The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-11-20

Gen. Coffee, who was in command of
the cavalry, was sent across the river by
| way OF Il ford q few miles above TO sur
| round the bend from the south side and
| to prevent the escape Of the savases.
Jackson advanced down the isthmus and
proceeded TO shell the Notifications and
| village with his two pieces of artillery
and to keep it swept with musketry.
While this terrific onslaught was being
made, and the attention Of the enemy was
engaged and directed from the southern
side of the river, some friendly Indian
guides and a number Of COffee's men
swan the river and captured the canoes
several hundred Of them-which were tied
to the bank around the point near the
the south side and instantly filed with
part of Coffee's men, who rowed over and
set fire to the village, and attacked the
Indians from the rear.
BY this time JacksOn's force had sur
mounted the Notifications and the In
dams found it a handto-hand conflict
both in front and rear. With wonderful
at all offers Of quarter. Some, who at
tempted to escape by swimming the river,
were easily picked off by the remainder of
COffee's forces, hidden in the woods
around the southern bank-the heads Of
the swimming Indians Offering targets for
rifle practice.
This engagement was signally decisive
and effectualIy crushed the warlike spirit
of the savages, who Immediately begged
for peace. Among these suppliants was
the notorious Chieftain, WeatherfOrd, who
had been so active in carrying on the cruel
Outrages. 1t is estimated that not less
than 800 Of the 1000 Indians who had oc-
cupied the village persisted in this battle.
The loss of the whites and friendly In
al-c Chnnfn
killed and LAG wounded.
The four score and eight years that
have come and gone since the memorable
encounter have left little upon the san
culinary field in remembrance thereof. The
semi-circular outline Of defense running
parallel to the river, may yet be dis
tinctly traced, with here and there REM
nants of decompOsed logs, partially hidden
beneath the earth. Arrow heads, bullets,
and corroded bits Of musketry are Occa-
siOnally found.
Near the center Of the narrow entrance
to the Enclosure stands historic mOnu
ment of much interest, known as the
jackson Oak" The tree is one of mag
niticent proportions, but it has been dead
for many years. Beneath the refreshing
shade of this stalwart monarch Of the for
est, Gen. Jackson stood upon that swelter-
ing day in August and watched and d.
rected his forces.
1t was during the heated struggle of
the close contest of this combat, behind
and in front of the log brcastwOrks. that
a white man and Indian fought to the
death for mastery. Standing but few
feet apart, each sought to d!slodge the
other from the portfolio into which, from
their respective sides, their guns had been
thrust. As dislodgement probably
meant death to the vanquished, the strife
became desperate. The fusillade that
came over the top of the wall rendered
operations above shelter exceedingly haZ-
ardOus. a small crevice between the logs
afforded distinct view of the savage EN-
his musket over the wall which the white
contestant directed by observation
through the aperture, and upon the dis
charge all resistance ceased.
Another incident of this battle is wor-
thy of reproduction. Gen. jackson, in
travelling over the bloody grounds after
the struggle, was attracted by the wall
ing of a child. Upon investigation, he
saw wounded infant lying upon the
pulseless breast of its mother. Jackson
took the child to camp and sought to i'll
duce some woman among the prisoners to
take care of it. No one could be found,
however, that would do SO. Its mother
is dead" was the cold answer; "let the
child die, too" This did not suit Old
Hickory, who with all his sternness, had n
sympathetic heart. II will take care of it
myself" he declared; and, with some
brown sugar found in camp and with
the life of the child. He subsequently
took it home and reared it in his own fam
lily. The Indian boy grew to promising
manhood, learned the trade of harness
maker, and became successful business
man in the city Of Nashville. Tenn.