Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-05-26

PROVIDENCE, SATURDAY. MAY 2s.
GENERAL JACKSON.


bcstow some notice upon il ere this, but va
riety Of engagements have prevented our doing
so.
The Committee was appointed by public
meeting Of the citizens Of Nashville, some two
months since, 10 investigate the charges pre-
fcrred against General Jackson, by his political
opposeis, and It was said at the time il con-
yened, that the charge Of the Generals having
taken and carried away the wife Of Lewis Rob.
erts, now Mrs. Jackson, would be explained
away, but after that body had convened, il
was deemed oxpedient to waive the subject
and SIMPLY investigate the charge of his having
executed, in an unwarrantable manner, six mill
tia men, who had been drafted for service, and
who fought with him in the Creek war.
Ii appears to have been a particular object
with the Committee men, TO exculpate the Cen
eral from this charge, but they have failed 10
tend to show, that he was guilty of causing six
men to be murdered, who, il they were guilty
Of any crimes, incurred that guilt by acting un-
der false impression, and by attempting to sus-
tain, what they considered, their inherent and
legal rights.
From the report, it appears, that in the year
1914, what was called mutiny, broke ont in
the regiment under the command Of Colonel
Philip Pipkin, and that soldier, by the name
Of Hunt, drafted militia man, another named
Harris, and four others, were discovered to be
the r,ngleaders; and had 90 far carried their
plans into execution, that upwards of two hun
dred meE of the regiment, were in in open re-
bc!lion. Harris, was the principal actor in the
affair, and had been through the camp, and OBJ
tanned the signatures Of about two hundred Of
the soldiers, who agreed, that they would not
longer serve in the army, and that they would
ma kp a fnrt IN ret mr. IN haIr
if they perished in the attempt.
The necessary preparations having been
made, they mustered their forces, and COM
monccd dcprcdatmg on the camp, 10 obtain
tie necessary provisions, and means TO enable
them TO return home; destroyed the bake-house
and ovens, and committed many other disor-
dcrly acts.
In this stage Of the affair, Colonel Pipkin
wrote to General Jackson, who was then at
Mobile; made a representation of the conduct
of the disorderly soldiers, and requested that
Court-M trtal might be ordered, to make an
investigation Of their conduct, which request
was complied with; and on the 2lst of No
vember, 1917, Harris, the principal ringlead-
or, was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to
be shot; which sentence was carried into exc
c,uion. llis associates were soon after tried,
condemned, and shared the same fate.
II appears from the in, estgaion Of the
affair, that the whole Of the unhappy soldiers,
il they were guilty, committed their crimes
through ignorance, and supposed that they
were drai,cd for three, instead of SIX months.
Harris, the first in the affair, on his trial was
proved to be a wall-bebaved and obedient SOL
der, as will be seen from the following testi-
mony:
"James Alexander, Sergeant Ma ior, a wit
ness in behalf of the defendant, being sworn,
states, that, on the 10Th Of September, he saw
the prisoner when the provisions were issued
he believes he received his proportionable
part, and on the morning of the Goth, march,
ed off with the mutinous party-that the pris-
oner told him he had supposed the list which
he had of the mems names was improper as 1t
was to be handed TO the Colonel-that the
prisoner gave up bis gun to Captain Fitzpatrick,
and thinks no demanded, and received a re-
copt which he had given for the gun, or the
Captain wrote one for :hat purpose.
Ensign David Kelly, a witness in behalf Of
the defendant, being sworn, states, that the
prisoner belonged to the same company, and
was frequently near him during August and
the beginning Of Scptember--that he general
ly behaved himself we'll, and vas obedient to
orders.
James Smith, a private ofLieutenant Mitch
ellis detachment, witness in behalf OF the
defendant, being sworn, states, that the prls-
oncr advised hun not to 60 home with the mu-
tnous party, and believes he went himself on
the 10th of September.
James Nelson, a private in Captain Me-
blnes company, witness in behalf of the de-
fcndant, being sworn, states, that he heard
General Washington, of Tennessee, say to the
members Of the Court Martial, that he did not
know whether the men were ordered out for
r La Il ~
to the Governor, but had received no answer
to his letter on that subject
The prisoner states, in his defence, t'.at he
was totally unacquainted with the nature Of
of militia scrvice-that he had frequs tly
heard his officers say they knew no law COM
pellng militia to remain longer than three
months, and from the opinion of other men OF
respcctabilty and information, conceived his
term of service mad expired his gun
to his Captain under that impression, took up
the receipt he had given for it, and departed
from Fort Jackson, conscious Of having dis
charged his duty"
From the evidence thus adduced, il appears,
that Harris was u correct and orderly soldier,
| and that his muilnous conduct, if such it could
be properly called, was induced by mistaken
opinion and belief, relative TO the term for which
he was drafted; and that, after he had d;scov
cred that he took an improper part in the af-
fair, he was repontant, and prepared TO do am
| pie penance for the alleged crimes. 1t also
appears from the case, as it has been stated
by the Committee, and that statement was
founded on tho proceedings of the Couri-Mar-
tial that the officer bs;-,Shom he was command.
ed, was Unable to say whether he was drafted
for three or six months; and that when he de-
clined serving any longer, the proper officer
received his musket, in token Of his understood
abandonment Of duty, gave him receipt, and
thus, in effect, gave him fair and legal dis
charge; an yet, under all these circumstances,
he was condemacdto DEATH as a mutineer, and
| underwent punishment, in common with hi.