.</ref><ref>Richland County, Ohio - Revolutionary War Pension: Fast, Christian (1832). http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/oh/richland/military/revwar/pensions/fast.txt</ref>

Christian Fast's life as a [Delaware](/source/Lenape) lasted about a year, but when it became clear that his own home area was about to fall under their attack, he escaped and returned in time to warn his relatives and others in the vicinity. He eventually lived out his relatively long life in [Ohio](/source/Ohio) among some of the same Lenape he had known during the war.<ref>Duff, William A.  1931.</ref>

Fast's experiences were later adapted into a historical fiction novel for young readers by author [Don Oakley](/source/Don_Oakley).<ref>Oakley, Don. 1989.</ref>

== References ==
<references/>

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Fast, Christian}}
Category:1762 births
Category:1841 deaths
Category:American Revolutionary War prisoners of war
Category:People from Richland County, Ohio
Category:American pioneers
Category:American people of German descent
Category:Frontiersmen

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Christian Fast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Fast) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Fast?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.