166.] The expedition offered a striking example of the individual initiative so characteristic of the backwoodsmen.

It was not ordered by any one authority; it was not even sanctioned by the central or State governments.

Shelby and Sevier were the two prime movers in getting it up; Campbell exercised the chief command; and the various other leaders, with their men, simply joined the mountaineers, as they happened to hear of them and come across their path.

The ties of discipline were of the slightest.

The commanders elected their own chief without regard to rank or seniority; in fact the officer [Footnote: Williams.] who was by rank entitled to the place was hardly given any share in the conduct of the campaign.