Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-04-21
On the battle ground, an the bend Of
the Taltapoosie, 28th MGrch, 1914.

the TaltdpooSie, 26th March, 1914.
Major Gen Pinckney,
SRI feel peculiarly happy in being able
to communicate to you the fortunate even.
tuation of my expedition to the Tallapoosie.
reached the bend near Emucfau called by
the whites the Horse Shoe) about 10 o'clock
in the afternoon of yesterday, where | found
the strength of the neighboring towns col
lected; expecting our approach, they had
gathered In from Oakfuskee, Oakchaga,
New Yaucau, Hillibees, the Fish Pond and
Eufaulee towns, to the number it is said OF
1000 1t is difficult to conceive situation
more eligible for defence than they had
chosen, or one rendered more secure by the
skill with which they had erected their
breastwork. 1t was from to feet high
and extended across the point in such d.
rection, as that force approaching it would
be exposed to a double fire while they Law
in perfect security behind A cannon plant
ed at one extremely could have raked to
no advantage.
Determining to exterminate them, dis
patched Gen. Coffee with the mounted men,
and nearly the whole of the Indian force
early on the morning of yesterday to cross
campment, and to surround the bend in
such manner, as that none Of them should
escape by attempting to cross the river
With the infantry proceeded slowly and
In order along the point of land which led
to the front of their breastwork, having plan
ted nay cannon, zone six FOUNDER and one
s pounderl on an eminence at the distance
OF $50 or 200 yards from it, | opened We
Wy brisk fire playing upon the enemy with
muskets and rifles whenever they showed
themselves beyond it this was kept up
with short Interruptions for about two
hours, when part of the Indian force and
Capt. Russell's and Lieut.. Beams compa-
MES of spies, who had ccompained Gen
Coffee crossed over in canoes to the extre-
nifty OF the bend, and set fire to a few oil
the buildings which were there situated
they then advanced with great gallantry
towards the breastwork and commenced a
spirited fire upon the enemy behind it,
Finding that this force, Notwithstanding
the bravery they displayed, was wholly
insufficient to dislodge them, and that Gen
| Coffee had entirely secured the opposite
! bank of the river, | now determined to take
their works by storm The men by whom
this was to be effected had been waiting
with lmpatience to receive their order. and
hailed it with reclamation.
The spirit which animated them was a
sure augury of the success which was to
follow. The history of warfare, | think
furnishes few instances of a more brilliant
attack-the regulars, led on by their intre.
pid and skilful commanders, Col. William,
and the gallant maj Montgomery. soon
! gained possession of the works in the midst
of most tremendous fire from behind
( them, and the militia of the venerable gen
Doherty's brigade, accompanied them il
the charge, with an intrepidity which
would have done honor to regulars. Ths
enemy were completely routed-557 wer,
left dead on the peninsula. and great nun
Der oithem were killed by the horse men il
attempting to cross the river it is beliey
ed that no more than ten had escaped.
The fighting continued with some severi
ty above five hours, but we continued t.
destroy many of them who had concealed
themselves under the banks of the river
until we were prevented by the night
This morning we killed Is which had bee,
concealed. We took ESQ prisoners, all wo
men and children, except two or. three
Our loss is I06 wounded and 26 killed.