The truth is that Sevier and Shelby had been so busy
drumming up the militia and planning their campaign that they had
found no time to consult the Governor. Moreover, the means
whereby the expedition had been financed might not have appealed
to the chief executive. After finding it impossible to raise
sufficient funds on his personal credit, Sevier had appropriated
the entry money in the government land office to the business in
hand--with the good will of the entry taker, who was a patriotic
man, although, as he had pointed out, he could not, OFFICIALLY,
hand over the money. Things being as they were, no doubt
Nolichucky Jack felt that an interview with the Governor had
better be deferred until after the capture of Ferguson. Hence the
tenor of this communication to General Gates:
"As we have at this time called out our militia without any
orders from the Executive of our different States and with the
view of expelling the Enemy out of this part of the Country, we
think such a body of men worthy of your attention and would
request you to send a General Officer immediately to take the
command.... All our Troops being Militia and but little
acquainted with discipline, we could wish him to be a Gentleman
of address, and able to keep up a proper discipline WITHOUT
DISGUSTING THE SOLDIERY.
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