The Battle of Island Flats (also Battle at Long Island of the Holston, Battle of Eaton's Station) was the opening battle of the American War of Independence in the west. The battle was fought July 20, 1776, and pitted the American regional Patriot militia against the British allied Cherokee forces in the Overmountain region of the American frontier. Battle Warned ahead of the assault by messengers from Cherokee diplomat Nancy Ward, the areas' militia members, fresh from battle experience in Dunmore's War, as well as a small garrison of soldiers stationed in the area, were mustered to Heaton's Station, situated on the ridge just east of the island. Under Majors James Thompson and William Cocke, they readied and waited for the arrival of the war party that was following Cherokee War Chiefs, Dragging Canoe (Tsiyu Gansini) and The Raven (Savanukah). The group rapidly fortified the simple way-station and constructed a stockade fence of logs and rails around it. The opposing forces comprised less than 200 men each: about 170 for the frontiersmen, and approximately 190 for the Native Americans. Because of the lack of a surprise attack, the Cherokees were quickly routed, and they withdrew after suffering 14 fatalities (nearly one-twelfth of their entire force) and several lesser casualties—including a badly wounded Dragging Canoe. Notes References Further reading Alderman, Pat; Dragging Canoe: Cherokee-Chickamauga War Chief; Overmountain Press; Johnson City, Tennessee; (1978) Brown, John P; Old Frontiers; Kingsport: Southern Publishers; (1938) Haywood, W.H.; The Civil and Political History of the State of Tennessee from its Earliest Settlement up to the Year 1796; Methodist Episcopal Publishing House; Nashville; (1891) Moore, John Trotwood; Foster, Austin P.; Tennessee, The Volunteer State, 1769-1923, Vol. 1; S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.; Chicago; (1923) External links Battle of Long Island Flats; Waymarking.com; Roadside Historical Marker; Text & Picture 18th century Cherokee history 1776 in the United States Tennessee in the American Revolution Conflicts in 1776 Native American history of Tennessee 18th century in the United States