Sevier not unwisely determined that
his presence in his home county would
not tend to tranquillize the turmoil.
He, therefore, made headquarters at
Greeneville. Soon there was need of his
services as leader in a campaign against
the Indians, who were tempted to
activity by the fratricidal strife among
the white people. Evidence that the
danger from the savages was real and
imminent comes from leaders of both
factions. March 17th Colonel Hutchings
reported to General Martin that the
situation in his quarter bore "a very
disagreeable aspect. The inhabitants
within six miles of my house have forted
on account of the Indians. . . . I daily
am pressed upon to carry a campaign
against Chickamauga."1
Martin (April 17th) reported to the
governor of Virginia the alarmed state
of the frontiers throughout the whole of
Franklin on account of the incursions of
Indians. "Mr. White,2 in
particular, who has been a great
advocate for the State of Franklin,
sends to James Robertson for aid;" and
in a later communication to the governor
he said, "I fear it will be out of my
power to keep the people back much
longer."3
On April 24th Martin went to the
settlement on the lower Holston to make
an effort to allay the excitement, only
to find on arrival that a man and a boy
had been recently killed and a number of
men were in arms for an avenging foray.
He finally persuaded this party to
choose four of their number to accompany
him to the Cherokee towns to ascertain
whether the nearby Cherokees were guilty
of the murders. Martin believed that the
Chickamaugas were responsible. On
investigation the whites were satisfied
that this was the fact, and Martin
prevailed on the Cherokees to remain in
their towns and plant corn, he agreeing
to stay among them at the request of the
Cherokees and their white neighbors.
Unfortunately, about the 15th of May, a
white family was killed within nine
miles of Chota, and two parties gathered
to chastise the Cherokees. Martin met
one of these and turned it back. The
other proceeded to attack and burn one
of the towns; and the Indians, believing
that Martin was deceiving them, were
incensed. They put Martin under guard
for several days. He finally persuaded
them that their suspicions were
baseless, and "they let him go, but told
him had any of their men been killed,
his life must have gone for theirs."4
The murders were the work of the
Chickamaugas and Creeks, Martin
persuaded himself but not the border
people.
General Martin being unwilling to act as
brigadier against the Indians without
authority from the far-away government
of North Carolina,5 Sevier's
work was cut out for him both by
circumstance and the will of the people.6
Martin left Chota on May 24th, and on
reaching the French Broad river learned
that Sevier was at the head of a force
raised to go against the Cherokees.
Martin turned back to the Indian towns
to move off his negroes, horses, etc.
Then turning again northward, he met and
endeavored to dissuade Sevier, but to no
purpose. At the head of one hundred
mounted riflemen Sevier pressed forward
to find Chota abandoned. He then struck
a town on the Hiwassee river. Surprising
the Indians, he killed a number and
burned the town, which, Colonel
Hutchings reported, "so raised him in
the esteem of the people of the frontier
that the people began to flock to his
standard."7
Returning to Hunter's Station, the next
day they made a push up the Little
Tennessee river to Tallassee town, from
which the Indians fled to the nearby
mountains pursued by the white troops.
Many of them were killed.
Next came a deed of grievous cruelty,
news of which was received with horror
by the saner inhabitants of Franklin and
the entire western people, and stained
the records of the campaign. It can only
be fully understood when its background
is seen, as given by Haywood.8
In the raids, made by the Indians in May
and now being punished, there had been
an act of atrocious treachery and murder
committed by them. The Kirk family lived
on the southwest side of Little river,
twelve miles south of the present site
of Knoxville. While Kirk was away from
home an Indian, Slim Tom, or Chilhowee,
well known to the family, came to the
house and asked for food, which was
given him. He withdrew, having noted the
defenceless situation of those in the
house. Slim Tom soon returned from the
woods with a party of Indians, fell upon
the family and massacred the whole
number present, eleven. John Kirk, upon
returning home, saw the dead bodies
lying on the ground. He gave the alarm,
and word was sent to the militia under
the command of Sevier, who collected a
force at Hunter's Station, on Nine Mile
Creek, which runs into the Holston on
the south side. The troopers, with this
outrage rankling in their hearts, were
now out to administer punishment. John
Kirk, a son of him whose family had been
massacred, was of their number.
After leaving Tallassee the militia
proceeded toward Chilhowee town down the
Little Tennessee river. Sevier was
absent, which unfortunately left Major
Hubbard in command. Abraham, a friendly
chief residing at Chilhowee, had
declared publicly that if his people
went to war he would not quit his home
to engage in it. The Tassel (Corn
Tassel) who for years had endeavored to
keep the peace with the whites, also
remained at home. Hubbard sent for
Abraham to come over the river to him.
White flags had been displayed by the
Indians and the troops. Abraham answered
the summons and was requested to bring
over The Tassel and his son in order
that both might be held. When they came,
all were put in a house into which young
Kirk found his way, Hubbard going in
with him. Kirk there drove his tomahawk
into the heads of the five or six
Indians, including the two chiefs.
Sevier, on his return, saw what would be
the result of the rash and savage act,
and remonstrated with Kirk who answered
that it was an eye for an eye, and that
any man, even Sevier himself would have
acted in like manner under the same
provocation.
The enemies of Sevier charged him with
complicity in volitionally absenting
himself; but this he denied. He was
acquitted by those who were on the
ground, and by Kirk himself.9
This bloody scene, terminating the
immediate campaign, shocked the
conservative element throughout the
western counties; and great indignation
was excited throughout the entire
country. The Continental Congress passed
resolutions condemning the act; and
Andrew Pickens in behalf of the justices
of Abbeville county, South Carolina,
wrote in protest and denunciation "to
the people living on Nolechucke, French
Broad and Holstein."10
Early in June Brigadier-General Martin
projected a campaign against the
Chickamauga Indians. A council of
officers holding Carolina commissions
was held at Hawkins's Court House
(Rogersville) to make plans. Martin
astutely drew Colonel Outlaw into
cooperation by asking that he act as
commissary officer. By the aid of
Colonel Outlaw, Colonel Daniel Kennedy
was induced to accept command of the
quota of troops allotted to Greene
county.11 A second council
was held at Sullivan Court House on the
second Monday of June, when the
expedition was abandoned. Ardor had
cooled.
General Martin left his jurisdiction
later in June, and wrote that he was
doubtful as to the date of return.
Maxwell, one of his own colonels, wrote
him to come back. "Your presence was
never more wanted than on this occasion.
A number of people say you are an
Indian's friend, and they'll warrant we
won't see you till the campaign is over,
while your friends assert the contrary.
Your conduct at this crisis will
consummate your character in this
country."12
At this time Sevier was planning to go
against the Chickamaugas in their
strongholds. A fort, called Houston's
Station, was now erected, sixteen miles
south of Knoxville and six miles from
the present site of the town of
Maryville; and Major Thomas Stewart was
placed in command. From there (July 8)
Sevier and Hubbard addressed an appeal
which explains the delay in executing
their plan:
To the Inhabitants in general: Yesterday
we crossed the Tennessee13
with a small party of men and destroyed
a town called Toquo. On our return we
discovered large trails of Indians
making their way toward this place. We
are of the opinion their number could
not be less than five hundred. We beg to
recommend that every station be on their
guard; that also, every good man that
can be spared will voluntarily turn out
and repair to this place with the utmost
expedition, in order to tarry for a few
days in the neighborhood and repel the
enemy, if possible. We intend waiting at
this place some days with the few men
now with. us, as we cannot reconcile it
to our own feelings to leave a people
who appear to be in such great distress.
| |
John Sevier
James Hubbard |
NB It will be neccessary for those
who will be so grateful as to come to
the assistance of this place, to furnish
themselves with a few days provisions,
as the inhabitants of this part are
greatly destressed by the indians.
Maxwell attributed the delay of
Sevier to "the severity of the Indians
and the disaffection of the rubites."
But it was the rubes who held the
Indians back, turning out time and again
under that knight of the saddle, Captain
Nathaniel Evans, and his followers to
meet repeated onslaughts of the Indians.
On Friday, August 8th, a party of
thirty-one, under Captain Fain, a part
of the guard at Houston Station, joined
by a party of settlers, crossed the
Little Tennessee at a point about nine
miles distant. Tempted by the fruit in
an orchard in the vicinity of the
abandoned Indian town, Cittico, they
stopped to gather apples. The Indians
surrounded them, drove them into the
river, killed sixteen and wounded four.
The Indians had taken possession of the
ford, and as the whites endeavored to
swim across the stream many were
slaughtered in the water.15
General Martin on his return to the West
found that the Indians were growing
bolder and more ferocious in their
attacks on the frontier settlements. He
was compelled to subordinate the
character of Indian agent to that of
brigadier, and reluctantly to lead a
military expedition against the
Cherokees without having obtained the
consent of the governor of North
Carolina. A second and successful effort
was made to organize for an expedition.
The council of officers was held at
Jonesborough, August 19th, where the
result was thus recorded:
That it is the opinion of the council
that an expedition is absolutely
necessary, and that every exertion ought
to be used to carry it into effect.
That it is the unanimous opinion of this
council that Brigadier-General Martin
ought to command the said expedition.
That the campaign consist of 1,000 men;
viz: 700 mounted infantry and 300 foot
to go by water.
That Colonel Outlaw be directed to
purchase or impress, on the rivers
Chucky and French Broad, as many boats
and canoes as will transport 150 men
with provisions to Chickamauga. That Mr.
Doak,16 commissary for Hawkins, purchase
or impress, as many boats and canoes on Holston as will carry a like number.
That the several commissaries will be
directed to purchase immediately and
have carried to the general rendezvous a
sufficient quantity of provisions.17
One-half the number of men called for
enlisted for the campaign.18 Colonel
Robert Love commanded the soldiers from
Washington county, Colonel Kennedy those
from Greene county, and Colonel George
Doherty those from the French Broad
section. General Martin led the men of
Sullivan county. Colonel Thomas
Hutchings, of Hawkins, who had thirsted
for the gore of Frank1Mites, was not on
the expedition, it seems.
The rendezvous was at White's Fort
(Knoxville) on the Holston, and it is
probable that the entire command went as
mounted infantrymen.
A rapid march was made down the valley
of the Tennessee. Two Indian towns were
laid waste as the troops passed. They
arrived at Lookout Mountain late in the
afternoon, too late to make a crossing
of the river. They camped for the night
on the site of an old Indian field. A
detachment of fifty men under Colonel
Doherty was sent forward to take
possession of a narrow defile or pass
and to hold it until the next morning.
But the Indians had anticipated this
move, and from a point of vantage on the
mountain fired upon the party and drove
them back. During the night the Indians
reinforced and prepared for a stubborn
defense. The troops spent the entire
night holding the bridles of their
horses. Early next morning spies were
sent out to reconnoitre. They also were
fired upon, and William Cunningham, of
Doherty's command wounded. A large
division was now ordered forward to
force a passage. The men had to march
single file, zigzagging among the rocks
between the bluff and the river. It was
the custom of the captains to march at
the head of their companies in
attacking. The Indians, concealed behind
rocks and trees, poured down on them a
sudden and destructive fire. Among the
many killed were three captains, John
Hardin, son of Colonel Joseph Hardin,
Fuller and Gibson. Captains Joseph
Bullard and George Vincent were wounded.
Great confusion followed. The place was
such that it was impracticable to rally
the men until they were withdrawn to the
foot of the mountain. Some fled back to
the encampment, declaring that it would
prove another Blue Lick affair if they
went beyond the pass. General Martin
endeavored to rally his force, but most
of them refused to follow him farther
and broke up into independent squads.
Left with about sixty men, the commander
was obliged to call a retreat.19
The situation was a difficult one for
General Martin, even if he had made no
mistake in directing the attack at such
a place. Because of his close personal
connection with the Cherokees2° and
because, as long-time agent of the
government among them, he had frequently
taken the part of the redmen against the
whites, he had not the full confidence
of his troopers.20
He did not have the skill and experience
of their tried and trusted "Nolachucky
Jack." The failure of the campaign
emboldened the Indians to raid the
settlements.
The first retaliatory foray was made
against Sherrill's Station by two
hundred Indians. Sevier, with forty
horsemen, out ranging, came upon the
trail of the savages. Following the
trail they arrived at the station just
as the Indians were engaged in setting
fire to buildings under cover of
darkness. At a given signal Sevier's men
charged; the redmen gave way and the
rescuers were welcomed with joy by the
besieged. The North Carolina State
Gazette stated that the exploit was
"performed to the governor of Franklin's
usual good fortune; not a man of his
party was hurt."
___________
1 N. C. St. Rec., XXII, 715.
2 James White, the founder of Knoxville.
3 Calendar Virginia State Papers, IV ,
424, 428, 432.
4 State Gazette of South Carolina, Sept.
I, 1788. See also State Dep. MSS., 150,
Vol. II, Martin to Secretary Knox, July
15, 1788. Martin had just been appointed
assistant to the superintendent of the
Southern Indians.
5 Calendar Virginia State Papers, IV,
424, et seq.
6 Martin wrote to the governor of
Virginia in April that he "expected
nothing but a troublesome, bloody war
with the savages this summer." N. C. St.
Records, XXII, 693.
7 N. C. State Records,XXI, 718;
Roosevelt, Winning of the West, IV, ch.
IV.
8 Haywood, 181; Ramsey, 419; Roosevelt,
IV, ch. IV; N. C. State Records,XXII,
695; Goodpasture, Indian Wars and
Warriors, Tennessee Historical Magazine,
IV.
9 Kirk to John Watts, now become chief
warrior of the Cherokee Nation, dated
October 17, 1788:
"Sir: I have heard of your letter lately
sent to Chucky John [Sevier]. You are
mistaken in blaming him for the death of
your uncle. Listen now to my story. For
days and months the Cherokee Indians,
big and little, women and children, have
been fed and treated kindly by my
mother. When all was at peace with the
Tennessee towns, Slim Tom with a party
of Sattigo and other Cherokee Indians,
murdered my mother, brothers and sisters
in cold blood, when children just before
were playful about them as friends; at
the instant some of them received the
bloody tomahawk they were smiling in
their faces. This began the war; and
since I have taken ample satisfaction
can now make peace except with Slim Tom.
Our beloved men, the Congress, tells us
to be at peace; I will listen to their
advice if no more blood is shed by the
Cherokees, and the headmen of your
nation take care to prevent such
beginnings of bloodshed in all time to
come. But if they do not, your people
may feel something more to keep up
remembrance of
"John Kirk, Jun.
"Captain of the Bloody Rangers."
Georgia State Gazette, April 25, 1789.
10 Roosevelt, citing letter of Justices,
July 9, 1788, State Department MSS.
Roosevelt contends that Sevier should be
held responsible for the murders, .but
Haywood acquits him of blame: "Sevier
never acted with cruelty before or
since; he was never accused of
inhumanity; he could not have given his
consent on this occasion." Hay-wood's
History, 183.
11 Kennedy to Martin, June 6, 1788.
Library of Congress, State Dept. MSS.,
II, P. 439
12 Maxwell to Martin (July 9), N. C.
State Records,XXII, 718.
13 Now known as the Little Tennessee
river.
14 Ramsey, 419.
15 Maryland journal, Sept. 16, 1788.
This account gives the names of the
killed and wounded: Killed—John Fain,
captain; Caleb Jones, Joseph Alexander,
Van Piercefield, William Long, Jonathan
Dean, John Brannon, William English,
John Medlock, Robert Houston, George
Matthews, Isaac Anderson, Charles Payne,
Luther Johnson, Hermon Gregg, and George
Buly. Wounded—John Kirk, Thomas Brown
and — Bullock.
16 Samuel Doak, but not the minister and
educator.
17 State Dept. MSS., p. 357.
18 The Martin MS'S. state that the
number was 1,000, evidently having in
mind the number called; Haywood and
Ramsey say 450; Weeks's Martin "some
800,"
and Goodpasture, "about 500."
19 The account of this campaign is based
upon that of William Martin, son of
General Martin (written for Draper) in
Southern History Association
Proceedings, IV, 464; Ramsey, 517, and Weeks's General Joseph Martin, 463.
20 Martin, while living among the
Cherokees, had married a daughter
(Betsy) of the celebrated Nancy Ward,
and grand-niece of Atakullakulla. She
was living as late as 1800, on a fine
estate at Wakhovee on the south side of
Hiwassee river, fifty miles from Tellico
Blockhouse, and was still called Mrs.
Martin. Williams, Early Travels, 490.
21 The muster rolls of this campaign,
yet in existence, show the following
officers under Gen. Martin, down to and
including the captains: Colonels: George
Doherty, Thos. Gillespie, Daniel Kennedy
and John Scott. Majors: Thomas King and
John Newman. Captains: Francis Berry,
Alexander Brown, Joseph Casey, James
Cooper, John Crafford, John Fegan, John
Hardin, John Hunter, Samuel McGayha,
James Moore, Moses Moore, John Mahon,
John Miller, James Richardson, Thos.
Vincent and Moses Webb. Capt. Gilbert
Christian was the General's
aide-de-camp. The roll would have been
printed as an Appendix but for its
length and the fact that the campaign
was not one of the Revolution. |
