In the Current of the Revolution 347 



country. They were trying to capture the British 

 agent Cameron, who, being married to an Indian 

 wife, dwelt in her town, and owned many negroes, 

 horses, and cattle. The Cherokees, who had agreed 

 not to interfere, broke faith and surprised the party, 

 killing some and capturing others who were tor- 

 tured to death. 45 



The frontiers were soon in a state of wild panic; 

 for the Cherokee inroad was marked by the usual 

 features. Cattle were driven off, houses burned, 

 plantations laid waste, while the women and chil- 

 dren were massacred indiscriminately with the 

 men. 46 The people fled from their homes and 

 crowded into the stockade forts; they were greatly 

 hampered by the scarcity of guns and ammunition, 

 as much had been given to the troops called down 

 to the coast by the war with Britain. All the 

 Southern colonies were maddened by the outbreak; 

 and prepared for immediate revenge, knowing that 

 if they were quick they would have time to give 

 the Cherokees a good drubbing before the British 

 could interfere. 47 The plan was that they should 

 act together, the Virginians invading the Overhill 

 country at the same time that the forces from North 

 and South Carolina and Georgia destroyed the val- 

 ley and lower towns. Thus the Cherokees would be 

 crushed with little danger. It proved impossible, 



45 "History of Georgia," Hugh McCall, Savannah, 1816, 

 p. 76. 



46 "Am. Archives," 5th Series, I, 610. 



47 Do., 4th Series, VI, 1228. 



