USA > Tennessee > Sullivan County > Historic Sullivan; a history of Sullivan County, Tennessee, with brief biographies of the makers of history > Part 6
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JAMES THOMPSON, JOHN CAMPBELL,
JAMES SHELBY, WILLIAM COCKE,
WILLIAM BUCHANAN, THOMAS MADISON.
To Maj. Anthony Bledsoe, for him to be immediately sent to Col. Preston."
The Indians taking part in the Island Flats fight were led by that savage chief, Dragging Canoe, the other divi- sion, under Abraham, attacking Watauga. Finding themselves unable to take this point they laid siege for three weeks, but with little success. They also sent warriors to Womack's fort.
During this siege a Mrs. Bean and a youth named Moore were captured. On returning to their own towns the Indians burned the Moore boy. Mrs. Bean was con- demned to suffer a similar fate and was already tied to the stake, when Nancy Ward interceded and saved her life.
SOUTH FORK SKIRMISH.
Marauding parties of Indians continued to harass the settlers. They had a permanent camp in the neighbor- hood of Long Island, from which they would come forth and pounce down upon some unsuspecting settlement, killing and burning. Spies discovered their retreat at the mouth of the south fork of Holston river. One night previous to this a party of whites were driven into the Snodgrass fort, near Abingdon. The next day recruits
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BATTTLE OF ISLAND FLATS.
from the various forts met near the camp of these Indians and prepared to surround them, but before they were ready someone, suspecting the Indians heard them, fired into their camp, while the remainder rushed to the river and plunged in. Seven scalps were taken in this fight and out of twenty-five Indians discovered in camp only one returned to the settlement on Chicamauga. The rest were killed or drowned-the river being flushed at the time.2
2During the Chicamauga campaign inquiries were made of the Indians about this fight and they reported that there was but one survivor .- Snodgrass MSS .- Draper collection.
CHAPTER XII.
CHRISTIAN CAMPAIGN.
At this period the southern Indians became more active and offensive than ever before. Chafing under the crush of defeat they were ready to form an alliance with any nation to retrieve their lost prestige, both as a military power and as landowners. In this way they thought to restore to themselves territory which they felt had been wrung from them in forced treaties. It was in this state of mind the British agents found them at the beginning of the Revolution. John Stuart, the British Superin- tendent of Southern Indian Affairs, approached these Indians with offers of aid in the way of ammunition, food and clothing, and promises of much loot.
When these conditions were made known to the people of the Holston settlements, who had been the sufferers in so many Cherokee invasions, they decided to no longer attempt to carry on a war of defense, staying in their stockades at home, but to make an imposing display of arms on the Indians' own grounds and assume the offen- sive. Accordingly Col. William Christian was ordered to Long Island with a force of men. He was joined by reinforcements under Cols. Williams and Love, and Maj. Winston, of North Carolina, and all rendezvoused at Long Island in August.
As an example of discipline while in camp there, the following is recorded in Christian's orderly book:
For the Tryal of Capt. James Shelby for "giving'a false alarm by the report of his gun, Pleading guilty with a apology that "he supposed the powder to have been mostly out of the Gun and he only intended to squib her"-sorry -. Fined one weeks pay.
.
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CHRISTIAN CAMPAIGN.
Andrew King, John Barker, James Bates and James Wilson were likewise fined for the same breach of deportment-one week.1
Accompanying this expedition were two chaplains and a surgeon. The following is also from the orderly book:
CAMP LADY AMBLER, Oct. 20, 1776.
Patrick Vance appointed third surgeon with pay of assistant.2
Wm. Cumins & Thos. Ray chaplains of first battalion. 3
Leaving the fort they crossed the island and camped the first night on the head waters of Lick creek, near Chimney Top mountain. Here they remained several days awaiting the arrival of reinforcements from Watauga. Altogether there were about two thousand men including wood choppers, pack drivers, and cattle drivers. Each soldier was supplied with a pound of powder and fifty bullets. There was one company of mounted riflemen, the remainder being infantry.
1Although the promiscuous shooting of fire-arms is a breach of discipline, the temptation to violate this rule is prevalent in all organizations that carry weapons-whether for military or amusement purposes. It is punishable by fine or often more severe measures. On the frontier, where powder was scarce, it was all the more necessary to enforce these regulations. Col. William Preston had had charge of the issuance of all supplies for many years and knowing how hard it was to secure ammunition, once cautioned Maj. Robertson:"* * * The destestable habit of wantonly firing Guns without any cause is also to be avoided, as it not only wastes ammunition which is very scarce but gives the Enemy notice where you are so that they will either take advantage of your Imprudence and surprise you or_Pass by the Company & ravage the country."
'ft" 2Surgery and surgical instruments were of the most primitive kind on the early frontier. During the Christian campaign, while the men were quartered at Long Island, a Dr. Vance discovered a treatment for scalped persons. He bored holes in the skull in order to create a new flesh covering for the exposed bone. On being called away he taught James Robertson how to perform the operation. Frederick Calvit, a scalped patient, was brought in and Robertson had a chance to practice upon him-"he [Vance] bored a few holes himself, to show the manner of doing it." He further declares: 'I have found that a flat pointed, straight aw] is the best instrument to bore with as the skull is thick and somewhat difficult to penetrate. When the awl is nearly through the instrument should be borne more lightly upon. The time to quit boring is when a reddish fluid appears on the point of the awl. I bore at first about one inch apart and as the flesh appears to rise in these holes I bore a number more between the first, etc. *
* The scalped head cures slowly. It skins remarkably slow, generally taking two years."- Draper MSS
3All other authorities give but one "preacher, Charles Cummings. This, however, is taken from Christian's MSS. orderly book and is conclusive. The names of course are spelled wrong. Instead of "Wm. Cummins and Thos. Ray," they shoud be Charles Cummings and Joseph Rhea. Rhea was contemporary with Cummings. The variance in the spelling of proper names did not always indicate different persons any more than the extravagant use of capitals indicated illiteracy. Daniel Boone spelled his name Boon and also Boone,yet all antagonists who came in contact with him certified that he was one and the same person.
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
Col. Christian kept spies constantly in advance of his troops, as the Indians had made the threat that no white man should cross the French Broad river.
While in camp near the mouth of Lick creek, Alex Harlin, a trader among the Cherokees, came in and told Col. Christian that three thousand of the enemy awaited his arrival at the French Broad. But their camp was deserted on arrival of the white troops, although there were evidences that they had recently been there in large numbers. Another trader during the absence of Harlin addressed the Indians and advised them not to oppose the white man as he was made to rule over them and would enter their towns.4 Christian allowed Harlin to go through the camp, as he desired their strength to be reported when he returned to the Indians. He also sent a very defiant message, saying he would not only cross the French Broad, but the Tennessee as well. Just before the army reached the river they were met by another trader with a flag of truce, but orders were given out not to pay any attention to him. Upon arrival at the river Col. Christian employed a piece of strategy similar to that afterwards executed by Gen. Washington at Trenton. He ordered the camp fires kindled and kept up so as to give the impression that he was going into permanent camp. At the same time, with one thousand of his men, he made the very difficult passage of the river-the men traveling by fours to support each other-and arrived safely on the other side, but found no enemy to meet him. In November he reached their towns which he also found abandoned. He remained in their nation two weeks and destroyed many of their towns and crops. At the request of the Indians, Christian agreed to a truce, which was to be followed by a treaty,5 to be made at the Long Island during July 1777. He, however, burned the town of Tuskega, in which lived
4Ramsey.
5See Chapter XIII.
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CHRISTIAN CAMPAIGN.
the warriors responsible for burning the boy Moore, captured at Watauga.
Col. Christian returned to Long Island December 10th, and disbanded his men except a garrison of six hundred which he left in command of Evan Shelby and Anthony Bledsoe. It was on his return that the fort took the name Fort Patrick Henry6-one of Christian's officers naming it.
6Mooney is evidently in error in saying that Christian built Fort Patrick Henry. Fort Robinson was built in 1861 by Col. Stephen and was afterwards renamed Patrick Henry. Perhaps, too, it was remodeled.
CHAPTER XIII. THE TREATY OF LONG ISLAND.
In accordance with Col. Christian's agreement to hold a treaty meeting with the Cherokees at Long Island, Govs. Patrick Henry of Virginia, and Caswell of North Carolina, appointed commissioners to represent the two states at this conference, which convened the latter part of June, 1777.
The commissioners for Virginia were Col. William Preston, Col. William Christian and Col. Evan Shelby. Those for North Carolina were Waighstill Avery, William Sharpe, Robert Lanier and Joseph Winston.
Col. Christian, accompanying the Indian chiefs, Ocon- ostota and others, arrived at the island on the thirtieth day of June. Two days later, July 2nd, just as the commissioners and Indians were becoming good-naturedly acquainted, with prospects of a tranquil settlement, a Cherokee warrior known as The Big Bullet, was mysteriously murdered. This so alarmed his people that they withdrew, suspecting treachery and massacre. The treaty thereby came near falling through. It took several days and much persistence, on the part of the representatives, to assure the Indians that they were in no way abettors of the crime, that they deplored the murder and should the slayer be found would be put to death. As further evidence of sincerity, they offered six hundred dollars reward for the arrest of the murderer. Finally the Indians consented to return to the treaty meeting.
The Fourth of July came on and was duly observed,1 this of course, being the first anniversary of the Declara-
1Haywood.
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THE TREATY OF LONG ISLAND.
tion of Independence. There was much rejoicing and parade. It was explained to the Indians that these festivities were in celebration of promised release from the tyrannical oppression of Great Britain.
As usual, at these treaty meetings, there were many "big talks" by the chiefs and much oratory on the part of the whites. These talks lasted several days. The Cherokees, by nature, are ceremonious and their vagaries had to be nursed to convince them of sincerity, especially since the cowardly murder of The Big Bullet, to whom they frequently referred.
The commissioners, long experienced with savage customs and dispositions, were very deliberate and on all questions allowed them as much time as they desired. The speakers on both sides expressed great delight that a permanent peace was about to be established-a pro- fession no doubt sincerely uttered-however, the length of this amity was very uncertain as these agreements were often, on some flimsy pretext, violated by one side or the other.2
The first article of treaty declared that: "Hostilities shall forever cease between the Cherokees and the people of North Carolina from this time forward and peace, friendship and confidence shall ensue."
During the framing of the treaty, the commissioners requested the Indians to speak their sentiments without reserve, as they were not brought from their far homes to be taken advantage of nor to have forced upon them anything hurtful to their interests. Regret was expressed that The Lying Fish and Dragging Canoe were absent.
The foremost cause of delay in arriving at a conclusion of the treaty was the Cherokees' objection to the pro- posed extension of the boundary line. In a speech on July 17th, The Old Tassel expressed surprise, saying
2The white settlers were more often the aggressors. Frontier law was either lax or summary and severe punishment was not usually visited upon the head of any white man for offense against an Indian.
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
he had not expected overtures for land, but for peace. He asserted "if this and another house were packed full of goods they would not make satisfaction; the giving up of this territory would spoil the hunting grounds of my people. I hope you will consider this," he pleaded, "and pity me; you require a thing I cannot do."
Finally, on July 20th, a treaty was completed and The Raven, the spokesman of the Indians, expressed the wish that the boundary line between themselves and the whites be "as a wall to the skies," so that no one could pass it.
With reluctance they yielded Long Island,3 desiring to retain this strip of land on account of its being their ancient treaty place and where, since time out of mind, peace pacts had been made. So the present treaty contained the following protest memorandum: "The Tassel yesterday objected against giving up Great Island, opposite to Fort Henry, to any person or country whatsoever, except Col. Nathaniel Gist, for whom and themselves it was reserved by the Cherokees. The Raven did the same, this day, in behalf of his people and desired that Col. Gist might sit down upon it when he pleased as it belonged to him and them to hold good talks on."
The more prominent articles of the treaty were: All white or negro prisoners, if any there be among the Cherokees, shall be given up immediately to the agent to be appointed for them; and all the horses, cattle and other property taken in the late war, from the people, shall be delivered up.
That no white man shall reside in or pass in and out of the Overhill towns4 without a certificate, signed by three justices of the peace, and should any be found with-
3There is still a claim among the Cherokees that Long Island was not ceded to the whites.
4Overhill Cherokees-those living in the valleys as distinguished from the mountain dwellers.
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THE TREATY OF LONG ISLAND.
out these certificates should be delivered to the agent of the whites while the Cherokees could appropriate any effects of said person.
Should any runaway negroes get into the Overhill towns they were to be secured until the owners call for them.
That all white men authorized, by credentials, to pass through shall be protected; that if any white man murder an Indian he is to be delivered up to a justice of the peace of the nearest county, tried and put to death according to law. And should an Indian murder a white man, said Indian is to be put to death in the presence of the agent or two justices of the peace.
At the completion of the treaty the following boundary was agreed upon between the two parties;
That the boundary line between the State of North Carolina and the said Over-hill Cherokees shall forever hereafter be and remain as follows, (to wit:) Beginning at a point in the dividing line which during the treaty hath been agreed upon between the said Over-hill Cherokees and the State of Virginia, where the line between that state and North Carolina (hereafter to be extended) shall cross or intersect the same, running thence a right line to the north bank of the Holston River at the mouth of Cloud's Creek, being the second creek below the Warrior's Ford, at the mouth of Carter's Valley, thence a right line to the highest point of a mountain called the High Rock or Chimney Top, from thence a right line to the mouth of Camp Creek, otherwise called McNama's Creek, on the south bank of Nolichucky River, about ten miles or thereabouts below the mouth of Great Limestone, be the same more or less, and from the mouth of Camp Creek aforsaid a south-east course into the mountains which divide the hunting grounds of the middle settlements from those of the Overhill Cherokees.
To prevent any infringement of these peace terms, it was further agreed that no white man on any pretence, whatsoever, shall build, plant, improve, settle, hunt or drive stock below said boundary on pain of being driven off by the Indians and punished by the whites. And,
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
"that no man shall carry a gun5 in search of any cattle on pain of forfeiting said gun to' the informer."
In testimony, the following chiefs and commissioners signed :
WAIGHTSTILL AVERY, (SEAL)
WILLIAM SHARPE, (SEAL)
ROBERT LANIER, (SEAL)
JOSEPH WINSTON, (SEAL)
OCONOSTOTA, of Chota, his X mark, (SEAL)
RAYETAEH Or THE OLD TASSEL, of Toquoe, his X mark, (SEAL)
SAVANUKEH Or THE RAVEN, of Chota, his X mark, (SEAL)
WILLANAWAW, of Toquoe, his X mark, (SEAL)
OOTOSSETEH, of Hiwassee, his X mark, (SEAL)
ATTUSAH OF THE NORTHWARD WARRIOR, of the mouth of Tellico River, his X mark, (SEAL)
OOSKUAH or ABRAM, of Chilhowee, his X mark, (SEAL)
ROLLOWCH or THE RAVEN, from the mouth of Tellies River, his X mark, (SEAL)
TOOSTOOH, from the mouth of Tellies River, his X mark, (SEAL)
AMOYAH Or THE PIGEON, of Natchey Creek, his X mark, (SEAL)
OOSTOSSETIH Or THE MANKILLER, of Wiwassee, his X mark, (SEAL) TILLEHAWEH Or THE CHESTNUT, of Tellies, his X mark, (SEAL)
QUEE LEE KAH, of Hiwassee, his X mark, (SEAL)
ANNA KE HU JAH Or THE GIRL, of Tuskega, his X mark, (SEAL)
ANNECEKAH, of Tuskega, his X mark, (SEAL)
SKE AHTU KAH, of Citico, his mark, (SEAL)
ATTA KULLA KULLA OF THE LITTLE CARPENTER, of Natchey Creek, his X mark, (SEAL)
OOKOO NEKAH or THE WHITE OWL, of Natchey Creek, his X mark, (SEAL)
KA TA QUILLA Or POT CLAY, of Chilhowee, his X mark, (SEAL)
TUS KA SAH Or THE TARRAPIN, of Chiles tooch, his X mark, (SEAL) SUNNE WAUH, of Big Island town, his X mark, (SEAL)
WITNESS: Jacob Womack, James Robins, John Reed, Isaac
Bledsoe, Brice Martin, John Reed, John Kearns.
JOSEPH VANN, Interpreter
5A gunsmith by agreement was to accompany the chiefs, reside in their nation and do their repairing.
CHAPTER XIV. THE SHELBY CAMPAIGN.
In the spring of 1779, more than two years after the Christian campaign, Evan Shelby commanded an expedi- tion against the Chicamaugas.
Their rendezvous was at Big Creek1 where some time was spent in preparing boats for the first naval demon- stration in this section. So swiftly did they descend the river the Indians were taken completely by surprise.
Shelby had nearly one thousand men with him. The first town he entered was Chicamauga, where lived Drag- ging Canoe and Big Fool, the two chiefs,with five hundred warriors, all of whom fled at the approach of the men. The town was burned and the Indians were pursued until they hid themselves in the fastnesses of the mountains.
Capturing some of their straggling warriors the in- vaders sent them out to bring the chiefs in to a conference. The Chicamaugas were wary, however, and declined to come.
After waiting some time our men destroyed their towns -twelve in number. They also destroyed great stores of corn, some of which had been hid in the cane brakes. They captured goods to the value of twenty thousand pounds sterling, or in our money, about one hundred thousand dollars. Shelby took one hundred and fifty horses, one hundred head of cattle and large quantities of deer skins, which an English trader had stored there.
After completing this work they destroyed the vessels in which they descended the river and returned on foot. There was considerable suffering among the troops before they reached the settlements.
On this expedition Shelby had the services of Capt.
1" We rendezvoused at Long Island."-MSS. letter William Snodgrass.
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
Montgomery, who opportunely arrived in search of men for George Rogers Clark. In the latter's campaign Montgomery served with distinction.
RACHEL DONELSON
CHAPTER XV. DONELSON'S VOYAGE.
The Donelsons were prominent in the early history of Sullivan County. Stokeley Donelson was one of the first magistrates and helped to organize the county. Col. John Donelson was a prominent surveyor and was also instrumental in negotiating treaties with the Indians. His most important assignment in this work was in association with Gen. Joseph Martin and Col. Isaac Shelby in formulating a treaty at Long Island July 9th, 1783.1
In the fall of 1779, Col. Donelson brought his family from Virginia and located in Sullivan, near Long Island, now Kingsport. Here he built boats-thirty in num- ber-preparatory to making a voyage down the Holston, with a view of settling on the Cumberland river, in Middle Tennessee.
His daughter, Rachel Donelson, who afterwards became the wife of Andrew Jackson,2 was then a girl thirteen years of age and accompanied the expedition. The start, owing to the time required in building the boats and also to a freeze-up following their completion, was not made until December 22, 1779.
This feat of navigation was the most daring of any that had yet been made to settle the West. Down unknown rivers, over dangerous shoals and falls, through towns of hostile and treacherous Indians, these bold navigators pushed their way.
The boats were all flat boats-one part roofed, Col. Donelson's and Capt. Blackmore's being the largest.
1At these treaties it was customary to give the chiefs presents, in the nature of tips-
2Andrew Jackson at one time resided or boarded with the family of William Cobb in the "Forks" in Sullivan County.
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HISTORIC SULLIVAN.
In the boat of Col. and J. Donelson, Jr., were about fifteen whites and thirty blacks. In Mrs. James Robert- son's3 boat, ten-all told, about three hundred people. Haywood gives the following list of those who accom- panied Donelson: "Some of them who came with Col. Donelson, the whole of them not being recollected, were Robert Cartwright and family, Benjamin Porter and family, Mary Henry (a widow) and her family, Mary Purnell and her family, James Cain and his family, Isaac Neely and his family, John Cotton and his family, old Mr. Rounsever and his family, Jonathan Jennings and his family, William Crutchfield and his family, Jo- seph Renfroe and his family, James Renfroe and his family, Solomon Turpin and his family, old Mr. Johns and his family, Francis Armstong and his family, Isaac Lanier and his family, Daniel Dunham and his family, John Boyd and his family, John Montgomery and his family, John Cockrill and his family, John Donaldson and his family, John Caffrey and his family, John Don- aldson, Jr., and his family, Mrs. Robertson (the wife of Capt. James Robertson), John Blackmore and John Gibson."
When camped at night theirfires, strung along the shore, made an impressive scene. Col. Donelson's diary de- scribes the vogage.
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 Donaldson.
DECEMBER 22, 1779 .- Took our departure from the fort and fell down the river to the mouth of Reedy Creek, where we were stopped by the fall of water, and most excessive hard frost; and after much delay and many difficulties we arrived at the mouth of Cloud's Creek, on Sun- day evening, the 20th of February, 1780, where we lay by until Sunday, 27th, when we took our departure with the sundry other vessels bound for the same voyage, and on the same day struck the Poor Valley Shoal,
3James Robertson, the husband of this Mrs. Robertson, had gone overland in company with Richard Henderson and others, bound for the same destination.
.
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DONELSON'S VOYAGE.
together with Mr. Boyd and Mr. Rounsifer, on which shoal we lay that afternoon and succeeding night in much distress.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28th, 1780 .- In the morning the water rising we got off the shoal, after landing thirty persons to lighten our boat. In attempting to land on an island, received some damage and lost sundry articles, and came to camp on the south shore, where we joined sundry other vessels also bound down.
TUESDAY, 29th .- Proceeded down the river and camped on the north shore, the afternoon and the following day proving rainy.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1st .- Proceeded on and camped on the south shore, nothing happening that day remarkable.
MARCH 2d .- Rain about half the day; passed the mouth of French Broad River, and about 12 o'clock, Mr. Henry's boat being driven on the point of an island by the force of the current was sunk, the whole cargo much damaged and the crew's lives much endangered, which occasioned the whole fleet to put on shore and go to their assistance, but with much difficulty bailed her, in order to take in her cargo again. The same afternoon Reuben Harrison went out a hunting and did not return that night, though many guns were fired to fetch him.
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