The Port-Gibson correspondent., 1843-03-25
EARLY TIMES IN TENNESSEE.

Naen we cast our eyes over the great
valley OF the West, watered by the MIS-
slsslpPi aud Ohio and their tributary
streams, our minds are carried hack to
that period when il was one vas, wilder.
ness, inhabned by fierce and savage
race, 10 whom the arts of civilization
we're unknown, and whose prin ,ipai oc
cupatinns were VAR and huntng. We
fscatl The deeds OF our pioneer fathers
and TO our imagination are prasen'"d in
vivid cnlors the difficulties and dangers
they encountered before thay effected
permanent loothold, and enjoyed unmo-
Tested the comforts home. Ry their
courage and perseverance,, they sur
mounted every obstacle, and the fruits of
their enterprse are now displayed in The
population and increasing wealth Of the
country. It's vast resources are in
state of rapid development; industry and
enterprise, aided by enlightened legisla
ton, are calling forth is energies, and
the prophetic declaration that "wesr.
wa d the star Of empire takes rs way"
is advancing TO its ulfiiment. Tho idle
Of emigration is forcing itself faom the
worn~nut lands OF tbs east, and that re-
ginn h,ch few wears ago was denonl-
mated star West" and was regarded Us
| the outskirts o. ciyillzatl n, is now he
! residence of an active. industrious, en-
Iterprising and intelligent population -
! CiieS have risen up as II by magic; ug-
ricu ,ure. manuf- CT lres and commerce
| flourish; literature, science and the arts
are extending their haa!ihul and lnytg-
Grating Influence throughout the conn.
ltry, aud he road banner OF civil and
religious freedom is every where dis
played, inviting he poor and oppressed
ta take shelter under its ample Iolds.-
Bright and glorious are the prospects Of
tho Wesl!-Onward slill onward must
be irs triumphan, march! Blessed with
a soil unsurpassed in fertility and n salu-
brious climate, and possessing, by means
oil its rivers, immense advantages Tor
trade aul commerce, It mast. ere the
Ilapse Of many years, riFa! the older
States beyond the mountains, in every
thing tha, can render 4 country prosper
Gus. and people happy. This is not
Edream of an cnihusiast-the wild ina
rtnipr Of cilizen Of the u est. Nature
nos proclaimed is destiny: she has
stamped i in characters too PlS'n TO bt
! misunderstood. Narrow minded c2iS!a
non. and 4.;4era "a sol .G'..ns's y if4H {
.j,ns re;4r', hut nothing can pfeVcHs us
ultimate risa 70 tha, greatness winch
from tie besnning, nature desiSned :
70 a'taia
Alan aa7,Y p.r:o,! oi our naiiona! "x
;;ence, the baunit'dI soi! ard mld cli
,.i,re Of F,nnrSsen attracted the NOTES
o edyen,arars. In I77I, during cur c"
,oD;ni dppendeucp, sey"rnI settlement
we're made north Of lioIs'on river, u
that part nr Tennessee winch now IN
rInJes the counties ot Sullivan and tlaw
kins: some settlements were also mad
about the same time south Of the sam
liver. The pioneers who thus aiYen
tured were principally from North Gal
DINA. Although the country aboV
mentioned properly belonged 10 Mort
Carolina, the settlers north OF the hois
ton agreed among themselves to adhel
to Virginia, and be governed by lis law
as we'll for protection against the lndIat
as against The numerous bands OF hors
thieves and other narauders, who lntes
cd the borders. Those who settled SOU
Of tho Iolston, considered North Gar
lima as the paren, state or colony, b
they were governed by laws OF their Q"
making. Although they acSno"ledg'
separate jurisdictions, they were unit'
nv a common interest and for muuai q
fence, and IN the prosecution ct the
bold enterprise Of eff,cting permaa,el
settlemanls n what migh' be called
enemy's country, they encountered mar
ships and periIs Of no common Sort q
overcome difficulties which appeared
frs, almost insurmountable.
The settlement on both sides. OF
uoIston gradually increased 6y ms
ce.sion Of new emigrants, notwiihs'ai
ino they were opposed to the attacks
;nroads Of their savage neIghbors; .
n 1874, emigration received check
consequence of the combined efforts
Tho Shawnee and other hostile trib
Ohio neuetrated as far as Sullivan CO
- committing numerous depredatt'
upon the PFopottY - e.,
,Ieys az were unable to oppose enect
,os;s,ance. and sacrificing the lives
,ho.e who were unable TO escape u
their murderous assaults.
In This state OF things the goVe
II. ment of Virginia, in July, l774' orc
"a an expedition against the no.
,r,bes. the command OF which was g
way 70 Col. andrew Lewis. 10 dope
e IN thi, expedition, upon the success
which. in a grea, degree, depended !
safety of the frontier settlements, :
Evan Shelby raised company Of
men, in that part Of Tennessee, now !,
cd sullivan and Carter counties.
n, set out on the 18th of August, an
the beginning Of. September, form
/, unc,ion with Col. Christian, on /,
river. Animated by that bold ana
brook ING spirit, which subsequently,, 10
70. l.;Il;.rt scenes. animated their desc