hold real estate. It confers on each station the power to elect its own military officers, and empowers these officers to enforce military discipline, and impress horses for military service. It provides for a commission to assure the General Assembly of North Carolina of "the felicity and attachment to interests of our country, and obedience to the laws and constitution thereof." The commission is further instructed to express the desire of the Cumberland settlers to meet their ratable share of the expenses of the war, and the other expenses of government, to explain that the present organization is made to provide for the exigencies of their exposed position, and to petition the government of North Carolina to establish this country as a county of the State, and afford it aid and protection.

Government under the Compact.-Immediately after the adoption of the compact, the government was put into operation. The militia was organized by the election of the following officers: James Robertson, colonel; John Donelson, lieutenant-colonel; Robert Lucas, major; George Freeland, Jaines Mauldin, Isaac Bledsoe, John Blackemore, James Leiper, Andrew Buchanan, and John Rains, captains.

The tribunal provided for in the compact is generally styled "The Court and Government of Notables." It was probably organized promptly, and entered at once upon its functions. It is certain that the rights of marriage were solemnized by its members. James Robertson performed the first marriage ceremony, uniting in marriage Captain James Leiper and his wife. Mr. James Shaw married four couples in one day. We have circumstantial evidence of other functions exercised by the "Notables," yet so careless were our ancestors that no record exists of the proceedings to January 7, 1783. On that day the court consisted of James Robertson, George Freeland, Thomas Molloy, Isaac Linsey, David Rounsevall, Heydon Wells, James Maulding, Ebenezer Titus, Samuel Barton, Andrew Ewin. James Robertson was elected chairman, John Montgomery, sheriff, and Andrew Ewin, clerk. It was decided to pay the clerk for his services, and afterwards the records were better kept. It seems that the court had fallen into disuse, and the records show that it was revived January 7, 1783.1

118. The Dark Days.-Instigated and aided by the agents of Great Britain, and impelled by feelings of hostility to those whom they regarded as intruders upon the hunting grounds which they had Putnam, p. 170.

so long held sacred from human habitation, the Indians began a series of invasions and depredations. The fate of the Cumberland settlements trembled in the balance. They were invaded by Indians from The block-houses and forts

the North, and Indians from the South. which they had erected saved them from destruction. Within these block-houses they could resist the attacks of invading parties, but they were constantly subjected to the fire of lurking foes, to such an extent that they could not venture out to cultivate the crops, and starvation began to stare them in the face. In addition to this, their ammunition began to fail, and there was no means within reach to replenish the supply. In this crisis, James Robertson made a perilous journey to the East to procure ammunition.

119. Freeland Station.-The Renfroe settlement on Red River, above Clarksville, had been destroyed by the Indians, and other stations had been abandoned. Many of the settlers had returned to the East. Deeply discouraged, the remaining pioneers were contemplating the abandonment of the Cumberland. At this juncture, Colonel Robertson returned from the East with a supply of ammunition, January 15, 1781. He was joyfully welcomed at Nashborough, where he remained for a few hours, and went to spend the night with his family at Freeland Station. He was just in time. That very night Freeland Station was attacked by a band of Chickasaws. Robertson's timely arrival saved the garrison. The presence of the Indians was not suspected, and the gate to the fort had not been fastened. The surprise was complete. It so happened, however, that Colonel Robertson had not retired. He heard the Indians around the garrison, and fired upon the advancing foe. Sleeping always with their rifles within reach, the garrison was speedily rallied. After a severe fight the Indians were repulsed, and the sound of the swivel at Nashborough announced that relief was coming. The Indians retired, carrying their dead and wounded with them. In this attack the gallant Major Robert Lucas, who has already been mentioned as having joined Colonel John Carter, in the purchase of Carter's Valley in 1775, was killed, and also Colonel Robertson's faithful negro servant. The force of the Indians has been variously estimated from fifty to two hundred. After their repulse they moved about the vicinity, committing depredations.

120. Result of the Battle of Freeland.-This was the last battle with the Chickasaws. Soon afterwards Colonel Robertson held an interview with Opiomingo, the Chickasaw Chief, and entered into an

alliance by which the Chickasaws were detached from British interests, and were ever afterwards the cordial and faithful allies of the Cumberland colonists. The Chickasaws had become inflamed against the Cumberland settlers on account of the occupation by General George Rogers Clark of a fort within the territory which they claimed. This cause of enmity was removed by the intervention of Colonel Robertson, and the Chickasaws were appeased. Moreover, they were the ancient, implacable enemies of the Cherokees, with whom the Cumberland settlers were at war, and readily entered into friendship with those who were at war with their hereditary enemies.

Freed from invasion by this formidable tribe, the colonists enjoyed a brief respite. Yet, they were by no means free from hostilities. Roving bands of Indians-Cherokees, Chickamaugas, Creeks from the South, Shawnees, Delawares, Wyandots from the Northcommitted depredations, fired from ambush, waylaid travelers, and kept the settlers in continual alarm. During this period many colonists lost their lives by the tomahawk and rifle.

121. The Battle of the Bluffs. This irregular warfare was followed by the best concerted and most formidable invasion made by the Indians. During the night of April 1, 1781, an Indian force reached the vicinity of the Bluffs unobserved. There they secreted themselves and remained undiscovered until the following morning, April 2d. The strength of this force is variously estimated. Ramsey is content to call them "a numerous body." Other historians estimate them at from five hundred to one thousand. Historians generally credit this attack to the Cherokees, although there is reason to believe that it was a concerted movement, in which many tribes were engaged, some of them being Northern tribes. This battle is full of romantic incidents. The Indians had, with wonderful secrecy, encompassed the fort during the night. Early the next morning they sent three Indians forward, who fired on the fort and retreated. Unaware that a strong force was investing the fort, a party of more than twenty horsemen, probably led by Colonel Robertson, pursued the savages to their cover. At a point which is now the corner of College and Demonbreun streets, they encountered a large body of Indians. Dismounting from their horses they formed on foot and charged the enemy in front. Suddenly a large force of Indians broke cover from a position on the flank and rear of the whites, and rushed forward to capture the horses.

1 1 Ramsey's Annals, p. 452.

Still another strong body of Indians, who had lain in ambush, rushed forward with yells, and intervened between the sallying party and the fort. At this critical juncture the dogs, a large number of

BATTLE OF THE BLUFFS. CHARGE OF THE DOGS.

which had been confined in the fort, were turned loose upon the Indians. It is related that the gate was opened for them, and they were incited to attack the Indians by Mrs. Robertson, who, in the

moment of desperation, was inspired to this novel expedient by noticing the excitement of the dogs. Their furious onset was as successful as Hannibal's famous charge of the yoked oxen. The noble animals rushed straight upon the Indians, and sprung at their throats. Disconcerted at this unexpected onslaught, the Indians turned to their own defense. Meanwhile the other party of Indians had become scattered in pursuit of the horses, which had taken fright and were. running loose.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the small party of whites who had been cut off passed through the gap in the Indian lines, and most of them reached the fort in saftey. There was some further fighting, which ended in the repulse of the Indians. They continued the investment until the next day, when they were joined by re-inforcements, and seemed contemplating an attack by storm. A well directed fire from the swivel, loaded with pieces of iron, terrified them, and caused their immediate retreat.

122. Incidents of the Battle.- Col. Robertson probably made no written report of the battle, certainly none which has come down to history. The accounts of historians are gathered from various sources, and are somewhat conflicting. On the main points they all agree. The complete surprise, the ambush of the charging party, and their miraculous escape, the flight of the horses, and the charge of the dogs, though variously narrated, may be regarded as authentic.

This battle is remarkable for the number of instances of individual gallantry. In fact, the deeds of individual heroes recall the fights around the walls of Troy. Among those who especially distinguished themselves were John Buchanan, Alexander Buchanan, James Leiper, Samuel Barton, and Isaac Lucas. The following were killed: Peter Gill, Alexander Buchanan, George Kennedy, Zachariah White, and James Leiper. Among the wounded were James Manifee, Joseph Moonshaw, Isaac Lucas, Edward Swanson, and Samuel Barton.1

123. The Guerrilla Warfare. The Indians now abandoned the plan of besieging the fortified places, and instituted a guerrilla warfare, which proved exasperating and fatal. They aimed to drive the settlers from the country by rendering their residence insecure, and preventing them from following the pursuits of agriculture. They

1This is one of the most interesting of Indian battles. Students should read the following works, where it is described more in detail than the limits of a school-book will permit: Haywood's History, pp. 117-120; Ramsey's Annals, pp. 452-455; Putnam, pp. 129-138; Rear Guard of the Revolution, pp. 34–41.