LETTER TO GENERAL PINCKNEY. 213 General Jackson, in his letter to Major-General Pinckney, said that "many causes concurred to make such a measure necessary, as I had not set out prepared, or with a view to make a permanent establishment. I considered it worse than useless to advance and destroy an empty encampment. I had, indeed, hoped to have met the enemy there; but having met and beaten them a little sooner, I did not think it necessary or prudent to proceed any farther-not necessary, because I had accomplished all I could expect to effect by marching to their encampment; and because, if it was proper to contend with and weaken their forces still farther, this object would be more certainly attained, by commencing a return, which, having to them the appearance of a retreat, would inspirit them to pursue me. Not prudent-because of the number of my wounded; of the reinforcements from below, which the enemy might be expected to receive; of the starving condition of my horses, they having had neither corn nor cane for two days and nights; of the scarcity of supplies for my men, the Indians who joined me at Talladega having drawn none, and being wholly destitute; and because, if the enemy pursued me, as it was likely they would, the diversion in favour of General Floyd would be more complete than effectual." Determined by these considerations, Jackson ordered litters to be formed for the transportation of the sick and wounded, and the other preparations to be made for a return march. Everything being ready, it was commenced at half-past ten o'clock next morning, January 23d, and continued without interruption until near night; when they reached Enotichopco, having passed safely on the way a dangerous defile, occasioned by a hurricane. Expecting to be pursued and attacked, the army marched in order of battle; the sick and wounded being placed in the centre. Every precaution was taken to guard against an attack during the night. A breastwork was thrown up, sentinels doubled, spies sent out, and every arrangement made to repel any hostile attack. Thus guarded, they safely passed the night, though from certain signs the general was sure that the savages had been in pursuit all day, and that then they could not be far distant. T CHAPTER X. ENOTICHOPCO. HE night at Enotichopco was spent in momentary expectation of an attack; but it wore away without any attempt on the part of the savages to renew the battle. This unusual circumstance in Indian warfare, led the general to conjecture that an ambuscade had been prepared, and that an attack would be made on him while crossing the creek in his front; which, being deep, and the banks rugged, and thickly covered with reeds, afforded many advantages for such a design. Near the crossing-place was a deep ravine, formed by the projection of two hills, overgrown with thick shrubbery and brown sedge, which afforded every convenience for concealment, whilst it entirely prevented pursuit. Along this route the army had passed in advancing; through it it would naturally be expected to return; and here it was believed an ambuscade would be formed, if any were intended. To guard against this, Jackson determined to take a different route. Accordingly, early in the morning, he secretly despatched a few pioneers to seek another crossingplace below. A convenient one was soon discovered about six hundred yards below the old one; and thither the general now led his army, having previously formed his front and rear-guards, and his right and left columns, with the sick and wounded in the centre. Before taking up the line of march he issued a general order, pointing out the manner in which the men should be formed in the event of an attack on the front or rear, or on the flanks, and particularly cautioning the officers to halt and form accordingly, the instant the alarm gun should be heard. A handsome slope of open woodland led down to the new ford, where, except immediately on the margin of the creek, which was covered with a few reeds, there was nothing to obstruct the view. The front guards and part of the columns had passed without interruption; the wounded were also over, and the artillery just entering the creek, when the alarm gun was heard in the rear. |