though they were now in the power of the
English, they might still, on their submission, enjoy the blessings of
peace. As the chief called Attakullakulla, alias the Little Carpenter,
who had signed the last treaty, disapproved of the proceedings of his
countrymen, and had done many good offices to the English since the
renovation of the war, he was now given to understand that he might come
down with some other chiefs to treat of an accommodation, which would be
granted to the Cherokees on his account; but that the negotiation must
be begun in a few days, otherwise all the towns in the Upper Nation
would be ravaged and reduced to ashes.

These intimations having produced little or no effect, colonel
Montgomery resolved to make a second irruption into the middle
settlements of the Cherokees, and began his march on the twenty-fourth
day of June. On the twenty-seventh, captain Morrison, of the advanced
party, was killed by a shot from a thicket, and the firing became so
troublesome that his men gave way. The grenadiers and light infantry
being detached to sustain them, continued to advance, notwithstanding
the fire from the woods; until, from a rising ground, they discovered
a body of the enemy. These they immediately attacked, and obliged to
retire into a Swamp; which, when the rest of the troops came up, they
were after a short resistance compelled to abandon: but, as the country
was difficult, and the path extremely narrow, the forces suffered on
their march from the fire of scattered parties who concealed themselves
behind trees and bushes. At length they arrived at the town of Etchowee,
which the inhabitants had forsaken after having removed every thing of
value. Here, while the army encamped on a small plain, surrounded by
hills, it was incommoded by volleys from the enemy, which wounded some
men, and killed several horses. They were even so daring as to attack
the piquet guard, which repulsed them with difficulty; but, generally
speaking, their parties declined an open engagement. Colonel Montgomery,
sensible that, as many horses were killed or disabled, he could not
proceed farther without leaving his provisions behind, or abandoning the
wounded men to the brutal revenge of a savage enemy, resolved to return;
and began his retreat in the night, that he might be the less disturbed
by the Indians. Accordingly, he pursued his route for two days without
interruption; but afterwards sustained some straggling fires from