USA > Tennessee > Sullivan County > Historic Sullivan; a history of Sullivan County, Tennessee, with brief biographies of the makers of history > Part 5
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It was due to a hunting party that the whole army was not surprised and set upon when they arrived in camp on the Great Kanawha.
James Shelby had fallen sick and his father sent James Robertson and Valentine Sevier4 out, early on the morning of October the 10th, "to perch a turkey for him" when they ran into "five acres of Indians" about a mile from camp. These Indians were moving on the camp.
Robertson and Sevier fired at the party and succeeded in checking their movements. The two men then hastened back and gave the alarm.
The drums beat to arms.
3Thwaite and Kellogg's "Dunmore's War."
4Two others, Joseph Hughey of Shelby's Company and James Mooney, were also out hunting-the former was killed and the latter rushed into camp with the report, and later was killed in the battle.
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
THE BATTLE.
Instantly the men rolled out of their blankets and, knowing what it meant, prepared for battle. The Indians soon rallied from the surprise of the fire from the two hunters and came on, their battle line extending one mile and a quarter. Gen. Lewis ordered out two companies-three hundred men-under Charles Lewis and Fleming, to meet the enemy. When about half a mile away these companies encountered the Indians and the men remaining in camp were aroused by the thundering report of hundreds of guns. Two hundred more men under Col. Field were rushed to the spot. At the very opening of the battle Col. Charles Lewis was mortally wounded, Col. Fleming was disabled5 and Col. Field was slain shortly after his arrival. The command now fell to Capt. Evan Shelby, Gen. Andrew Lewis having remained behind to superintend the fortifying of the camp. The two lines of battle, at times, came so close together that the commands of the officers of one side could be heard by the other. The men were even close enough to jeer at each other. The Indians made fun of the fife music, "don't whistle now," they shouted and invited our men to come over and learn how to shoot. The chiefs showed daring courage in the conduct of the battle, moving along the lines encourag- ing their braves to "lie low, shoot well, be brave." Prev- ious to the battle they had stationed squaws and Indian boys along the banks of the Ohio and Kanawha, well armed, to shoot our men should they try to escape by
5 ROUGH SURGERY AT PT. PLEASANT "I received three balls in the left Line two Struck my left arm below the Elbow broke both the bones & I find one of them is lodged in my arm a third entered my breast about three Inches below my left Nipple and is lodged some where in the Chest. on finding myself effectually disabled I quitted the field. when I came to be drest, I found my Lungs forced through the wound in my breast as long as one of my fingers. Watkins Attempted to reduce them ineffectually. he got some part returned but not the whole. being in considerable pain, sometime afterward I got the whole returned by the Assistance of one of my Own Attendants since which I thank the Almighty I have been in a surprising state of ease."- Col. Fleming's letter to William Bowyer.
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THE BATTLE OF THE GREAT KANAWHA.
swimming the river. These were shouting in savage ex- pectancy "drive the white dogs in."
Isaac Shelby, who assumed command of his father's company, repulsed a flank movement of the Indians and in turn assisted by James Stewart and George Mathews out-flanked the enemy. Their red foes began to retreat, but on reaching safer ground, where they could hide be- hind fallen logs, made another stand, again re- treating however. The battle had lasted seven hours and outside of a little skirmishing was nearing its end. During the night the Indians, although apparently defiant and threatening a renewal on the morrow with two thousand reinforcements, retreated, carrying away as many of their dead and wounded as were within reach. Those they were unable to carry away they scalped rather than permit them to be thus abused by the whites.
There were many heroic hand to hand encounters during the action and many examples of individual bravery shown.6
It was a sanguinary contest-one of the most stubbornly waged that had been fought up to that time-result- ing in seventy-five of the whites being killed with one hundred and forty wounded. Their only surgeon, Col. Fleming, being wounded almost to death and unable to render any assistance, the distress and suffering among the wounded was pitiable.7
A stockade was erected and garrisoned with a com- pany under the command of Isaac Shelby. He remained
6Ramsey gives credit to John Sawyers, one of Shelby's men, for making a des- perate charge with "a few others" and dislodging the enemy from a dangerous advantage.
7As an example of distress and diversion the following is taken from Newal's Journal dated Oct. 21, Camp, on Point Pleasant, Parole-Dumfrise:
"The guard as usual. The Revelie to Beat before daybreak, the lines to turn out under arms & have their arms examined by officers of their Companies, the men for work to parade as soon as possible & compleat the breast work. At point pleasant was a stockaade just built to secure the wounded men, who are dieing daily & most shocking sight to see their wounds. Alex. McKee caught a cat fish that weighs 5772 lbs." S. Newal.
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here nine months, when the place was abandoned and the stockade destroyed by order of Lord Dunmore.
While Sullivan County and, for that matter, what was afterwards the State of Tennessee had but a few more than fifty men in this battle, the burden of the day rested upon them, and there, was the beginning of a series of daring adventures in which she has achieved victories by the unyielding struggle of her stalwart soldiery.
CHAPTER IX. "SPIRIT OF '75."
When the news spread over the country of the condi- tion of affairs in the East, and especially about Boston, the people of Botetourt, and Sullivan was once a part of Botetourt, were not slow to respond with their sympa- pathies to the distress of their countrymen and stood prepared to back them up with a bold defense.
How quickly the conditions change and how easily the maps take on different hues. Allies become adver- saries, political upheavals lift the oppressed above the sceptered sway and cover the oppressor with the grime of defeat.
To-day the king lashes his subjects into groveling sub- mission, to-morrow he mixes his pottage with the peas- antry. To-day Andrew Lewis is marching under the orders of Lord Dunmore against the stronghold of the Indians on the Great Kanawha, to-morrow he is driving his Lordship from the State of Virginia.
The colonists had petitioned the throne in vain-their petitions had been spurned, tossed aside as unworthy of consideration or regarded as rebellious and seditious.
It was during these tense times "the hunter on the Alleghany" arose to cheer his brother across the border.
No other declaration of independence surpasses in fer- vor and loyal patriotism the Declaration from the Free- holders of Botetourt.1
To COL. ANDREW LEWIS, and MR. JOHN BOYER.
Gentlemen.
For your past service you have our thanks, and we presume it is all the reward you desire. And as we have again committed to you
1There is no date to this declaration. It appeared in London along with other documents during the year 1775. It was published in "The Remembrancer or Impartial Repository," 1776, and I am indebted to the courtesy of Hon. Daniel Trigg, of Abingdon, Va., for a copy.
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
the greatest trust we can confer (that of appearing for us in the great council of the colony) we think it expedient you hear our sentiments at this important juncture. And first, we require you to represent us with hearts replete with the most grateful and loyal veneration for the race of Brunswick; for they have been truly our fathers, and at the same time the most dutiful affection for our Sovereign, of whose honest heart we cannot entertain any diffidence; but sorry we are to add, that in his councils we can no longer confide; a set of miscreants, unworthy to administer the laws of Britain's empire, have been per- mitted impiously to sway. How unjustly, cruelly, and tyrannically, they have invaded our rights, we need not now put you in mind. We only say, and we assert it with pride, that the subjects of Britain are one; and when the honest man of Boston who has broke no law, has his property wrested from him, the hunter on the Allegany must take the alarm, and, as a freeman of America, he will fly to his representa- tives, and thus instruct them: Gentlemen, my gun, my tomahawk, my life I desire you to render to the honour of my king and country; but my liberty to range these woods on the same terms my father has done, is not mine to give up; it was not purchased by me, and purchased it was; it is entailed on my son, and the tenure is sacred. Watch over it, gentlemen, for to him it must descend inviolated, if my arms can defend it; but if not, if wicked power is permitted to prevail against me, the original purchase was blood, and mine shall seal the surrender.
That our countrymen and the world may know our disposition, we chuse that this be published. And we have one bequest to add, that is that the sons of freedom who appeared for us in Philadelphia, will accept our most ardent, grateful acknowledgements; and we hereby plight them our faith, that we will religiously observe their resolutions, and obey their instructions, in contempt of power and temporary interest; and should the measures they have wisely calculated for our relief fail, we will stand prepared for every contingency. We are, Gentlemen,
Your dutiful, &c. THE FREEHOLDERS OF BOTETOURT.
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CHAPTER X.
THE TRANSYLVANIA TRUST.
Sullivan County was interested in the first great trust in America. The transaction known as the Henderson Purchase, made by the Transylvania Company-in the business parlance of to-day-was a trust.
Daniel Boone, whose name stands for a type of rugged integrity, was agent for this company. It was through the ambitious generosity of Col. Richard Henderson, who had wealth, that Boone was able to indulge his bent for discovery. Henderson was Boone's Mæcenas.
On his return from a hunting and exploring trip he outlined such „ tempting possibilities in the beautiful land that Henderson at once had visions of vast wealth, and what was still more alluring, the sway of power.
Although, in a memorial to Congress, the company avowed their wish "to be considered by the colonies as brethren in the same great cause of liberty and man- kind," they entertained hopes of a little republic of their own.
Henderson associated with him other men of wealth- David Hart, Nathaniel Hart, James Hogg, John Williams, Leonard H. Bullock, John Luttrell, Thomas Hart and William Johnson. With Nathaniel Hart, Henderson, in the fall of 1774, made a trip to the Cherokee country to negotiate with the Indians for the purchase of their lands. On their return they were accompanied by Chief Carpenter, who had been selected by the tribe as their representative to examine the merchandise they were to receive in exchange for the land. On going back the envoy rendered a favorable report and a final treaty, proposed by Oconostota, was to be framed at Watauga in March, 1775. Accordingly twelve hundred of the Cherokees, headed by Oconostota, Carpenter and
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
The Raven, were there to celebrate the transfer. It took several days to come to an agreement, and during the time there was much feasting. No intoxicating drinks were allowed, but many beeves were barbecued.
The principal opposition to the sale of these lands was made by Dragging Canoe, who argued eloquently for retaining the lands of his ancient people. He was finally persuaded, however, and the treaty was concluded by the payment of £10,000, in our money about $50,000. This was a fabulous sum for that day, since, at the time of the Revolution, there was but one millionaire in this country.1
There were two deeds made for this land-one was called the "Path Deed " and the other the "Great Grant." In the former the boundary was: "All that territory or parcel of land beginning on the Holtson river where the course of Powell's mountain strikes the same; thence up said river, as it meanders, to where the Virginia line crosses same; thence westward along the line run by Donaldson, etc., to a point six English miles eastward of Long Island in the said Holston river; thence a direct course toward the mouth of the Great Kanawha until it reaches the top ridge of Powell's mountain; thence westwardly along the said ridge to the beginning."
The other deed, among other descriptions, had this: "All that tract, territory or parcel of land situated, lying and being in North America." It embraced about all of Kentucky and had the marks of a mighty trust.
OTHER TRANSFERS.
At this treaty meeting the Watauga Association, which was holding lands on an eight-year lease, now sought a deed for these lands and, upon the payment of £2,000, secured it.
The store of Parker and Carter, two merchants living
1Robert Morris.
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THE TRANSYLVANIA TRUST
in Carter's Valley-later a part of Sullivan, until cut off for Hawkins County-had their store robbed during the passing of the Indians to the treaty grounds and a claim was put in to indemnify them for the loss. This was agreed upon and for a further small consideration a deed was made to them embracing land lying between "Cloud Creek and Chimney Top mountain of Beech Creek."
THE LITTLE REPUBLIC.
The Henderson Company built Boonesborough and es- tablished a land office there. Joseph Martin was also agent for this company, having disposal of lands in Powell's Valley. Special inducements-gifts of large tracts of land-were offered to the first settlers. There was some attempt at organized government and the "Legislature of Transylvania" met at Boonesborough in 1775. The little republic was short-lived-Henderson became dis- gusted with his associates, called them "a set of scoun- drels" and retired from the scene. Virginia and North Carolina declared the purchase illegal, but, as a recognition of Henderson's work in peopling the West, he was given two hundred thousand acres of land.
Long and tedious litigation resulted. The committee, appointed by Congress to consider the memorial, decided the purchase was illegal-that "attempts to monopolize lands were dangerous and injurious to society."2
Many men of note became involved. Among them Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson, who the company declared, wanted stock in the deal, but were denied. Henry and Jefferson claimed the company wanted them to take shares, which they declined.
Among the many troubles of the Transylvania Com- pany was a peculiar lawsuit with William Cocke. At
2The exclusiveness of this monopoly was much in its working like trusts of today. Isaac Shelby, in his deposition during the trial, said Oconostota, at the Long Island Treaty in 1776, told him that he was wary of signing papers since his trade with Henderson, as the latter tied him up so he " couldn't catch a crawfish on the land." (Shelby's MSS. Deposition.)
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
one time Henderson had Boone and his company quar- tered in Kentucky. Fearing they would leave before he wished and not daring to go there himself, "with tears in his eyes" he appealed to a group of men and offered any one, who would take a message to Boone, twenty thousand acres of land. Cocke, being one of the number, agreed to go for ten thousand acres and made the journey of one hundred miles without mishap. Through one excuse or another, payment was put off from time to time until after Henderson's death, whereupon Cocke, seeing no immediate prospect of a settlement, brought suit through his attorney, John Rhea of Sullivan County, for his claim.3
3Draper MSS.
NANCY WARD
A BIOGRAPHY
"That famous Indian woman" was Col. William Camp- bell's description of Nancy Ward, whose acts of friendly mediation, and humane treatment of captives, endeared her to the whites in such a way that she is known as Ten- nessee's Pocahontas.
Her father was a British officer named Ward and her mother a sister of Ata-kullakulla, leading chief of the Cherokees during their most troublesome times. The date of her birth is unknown.
She resided at Echota, the capital of the Cherokee na- tion, where she was regarded as chief woman of the tribe, having such titles as "Beloved Woman" and "Pretty Woman." She decided thefate of captives. One of her most benevolent acts was to save the life of Mrs. Bean after she had been condemned and tied to the stake, at the time the young boy, Moore, was burned.
In many ways she showed her friendship for the whites, especially at the time of the contemplated raids upon the Holston and Watauga forts, in 1776. On the occasion of another Cherokee uprising in 1780 she shielded a number of traders and helped them to escape.
It was out of consideration for her kind offices that the Indians did not suffer worse treatment when the whites invaded their nation. Echota was not burned on her account, and when her relatives once fell into the hands of an attacking force they were spared out of consideration for her.
As chief woman of the tribe she was permitted to appear and speak in their solemn councils, and at those meetings her word was supreme.
James Robertson once visited her on an errand of peace and afterwards described her as "queenly and command-
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ing," and said that her "house was furnished in accordance with her high dignity."
Nancy Ward exerted her influence for the higher civil- ization and general betterment of her race and her kind acts were to influence her own people, to discourage sav- age warfare as much as they were done out of sympathy for the whites.
In a domestic way, too, she was progressive, having introduced cows among the Arkansas Cherokees and her efforts along all lines of improvement and elevation of the race were commendable.
The date of her death is unknown.
3
2
6
5
LONG ISLAND
1. The Island
2. Island Flats and Fort Patrick Henry (Beyond the Ridge)
3. Bays Mountain
4. Tilthammer Shoals
5. Tilthammer Rock
6. Indian War Path
7. Sluice of Holston River
CHAPTER XI.
BATTLE OF ISLAND FLATS.
In June, before the battle of Island Flats, which took place August 20, 1776, Nancy Ward sent word to the Watauga and Fort Patrick settlements that the Indians, seven hundred strong, headed by Dragging Canoe and Abraham, two of their most desperate chiefs, were pre- paring to make a raid. Knowing her to be a friend of the whites the scouts that were sent out carried warnings and hurried the people of Carter's Valley into the stock- ades.
There was a gathering of soldiers at Eaton's Station. This station was not a fort up to this time, but, upon the arrival of the refugees, rail fences were torn down and, along with other timbers, stacked into a sort of stockade. Several other companies, counting one hundred and seventy men, hastened there to protect them.
Scouts were sent out and returning informed the officers a great body of Indians was approaching in the neighborhood of Long Island. At a consultation it was decided not to wait for the Indians to attack the fort, but to go out and meet them for, otherwise, they would perhaps go through the settlements murdering the defense- less people rather than attempt to fight an armed body of men behind a stockade. Accordingly, following the advice of William Cocke,1 they came forth and prepared to meet the enemy. They reached Island Flats. Here the advance guard met about twenty Indians coming up the road toward the fort. These they fired into,
1A controversy took place sometime after the fight in regard to the conduct of Capt. William Cocke, some accusing him of cowardice as he happened to be cut off at one time from the main body of the troops and it was supposed he was retreat- ing. He wrote a reply, well prepared and at times emotional, in defense of his action and offered to suffer the penalty if his comrades thought him guilty. He was court-martialed, but was only given about a year's suspension from service.
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
dispersing them, after which they pursued them some distance.
It was late in the afternoon when the main body of whites arrived, and it was thought best, in a council of officers, not to expect the enemy that day, but to return to the fort. They had gone nearly a mile on their return march when it was found the Indians were following in large numbers and in line of battle. The whites im- mediately prepared to meet them and also got into line, with some little confusion, however, and the delay was all but disastrous as the Indians came near flanking them.
The battle lasted only a short time, but was fought with fury. During the engagement some individual heroism was shown. Lieut. Davis, seeing the Indians were trying to flank them, called out: "Boys, boys, we'll be sur- rounded, follow me," and leading his men off, formed them across the flat, to the ridge. Thus they checked the Indians' attempted coup and soon put them to flight.
PERSONAL HEROISM.
Alex Moore and another private, named Handly, seeing two of the savages in flight, agreed to pursue them, each designating the one he intended to attack. Moore was first to overtake his man and both he and the Indian fired at the same time-both missed. Moore then rushed up and struck the Indian with the butt of his gun, break- ing it off. They clinched. Moore, by his agility, was able to throw the Indian, but the Indian, owing to his greater size and strength, recovered. He then tried to tom- ahawk Moore who, seeing his intention, knocked the wea- pon from his hand. Handly, in the meantime, had fol- lowed his Indian who, when he found that he was unable to outrun his pursuer, turned and fired, he also missing. The Indian then stood still, presenting a brave front- received the ball from a deliberate aim and fell to the earth, Handly scalping him. Handly returned to aid Moore, whom he found still clinching with his Indian,
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BATTLE OF ISLAND FLATS
while the latter was slowly dragging him toward the tomahawk, which Moore, each time, would, with a hasty kick, place beyond his reach. This was kept up until the arrival of Handly, who dispatched the Indian.
The Indians were routed in this battle, "eighteen of their scalps being taken," while only four of the whites were wounded. It was supposed the Indians' losses were much larger as a great trail of blood was found. Of the whites wounded in this battle only one name is preserved. N. Logan was shot in the back of the neck with an arrow-guns and bows both being used.
While it was not a great battle, the result served a great purpose. It strengthened the faith of the settlers in their powers of defense and made the foe distrust his own strength.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE BATTLE OF ISLAND FLATS
"On the 19th our scouts returned, and informed us that they had discovered where a great number of Indians were making into the set- tlements; upon which alarm, the few men stationed at Eaton's, eom- pleted a breast-work sufficiently strong, with the assistance of what men were there, to have repelled a considerable number; sent expresses to the different stations and collected all the forces in one body, and the morning after about one hundred and seventy turned out in search of the enemy. We marched in two divisions, with flankers on each side and scouts before. Our scouts discovered upwards of twenty meeting us and fired on them. They returned the fire, but our men rushed on them with sueh violence that they were obliged to make a precipitate retreat. We took ten bundles and a good deal of plunder, and had great reason to think some of them were wounded. This small skirmish happened on ground very disadvantageous for our men to pursue, though it was with the greatest difficulty our officers could restrain their men. A council was held, and it was thought advisable to return, as we imagined there was a large party not far off. We accordingly returned, and had not marched more than a mile when a number, not inferior to ours, attacked us in the rear. Our men sustained the attack with great bravery and interpidity, immediately forming a line. The Indians endeavoured to surround us, but were prevented by the uneommon fortitude and vigilance of Capt. James Shelby, who took possession of an eminence that prevented their design. Our line of battle extended about a quarter of a mile. We killed about thirteen on the spot, whom
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
we found, and have the greatest reason to believe that we could have found a great many more, had we had time to search for them. There were streams of blood every way; and it was generally thought there was never so much execution done in so short a time on the frontier. Never did troops fight with greater calmness than ours did. The Indians attacked us with the greatest fury imaginable, and made the most vigorous efforts to surround us. Our spies really deserve the greatest applause. We took a great deal of plunder and many guns, and had only four men greatly wounded. The rest of the troops are in high spirits and eager for another engagement. We have the greatest reason to believe they are pouring in great numbers on us, and beg the assistance of our friends.
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