Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-11-03
STORY OF SEWER.
Interesting History That Gomez
From Virginia.

From Virginia
samuel Haynes, OF Gate City Va,
writes the Knoxville Tribune OF recent
date; Some time since an article "en'
the rounds of the press concerning 'no
the evidences that about the year ITO
John Sewer, TenneRsee's illustrious SO"
and frst Governor, fought battle with
the Indians ten miles southwest OF here
TInon further investigation, there seems
a. ha no don BIT that he not only fought
the battle above referred to, but that nc
wen. twenty-five miles further west In
n what II now Lee County, Va, at
Mace called Hickory Flats, and engag-
ed in most terrific battle with the saw
ages.
DR.. Sage, who died near here rev
,,o..s s,nce. at an extreme old age, often
related to his friends the particulars Of
the Hickory Flats battle, as told MN
nv his father who was q participant
The DIR. was upright and truthful
and his story is worthy OF full crodenoe'
1t seems that the savages had captur-
cd acme white women and and children
from the East Tennessee settlement
and Sevier led q small force in pursuit
Of them. He came upon detachment
Of them at the place mentioned ten
miles from here, and bloody battle
WAS fought. resulting in a loss OF about
sixtv to the savages and and six OF sew
an Of whites. The whites then pressed
ON after the main body and overlook
them At Hickory Flats. The battle was
terriAc. On the frat day the whites
were repulaed, but on the next day. oe'
ing reinforced by some hunters from
bevoDd tho Cumberlands, among whom
Dr. Sage thought was Daniel Boone, tbs
savapes we're completely routed an'
the captives, without exception, restoF
ed to their friends.
IT, hould be remembered that tn
section Of Virginia in which the wv
battles we're fought was at that tim" o.
LEVIED to belong to North CaroiinA or
the Washington district, o. the sectlo
was called upon Washington's appoin
ment az eommSndar-in-chief OF the co
tinental armies, and Sewer, on doun
believed himself to be fighting on b
own territory. The location Of HiC
orv Flats battle Is marked by the grav
OF the dead.
Speaking of Gov. Sewers exploits
,his seetion suggests chapter in loo
nomenclature. 1t Is said that when
and his brave comrades reached
beautiful and sweetly murmuri
stream now know as Clinch River,
said to his men, 'Bofore we will lea
this water course think we will elm
the bloody vermin," and from his
mark the river aud Clinch Mountain
eeived their name. But l think If
further investigation this is errOneo
II IA said that three men, one OF VIII
was named Powell explored the reg
now embraced in Scott and Lee Co
ties in about the year 1880 and that
tie incidents OF their explorations q
names to many places hoFe.
Although It 10 distressing from
incipient trend of this article, 1t may
az interest DO the reader TO give
instances Of the naming Of places. e
in this section. When Powell and
oompanlOna reached Copper Creek
bright sparkling stream OF consi'
able size in Scott County, they kille
large copperhead and named she or
accordingly. They went doSn tne
or TO ita confluence win Cllnch ~
There they constructed rude raft
atarted across. One OF the men fell
the raft and cried to one OF his COM
IONS 70 ''clineh" him. From this
oumstanes there 10 no doubt tho
received its name. POWelrR River
ing through Wise and Lee Counties
named in honor Of Powell the aKpl6
Powell wrote 81 account Of the Ell
Gion. and from IL the names we're e
Il NAV not be generally known
Cumberland Mountain received its
In 1851 the Government OF the Niff
colony sent DR.. Maupin and two Of
20 survey and mark she southern bo
nrv OF tbe cOlOny. They penetrat"t
unbroken wilderness As far as Cur
land Gap and named the great ranf
mountains that separates VtrRtnis
Kentucky; Cumberland In honor
mike OF Cumberland, who In 1916
completely overthrow the folloWs
she ProtendeF ~ CullOden, and WI
= result Was very popular both Ia
- 4