CHAPTER III.

Tennessee forces-Message to General White-Fortress of Talladega-Its danger-General Jackson advances to its protection-General White refuses to form a junction with him-General Jackson crosses the Coosa Battle of Talladega-Official report of it-Consequences of General White's conduct-Gen. Floyd-Battle of Autoussee-Official report of itDifficulties of General Jackson's situation—Famine and mutiny among his troops-His firmness-Arrival of supplies-Discontent of his troops continues— Governor Blount-His instructions-General Jackson dismisses his corps-New troops raised—General Claiborne-His victory upon the Alabama.

THE Tennessee forces, at the commencement of the campaign in the Creek nation, in 1813, consisted of two divisions; one of West Tennessee, commanded by General Jackson-the other of East Tennessee, commanded by General Cocke. Major General Thomas Pinckney, of the United States' army, was commander-in-chief of the military district in which these troops were organized. The decisive victory at Tallushatches, and the total discomfiture of the savages of that station, induced General Jackson to adopt the most efficient measures for prosecuting the encouraging success the army had there met with, by more important operations. To accomplish these, he sent an express, on the 4th of November, to Brigadier General

White, of General Cocke's division, who was only twentyfive miles distant, ordering him, with the troops under his command, to form a junction with him at Fort Strother, which he had established as a depot. His object in forming this junction, was to augment his forces to such an amount, as to enable him to proceed with confidence in attacking the enemy, and leave a force in the rear sufficient to protect the sick and guard the baggage. Although he had twice before sent similar orders, not a word of intelligence was received from him. He delayed until the 7th inst., when he dispatched another express.

On the same day, information was received by General Jackson, that a fortress of friendly Indians at Talladega, thirty miles distant from Fort Strother, was in imminent danger of total destruction by the hostile party, who had assembled about them in great numbers. They had espoused the cause of the Americans; and, of course, had excited the vindictive malice and savage ferocity of their brethren. The runners, dispatched by the friendly Creeks, urged General Jackson to relieve them from their perilous situation. The same sentiment that induced General Jackson to hazard his reputation in protecting his countrymen at Natchez, led him, without hesitation, to extend his aid to those natives, who had adhered to our interests with so much fidelity. He commenced his march at twelve o'clock in the evening. He dispatched another express to General White to repair that night to Fort Strother, and protect it in his absence. To his great surprise, he received a message from him, that he had, agreeably to his order, commenced a march to Fort Strother, but that he had received counter orders from Gen. Cocke, to join him at Chatuga Creek; and that he should obey him! It would be difficult to conceive a more embarrassing situation than that in which General Jackson was now placed; his rear unprotected and exposed to the ravages

of the enemy-in his front the war-shout had sounded, and a reaction of the bloody tragedy of fort Mimms was impending over the defenceless inhabitants of Talladega. Not a moment was to be lost; his decision was instantly taken, and he urged on his troops to their defence with his wonted energy. They crossed the river that very night, each horseman carrying a foot soldier behind him, though the Coosa is here six hundred yards wide. The whole night was consumed in this operation; yet the army continued to march with unabated ardor, and by the next evening arrived within six miles of the enemy. The following is the result of the battle, as officially reported:

GEN. JACKSON TO GOV. BLOUNT.

Camp Strother, near Ten Islands of Coosa,

November 11th, 1813.

Sir-I am just returned from an excursion which I took a few days ago, and hasten to acquaint you with the result.

Late on the evening of the 7th inst. a rumor arrived from the friendly party at Lashley's fort, (Talladega,) distant about thirty miles below us, with the information that the hostile Creeks, in great force, had encamped near the place, and were preparing to destroy it; and earnestly entreated that I would lose no time in affording them relief. Urged by their situation, as well as by a wish to meet the enemy as soon as an opportunity would offer, I determined upon commencing my march thither, with all my disposable force, in the course of the night; and immediately dispatched an express to General White, advising him of my intended movement, and urged him to hasten to this encampment by a forced march, in order to protect it in my absence. I had repeatedly written to the general to form a junction with me as speedily as practicable, and a few days before had received his assurance, that on the 7th he would join me. I commenced crossing the river at Ten Islands, leaving behind me my baggage-wagons, and what

ever might retard my progress, and encamped that night within six miles of the fort I had set out to relieve. At midnight, I had received by an Indian runner, a letter from General White, informing me that he had received my order, but that he had altered his course, and was on his march backward to join Major General Cocke, near the mouth of the Chatuga. I will not now remark upon the strangeness of this manœuvre; but it was now too late to change my plan, or make any new arrangements; and, between three and four o'clock, I recommenced my march to meet the enemy, who were encamped within a quarter of a mile of the fort. At sunrise we came within half a mile of them, and having formed my men, I moved in order of battle. The infantry were in three lines—the militia on the left, and the volunteers on the right. The cavalry formed the two extreme wings, and were ordered to advance in a curve, keeping their rear connected with the advance of their infantry lines, and enclose the enemy in a circle. The advanced guard, whom I sent forward to bring on the engagement, met the attack of the enemy with great intrepidity; and, having poured upon them four or five very galling rounds, fell back, as they had been previously ordered, to the army. The enemy pursued, and the front line was now ordered to advance and meet him; but, owing to some misunderstanding, a few companies of militia, who composed a part of it, commenced a retreat. At this moment, a corps of cavalry, commanded by Lieut. Colonel Dyer, which I had kept as a reserve, was ordered to dismount and fill up the vacancy occasioned by the retreat. This order was executed with a great deal of promptitude and effect. The militia, seeing this, speedily rallied; and the fire became general along the front line, and on that part of the wings which was contiguous. The enemy, unable to stand it, began to retreat; but were met at every turn, and repulsed in

every direction. The right wing chased them, with a most destructive fire, to the mountains, a distance of about three miles; and, had I not been compelled, by the faux pas of the militia, in the outset of the battle, to dismouut my reserve, I believe not a man of them would have escaped. The victory was, however, very decisive: two hundred and ninety of the enemy were left dead; and there can be no doubt but many more were killed who were not found. Wherever they ran, they left behind traces of blood; and it is believed that very few will return to their villages in as sound a condition as they left them. I was compelled to return to this place to protect the sick and wounded, and get my baggage on.

In the engagement, we lost fifteen killed, and eighty-five wounded; two of whom have since died. All the officers acted with the utmost bravery, and so did all the privates, except that part of the militia who retreated at the commencement of the battle-and they hastened to atone for their error. Taking the whole together, they have realized the high expectations I had formed of them, and have fairly entitled themselves to the gratitude of their country.

ANDREW JACKSON. His Excellency Willie Blount, Nashville. The following completes the account of the battle of Talladega:

Camp Strother, near Ten Islands,

15th November, 1813.

You will perceive, from the draft which I shall send you, that, had there been no departure from the original order of battle, not an Indian could have escaped; and, even as the battle did terminate, I believe that no impartial man can say that a more splendid victory has in any instance attended our arms, on land, since the commencement of the war. The force of the enemy is represented by themselves to have been ten hundred and eighty; and it