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, V.2 > Part 2
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*Deceased.
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Gaut, Samuel J. MeKinney, William Morrow, M. D., William B. Reese, Esq., Moses White, Esq., Hon. W. C. Whitthorne, Samuel B. Luttrell, Robert Craighead, James Comfort, Esq., J. B. Killebrew.
By an act of Congress, passed in 1846, extinguishing the title to the unappropriated lands south and west of the congressional reservation line, it was required that $40,000 arising from the sale of said lands be set apart for the endowment of a college to be located at Jackson. According- ly, the institution known as West Tennessee College was chartered in- Before the war it was a prosperous and successful institution, under the administration of able and accomplished presidents and professors. and many of the most distinguished citizens of the State claim West Tennes- see College as their alma mater. In 1865, immediately after the close of the war, Dr. William Shelton was elected president of the college, with B. W. Arnold as professor of ancient languages, and B. L. Arnold as professor of mathematics and natural science. Under the administra- tion of Dr. Shelton and his faculty of instruction, West Tennessee Col- lege was built up to a high degree of prosperity, so that it had a larger number of students than at any previous period in its history. In 1969 the entire faculty resigned, and a new faculty was employed, with Rev. E. J. Patton as president. In August, 1874, the buildings, grounds, and endowments of West Tennessee College, estimated at $90,000, were donated to the trustees of the Southwestern Baptist University, on con- dition that an interest bearing endowment of $300,000 be raised for the university within a period of ten years from the time of transfer. A meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention was immediately called, the plan accepted, and preliminary steps were taken toward obtaining a charter under the name of the Southwestern Baptist University. Ou September 14, 1874, the academic department of the new institution was opened, and at the beginning of the next school year the collegiate de- partment was organized. Under the new name and management the university has been eminently prosperous, and now ranks as one of the best institutions in the State.
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CHAPTER XIV.
HISTORY OF THE EARLY WARS-THE MILITARY TRAINING OF THE " VOLUNTEER STATE "-THE TORIES OF EAST TENNESSEE -- - THE PART BORNE BY THE STATE IN THE REVOLUTION -- THE BRILLIANT STRATEGY AND PROWESS OF SEVIER AND SHELBY-ACTIONS AT KING'S MOUNTAIN AND ELSEWHERE -- THE WAR OF 1812-JACKSON'S CAMPAIGNS AGAINST THE CREEKS -- THE MEMORABLE BATTLE AT NEW ORLEANS-THE SEMINOLE WAR -- ITS HARDSHIPS AND LONG CONTIN- UANCE-TENNESSEEANS CONCERNED IN THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE INDEPEND- ENCE OF TEXAS-THE WAR WITH MEXICO-THE VOLUNTEERS-SKETCH OF THE CAMPAIGNS.
A LTHOUGH a peace-loving and law-abiding people, Tennessee has achieved a record in all the wars of the Government or State that is the pride of descendants and the admiration of all beholders. What with the Indian wars, and what with the Revolution, the beginning of the present century finds the inhabitants of the State comparatively a war- like people. The settlers of the mountain region of East Tennessee found it necessary to defend themselves against the Indians at a very carly date. Fort Loudon was built by the British, one mile above the mouth of the Tellico River, in 1756. Stimulated by French influence, the Cherokees attacked this fort in 1760, and starved it into surrender on August 8th of that year. The garrison consisted of between 200 and 300 Scotch Highlanders, who surrendered on the promise of Ocouos- tota that they should be allowed a safe return to the Carolinas. They were followed, and on the second day were overtaken and cat to pieces. except a few, and a fence built of their bones. Other forts were built. which served the colonists a good purpose during the troublous times of the Revolution, not only against the British Tories, but against the Indians, whom British intrigue stirred up to revolt. The hardy mountaineers of East Tennessee were not numerous, but were in- tensely loyal to the cause of independence, and were the terror of Tories and British. Owing to danger from the Indians the mountaineers dared not leave home but for a short time. In 1777 a party of forty men went to Boonesborough, Ky., for the relief of the settlement then besieged by the Indians. The condition of the people became so desperate that Capt. Logan and a select party undertook the perilous journey of 200 miles through an enemy's country to ask relief of the pioneers of Tennes- see. The appeal was not in vain. for iu a short time 100 riflemen* were on their way with supplies to relieve the beleaguered garrison. The fall
*Monette.
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of Charleston on May 12, 1780, exposed the whole of the Carolinas and Tennessee to the attacks of the British and the Indians.
On March 19, 1780, John Sevier, colonel of Washington County mil- itia, under a call of Samuel Rutherford, united with John Willson, Will- iam Trimble, James Stinson, John McNabb, Jonathan Tipton and Godfrey Isbell in raising 100 men. The captains of Col. Sevier's regi- ment were McNabb. Sevier, Hoskins, Boan. Brown, Isbell. Trimble, Willson. Gist. Stinson, Davis, Patterson and Williams. A. similar call was made upon Isaac Shelby, colonel of Sullivan County, who was then absent surveying lands in Kentucky, but a message brought him hur- riedly home. Fortunately for these commanders their forces were not ready soon enough, in consequence of which they were not in the disastrous defeat at Camden. Many who before this time were pretended friends now became open enemies to the country. It was determined by the British commander. Cornwallis, to carry the war into the Whig settle- ments beyond the Alleghanies and thence conquer and lay waste North Carolina as he had South Carolina, and advance into Virginia.
Col. Sevier soon issued another call for volunteers, and in a few days found himself at the head of 200 men. Col. Shelby, who received word of the impending danger on the 16th of June, was in command of 200 men in the first part of July. The forces of Sevier and Shelby arrived at Col. McDowell's camp at Cherokee Ford on Broad River, about the same time. Col. Moore, who was assembling a large body of Tories, took post at a strong fort built by Gen. Williamson on the Pacolet River. The successes of the British led many disaffected to his standard. The rapid advance of the main force of the British led Col. McDowell to strike a blow at once. Cols. Sevier, Shelby and Clarke were detached with 600 men to attack Moore forthwith. These riflemen took up their line of march at sunset and by daylight had marched twenty miles and had surrounded the fort. Linės were deployed and ready to assault: Col. Shelby sent William Cocke to demand the surrender of the fort. Moore refused and declared he would defend the place to the last ex- tremity. The American lines were drawn closely around the fort and anxiously awaited the order for assault, when a second demand was made, intimating that if they were compelled to assault it might be difficult to restrain the mountaineers from acts of violence. Moore acceded to the terms of surrender on condition that the garrison should be paroled not to serve again during the war. The forces surrendered, consisting of ninety-three Loyalists and a British sergeant-major, who was the drill- master. Besides the men, there was a large supply of arms and other supplies. Col. Ferguson, who commanded the British, determined to
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crush the forces of McDowell. The only hope of the latter was to annoy and cut off struggling forces of the enemy, now amounting to about 6,000 men. Ferguson's plan was to surprise McDowell. Cols. Shelby and Clarke, with 600 men, were attacked at Cedar Springs in August by a large British force. . They maintained the fight for half an hour, when Ferguson's whole force arrived and compelled the Americans to with- draw, taking with them twenty prisoners, including two British officers. The American loss was ten or twelve killed and wounded, including Col. Clarke, who received a sabre cut in the neck.
The next stroke of the Americans was at a band of 400 or 500 Tories en- camped on the south side of the Enoree River at Musgrove's mill, about forty miles distant from the Americans. Ferguson's main force lay be- tween the Americans and their prize. Col. MeDowell, the American com- mander, detached Cols. Shelby, Clarke and Williams, of South Carolina, to surprise and capture these Tories. They started on the 18th of August, and after a hard night's ride reached the object of their search. In the march they had been compelled to make a detour of several miles to avoid Ferguson's men. About a half mile from the enemy's camp they met a patrol and a skirmish ensued and the enemy gave way. It was now learned that the enemy had received a re-enforcement of 600 regu- lars. The Americans were in a dilemma. To fight these seemed des- perate; to retreat was impossible, being worn as they were. The sound of drums and bugles indicated the advance of the British. Capt. Inman was sent forward to fight the advancing line and retreat at discretion. He met the British gallantly and retreated slowly to within range of the main forces. These maintained their ground for more than an hour; just as the Americans were about to give way Col. Ennes, the British com- mander, was wounded; nearly all, of his subalterns had already been killed or wounded. The British gave way. Capt. Inman was killed while gallantly leading his men; only six or seven others were lost. The British regulars fought bravely, but over 200 were captured.
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- ter, sent by Ferguson. Their forces were tor a time scattered. The
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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 210 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 mour- 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 speel. 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
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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, Chroniele, 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
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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 Sovier 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- see mountaineers, and they were not permitted to gain new laurels. The
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straits to which Cornwallis had been reduced by the allied armies lod 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 ant 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 demande.l a surrender. This post also surrendered without resistance. Although well fortified, 150 men capitulated. Ninety of the prisoners were mounted behind their cantors and were taken to Marion's camp sixty miles distant; the remainder were paroled and the post and supplies de-
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ANDREW JACKSON
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stroyed. The Americans reached camp next morning at 3 o'clock. Before day it was reported that Stewart with the whole British force wys in a few miles of camp. Shelby and Sevier's men were to interfere au l retreat at discretion. A roport 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 Jeft 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 tribos in one grand union against the whites. He estab- lished among the Southern Indians the custom of celebrating the sealp 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 sutfer- 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
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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 judicated below and led to some bitterness.
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