They were in Col.

Charles McDowell's district, and he was the senior officer; but the others distrusted his activity and judgment, and were not willing that he should command.

To solve the difficulty Shelby proposed that supreme command should be given to Col.

Campbell, who had brought the largest body of men with him, and who was a Virginian, whereas the other four colonels were North Carolinians.

[Footnote: Though by birth three were Virginians, and one, Shelby, a Marylander.