252 The Winning of the West 



rapidly they would surely have broken up into dif- 

 ferent bands, which could have been attacked on 

 even terms, while delay would have permitted them 

 to go off unscathed. But, as it was, the attack would 

 be very dangerous; while the delay of waiting for 

 Logan would be a small matter, for the Indians 

 could still be overtaken after he had arrived. 



Well would it have been for the frontiersmen had 

 they followed Boone's advice. 15 Todd and Trigg 

 both agreed with him, and so did many of the cooler 

 riflemen among others a man named Netherland, 

 whose caution caused the young hotheads to jeer 

 at him as a coward. But the decision was not suf- 

 fered to rest with the three colonels who nominally 

 commanded. Doubtless the council was hasty and 

 tumultuous, being held by the officers in the open, 

 closely pressed upon and surrounded by a throng 

 of eager, unruly soldiers, who did not hesitate to 

 offer advice or express dissatisfaction. Many of 

 the more headlong and impatient among the bold 

 spirits looking on desired instant action; and these 

 found a sudden leader in Major Hugh McGarry. 

 He was a man utterly unsuited to command of any 

 kind; and his retention in office after repeated acts 

 of violence and insubordination shows the inherent 



15 Va. State Papers, III, 337. Col. Campbell's letter of 

 Oct. 3, 1782. The letter is interesting as showing by con- 

 temporary authority that Boone's advice and McGarry's 

 misbehavior are not mere matters of tradition. It is pos- 

 sible that there was some jealousy between the troops from 

 Lincoln and those from Fayette; the latter had suffered 

 much from the Indians, and were less rash in consequence ; 

 while many of the Lincoln men were hot for instant battle. 



