long grass.  From what Boon and Levi Todd say, it is evident that the firing began on both sides at the same time.  Caldwell says the Indians fired one gun whereupon the Kentuckians fired a volley.] The Kentuckians galloped up at speed to within sixty yards of their foes, leaped from their horses, and instantly gave and received a heavy fire. [Footnote:  Levi Todd’s letter.] Boon was the first to open the combat; and under his command the left wing pushed the Indians opposite them back for a hundred yards.  The old hunter of course led in person; his men stoutly backed him up, and their resolute bearing and skilful marksmanship gave to the whites in this part of the line a momentary victory.

But on the right of the Kentucky advance, affairs went badly from the start.  The Indians were thrown out so as to completely surround Triggs’ wing.  Almost as soon as the firing became heavy in front, crowds of painted warriors rose from some hollows of long grass that lay on Trigg’s right and poured in a close and deadly volley.  Rushing forward, they took his men in rear and flank, and rolled them up on the centre, killing Trigg himself.  Harlan’s advance guard was cut down almost to a man, their commander being among the slain.  The centre was then assailed from both sides by overwhelming numbers.  Todd did all he could by voice and example to keep his men firm, and cover Boon’s successful advance, but in vain.  Riding to and fro on his white horse, he was shot through the body, and mortally wounded.  He leaped on his horse again, but his strength failed him; the blood gushed from his mouth; he leaned forward, and fell heavily from the saddle.  Some say that his horse carried him to the river, and that he fell into its current.  With his death the centre gave way; and of course Boon and the men of the left wing, thrust in advance, were surrounded on three sides.  A wild rout followed, every one pushing in headlong haste for the ford.  “He that could remount a horse was well off; he that could not, had no time for delay,” wrote Levi Todd.  The actual fighting had only occupied five minutes. [Footnote:  Levi Todd’s letter.]

In a mad and panic race the Kentuckians reached the ford, which was fortunately but a few hundred yards from the battle-field, the Indians being mixed in with them.  Among the first to cross was Netherland, whose cautious advice had been laughed at before the battle.  No sooner had he reached the south bank, than he reined up his horse and leaped off, calling on his comrades to stop and cover the flight of the others; and most of them obeyed him.  The ford was choked with a struggling mass of horsemen and footmen, fleeing whites and following Indians.  Netherland and his companions opened a brisk fire upon the latter, forcing them to withdraw for a moment and let the remainder of the fugitives cross in safety.  Then the flight began again.  The check that had been given the Indians allowed the whites time to recover heart and breath.  Retreating in groups or singly through the forest, with their weapons reloaded, their speed of foot and woodcraft enabled such as had crossed the river to escape without further serious loss.