USA > Tennessee > Early history of Middle Tennessee > Part 5
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PERILS OF THE RIVER.
News of the fleet's approach seems to have preceded it down the river, and now at every turn the unhappy voyagers were greeted with signs of hostility. They had by this time reached the Whirl or Suck, ten miles down from Chattanooga, where the river is compressed into less than half its usual channel by the jutting walls of the Cumberland Mountains. While passing through the "boiling pot" near the upper end of these narrows an accident occurred which almost cost the immigrants their lives. John Cotton had attached a large canoe in which he was travel- ing, to Robert Cartwright's flatboat on which his household goods were stored, and into the latter Cotton and his family had gone for greater safety. At this point the canoe was overturned and its cargo lost. Pitying Cotton's distress those ahead decided to call a halt and help recover the property. They landed at a level spot on the north bank and were going back to the scene of the accident when to their utter surprise the Indians appeared in great numbers on the opposite cliffs above and began firing down on them. The would-be rescuers beat a hasty retreat to their boats and shoving off rowed rapidly down the river. The sav- ages lining the bluffs overhead kept up a brisk fire, during which four of the immigrants were wounded. In the boat of Russell Gower was his daughter, Nancy Gower. When the crew was thrown into disorder by the attack, Nancy took the helm and steered through the narrows though exposed to all the fire of
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the enemy. A bullet from an Indian's rifle passed entirely through her body, but she made no outcry, standing bravely at her post. No one knew she was wounded until her mother dis- covered the blood-stains on her garments. She survived the wound and afterwards became the wife of Anderson Lucas, one of the first settlers at Nashville.
It would seem that the events above recorded were enough for one day, but the end was not yet. A boat belonging to Jona- than Jennings ran on a large rock jutting out into the water at the lower end of the whirl. The enemy soon discovered Jen- nings' plight, and turning their whole attention to him, kept up a most galling fire on his boat and its occupants. He immediately ordered his wife, a son nearly grown, a young man who was a passenger, and two negro servants, a man and a woman, to throw all the goods into the river that they might thus lighten the craft and get it afloat. Jennings himself. being a good sol- dier and a fine marksman, took up his rifle and returned the fire of the Indians with great effect. Before the boat was unloaded. his son, the young man who was a passenger, and the negro man jumped overboard and started to swim ashore. The negro man was drowned, but the two young men reached the bank where they secured a canoe and started down the river. Mrs. . Jennings and the negro woman continued their work of unload- ing the boat, assisted by Mrs. Peyton, a daughter of Mrs. Jen- nings and the wife of Ephraim Peyton, who had gone overland with Robertson. An infant, to which Mrs. Peyton had given birth only the day before this disaster, was accidentally killed in the confusion and excitement incident to unloading the boat. When the goods were all thrown overboard Mrs. Jennings got out and shoved the boat off the rocks. In so doing she nearly lost her life because of its sudden lurch into the water. History has seldom recorded deeds of greater heroism than those accred-
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ited to the brave women who were among the immigrants on this most memorable voyage to a new and unknown land.
The two young men who deserted the boat were met on their way down the river by five canoes full of Indians. By the latter they were taken prisoners and carried back to one of the Chicka- mauga towns. There young Jennings was knocked down by the savages who were about to take his life, when a friendly trader by the name of Rogers came up and ransomed him with goods and trinkets. He was afterwards restored to his relatives at the French Lick settlement. The other captive was killed and his body burned. All other boats of the fleet were ahead of that of Jennings, and though their occupants feared for its safety, they were ignorant of its peril. They had proceeded without inci- dent during Wednesday night, and after sailing all day Thursday, March 9, considered themselves beyond the reach of danger, and camped at dusk on the northern shore. About four o'clock next morning they were aroused by a cry of "help!" from the river. Upon investigation it was found that the call was from the Jen- nings boat, whose occupants were drifting down stream in a most wretched condition. They had discovered the whereabouts of their fellow-travelers by the light of the camp fires ashore. It was little short of miraculous that they should have escaped with- out the slightest wound, as their boat and even the clothing they wore had been pierced by many bullets.
The members of this unfortunate family having now been distributed among the remaining boats, the voyage was resumed. After a day of safe passage the fleet anchored again at night on the northern shore.
On March 12 they came to the upper end of the Muscle Shoals near the present site of Tuscumbia, Alabama. Here, we remember, it had been agreed that a party from French Lick should either meet them or leave a sign which should determine
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their futtire course. Doubtless the commanders of this flotilla and the company they were leading looked forward with a sense of relief to a probable journey from this point overland, by which they might escape the further perils of the river. In this, how- ever, they were doomed to disappointment, for upon their arrival at the head of the Shoals neither the party nor the promised sign were in evidence. Colonel Robertson's reason for not ful- filling this part of the agreement is unknown. A probable ex- planation is that because of the unexpected length of his own journey he supposed the river party had already passed the Shoals by the time he reached French Lick.
Nevertheless, the crews of the flotilla, though well aware of the dangers confronting them, were determined to continue the voyage. The Shoals are described as being at that time dreadful to behold. The river was swollen beyond its wont, the swift current running out in every direction from piles of driftwood which were heaped high upon the points of the islands. This deflection of the stream made a terrible roaring, which might be heard for many miles. At some places the boats dragged the bottom, while at others they were warped and tossed about on the waves as though in a rough sea. The passage which was. withal, exceedingly dangerous, was made in about three hours, the entire fleet coming through into the western channel of the river without accident.
CHAPTER XVI.
END OF THE VOYAGE.
Two days later some of the boats coming too near the shore were fired upon by the Indians and five of the crew were wounded That night after having gone into camp near the mouth of a creek in Hardin County, Tennessee, the party became alarmed by
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the loud barking of their dogs, and supposing that the enemy was again upon them, ran hastily down to the river, leaving all the camp outfit behind. Springing into the boats they drifted in the darkness about a mile down stream and camped again on the opposite shore. Next morning John Donelson, Jr., and John Caffrey, who seem to have been the scouts of the expedition, determined to find out the cause of alarm. Securing a canoe they rowed back to the first camp where they found an old negro man, a member of the party, sound asleep by the fire. In the hurried flight of the night before no one had thought to wake him, and he was yet undisturbed by the rays of the morning sun. The alarm was false, for nothing had been molested.
The party now returned and gathered up their belongings, after which another day's voyage was begun. On Monday night, March 20, they arrived at the mouth of the Tennessee River and went into camp on the lowland which is now the site of Pa- ducah. Though already much worn by hunger and fatigue, the supply of provision having run short, they were here confronted by new difficulties, the whole making the situation extremely disagreeable. Having been constructed to float with the tide their boats were unable to ascend the rapid current of the Ohio, which was almost out of banks by reason of the heavy spring rains. They were also ignorant of the distance yet to be trav- eled, and the length of time required to reach their destination. Some of the company here decided to abandon the journey to French Lick; a part of them floating down the Ohio and Mis- sissippi to Natchez, the rest going to points in Illinois. Among the latter were John Caffrey and wife, the son-in-law and daugh- ter of Colonel Donelson.
This loss of companionship made a continuation of the voyage doubly trying on those who were left behind. However, noth- ing daunted, they determined to pursue their course eastward,
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regardless of all the danger. Accordingly they set sail on Tues- day, the 21st, but were three days in working their way up the Ohio from Paducah to the mouth of the Cumberland, a distance of fifteen miles. Arriving at the latter place they were undecided as to whether the stream they found was really the Cumberland. Some declared it could not be the latter, because it was very much smaller in volume than they had expected to find. Prob- ably their three days of incessant toil against the swift current of the Ohio had much to do with this pygmean appearance of our own beloved and historic river. However, they had heard of no stream flowing into the Ohio between the Tennessee and Cumberland, and, therefore, decided to make the ascent. They were soon assured by the widening channel that they were correct in their conjectures. In order to make progress up stream Colo- nel Donelson rigged the Adventure with a small sail made out of a sheet. To prevent the ill effects of any sudden gusts of wind a man was stationed at each lower corner of this sail with instruc- tions to loosen it when the breeze became too strong.
For three days after entering the mouth of the Cumberland their journey was without incident. An occasional hunting ex- cursion was made through the forest which skirted the shore Thus was procured a supply of buffalo meat, which was poor but palatable. On the second day out a large swan came floating by the Adventure. Colonel Donelson shot it, and describes the cooked flesh thereof as having been very delicious. Two days later they gathered from a place in the bottoms near the shore a quantity of greens which some of the company called Shawnee salad. To this day the spot above mentioned is known as "Pat's Injun Patch," so named for Colonel Donelson's old negro cook. Patsy, who was called "Pat for short."
On Friday, March 31, they had the good fortune to meet Colonel Henderson, of the Transylvania Company, who was out
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with a surveying party trying to establish the much disputed boundary line between Virginia and North Carolina. This meet- ing was very timely, as Colonel Henderson had come over by way of French Lick and brought to them good tidings of the arrival of Colonel Robertson and his companions from whom they had not heard since the latter began their perilous westward march over the Kentucky trail five months before. Until late in the night they plied him with questions about the new country toward which they were journeying. He painted in glowing colors the future before them, and by way of relieving anxiety as to present needs vouchsafed the information that he had just purchased a quantity of corn from the settlements in Kentucky to be shipped by boat from Louisville to French Lick for the use of the settlers. Doubtless there was then a silver lining to the cloud of uncertainty that had long hovered over this hardship-riden band of adven- turers.
But there were yet three weeks of sailing before them. At length they arrived without further accident, at the mouth of Red River in Montgomery County, where they bade adieu to Isaac Renfroe and several companions, the latter having on a previous. hunting trip selected a location at that place. The voy- age was now near an end, and on April 23, they found them- selves alongside of Eaton's Station, a mile and a half below the Bluff fort. The following day, Monday, April 24, they joined their relatives and friends of the Robertson expedition from whom they had parted many weeks before. Colonel Donelson records the fact that it was then a great source of satisfaction to himself and his associates that they were now able to restore to Colonel Robertson and others their families and friends, whom sometime since, perhaps, they had despaired of ever meeting again. Thirty-three of the party had perished by the way, and nine of those who remained were wounded.
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Truly has Gilmore said: "This voyage has no parallel in his- tory. A thousand miles they had journeyed in frail boats upon unknown and dangerous rivers. The country through which they passed was infested by hostile Indians, and their way had been over foaming whirlpools and dangerous shoals where for days they had run the gauntlet and been exposed to the fire of the whole nation of Chickamaugas, the fiercest Indian tribe on this continent."
In all events it will stand forth to the end of time as one of the most remarkable achievements in the early settlement of the American continent.
CHAPTER XVII.
COMPACT OF GOVERNMENT.
Soon after his arrival Colonel Donelson, together with his son, John Donelson, Jr., Hugh Rogan and others, went ten miles up the Cumberland to the mouth of Stones River. There in the midst of a fine body of land, since known as the "Clover Bottom," they built a fort, the location of which was about a hundred and fifty yards northwest of where the Lebanon turnpike now crosses Stones River. This beautiful tract of rich bottom land took its name from the thick growth of native white clover which covered it at that time. The Turpins and Johns went back down the river to Clarksville and there joined Renfroe in establishing near the mouth of Red River the station which bore his name. The rest of those who had come by water found locations in the various forts already erected at the time of their arrival.
Thus it appears that the entire population of Middle Ten- nessee at that time was less than five hundred. These were housed in the eight or nine forts of Davidson and Sumner
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Counties. The little colony thus constituted was in the heart of a wild and, save their own presence, an uninhabited country several hundred miles from any other settlement and much fur- ther from the seat of government. North Carolina, the parent State, was now engaged in the Revolutionary War, and, therefore, could not, or would not, minister to the wants of her colony upon the distant frontier, while the latter, by reason of its seeming security from the legal processes of the States, was fast becoming a rendezvous for murderers, horse thieves, and all other fugitives from justice. From time to time also there arose between members of the colony matters of legitimate contro- versy which must of necessity be settled at law. In consequence of the above the leading men of the settlement soon set about drafting a form of local self-government. Col. James Robert- son and Col. Richard Henderson were leaders in the movement. They were not without experience. The former had assisted in launching the Watauga compact some years before. The latter had been a leading spirit in early governmental affairs both at Watauga and at Boonesboro in central Kentucky. By his re- cent survey Henderson had established to his own satisfaction the fact that the Cumberland settlement was within the bounds of the territory belonging to North Carolina. He proposed now to claim his right of purchase by the treaty of Sycamore Shoals. This he did, and afterwards sold to the emigrants the land on which they entered. He took no money from them, however, but simply entered into an agreement by the terms of which the purchase price, which was small, should be paid when the State of North Carolina should declare his title valid. This was never done. Instead, North Carolina followed the example of Vir- ginia by declaring his title void, and in partial payment therefor granted him two hundred thousand acres of fine land in the Holston Valley of East Tennessee. Henderson in all things
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dealt justly with the early pioneers, and left among them when he died an honored name.
Robertson and Henderson probably wrote the articles of agreement establishing the compact of government which was entered into by the settlers on May 1, 1780, and which was finally ratified on May 13, following. This agreement was signed by two hundred and fifty-six of the colonists, only one of whom was unable to write his own name. This number repre- sented nearly the entire male population.
It provided that as soon as convenient after its adoption the free men of the settlement who were over twenty-one years of age should elect or choose from their number twelve suitable persons to be called Judges, or Triers. The latter should con- stitute a court having jurisdiction over such matters of a civil or criminal nature as in the future might arise. These judges should serve without salary and were divided among the various stations as follows: The Bluff, or Nashborough, three; Eaton's, two; Mansker's, two; Bledsoe's, one; Asher's, one; Freeland's. one ; Donelson's, one; and Fort Union, one.
Other stations at that time located were not recognized as entitled to representation on this court, probably because the number inhabiting each was considered too small. We shall see that some of the latter were soon thereafter abandoned. By the solemnity of an oath these Judges were bound to do equal and impartial justice to all parties to the best of their skill and judgment.
It was also provided that as often as the people in general became dissatisfied with the acts or decisions of the members of this body they might call a new election and elect others in their stead. This court, having due regard, of course, for the rules and regulations of the government land office, was empowered to settle contests arising from entries upon tracts of land, of which
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contests there is always an abundance in every newly settled coun- try. Its decisions in such cases were final as to any future claim of the party against whom said judgment was rendered.
It was further provided that until such time as the State of North Carolina should extend the jurisdiction of its courts be- yond the mountains and thereby relieve the settlement from the many evils which had arisen, these Judges, or Triers, should be a proper tribunal for the determination of any suit for debt or damages. Of course, no jurisdiction or authority could be exer cised over those who did not subscribe to the agreement, but provision was also wisely made that the latter should neither own land thereabouts nor become citizens of the colony. In all cases where the debt, demand, or damages did not exceed a hun- dred dollars, any three of the judges might sit as a court of competent jurisdiction to try the cause, and from their decisions in such cases there was no right of appeal. If the amount in- volved was greater than one hundred dollars, any three should also hear the cause, but from their judgment either party might appeal to the entire court consisting of the twelve judges. In this event nine of their number should constitute a quorum. whose decision should be final, provided as many as seven con- curred.
A majority of the court was clothed with power to punish criminal offenses, even those of a capital nature, provided, how ever, that they should not attempt to authorize the infliction of the death penalty. In accusations calling for the latter punishment. the prisoner should be sent under strong guard to the locality where a legal trial for such an offense might be had.
All young men over the age of sixteen years who were able to perform military duty were given the right to enter and ob- tain land, each in his own name as though he were of legal age.
Provision was also made for calling the settlers to military service for the safety and defense of the stations.
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As above suggested this improvised government was not de. signed to operate in conflict with the laws of North Carolina. In fact, the latter was urged to speedily organize the Cumberland settlement into a separate county over which it should appoint proper officials for the discharge of public duty. It was in- tended to last only until such time as the State might extend its protection over the new settlement.
The local government above described was an Absolute De- mocracy. We view it now as a foundation stone of a mighty republic, the like of which the world has never seen before, and under the protecting folds of whose flag the oppressed of all lands may find personal and religious freedom. Col. James Robertson was selected as one of the three judges from the Bluff. He became Chief Justice of the court and also commander-in-chief of the military forces of the settlement.
CHAPTER XVIII.
EVENTS OF 1780 .- INDIAN WARFARE BEGINS.
For fourteen years after the founding of the Cumberland settlement the lives of the pioneers were in daily peril. Looking back over that eventful period from a distance of more than a century we wonder that a single individual escaped such a ter- rible onslaught of savage cruelty. In the language of Judge Haywood, it was indeed "a period of danger and hazard; of dar- ing adventure and dangerous exposure." When the articles of agreement were adopted the settlers began in peace to plant their fields and plow their corn. But the Indians deeply resented this sudden advent of so large a number of the whites into their hunting grounds. By way of adding fuel to the flame. the British on the North and the Spaniards on the south were now
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busily, but secretly, engaged in urging the savages to open hos- tilities against the defenseless outposts on the western frontier. The latter now by seeming systematic effort began to pick off the stragglers from the various stations.
One morning during the month of May a hunter by the name of Keywood came running into the fort at the Bluff and reported that John Milliken had been killed on Richland Creek, five or six miles away. The two men were journeying toward the settlement and had stopped at the creek for a drink. While they stooped down they were fired upon by a band of Indians hidden on the bank and Milliken fell dead. Keywood had es- caped uninjured and made his way alone to the settlement to bear the news of the tragic death of his comrade.
A few days later Joseph Hay was alone down on the Lick Branch between the Bluff and Freeland's Station, when a skulk- ing party of savages who were hiding in the cane shot and scalped him. They then beat a hasty retreat, carrying away with them his gun, hunting knife, shot pouch and powder horn. His body was buried by the settlers in the open ground on a point of land east of Sulphur Spring.
Soon thereafter a man named Bernard was at work on his clearing near what is now Beuna Vista Springs. So busily en- gaged was he with his work that he did not hear the stealthy footfalls of the approaching savages. Creeping up to within easy range the latter shot him dead in his tracks, after which they cut off the head of their victim and carried it away in triumph.
In their retreat they encountered near by three young men ; two brothers named Dunham, and the third, a son of John Milli- ken, whose death is mentioned above as having occurred only a short time before. The Dunhams escaped to Freeland's Sta- tion, but young Milliken was killed and his head likewise cut off and carried away by the enemy. In the month of June two set-
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tlers by the names of Goin and Kennedy were clearing land be- tween Mansker's and Eaton's Stations. A party of Indians stole up behind some brush heaps the men were making and when the latter came near they were fired upon and killed. The savages then rushed out, tore off the scalps of their victims and escaped unharmed into the surrounding forest. During the months fol- lowing a number of the settlers were killed within what are now the city limits of Nashville. D. Larimer was shot, scalped and beheaded near Freeland's Station. Isaac Lefeore met a like fate on the west bank of the river near the end of the Louisville & Nashville railroad bridge. Soloman Murry, Soloman Phillips, and Robert Aspey were fired upon while at work near where the Fogg High School building now stands. Murry and Aspey were killed, the savages taking away the scalp of the former. Phillips was wounded, but escaped to the fort at the Bluff, where he died a few days later. Benjamin Renfroe, John Maxwell and John Kennedy were fishing on the river bank near the mouth of Sul- phur Spring Branch. Indians crept up behind them and made an attack. The men fought bravely, but were overpowered and made prisoners. Renfroe was tomahawked and scalped, but the lives of Kennedy and Maxwell were spared.
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