Ethan objected, saying, “Sir, these are the same people who have never shown mercy even to the most innocent of their victims. I urge you to let our men have retribution.”

Jackson said, “I know that you and your men feel the same about Brown as you did Grierson, and we will have to kill them if they don’t surrender.”

After Ethan and the others nodded, he added, “Brown and his men are skilled woodsmen and will be alert to any danger. When we deploy, I don’t want any tracks left on the trail to indicate our presence.”

The Rangers approached the river at the appointed time, with Colonel Brown leading only eight other men, five of whom were Indians.

Jackson shouted, “Halt! You are surrounded on all sides, and we have thirty rifles on you.”

As previously ordered, the Georgia men all let themselves be seen, but with their bodies partially concealed by a tree or other means of self-protection. Brown looked around quickly, saw that half the rifles were pointed at him, gave a low-pitched order, and raised his hands.

Within a few minutes all the Rangers were disarmed, had their hands trussed behind them, and were standing in a group, surrounded by vigilant and distrusting troops, still with their rifles leveled. It was with difficulty that Jackson restrained his men. Brown looked around coolly, with little expression on his face, apparently expecting no quarter.

Colonel Jackson confronted him. “What right do you have to bear arms, since we all know that you were placed on parole in Augusta?”

“I have complied with my pledge to Colonel Lee and General Pickens. I went from Savannah to Charles Town, where I was exchanged for Brigadier General Felix Thompson, who was captured at Guilford Courthouse. I have the official papers here in my saddlebag if you wish to see them.”

Jackson consulted with Ethan and his other officers, and asked Brown, “How do you explain your personal crimes against innocent women and children during your raids against settler families?”

Brown replied, “Colonel, you know that there have been despicable acts of violence committed by both sides during the war. I have attempted to comply with the basic orders received from my superiors, almost always having originated with the king and Parliament.”

Unable to restrain himself, Ethan moved forward, looked directly into Brown’s eyes, and asked, “Did these instructions authorize you and your men to attack a homestead in the Wrightsborough settlement, burn all the buildings, and savagely murder a little boy?”

Although Ethan had never discussed his personal loss with Colonel Jackson or the other men, everyone realized that this was more than a general question, and there was complete silence as they awaited Brown’s answer.

“I have never approved or had any part in an attack on any person or property within the Quaker settlement.”