But these Virginians were no fools. Of the eleven hundred here, wellnigh every man had been a buckskin borderer, deadly with rifle, tomahawk and knife, and up to all Indian tricks. They were fairly drilled, too, as militia. A number of the officers had fought under Major George Washington, when on the fatal Braddock's Field, in 1755, the American Rangers had tried to save the day from the French, and from Pontiac's whooping warriors. They all had marched for five weeks across one hundred and sixty miles of trackless mountain country, driving their pack-horses and their herds of beef cattle; now they rallied briskly to save their lives. It was nip and tuck. From before sunrise until sunset raged the great battle of Point Pleasant, or the Big Kanawha. It was the first pitched battle between simon-pure Americans--but the Revolution was near and after this the Americans were to do their own fighting. The lines were over a mile long, rarely more than twenty yards apart, frequently less than six yards apart, and sometimes mingling. The armies were equal. Both sides fought Indian fashion, from behind trees and brush. Rifle met rifle, tomahawk met tomahawk, knife met knife. The air was filled with whoops and cheers. Able chiefs faced able chiefs--on the white American side there were leaders who soon became more famous in the Revolution and in the history of the new nation. It was a long-famous battle. A ballad written upon it was frequently sung, on the frontier: Let us mind the tenth day of October, Seventy-four, which caused woe; The Indian savages they did cover The pleasant banks of the O-hi-o. The battle beginning in the morning, Throughout the day it lashed sore, Till the evening shades they were returning Upon the banks of the O-hi-o. Seven score lay dead and wounded. Of champions that did face their foe, By which the heathens were confounded, Upon the banks of the O-hi-o. Col. Lewis and noble captains Did down to death like Uriah go. Alas, their heads wound up in napkins, Upon the banks of the O-hi-o. O bless the mighty King of Heaven For all his wondrous works below, Who hath to us the victory given, Upon the banks of the O-hi-o. Logan was seen here, there, everywhere. So was Cornstalk. His mighty voice was heard above the din, like the voice of old Annawan when King Philip had been surprised. "Be strong! Be strong!" he appealed to his warriors. With his tomahawk he struck down a skulker. That had been his promise, in the council. All this October day the battle continued. In single encounters, man to man, valorous deeds were done.