From a posting online From E. & P. Chapman to Charles Cummins on a chat board at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/:
'John C. Cummins left NC about 1780 to settle briefly in Botetourt County, VA, where he met Capt. Charles Gatliff and James McGuire. The three men set out to investigate Kentucky. This visit must have been around the time when Indians attacked a large group of settlers in 1786. Those settlers, known as McKnitt's company, lost twenty-one people who were slaughtered in the area between the Big and Little Laurel Rivers. Capt Charles Gatliff first married James McGuire's daughter Christiana and later married John Cummins' eldest daughter Rachel.'
Capt. Charles Gatliff's Revolutionary War Pension Statement (located in Draper Manuscript Collection and National Archives).
'I was a spy in 1774 for Fawler's Fort, Culbersons Bottom, on New River, the length of service not recollected. In 1775 was peace, in 1776-'7, we had war with both British and Indians, but I was not called on in either year. In 1778, in the month of June, I commenced as an Indian spy the 1st tour with different mates I served upwards of five months. I assisted in erecting Riddle's Fort, in Kentucky. In 1779 I volunteered in Capt. Haggin's Company - and that was on Bowman's Campaign - had a battle at Chilecotha with the Shawnees; we got but one scalp, but lossed 10 or 12 men. After our return I engaged to hunt for game to supply Riddle's Fort to prevent it breaking up - Dorchester, their hunter, being killed, and his mate refusing to serve longer. In hunting I frequently took with me Thomas Emory, who was killed near the Fort. I continued until I concluded to build another fort called since Martin's Fort. I hunted for Martin's Fort sometime. Isaac Reace, my hunting mate, being killed, I took such others as I could get to serve. When I was absent, the Fort was taken by the British and Indians, and it's inhabitants made prisoners - amongst whom were my wife and four children. I then joined Colonel Logan at Bryant's Springs, and was appointed a spy and pilot for the army which marched to Mad River, at Pickiway - had a battle and lost 18 or 20 men. On our return I received orders from Colonel Bowman to take possession and command of Bryant's Fort (or Station) which I kept until sometime in November; I then took a tour as a spy to Limestone to ascertain the movement of the enemy - a tour of 20 days; and after returning, I resigned all business of the kind, and in the spring 1781, I went in company with Daniel Boone and Benjamin Logan, members elected to the Virginia Legislature, to Virginia. I returned (I think) in July of the same year. In the fall following, I started through the wilderness to join the southern army, but hearing that Corn Wallace was taken at York, I changed my course, and went to Virginia, Greenbriar County. In 1783, I met my family below Staunton who had been taken prisoners from Martin's Station in Kentucky, and with them returned to Kentucky in the month of May. Clark's expedition failing I remained at ease until in 1786. I served in all the campaigns ever raised in Kentucky, except Clarks in 1782 at the Blue Licks - I was a spy and pilot in 1786, under Logan; in 1790 I was a spy, and pilot in Harmar's Campaign - I headed the pioneers about one and a half month, and after my arrival at home, I quit the service.'