The West Fincastle troops, from the lower settlements of the Clinch and Holston valleys, were to return by the Kentucky River, while those from the upper valley would take the shorter way up Sandy Creek.

To keep them in provisions during the journey it was ordered that hunters be sent out along these routes to kill and barbecue meat and place it on scaffolds at appropriate spots.
The way home by the Kentucky was a long road for weary and wounded men with hunger gnawing under their belts.

We know who swung out along the trail to provide for that little band, "dressed in deerskins colored black, and his hair plaited and bobbed up." It was Daniel Boone--now, by popular demand, Captain Boone--just "discharged from Service," since the valley forts needed him no longer.

Once more only a hunter, he went his way over Walden Mountain--past his son's grave marking the place where HE had been turned back--to serve the men who had opened the gates..