As Dragging Canoe approached Eaton's Station (in the vicinity of Long Island of the Holston), the fort's garrison, led by Captain John Thompson, feared the Cherokees would bypass the fort and destroy their farms, and thus marched out to engage them at Island Flats.
Near Long Island of the Holston, as Dragging Canoe drew near Eaton's Station, Captain John Thompson led the garrison in fear that the Cherokees might avoid the fort and devastate their fields. Therefore, they ventured out to meet the Cherokees at Island Flats.