14 The Winning of the West 



lichucky Jack, should have looked with leniency on 

 their darling leader's shortcomings, even when these 

 shortcomings took the form of failure to prevent or 

 punish the massacre of friendly Indians. 



The ravages of the Indians were precisely the 

 same in character that they had always been, and 

 always were until peace was won. There was the 

 usual endless succession of dwellings burned, horses 

 driven off, settlers slain while hunting or working, 

 and immigrant parties ambushed and destroyed ; and 

 there was the same ferocious retaliation when oppor- 

 tunity offered. When Robertson's hopes of peace 

 gave out he took steps to keep the militia in constant 

 readiness, to meet the foe; for he was the military 

 commander of the district. The county lieutenants 

 there were now several counties on the Cumber- 

 land were ordered to see that their men were well 

 mounted and ready to march at a moment's notice ; 

 and were warned that this was a duty to which they 

 must attend themselves, and not delegate it to their 

 subalterns. The laws were to be strictly enforced; 

 and the subalterns were promptly to notify their men 

 of the time and place to meet. Those who failed to 

 attend would be fined by court-martial. Frequent 

 private musters were to be held ; and each man was 

 to keep ready a good gun, nine charges of powder 

 and ball, and a spare flint. It was especially ordered 

 that every marauding band should be followed ; for 

 thus some would be overtaken and signally pun- 

 ished, which would be a warning to the others. 16 



16 Robertson MSS., General Orders, April 5, 1789. 



