270 The Winning of the West 



a small independent company, under Col. John 

 Field ; and finally the Fincastle men, from the Hol- 

 ston, Clinch, Watauga, and New River 9 settlements, 

 under Col. William Christian. 10 One of Christian's 

 captains was a stout old Marylander, of Welsh 

 blood, named Evan Shelby; and Shelby's son 

 Isaac, 11 a stalwart, stern-visaged young man, who 

 afterward played a very prominent part on the 

 border, was a subaltern in his company, in which 

 Robertson likewise served as a sergeant. Although 

 without experience of drill, it may be doubted if 

 a braver or physically finer set of men were ever 

 got together on this continent. 12 



Among such undisciplined troops it was inevi- 

 table that there should be both delay and insubordi- 

 nation. Nevertheless they behaved a good deal bet- 

 ter than their commander had expected; and he was 

 much pleased with their cheerfulness and their 

 eagerness for action. The Fincastle men, being 

 from the remote settlements, were unable to get 

 together in time to start with the others; and Col. 

 Field grew jealous of his commander and decided 

 to march his little company alone. The Indians 

 were hovering around the camp, and occasionally 

 shot at and wounded stragglers, or attempted to 

 drive off the pack-horses. 



9 As the Kanawha was sometimes called. 



10 Whose five captains were Evan Shelby, Russell, Herbert, 

 Draper, and Buford. 



11 Born December n, 1750, near Hagerstown, Md. 



12 Letter of Col. Wm. Preston, September 28, 1774. "Am. 

 Archives." 



