Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-01-03
"oLD HICKORY"

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For several years prioi to 1918,
Tecumseh, one of the shrewdest
and most noted Indians the country
has ever produceil, continuously
Travelled from the Lakes to the
Gull delivering talks" in which
he endeavored to iricite the Indians
to general outbreak against the
whites. This section and ala of
Alabama were occupied by the
Greeks, who had become somewhat
civilized, adopted the customs Of
the whites and To some extent TILED
the ground. The Creek chief,
Weathersford, a half.breed, was ca
ger to do the bidding Of Tecumseh,
but it was some time before he could
gain the consent of his people to be-
gin hostilities.
Forty miles above Mobile, at the
confluence of the Tombigbee and
|. Alabama, rivers, man named Sam
.uel, Minis had erected a stockade
for protection against marauding
savages. When the country became
alarmed the settlers forsook their
crops and fled for protection to Fort
Minis, as ii was called. 1876 volun-
teers under the command of Mai.
Daniel Beasley, were sent to and in
its defense. including men, women,
children and negroes there were
553 inmates huddled together in the
fort, which covered little more than
an acre of ground.
Negroes out watching cattle re-
turned in terror saying they had
seen Indians in full war paint. A
scouting party was sent out, and
seeing no savages or signs OF any,
the negroes were whipped for un-
necessarily frightening the people.
The next day, the 30th of August,
1918, the drum beat for dinner, the
garrison laid down their arms and
gathered to the meal. That drum
was the signal that had been cho-
sen by the cunning Weafhersford
for the attack at the first tap there
sprang from ravine 400 yards
away one thousand red demons.
The cry of "Indians Indians I"
was raised, an effort made to close
the gate, but sand had washed down
and Obstructed the gateway and be-
fore il could. be removed the saVa-
ges rushed in and the work OF car
mage began. Not over a dozen
white men escaped the negroes
were spared and carried off into
slavery. Nineteen days after the
one of those who had es-
capped arrived in Nashville. He
had travelled the" length of Alaba-
ma and half way across Tennessee,
a great part of the distance on foot
a country infested with the
enemy. There were no roads, and
he was forced TO wade through
swamps, swim rivers and climb
A call was Immediately made by
Governor Blount, of Tennessee, for
to serve for three months,
and Fayetteville, then "A village of
few Struggling houses confined to
The street that now crosses the east
side OF the square, was named as
the rendezvous. Gen. Jackson, who
was then suffering from woundsre-
,eived in the encounter with Thorn
rs H. and Jessee Benton, was plac-
ed in command. He was in such
feeble condition that IL was .neces-
,ery to remove him to this place on
Z mattress. The 4th of October was
the day named for the men TO meet
here, but the General did not arrive
Until the 7th.
A week was spent In Fayetteville
preparations, when mes
Ienger dashed in announcing the
approach of Indians. The order to
march was Immediately given.
Before three o'clock the army was
n full career toward Huntsville.
Excited more and more, as they
vent, by the rumors OF Indian muir
lers, the men marched with such
Incredible swiftness as TO reach
Mirtg-tiCO miles from
Fayetteville, by s o'clock the same
evening""
Although the Indians were well
ppplied with guns and amlnuni-
ion, the campaign was an unbro-
Ken chain of victories. The saw
Iges were not the only enemyswith
A hom General Jackson had TO con.
end. As.there were no roads and
he rivers were very low, il was inn
,ossible to get provisions for the
nen and they had TO subsist on
,arched corn, left by the defeated
indians, and acornS. The follow
ng incident of the campaign was
published in the newspapers at the
ime:
General Jackson invited his off,
ers to breakfast with him in his
and they assembled In
,een expectation OF enjoying the
bundance OF a Major Generals
able. When the hour arrived, "A
ray of acorns and a pitcher. OF
vater were brought in, sit down,
said the General, with
ignified compOsure; this Is my
reakfast, and it Is all ] have TO
erve you with but soldier new
r despairs. Heaven will bless our
auSe, will preserve us from famine,
nd return us home conquerors !"
FILLED with admiration, the officers
Drgot their disappointment, and
eturned, after the meal, to their
uarters, more devoted to the Gem
raj than ever"
The men had enlisted for three
nd six months, the term Of service
{ many of them had expired and
5 they were starving they began
. desert and started for home, not
Waiting for a discharge. Gen. jack
on quelled 4 mutiny by stepping
n front OF his men and swearing
BY the Eternal" he WOULD shoot
he first man who left the ranks. A
oung man, JAS. Woods, from
Vest Tennessee, at the time not l8
ears old, was icourt martialed and
hot for INSTRUMENTATION. This in
ident furnished interesting cam
aign material for the National Re-
ublican party during the 0ener-
rs candidacy for the Presidency.
A treaty OF peace was made with
he Indians al what was called the
Hickory Grounds, and from this
,as given him the name Of "Old
Hickory" y
Among the men who served un-
or General Jackson in this war
'as Davy Crockett, who was after
,ard member OF Congress and
his name immortal by his
eroic defense of the Alamo, at
an Antonio, during the Texas rev.
luton.
The above is CLEANED principally
'om PartOn's "Life OF General
Luck In Blue Grass to MOberlcy.
The happlest man in New Orleans