Magazine, November, 1867; Jones, Georgia, 11, p. 246et passim,
1883 1: unsey, Tennessee, 168 164, 1858; 1: evelt, Winning of the West, 1, pp. 296 308, 1889.
; .i 9, op. cit., p. 246; Ramsey, op. cit., p. 163; Roosevelt, op. cit., p. 295.
mooney] christian's expedition — 1776 51
with a flag of truce to discuss tonus. Knowing that his own strength
was overwhelming. Christian allowed the envoy to go through the
whole camp and then sent him back with the message that there could
be no terms until the Cherokee towns had been destroyed. Arriving
at the ford, he kindled fires and made all preparations as if intending
to camp there for several days. As soon as night fell, however, he
secretly drew off half his force and crossed the river lower down, to
come upon theIndians in their rear. This was a work of great diffi-
culty; as the water was so deep that it came up almost to the shoulders
of the men, while the current was so rapid that they were obliged to
support each other four abreast to prevent being swept off their feet.
However, they kept their guns and powder dry. On reaching the
other side they were surprised to find no enemy. Disheartened at the
strength of the invasion, the Indians had fled without even a show of
resistance. It is probable that nearly all their men and resources had
been drawn off to oppose the Carolina forces on their eastern border.
and the few who remained felt themselves unequal to the contest.
Advancing without opposition, Christian reached the towns on
Little Tennessee early in November, and, finding them