wore a checked shirt (duster)
over it." Col. Hambright immediately called the attention of his men
to this distinguishing feature of Ferguson's dress. "Well _poys_, says
he, in broken German, _when you see that man mit a pig shirt on over
his clothes you may know who him is_." Accordingly after the battle,
his body was found among the dead, wearing the checked shirt, now
crimsoned with blood and pierced with numerous balls. After a brief
consultation of the chief officers upon horseback, the plan of attack
was quickly arranged. Several persons present were well acquainted
with the ground upon which the enemy was encamped. Orders were
promptly given and as promptly obeyed. The Whig forces moved forward
over King's Creek, and up a ravine, and between two rocky knobs, when
soon the enemy's camp was seen about one hundred poles in front.
Ferguson, aware that he was hotly pursued by a band of patriots of
determined bravery, had chosen this mountain elevation as one from
which he boastingly proclaimed he could not be driven.

It was about 3 o'clock in the afternoon when the Whig forces reached
the battle ground. The rain had ceased, the clouds had nearly passed
away, the sun now shone brightly, and nature seemed to smile
propitiously upon the sanguinary conflict soon to take place. On the
march, the following disposition was made of the Whig forces.

The central column was commanded by Colonels Campbell and Shelby; the
right, by Colonel Sevier and Major McDowell; and the left by Colonels
Cleaveland and Williams. In this order the Whig forces advanced and
came within a quarter of a mile of the enemy before they were
discovered. Colonels Campbell's and Shelby's regiments commenced the
attack, and kept up a galling fire on the enemy, while the right and
left wings were advancing forward to surround them, which was done in
about five minutes. The fire soon became general all around and
maintained with the greatest bravery.

The engagement lasted a little over an hour, during which time, a
heavy and incessant fire was kept up on both sides.

The Whigs, in some parts where the British regulars fought, were
forced to give way two or three times for a short distance, before the
bayonet charges of the enemy, but soon rallied and returned with
additional ardor and animation to the attack. The troops of the right
having gained the summit of the mountain, compelled the enemy to give
way and retreat along the top of the ridge, where