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the morning of the 22d the troops resumed their line of march chiefly through woods, without a track to guide them. When near the town, on the morning of the 23d, my disposition for attack was made. The troops advanced in three columns. With the centre column I advanced myself, ordering Lester's guards and Wells's troop of dragoons act as a corps of reserve. About noon the right column, composed of twelve months' volunteers, commanded by colonel Joseph Carson, came in view of the town called Eecanachaca (or Holy Ground), and was immediately vigorously attacked by the enemy, who were apprized of our approach, and had chosen their field of action.

Before the centre, commanded by lieutenant colonel Russell, with a part of the 3d regiment of United States' infantry and mounted militia riflemen, or the left column, which was composed of militia and a party of Choctaws, under Pushamuttaha, commanded by major Smoot, of militia, who were ordered to charge, could come generally into action, the enemy were repulsed, and were flying in all directions, many of them casting away their arms. "Thirty of the enemy were killed, and, judging from every appearance, many were wounded. The loss on our part was one corporal killed, and one ensign, two sergeants, one corporal and two privates wounded.

A pursuit was immediately ordered; but from the nature of the country, nothing was effected. The town was nearly surrounded by swamps and deep ravines, which rendered our approach difficult, and facilitated the escape of the enemy. In the town we found a large quantity of provision and immense property of various kinds, which the enemy, flying precipitately, were obliged to leave behind, and which, together with two hundred houses, were destroyed. They had barely time to remove their women and children across the Alabama, which runs near where the town stood. The next day was occupied in destroying a town, consisting of sixty houses, eight miles higher up the river, and in taking and destroying the enemy's boats. At the town last destroyed was killed three Indians of some distinction. The town first destroyed was built since the commencement of hostilities, and was established as a place of security for the inhabitants of several villages. The leader Weatherford, Francis, and the Choctaw Sinquistur's son, who were principal prophets, resided here. Three Shawanese were among the slain.

Colonel Carson, of the volunteers, lieutenant colonel Russell, of the 3d regiment United States' infantry, and major Smoot, of the militia, greatly distinguished themselves. The activity and zeal of the assistant deputy quarter inaster general, captain Wert, and my brigade inajor, Kennedy, merit the approbation of government. I was much indebted to my aid-de-camp, lieutenant Calvit, of volunteers, to lieutenant Robeson, of the 3d regiment, and major Caller, of militia, who acted as my aids on that day, for the prompiness and ability with which threy performed their several duties. The ollicers of the different corps behaved handsomely, and are entitled to distinction. Courage animated every countenance, and each vied with the other in rendering service.

I have taken the liberty of communicating to you directly, in consequence of the distant station of the general commanding the district, and also for the purpose of forwarding to you the enclosed original document which was found in the house of Weatherford. It show's particularly the conduct of the Spaniards towards the American government. The third regiment has returned to this place, and volunteers are on the march to mount Vernon, near fort Stoddert, for the purpose of being paid off and discharged, their terms of service having generally expired.

I have the honour to be, &c.
FERD. 1.. CLAIBORNE,

Brig. Gen. of Volunteers. Honourable John Armstrong.

CAMP DEFIANCE, 48 MILES WEST OF CHATAHOUCHEE,

January 27th, 1814. SIR,

I have the honour to acquaint your excellency, that this morning at twenty minutes past five oʻclock, a very large body of hostile Indians, made a desperate attack on the army under my command. They stole upon the sentinels, fired upon them, and with great impetuosity rushed upon our lines; in twenty minutes the action became general, and our front, right and left flanks were closely pressed; but the brave and gallant conduct of the field and line oilicers, and the firmness of the men, repelled them at every point.

The steady firmness and incessant fire of captain Thomas's artillery, and captain Adams's riflemen, preserved our front line: both of these companies suffered greatly. The enemy rushed within fifty yards of the artillery, and captain Broadnax, who commanded one of the picket guards, maintained his post with great bravery until the enemy gained his rear, and then cut his way through them to the army. On this occasion Timpoochie Barnuel, a half-breed, at the head of the Cchies, distinguished himself and contributed to the retreat of the picket guard; the other friendly Indians took refuge within our lines and remained inactive, with the exception of a few who joined our ranks. So soon as it became light enough to distinguish objects, I ordered majors Watson's and Freeman's battalions to wheel up at right angles with majors Booth's and Cleveland's battalions, (who forined right wing, to prepare for the charge. Captain Duke Hamilton's cavalry (who had reached me but the day before,) was ordered to form in the rear of the right wing to act as circumstances should dictate: the order for the charge was promptly obeyed, and the enemy fled in every direction before the bayonet. The signal was given for the charge of the cavalry who pursued, and sabred fifteen of the enemy who left thirty-seven dead on the field : from the effusion of blood and the number of head-dresses and war-dubs found in various directions, their loss must have been considerable, independent of the wounded. I directed the friendly Indians, with Meriwether's and Ford's rifie companies, accompanied by captain Hamilton's troop, to pursue them through Calibee Swamp, where they were trailed by their blood, but succeeded in overtaking but one of their wounded.

Colonel Newman received three balls in the commencement of the action, which deprived me of the services of that gallant and useful officer. The assistant adjutant general Narden, was indefatigable in the discharge of his duty, and rendered important services : his horse was wounded under him. The whole of the staff was prompt, and discharged their duty with courage and fidelity; their vigilance, the intrepidity of the officers, and the firmness of the men, meet my approbation, and deserve the praise of their country. Į have to regret the death of many of my brave fellows, who have found honourable graves in the voluntary support of their country. My aid-de-camp, in executing my orders, had his horse killed under him. General Lee and major Pace, who acted as additional aids, rendered me essential service with honour to themselves and usefulness to the cause in which they are embarked. Four wagon and several other horses were killed, and two of the artillery horses wounded. While I deplore the loss sustained on this occasion, I have the consolation to know that the men which I have the honour to command have done their duty. I herewith transmit you a list of the killed and wound.

I have the honour to be, &c.

JOHN FLOYD, Brigadier General. Major general Pinckney.

January 28th, 1814. SIR,

The patriotism that brought you into the field at your advanced

which prompted you on with me to face the enemy in the late excursion to the Talapoosie river, the example of order, and your admonition to strict subordination throughout the lines, and, lastly, the bravery you displayed in the battle of Enotochopco, by re-crossing the creek, entering the pursuit, exposing your person, and thereby saving the life of lieutenant Moss, and killing the Indian, entitle you to the thanks of your general and the approbation of your country. Not having it in my power to move forward until the troops from East and West Tennessee arrive, (I mean the 1500 ordered for six months' service, under the requisition of the Secretary of War, and the late order of general

age,

Pinckney, with colonel Williams's regiment, and such other ausi-
liary troops, as may be permitted by the orders of the governor of
the state) i have to request that you will forth with repair to East
, Tennessee, and use your best exertions in hurrying those troops
to this point at the earliest possible day. The character of the
state, by the retrograde of the troops, and the failure of
having in the field such troops as were required by the Secretary
of War, had like to have been tarnished. "The public service has
been much retarded thereby and much injured, and the public
expense much enhanced. It is alone from the exertions of men
of influence, that those evils can be cured, the public service
promoted, and the objects of the campaign brought to a speedy
and successful issue, whereby the high standing of the patriotism
of the state of Tennessee may be regained, which had like to
have been buried by the conduct of miscreants whose sole object
is popular views and self agerandizement. You have been with
me-you have been a faithful observer of the passing scenes,
and do know that these would be patriots, these town meet;
ing boasters, these men who will not act themselves, but find
fault with every thing, have been destroying the true interests of
their country, the cause we are engaged in, and every thing valua-
ble to freemen to insure the cause of our country, when it came
in contact with their own individual vieu's, and their own private
aggrandizement. The eyes of the faithful and experienced patri-
ot, one whose country's good it has in common with his fellow-citi-
zens, has seen and felt these growing evils. You are one amongst
this number, in whose exertions I have confidence, and in whose
patriotism 1 rely, and who has experience, and sees things as they
really exist, and will, with the true patriotism of an American,
aid the present campaign to a speedy and successful issue. I
therefore repeat, that I wish you to repair to East Tennessee and
use your utmost in sending on the troops and sufficient supplies of
provisions with them, with which that country abundantly abounds,
and which have from some unknown and strange cause been with-
holden from me. Your experience and patriotism are a sure pledge
to me that your best exertions will be used to promote the present
campaign.
Receive, sir, my best wishes, and believe me to be respectfully,

Yo
our most obedient servant,

ANDREW JACKSON, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
Colonel William Cocke.

HEAD QUARTERS FORT STROTHER, January 29th, 1814. SIR,

I had the honour of informing you in a letter of the 31st ult. forwarded by Mr. M'Candless (express) of an excursion I contemplated making still further in the enemy's country with the new raised volunteers from l'ennessee. I had ordered those troops to form a junction with me on the 10th instant, but they did not arrive until the 14th. Their number, including officers, was about 800; and on the 15th, I marched them across the river to graze their horses. On the next day I followed with the remainder of my force, consisting of the artillery company with one six-pounder, one company of infantry of 48 men, two companies of spies, commanded by captains Gordon and Russell, of about 30 men each, and a company of volunteer officers, headed by general Coffee, who had been abandoned by his men, and who still remained in the field awaiting the order of the government; making my force, exclusive of Indians, 930.

The motives which induced me to penetrate still further into the enemy's country, with this force, were many and urgent. The term of service of the new raised volunteers was short, and a considerable part of it was expired; they were expensive to the government, and were full of ardor to meet the enemy. The ill effects of keeping soldiers of this description long stationary and idle, I had been made to feel but too sensibly already : other causes concurred to make such a movement not only justifiable but absolutely necessary. I had received a letter from captain M'Alpin, of the 5th instant, who commanded at Fort Armstrong, in the absence of colonel Snodgrass, informing me that 14 or 15 towns of the enemy, situated on the waters of the Talapoosie, were about uniting their forces, and attacking that place, which had been left in a very feeble state of defence. You had in your letter of the 24th ult. informed me that general Floyd was about to make a movement to the Talapoosie, near its junction with the Coosee ; and in the same letter had recommended temporary excursions against such of the enemy's towns or settlements as inight be within striking distance, as well to prevent my men from becoming discontented as to harass the enemy. Your ideas corresponded exactly with my own, and I was happy in the opportunity of keeping my men engaged distressing the enemy, and at the same time making a diversion to facilitate the operations of general Floyd. Determined by these and other considerations, I took up

the line of march on the 17th instant, and on the night of the 18th encamped at Talledega Fort, where I was joined by between two and three hundred friendly Indians ; sixty-five of which were Cherokees, the balance Creeks. Here I received your letter of the 9th instant, stating that general Floyd was expected to make a movement from Cowetau the next day, and that in ten days thereafter he would establish a firm position at Tuckabachee ; and also a letter from colonel Snodgrass, who had returned to Fort Armstrong, informing me that an attack was intended to be soon made on that fort, by 900 of the enemy. If I could have hesitated before, I could now hesitate no longer. I resolved to lose no time in meeting this force, which was understood to have been collect

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