USA > Tennessee > Davidson County > Nashville > History of Nashville, Tenn. > Part 7
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Journal of a voyage, intended by God's permission, in the good boat "Adventure," from Fort Patrick Henry, on the Holston River, to the French Salt Springs, on Cumberland River, kept by John Donelson.
"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 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 Sunday even- ing, the 20th of February, 1780, where we lay by until Sunday, the 27th, when we took our departure with sundry other vessels bound for the same voyage, and on the same day struck the Poor Valley Shoal, to- gether with Mr. Boyd and Mr. Rounsifer, on which shoal we lay that afternoon and the succeeding night in much distress.
"Monday, February 28, 1780 .- In the morning, the water rising, we got off the shoal, after landing thirty persons to lighten our boat. In at- tempting to land on an island, received some damage, and lost sundry articles, and come to camp on the south shore, where we joined sundry other vessels also bound down.
"Tuesday, 29th .- Proceeded down the river, and encamped on the north shore, the afternoon and following day proving rainy.
" Wednesday, March Ist .- Proceeded on, and encamped on the north shore, nothing happening that day remarkable.
"March 2d .- Rain about half the day; passed the mouth of French Broad River, and about twelve 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 was 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 out and raised her, in order to take in her cargo again. The same evening Reuben Harrison went out hunting, and did not return that night, though many guns were fired to fetch him in.
"Friday, 3d .- Early in the morning fired a four-pounder for the lost man, sent out sundry persons to search the woods for him, firing many guns that day and the succeeding night, but all without success, to the great grief of his parents and fellow-travelers.
"Saturday, 4th .- Proceeded on our voyage, leaving old Mr. Harrison, with some other vessels, to make further search for his lost son; about ten o'clock the same day found him a considerable distance down the
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river, when Mr. Ben Belew took him on board his boat. At three o'clock P.M. passed the mouth of Tennessee River, and camped on the south shore, about ten miles below the mouth of Tennessee.
"Sunday, 5th .- Cast off, and got under way before sunrise; twelve o'clock passed mouth of Clinch; at three o'clock P.M. came up with the Clinch River company, whom we joined and camped, the evening prov- ing rainy ..
"Monday, 6th .- Got under way before sunrise; the morning proving very foggy, many of the fleet were much bogged; about ten o'clock lay by for them; when collected proceeded down; camped on the north shore, where Captain Hutching's negro man died, being much frosted in his feet and legs, of which he died.
"Tuesday, 7th .- Got under way very early, the day proving very windy, a S. S. W., and the river being wide, occasioned a high sea, inso- much that some of the smaller craft were in danger, therefore came to at the uppermost Chickamauga town, which was then evacuated, where we lay by that afternoon and camped that night. The wife of Ephriam Peyton was here delivered of child. Mr. Peyton has gone through by land with Captain Robertson.
" Wednesday, 8th .- Cast off at ten o'clock, and proceeded down to an Indian village, which was inhabited, on the south side of the river. They invited us to come ashore, called us brothers, and showed us other signs of friendship, insomuch that Mr. John Caffrey and my son, then on board, took a canoe which I had in tow, and were crossing the river to them, the rest of the fleet having landed on the opposite shore. After they had gone some distance, a half-breed, who called himself Archy Coody, with several other Indians, jumped into a canoe, met them, and advised them to return to the boat, which they did, together with Coody and several canoes, which left the shore and followed directly after him. They appeared to be friendly. After distributing some presents among them, with which they seemed much pleased, we observed a number of Indians on the other side embarking in their canoes, armed and painted with red and black. Coody immediately made signs to his companions, ordering them to quit the boat, which they did, himself and another In- dian remaining with us, and telling us to move off instantly. We had not gone far before we discovered a number of Indians, armed and paint- ed, proceeding down the river, as it were to intercept us. Coody, the half-breed, and his companion sailed with us for some time, and telling us that we had passed all the towns, and were out of danger, left us. But we had not gone far until we came in sight of another town, situated likewise on the south side of the river, nearly opposite a small island.
5
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Here they again invited us to come ashore, called us brothers, and ob- serving the boats standing off up the channel, told us that their side of the river was better for boats to pass. And here we regret the unfortu- nate death of young Mr. Payne, on board Captain Blackemore's boat, who was mortally wounded by reason of the boat running too near the northern shore, opposite the town, where some of the enemy lay con- cealed; and the more tragical misfortune of poor Stewart, his family and friends, to the number of twenty-eight persons. This man had em- barked with us for the Western country, but his family being diseased with the small-pox, it was agreed upon between him and the company that he should keep at some distance in the rear for fear of the infection spreading; and he was warned each night when the encampment should take place by the sound of a horn. After we had passed the town, the Indians having now collected to a considerable number, observing his helpless situation, singled off from the rest of the fleet, intercepted him, killed and took prisoners the whole crew, to the great grief of the entire company, uncertain how soon they might share the same fate. Their cries were distinctly heard by those boats in the rear. We still perceived the Indians marching down the river in considerable bodies, keeping pace with us until the Cumberland Mountains withdrew them from our sight, and we were in hopes we had escaped them. We are now arrived at the place called Whirl or Suck, where the river is compressed within less than half its common width above by the Cumberland Mountains, which jut in on both sides. In passing through the upper part of these nar- rows, at a place described by Coody, which he termed the ' Boiling Pot,' a trivial accident had nearly ruined the expedition. One of the com- pany, John Cotton, who was moving down in a large canoe, had attached it to Robert Cartwright's boat, into which he and his family had gone for safety. The canoe was here overturned, and the little cargo lost. The company, pitying his distress, concluded to halt and assist him in recover- ing his property. They had landed on the northern shore, at a level spot, and were going up to the place, when the Indians, to our astonishment, appeared immediately over us on the opposite cliffs, and commenced firing down upon us, which occasioned a precipitate retreat to the boats. We immediately moved off. The Indians, lining the bluffs along, con- tinued their fire from the heights on our boats below, without doing any other injury than wounding four slightly. Jennings's boat is missing. We have now passed through the Whirl. The river widens with a placid and gentle current, and all the company seemed to be in safety except the family of Jonathan Jennings, whose boat ran on a large rock projecting out from the northern shore, and partly immersed in water,
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immediately at the Whirl, where we were compelled to leave them, per- haps to be slaughtered by their merciless enemies. Continued to sail on that day, and floated through the following night.
"Thursday, 9th .- Proceeded on our journey, nothing happening worthy of attention to-day, floated until about midnight, and encamped on the northern shore.
"Friday, Ioth .- This morning about four o'clock we were surprised by the cries of ' Help poor Jennings !' at some distance in the rear. He had discovered us by our fires, and came up in the most wretched con- dition. He states that as soon as the Indians had discovered his situation they turned their attention to him, and kept up a most galling fire on his boat. He ordered his wife, a son nearly grown, a young man who ac- companied them, and two negroes to throw all his goods into the river, to lighten their boat, for the purpose of getting her off; himself returning their fire as well as he could, being a good soldier and an excellent marksman. But before they had accomplished their object his son, the young man, and the negro man jumped out of the boat and left them. He thinks the young man and the negro were wounded. Before they left the boat, Mrs. Jennings, however, and the negro woman succeeded in unloading the boat, but chiefly by the exertions of Mrs. Jennings, who got out of the boat, and shoved her off; but was near falling a victim to her own intrepidity, on account of the boat starting so suddenly as soon as loosened from the rocks. Upon examination he appears to have made a wonderful escape, for his boat is pierced in numberless places with bullets. It is remarked that Mrs. Peyton, who was the night before de- livered of an infant, which was unfortunately killed in the hurry and con- fusion consequent upon such a disaster, assisted them, being frequently exposed to wet and cold then and afterward, and that her health appears to be good at this time, and I think and hope she will do well. Their clothes were very much cut with bullets, especially Mrs. Jennings's.
"Saturday, IIth .- Got under way after distributing the family of Mr. Jennings in other boats. Rowed on quietly that day, and encamped for the night on the northern shore.
"Sunday, 12th .- Set out, and after a few hours' sailing we heard the crowing of cocks, and soon came within view of the town. Here they fired on us again without doing any injury. After running until about ten o'clock, came in sight of Muscle Shoals. Halted on the northern shore, at the upper end of the shoals, in order to search for the signs Captain James Robertson was to make for us at that place. He set out from Holston early in the fall of 1779, and was to proceed by way of Kentucky to the Big Salt Lick on Cumberland River, with several oth-
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ers in company; was to come across from the Big Salt Lick to the upper end of the shoals, there to make such signs we might know he had been there, and that it was practicable for us to go across by land. But to our great mortification we can find none from which to conclude that it would be prudent to make the attempt, and are determined, knowing ourselves to be in such imminent danger, to pursue our journey down the river. After trimming our boats in the best possible manner, we ran through the shoals before night. When we approached them they had a dreadful appearance to those who had never seen them before. The water being high made a terrible roaring, which could be heard at some distance among the drift-wood heaped frightfully upon the points of the islands, the current running in every possible direction. Here we did not know how soon we should be dashed to pieces, and all our troubles ended at once. Our boats frequently dragged on the bottom, and ap- peared constantly in danger of striking; they warped as much as in a rough sea. But, by the hand of Providence, we are now preserved from this danger also. I know not the length of this wonderful shoal; it has been represented to me to be twenty-five or thirty miles. If so, we must have descended very rapidly, as indeed we did, for we passed it in about three hours. Came to, and encamped on the northern shore, not far below the shoals, for the night.
"Monday, 13th .- Got under way early in the morning, and made a good run that day.
" Tuesday, 14th .- Set out early. On this day two boats, approaching too near the shore, were fired on by the Indians. Five of the crew were wounded, but not dangerously. Came to camp at night near the mouth of a creek. After kindling fires and preparing for rest, the company were alarmed on account of the incessant barking our dogs kept up. Taking it for granted the Indians were attempting to surprise us, we re- treated precipitately to the boats, fell down the river about a mile, and encamped on the other shore. In the morning I prevailed on Mr. Caf- frey and my son to cross below in a canoe, and return to the place ; which they did, and found an African negro we had left in the hurry, asleep by one of the fires. The voyagers then returned and collected their utensils which had been left.
" Wednesday, 15th .- Got under way, and moved on peaceably on the five following days, when we arrived at the mouth of the Tennessee on Monday, the 20th, and landed on the lower point, immediately on the bank of the Ohio. Our situation is truly disagreeable. The river is very high and the current rapid, our boats not constructed for the purpose of stemming a rapid stream, our provision exhausted, the crew almost
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worn down with hunger and fatigue, and know not what distance we have to go or what time it will take us to reach our place of destination. The scene is rendered still more melancholy, as several boats will not attempt to ascend the rapid current. Some intend to descend the Mississippi to Natchez; others are bound for Illinois-among the rest my son-in-law and daughter. We now part, perhaps to meet no more, for I am deter- mined to pursue my course, happen what will.
" Tuesday, 2Ist .- Set out, and on this day we labored very hard, and got but a little way; camped on the south bank of the Ohio. Passed the two following days as the former, suffering much from hunger and fa- tigue.
"Friday, 24th .- About three o'clock came to the mouth of a river which I thought was the Cumberland. Some of the company declared it could not be, it was so much smaller than was expected. But I never heard of any river running in between the Cumberland and Tennessee. It appeared to flow with a gentle current. We determined, however, to make the trial, pushed some distance, and encamped for the night.
" Saturday, 25th .- To-day we are much encouraged; the river grows wider; the current is very gentle; we are now convinced it is the Cum- berland. I have derived great assistance from a small square sail, which was fixed up on the day we left the mouth of the river; and to prevent any ill effects from a sudden flaw of wind, a man was stationed at each of the lower corners of the sheet, with directions to give way whenever it was necessary.
"Sunday, 26th .- Got under way early; procured some buffalo meat; though poor, it was palatable.
" Monday, 27th .- Set out again; killed a swan, which was very de- licious.
"Tuesday, 28th .- Set out early this morning; killed some buffalo.
"Wednesday, 29th .- Proceeded up the river; gathered some herbs in the Cumberland bottoms, which some of the company called ' Shawnee salad.'
"Thursday, 30th .- Proceeded on our voyage. This day killed some more buffalo.
"Friday, 31st .- Set out this day, and after running some distance. met with Colonel Richard Henderson, who was running the line between Virginia and North Carolina. At this meeting we were much rejoiced. He gave us every information we wished, and further informed us that he had purchased a quantity of corn in Kentucky, to be shipped at the Falls of Ohio, for the use of the Cumberland settlement. We are now without bread, and are compelled to hunt the buffalo to preserve life.
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Worn out with fatigue, our progress at present is slow. Camped at night near the mouth of a little river, at which place and below there is a handsome bottom of rich land. Here we found a pair of hand mill- stones, set up for grinding, but appeared not to have been used for a great length of time. Proceeded quietly until the 12th of April, at which time we came to the mouth of a little river running in on the north side, by Moses Renfroe and his company called ' Red River,' up which they intended to settle. Here they took leave of us. We proceeded up the Cumberland, nothing happening material until the 23d, when we reached the first settlement on the north side of the river, one mile and a half be- low the Big Salt Lick, and called Eaton's Station, after a man of that name, who, with several other families, came through Kentucky and set- tled there.
"Monday, April 24th .- This day we arrived at our journey's end at the Big Salt Lick, where we had the pleasure of finding Captain Robert- son and his company. It is a source of satisfaction to us to be enabled to restore to him and others their families and friends, who were intrusted to our care, and who, some time since perhaps, despaired of ever meet- ing again. Though our prospects at present are dreary, we have found a few log cabins which have been built on the cedar bluff above the Lick by Captain Robertson and his company."
It was no doubt an occasion of indescribable joy when the boats that had been so long delayed, and that had probably been given up for lost, appeared in sight and then pulled up to the landing. There were breasts that heaved with emotion, and glad faces, and ringing laughter, and kisses bestowed again and again, and embraces repeated over and over. No conventional rules restrained the natural manifestation of human feel- ing. We may be sure, also, that there were no lack of devout thanks- giving to Almighty God for the wonderful providence that had brought the defenseless women and the little children through so many perils un- scathed. For these people were not heathen ruffians, but well-instructed Christians. The most of them were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, and re- ligious belief had been ingrained in their characters. They would as soon have thought of doubting the fact of their own existence as of doubting the reality of God's superintending care over his human chil- dren. But the scene was not wholly a bright one. We are bound to believe that from these true-hearted and high-souled foresters there were sobs and tears for those of their companions that had perished by the way.
Three weeks later, May 13th, 1780, the government of the "General Arbitrators" was instituted. The necessity for it was evident from
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various considerations. In the first place, man is a social creature, and cannot reach the true end of his being outside of society; and society cannot exist without government as its organ. These are general princi- ples, always and everywhere true. But in the present instances there were, as is manifest, special causes at work, that rendered it imperative for the citizens to band themselves together under the forms of law. They were seven hundred miles distant from the capital of the State within whose borders they lived, and circumstances were such that they could not look for any protection from that source. Besides this, the Indians had discovered the settlement, and were already beginning to give serious trouble. They had killed John Milliken, on Richland Creek; Joseph Hay, near the Sulphur Spring; and old Mr. Bernard, near Freeland's Station. To have neglected civil organization under such circumstances as these would have been wickedness and folly. Colonel Richard Henderson, who was present at the time, took a con- spicuous part in urging this step. A written compact was accordingly formed, and signed by two hundred and fifty-six names, all, with a single exception, genuine autographs. We seriously doubt whether in any other community that was ever planted in the Western country there was as high an average of education and intelligence as this fact reveals. The original draft of this compact, in a good, fair hand, was found by Mr. A. W. Putnam in 1846 in a trunk that had belonged to Colonel Rob- ert Burton, one of the "Arbitrators." We should be glad to insert it in full, but its length forbids. It may be found in Putnam's " History of Middle Tennessee," pages 94-102, and will amply repay a careful peru- sal. A few facts concerning its contents we must state here. The court of judges or " General Abitrators" was made to consist of thirteen per- sons, selected from all of the eight stations. It was to hold its sessions at Nashborough, for the fort on the bluff had already been so named in honor of General Francis Nash, of North Carolina, who was killed at the battle of Germantown in 1777. The functions of the court have been admirably summarized as follows: "They shall be empowered and com- petent to settle all controversies relative to locations and improvements of lands; all other matters and questions of dispute among settlers; pro- tecting the reasonable claims of those who may have returned for their families; providing implements of husbandry and food for such as might arrive without such necessaries; making especial provision for widows and orphans whose husbands or fathers may die or be killed by the sav- ages; guaranteeing equal rights, mutual protection, and impartial jus- tice." (Putnam's " Middle Tennessee," p. 90. ) To omit the eloquent, beautiful, and patriotic conclusion of the Articles would be to deprive
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our readers of their just rights: "That as this settlement is in its infancy unknown to government, and not included within any county in North Carolina, the State to which it belongs, so as to derive the advantages of those wholesome and salutary laws for the protection and benefit of its citizens, we find ourselves constrained from necessity to adopt this tem- porary method of restraining the licentious, and supplying, by unanimous consent, the blessings flowing from a just and equitable government; declaring and promising that no action or complaint shall hereafter be instituted or lodged in any court of record, within this State or else- where, for any thing done, or to be done, in consequence of the pro- ceedings of said judges or General Arbitrators, so to be chosen and established by this our association.
" That as the well-being of this country depends, under Divine Provi- dence, on unanimity of sentiment and concurrence in measures; and as clashing and various interests and opinions, without being under some restraint, will certainly produce confusion, discord, and, almost ruin, so we think it our duty to associate, and hereby form ourselves into one so- ciety, for the benefit of present and future settlers, and until the full and proper exercise of the laws of our country can be in use, and the powers of government exerted among us.
"We do most solemnly and sacredly declare, and promise each other, that we will faithfully and punctually adhere to, perform, and abide by this our association, and at all times, if need be, compel by our united force a due obedience to these our rules and regulations.
"In testimony whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names, in token of our entire approbation of the measures adopted."
Within the next few months they were to be tried to the uttermost. The river overflowed upon the bottoms, and destroyed their corn. Thirty-nine of their number perished from the rifle or the tomahawk of the Indian. Their ammunition ran low. Starvation stared them in the face. Some of the less courageous deserted and fled. Only one hun- dred and thirty-four answered to the roll-call in November, 1780; but these were Spartans, every man of them, and Robertson was as brave a leader as Leonidas. For the next ten years, in fact, they went through " a rain of fire" such as is without historical parallel. That they stood firm to their post, endured all ills, faced all dangers, and came out in the end victorious, is a fact which ought to cause the heart of every patri- otic Tennesseean to swell with pride.
CHAPTER VI.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF NASHVILLE FROM 1780 TO 1796.
Motives for the Settlement of the Cumberland Country-Treaty of Fort Stanwix and Purchase of All the Land South to the Tennessee River-Indian Warfare upon the Whites, Includ- ing the Attack upon Buchanan's Fort and the Battle of the Bluff-Mero District, and the Navigation of the Mississippi River-Expedition to Nick-a-jack, and Conquering a Peace by Exterminating the Chickamauga Tribe of Indians-Settlement of Nashville and Boones- boro Saved the Mississippi Valley to the United States-Outline of Various Facts, Showing the Growth of the Town and Its Business.
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