10th instant, the service would be deprived of the regiment he commanded. He seemed to deplore, with great sensibility, the scene that would be exhibited on that day, should opposition be made to their departure; and still more sensibly, the consequences that would result from a disorderly abandonment of the camp. He stated that they had all considered themselves finally discharged, on the 20th of April, 1813, and never knew to the contrary, until hey saw his order of the 24th of September, 1813, requiring them to rendezvous on the 4th of October. "Thus situated," proceeded the colonel, "there was considerable opposition to the order; on which the officers generally, as I am advised, and I know myself in particular, gave it as an unequivocal opinion, that their term of service would terminate on the 10th of December, 1813. They therefore look to their general, who has their confidence, for an honorable discharge on that day; and that, in every respect, he will see that justice be done them. They regret that their particular situations and circumstances require them to leave their general, at a time when their services are important to the common cause.

"It would be desirable," he continued, "that those men who have served with honor, should be honorably discharged, and that they should return to their families and friends without even the semblance of disgrace; with their general they leave it to place them in that situation. They have received him as an affectionate father, while they have honored, revered, and obeyed him; but having devoted a considerable portion of their time to the service of their country, by which their domestic concerns are greatly deranged, they wish to return, and attend to their own affairs."

Although this communication announced the determination of only a part of the volunteer brigade, the commander in chief had abundant evidence that the defection was but too general. The difficulty which he had heretofore been compelled to encounter, from the discontent of his troops, might well induce him to regret that a spirit of insubordination should again threaten to appear in his camp. That he might prevent it, if possible, he hastened

to lay before them the error and impropriety of their views, and the consequences involved, should they persist in their purpose.

To the foregoing letter he returned a reply which, for unshrinking firmness of resolution, and patriotic devotion to the interests of his country, was never surpassed. He declared his determination to prevent their return, at the hazard of his life, and called upon God to witness, that the scenes of blood which might be exhibited on the 10th of December should not be laid to his charge. He reminded the volunteers that they had been enlisted for twelve months' actual service; that but a portion of that time had expired; and that at the time of their dismissal, after their return from Natchez, a certificate was given to each man, setting forth the number of months he had served, and they were expressly told that they were liable to be again called out to complete the full term. He also stated that he was ready and willing to discharge them, provided he received orders to that effect from the President of the United States, or the Governor of the State, but otherwise, they must remain with him. The letter concluded with the following remarkable words: "I cannot, must not believe, that the volunteers of Tennessee,' a name ever dear to fame, will disgrace themselves, and a country which they have honored, by abandoning her standard, as mutineers and deserters; but should I be disappointed, and compelled to resign this pleasing hope, one thing I will not resign-my duty. Mutiny and sedition, so long as 1 possess the power of quelling them, shall be put down; and even when left destitute of this, I will still be found, in the last extremity, endeavoring to discharge the duty I owe my country and myself."

To the platoon officers, who addressed him on the same subject, he replied with nearly the same spirited feeling; but discontent was too deeply fastened, and had been too artfully fomented, to be removed by any thing like argument or entreaty. At length, on the evening of the 9th of December, 1813, General Hall hastened to the tent of Jackson, with information that his whole brigade was in a state of mutiny, and making preparations to move

forcibly off. This was a measure which every consideration of policy, duty, and honor, required Jackson to oppose; and to this purpose he instantly applied all the means he possessed. He immediately issued the following general order: "The commanding general being informed that an actual mutiny exists in his camp, all officers and soldiers are commanded to put it down. The officers and soldiers of the first brigade will, without delay, parade on the west side of the fort, and await further orders." The artillery company, with two small field-pieces, being posted in the front and rear, and the militia, under the command of Colonel Wynne, on the eminences, in advance, were ordered to prevent any forcible departure of the volunteers.

The general rode along the line, which had been previously formed agreeably to his orders, and addressed them, by companies, in a strain of impassioned eloquence. He feelingly expatiated on their former good conduct, and the esteem and applause it had secured them; and pointed to the disgrace which they must heap upon themselves, their families, and country, by persisting, even if they could succeed, in their present mutiny. He told them, however, that they should not succeed but by passing over his body; that even in opposing their mutinous spirit, he should perish honorably-by perishing at his post, and in the discharge of his duty. "Reinforcements," he continued, "are preparing to hasten to my assistance; it cannot be long before they will arrive. I am, too, in daily expectation of receiving information, whether you may be discharged or not—until then you must not, and shall not, retire. I have done with entreaty,—it has been used long enough. I will attempt it no more. You must now determine whether you will go, or peaceably remain; if you still persist in your determination to move forcibly off, the point between us shall soon be decided." At first they hesitated; he demanded an explicit and positive answer. They still hesitated, and he commanded the artillerist to prepare the match; he himself remaining in front of the volunteers, and within the line of fire, which he intended soon to order. Alarmed at his apparent determination,

and dreading the consequences involved in such a contest, "Let us return," was presently lisped along the line, and soon after determined upon. The officers came forward and pledged themselves for their men, who either nodded assent, or openly expressed a willingness to retire to their quarters, and remain without further tumult, until information was received, or the expected aid should arrive. Thus passed away a moment of the greatest peril, and pregnant with important consequences.

Notwithstanding all General Jackson's firmness, the want of supplies and the actual necessities of his army, at length compelled him reluctantly to allow them to return home, while he himself remained, with about one hundred faithful soldiers, in the garrison at Fort Strother, there to await the arrival of reinforcements.

CHAPTER VI.

814. Arrival of recruits-Battle of Emuckfaw-Return of the army -Ambuscade of the enemy-Battle of Enotochopco-Bravery of General Carroll and Lieutenant Armstrong-Return to Fort Strother -The army reinforced-Battle of Tohopeka-Kindness of Jackson to a prisoner-Preparations to attack Hoithlewalle-Address to the troops The Indians abandon their towns at Jackson's approachTermination of the campaign-Operations of the British at Pensacola-Conduct of the Spanish governor-Proclamation of Colonel Nicholls-Unsuccessful attack on Fort Bowyer-Jackson marches to Pensacola and demolishes it. 1814.

THE difficulties and embarrassments which had thus far in the campaign attended the operations of General Jackson, might well have appalled a braver spirit; but his was not a nature to sink beneath the frowns of adverse fortune. His intrepidity of spirit, and resoluteness of purpose, were never more signally manifested, than at the very moment when the return of the volunteers left him without the means to pursue the advantages he had already gained. He again urged the governor of Tennessee to expedite the enlistment of troops, and provide means for furnishing supplies at such points as they might be needed. About the middle of January, 1814, eight hundred new recruits reached his camp at Fort Strother. Considering it utterly impracticable to penetrate the Creek country with so meagre a force, he determined to make a diversion in favor of Major Floyd, who, it was feared, might be closely pressed by the enemy, in consequence of his failure to cooperate with the troops from Tennessee.

Having received authentic intelligence, that a large body of the "red-sticks," or hostile Indians, were collected on the Emuckfaw creek, in a bend of the Tallapoosa river, Jackson directed his march thither; and on the evening of the 21st of January, he encamped within a short distance