sent small detachments to lurk in ambush to kill all who were unprotected, to watch the cornfields, murder the laborers, destroy the

crops, capture

the horses and cattle. This species of war

fare led to many romantic adventures, and the history of this period is full of wonderful personal feats, hair-breadth escapes, and instances of patient fortitude. The settlers became discouraged, and contemplated abandoning the settlements. 124. The Council-1782.-In this year affairs had assumed a gloomy aspect. Many of the settlers had been slain by the Indians, and others had returned to the East; many of the stations had been abandoned, and others were so weakened as to be untenable; agriculture had been nearly destroyed, and there seemed no avenue of industry; life and property were insecure, starvation seemed to threaten. A general council was called to consider the proposition of abandoning the Cumberland. This proposition was strongly favored by many of the best men. Robertson was firm, and he was strongly supported by Andrew Ewin, Anthony Bledsoe, Isaac Bledsoe, Isaac Lindsay, Thomas Molloy, George Freeland, Samuel Barton, Daniel Smith, and others. Robertson, in a forcible address, admitted the dangers and discomforts of the present, but he drew a vivid picture of the future. He pointed out that the Revolutionary War was practically ended, that with its close the Indians would lose the alliance and aid of the British, while the colonists would receive accessions in wealth and population from the influx of soldiers who would come to occupy their bounty lands. He appealed to every motive of pride and patriotism, and urged them to "Fight it out here." He ended by declaring that he would be the last man to leave. His strong sense and eloquence prevailed. The settlers caught his spirit, and went back to their fields

INDIANS ATTACKING A PIONEER CABIN AT NIGHT.

with renewed confidence and energy, determined to "fight it out.' Robertson's predictions were ultimately verified, but Fate was still holding in reserve many trials which would test the manhood of the pioneers.

125. Effect of the Preliminary Treaty of Peace.-When it became known that a preliminary treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United States had been signed at Paris, November 30, 1782, the Cumberland people hailed it with joy. Now that the Indians would no longer be incited to war and aided by Great Britain, they hoped for a respite from Indian hostilities. In this they were disappointed. The British did, indeed, cease from active support of the Indians, but they took no measures to restrain them. The Indians had become inflamed against the Cumberland settlers, and had acquired the habit of invading their country. They continued the guerrilla warfare, though less actively than before. On the whole, the affairs of the Cumberland began a steady improvement. Not only were the hostilities of the Indians somewhat relaxed, but the settlers had acquired more skill in Indian guerrilla warfare, and were better organized for military operations. The deeds of such scouts as Buchanan, Castleman, Rains, David Hood, Thomas Sharp Spencer, and others have rarely been surpassed in romance, and are illustrious in history.1

We must now leave the Cumberland settlers for a while, and turn to note the events which were occurring elsewhere.

CHAPTER XIII.

WATAUGA IN THE REVOLUTION.

126. The South Overrun.-May 12, 1780, just one day before the Cumberland settlers completed and signed their "Compact," Charleston, S. C., together with the American army which defended it, was surrendered by General Lincoln to General Sir Henry Clinton, commanding the British army. Savannah, Ga., had been previously occupied, and the entire southern coast was in possession of the British. Lord Cornwallis moved to the north and west, and routed the American army under Gates at Camden, while Sumter was defeated by Tarlton. Colonel Clarke, of Georgia, who was operating along the Savannah River, was driven from the field and found tem

1See Putnam, Chapters IX. and X., and other annalists of the period.

porary refuge on the Watauga. Marion and Lee were powerless to protect the country.

Supposing all opposition at an end, Lord Cornwallis issued a proclamation threatening severe penalties against all who should give aid to the American cause, summoned all loyalists to enlist in the English army, and relying on these recruits to hold the country in subjection, marched north to overrun North Carolina.

Feeling secure on his right flank, which extended towards the Atlantic coast, he formed a mounted force of English regulars and tories to guard his left flank against attack from the west. The command of this body was entrusted to Maj. Ferguson, a brave and skillful English officer.

Keeping Ferguson somewhat in advance, and on his left, Cornwallis advanced into North Carolina, and took post at Charlotte.

127. The Mountaineers.-Previous to the movement into North Carolina, Cornwallis had learned to beware of the pioneers "from over the mountains." When Colonel Clarke, of Georgia, had taken refuge in the Watauga country to rest and refresh his men, he carried with him on his return a number of recruits from Watauga, among others Robert Bean. These Watauga men rendered signal service in the victory which Clarke soon afterwards gained. Returning home, these mountaineers inflamed their associates by relating the atrocities practiced by the tories on the defenseless patriots. A little later, Shelby, in Sullivan County, and Sevier, in Washington County, in obedience to the command of General Rutherford, had levied one hundred men each, and were on the point of moving to the defense of Charleston, when news arrived that Charleston had fallen, and that the enemy were moving northward, and were approaching the North Carolina line. Both of these energetic commanders doubled their levies, and with two hundred mounted men each, marched promptly to the camp of Colonel McDowell, who commanded the North Carolina troops at Cherckee Ford, in South Carolina. Sevier, being unable to leave home, sent his regiment under the command of Maj. Charles Robertson.

128. The Mountaineers Gain Distinction.-Coloncl Shelby was detached with six hundred men to operate against a force of tories under command of Col. Patrick Moore, a noted loyalist. He found Colonel Moore strongly entrenched on the Pacolet River, in a redoubt known as Thicketty Fort. Capt. William Cocke, subsequently United States Senator from Tennessee, was sent to demand the surrender. This was refused, whereupon Colonel Shelby drew up his men to

storm the fort. Alarmed at the formidable appearance, Colonel Moore proposed to surrender on condition that his men should be paroled, not to serve during the war, unless exchanged. The date of this surrender was July 30, 1780.

Colonel Shelby, in command of six hundred men, was attacked at Cedar Springs by Ferguson with his entire command. After a sharp fight, Shelby withdrew, but with the honors of war.

August 18th occurred the battle of Musgrove's Mill, on the Enoree River. This feat resembled one of Forrest's most daring raids. It displayed a species of strategy peculiar to Tennessee military genius. Colonel Shelby, learning that a party of four or five hundred tories was encamped at Musgrove's Mill, determined to surprise them. But Ferguson's force of two thousand men lay between. Shelby, with his famous six hundred men, four hundred Tennesseans, and Clarke's Georgians, and Williams' South Carolinians, moved rapidly during the night by a circuitous route, passed around Ferguson's camp, and reached the vicinity of Musgrove's Mill before day. While forming his line for the attack at day-break, Colonel Shelby was surprised to learn that the enemy had just been reinforced by a detachment of British regulars and tories under the command of Colonel Innis. In this dilemma it was not safe either to attack or retreat. The enemy had discovered his presence, but was not aware of his force. He decided to prepare a hasty ambush, and sent forward Capt. Shadrach Inman with a small force to entice the enemy to attack him. The strategem was entirely successful. The enemy attacked and were completely routed. Shelby pursued them for a short distance, capturing many prisoners, and contemplating an attack upon the post at Ninety-Six, when his movement was suddenly arrested by a courier from Colonel McDowell announcing the disastrous defeat of Gates at Camden. His position. was now full of danger. It would require the utmost skill and energy to effect his retreat. This was successfully accomplished. Escaping with his prisoners and booty, he evaded pursuit, and rejoined Colonel McDowell on the following day, sixty miles from the battle-field, in the mountains, where he turned over seventy prisoners.

The period of the enlistment of the Tennesseans had now expired. After consultation with McDowell and the other leaders, measures were concerted for future campaigns against Ferguson, and the Tennessee troops returned home full of confidence in themselves, and covered with glory.

129. The Gathering. After the battle of Camden, and the rout of the American Army under Gates, Cornwallis moved into North Carolina and took post at Charlotte, as previously related. Ferguson, guarding his left flank, easily overran the country to the west, and approached the mountains. He had learned a wholesome dread of the mountaineers, from whom he had received the only check in his career of victory. Meanwhile, Shelby and Sevier had been in consultation with Colonels Arthur and William Campbell, of Virginia, with the purpose of levying a force sufficient to cope with Ferguson. This purpose was strengthened by a message which Colonel Shelby received from Ferguson, threatening to destroy the Watauga settlement.

Monday, September 25, 1780, Colonel William Campbell, of Virginia, commanding four hundred men, Colonel Isaac Shelby, of Sullivan County, Tennessee, and Colonel John Sevier, of Washington County, Tennessee, each commanding two hundred and forty men, established their camp of eight hundred and eighty mounted men at Sycamore Shoals. The next day, after prayer by Rev. Samuel Doak, the combined forces started on their march to capture Ferguson. Trusting to their good horses, their well-tested Deckhard rifles, and their own vigorous manhood, they never for a moment doubted the result. On the march they were joined by Colonel Cleveland and Colonel Win ston, with three or four hundred North Carolinians, October 1, and later by volunteers all along the route. Halting for two days, a council was held, and Colonel William Campbell, of Virginia, was selected to command the expedition. Subsequently other forces joined on the march. Among these were Sumter's South Carolinians, under Lacey, and the commands of McDowell, Hambright, and Williams. Ferguson was at Gilbert Town when he learned of the approach of the mountaineers. He retreated and took position on King's Mountain. He was pursued and attacked at this place. Two days before overtaking Ferguson, Colonel Campbell inspected his troops. Finding many of the horses worn out, he selected nine hundred and ten of the best mounted men, and with these continued the pursuit, leaving the remainder of his command to follow more slowly. This force of nine hundred and ten men fought the battle of King's Mountain. October 7, 1780, the pursuers arrived at the foot of the mountain. 130. Battle of King's Mountain.-This mountain resembles a truncated cone, from which a long spur projects. The circular plain at its top is bald, while the sides of the mountain are covered with small trees and undergrowth, and are very rocky. Upon this plain at