The War in the Northwest 289 



comparatively little help from sorely beset Virginia ; 

 but the backwoodsmen of the upper Tennessee val- 

 ley on both sides of the boundary did her real 

 and lasting service. 



In 1778 the militia were disbanded, as the settle- 

 ments were very little harried; but as soon as the 

 vigilance of the whites was relaxed the depredations 

 and massacres began again, and soon became worse 

 than ever. Robertson had been made superintend- 

 ent of Indian affairs for North Carolina; and he 

 had taken up his abode among the Cherokees at 

 the town of Chota in the latter half of the year 

 1777. He succeeded in keeping them comparatively 

 quiet and peaceable during 1778, and until his de- 

 parture, which took place the following year, when 

 he went to found the settlements on the Cumber- 

 land River. 



But the Chickamaugas refused to make peace, 

 and in their frequent and harassing forays they were 

 from time to time joined by parties of young braves 

 from all the Cherokee towns that were beyond the 

 reach of Robertson's influence that is, by all save 

 those in the neighborhood of Chota. The Chicka- 

 saws and Choctaws likewise gave active support 

 to the king's cause; the former scouted along the 

 Ohio, the latter sent bands of young warriors to 

 aid the Creeks and Cherokees in their raids against 

 the settlements. 19 



The British agents among the Southern Indians 



19 Haldimand MSS. Letter of Rainsford and Tait to Ham- 

 ilton, April 9, 1779. 

 VOL. VI. M 



