Congress had endeavored in vain to persuade the chiefs of this tribe to make a treaty of peace, or at least to remain neutral.

The efforts of the British agents to embroil them with the whites were completely successful; and in November the Otari or Overhill warriors began making inroads along the frontier.

They did not attack in large bands.

A constant succession of small parties moved swiftly through the county, burning cabins, 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.