Arthur Campbell to Nathanael Greene (8 February 1781)

              Washington in Virginia, Feb. 8th, 1781
SIR
I expect ere now that the Executive of Virginia or North Carolina have fully informed your Excellency of the defection of the whole of the Cherokee Indians from the American Interest and their meditated hostilities against the western Frontiers of those States.
The Militia of three Counties embodied to the number of about Seven hundred, repelled the Invasion, proceeded into the enemies' Country, where was dealt out to them not a few of the miseries that were designed for us. The Over Hill Country were chiefly made a field of desolation, the Families dispersed in the Mountains to starve, some of their principal Warriors slain, and a few Indians made prisoners.
The season and the means of subsistence prevented me from staying in the country as long as I could have wished; however, I found that the Chiefs were greatly humbled and were disposed to offer terms of peace. I was not prepared for such a negociation; however, on leaving the Country I sent them a message, the contents of which is herewith transmitted for your Excellency's perusal, as on the observance and prosecution of what is there said, much of the advantages of our success may depend.
On looking into the American CONFEDERATION, I judged it most properly the business of Congress; consequently of their Southern Commander in Chief, to direct a negociation on the future operations