USA > Tennessee > Williamson County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc. Vol. 1 > Part 52
USA > Tennessee > Maury County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc. Vol. 1 > Part 52
USA > Tennessee > Rutherford County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc. Vol. 1 > Part 52
USA > Tennessee > Wilson County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc. Vol. 1 > Part 52
USA > Tennessee > Bedford County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc. Vol. 1 > Part 52
USA > Tennessee > Marshall County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc. Vol. 1 > Part 52
USA > Tennessee > History of Tennessee from the earliest time to the present , together with an historical and a biographical sketch of from twenty-five to thirty counties of east Tennessee, besides a valuable fund of notes, original observations, reminiscences, etc., etc. V. 1 > Part 52
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
The next point the Americans aimed at was Ninety-Six, thirty miles away. At the moment of starting a message was received from Col. McDowell, stating that Gen. Gates had been overwhelmed at Camden, and advising the Americans to save themselves as best they could. The 200 prisoners, the spoils of the victory, were divided among the men, giving one to each of the three Americans. Thus encumbered they started for their mountain fastnesses, and by a ride of all that day. the following night and the next day, arrived at a place of safety, not, how- ever, without having been pursued by a strong force under Maj. Dupois- tor, sent by Ferguson. Their forces were for a time scattered. The
1
----
457
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
near approach of the British and threatening of Ferguson to cross the mountains to attack the Tennesseeans in their homes, called them together again. News reached Col. Shelby of the danger in August, and he immediately rode fifty or sixty miles to consult with Sevier. In two days they determined to raise all the forces they could, and if possible surprise Ferguson in his camp. They appointed September 25 as the day of meeting, and Sycamore Shoals on the Watauga as the place. The whole fighting population of the district was considerably less than 1,000, and at least half of these were deemed necessary to guard the forts and the frontier. Only the strong and vigorous were allowed to go. The whole population met at the camp on the Watauga. Here they were met by Col. Campbell, of Virginia, with 400 men. Col. Sevier took 240 from Washington County, Col. Shelby the same number from Sullivan County; also a great many Whig refugees were assembled under Col. McDowell. Steadman, who served under Cornwallis, says: "The enemy was composed of the wild and fierce inhabitants of Kentucky and other settlements beyond the Alleghanies, who had assembled from different places and with different objects. They were under such leaders as Cleveland, Shelby, Sevier, Branden and Lacey; the men were well mounted on horseback and armed with rifles, and each carried his own provisions in a wallet, and were not encumbered by wagons." Each man, each officer set out with his trusty Deckhard on his shoulder. A shot-pouch, a tomahawk, a knife, a knapsack and a blanket completed his outfit. The earth was his bed, the heavens his covering, the moun- tain stream gave him drink and the forests yielded him food. These men started in rapid movement along mountain paths toward Gilbert Town where Ferguson was encamped. The desertion of two men caused them to change their course a little. When nearing the foot of the moun- tains they fell in with others bent on doing the British mischief. Some of these men were well armed, some not; some were on foot and some mounted. This motley crew chose a leader of their own and determined to attack the British.
Ferguson became alarmed at this "inundation of barbarians and dogs of mankind," and called loudly for the loyalists to rally to his standard. On October 4 the Americans reached Gilbert Town to find that Fer- guson had decamped and was earnestly soliciting Cornwallis for re-en- forcements. It was soon agreed among the American commanders to select the best men, horses and arms and follow Ferguson with all speed. Nine hundred and ten men out of nearly 3,000 were chosen to lead the pursuit, the others to follow as rapidly as possible. Several bands of Tories offered tempting baits for these brave mountaineers, but these they
458
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
did not care to disturb, well knowing if the British regulars were dis- posed of the Tories would be an easy prey. For thirty-six hours these men rode with but one hour's rest, and the day of battle was hot and so wet that the men were compelled to wrap their guns with their blankets or hunting-shirts to keep them dry. The men were now within three miles of the British camp. It was learned the British intended to join Cornwallis next day, and the Americans determined not to allow the chance for victory to slip, so without food or rest they prepared for the onset. The touch-holes of their guns were cleaned and fresh priming was put in, bullets were examined and a plan of the battle was hastily formed. Ferguson had taken post on an eminence, which in loyalty to his sovereign he called King's Mountain. The Americans dismounted and began the attack. Their plan was to surround the mountain. Cols. McDowell, Shelby, Sevier and Campbell passed to the right, and Ham- bright, Chronicle, Cleveland and Williams to the left, so as to join the wings in the rear of the mountain. All things being ready, they raised the Indian war-whoop and advanced upon the enemy. The battle was of the most desperate character. As the British regulars charged bayonets, the Americans, by an understanding, slowly yielded on that side, but ad- vanced on the other, and then the British were called to resist the great pressure elsewhere, when the Americans again advanced their lines. The Americans fought as only American mountaineers could fight, the British regulars with the desperation of despair. Prodigies of valor were performed by Sevier, Shelby and, in fact, all the officers and men. No less valorous was Ferguson of the British. Courting danger and disdaining death, he seemed everywhere present. Twice was the white flag raised and twice pulled down or cut down by his own hands. He had sworn that all the rebels out of - - could not drive him from his position, and no --- band of banditti could intimidate him or the Brit- ish regulars. The fight continued hot and desperate. At last Ferguson fell, and the animating spirit of the British was gone. Dupoister, second in command, seeing resistance useless, raised the white flag.
In the hour's engagement the enemy lost 225 killed and 180 wounded, and 700 prisoners and all their stores. Not one of the Brit- ish escaped. The prisoners were more numerous than the whole force to guard them. The loss to the Americans was 1 colonel, 1 major, 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 4 ensigns and 19 privates killed; and 1 major, 3 captains, 3 lieutenants and 53 privates wounded. In Col. Shelby's regiment from Sullivan County his brother Moses was wounded in a bold attempt to storm the enemy. The captains of his regiment were Elliott, Maxwell and Webb. The Washington County troops were
€
450
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
commanded by Col. Sevier, whose captains were his brothers Valen- tine and Robert Sevier, Joel Callahan, George Doherty and George Rus- sell; lieutenant, Isaac Lane. Capt. Robert Sevier was mortally wounded in the engagement. There were four privates of the Sevier family present, Abraham and Joseph Sevier; also James and Joseph Sevier, sons of Col. Sevier. Swords were voted to Cols. Sevier and Shelby by the State of North Carolina in honor of the signal victory. Steadman quotes Gen. Bernard, an officer under Napoleon, as saying: "The Americans, by their victory in that engagement, erected a monument to perpetuate the memory of the brave men, who had fallen there; and the shape of the hill itself would be an eternal monument of the military genius and skill of Col. Ferguson in selecting a position so well adapted for defense; and that no other plan of assault but that pursued by the mountain men, could have succeeded against him." The effect of this victory could not be over-estimated. The Sabbath following the battle was employed in the solemn burial of the dead and rapid retreat to the remaining forces of the army. The wagons of the enemy were burned, the badly wounded were left on the ground and the able bodied were compelled to carry the arms they had surrendered. The prisoners were turned over to Gen. Greene at Hillsboro and Col. Sevier and most of the militia returned to defend their homes against the Indians. Soon after followed the victory of Gen. Morgan over Tarleton at Cowpens, scarcely less decisive then the one at King's Mountain.
The Legislature of North Carolina, Gov. Caswell of the same State and Gen. Greene, all besought Cols. Shelby and Sevier to come to the relief of the State. that was now (1781) invaded by the British under Cornwallis, and the country laid waste by the tories. Neither of the leaders, Shelby or Sevier, could go, as it took them and the militia to de- fend the settlements of Watauga and Nollichucky against the Cherokees. A few only were engaged at Guilford Court House on March 15, 1781. It is thought if these men could have gone in force the same fate would have befallen Cornwallis at that place that awaited him at Yorktown. On the advance of Gen. Greene into South Carolina the forces of Shelby and Sevier were again called upon, and they assembled at Fort Granby in the last of August, 1781. They were well on their way when it was learned that Cornwallis and the main British forces had left North Car- olina and taken post at Yorktown, Va. The various successes led the Americans-Shelby and Sevier-to believe their services would no longer be needed, in consequence of which they again returned home. The battle of Eutaw Spring was fought in the absence of the gallant Tennes- seo- mountaineers, and they were not permitted to gain new laurels. The
-
460
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
straits to which Cornwallis had been reduced by the allied armies led Gen. Greene to believe that he contemplated a retreat through the Caro- linas. Gen. Greene, on September 16, again called upon Col. Sevier for assistance. Shelby was also called upon and responded with his regi- ment. Sevier raised 200 men from Washington County. On October 19 Cornwallis surrendered his whole force, and thus danger from that quarter was no longer apprehended.
At the request of Gen. Greene the forces of Shelby and Sevier joined the forces under Gen. Marion. Notwithstanding these men had been enrolled for only sixty days they proceeded into South Carolina. It was learned that a force of several hundred Hessians stationed at Monk's Corner was in a state of mutiny. The main force of the British was at Ferguson's Swamp, eight or ten miles away on the main road leading to Charleston. It was determined to surprise the British force. Cols. Shelby and Sevier asked to be a part of the detachment of 500 or 600 men to be sent against it. Col. Mayhem commanded the forces, consist- ing of 180 of his own dragoons, a few militia and the men under Shelby and Sevier. The march began in the morning and a long march brought them two miles below the post they intended to attack, on the evening of the second day. In gaining this post they had avoided the main British force and were now between the Hessians and Charleston. The men rested on their arms till daylight the next morning, when they ap- peared before the British post and Col. Mayhem sent a messenger demanding the immediate surrender of the place. Answer was returned in a few minutes that the post would be defended to the last extremity. Shelby then asked permission to go himself and demand the surrender, He told the British commander that if they were compelled to storm the post, every soul within would be killed, as the mountaineers would soon be upon them with their tomahawks. The British officer inquired of Shelby if he had any artillery, to which he replied that he had guns that would blow them to atoms in a minute. The British offi- cer then gracefully yielded and threw open the gates, and the Ameri- cans marched up and took possession. At this moment another strong post was discovered 500. or 600 yards distant. It was a brick house sur- rounded by a strong abatis and defended by 100 soldiers and from 40 to 50 dragoons. These made a demonstration as if to attack the Americans, who deployed and boldly advanced toward the British and demanded a surrender. This post also surrendered without resistance. Although well fortified, 150 men capitulated. Ninety of the prisoners were mounted behind their captors and were taken to Marion's camp sixty miles distant; the remainder were paroled and the post and supplies de-
.
-
ANDREW JACKSON
461
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
stroyed. The Americans reached camp next morning at 3 o'clock. Before day it was reported that Stewart with the whole British force was in a few miles of camp. Shelby and Sevier's men were to interfere and retreat at discretion. A report spread that Marion had received a large re-enforcement of riflemen. The British became alarmed and fled in dis- order almost to Charleston. About the 28th of November Shelby left the army to take a seat in the Legislature of North Carolina, of which he was a member. Col. Sevier remained with the mountain men. Little more was done until peace ended the strife. The troops of Shelby and Sevier "came home enriched with no spoils, stained with no dishonor, enriched only by an imperishable fame, an undying renown and an un- questionable claim to the admiration and gratitude of their countrymen and of posterity."
Hard upon the war with the British and Tories came the war with the Cherokees. The second struggle for independence, that of 1812, was the occasion of the Creek war. As soon as there was a prospect for hostilities, Great Britain sent her emissaries among the Indians to induce them to "dig up the hatchet." Tecumseh, the great Shawanee chieftain, with about thirty of his warriors visited the Southern Indians in his efforts to unite all the various tribes in one grand union against the whites. He estab- lished among the Southern Indians the custom of celebrating the scalp and war dance before battle. The speech of Tecumseh, his power of organization, and the message of the prophet, Tecumseh's brother, stirred the Creeks to a frenzy, and caused them to plunge into a religious war, neither asking nor giving quarter. Numerous outrages had been commit- ted, and the massacre of Fort Mimms, on August 30, 1813, spread alarm throughout Tennessee. A meeting was called in Nashville of which Rev. Mr. Craighead was made chairman and Gen. Coffee was a member. This meeting urged the Legislature to call out the militia to take ven- geance upon the Creeks. That body responded at once, and on September 13, 1813, a call was made for 3,500 volunteers in addition to 1,500, who had already hastily entered the field and appropriated $300,000 to defray the expenses of the war. Gov. Blount commissioned Gen. Cocke to command the troops from East Tennessee, and Gen. Jackson those from West Tennessee (now called Middle Tennessee). Although suffer- ing from the wounds received in the encounter with the Bentons, Gen. Jackson issued one of his characteristic addresses to the people on Sep- tember 25, ordering the men to rendezvous at Fayetteville on October 4. On September 26 Gen. Coffee was sent to Huntsville in advance of the main body for the purpose of protecting the citizens of the valley of the Tennessee against the threatened attack by the Indians. Gen. Jackson
29
4%
462
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
.
himself did not arrive at Fayetteville till the 7th, owing to his disability. He, however, sent his aid, Maj. Reid, in advance to read his orders and to put the men under discipline. On the 11th a dispatch was received by Jackson that 1,000 Creek warriors were approaching to attack Huntsville. News was received at 1 o'clock, and at 3 the army was in motion. By a forced march the army reached Huntsville, a distance of thirty-two miles, in about five hours. On their arrival the rumor was found to be untrue, but the army continued its march, but more leisurely to Ditto's Landing, on the Tennessee. Jackson's forces consisted of two brigades; one of volunteers under Gen. William Hall, and the other of militia under Gen. Isaac Roberts. Jackson marched .up the river to Thompson's Creek, cutting out roads as he went. He was greatly dis- appointed at not receiving supplies that were to be sent from East Ten- nessee. The low stage of the water above prevented, but this was not. indicated below and led to some bitterness.
Jackson built and entrenched a camp, and called it Fort Deposit .. While awaiting supplies he drilled his men, and wrote letters to Gov. Blount, Judge Hugh L. White, and other prominent men urging the necessity of rapid movements. The army was reduced to the greatest straits, and it was with great difficulty that discipline was maintained .. Col. Coffee was sent to scour the country for supplies, and returned in a short time with a quantity of corn. Gen. Jackson broke camp at Fort Deposit October 25, and advanced into the country and built Fort Strother. He learned that the friendly Indians at Two Islands of the Coosa were in danger, and went to their rescue. He learned there was a large body of Indians at Tallushatches, thirteen miles distant, on the south side of the Coosa; thither he sent Col. Coffee with 1,000 mounted men to attack them. They were piloted by friendly Indians. The Indians were sur- prised and defeated with great slaughter. The attack began on the morning of the 3d. Col. Allen, who commanded the right wing, managed to get to the rear of the Indians. They fought with the desperation of despair, and not a warrior was captured. They left 186 warriors upon the field, and doubtless more were killed. A number of women and children were killed and 84 were captured. The Indians fired their guns and then used bows and arrows. Jackson's loss was 5 killed and 41 wounded; among whom were Capts. Smith, Bradley and Winston. An Indian infant was found upon its dead mother's breast. The other women refused to nourish it. Gen. Jackson had the child cared for and took it into his own family. Young Lincolyer was given a practical education, and found a warm friend in the General and his family. He was taken away by con- sumption at the age of seventeen.
1
-----.
-----
463 .
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
Gen. Jackson began again with great energy and next struck the In- dians at Talladega, about thirty miles from his camp, at Fort Strother. Here he left his sick and wounded with a small guard, having made the place as secure as possible. He expected a junction of a part of the force of Gen. Cocke, who was operating in concert with him with the East Tennessee troops. Gen. White, with a brigade of these troops, had arrived at Turkey Town, twenty-five miles from Jackson's camp. These were or- dered by Gen. Jackson to join him in the advance upon Talladega. When near Fort Strother White received an order from Gen. Cocke to join him. Jackson advanced upon Talladega on December 8, and when within six miles of the place he learned that White had been ordered to join Gen. Cocke. His sick and wounded men being in danger, he determined to fight alone the next morning. Talladega was a fortified place, and was filled with friendly Indians who were being besieged by the hostile Creeks. It was for their relief that the battle was fought. The Indians were on the point of starvation. One disguised as a hog crept through the hostile lines, and brought Jackson word as to their condition. Scouts brought him information as to the number and position of the enemy. The march was resumed at 4 o'clock on the morning of the 9th; when within a mile of the enemy the line of battle was formed. Hall's brigade was on the right and Roberts' on the left, and Coffee's cavalry covered the wings, with a portion in the rear for reserve. When Capt. Deaderick's men arrived within eighty yards of the enemy they rose and with a yell opened fire and began an advance. Some of the militia under Gen. Rob- erts began to give way, frightened by the terrible yells of the Indians. The reserve under Col. Dyer boldly advanced and restored the line, when the militia again returned to the fight. A general advance along the whole line was now made. The Indians were slaughtered unmercifully; a gap in the lines alone allowed any to escape. They lost 280 killed; Gen. Coffee says 299. The loss of the whites was 15 killed and 85 wounded. The Indians numbered 1,000; Jackson's forces numbered about 2,000, not more than half of whom were engaged. Great was the joy of the besieged Indians when they were relieved.
Jackson now returned to Fort Strother, but to find no supplies. A week's starvation brought the army to a state of mutiny. The troops threatened to march home in a body, but Jackson persuaded them to de- lay two days longer, in which case, if there were no supplies, he would allow them to 'go. The time came but no supplies. The men started home but Jackson went with them. On the way provisions were met with, but it required the utmost firmness to force them to return. There was a difference of opinion as to when the term of enlistment expired.
--------
464
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
The 10th of December was set as the time for their departure for home. Col. William Martin was commander of one of the mutinous regiments. Gen. Jackson had the men brought out in front of the army, with men on either flank and the artillery in front, ready to fire in case the men moved. After a sharp dispute between Gen. Jackson and Col. Martin the matter was dropped for the time being. Gen. Cocke joined Gen. Jackson's forces at Fort Strother with 2,000 East Tennessee troops on December 13, 1813. The time of the men having expired, all except about 800 were discharged. In the meantime Gen. Coffee, Col. Carroll and Rev. Gideon Blackburn had been very active in raising recruits for the army to support Gen. Jackson at Fort Strother. The new troops were under Cols. Higgins and Perkins and amounted to about 900 men; there were two spy companies under Capts. Russell and Gordon and one artillery company under Lieut. Robert Armstrong. Besides these there was a body of the old riflemen under Gen. Coffee. A large force of friendly Indians accompanied the expedition. The force started on the 13th of January. The object was not only to defeat the Indians, but particularly to keep up the spirits of the men. On the 20th they en- camped at Enotochopco, twelve miles from Emuckfau Creek, near a bend in the Tallapoosa. On the 21st Jackson found himself in the vicinity of , a large force of Indians. The army encamped in a hollow square, ready to receive a night attack which was made upon them. The expected at- tack fell upon Jackson's left before day, but the line was maintained till sunrise, when re-enforcements were sent to their relief. A. charge along the whole line drove the Indians two miles. The friendly Indians joined vigorously in the pursuit. An effort was made by Gen. Coffee to burn their fortifications, but did not succeed. An attack was made upon Jackson's right, which was sustained by Gen. Coffee and some friendly Indians. This was only a preliminary to a heavy assault upon the left which Jackson had anticipated and for which he was prepared. After a vigorous fight the Americans were able to sustain their lines, when a charge was made and the Indians were driven a mile, with a loss of for- ty-three killed. The loss of the whites was four killed, including Maj. Alexander Donelson. Gen. Coffee was wounded in the last charge.
Fearing for the sick and wounded, Gen. Jackson began his movement for his return to Fort Strother. On the 23d he arrived again at Enotochop- co Creek, where it was evident that the Indians were meditating a night attack. He crossed the stream a short distance below the intended ford to avoid an ambuscade that had been laid for him. While the artillery was crossing the Enotochopco the Indians suddenly fell upon the rear guard, they having detected Jackson's movement. Nearly the whole line
---- -
465
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
was thrown into confusion; a part, however, remained firm, and Capt. Russell's spy company was sent to assist till the artillery could be placed in position, when it opened upon the Indians with grape, which held them in check. Col. Higgins soon led his regiment across the stream. A charge along the whole line drove the enemy two miles. The Indians left twenty-six dead upon the field. Among the American killed were Capts. Hamilton and Quarles. Jackson now returned to Fort Strother, where the men whose time had expired were discharged with flattering encomiums by the General.
A dispute arose between Gen. Jackson and Gen. Cocke as to the latter's action in the campaign. Crimination and recrimination followed. Gen. Cocke was arrested and brought to Nashville for trial, but was tri- umphantly acquitted. In March Gen. Jackson was made major-general. He was now re-enforced by 2,000 men from East Tennessee, under Gen. George Doherty. Seventeen hundred men joined him from West Ten- nessee (Middle Tennessee), under Gen. Thomas Johnson; another regi- ment of East Tennessecans, under Col. John Brown; Gen Coffee's caval- ry, under Col. Dyer, and the Thirty-ninth Infantry, under Col. John Williams. The whole force amounted to nearly 4,000 men, about 1,000 of which were friendly Indians, under Maj. McIntosh, a half-breed. The supplies for the expedition were collected at Fort Deposit and hauled to Fort Strother. Most rigid discipline was enforced by Jackson. The execution of John Woods, a lad of eighteen, who had belonged to the army but a few weeks, was considered harsh. His offense was a refusal to obey an order from a superior, and his execution took place March 14, the day the army started. On the 26th Jackson reached Cedar Creek, where Fort William was built.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.