USA > Tennessee > Sullivan County > Historic Sullivan; a history of Sullivan County, Tennessee, with brief biographies of the makers of history > Part 4
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2Shoate became notorious as a horse-thief and was killed about 1779. - Draper MSS.
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
ting them away in the cemetery.3 Some one, probably realizing the unfitness of this repository, transferred them to the postoffice. Then for a while they lay in the ceme- tery, the tomb being at the entrance, but later they were taken up again and given, it is hoped, their final resting place. Shelby's bones have been moved five times. There was some protest on the part of Tennessee in re- gard to the last removal as it placed him in Virginia, but this transfer was made, perhaps, with no intention to State claims as the section where he now lies is de- voted principally to old soldiers.
Isaac Shelby, whose career in a military way will be fully described in other chapters, was a herder of cattle for a few years after his arrival at Sapling Grove. He also became a surveyor, which seemed to be the leading profession on the frontier because, no doubt, the most needed. Nearly all the leading military men were surveyors and the state showed her appreciation of their services by allotting them certain tracts of land.
Isaac Shelby, after the battle of King's Mountain, married Susanna Hart, daughter of Nathaniel Hart, who was one of the principal stockholders in the Richard Henderson Transylvania purchase. He was married in
3This delay was no doubt occasioned by the preparations that were being made to re-inter, with civic ceremonies. Judge A. S. Deaderick, a lineal descendant was present and presided. The re-interment took place in May, 1896.
In 1899, the Evan Shelby Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, at Owensboro, Kentucky, sent four shrubs with the request that they be planted at the four corners of Shelby's grave. Accordingly the Ladies' Memorial Association, on Memorial Day, June Ist, planted them with the following sentiments:
Tree No. 1 .- Mrs. J. F. Hicks. "He who meets death for his country thus buys immortality."
Tree No. 2 .- Mrs. E. T. Jones. "Here rests a hero. The idols of to-day push the heroes of yesterday out of recollection and will in turn be supplanted by his successors to-morrow.
Tree No. 3 .- Mrs. J. C. Anderson. "Strong and great a hero sleeps here."
Tree No. 4 .- Mrs. W. C. Carrington. "Here sleeps, until awakened at the grand reveille of God, a link between two centuries-a soldier, a veteran and a hero."
Members of the D. A. R. have been zealous in their efforts to secure a monument for Evan Shelby. They have written many letters and have contributed largely to the press of this section and Kentucky. It seems the recognition is about to come in a suitable monument from the Government-Congressman Brownlow having introduced a bill including such a provision.
At present his remains lie beneath a simple iron, coffin-shaped slab with the inscription:
'General Evan Shelby Born 1720 Age 74"
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COMING OF THE SHELBYS.
Kentucky, the Harts having removed there from North Carolina to take charge of their vast estate. This may have had something to do with Shelby adopting the state as his home. It is said, however, that when Miss Hart and he parted, at the time she left for her new home in Kentucky, they parted in a tiff, he declaring he would not follow her. Afterwards he began to pay court to another young lady not far from his own home, but she, knowing of his former attachment, promptly told him it was his duty to go to Kentucky and he went. His married life was a happy one.
He was honored many times during his rugged career, both in a military and political way. He was Kentucky's first governor, in 1792, and was called to fill the same position in 1812, during the second war with England.
He distinguished himself at the battle of the Thames, with Gen. Harrison, in recognition of which Congress awarded him a medal.
Monroe offered him a seat in his cabinet, as Secretary of War, but he declined on account of old age.
DEATH OF ISAAC SHELBY
He died in 1826. The morning before his death he rode over to see his son Isaac, returning before dinner. He ate a hearty meal, then walked up to the gate in front of his house, came back, sat down with his wife and entered into a cheerful conversation with her. There was a lull in the talk-she heard him draw a long breath, his head falling back-he was dead. The old man had frequently expressed a wish that, when he died, no one but his wife should be present. His singular wish was gratified. He was buried upon the spot where he pitched his first tent in Kentucky. This also was his wish and for fear it might be forgotten he marked the place himself.4
4Niles, Ky., Register Sept. 9, 1826. Draper Collection.
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
SHELBY AND SEVIER
Both men were ambitious and both desired to control, yet each arrived at conclusions or results in different ways. If a campaign was on Shelby might be found bending over a rough-sketch map, planning and scheming with his associates, while Sevier, all unmindful of any impending crisis, might be found at a barbecue or horse race. Yet in the execution of military maneuvers there was little difference-both were brilliant and dashing for men of any time. Sevier's strategy was as impromptu as his personality was impulsive. Shelby was slow to plan, but once his plan was formed he was quick of execution and determined. Sevier's rapid movements and quick decisions could not have been more accurate had they been more closely studied.
In religion Shelby was prayerful and formally devout, while Sevier allied himself with no church during his life and it might be said his religion was: "write me as one who loves his fellow man."
Arriving in opposite ways at the same results and each anxious to achieve distinction of the same kind, no state was big enough for both men. While the friendship between the two had never been tried in the gross test of controversy, Shelby clearly saw that to submit their claims to the people at large Sevier with his winning ways could out-class him. So he determined not to chance a possible defeat, preferring to risk his prospects in another field. He left the state of his adoption to found a new one in the Kentucky country, where he was able to satisfy his aspirations for leadership.
CHAPTER VII.
A FEW DAYS FULL OF TROUBLE.
The muster-master, when ordered to enlist men for urgent military duty, did not always find it an easy task. This was especialiy true on the extreme border where families were most exposed to the incursions of the roving bands of Indians and renegades. It was not always from lack of courage they were difficult to enroll for distant campaigns, but because self protection was their first consideration. In localities where the inhabitants had better means of defense and were not so apt to be the victims of a surprise, the men were usually anxious to go. The following is one of the best examples of the difficulties sometimes encountered in the formation of a company.
They are excerpts from letters of Maj. James Robertson1 who had charge of the erection of stockades in Culber- son Valley and are selected because they deal directly and describe in a consecutive way, covering but a brief period from the issuance of the order till the men were in motion.
Besides there is a sincerity of purpose and a oneness of interest and intention so serious as to be amusing. The Major's despair at the outset is an extreme contrast to his exultation over the completion of his company. His gratitude is expressed in such language as might, with little change, be mistaken for a testimonial to the efficacy of some wonder-working remedy, the use of which resulted in recovery from a dire affliction.
This correspondence passed between Maj. James Robertson and Col. William Preston :2
1Not the Tennessee pioneer.
2Selected from the Draper collection.
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
Tuesday night July 19th 1774
SIR-Since I received. your Letter I have been Continually on Horse Back amongst the People. I will get 18 or 20 men ready to Start Thursday Evening or friday morning, for My Soul I Could not get them to March Sooner and to Leave them Behind I never Expected to See them untill the new Draft again and Scarc then. I am in Hopes there will be no Great Danger untill we get there.
I am Sir Your Servant
JAMES ROBERTSON
There is always an unsettled commotion about a stock- ade. The uncertain stay of the men kept the commandant uneasy and on the lookout for new recruits and provisions -a labor then full of disappointment and provoking.
Wednesday morning 20th July 1774
SIR-Since I Recd. your letter I have not had an Hours Rest I am Sure. I have with A Great Deal of Both Good words and Bad ones Prevail'd on the following Persons to march with me Thursday. *
* I thought to Got them marched to day but it was not in my power Some had Grain to put up and to leave them would [n] ot do for I would Scarcely Ever See Them again. I am your Servant.
JAMES ROBERTSON
N. B. This last news I Expect is no more than Some of the Usual Alarms. But if they are about I am in hopes we will be there time Enough for them. Pray Sir if Possible Procure me a Quire of Paper as I cannot get one Sheet.
He announces signs of Indians-and foreshadows his troubles in collecting a company for the Kanawha ex- pedition.
FORT DUNMORE 26th July 1774
* * Onless you Send Some men down the Case will be Bad So that I must stay with not more than Six men unless I kill part and tye the Other I Expect we will have a war amongst our Selves without that of the Indians. these men tells me there are fresh signs of Indians Seen Every Morning about the plantation of Forbes, Sir Both men and Ammunition will be much wanted about this place verry Soon as I Expect a Large Body of Indians Emediately. I Shall Stand by
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A FEW DAYS FULL OF TROUBLE.
the Place Agreeable to my Orders if Death Should be my Fate I am Sir yours
JAMES ROBERTSON
N. B. the men I got to day I Station Here as the Setlers here was under the Necessity of moving I have made them up Ten Soldiers and they Seem Satisfy'd
A diversity of news-Indian forays-completion of fort-the lack of provisions and ammunition. There was a constant call for "more powder and lead" in those days.
FORT BYRD 28th July 1774
Dr. SIR-we will have our Fort Genteely finished this week. we have 25 private at this Place I have ten at old Billey wood's. I would be glad to have Some more men and Ammun[i]tion if it was not So good, it would do to keep the fort. there is signs of the Indians here Every morning and I Expect they will give us a Salute when they Assemble their party altogether if I had Some more men I Could turn out with a party which I would be Extreamly fond of. I have sent out the Scouts this morning and to Continue out three days unless they See much signs of Indians.
I am Dr. Sir your Hbl. Servant
JAMES ROBERTSON
N. B. there is a good many of the men in this place will go with me to the Shany's [Shawnee] towns Tom Masdin is Sick and wants to go home. Harry Thomson Set off yesterday with Some men. I could not Prevail on him to Stay a few days, untill the men would Come out, as he Said his Business was So Urgent at Court. Sir as I [am] on Duty here and has no Chance to Raise A Company for the present Expdn. Please to give my Comlmts. to Old Will In[g] les & with a Litle of your own assistance I hope you Can Engage us Some men
I am yrs. J. R.
More rumors of Indian outrages-call for men and ammunition.
CULBERSONS 1st August 1774
SIR-About three hours agoe John Draper Came here with thirteen men, which makes our Number 33 or thereabouts this minet I got flying news of the Indians Shooting at one of Arbuckles Centery's on mudy Creek. they say Likewise that they Atacted one of Kelley's Yesterday about half a mile from that Fort where they Tomhak'd
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
Kelley and Cut him Vastly, but the men from the fort heard the noise and Ran to their Assistance and drove the Indans off before they Either Kill'd or Sculp'd Kelley they took his Daughter Prisoner it is Said; but the Certainty of any of the news I Canot Assert * *
* as to my Going in Sir its Impossible Unless we give up this place Intirely for the men Swairs the minet I set off they Will Start Likewise. and Indeed I cannot leave the Compy. as I See, for there is no one that Can keep any Accts. or do any thing towards Geting Provisions for the Compny. Which is Realy Vastly hard to get I was in hopes there would be some flower fr[om] M. Thomsons for us before now the Place must Undoubtedly Bre[ak] up Unless we Get Some Amunition. *
* we have finished our fort and I think not a dispiseable one. I have been out Raiseing a House for to hold Provisions and Amunition but I am Afraid the Place wont be Over Stocked with Either, in haste, as the one Cant be Possibly got, and the Other People Seems Easey About furnishing us with. * *
JAMES ROBERTSON
N. B. I am afraid Ill be far behinn about my Comy. for the Shany Expdn. as I am confined here
Saturday 6th August 1774 CULBERSONS
SIR-I suppose you heard of the Indians Killing Kelley on mudy Creek, we heard Some Flying accts of it, but not the perticulars, * * * Sir you must know the Great Necessity I have to be in, to try to make up my Compy. and make Ready as well as these men that goes with me. I would been in Sooner but by no means Could Leave the men for several reasons, and the Day I set off I Am Sure they will be Along, and Against we get in it will be three weeks and Some A month, as Long as one party I believe Can Well Stay. Sir I am Your Hble. Servant
JAMES ROBERTSON
N. B. we have not Seen the Signs of any Indians Since I Came here. Pray Sir Send down Some Flower and Powder and Lead if Possible, Let it be Good or Bad.
Announces the offer of gruesome reward.
CULBERSONS 11th August 1774
SIR-I was Expecting Orders to Gone Home to Seen Some What About my Affairs. I have a good deal to do before I Can Start to the Expedition Which I would by no means miss if I can Possibly make out to go. * * * the men Seems Resolute for a Sculp or two, and I have Offered {5 for the first Indians hand that will be brought in
43
A FEW DAYS FULL OF TROUBLE.
to the fort by any of the Compy * * * they left a War Club at one of the wasted Plantations well made and mark'd with two Letters I G (well made) *
* Sir I dare say you have a Good Deal of Trouble Geting hands to us, and I am Sure I have a Vaste Deal of Trouble in Keeping them in Tune as they are a Distracted Enough party I assure you my Complmts. to your famyly and Sir I Heartyly wish you Luck from your most Obd S.
JAMES ROBERTSON
N. B. I have a Severe Spell of a Great Cold and the worst tooth Ache that ever was
JAS. ROBERTSON
More trouble in enlistments-lets out the secret cause of dissatisfaction among the men-the "Gent" who makes mutiny.
CULBERSONS 12th August 1774
SIR-This morning Our Scouts met with a Couple of Poor Little Boys between this and Blue Stone one A Son of John McGriffs the Other a Son of Widow Snydoes at Burks fort, that made their Escapes from the Indians Last Tuesday night about midnight away * * *
Sir Unless you keep your own Side of the mountains well Guarded there them Stragling little partys will do Abundance of Damage where People is Gathered in forts there Ought to be men under Pay Just Ready on any Occasion these Small partys passes Scouts and Companys with out Possibly being Discovered if my Life and Honour and the Lives of all my Relations & the Lives of all my well wishers was at Stake I Can do no more then I have, or is Ever Willing to do. * * * *
* * * I had A thought of Seting home next monday but I wont Atempt it untill I See if we Can Rub up these Yalow Dogs A Little I suppose my helpless famyly is in Great fear, and Indeed not with out Reason. Perhaps I look on you to be in a Dangerouser Station there than we are here and would advise you to keep a party constantly on their Watch, as there is white men amongst them they Undoubtedly know men of the Best Circumstance and that is what they Generaly Aim at
Dea Sir I am Your most Hbl. Servant
JAMES ROBERTSON
N. B. Sir I have been in the Greatest misery Ever any felow was in, Since Last monday with A pain in my Jaw one of my Eyes Has been Shut up Ever Since and has hardly Either Eat or Slept I Declare. J. R.
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
SIR-I thought to been at your House friday or saturday but Cannot be there untill Sunday night or monday. I have been through the whole Company and meets with poor Success though picked up Some. I Gather them Altogether Saturday and Pretends to make A Draft by your Orders I tell them, and dont want to Concern with any that has famylys, but Only these Hulking younge dogs that Can be well Spar'd. if you please give me a Line or two to Back me I would be glad you would desire the Oficers in Capt. Cloyd's and Capt. Taylers Compy. to Stir up Some Backward Scoundr[els] in their Companys to turn Out or Else force them for no Honour nor Intreateys will move them. I Could Stay untill the midle of next week and Overtake the Army before they go to the falls. Perhaps you have Seen Some what of Capt. Woods, or heard what number he has to Joyn us
I am Sir Your Obedt. Servant
1st of Sepbr. 1774
JAMES ROBERTSON
N. B. I have had more uneasyness this Eight days Amongst these Deels Buckeys then I have had this three years there is some procarious Gent. amongst us who makes some mutiny amongst the men as they want Compns.
Completion of company-"off for the levels."
RICH CREEK 15th Septbr 1774
SIR-we are Stop'd a day to Get what Beeves and Cattles We Can Pick up. Capt. woods and his Party is Joynd me Which makes our number of the Whole 55 the Soldiers I had at Mr. Woods Desird Discharges from me which I have given them, though they are willing to Inlist again, if you See Cause.
I have sent you an Acct. of their time Likewise finding their Pro- visions for the time
Mitchel Clay 51 days on Duty found his own Provisions
Zekil Clay 51 days found his Provisions
David Clay 51 days found Do Do Richd. Blankenship 44 days
P. S. I must be for Ever Obliged to all my good friends for assist- ing me in Getting my Compy made up as I thought it was meerely Impossible to do it in the time and I am sure there is not Such an Other Compny for the Quaintyty of men belonging to the Whole Dr. Sir I wish you Every thing that Would make you happy.
I am your Obedt. Servant
RICH CREEK 16th Sept. 1774 JAMES ROBERTSON
N. B. We are just starting for the Levels. J. R.
1 Pats.
Geo. Armstrong 25 William Party
1
2 March Williams
Vamos Shelly
: 30
Poh Riley
Rees Price Richard Hotherway
Hucarrick Munghe
Janet Mille ans=35
›
Cao. (Brocks 40
enfant
1
ugh Ugullion 10 26H Boullion , Mafrances
Millionen Taches,
Chef Chains dans Mince X
Dingeling fajita
Wane Hain .. 90
Jam Hensleyy
Arthur Blackboing
Robert Merrell
Facsimile of original muster-roll of the first volunteer company to leave Sullivan County
CHAPTER VIII.
THE BATTLE OF THE GREAT KANAWHA.
After the arrival of the Shelbys on the Holston there was peace along the border until 1774. Outside of a few small straggling bands of Indians, who were prowling about and stealing, the country was uneasily quiet. The neighborhood gossips, who loafed about the store kept by the Shelbys, were now startled by the rumors of a threatened invasion. The family of Logan, the Indian chief, had been murdered and his allies were seeking revenge-the Shawanoes and other tribes were on the war path. They had already killed eleven people in the settlements of Fincastle.1
In March, 1774, Col. William Preston had asked Evan Shelby to accept a captaincy in what was then Fincastle county. His acceptance and enlistment of the
1The family of John Roberts, at Kings's Mill, including himself, wife and several children were killed and scalped. The oldest son was taken prisoner while one little boy lived several days after being tomahawked and scalped. He is the one noted in Chapter V.
Logan was the perpetrator of this massacre. The father of Logan was a Frenchman, who, being captured when a child, was adopted into the Oneida tribe and became a powerful chief among the Susquehanna Indians. Logan's mother was a Cayuga, hence this was his tribe. His Indian name was Tach-nech-darus, meaning branching oak of the forest. He took the name of Logan from James Logan, secretary of the province. During the French and Indian war he remained neutral and took refuge in Philadelphia. For this he was compelled to leave his old home and, about 1772, settled in Ohio. Here in his town, on Yellow Creek, April 30, 1774, his people were massacred. Logan swore to have revenge-that he would never stop killing until he had satisfied his thirst for blood. He made four raids, sparing none who came within his grasp-men, women and children he slew with savage cruelty. His acts brought on the Dunmore war, culminating in the battle on the Great Kanawha. When the chiefs were summoned before Dunmore to discuss terms of peace, Logan failed to appear. Dunmore sent for him and received a reply, saying he was a warrior, not a maker of peace, and at the same time delivered what is conceded the most eloquent speech in savage his- tory. It is familiar to most readers and runs as follows:
"I appeal to any white man to say if ever he entered Logan's cabin hungry and he gave him not meat; if ever he came cold and naked and he clothed him not? During the course of the last long and bloody war, Logan remained idle in his camp. an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites that my countrymen pointed as I passed and said, 'Logan is the friend of the white man.' I had even thought to have lived with you, but for the injuries of one man. Colonel Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood and unprovoked, murdered all the relations of Logan not even sparing my women and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This called on me for revenge. I have sought it. I have killed many. I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country I rejoice at the beams of peace; but do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one."
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
men he took with him was the first move that introduced the now famous Tennessee "Volunteer."
Because of his dread of their warriors, the northwest Indian held in perpetual grudge Southwest Virginia and upper East Tennessee.
What the Indians declared were encroachments upon their lands were merely the journeys made by hunters and surveyors in Kentucky and Ohio. Daniel Boone and Michael Stoner were sent to warn the surveyors and settlers of the peril that was impending.
In 1773 these parties were threatened by Cornstalk, and his war bands became numerous and dangerous to the settlements.
In September, 1774, Lord Dunmore, who was then the Royal Governor of Virginia, made a call for troops to punish the Indians and, as they were headed by Logan and Cornstalk and other brave chiefs of a like determined character, the mission was one of vast importance.
Dunmore decided to take the field in person. He delegated Gen. Andrew Lewis to take charge of the Augusta and Fincastle troops. Accordingly, Lewis re- quested Col. William Preston, the county lieutenant,2 to summon his men for the campaign. The people of this section, in view of the alarm, were all forted and prepared for defense.
Gen. Lewis' command was divided into four parts under Cols. William Christian, John Field, William Fleming and his brother Col. Charles Lewis. Christian . had charge of the Fincastle troops which included those from Holston. In this regiment was a company com- manded by Evan Shelby, his son Isaac being lieutenant, while James, another son, was also a member. Col. Christian was detained on the route on account of the slow arrival of his men and provisions.
2A county lieutenant was the highest ranking officer in the county and carried with it the title of colonel. Isaac Shelby was our first county lieutenant.
47
THE BATTLE OF THE GREAT KANAWHA.
Capts. Shelby and Russel, with their companies, pushed on. Christian was to bring up the rear and, being sorely vexed by delays, declared, "I would not for all I'm worth be behind in crossing the Ohio and lending assistance."
Upon the arrival of Col. Fleming at Camp Union he found Capts. Shelby and Russel, with part of their com- panies, already there.
"The Holston men were the advance guard of civiliza- tion on the farthest border yet pushed out into the Western wilderness, out of which the States of Kentucky and Tennessee were in due time to be carved."3
Military discipline was not as rigid on this expedition as it had been on other like occasions. The men were disposed to do as they pleased. There was considerable grumbling about the meat, some claiming partiality was shown, as a part of them got good beef while the others got bad. The dissatisfied ones would slip out of camp and hunt for game. This, however, had the advan- tage of affording picket service as otherwise no pickets were sent out.
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