356 The Winning of the West 



1 9th, pushed on through Noewee pass, and fell into 

 the ambush which had been laid for the former. 

 The pass was a narrow, open valley, walled in by 

 steep and lofty mountains. The Indians waited 

 until the troops were struggling up to the outlet, 

 and then assailed them with a close and deadly fire. 

 The surprised soldiers recoiled and fell into confu- 

 sion ; and they were for the second time saved from 

 disaster by the gallantry of Colonel Hammond, who 

 with voice and action rallied them, endeavoring to 

 keep them firm while a detachment was sent to 

 clamber up the rocks and outflank the Indians. At 

 the same time Lieutenant Hampton got twenty 

 men together, out of the rout, and ran forward, 

 calling out: "Loaded guns advance, empty guns 

 fall down and load." Being joined by some thirty 

 men more he pushed desperately upward. The In- 

 dians fled from the shock; and the army thus owed 

 its safety solely to two gallant officers. Of the 

 whites seventeen were killed and twenty-nine 

 wounded 67 ; they took fourteen scalps. 68 



Although the distance was but twenty odd miles, 

 it took Williamson five days of incredible toil be- 

 fore he reached the valley towns. The troops 

 showed the utmost patience, clearing a path for the 



in the "American Archives," Dray ton, White, Ramsey, etc., 

 I believe that the above is substantially accurate. However, 

 it is impossible to reconcile all of the accounts of the relative 

 order of Rutherford's and Williamson's marches. 



67 Drayton; the "Am. Archives" say only twelve killed 

 and twenty wounded. In another skirmish at Cheowee three 

 South Carolinians were killed. 



68 "Am. Archives," 5th Series, II, p. 1235. 



