Pioneers of the Old Southwest: a chronicle of the dark and bloody ground

A narrative history traces the migration and settlement of frontier people who pushed into the Old Southwest, examining their origins among Ulster Presbyterians and other backcountry settlers, their folkways, economic roles of traders, and the cultural traits that shaped frontier society. It recounts military and diplomatic struggles with French forces and Native peoples, the violent contests over Kentucky and Tennessee known as the Dark and Bloody Ground, and campaigns like King's Mountain. Biographical chapters profile leading frontier figures, describe state-building efforts, and conclude with reflections on the pioneers' later lives and documentary sources.