CHAPTER V.

1813. Erection of Fort Strother, and establishment of a depot on the Coosa Continued difficulties growing out of the movements of General Cocke-Battle of Talladega-Gallant conduct of Colonel Carroll and Lieutenant-Colonel Dyer-Destitution of the armyGenerosity and benevolence of Jackson-His example in submitting to privations-Anecdote of the acorns-Discontent among the troops Mutiny suppressed by his firmness and resolution-His appeal to the contractors to furnish supplies-Answer to the overtures of peace made by the Hillabee tribes-Efforts to raise additional troops-Letter to his friend in Tennessee-Demand of the volunteers to be discharged, on the ground that their term of service had expired-Reply of Jackson-His unflinching determination-Suppression of the mutiny, and return of the volunteers. 1813.

In consequence of his not receiving the necessary supplies of provisions, without which it was utterly impossible to proceed, General Jackson was detained for nearly a month, in the neighbourhood of the Tennessee river, without being able to penetrate the hostile territory, and strike a decisive blow. During this time, he erected a fort and depot, at the Ten Islands, which was called Fort Strother. It was his intention, after completing the works, to proceed along the Coosa to its junction with the Tallapoosa, near which, it was expected, from information he had received, that the main force of the enemy was collected. In order to accomplish this in safety, he desired to unite as soon as possible with the troops from East Tennessee. The advance under General White had arrived at Turkey-town, twenty-five miles above, and on the 4th of November an express was despatched to him to hasten forward immediately. A similar message was sent on the 7th of the same month, but failed to produce any effect. General White chose rather to obey the orders of the immediate commander of his division, General Cocke, who persisted in his singular efforts to thwart the

movements of Jackson and the forces under his command. Although he endeavoured to shelter himself from the consequences of his unsoldierlike conduct, beneath the decision of a council of officers which he had formed, his jealousy of General Jackson was so apparent, that the public were not slow in forming a most unfavorable opinion of his character.

As yet, no certain intelligence had been received, in regard to the position of the enemy. Late, however, on the evening of the 7th of November, a runner arrived from Talladega, a fort of the friendly Indians, distant about thirty miles below, with information that the enemy had that morning encamped before it in great numbers, and would certainly destroy it, unless immediate assistance could be afforded. Confiding in the statement, Jackson determined to lose no time in extending the relief which was solicited. Understanding that General White, agreeably to his order, was on his way to join him, he despatched a messenger to meet him, directing him to reach his encampment in the course of the ensuing night, and to protect it in his absence. He now gave orders for taking up the line of march, with twelve hundred infantry, and eight hundred cavalry and mounted gun-men; leaving behind the sick, the wounded, and all his baggage, with a force which was deemed sufficient for their protection, until the reinforcement from Turkey-town should arrive.

The friendly Indians who had taken refuge in this besieged fort, had involved themselves in their present perilous situation from a disposition to preserve their amicable relations with the United States. To suffer them to fall a sacrifice from any tardiness of movement, would have been unpardonable; and unless relief should be immediately extended, it might arrive too late. Acting under these impressions, the general concluded to move instantly forward to their assistance. At twelve o'clock at night, every thing was in readiness; and in an hour afterwards the army commenced crossing the river, about a mile above the camp; each of the mounted men carrying one of the infantry behind him. The river at this place was

six hundred yards wide, and it being necessary to send back the horses for the remainder of the infantry, several hours were consumed before a passage of all the troops could be effected. Nevertheless, though greatly fatigued and deprived of sleep, they continued the march with animation, and by evening had arrived within six miles of the enemy. In this march, Jackson used the utmost precaution to prevent surprise: marching his army, as was his constant custom, in three columns, so that, by a speedy maneuvre, they might be thrown into such a situation as to be capable of resisting an attack from any quarter. Having judiciously encamped his men on an eligible piece of ground, he sent forward two of the friendly Indians and a white man, who had for many years been detained a captive in the nation, and was now acting as interpreter, to reconnoitre the position of the enemy. About eleven o'clock at night they returned, with information that the savages were posted within a quarter of a mile of the fort, and appeared to be in great force; but that they had not been able to approach near enough to ascertain either their numbers or precise situation. About an hour later, a runner arrived from Turkeytown, with a letter from General White, stating that after having taken up the line of march to unite at Fort Strother, he had received orders from General Cocke to change his course, and proceed to the mouth of Chatauga creek. Intelligence so disagreeable, and withal so unexpected, filled the mind of Jackson with apprehensions of a serious and alarming character; and dreading lest the enemy, by taking a different route, should attack his encampment in his absence, he determined to lose no time in bringing them to battle. Orders were accordingly given to the adjutantgeneral to prepare the line, and by four o'clock on th morning of the 9th, the army was again in motion. Th infantry proceeded in three columns; the cavalry in the same order, in the rear, with flankers on each wing. The advance, consisting of a company of artillerists with muskets, two companies of riflemen, and one of spies, marched about four hundred yards in front, under the command of Colonel Carroll, inspector-general, with orders, after com

mencing the action, to fall back on the centre, so as to draw the enemy after them. At seven o'clock, having arrived within a mile of the position they occupied, the columns were displayed in order of battle. Two hundred and fifty of the cavalry, under Lieut. Colonel Dyer, were placed in the rear of the centre, as a corps-de-reserve. The remainder of the mounted troops were directed to advance on the right and left, and after encircling the enemy, by uniting the fronts of their columns, and keeping their rear rested on the infantry, to face and press towards the centre, so as to leave them no possibility of escape. The remaining part of the army was ordered to move up by heads of companies; General Hall's brigade occupying the right,

and General Roberts' the left.

About eight o'clock, the advance having arrived within eighty yards of the enemy, who were concealed in a thick shrubbery that covered the margin of a small rivulet, received a heavy fire, which they instantly returned with much spirit. Falling in with the enemy, agreeably to their instructions, they retired towards the centre, but not before they had dislodged them from their position. The Indians rushed forward, screaming and yelling hideously, in the direction of General Roberts' brigade, a few companies of which, alarmed by their numbers and yells, gave way at the first fire. To fill the chasm which was thus created, Jackson directed the regiment commanded by Colonel Bradley to be moved up, which, from some unaccountable cause, had failed to advance in a line with the others, and now occupied a position in the rear of the centre. Bradley, however, to whom this order was given by one of the staff, omitted to execute it in time, alleging that he was determined to remain on the eminence which he then possessed, until he should be approached and attacked by the enemy. Owing to this failure in the volunteer regiment, it became necessary to dismount the reserve, which, with great firmness, met the approach of the enemy, who were rapidly moving in this direction. The retreating militia, somewhat mortified at seeing their places so promptly supplied, rallied, and recovering their former position in the line, aided in checking the advance of the savages

The action now became general, and in fifteen minutes the Indians were seen flying in every direction. On the left they were met and repulsed by the mounted riflemen; but on the right, owing to the halt of Bradley's regiment, which was intended to occupy the extreme right, and to the circumstance that Colonel Alcorn, who commanded one of the wings of the cavalry, had taken too large a circuit, a considerable space was left between the infantry and the cavalry, through which numbers escaped. The fight was maintained with great spirit and effect on both sides, as well before as after the retreat commenced; nor did the pursuit and slaughter terminate until the mountains were reached, at the distance of three miles.

Jackson, in his report of this action, bestowed high commendation on the officers and soldiers. 66 • Too much praise," he said, at the close, "cannot be bestowed on the advance led by Colonel Carroll, for the spirited manner in which they commenced and sustained the attack; nor upon the reserve, commanded by Lieut. Colonel Dyer, for the gallantry with which they met and repulsed the enemy. In a word, officers of every grade, as well as privates, realized the high expectations I had formed of them, and merit the gratitude of their country."

In this battle, the force of the enemy was one thousand and eighty, of whom two hundred and ninety-nine were left dead on the ground; and it is believed that many were killed in the flight, who were not found when the estimate was made. Probably few escaped unhurt. Their loss on this occasion, as since stated by themselves, was not less than six hundred: that of the Americans was fifteen killed, and eighty wounded, several of whom afterwards died. Jackson, after collecting his dead and wounded, advanced his army beyond the fort, and encamped for the night. The Indians who had been for several days shut up by the besiegers, thus fortunately liberated from the most dreadful apprehensions and severest privations, having for some days been entirely without water, received the army with all the demonstrations of gratitude that savages could give. Their manifestations of joy for their deliverance, presented an interesting and affecting spec