the acclamations that we were under,—­sometimes the hideous cries of the enemy, and the groans of our wounded men lying around, was enough to shudder the stoutest heart.  Its the general opinion of the officers that we shall soon have another engagement, as we have now got over into the enemy’s country.  We expect to meet the Governor about forty or fifty miles from here.  Nothing will save us from another battle, unless they attack the Governors party.  Five men that came in dadys (daddy’s) company were killed, I don’t know that you were acquainted with any of them, except Mark Williams who lived with Roger Top.  Acquaint Mr. Carmack that his son was slightly wounded through the shoulder and arm and that he is in a likely way of recovery.  We leave him at the mouth of the Canaway and one very careful hand to take care of him.  There is a garrison and three hundred men left at that place, with a surgeon to heal the wounded.  We expect to return to the garrison in about 16 days from the Shawny towns.

I have nothing more particular to acquaint you with concerning the battle.  As to the country I cannot say much in praise of any that I have yet seen.  Dady intended writing you, but did not know of the express until the time was too short.  I have wrote to mammy tho’ not so fully to you, as I then expected the express was just going.  We seem to be all in a moving posture, just going from this place, so that I must conclude, wishing you health and prosperity until I see you and your family.  In the meantime I am your truly affectionate friend and humble servant,

  ISAAC SHELBY.

To MR. JOHN SHELBY,
Holston River,
Fincastle County. 
Favd. by Mr. Benj.  Gray.

II.

(Campbell MSS.)

October ye 31st. 1774.

DEAR SIR,

Being on my way home to Fincastle court, was overtaken this evening by letters from Colo.  Christian and other gentlemen on the expedition, giving an account of a battle which was fought between our troops & the enemy Indians, on the 10th instant, in the Fork of the Ohio & the Great Kanhawa.

The particulars of the action, drawn up by Colo.  Andr.  Lewis I have sent you enclosed, also a return of the killed and wounded, by which you will see that we have lost many brave and valiant officers & soldiers, whose loss to their families, as well as to the community, is very great.

Colo.  Christian with the Fincastle troops, (except the companies commanded by Capts.  Russell & Shelby, who were in the action) were on their march; and on the evening of that day, about 15 miles from field of battle, heard that the action began in the morning.  They marched hard, and got to the camp about midnight.  The cries of the wounded, without any persons of skill or any thing to nourish people in their unhappy situation, was striking.  The Indians had crossed the river on rafts, 6 or 8 miles above the Forks, in the night, and it is believed, intended to attack the camp, had they not been prevented by our men marching to meet them at the distance of half a mile.  It is said the enemy behaved with bravery and great caution, that they frequently damned our men for white sons of bitches.  Why did they not whistle now? (alluding to the fifes) & that they would learn them to shoot.