In the Current of the Revolution 339 



moved, one by way of the mountains, to fall on the 

 Watauga fort and its neighbors, and the other, led 

 by the great war chief, Dragging Canoe, to lay 

 waste the country guarded by Eaton's Station. 



The white scouts trained woodsmen, whose lives 

 had been spent in the chase and in forest warfare 

 kept the commanders or headmen of the forts well 

 informed of the Indian advance. As soon as it was 

 known what part was really threatened, runners 

 were sent to the settlements near by, calling on the 

 riflemen to gather at Eaton's Station; whither they 

 accordingly came in small bodies, under their re- 

 spective militia captains. 32 



No man was really in command; the senior cap- 

 tain exercised a vague kind of right of advice over 

 the others, and the latter in turn got from their 

 men such obedience as their own personal influence 

 was able to procure. But the levy, if disorderly, 

 was composed of excellent marksmen and woods- 

 men, sinewy, hardy, full of fight, and accustomed to 

 act together. A council was held, and it was de- 

 cided not to stay cooped up in the fort, like tur- 

 keys in a pen, while the Indians ravaged the fields 



two bands, which was not so. It is impossible to give their 

 numbers exactly; probably each contained from 150 to 300 

 warriors. 



32 James Thompson, James Shelby, William Buchanan, John 

 Campbell, William Cocke, and Thomas Madison. See their 

 letter of August 2, 1776, "Am. Archives," 5th Series, I, 464. 

 Hay wood, relying on tradition, says five companies gathered ; 

 he is invaluable as an authority, but it must be kept in mind 

 that he often relies on traditional statement. 



