PerhapsthelurkingsmileonJohnSevier’sfacewasaflickerofmirththatthereshouldbefoundanyman，redorwhite，withtemerityenoughtotryconclusionswithhim。Noneeverdid，successfully。
ThehistoriansofTennesseestatethattheWataugansformedtheirgovernmentin1772andthatSevierwasoneofitsfivecommissioners。Yet，asSevierdidnotsettleinTennesseebefore1773，itispossiblethattheWataugaAssociationwasnotformeduntilthen。Unhappilythewrittenconstitutionofthelittlecommonwealthwasnotpreserved；butitisknownthat，followingtheUlsterman’sideal，manhoodsuffrageandreligiousindependenceweretwoofitsprovisions。Thecommissionersenlistedamilitiaandtheyrecordeddeedsforland，issuedmarriagelicenses，andtriedoffendersagainstthelaw。TheybelievedthemselvestobewithintheboundariesofVirginiaandthereforeadoptedthelawsofthatStatefortheirguidance。Theyhadnumerousoffenderstodealwith，formenfleeingfromdebtorfromtheconsequenceofcrimesoughtthenewsettlementsjustacrossthemountainsasasafeandadjacentharbor。TheattemptofthesementopursuetheirlawlessnessinWataugawasonereasonwhytheWataugansorganizedagovernment。
WhenthelinewasrunbetweenVirginiaandNorthCarolinabeyondthemountains，WataugawasdiscoveredtobesouthofVirginia’slimitsandhenceonIndianlands。ThiswasinconflictwiththeKing’sProclamation，andAlexanderCameron，BritishagenttotheCherokees，accordinglyorderedtheencroachingsettlerstodepart。TheIndians，however，desiredthemtoremain。ButsinceitwasillegaltopurchaseIndianlands，Robertsonnegotiatedaleasefortenyears。In1775，whenHendersonmadehispurchasefromtheCherokees，atSycamoreShoalsontheWatauga，RobertsonandSevier，whowerepresentatthesalewithotherWataugacommissioners，followedHenderson’sexampleandboughtoutrightthelandstheydesiredtoincludeinWatauga’sdomain。In1776
theypetitionedNorthCarolinafor\"annexation。\"AstheywerealreadywithinNorthCarolina’sbounds，itwasrecognitionratherthanannexationwhichtheysought。Thispetition，whichistheonlyWataugandocumenttosurvive，isundatedbutmarkedasreceivedinAugust，1776。ItisinSevier’shandwritinganditsstylesuggeststhatitwascomposedbyhim，forinitsmannerofexpressionithasmuchincommonwithmanylaterpapersfromhispen。ThatWatauganswerealaw-lovingcommunityandhadformedtheirgovernmentforthepurposeofmakinglawrespectedisreiteratedthroughoutthedocument。Asshowingthequalityofthesefirstwesternstatemakers，twoparagraphsarequoted：
\"Findingourselvesonthefrontiers，andbeingapprehensivethatforwantofproperlegislaturewemightbecomeashelterforsuchasendeavoredtodefraudtheircreditors；consideringalsothenecessityofrecordingdeeds，wills，anddoingotherpublicbusiness；we，byconsentofthepeople，formedacourtforthepurposesabovementioned，taking，bydesireofourconstituents，theVirginialawsforourguide，sonearasthesituationofaffairswouldpermit。Thiswasintendedforourselves，andWAS
DONEBYCONSENTOFEVERYINDIVIDUAL。\"
Thepetitiongoesontostatethat，amongtheirmeasuresforupholdinglaw，theWatauganshadenlisted\"acompanyoffineriflemen\"andputthemundercommandof\"CaptainJamesRobertson。\"
\"We……thoughtpropertostationthemonourfrontiersindefenseofthecommoncause，attheexpenseandrisqueofourownprivatefortunes，tillfartherpublicorders，whichweflatterourselveswillgivenooffense……Weprayyourmatureanddeliberateconsiderationinourbehalf，thatyoumayannexustoyourProvince（whetherascounty，district，orotherdivision）insuchmannerasmayenableustoshareinthegloriouscauseofLiberty：enforceourlawsunderauthorityandineveryrespectbecomethebestmembersofsociety；andforourselvesandourconstituentswehopewemayventuretoassureyouthatweshalladherestrictlytoyourdeterminations，andthatnothingwillbelackingoranythingneglectedthatmayaddweight（inthecivilormilitaryestablishments）tothegloriouscauseinwhichwearenowstruggling，orcontributetothewelfareofourownoragesyettocome。\"
Onehundredandthirteennamesaresignedtothedocument。Inthefollowingyear（1777）NorthCarolinaerectedheroverhillterritoryintoWashingtonCounty。TheGovernorappointedjusticesofthepeaceandmilitiaofficerswhointhefollowingyearorganizedthenewcountyanditscourts。AndsoWatauga’sindependentgovernment，beguninthespiritoftrueliberty，cameaslawfullytoitsend。
Butfornearlythreeyearsbeforetheirpoliticalstatuswasthusdetermined，theWataugansweresharing\"inthegloriouscauseofLiberty\"bydefendingtheirsettlementsagainstIndianattacks。
WhilethemajorityoftheyoungCherokeewarriorswereamongtheirenemies，theirchiefbattleswerefoughtwiththosefromtheChickamaugantownsontheTennesseeRiver，undertheleadershipofDraggingCanoe。TheChickamaugansembracedthemoreviciousandbloodthirstyCherokees，withamixtureofCreeksandbadwhites，who，drivenfromeverylaw-abidingcommunity，hadcastintheirlotwiththistribe。TheexactnumberofwhitethievesandmurdererswhohadfoundharborintheIndiantownsduringascoreormoreofyearsisnotknown；butthelettersoftheIndianagents，preservedintherecords，wouldindicatethattherewereagoodmanyofthem。TheywerefitalliesforDraggingCanoe；theirhatredofthosefromwhomtheirowndegeneracyhadseparatedthemwasnotlessthanhis。
InJuly，1776，JohnSevierwrotetotheVirginiaCommitteeasfollows：
\"DearGentlemen：IsaacThomas，WilliamFalling，JaretWilliamsandonemorehavethismomentcomeinbymakingtheirescapefromtheIndiansandsaysixhundredIndiansandwhitesweretostartforthisfortandintendtodrivethecountryuptoNewRiverbeforetheyreturn。\"
Thuswasheraldedthebeginningofasavagewarfarewhichkepttheborderersengagedforyears。
IthasbeenatraditionofthechroniclersthatIsaacThomasreceivedatimelywarningfromNancyWard，ahalf-casteCherokeeprophetesswhooftenshowedhergoodwilltowardsthewhites；andthattheIndianswererousedtobattlebyAlexanderCameronandJohnStuart，theBritishagentsorsuperintendentsamongtheoverhilltribes。TherewasaletterbearingCameron’snamestatingthatfifteenhundredsavagesfromtheCherokeeandCreeknationsweretojoinwithBritishtroopslandedatPensacolainanexpeditionagainstthesouthernfrontiercolonies。ThisletterwasbroughttoWataugaatdeadofnightbyamaskedmanwhoslippeditthroughawindowandrodeaway。
ApparentlyJohnSevierdidnotbelievethemilitaryinformationcontainedinthemysteriousmissive，forhecommunicatednothingofittotheVirginiaCommittee。Inrecentyearsthefactshavecometolight。ThismysteriousletterandothersofasimilartenorbearingforgedsignaturesarecitedinareportbytheBritishAgent，JohnStuart，tohisGovernment。ItappearsthatsuchinflammatorymissiveshadbeenindustriouslyscatteredthroughthebacksettlementsofbothCarolinas。TherearealsolettersfromStuarttoLordDartmouth，datedayearearlier，urgingthatsomethingbedoneimmediatelytocounteractrumorssetafloatthattheBritishwereendeavoringtoinstigateboththeIndiansandthenegroestoattacktheAmericans。
Nowitis，ofcourse，anestablishedfactthatboththeBritishandtheAmericanarmiesusedIndiansintheWarofIndependence，evenasbothtogetherhadusedthemagainsttheFrenchandtheSpanishandtheiralliedIndians。ItwasinevitablethattheIndiansshouldparticipateinanysevereconflictbetweenthewhites。Theywereanumerousandawarlikepeopleand，fromtheirpointofview，theyhadmoreatstakethanthealienwhiteswhowerecontestingforcontroloftheredman’scontinent。BothBritishandAmericanshavebeenblamedfor\"half-heartedattemptstokeeptheIndiansneutral。\"ThetruthisthateachsidestrovetoenlisttheIndians——tobeused，ifneededlater，aswarriors。
Massacrewasnopartofthispolicy，thoughitmayhavebeencountenancedbyindividualofficersinbothcamps。Butitisobviousthat，oncetheIndianstookthewarpath，theyweretoberestrainedbynopowerand，nomatterunderwhosenominalcommand，theywouldcarryonwarfarebytheirownmethods。*
*\"Thereislittledoubtthateitherside，BritishorAmericans，stoodreadytoenlisttheIndians。AlreadybeforeBostontheAmericanshadhadthehelpoftheStockbridgetribe。WashingtonfoundtheservicecommittedtothepractisewhenhearrivedatCambridgeearlyinJuly。Dunmorehadtakentheinitiativeinsecuringsuchallies，atleastispurpose；buttheinsurgentVirginianshadhadoflatemoredirectcontactwiththetribesandwerenowstrivingtosecurethembutwithlittlesuccess。\"
\"TheWestwardMovement，\"byJustinWinsor，p。87。
GeneralEthanAllenofVermont，ashislettersshow，sentemissariesintoCanadainanendeavortoenlisttheFrenchCanadiansandtheCanadianIndiansagainsttheBritishinCanada。
See\"AmericanArchives，\"FourthSeries，vol。II，p。714。TheBritishGeneralGagewrotetoLordDartmouthfromBoston，June18，1775：\"WeneednotbetenderofcallingontheSavagesastherebelshaveshownustheexample，bybringingasmanyIndiansdownagainstusastheycouldcollect。\"\"AmericanArchives。\"
FourthSeries，vol。ii，p。967。
InalettertoLordGermain，datedAugust23，1776，JohnStuartwrote：\"AlthoughMr。CameronwasinconstantdangerofassassinationandtheIndianswerethreatenedwithinvasionshouldtheydareto，protecthim，yethestillfoundmeanstopreventtheirfallingonthesettlement。\"SeeNorthCarolina\"ColonialRecords，\"vol。X，pp。608and763。ProofthattheBritishagentshadsucceededinkeepingtheCherokeeneutraltillthesummerof1776isfoundintheinstructions，datedthe7thofJuly，toMajorWinstonfromPresidentRutledgeofSouthCarolina，regardingtheCherokees，thattheymustbeforcedtogiveuptheBritishagentsand\"INSTEADOFREMAININGINASTATEOFNEUTRALITY
withrespecttoBritishForcestheymusttakepartwithusagainstthem。\"SeeNorthCarolina\"ColonialRecords，\"vol。X，p。
658。
Whatevermayhavebeenthecaseelsewhere，theattacksontheWataugaandHolstonsettlementswerenotinstigatedbyBritishagents。ItwasnotNancyWardbutHenryStuart，JohnStuart’sdeputy，whosentIsaacThomastowarnthesettlers。Intheireffortstokeepthefriendshipoftheredmen，theBritishandtheAmericanswereprovidingthemwithpowderandlead。TheIndianshadrunshortofammunitionand，sincehuntingwastheironlymeansoflivelihood，theymustshootorstarve。SouthCarolinasenttheCherokeesalargesupplyofpowderandleadwhichwascapturedenroutebyTories。AboutthesametimeHenryStuartsetoutfromPensacolawithanotherconsignmentfromtheBritish。HisreporttoLordGermainofhisarrivalintheChickamaugantownsandofwhattookplacetherejustpriortotheraidsontheTennesseesettlementsisoneofthemostilluminatingaswellasoneofthemostdramaticpapersinthecollectedrecordsofthattime。*
*NorthCarolina\"ColonialRecords，\"vol。X，pp。763-785。
Stuart’sfirstactwassecretlytosendoutThomas，thetrader，towarnthesettlersoftheirperil，forasmallwarpartyofbraveswaseventhenconcludingthepreliminarywarceremonies。
ThereasonforthisIndianalarmandprojectedexcursionwasthefactthatthesettlershadbuiltonefortatleastontheIndianlands。StuartfinallypersuadedtheIndianstoremainatpeaceuntilhecouldwritetothesettlersstatingthegrievancesandaskingfornegotiations。ThelettersweretobecarriedbyThomasonhisreturn。
ButnosoonerwasThomasonhiswayagainwiththelettersthantherearrivedadeputationofwarriorsfromtheNortherntribes——from\"theConfederatenations，theMohawks，Ottawas，Nantucas，ShawanoesandDelawares\"——fourteenmeninall，whoenteredthecouncilhalloftheOldBelovedTownofChotawiththeirfacespaintedblackandthewarbeltcarriedbeforethem。
Theysaidthattheyhadbeenseventydaysontheirjourney。
Everywherealongtheirwaytheyhadseenhousesandfortsspringinguplike，weedsacrossthegreensodoftheirhuntinglands。Whereonceweregreatherdsofdeerandbuffalo，theyhadwatchedthousandsofmenatarmspreparingforwar。SomanynowwerethewhitewarriorsandtheirwomenandchildrenthattheredmenhadbeenobligedtotravelagreatwayontheothersideoftheOhioandtomakeadetourofnearlythreehundredmilestoavoidbeingseen。Evenonthisoutlyingroutetheyhadcrossedthefreshtracksofagreatbodyofpeoplewithhorsesandcattlegoingstillfurthertowardsthesettingsun。Buttheircrieswerenottobeinvain；for\"theirfathers，theFrench\"hadheardthemandhadpromisedtoaidthemiftheywouldnowstrikeasonefortheirlands。
AfterthispreamblethedeputyoftheMohawksrose。HesaidthatsomeAmericanpeoplehadmadewarononeoftheirtownsandhadseizedthesonoftheirGreatBelovedMan，SirWilliamJohnson，imprisonedhim，andputhimtoacrueldeath；thiscrimedemandedagreatvengeanceandtheywouldnotceaseuntiltheyhadtakenit。Oneafteranotherthefourteendelegatesroseandmadetheir\"talks\"andpresentedtheirwampumstringstoDraggingCanoe。ThelasttospeakwasachiefoftheShawanoes。Healsodeclaredthat\"theirfathers，theFrench，\"whohadbeensolongdead，were\"aliveagain，\"thattheyhadsuppliedthemplentifullywitharmsandammunitionandhadpromisedtoassistthemindrivingouttheAmericansandinreclaimingtheircountry。NowalltheNortherntribeswerejoinedinoneforthisgreatpurpose；andtheythemselveswereontheirwaytoalltheSoutherntribesandhadresolvedthat，ifanytriberefusedtojoin，theywouldfalluponandextirpatethattribe，afterhavingovercomethewhites。AttheconclusionofhisorationtheShawanoepresentedthewarbelt——ninefeetofsix-inchwidepurplewampumspatteredwithvermilion——toDraggingCanoe，whohelditextendedbetweenhistwohands，insilence，andwaited。PresentlyroseaheadmanwhosewifehadbeenamemberofSirWilliamJohnson’shousehold。Helaidhishandonthebeltandsangthewarsong。Onebyone，then，chiefsandwarriorsrose，laidholdofthegreatbeltandchantedthewarsong。Onlytheoldermen，madewisebymanydefeats，satstillintheirplaces，muteanddejected。\"Afterthatdayeveryyoungfellow’sfaceintheoverhillstownsappearedblackenedandnothingwasnowtalkedofbutwar。\"
Stuartreportsthat\"allthewhitemen\"inthetribealsolaidhandsonthebelt。DraggingCanoethendemandedthatCameronandStuartcomeforwardandtakeholdofthewarbelt——\"whichwerefused。\"Despitetheoffensetheirrefusalgave——anditwouldseemadangeroustimetogivesuchoffense——Camerondelivereda\"strongtalk\"forpeace，warningtheCherokeesofwhatmustsurelybetheendoftherashnesstheycontemplated。StuartinformedthechiefthatiftheIndianspersistedinattackingthesettlementswithoutwaitingforanswerstohisletters，hewouldnotremainwiththemanylongerorbringthemanymoreammunition。Hewenttohishouseandmadereadytoleaveonthefollowingday。EarlythenextmorningDraggingCanoeappearedathisdoorandtoldhimthattheIndianswerenowveryangryaboutthelettershehadwritten，whichcouldonlyhaveputthesettlersontheirguard；andthatifanywhitemanattemptedtoleavethenation\"theyhaddeterminedtofollowhimbutNOTTO
BRINGHIMBACK。\"DraggingCanoehadpaintedhisfaceblacktocarrythismessage。Thomasnowreturnedwithananswerfrom\"theWestFincastlemen，\"whichwassounsatisfactorytothetribethatwarceremonieswereimmediatelybegun。StuartandCameroncouldnolongerinfluencetheIndians。\"AllthatcouldnowbedonewastogivethemstrictchargenottopasstheBoundaryLine，nottoinjureanyoftheKing’sfaithfulsubjects，nottokillanywomenandchildren\"；andtothreatento\"stopallammunition\"iftheydidnotobeytheseorders。
ThemajorpartoftheWataugamilitiawentouttomeettheIndiansanddefeatedalargeadvanceforceatLongIslandFlatsontheHolston。TheWataugafort，wheremanyofthesettlershadtakenrefuge，containedfortyfightingmenunderRobertsonandSevier。AsIndiansusuallyretreatedandwaitedforawhileafteradefeat，thosewithintheforttookitforgrantedthatnoimmediateattackwastobeexpected；andthewomenwentoutatdaybreakintothefieldstomilkthecows。Suddenlythewarwhoopshrilledfromtheedgeoftheclearing。Redwarriorsleapedfromthegreenskirtingoftheforest。Thewomenranforthefort。
Quicklytheheavygatesswungtoandthedroppedbarsecuredthem。Onlythendidthewatchmendiscoverthatonewomanhadbeenshutout。Shewasayoungwomannearinghertwentiesand，iflegendhasreportedhertruly，\"BonnieKateSherrill\"wasabeauty。ThroughaportholeSeviersawherrunningtowardstheshutgates，dodginganddarting，herbrownhairblowingfromthewindofherraceforlife——andofferingfartoorichaprizetotheyellingfiendswhodashedafterher。Seviercoollyshottheforemostofherpursuers，thenspranguponthewall，caughtupBonnieKate，andtossedherinsidetosafety。Andlegendsaysfurtherthatwhen，afterSevier’sbriefwidowerhood，shebecamehiswife，fouryearslater，BonnieKatewaswonttosaythatshewouldbewillingtorunanothersuchraceanydaytohaveanothersuchintroduction！
Therewerenocasualtieswithinthefortand，afterthreehours，thefoewithdrew，leavingseveraloftheirwarriorsslain。
IntheexcursionsagainsttheIndianswhichfollowedthisopeningofhostilitiesSevierwonhisfirstfameasan\"Indianfighter\"——thefamelatercrystallizedinthephrase\"thirty-fivebattles，thirty-fivevictories。\"Hismethodwastotakeaverysmallcompanyofthehardiestandswiftesthorsemen——menwhocouldkeeptheirseatandendurance，andhorsesthatcouldkeeptheirfeetandtheirspeed，onanysteepofthemountainsnomatterhowtangledandroughthegoingmightbe——swoopdownuponwarcamp，ortown，andgothroughitwithrifleandhatchetandfire，thendashhomewardatthesamepacebeforetheenemyhadbeguntoconsiderwhethertofollowhimornot。Inallhis\"thirty-fivebattles\"itissaidhelostnotmorethanfiftymen。
TheCherokeesmadepeacein1777，afteraboutayearofalmostcontinuouswarfare，thetreatybeingconcludedontheirsidebytheoldchiefswhohadnevercountenancedthewar。DraggingCanoerefusedtotakepart，buthewasrenderedinnocuousforthetimebeingbythedestructionofseveraloftheChickamauganvillages。
JamesRobertsonnowwenttoChotaasIndianagentforNorthCarolina。Sofastwaspopulationgrowing，owingtotheopeningofawagonroadintoBurkeCounty，NorthCarolina，thatWashingtonCountywasdivided。JohnSevierbecameColonelofWashingtonandIsaacShelbyColonelofthenewlyerectedSullivanCounty。
Jonesborough，theoldesttowninTennessee，waslaidoutasthecountyseatofWashington；andinthesameyear（1778）SeviermovedtothebankoftheNolichuckyRiver，so-calledaftertheIndiannameofthisdashingsparklingstream，meaningrapidorprecipitous。ThusthenicknamegivenJohnSevierbyhisdevoteeshadadualapplication。HewaswellcalledNolichuckyJack。
WhenVirginiaannulledRichardHenderson’simmensepurchasebutallowedhimalargetractontheCumberland，shebynomeansdiscouragedthatintrepidpioneer。Henderson’stenureofKentuckyhadbeenbrief，butnotunprofitableinexperience。Hehadlearnedthatcoloniesmustbetreatedwithlesscommercialpressureandwithmoreregardtoindividualliberty，iftheyweretobeheldloyaleithertoaKingbeyondthewaterortoanuncrownedleadernearerathand。HehadbeenmakinghisplansforcolonizationofthatportionoftheTransylvaniapurchasewhichlaywithintheboundsofNorthCarolinaalongtheCumberlandandchoosinghismentolaythefoundationsofhisprojectedsettlementinwhatwasthenawhollyuninhabitedcountry；andhehaddecidedongenerousterms，suchastendollarsathousandacresforland，thecertificateofpurchasetoentitletheholdertofurtherproceedingsinthelandofficewithoutextrafees。
ToheadanenterpriseofsuchdangerandhardshipHendersonrequiredamanofmorethanmerecourage；amanofresource，ofstability，ofprovenpowers，onewhomothermenwouldfollowandobeywithconfidence。SoitwasthatJamesRobertsonwaschosentoleadthefirstwhitesettlersintomiddleTennessee。HesetoutinFebruary，1779，accompaniedbyhisbrother，MarkRobertson，severalotherwhitemen，andanegro，toselectasiteforsettlementandtoplantcorn。MeanwhileanothersmallpartyledbyGasparManskerhadarrived。AstheboundarylinebetweenVirginiaandNorthCarolinahadnotbeenruntothispoint，RobertsonbelievedthatthesitehehadchosenlaywithinVirginiaandwasinthedisposalofGeneralClark。Toprotectthesettlers，therefore，hejourneyedintotheIllinoiscountrytopurchasecabinrightsfromClark，buttherehewasevidentlyconvincedthatthesiteontheCumberlandwouldbefoundtoliewithinNorthCarolina。HereturnedtoWataugatoleadapartyofsettlersintothenewterritory，towardswhichtheysetoutinOctober。AftercrossingthemountainchainthroughCumberlandGap，thepartyfollowedBoone’sroad——theWarriors’Path——forsomedistanceandthenmadetheirowntrailsouthwestwardthroughthewildernesstothebluffsontheCumberland，wheretheybuiltcabinstohousethemagainstoneofthecoldestwinterseverexperiencedinthatcounty。SowerelaidthefirstfoundationsofthepresentcityofNashville，atfirstnamedNashboroughbyRobertson。*Ontheway，RobertsonhadfalleninwithapartyofmenandfamiliesboundforKentuckyandhadpersuadedthemtoaccompanyhislittlebandtotheCumberland。Robertson’sownwifeandchildren，aswellasthefamiliesofhisparty，hadbeenlefttofollowinthesecondexpedition，whichwastobemadebywaterunderthecommandofCaptainJohnDonelson。
*InhonorofGeneralFrancisNash，ofNorthCarolina，whowasmortallywoundedatGermantown，1777。
Thelittlefleetofboatscontainingthesettlers，theirfamilies，andalltheirhouseholdgoods，wastostartfromFortPatrickHenry，nearLongIslandintheHolstonRiver，tofloatdownintotheTennesseeandalongthe652milesofthatwidelywanderingstreamtotheOhio，andthentoproceeduptheOhiotothemouthoftheCumberlandanduptheCumberlanduntilRobertson’sstationshouldappear——ajourney，asitturnedout，ofsomeninehundredmilesthroughunknowncountryandonwatersatanyrateforthegreaterpartneverbeforenavigatedbywhitemen。
\"Journalofavoyage，intendedbyGod’spermission，inthegoodboatAdventure\"isthetitleofthelogbookinwhichCaptainDonelsonenteredtheeventsofthefourmonths’journey。Onlyafewpagesenduredtobeputintoprint：butthosefewtellataleofhazardandcouragethatseemscomplete。Couldalengthiernarrative，evenifenrichedwithliteraryartandfancy，bringbeforeusmorevividlythandothesimpleentriesofDonelson’slogthespiritofthemenandthewomenwhowontheWest？Ifsolittlepersonaldetailisrecordedofthepioneermenofthatdaythatwemustdeducewhattheywerefromwhattheydid，whatdoweknowoftheirunfailingcomrades，thepioneerwomen？Onlythattheywerethereandthattheysharedineverytestofcourageandendurance，savethemarchoftroopsandthehunt。Donelson’s\"Journal\"thereforehasaspecialvalue，becauseinitsterseaccountofMrs。JenningsandMrs。Peytonitdepictsunforgettablythequalityofpioneerwomanhood。*
*ThisJournalisprintedinRamsey’s\"AnnalsofTennessee。\"
\"December22nd，1779。TookourdeparturefromthefortandfelldowntherivertothemouthofReedyCreekwherewewerestoppedbythefallofwaterandmostexcessivehardfrost。\"
Perhapspartofthe\"Journal\"waslost，orperhapsthe\"excessivehardfrost\"ofthatseverewinter，whenitissaidevendrovesofwildgameperished，preventedtheboats，fromgoingon，forthenextentryisdatedthe27thofFebruary。OnthisdatetheAdventureandtwootherboatsgroundedandlayontheshoalsallthatafternoonandthesucceedingnight\"inmuchdistress。\"
\"March2nd。Rainabouthalftheday……Mr。Henry’sboatbeingdrivenonthepointofanislandbytheforceofthecurrentwassunk，thewholecargomuchdamagedandthecrew’slivesmuchendangered，whichoccasionedthewholefleettoputonshoreandgototheirassistance……
\"Monday6th。Gotunderwaybeforesunrise；themorningprovingveryfoggy，manyofthefleetweremuchbogged——about10o’clocklaybyforthem；whencollected，proceededdown。Campedonthenorthshore，whereCaptainHutching’snegromandied，beingmuchfrostedinhisfeetandlegs，ofwhichhedied。
\"Tuesday，7th。Gotunderwayveryearly；thedayprovingverywindy，aS。S。W。，andtheriverbeingwideoccasionedahighsea，insomuchthatsomeofthesmallercraftswereindanger；
thereforecametoattheuppermostChiccamaugatown，whichwasthenevacuated，wherewelaybythatafternoonandcampedthatnight。ThewifeofEphraimPeytonwasheredeliveredofachild。
Mr。PeytonhasgonethroughbylandwithCaptainRobertson。
\"Wednesday8th……proceeddowntoanIndianvillagewhichwasinhabited……theyinsistedonustocomeashore，calledusbrothers，andshowedothersignsoffriendship……AndherewemustregrettheunfortunatedeathofyoungMr。Payne，onboardCaptainBlakemore’sboat，whowasmortallywoundedbyreasonoftheboatrunningtoonearthenorthernshoreoppositethetown，wheresomeoftheenemylayconcealed；andthemoretragicalmisfortuneofpoorStuart，hisfamilyandfriends，tothenumberoftwenty-eightpersons。ThismanhadembarkedwithusfortheWesterncountry，buthisfamilybeingdiseasedwiththesmallpox，itwasagreeduponbetweenhimandthecompanythatheshouldkeepatsomedistanceintherear，forfearoftheinfectionspreading，andhewaswarnedeachnightwhentheencampmentshouldtakeplacebythesoundofahorn……TheIndianshavingnowcollectedtoaconsiderablenumber，observinghishelplesssituationsingledofffromtherestofthefleet，interceptedhimandkilledandtookprisonersthewholecrew……；
theircriesweredistinctlyheard……\"。
AfterdescribingarunningfightwithIndiansstationedonthebluffsonbothshoreswheretherivernarrowedtohalfitswidthandboiledthroughacanyon，theentryforthedayconcludes：
\"Jennings’sboatismissing。\"
\"Friday10th。Thismorningabout4o’clockweweresurprisedbythecriesof\"helppoorJennings\"atsomedistanceintherear。
Hehaddiscoveredusbyourfiresandcameupinthemostwretchedcondition。HestatesthatassoonastheIndiansdiscoveredhissituation[hisboathadrunonarock]theyturnedtheirwholeattentiontohimandkeptupamostgallingfireathisboat。Heorderedhiswife，asonnearlygrown，ayoungmanwhoaccompaniesthemandhisnegromanandwoman，tothrowallhisgoodsintotherivertolightentheirboatforthepurposeofgettingheroff；himselfreturningtheirfireaswellashecould，beingagoodsoldierandanexcellentmarksman。Butbeforetheyhadaccomplishedtheirobject，hisson，theyoungmanandthenegro，jumpedoutoftheboatandleft……Mrs。Jennings，however，andthenegrowoman，succeededinunloadingtheboat，butchieflybytheexertionsofMrs。Jenningswhogotoutoftheboatandshovedheroff，butwasnearfallingavictimtoherownintrepidityonaccountoftheboatstartingsosuddenlyassoonasloosenedfromtherock。Uponexaminationheappearstohavemadeawonderfulescapeforhisboatispiercedinnumberlessplaceswithbullets。ItistoberemarkedthatMrs。Peyton，whowasthenightbeforedeliveredofaninfant，whichwasunfortunatelykilleduponthehurryandconfusionconsequentuponsuchadisaster，assistedthem，beingfrequentlyexposedtowetandcold……Theirclotheswereverymuchcutwithbullets，especiallyMrs。Jennings’s。\"
Ofthethreemenwhodeserted，whilethewomenstoodbyunderfire，thenegrowasdrownedandJennings’ssonandtheotheryoungmanwerecapturedbytheChickamaugans。Thelatterwasburnedatthestake。YoungJenningswastohavesharedthesamefate；butatraderinthevillage，learningthattheboywasknowntoJohnSevier，ransomedhimbyalargepaymentofgoods，asareturnforanactofkindnessSevierhadoncedonetohim。
\"Sunday12th……Afterrunninguntilabout10o’clockcameinsightoftheMuscleShoals。Haltedonthenorthernshoreattheappearanceoftheshoals，inordertosearchforthesignsCaptainJamesRobertsonwastomakeforusatthatplace……thatitwaspracticableforustogoacrossbyland……wecanfindnone——fromwhichweconcludethatitwouldnotbeprudenttomaketheattemptandaredetermined，knowingourselvesinsuchimminentdanger，topursueourjourneydowntheriver……
Whenweapproachedthem[theShoals]theyhadadreadfulappearance……Thewaterbeinghighmadeaterribleroaring，whichcouldbeheardatsomedistance，amongthedriftwoodheapedfrightfullyuponthepointsoftheislands，thecurrentrunninginevery。possibledirection。Herewedidnotknowhowsoonweshouldbedashedtopiecesandallourtroublesendedatonce……
Ourboatsfrequentlydraggedonthebottomandappearedconstantlyindangerofstriking。Theywarpedasmuchasinaroughsea。ButbythehandofProvidencewearenowpreservedfromthisdangeralso。Iknownotthelengthofthiswonderfulshoal；ithadbeenrepresentedtometobetwenty-fiveorthirtymiles。Ifso，wemusthavedescendedveryrapidly，asindeedwedid，forwepasseditinaboutthreehours。\"
OnthetwentieththelittlefleetarrivedatthemouthoftheTennesseeandthevoyagerslandedonthebankoftheOhio。
\"Oursituationhereistrulydisagreeable。Theriverisveryhighandthecurrentrapid，ourboatsnotconstructedforthepurposeofstemmingarapidstream，ourprovisionsexhausted，thecrewsalmostworndownwithhungerandfatigue，andknownotwhatdistancewehavetogoorwhattimeitwilltakeustoourplaceofdestination。Thesceneisrenderedstillmoremelancholyasseveralboatswillnotattempttoascendtherapidcurrent。SomeintendtodescendtheMississippitoNatchez；othersareboundfortheIllinois——amongtherestmyson-in-lawanddaughter。Wenowpart，perhapstomeetnomore，forIamdeterminedtopursuemycourse，happenwhatwill。
\"Tuesday21st。Setoutandonthisdaylaboredveryhardandgotbutlittleway……Passedthetwofollowingdaysastheformer，sufferingmuchfromhungerandfatigue。
\"Friday24th。Aboutthreeo’clockcametothemouthofariverwhichIthoughtwastheCumberland。Someofthecompanydeclareditcouldnotbe——itwassomuchsmallerthanwasexpected……
Wedeterminedhowevertomakethetrial，pushedupsomedistanceandencampedforthenight。
\"Saturday25th。Todaywearemuchencouraged；therivergrowswider；……wearenowconvinceditistheCumberland……
\"Sunday26th……procuredsomebuffalomeat；thoughpooritwaspalatable。
\"Friday31st……metwithColonelRichardHenderson，whoisrunningthelinebetweenVirginiaandNorthCarolina。Atthismeetingweweremuchrejoiced。Hegaveuseveryinformationwewished，andfurtherinformedusthathehadpurchasedaquantityofcorninKentucky，tobeshippedattheFallsofOhiofortheuseoftheCumberlandsettlement。Wearenowwithoutbreadandarecompelledtohuntthebuffalotopreservelife……
\"Monday，April24th。Thisdaywearrivedatourjourney’sendattheBigSaltLick，wherewehavethepleasureoffindingCaptainRobertsonandhiscompany。Itisasourceofsatisfactiontoustobeenabledtorestoretohimandotherstheirfamiliesandfriends，whowereentrustedtoourcare，andwho，sometimesince，perhaps，despairedofevermeetingagain……\"
PastthecampsoftheChickamaugans——whowereretreatingfartherandfartherdownthetwistingflood，seekingalaststandinggroundinthegiantcavesbytheTennessee——thesewhitevoyagershadsteeredtheirpirogues。NearRobertson’sstation，wheretheylandedafterhavingtraversedthetriangleofthethreegreatriverswhichenclosethelargerpartofwesternTennessee，stoodacrumblingtradinghousemarkingthedefeatofaFrenchmanwhohad，onetime，sailedinfromtheOhiotoestablishanoutpostofhisnationthere。AtalittledistanceweretheruinsofarudefortcastupbytheCherokeesinthedayswhentheredoubtableChickasawshaddriventhemfromthepleasantshoresofthewesternwaters。Underthetoweringforestgrowthlayvastburialmoundsandthesunkenfoundationsofwalledtowns，tellingofadepartedracewhichhadonceflasheditsrudepaddlesandhaditsdreamofpermanencealongthecoursesofthesegreatwaterways。
Nowanothertribehadcometodreamthatdreamanew。Alreadyitsprimitivekeelshadtracedtheopeninglinesofitshistoryonthefaceoftheimmemorialrivers。
ChapterIX。King’sMountainAboutthetimewhenJamesRobertsonwentfromWataugatoflingoutthefrontierlinethreehundredmilesfartherwestward，theBritishtookSavannah。In1780theytookCharlestonandAugusta，andoverranGeorgia。Augustawasthepointwheretheoldtradingpathforkednorthandwest，anditwasthekeytotheBackCountryandtheoverhilldomain。InGeorgiaandtheBackCountryofSouthCarolinathereweremanyToriesreadytorallytotheKing’sstandardwheneveraKing’sofficershouldcarryitthroughtheirmidst。AlargenumberoftheseTorieswereScotch，chieflyfromtheHighlands。Infact，aswehaveseen，ScotchbloodpredominatedamongtheracialstreamsintheBackCountryfromGeorgiatoPennsylvania。Now，toinsureatriumphantmarchnorthwardforCornwallisandhisroyaltroops，thesesonsofScotlandmustbegatheredtogether，theloyalencouragedandthoseofrebellioustendenciesconverted，andtheymustbedrilledandturnedtoaccount。Thistask，ifitweretobeaccomplishedsuccessfully，mustbeentrustedtoanoffcerwithpositivequalifications，onewhowouldcommandrespect，whosepersonaladdresswouldattractmenanddisarmopposition，andespeciallyonewhocouldgoasaScotamonghisownclan。
CornwallisfoundhismaninMajor。PatrickFerguson。
FergusonwasaHighlander，asonofLordPitfourofAberdeen，andthirty-sixyearsofage。HewasofshortstatureforaHighlander——aboutfivefeeteight——leananddark，withstraightblackhair。Hehadaseriousunhandsomecountenancewhich，atcasualglance，mightnotarrestattention；butwhenhespokehebecamemagnetic，byreasonoftheintelligenceandinnateforcethatgleamedinhiseyesandtheconvincingsincerityofhismanner。Hewasadmiredandrespectedbyhisbrotherofficersandbythecommandersunderwhomhehadserved，andhewaslovedbyhismen。
HehadseenhisfirstserviceintheSevenYears’War，havingjoinedtheBritisharmyinFlandersattheageoffifteen；andhehadearlydistinguishedhimselfforcourageandcoolness。In1768，asacaptainofinfantry，hequelledaninsurrectionofthenativesontheislandofSt。VincentintheWestIndies。Later，atWoolwich，hetookupthescientificstudyofhisprofessionofarms。Henotonlybecameacrackshot，butheinventedanewtypeofriflewhichhecouldloadatthebreachwithoutramrodandsoquicklyastofireseventimesinaminute。Generalsandstatesmenattendedhisexhibitionsofshooting；andeventheKingrodeoverattheheadofhisguardstowatchFergusonrapidlyloadingandfiring。
InAmericaunderCornwallis，Fergusonhadthereputationofbeingthebestshotinthearmy；anditwassoonsaidthat，inhisquicknessatloadingandfiring，heexcelledthemostexpertAmericanfrontiersman。Eyewitnesseshavelefttheirtestimonythat，seeingabirdalightonaboughorrail，hewoulddrophisbridlerein，drawhispistol，tossitintheair，catchandaimitasitfell，andshootthebird’sheadoff。Hewasgivencommandofacorpsofpickedriflemen；andintheBattleoftheBrandywinein1777herenderedserviceswhichwonacclaimfromthewholearmy。Forthehonorofthatday’sservicetohisKing，Fergusonpaidwhatfromhim，withhispassionfortherifle，musthavebeenthedearestpricethatcouldhavebeendemanded。Hisrightarmwasshattered，andfortheremainingthreeyearsofhisshortlifeithunguselessathisside。Yethetookupswordplayandattainedaremarkabledegreeofskillasaleft-handedswordsman。
SuchwasFerguson，thesoldier。Whatoftheman？Forhehasbeenpicturedasawolfandafiendandacowardbyearlychroniclers，whoevidentlyfeltthattheywereaddingtothevirtueofthosewhofoughtindefenseoflibertybyrepresentingalltheirfoesaspersonallyodious。Wecanreadhisqualityofmanhoodinafewlinesoftheletterhesenttohiskinsman，thenotedDr。AdamFerguson，aboutanincidentthatoccurredatChadsFord。Ashewaslyingwithhismeninthewoods，infrontofKnyphausen’sarmy，soherelates，hesawtwoAmericanofficersrideout。Hedescribestheirdressminutely。Onewasinhussaruniform。Theotherwasinadarkgreenandblueuniformwithahighcockedhatandwasmountedonabayhorse：
\"Iorderedthreegoodshotstostealneartoandfireatthem；
buttheideadisgustingme，Irecalledtheorder。Thehussarinretiringmadeacircuit，buttheotherpassedwithinahundredyardsofus，uponwhichIadvancedfromthewoodtowardshim。
Uponmycallinghestopped；butafterlookingatmeheproceeded。
Iagaindrewhisattentionandmadesignstohimtostop；
levellingmypieceathim；butheslowlycanteredaway。AsIwaswithinthatdistance，atwhich，inthequickestfiring，Icouldhavelodgedhalfadozenballsinorabouthimbeforehewasoutofmyreach，Ihadonlytodetermine。Butitwasnotpleasanttofireatthebackofanunoffendingindividualwhowasacquittinghimselfverycoollyofhisduty——soIlethimalone。Thedayafter，Ihadbeentellingthisstorytosomewoundedofficers，wholayinthesameroomwithme，whenoneofthesurgeonswhohadbeendressingthewoundedrebelofficerscameinandtoldusthattheyhadbeeninforminghimthatGeneralWashingtonwasallthemorningwiththelighttroops，andonlyattendedbyaFrenchofficerinhussardress，hehimselfdressedandmountedineverypointasabovedescribed。IAMNOTSORRYTHATIDIDNOTKNOWAT
THETIMEWHOITWAS。*
*DoubtthattheofficerinquestionwasWashingtonwasexpressedbyJamesFenimoreCooper。CooperstatedthatMajorDeLancey，hisfather-in-law，wasbindingFerguson’sarmatthetimewhenthetwoofficerswereseenandFergusonrecalledtheordertofire，andthatDeLanceysaidhebelievedtheofficerwasCountPulaski。But，asFerguson，accordingtohisownaccount，\"leveledhispiece\"attheofficer，hisarmevidentlywasnotwoundeduntillaterintheday。TheprobabilityisthatFerguson’sversion，writteninaprivatelettertohisrelative，iscorrectastothefacts，whatevermaybeconjecturedastotheidentityoftheofficer。SeeDraper’sKing’s\"MountainanditsHeroes，\"
pp。52-54。
Fergusonhadhiscodetowardsthefoe’swomenalso。OnoneoccasionwhenhewasassistinginanactioncarriedoutbyHessiansandDragoons，helearnedthatsomeAmericanwomenhadbeenshamefullymaltreated。Hewentinawhitefurytothecolonelincommand，anddemandedthatthemenwhohadsodisgracedtheiruniformsinstantlybeputtodeath。
InrallyingtheloyalistsoftheBackCountryofGeorgiaandtheCarolinas，Fergusonwasverysuccessful。Hewaspresentlyincommandofathousandormoremen，includingsmalldetachmentsofloyalistsfromNewYorkandNewJersey，underAmerican-bornofficerssuchasDePeysterandAllaire。Thereweregoodhonestmenamongtheloyalistsandtherewerealsoroughandviciousmenoutforspoils——whichwastrueaswelloftheWhigsorPatriotsfromthesamecounties。AmongtheroughelementwereTorybandittifromtheovermountainregion。ItistobegatheredfromFerguson’srecordsthathedidnotthinkanytoohighlyofsomeofhisnewrecruits，buthesettoworkwithallenergytomakethemuseful。
TheAmericanPatriotshastilypreparedtoopposehim。ColonelCharlesMcDowellofBurkeCounty，NorthCarolina，withasmallforceofmilitiawasjustsouthofthelineatapointontheBroadRiverwhenheheardthatFergusonwassweepingonnorthward。InhastehesentacallforhelpacrossthemountainstoSevierandShelby。SevierhadhishandsfullatWatauga，buthedispatchedtwohundredofhistroops；andIsaacShelby，withasimilarforcefromSullivanCountycrossedthemountainstoMcDowell’sassistance。These\"overmountainmen\"or\"backwatermen，\"astheywerecalledeastofthehills，weretrainedinSevier’smethodofIndianwarfare——thesecretapproachthroughthedark，theswiftdash，andtheswifterflight。\"Fightstrongandrunawayfast\"wastheIndianmotto，astheirwomenhadoftenbeenheardtocallitaftertheredmenastheyranyellingtofallonthewhites。Thefrontiersmenhadadaptedthemottotofittheircase，astheyhadalsomadetheirowntheIndiantacticsofambuscadeandsurpriseattacksatdawn。Tosleep，orrideifneedsmust，bynight，andtofightbydayandmakeoff，wastothemareasonablesoldier’slife。
ButFergusonwasanightmarauder。Theterrorofhisname，whichgrewamongtheWhigsoftheBackCountryuntilthewildestlegendsabouthisferocitywerecurrent，wasduechieflytoahabithehadofpouncingonhisfoesinthemiddleofthenightandpullingthemoutofbedtogivefightordie。Itwasgenerallybothfightanddie，forthesedarkadventuresofhiswereparticularlysuccessful。Fergusonknewnoneutralsorconscientiousobjectors；anymanwhowouldnotcarryarmsfortheKingwasatraitor，andhislifeandgoodswereforfeit。Areportofhisreads：\"Theattackbeingmadeatnight，noquartercouldbegiven。\"Hencehiswolfishfame。\"Werewolf\"wouldhavebeenafitnameforhimfor，thoughhewasawolfatnight，inthedaylighthewasamanand，aswehaveseen，achivalrousone。
IntheguerrillafightingthatwentonforabrieftimebetweentheovermountainmenandvariousdetachmentsofFerguson’sforces，sometimesoneside，sometimestheother，wontheheat。
Butthefieldremainedopen。Neithersidecouldclaimthemastery。InaminorengagementfoughtatMusgrove’sMillontheEnoree，Shelby’scommandcameoffvictorandwasabouttopursuetheenemytowardsNinety-SixwhenamessengerfromMcDowellgallopedmadlyintocampwithwordofGeneralGates’scrushingdefeatatCamden。ThiswasawarningforShelby’sguerrillastofleeasbirdstotheirmountains，orFergusonwouldcutthemofffromthenorthandwedgetheminbetweenhisownforceandthevictoriousCornwallis。McDowell’smen，alsoontherunforsafety，joinedthem。Forforty-eighthourswithoutfoodorresttheyrodearacewithFerguson，whokepthardontheirtrailuntiltheydisappearedintothemysteryofthewindingmountainpathstheyaloneknew。
Fergusonreachedthegapwheretheyhadswervedintothetoweringhillsonlyhalfanhouraftertheirhorses’hoofshadpoundedacrossit。Hereheturnedback。Histroopswereexhaustedfromtheall-nightrideand，inanycase，therewerenotenoughofthemtoenablehimtocrossthemountainsandgivetheWataugamenbattleontheirowngroundwithafairpromiseofvictory。Sokeepingeastofthehillsbutstillclosetothem，FergusonturnedintoBurkeCounty，NorthCarolina。HesathimdowninGilbertTown（presentLincolnton，LincolnCounty）atthefootoftheBlueRidgeandinditedalettertothe\"BackWaterMen，\"
tellingthemthatiftheydidnotlaydowntheirarmsandreturntotheirrightfulallegiance，hewouldcomeovertheirhillsandrazetheirsettlementsandhangtheirleaders。HeparoledakinsmanofShelby’s，whomhehadtakenprisonerinthechase，andsenthimhomewiththeletter。ThenhesetabouthisusualbusinessofgatheringupToriesandmakingsoldiersofthem，andofhuntingdownrebels。
Oneofthe\"rebels\"wasacertainCaptainLytle。WhenFergusondrewupatLytle’sdoor，Lytlehadalreadymadehisescape；butMrs。Lytlewasthere。ShewasaveryhandsomewomanandshehaddressedherselfinherbesttoreceiveFerguson，whowasreportedagallantaswellasawolf。Afterafewspiritedpassagesbetweentheladyinthedoorwayandtheofficeronthewhitehorsebeforeit，thelatteradvisedMrs。Lytletouseherinfluencetobringherhusbandbacktohisduty。Shebecamegravethenandansweredthatherhusbandwouldneverturntraitortohiscountry。Fergusonfrownedattheword\"traitor，\"butpresentlyhesaid：\"Madam，IadmireyouasthehandsomestwomanI
haveseeninNorthCarolina。Ievenhalfwayadmireyourzealinabadcause。Buttakemywordforit，therebellionhashaditsdayandisnowvirtuallyputdown。GivemyregardstoCaptainLytleandtellhimtocomein。Hewiilnotbeaskedtocompromisehishonor。HisverbalpledgenotagaintotakeuparmsagainsttheKingisallthatwillbeaskedofhim。\"*
*Draper，\"King’sMountainanditsHeroes，\"pp。151-53。
Thiswasanotherphaseofthecharacteroftheone-armedHighlanderwhosefinalchallengetothebackwatermenwasnowbeingconsideredineverylogcabinbeyondthehills。Amanwhowouldnotshootanenemyintheback，whowasreadytoputthesamefaithinanothersoldier’shonorwhichheknewwasduetohisown，yetinbattleawolfishfighterwholeapedthroughthedarktogivenoquarterandtotakenone——hewasfitchallengertothoseothermountaineerswhoalsohadachivalryoftheirown，albeittheytoowerewolvesofwar。
WhenShelbyontheHolstonreceivedFerguson’spungentletter，heflunghimselfonhishorseandrodeposthastetoWataugatoconsult，withSevier。HefoundthebankoftheNolichuckyteemingwithmerrymakers。Nolichucky，Jackwasgivinganimmensebarbecueandahorserace。WithoutlettingthefestivalcrowdhaveaninklingoftheseriousnatureofShelby’serrand，thetwomendrewaparttoconfer。ItissaidtohavebeenSevier’sideathattheyshouldmustertheforcesofthewesterncountryandgoinsearchofFergusonerethelattershouldbeabletogetsufficientreinforcementstocrossthemountains。Sevier，likeFerguson，alwayspreferredtoseekhisfoe，knowingwelltheadvantageoftheoffensive。MessengersweresenttoColonelWilliamCampbelloftheVirginiasettlementsontheClinch，askinghisaid。Campbellatfirstrefused，thinkingitbettertofortifythepositionstheyheldandletFergusoncomeandputthemountainsbetweenhimselfandCornwallis。Onreceiptofasecondmessage，however，heconcurred。Thecalltoarmswasheardupanddownthevalleys，andthefrontiersmenpouredintoWatauga。TheoverhillmenwereaugmentedbyMcDowell’stroopsfromBurkeCounty，whohaddashedoverthemountainsafewweeksbeforeintheirescapefromFerguson。
Atdaybreakonthe26thofSeptembertheymusteredattheSycamoreShoalsontheWatauga，overathousandstrong。ItwasadifferentpicturetheymadefromthatothergreatgatheringatthesamespotwhenHendersonhadmadehispurchaseinmoneyoftheDarkandBloodyGround，andSevierandRobertsonhadboughtfortheWataugansthisstripofTennessee。TherewerenoIndiansinthispicture。DraggingCanoe，whohadutteredhisbloodyprophecy，hadbytheseverymenbeendrivenfarsouthintothecavesoftheTennesseeRiver。ButtheIndianprophecystillhungoverthem，andinthisdaywithaheaviermenace。Notwithmoney，now，weretheytosealtheirpurchaseofthefreelandbythewesternwaters。Therehadbeennowomeninthatotherpicture，onlythewhitemenwhoweregoingforwardtoopenthewayandtheredmenwhowereretreating。Butinthispicturetherewerewomen——wivesandchildren，mothers，sisters，andsweethearts。Allthewomenofthesettlementwerethereatthisdaybreakmustertocheerontheirwaythemenwhoweregoingouttobattlethattheymightkeepthewayoflibertyopennotformenonlybutforwomenandchildrenalso。AndthebattletowhichthemenwerenowgoingforthmustbefoughtagainstBackCountrymenoftheirownstripeunderaleaderwho，inothercircumstances，mightwellhavebeenoneofthemselves——aprimitivespiritofhardymountainstock，who，havingoncetakenhisstand，wouldnotbarterandwouldnotretreat。
\"WiththeSwordoftheLordandofGideon！\"criedtheirpastor，theReverendSamuelDoak，withupraisedhands，asthemountaineersswungintotheirsaddles。Anditissaidthatallthewomentookuphiswordsandcriedagainandagain，\"WiththeswordoftheLordandofourGideons！\"Totheshoutsoftheirwomen，asbuglesonthewindofdawn，thebuckskin-shirtedarmydashedoutuponthemountaintrail。
