Now and then a savage was killed in such an attack, or in a skirmish with some body of scouts; but nothing effectual could be thus accomplished.
Ravages in Cumberland Country.
The most dangerous marauders were some Creek and Cherokee warriors who had built a town on the Coldwater, a tributary of the Tennessee near the Muscle Shoals, within easy striking distance of the Cumberland settlements.

This town was a favorite resort of French traders from the Illinois and Wabash, who came up the Tennessee in bateaux.

They provided the Indians with guns and ammunition, and in return often received goods plundered from the Americans; and they at least indirectly and in some cases directly encouraged the savages in their warfare against the settlers.

[Footnote: Robertson MSS., Robertson to some French man of note in Illinois, June, 1787.

This is apparently a copy, probably by Robertson's wife, of the original letter.