USA > Tennessee > Early history of Middle Tennessee > Part 4
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Of him Judge John Haywood, his contemporary and intimate friend, has said: "Like almost all those in America who have attained distinction Robertson could boast of neither noble lineage nor splendid ancestry. But he had what was far more valuable. a sound mind. a healthy body, a robust frame, an intrepid soul and an emulous desire for honest fame."
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In personal appearance Robertson was tall, of fair complexion, light blue eyes, and dark hair. Though quiet and retiring in manner, he was by nature a leader of men and master of affairs. That pioneer Frenchman, Timothy DeMonbreun, once said of Robertson: "He always know savoir faire, vat to do and he do him."
During the thirty-five years succeeding the foundation of the Cumberland settlement he was a representative of the Federal Government in the negotiation of every treaty made with the Indians of the South. The latter held him in great veneration, always explaining this esteem by saying that "he has winning ways and makes no fuss." In dealings with the savages Robert- son was unquestionably the greatest diplomat the world has ever known.
But let us return to the immigrants. Late in October, 1779, the overland party, about two hundred strong, left Watauga. The route chosen was a difficult one, leading as it did, by way of southern Kentucky. Passing along the well-beaten trace through the mountains at Cumberland Gap they traveled what was then known as the Kentucky Trace to Whitley's Station on Dick's River, thence to Carpenter's Station on Green River, and thence to Robertson's Fork on the north side of Green River. From there they journeyed down the river to Pittman's Station, descend- ing the stream to Little Barren, which was crossed at Elk Lick. From thence they passed over to Big Barren and then up Drake's Creek to a noted bituminous .spring, thence to a location in Simpson County called Maple Swamp. From the latter place they crossed into Robertson County, Tennessee, and traveled along Red River to Cross Plains, going south by way of Good- lettsville, and passing over Cumberland River at the bluff where Nashville now stands. This, the end of their journey, was reached the latter part of December, probably on Christmas Day.
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1779, and quite two months after their departure from Watauga. The weather during the months of November and December had been extremely severe, a large part of the journey having been made through snow. The party had suffered much from cold. This season has ever since been known throughout the Eastern States as the "hard winter." However, Robertson and all his fol- lowers arrived in safety, having traveled about five hundred miles. No deaths had occurred and they had been free from attacks by the Indians.
Cumberland River was frozen solid from bank to bank, and the entire party crossed over on the ice. When they were in mid stream the ice began to break with a cracking sound that might have been heard for many miles, and all the company were badly frightened lest they should be plunged into the river. It only settled a little, however, and finally landed them safe on the other side.
Soon after leaving Watauga, Robertson and his companions had been overtaken by a party from New River under the leader- ship of John Rains. The latter had with them both horses and cattle, and were bound for Harrod's Station, which was located at the present site of Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky. Robertson prevailed on them to change their plan and accom- pany him to French Lick. Rains had formerly visited both loca- tions, and in discussing the matter with Robertson declared that he felt like a man who wished to get married and knew two beau- tiful women either of whom he could have, and both of whom he wanted.
During the same winter Kasper Mansker, Daniel Frazier, Amos Eaton and a number of other immigrants followed the route pursued by the first company, and after suffering great privations reached the Cumberland country about the first of January. Near the same time there arrived from South Carolina
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a party consisting of John and Alex Buchanan, Daniel and Samp- son Williams, John and James Mulherrin, Thomas Thompson and others whose names are now unknown, all of whom had come to cast their fortunes with the new colony. Many ties of kinship were afterwards disclosed as existent between various members of these several companies, and it is more than likely that this seeming coincidental movement westward by those from widely separated localities was brought about by a previous nat- ural correspondence resulting from such relations.
There were a few women and children with the Rains and Mansker parties, but none with those led by Robertson and Buchanan.
Seeing no signs or Indians on their arrival, and having been unmolested on their journey thither, the settlers were inclined to scatter over the country, locating on any body of land they might fancy within a radius of twenty or twenty-five miles of French Lick. Robertson, however, believed there was trouble ahead, and therefore advised the building of a stockade into which all should come for protection at night. By many this advice went unheeded, and as a result they soon came to grief.
It was agreed, however, that the stockade at the Bluff should be headquarters for the colony. This fort, which was called the Bluff Station, was located at the foot of Church Street, in what is now the city of Nashville, and near a bold spring, the water of which at that time flowed out of the bank and down a precipice into the river. This spring was filled and lost sight of while the city was in progress of building, but was again uticovered a few years ago by workmen who were excavating for the foundation of a new structure in that vicinity. This fort was to be a place of general council, the seat of government, and together with the small village which sprang up immediately around it was offi- cially called Nashborough in honor of General Francis Nash, a
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former Governor of North Carolina, and Brigadier-General in the Revolutionary Army. He was mortally wounded and died at Germantown, October 4, 1777.
The main building in the Bluff fort, which was at first occu- pied by Robertson and two or three companions was a log struct- ure two stories high, with port holes around the walls both above and below. These were for rifles in case of attack. On top was a lookout station from which sentinels might discover the ap- proach and movements of the enemy. Other cabins were built round about, the whole being inclosed by a circlet of cedar pickets driven firmly into the ground. The upper ends of these pickets were sharpened to a point, making it practically impossible to scale the rude wall thus formed. There was but one entrance to this enclosure; a gate, which by means of a heavy log chain was securely fastened at night. ?
From the lookout on this fort the settlers might have a com- manding view of the surrounding country. To the west and south beyond Broad Street. the scene was much obstructed by a forest of cedars under which was a thick growth of bushes. On the uplands and slopes around and beyond this was an abun- dance of timber of all varieties, and of gigantic size. The bot- tom lands along the river and to the east and north were covered by a thick growth of cane from ten to twenty feet in height. presenting a picture quite in contrast to that which might be viewed to-day from a similar elevation.
CHAPTER XIII.
LOCATION OF FORTS.
Within a few weeks after the completion of the Bluff Fort a number of other and smaller stations had been planted in the
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surrounding country. The first of these was that of lohn Rains, who went out to what is now Waverly Place, and selecting a site near a spring built a cabin for himself and family, and also constructed pens of brush and rails for the twenty-one cows and seventeen horses brought by him from New River. Rains is thus entitled to credit for having first introduced these animals into Middle Tennessee.
George, Jacob and James Freeland and others of the party selected a site in McGavock's addition to Nashville, and there beside a large spring which sent forth a lasting stream of water, built a fort which is known to history as Freeland's Station. This was connected with the Bluff Fort by a few buffalo paths running through the thick canebrake which at that time covered the Sul- phur Spring bottom. Eaton's Station was located on the east side of the river, a mile and a half down the same from the Bluff. It was built by Amos Eaton, Isaac Lindsey, Louis Crane. Hayden Wells, Frederick Stump, Sr., Isaac. Roundsever, William Loggins and a man named Winters. This station was composed of a number of cabins built around a circle with a stockade from one to another. There were portholes through both the stockade and the outer walls of the cabins for purposes of defense.
Kasper Mansker, as previously noted, was by no means a stranger to the Cumberland country. Now taking with him Wil- liam Neely. James Franklin, Daniel Frazier and others. he jour- neyed twelve miles north of the Bluff to the region of the twin licks he had discovered while hunting eight years before. Here on the west side of Mansker's Creek, and three or four hundred yards from what was later known as Walton's camp ground, they built a fort which was called Mansker's Station. It was located near Goodlettsville on the farm now owned by the heirs of Peyton Roscoe. In the spring of 1783 this fort was moved to a site a mile above this location on the cast side of
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the creek. Mansker was of German descent, and in conversation with the settlers spoke broken English. Though without col- legiate education he was a man of fine intelligence and superior judgment, a great woodsman, a splendid marksman, a mighty hunter and a brave soldier. No man among the early pioneers understood better than did he the art of Indian warfare, and on
RESIDENCE OF MRS. HATTIE CTLEY NFAR GOODLETSVILLE FORMER HOME OF KASPER MANSKER
this account he was able to render excellent service in routing the savages from the Cumberland Valley. In the early days he was the proud possessor of a flintlock rifle which he called "Nau- cy," after the manner of the old hunters who were given to the habit of denominating each his favorite weapon by some feminine
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nickname. In his latter years the younger generation often lis- tened with eager attention while he related his exploits and con- flicts with the Indians. Soon after the founding of his station Mansker was made a colonel in the frontier militia. He engaged actively in nearly all of the bloody wars which followed, and though far advanced in years was present at the taking of the Indian village Nickajack, a campaign to be described later on. His wife, like himself. was of foreign birth, and lived to an ad- vanced age. To them no children were born. Both, true to the instincts of their nationality, were thrifty, and in their old age owned and occupied a fine farm near the site of the second fort. Here they died some years after the cessation of Indian hostilities. Their rmains are buried in the family cemetery on the old home- stead, now owned by Mrs. Hattie Utley.
During the spring of 1780 Isaac Bledsoe built a fort in Sumner County at the lick he had previously discovered. The time of the location of this fort is positively determined by the fact that Bledsoe's Station is mentioned in the compact of government which was formulated at Nashborough on May 1, 1780. The site of this fort is near Castalian Springs and on land now owned by Henry Belote. In the walls of a barn belonging to the latter are some of the old logs used in the construction of the station cabins.
Another of the immigrants by the name of Asher, taking with him a party of companions from the Bluff, went twenty-eight miles northeast into Sumner County and built a fort two and a half miles southeast of Gallatin on the buffalo path leading from Mansker's Lick to Bledsoe's. This was called Asher's Station, and was located on what is now known as the Arch Overton farm near the dirt road leading from Gallatin to Cairo. Some time during the month of January or February, another party consisting of Thomas Killgore, Moses and AAmbrose Mauldon,
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4
Samuel Mason, Josiah Hankins and others went up into the Red River country and established Killgore's Station in Robertson County near Cross Plains. Fort Union was also built by Robt. Hays at a point five or six miles up the river from the bluff and on the site of the more modern Haysborough.
The settlers at the Bluff and surrounding stations lived dur-
GRAVES OF KASPER MANSKER AND WIFE
ing the first winter and spring chiefly on wild game, which was of sufficient quantity but very poor in quality. Large numbers of the deer and other animals of like nature were found to have died of hunger by reason of the heavy snows and long and intense cold. All food was of the plainest and most simple of prepara- tion. The only obtainable substitute for butter and lard was
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bear's oil, of which, however, the hunters became very fond. The small crop of corn raised in the Sulphur Spring bottom the sum- mer before furnished them a limited supply of bread.
In the latter part of January some of the men in pursuit of game through the woods were surprised to find traces of a party of Indians. These they were able to identify by the moccasin prints and also because the toes of the tracks turned inward. a characteristic of the savage foot. Following on apace the hunt- ers found them encamped on a branch of Mill Creek in Davidson County, a few miles south of the Bluff. The stream mentioned has since been called Indian Creek because of this incident. The whites returned at once to the Bluff, and a delegation was sent down from the settlement to seek an interview, and discover if possible whether the intruders were only friendly visitors or on mischief bent. The whites had no interpreter, but after "heap much talk," combined with a variety of sign making it was found that they were of the Delaware tribe. Probably ignorant of the advent of the settlers they had journeyed hundreds of miles from their home in New Jersey for a quiet hunt in the reservation. Having been already for some time in the Caney Fork country, which at that time abounded in game, they remained only a few days near the settlement, after which they quietly took their leave going south into Alabama. This was the first Indian fright ex- perienced by the settlers. Many others followed, some of which proved more serious in consequences.
Soon after the erection of the stations Jamies Robertson, who, with such marked success, had led the largest of the four bands through the wilderness, was chosen colonel of the local militia. This office was conferred by unanimous vote, and for the time being bestowed the highest authority in matters pertaining to the government and defense of the settlements. Though several months had now elapsed since the beginning of the journey from
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Watauga, no tidings had yet been received from the river party. and a feeling of uneasiness as to their safety began to pervade the colony. Let us return to the scene of their embarkment and follow them through the events of their voyage.
CHAPTER XIV.
DONELSON'S VOYAGE .- THE RIVER FLEETS BEGIN THEIR LONG JOURNEY.
Because of delays incident to such occasions, the fleets under Colonel Donelson and Captain Blackmore did not sail for nearly two months after the departure of the land force. Finally, how- ever, the voyage was begun by each about the same time: Donel- son's party from Fort Patrick Henry. five or six miles above the north fork of Holston River, and that commanded by Blackmore. from Blackmore's Fort on Clinch River. Of the adventures of the latter we know but little until after they were united with Donelson's fleet at the mouth of Clinch River some time there- after.
Colonel Donelson was aboard the "Adventure," the largest boat in the flotilla, and for this he kept a journal in which was re- corded all the principal events of the journey from the time of sailing until it reached the French Lick four months later. For- tunately this document has been preserved, and is now in the archives of the Tennessee Historical Society at Nashville. It is styled a "Journal of a Voyage intended by God's permission in the good boat Adventure from Fort Patrick Henry on Holston River to the French Salt Springs on Cumberland River, kept by John Donelson." From this journal we gain the information that the first mentioned wing of the fleet took its departure from Fort Patrick Henry on December 22d. At that time, as we have
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already seen, the land party was within a few days of its desti- nation. From there the Adventure and its companion boats fell down the river to Reedy Creek, where they were stopped by low water and excessive cold. Here they remained for some time, finally reaching the mouth of Cloud's Creek on Sunday evening. February 20, 1780. They passed the mouth of French Broad River on Thursday morning, March 2. About noon that day one of the boats which was conveying Hugh Henry and fam- ily ran on the point of William's Island two miles above Knox- ville, and by force of the current sank. The freight therein was much damaged. and lives of passengers greatly endangered. Colonel Donelson ordered the whole fleet tied up while the men of the party assisted in bailing the sunken boat and replacing her cargo.
The same afternoon Ruben Harrison, one of the party, went hunting in the woods along the shore and did not return. Dur- ing the afternoon and night many guns were fired to warn him. Early next morning a small four-pound cannon, the property of Robert Cartwright, and which was mounted on the Adventure. was also fired, the voyagers hoping thereby to attract the atten- tion of the lost man. Numerous parties were sent out to scour the woods, but all to no avail. On Saturday morning, March 4th. after leaving the young man's father and the occupants of a few boats to continue the search, the main body moved off down stream. About ten o'clock that day young Harrison was found and taken aboard from the shore some miles below. to which place he had wandered the day before. The party camped that night on the South bank of the river in Loudon County, near the present beautiful and picturesque site of Lenoir City.
Sunday morning. March 5th, the fleet was under way before sunrise, and at noon passed the mouth of Clinch River in Roane County, where Kingston now stands. Three hours later they
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overtook the boats under command of Captain Blackmore, the whole party camping again that night on the shore.
Donelson's Journal does not record the number of boats in this fleet, but James Cartwright, for many years a citizen of Gallatin, and whose father, Robert Cartwright, was with Donelson on the Adventure, related that when the boats from the Holston united with those from the Clinch they were about forty in number. These consisted of scows, canoes and pirogues, the latter being a kind of rude craft hollowed out from the trunks of trees. Nearly all the boats had two or more families aboard. In the combined party there were a hundred and thirty women and children, and about fifty men.
The cargo consisted of the household goods and personal effects of those aboard and of those who had gone with Robert- son by land. The Adventure carried the largest number of pas- sengers. Among them were the wife and five children of James Robertson, Robert Cartwright and family. and Colonel Donelson's family, including his daughter, Rachael, who afterwards became the wife of General Andrew Jackson. The names of other per- sons who came with this fleet are as follows : John Donelson, Jr .. son of Colonel Donelson, Benjamin Porter, Hugh Rogan, James McCain, Isaac Neely, John Cotton, Jonathan Jennings, William Crutchfield. John Boyd, Isaac Renfroe. John and Solomon Tur- pin. Francis Armstrong, John Montgomery, Isaac Lanier. Dan- iel Dunham, John Cockrill, John Caffrey, Thomas Hutchins, Ben- jamin Belew, John Gibson, Hugh and Thomas Henry, Frank Haney, Russell Gower, Daniel Chambers, David Gwinn M. Roundsever, and Messrs. Maxwell. Stuart. Payne and Johns, also Mrs. Mary Purnell and Mrs. Mary Henry, and their respect- ive families.
The flotilla now proceeded in a body. During Wednesday, March 8, they came to the first inhabited Indian town on the
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Tennessee River near Chattanooga. Its inhabitants were of the treacherous Chickamauga tribes, who, on sighting the boats, came flocking to the river and insisted that the voyagers should come ashore. They gave signs of friendship, calling the whites brothers and addressing them in other familiar terms. inst much that John Donelson, Jr., and John Caffrey took a canoe and rowed toward them, the fleet having anchored on the opposite shore. When Donelson and Caffrey were about mid-stream they were met by Archie Coody, a half-breed, and several other In- dians who warned them to return to the fleet. They did so, followed by Coody and his companions. The latter seemed friendly, and Colonel Donelson distributed among them presents, with which they were much pleased.
Looking across toward the village just at this time they saw a large party of Indians armed and painted in red and black, embarking in canoes on the other side. Coody at once made signs to his companions ordering them to quit the fleet, which order they readily obeyed, while he remained with the whites and urged them to move off at once. The boats were scarcely under way again when they discovered the village Indians, still armed and bedecked in war-paint, coming down the river, seem- ingly to intercept them. However, the whites were not over- taken. Coody rowed along in his canoe with the fleet for some time, but finally assuring Colonel Donelson that he had passed all the Chickamauga towns and was, therefore, free from danger, turned about and rowed back toward the first village.
The whites had not proceeded far, however, before they came in sight of another mud-cabin town situated likewise on the south side of the river, and nearly opposite a small island. Here the savages again invited them to come ashore, calling them brothers as on the previous occasion. However, the settlers were too wise to be led into such a trap, and headed their boats for the opposite
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channel around the island. Seeing this, the Indians called to them through one of their number who could speak English, tell- ing them that the channel chosen was unsafe, and that their side of the river was much better for such passage.
Captain Blackmore's boat ran too near the northern shore. and was fired upon by a band of Indians who lay concealed near the bank. Young Mr. Payne, who was aboard the craft. was killed as a result of such an unexpected volley.
There was with the flotilla a boat carrying twenty-eight pas- sengers, among whom an epidemic of smallpox had broken out. To guard against a spread of this disease to other members of the fleet agreement had been made that it should keep well to the rear, its owner, Mr. Stuart, being notified each night by the sound of a hunting horn when those ahead went into camp. Therefore, this unfortunate party was far behind while the events ยท above mentioned were taking place. When they came down opposite the towns the Indians were on the shore in large num- bers and seeing them thus cut off from the rest of the fleet swarmed out in canoes and with cold-blooded, murderous intent killed and captured the entire crew. Cries of the latter were dis- tinctly heard by those in the boats ahead, but they were unable to stem the swift current and thus return to aid their perishing comrades.
But the Indians suffered a swift and righteous retribution for this wanton act of cruelty. They became infected with the dis- ease of their victims, and for many months thereafter smallpox raged, not only among the Chickamaugas, but in the tribes of their neighbors, the Creeks and Cherokees. When stricken with the malady and while the fever was yet upon them, the savages would take a heavy sweat in their huts. When driven to madness by the fever and heat, they would rush out and leap into the river, from the effects of which folly they died by scores. Oki
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persons of to-day well remember the traditional accounts of a great and terrible mortality which prevailed among the savages after the capture of Stuart's boat.
CHAPTER XV.
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