march will be taken up: and in a few days thereafter the objects of the excursion will be effected. As patriotic men, then, I ask you for your services; and thus long I have no doubt you will cheerfully render them. I am well aware that you are all anxious to return to your families and homes, and that you are entitled to do so; yet stay a little longer-go with me and meet the enemy, and you can then return not only with the consciousness of having performed your duty, but with the glorious exultation of having done even more than duty required."

In answer to this address, Colonel Lilliard replied, that having been called upon by the several captains in his return to make a statement of those in their respective companies who were willing to remain beyond the period of their engagement, it appeared that none would consent to do so except Captain Hamilton and three of his men. General Jackson therefore ordered Colonel Lilliard to march on the 10th to Fort Armstrong, and thence to Knoxville, when the troops would be discharged by General Cocke.

While General Jackson was thus embarrassed and prevented from accomplishing any important service, by the desertion of his troops, the enemy had suffered severe losses from the gallantry of the militia of Georgia. Governor Early of that state, on the 8th of November, called the attention of the legislature to the necessity of making provision for defence against the Creeks. Pursuant to his recommendation, a considerable force of militia was called out, and placed under the command of Brigadier-General Floyd. On the 29th of the same month, General Floyd marched

against the Indian town of Autoussee, situated on the Tallapoosa river, eighteen miles from the Hickory Ground. At this place were assembled the warriors of eight towns, composing a very formidable force. The army of General Floyd consisted of nine hundred and fifty militia, and about three hundred friendly Indians. The attack was made early on the morning of the 29th, and was succeeded by a fierce contest of three hours' duration. The enemy were entirely defeated, and forced to abandon their town, leaving two hundred warriors dead upon the field. Four hundred houses were burnt to the ground, and the whole was accomplished with a loss of only eleven men. On the

first of January, 1814, General Jackson received information of another brilliant victory, gained by General Claiborne. On the 23d of December, that officer attacked Eccanachaca, or the Holy Ground, an Indian military depot, situated on the Alabama river. The prophets, Weatherford, Francis, and Sinquister, resided at this town. The enemy were driven from their post, losing about forty warriors, and the town was reduced to ashes. Another village, eight miles distant, was destroyed on the following day.

These victories struck terror into the ranks of the enemy, and by inspiring the militia with confidence in themselves, materially contributed to the subsequent victories.

YOLONEL CARROLL, who had been deputed by General Cocke to raise the reinforcements, having been unable, by using every exertion, to obtain volunteers for six months, was obliged to complete his number

with mounted men, engaged to serve for sixty days. General Jackson was unwilling to set the dangerous precedent of engaging troops for so short a

period; but the urgency of the case admitted of no delay, and he was obliged to acquiesce in the arrangement. General Pinckney had requested him to act in concert with the forces from Georgia; and it was to this end that he manifested so much anxiety to retain Lilliard's regiment. The departure of that corps defeated his plans; but he still hoped to accomplish something with his new troops, in aid of General Claiborne, who was encamped on the Alabama river, eighty-five miles above Fort Stoddart. The newly raised volunteers assembled at Huntsville, where they remained, waiting until supplies should be received at head-quarters sufficient for their support. Could they have proceeded directly on, they would have reached the general early enough to enable him to proceed against the enemy, before the period at which Lilliard's regiment would have been entitled to a discharge. General Jackson strained every nerve in order to accomplish this end, urging Colonel Carroll to make active exertions to send forward all the provisions in the hands of the contractors, and to hasten the arrangements for procuring larger supplies. So important did he consider this junction, that he was willing to subject himself to considerable hazard, rather than not effect it. To Colonel Carroll he wrote, on learning that he was on his way with his newly raised troops:

"I am happy to hear of your success in procuring volunteers. I shall receive with open arms those who, in this hour of need, so gallantly come forth to uphold the sinking reputation of their state. I am more anxious than ever to recommence operations, and indeed they have become more necessary than