diately to Eaton's fort near the long Island of Holston and formed a Junction with Colo. W. Christian who had command of an army of 2,000 men a few days before we arrived at the fort Colo. Christian ascertained through his spies that a large body of Indians had crossed the river and was coming towards the fort. All of the men that could be spared were immediately put under the command of Colo. Wm. Cocke and ordered out to meet the Indians. About one and one-half miles from the river Colo. Cocke with 400 men met the enemy, who greatly out numbering the whites, were sure of an easy victory. There first onset was accompanied with hooping and yelling. Colo. Cocke not being acquainted with the Indian mode fighting thought that their yelling was a Signal of victory, believing the day to be lost he became completely panic strick and put out at the top of his speed for the fort. On arriving there he reported that his men were completely cut in pieces. About one hour after the gallant Colo. arrived at the fort news reached him that his men had driven back into the forest, without the loss of a Single man and the Indians left fourteen of their dead lying on the field.2

A few days after Capt. Martin's company arrived at the fort: Christian's command had increased to about one thousand men. He ordered the army to march down to the Holston river and build a fort on the bank opposite to the long Island, on going down we passed by the late battle ground of the whites and Indians, the Indians that had been killed were all lying as they fell-with the exceptions of some who had their legs and arms torn by the wolves.

On arriving at the Holston we immediately set to work building a fort a few days after we commenced the fort Intelligence was received that the Indians had murdered several persons, some 5 or 6 miles below on the river; as soon as

'Cocke's conduct is, I believe, correctly stated-but this battle happened sometime before Col. Christian reached Eaton's Fort-nor were there many of Cocke's party as Maj. Redd seems to think. See Haywoods Hist. of Tenne.-official account and his statement-I. C. D.

this news reached us Capt. Martin with 30 of his men volunteered to go in pursuit of the Indians, and soon arrived at the place where the murder had been committed; from the one that made his escape we learned that one of the men that was murdered had some time before made a small Settlement but he became alarmed on account of the Indians and fled to Eatons fort and remained there until Col. Christian commenced building his fort on the Holston thinking he could now return with Safety, he with his two Sons, Brother and another man came back and these four were murdered by the Indians.

Capt. Martin found three of their bodies lying in front of the cabin and their scalps taken off, the fourth we tracked some fifty yards to where he jumped into the river, and in a short time found his body lodged on some driftwood a short distance below. Capt. Martin soon became satisfied from the tracks of the Indians that there must have been a large party of them. I was sent back by Capt. Martin to inform Colonel Christian of all the circumstances we had gathered of the murder. As soon as Colo. Christian received the intelligence sent by Martin, he ordered 30 more men to be raised and with provisions enough to last several days, the same evening set out and joined Martin's command.

The next morning at sunrise Capt. Martin set out and the same day followed the Indians 30 miles, and came to where they camped the night before; the second day they marched 30 miles and found that the Indians were still one day ahead of them; the third day we followed them to the Tennessee river, and there we were about 20 miles from the Indian Towns. Capt. Martin finding that we could not gain on them returned to Christians fort. Shortly after we returned, the fort was completed and supplied with provisions and men. Shortly after Colo. C. completed his fort he set out with something like 2,000 men to attack the Indians in their own Towns. In this expedition Capt. Martin accompanied him. Col. C. Set out about the last of Oct. 76, he heard that the Indians had about 3,000 men encamped on hunting Creek, 15 miles beyond french broad river.

The movement of the army was very slow in consequence of all their supplies being carried on horses, for we did not have a Single wagon. Before we arrived at the french broad, we learned that we were to be attacked while we crossed the river. When we arrived at the river a halt was ordered and a ridge overlooking the ford of the river, at the ford was a small Island within some fifty yards of this side, the water was deep and very rapid, on the other side of the Island the river was much wider though shallow and with a smooth bottom. Between the Island and the other bank we expected an attack from the Indians, the ridge we halted on ran some distance parallel with the river, on this ridge a great many piles of wood were placed at the ordinary distance, these piles of wood were set on fire at night, and 600 men were ordered to march down and cross the river some five miles below and at a certain minute the next day to come up on the opposite side of the river so they should be in the rear of the Indians on their attack on the balance of the army. Early the next morning 600 men were ordered to cross to the opposite of the river, the remainder of the men, 800, were left to protect the baggage, &c. Captain Martin's company was in front, two of his men were quite unwell, these Martin advised not to cross, but they insisted on going over and sharing with their comrades in the expected fight. Martin at last yielded to their wishes, but determined they should not endanger their lives by wading the river. As soon as they arrived at the river, Martin pulled off all his clothes except his shirt and put them in his breeches, put his breeches across his shoulders, took one of the sick men on his back and his gun in one hand and marched gallantly at the head of his Colum to the Island and then he deposited his load and returned for the other sick man. After they had all got over in the Island and they examined their guns they were ordered to march over on the other side of the river in double Colums, and when the bank was touched by the head of the Colum they were to march to the right and left and not to halt even if they should be

fired upon until the Colum had crossed. This order was obeyed to the very letter. Capt. Martins Company was in front. Just as the army crossed and was drawn out in Single Colum up and down the river, the 600 men that crossed five miles below were seen coming some 300 yards off Stretched out in Single Column Similar to the other.

At this State of Affairs news was received that the Indians had broken up their camp but could not tell which way they had gone. Colo. Christian not knowing at what moment he might meet with an attack from his treacherous foe, held his men in a position to meet them at any moment. The balance of the army with the baggage was ordered across the river and joined the 1,200 men. Soon as the baggage train crossed the river the army was expecting every moment to see the Indians make a rush from their place of concealment. A great noise was heard in the direction of a large Canebrake. We were satisfied that it was the noise of a large body of Indians making a charge upon us the officers were calling out in every direction, men be at your post. The noise was growing more distinct but was still very audable. Again it grew louder and soon appeared to be getting off. The army was kept in a State of suspence for some time, at last Colo. Christian sent some men in that direction to see what the Indians were doing.

The messengers returned and reported that the noise proceeded from a large herd of Bufellow which had been badly frightened and had taken refuge in a canebrake some half mile off or more, some spies came in and reported that the Indians instead of coming to meet us had gone in the direction of their towns. Colo. C. believing that there was not much danger of an immediate attack from the Indians, and his men were very much fatigued gave orders that the army would proceed no father that day. The Captains were ordered to dismiss their companies and were ordered to commence cooking. In a very short time the tents were pitched and almost every man was preparing something to eat.

(To be continued.)

A SOUTHERN SULKY RIDE IN 1837.

THE JOURNAL OF WM. H. WILLS.

(Continued.)

[As noted in the previous issue the journal proper ceased then, but the record of the journey continues in the form of letters from Mr. Wills to his wife, which now follow.]

*** I have arrived safely in Tallahassee and in good health but much fatigued as might be expected. I got in a little after 12 oclock and while waiting for my dinner sit down a second time to write to [you]. * * * The clouds look dark and lowering as if a storm was at hand. If the weather should prove favorable however, I design continuing my journey and hope to get to-night beneath the friendly roof of Genl. Whitaker or some of the kind friends of that neighborhood. I may have to remain here to-night from the inclemency of the weather, if so I hope to proceed in the morning. This is the 18th day since I left Tarboro. * In traveling far I find persons canThis

not always mark out the courses they will pursue. has been my case. In my last letter* to you written from Camden, S. C. I informed you that I designed avoiding Augusta, and passing through Milledgeville,

* * * *

But on going farther, I learned that it was better and much nearer for me to go through Augusta and avoid Milledgeville. This course I have pursued and from Augusta came direct via: of Hawkinsville. Thus, in doing so, I deprived myself of getting a letter in Milledgeville (if there was one) and up to this time have not heard one word from you. In Augusta, I wrote to the Post Master of Milledgeville to forward my letter to me to this place and on getting in this

*Dated April 11, 1837.