army prepared for its march homeward. Scarcely had the troops left Fort Strother, when they were met by a convoy of the long expected commissaries' stores. This was rather an unwelcome sight to the troops, whose minds were fixed upon home. After some resistance, which was overcome by a most signal display of firmness and energy by General Jackson, they returned to Fort Strother.

That the reader may have a clearer idea of the difficulties of General Jackson's situation, and the courage requisite to surmount them, we present an extract from a letter written by a gentleman who was an actor in the scenes he describes.

"Since the battle of Tallushatches and Talladega, the army of General Jackson has crumbled to pieces. The whole of his volunteer infantry are returning home-insisting that their time of service expired on the 10th of this month, being the anniversary of their rendezvous at Nashville. The General, however, did not discharge them; the decision is left with the governor of Tennessee. What he will do, is not yet known. The universal impression, however, is, that they will be discharged. Yet nothing is more clear than that they have not served twelve months-and they were, by law, to serve twelve months in a period of two years, unless sooner discharged. The General's force now at fort Strother, Ten Islands of Coosa, may amount to about fifteen hundred men, chiefly drafted militia. Of these, nearly the whole will be entitled to discharge about the fourth of the ensuing month. It is supposed that not more than one hundred and fifty, or two hundred, who are attached to the General personally, and will remain through motives of affection, will be left with him after that day. Doubtless you know that the brigade of cavalry volunteers and mounted riflemen under the command of General Coffee, were some

time since ordered into the settlements to recruit their horses for a few days, and procure new ones. About half, perhaps eight hundred, appeared at the day and place of rendezvous; but of these not more than six hundred would consent to go on after the 10th. About half of this last number were of the old volunteer cavalry, the rest mounted men newly raised. The first will certainly return with the volunteer infantry, their term commencing and expiring together. The last claim a discharge at the expiration of three months from the day they were mustered into service; which must be nearly out. We may

say, then, that all these are gone too. Yet General Jackson has very recently received an order from General Pinckney, to garrison and maintain every inch of ground he gains. And although all active exertions of the campaign seem to be paralised, I still hope this may, and will be done. General Cocke is now in East Tennessee, endeavoring to collect a new levy; as to his success we know nothing. General Roberts, from West Tennessee, passed through our country three days ago, and has just crossed the river with about two hundred and fifty men Colonel Carroll, inspector-general of this army, arrived to-day with a force of five or six hundred, and four companies are proposed to be sent from this county. How long these men are to serve, I know not—not longer, I fancy, than three months. I trust, however, that this system of short service, wretched as it is inefficient, and expensive above all others, will yet enable Jackson to occupy till spring the ground he has won. Perhaps the return of moderate weather, and great efforts meanwhile, may collect around his banner, an army sufficient to effect the complete discomfiture and prostration of the Creek power. This, however, will be every day a work of greater difficulty. The English have already appeared in force at Pensacola, seven sail having troops on board,

besides two bomb vessels. Orleans will be menaced. Mobile is considered in great danger. The force on the Tombigbee waters, and the 3d regiment ascending the Alabama, will be called to its defence. This gives the Creeks breathing time, and lessens the force destined to crush them. Augustine, too, will doubtless be occupied by British troops; and from these points, arms, ammunition, and perhaps men and leaders, will be pushed up to the aid of the Upper and Middle Creeks. The Seminoles and the runaway negroes among them, may be turned loose upon the sea-coast of Georgia."

The discontent of the troops was but little abated after their return to Fort Strother. The arrival of a sufficient supply of stores, obviated the necessity for food; yet the minds of the soldiers having been once fixed upon the prospect of quitting the toils and privations of military life, could not easily be brought to relinquish the favorite idea of returning to their homes. The troops remonstrated against their detention, whilst the general resorted to every expedient to induce them to remain. He ad dressed a letter to the governor of Tennessee for instruc tions; and in his reply the governor, in consequence of the disaffection of the troops, and the reluctance they manifested at remaining, was induced to recommend an abandonment of the expedition. General Jackson no longer attempted to detain his men, but dismissed the discontented. A few only of his original army, "good men and true," remained behind with their general, to prosecute the war which had been so gloriously commenced.

The governor of Tennessee was soon aware of the error into which he had been led, by recommending an abandonment of the expedition, and affected by the expostulations of General Jackson, and the difficulties which surrounded him, he set himself vigorously to work in

applying a remedy. He ordered a levy of twenty-five hundred men from the second division, to assemble at Fayetteville on the twenty-eighth of January, to serve for a period of three months. Brighter prospects now began to dawn upon General Jackson, and after encountering the most appalling difficulties with an energy and decision, which compelled even his enemies to acknowledge, "that he made the most extraordinary efforts, and that it is no more than charitable to believe that he was actuated by the love of his country, while acting in opposition to her laws."

The forces under the command of General Claiborne, General Floyd, and General Jackson, acted in concert in the prosecution of the Creek war. The latter was constantly advised of the movements of the former, and always exerting himself to render them assistance. About the first of January, 1814, he received the cheering intelligence that General Claiborne had achieved an important victory upon the Alabama, more than one hundred miles from Fort Strother, his head-quarters. The battle was fought at Eccanachaca, the residence of the prophets Wetherford, Francis, and Sinquister. It was built since the commencement of hostilities, as a place of security for the natives, and as a depôt for provisions. Like Autoussee, it was deemed, by the superstitious natives, the grave of white men. On the 23d December, it was attacked; between thirty or forty warriors were slain; the whole town of two hundred houses destroyed, and a large quantity of provisions taken. The town being surrounded by swamps and deep ravines, facilitated the escape of the savages from the pursuit of the Americans. The next day, a town of sixty houses, about eight miles above the holy ground, was destroyed, together with several distinguished chiefs, and all the boats belonging to the savages of that station.

CHAPTER IV.

Newly raised troops-They arrive at Fort StrotherJoin the forces of Gen. Jackson-He marches them to Talladega-The enemy at Emuckfaw river-Gen. Jackson advances upon them—Attacks them—His official report of the battle-Important results of his victory-Operations of the Georgia forces-General Floyd's victory-The Creeks fortify themselves at the Horse-Shoe-Gen. Jackson attacks them-Defeats them-His account of the battle-He is censured for his severity to the Creeks-Causes which justified his treatment of them—His vindication.

THE newly raised Tennessee volunteers arrived at Fort Strother, and joined the forces of Gen. Jackson about the middle of January, 1814, and soon after their organization, took up the line of march for Talladega. The whole force led on by Gen. Jackson, consisted of the volunteers, two mounted regiments, an artillery company, three companies of foot, and a company of volunteer officers, nine hundred and thirty in all. Two or three hundred friendly Creeks and Cherokees joined them at Talladega. With this force he continued his march to Emuckfaw river, where a large body of the enemy had collected.

On the 21st, he approached the neighborhood of the enemy. At day break the next morning, the Creek warriors drove in the sentinels, and vigorously charged the left flank. The assault was bravely given and bravely