Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-10-02
HAYWOOD'S
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE
GCoNTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.

vile to the Cherokees, met two hun.
dred Creeks going, as they said, to
take satisfaction for the three persons
whom the North Carolina people killed
when they defeated him, Perrault,
eighteen miles below Chota. He de-
livered and expouDded to them the let
ter which COL Robertson had given to
him for their nation, and did all in his
power to turn them back, but in vain.
They persevered in progressing, saying,
however, they would not do much
harm this time; but that if the North
Carolina people should go in force into
their country, or should kill any of
their nation after the blow which they
meant to give the people of the Cum
berland, they might expect merciless
war.
Major Evans had been appointed
with the rank of Major, to the COM
mand of the battalion ordered to be
raised for the protection of Davidson.
By the arrival of these troops who
came in successive detachments, and
by some emigratons from North Caro-.
lima and other States, the population
having become augmented, Col. Rob-
ertsoD was enabled to select and de-
tach certain portion to act as patrols
or spies, as they were then called. 1t
was their business to go through the
woods from the frontiers of the settle
ments, every direction and to every
place where there was an Indian or
buffalo trace, and to the crossing
places on rivers and creeks to look for
Indians, and their tracks, or the trails
they had left in going through the
woods. At that time the canes and
weeds grew up so spontaneously and
luxuriently in>all parts of the country
that two or three men even without
horses, could not pass through without
leaving trace discernable, without
any uncertainty, and which might be
followed without danger of mistake.
Amongst those whom Col. Robertson
selected for the performance of this
service, was Capt. John Rains. He was
led to this choice by the entire conf
dence he had learned by experience to
place in his diligence and prowess. He
very often selected Capt. Rains, and
gave him his orders, which were uni
formly, punctually and promptly exc
cuted, and with O degree of bravery
which could not be exceeded. In the
month of April, the Indians killed
Randel Gentry, at the place where Mr..
Foster now lives, also, Curtis Williams
and Thomas Fletcher, and his son,
about the mouth of Harper. Col. Rob-
ertson issued orders 10 Capt. Rains to
pursue the doers of that mischief.
Capt. Rains Immediately raised sixty
men and followed them, getting upon
their trace and pursuing it, which led
them across Mill Greek; thence to Big
Harper, where road now crosses it.;
thence to the Fishing ford of Duck
River; thence to Elk River, at the
mouth of Swan Greek; thence into the
barrens and TO Flint River. Not being
able to overtake them he turned off the
trace and went westwaIdly till he
struck McCutchin's trace. Before
coming to Elk River he saw the tracks
of Indians going towards Nashville.
At Elk River, where McCutchin 3 trace
crosses, near Latitude Hill, he found
the camp which they had left in the
morning of the day which he had come
to Elk. That night he halted six miles
from the river aud lay all night at the
place, but sent ON two or three men to
see that they were at such distance,
as not to hear his company while they
were talking and cutting wood. They
returned and reported that the Indians
were not within hearing. Next morn
ing he followed them, and in the after
noon came to the place where they en-.
camped the preceding night, and where
they had cleared the ground of leaves
and brush, and had danced upon the
place cleared. They had made forks
all around, and placed small poles in
them, on which their guns rested. A
circumstance to show that in these
perilous times it was considered dan
gerOus and imprudent, to be at any
distance beyond arms length from
their accoutrements and guns. The
troops passed by and crossing Duck
River at the mouth of Globe and Foun.
tain Creek, encamped at night on the
north side of it, about two miles from
the river. Next morning they renewed
their march and at the distance of six
miles, on the waters of Rutherford
Creek, near where Solomon Herring
now lives. they came upon the Indian,
as they lay encamped, and fred upon
and dispersed them, killing one man
only. The company then continued
their march and came to Nashville the
next day. About month afterwards
Capt. Rains received orders from Col
Robertson to raise troop and to &c
southwardly through the woods from
Nashville, and on finding any Indians
on the Cherokee side of the Chickasaw
divisional line, between the Chicka
saws and Cherokees, TO destroy them
Capt. Rains raised sixty men, and tool
the Chickasaw trace and crossed Duel
River and Swan Greek still travelling
on the Chickasaw path, which was tn,