taking scalps, and, above all, stealing horses.  As the most effectual way of stopping such inroads, the alarmed and angered settlers resolved to send a formidable retaliatory expedition against the Overhill towns. [Footnote:  Campbell MSS.  Letter of Gov.  Thos.  Jefferson, Feb. 17, 1781.] All the Holston settlements both north and south of the Virginia line joined in sending troops.  By the first week in December, 1780, seven hundred mounted riflemen were ready to march, under the joint leadership of Colonel Arthur Campbell and of Sevier, the former being the senior officer.  They were to meet at an appointed place on the French Broad.

Sevier started first, with between two and three hundred of his Watauga and Nolichucky followers.  He marched down to the French Broad, but could hear nothing of Campbell.  He was on the great war trace of the southern Indians, and his scouts speedily brought him word that they had exchanged shots with a Cherokee war party, on its way to the settlements, and not far distant on the other side of the river.  He instantly crossed, and made a swift march towards the would-be marauders, camping on Boyd’s Creek.  The scouts were out by sunrise next morning—­December 16th,—­and speedily found the Indian encampment, which the warriors had just left.  On receipt of the news Sevier ordered the scouts to run on, attack the Indians, and then instantly retreat, so as to draw them into an ambuscade.  Meanwhile the main body followed cautiously after, the men spread out in a long line, with the wings advanced; the left wing under Major Jesse Walton, the right under Major Jonathan Tipton, while Sevier himself commanded the centre, which advanced along the trail by which the scouts were to retreat.  When the Indians were drawn into the middle, the two wings were to close in, when the whole party would be killed or captured.

The plan worked well.  The scouts soon came up with the warriors, and, after a moment’s firing, ran back, with the Indians in hot pursuit.  Sevier’s men lay hid, and, when the leading warriors were close up, they rose and fired.  Walton’s wing closed in promptly; but Tipton was too slow, and the startled Cherokees ran off through the opening he had left, rushed into a swamp impassable for horsemen, and scattered out, each man for himself, being soon beyond pursuit.  Nevertheless, Sevier took thirteen scalps, many weapons, and all their plunder.  In some of their bundles there were proclamations from Sir Henry Clinton and other British commanders.

The Indians were too surprised and panic-struck to offer any serious resistance, and not a man of Sevier’s force was even wounded. [Footnote:  Campbell MSS.  Copy of the official report of Col.  Arthur Campbell, Jan. 15, 1781.  The accounts of this battle of Boyd’s Creek illustrate well the growth of such an affair under the hands of writers who place confidence in all kinds of tradition, especially if they care more for picturesqueness than for accuracy.  The