The War in the Northwest 337 



When Ferguson learned that his foes were on him, 

 he sprang on his horse, his drums beat to arms, and 

 he instantly made ready for the fight. Though sur- 

 prised by the unexpected approach of the Americans, 

 he exerted himself with such energy that his troops 

 were in battle array when the attack began. The 

 outcrops of slaty rock on the hillsides made ledges 

 which, together with the bowlders strewn on top, 

 served as breastworks for the less disciplined tories ; 

 while he in person led his regulars and such of the 

 loyalist companies as were furnished with the hunt- 

 ing-knife bayonets. He hoped to be able to repulse 

 his enemies by himself taking the offensive, with a 

 succession of bayonet charges; a form of attack in 

 which his experience with Pulaski and Huger had 

 given him great confidence. 



At three o'clock in the afternoon the firing be- 

 gan, as the Americans drove in the British pickets. 

 The brunt of the battle fell on the American centre, 

 composed of Campbell's and Shelby's men, who sus- 

 tained the whole fight for nearly ten minutes 54 until 

 the two wings had had time to get into place and 

 surround the enemy. Campbell began the assault, 

 riding on horseback along the line of his riflemen. 

 He ordered them to raise the Indian war-whoop, 

 which they did with a will, and made the woods 



had fifteen hundred men, instead of twenty- five hundred, of 

 which Allaire speaks. Allaire probably consciously exagger- 

 ated the number. 



64 Campbell MSS. Letter of Col. Wm. Campbell, Oct. 10, 

 1780, says 10 minutes: the official report (Gates MSS.) says 5 

 minutes. 

 VOL. VI. O 



