The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-08-04

ootao Tic hattef In very 1ew minutes.
lie demanded All immediate aud explicit
answer. They persisted. He repeated
his demand, and still receiving no answer,
he ordered the artillerists to prepare their
matches, and at the word " fire." to pour
their volleys of grape-shot into the closely
crowded ranks. There he sat, gazing
sternly down the line, while the few mo,
ments of grace allowed them, were pas
sing rapidly away. The men knew It
was no idle threat. He had never been
known to break his word, and that soon-
er than swerve one hair from his purpose,
he would drench that field in blood
Alarmed, they began to whisper to one
another, Let us go back" The conta-
g,on Of fear spread, and soon the officers
advanced, and promised, on behalf of the
men, that they would return to their
quarters.
AS if to try this resolute man to the
utmost, and drive him to despair, no soon-
er was one evil averted than another over
took him. He had, by his boldncss,
quelled the mutiny; but he now began
again to feel the horrors of ,amine. Sup
plies did not arrive; or in such scanty
proportion, that he was compelled, at last,
to discharge the troops, s,and, notwithstand-
ing all the distressing scenes through
which he had passed to retain them, see
them take up their line of march for
home, leaving him, with only hundred
devoted followers, shut up in the forrest.
Here he remained till the middle of Janu-
ary, when he was gladdcned by the arri-
val of eight hundred recruits Not Deem
ing these, however, sufficient to penetrate
into the heart of the Creek country. he re-
solved to make diversion in favor of
Gen. Floyd, who was advancing from the
east. Hearing that a large number of
Indians were encampcd on the EmuckGaw
Creek, where 1t emptieS into the Talla-
poosa River, he marched thithcr, and on
the evening of the 2lst of January, arriv-
ed within short distance of their encamp
ment. The Indians were aware of his
approach, and resolved to anticipate his
attack. To prevent surprise, however.
jackson had ordered circle of watch
fires to be built around his little band.-
The men stood To their arms all nirht ::
and just before daylight, short, wild, un-
earthly yell, which always prccedes an
attack, went up from the forrest, and the
next moment the savages charged down
on the camp. But the instant light of the
watch-fres fell on their tawny bodies they
wcr" swept with such destructive vollcv.
that they again took shelter in the dark
ness. At length, daylight appeared, when
General Coffee ordered charge. which
cleared the field. lie was then directed
TO advance on the encampment and carry
It by storm. On his approach, however,
he found it too strong for his force. and
he retired. Jackson, attacked in return,
was compelled to charge repeatedly, be-
tcrc the savages finally took to flight
Many of their hravcst warriors fell in this
short conflict; while, on the American side.
several valuable officers were badly
wounded, among them General Coffee,
who, from the commencement TO the
close, was in the thickest of the fight.
Notwithstanding his victory, Jackson
prudently determined to retreat. lie had
gained his object; for in drawing the at
tention of the Indians to his own force, he
had diverted it from that under General
Floyd. Besides, his horses had been with
out forage for two days, and would soon
break down. He, therefore, buried the
dead on the field where they had fallen {;
and on the 23d began to retrace his foot
steps. Judging from the quietness Of the
Indians since the battle, he suspected
they were lurking in ambush ahead. Re-
membering also what an excellent place
there was for a surprise at the ford of Emo
toch"peo, he sent men in advance to re-
connoitre, who discovered another ford
some six hundred yards farther down the
stream. Reaching it just at evening, ho
encamped there all night, and the next
morning commenced crossing. He ex-
pected an attack while in the middle of the
stream, and, therefore, had his rear form
ed in order Of battle. His authorizations
proved correct; for no sooner had a part
OF the army reached the opposite bank,
than an alarm-gun was heard in the rear
In an instant, all was in commotion. The
next moment, the forest resounded with
the war-whoop and yells Of the savages
as they came rushing on in great mum.
bers. AS they crowded on the militia
the latter, with their officers, gave way in
alright, and poured pell-me.l down the
bank jackson was standing on the
shore experimenting the crossing Of his
two pieces Of artillery, when his broken
ranks came tumbIing about him. Fore
most among the fugitives was Captain
Stump; and Jackson, enraged at the
shameful disorder, aimed desperate blow
at him with his sword, fully intending "a
cut him down. One glance of his eye re,
yealed the whole extent of the danger
But for General Carroll, who, with Cap
tain Quarles and twenty men, stood
nobly at bay, beating back with their de,
liberate volleys the hordes Of savages, the
entire rea, Of the army would have been
massacred. But, over the din and tumult
Jackson's voice rang clear and steady a,
bugle-note, as he rapidly issued his or
ders. The gallant and intren;d Cnf3ao