The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-02-16

reduceit. On viewing the encampment and
its strength, the General thought it most
prudent 10 return to my encampment and
guard the Artillery thither. The wisdom
Of this step was soon discovcred-ln h If an
hour after his return to camp, considera-
bic force OF the enemy made It's appearance
on my right flank, & commenced brisk hre
on a party If men who had been on pick
ct guard The night before, and were then in
search of the Indians hey had fred upon
some of whom they believed had been killed.
Gen. Coffee i'm nediately requested me to
let him take 200 men and tnrn their left
flank, which accordingly ordered but thro'
some mistake, which I did not then observe,
not more than fifty-f. ur followed him. among
whom were the old volunteer Officers. With
these. however, he immediately commenc-
ed an attack on the left flank of the enemy
at which time ordered 200 of the friendly
Indians to fall IN upon the right flank OF
the enemy. and CO operate with the Gener-
al. This order was promptly cbeyed. and
in the moment of its execution, what ex-
pected was realised. The enemy had inten
Ged the attack on the right as feint, and
expecting 10 direct all my attention th,ther,
meant to attack me again. AMI with their
main force on the left flank. which they had
hoped to find weakened a.itf in disorder
They were disappointed. had ordered
che moment the alarm gun was heard III that
quarter, ] repaired thither, and orde ed
Captain Ferrill. part of my reserve,
to support 1.-THE whole line met
the approach of the enemy with astonishing
intrepidity, & having given few fires, they
forthwith charged with great vigor-The
effect was immediate aud inevitable. The
enemy fed with precipitation, and were
pursued a considerable distance BY the left
20. -. ...- IL T., ,,..l,,
ing and destructive fire. Col. Carroll who
ordered the charge, led on the pursuit, and
col. Higgins and his regiment again distin-
guished them selves
I'm the mean time Gen. Coffee was cor
tending with superior force Of the enemy.
The Indians who had ordered TO hrs sup
port and who had set out for this purpose.
hearing the firing on the left, had returned
70 that quarter. and when the enemy we're
routed there, entered into the chase. That
being now over, forthwith ordered Jim
Fife, who was one of the principal com man.
ders of the friendly Creeks. with one hun
dred of his warriors, 10 exccu'e nv first or.
der; so soon as he reached Gen. Coffee, tn e
charge was made and the enemy routed !:
they were pursued about three miles AMI Is
of them slain, who were found. Gent COT
fee was wounded in the body, and his aid
de. camp A. Donaldson killed, together
with three others. Having broughti in and
buried the dead and dressed the wounded.
ordered my camp to be fortified, to be the
better prepared to repel any. attack which
might be made in the night; determining
to commence return marsn to F.. Stroth
er the following day. Many causes concur
red to make such measure necessary as
had not set out prepared or with view TO
make permanent establishment, consd-
cred it worse than useless TO advance and
destroy an empty encampment.v ! had in
deed hoped to have met the enemy there.
but having met and beaten them little
sooner. l did not think it necessary OF pru
dent to proceed any further Not necessary,
because ] had accomplished all / could ex
Pect to effect by marching to their eneamp
ment and because il it was proper to csn-
tend With and weaken their forces still far
eher, this object would be more certainly
attained by commencing return, which
having to them the appearance # a retreat
would inspirit them to pursue me. MOI
prudent, because of the number Of my
wounded; of the reinforcements from be
low, which the enemy might be expected
to receive; of the starving condition Of my
horses, they having had neither corn or cane
for two days and nights /; of the scarci o
supplies for my men, the Indians who Join
ed me at rallegs ada, having drawn
none, and being wholly desttu.e; and be.
cause, 1t the enemy pursued me, as it was
1ikely.they would, tbe diversios in favor O.
Gen, Floyd would be the more complea
and effectua.
Influenced by these considerations, COM
menced my return march at half after ter
on the 23d, and was fortunate enough I,
reach Euntachopeo before night, havin,
passed without interruption dangerous de
file, occasioned by hurricane. / agar
fortified me CAMP and having another defil,
topass ia the. morning, across deep creek
and bet9 cen two hills, which had viewed
with attention, as passed on, & where ex.
pected might be attacked, l determined tc
pass it at another point, & gave directions t,
nv guide & fatigue men accordingly. NV e1
pectation of an attack in the morning wa
increased By the signs OF the night, and will
il my caution. Before / moved my wound
ed from the interior of my camp, had m,
front and roar guapds formed, as well as NJ,
right and left columns and moved off m,
center in regular order. leading down
handsome ridge to Euotachopco creek, at
point where i, was clear of reed, except i'm
mediiteiy n it's margin. had previousl,
issued general order, pointing out the
manner in which the men should be formed
in the event Of an attack on the front Or rear
or on the tanks and had particularly cas
toned The officers TO halt and form accor
dinghy the instant the word should be gwen
The front guard had crossed with part q