OCR Text |
Show 48 LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. ~ke any measures to procure it .. My former contractH. or has been superseded : no exertions were spared by ...,..,...._,him, to fulfil his engagements ; ;yet the inconveniences under which he laboured, were such as to render his best exertions unavailing. The contract has been offered to one who will be able to execute it : if he accept it, my apprehensions will be greatly diminished." On the 28th of October, colonel Dyer, who, on the march to the Ten Islands, had been detached from the main body, with two hundred cavalry, to attack Littnfutchee town, on the head of Canoe creek, which empties into the C:::oosa from tl1e west, returned, bringing with him twenty-nine prisoners, men, women, and children; having destroyed the village. The sanguine expectations indulged, on leaving Thompson's creek,-tl1at the advance of the East Tennessee militia would hasten to unite witll him, was not yet realized. The express heretofore directed to general 'Vhite, had not returned. Jackson, on the 31st, despatched another, urging him to effect a speedy junction, arid to bring with him all the bread stuff .it should be in his power to procure ; pointing out to him, at the same time, the great inconvenience and hazard to which he had been already exposed, for the want of punctuality in himself and general Cocke. Owing to that cause, and the late failures of his contractors, he represented his army as placed, at present, in a very precarious situation, and as dependent, in a great measure, lor its support, on the exertions which he :mel general Cocke might be pleased to make ; but assured him, at the same time, that, let circumstances transpire as they might, he "·ould still endeavour tQ effect his purpose; LIFE OF GEN. fACKSON. 49 and, at all events, was resolved to hasten, with every CHAP. practicable despatch, to the accomplishment of tlle ob-~ ject for which he had set out. Believing tlle co-operation of tlle East Tennessee troops essential to this end, they were again instructed to join him witllout delay ; for he could not conceive it to be correct policy, that troops from the same state, pursuing the same object, should constitute separate and distinct armies, and act witllout concert, and independently of each oilier. He entertained no doubt but that his order would be promptly obeyed. The next evening, a detachment, which had been sent out the day before, returned to camp, bringing with them, besides some corn and beeves, several negroes and prisoners of tlle war party. Learning now, tllat a considerable body of the enemy had posted tl1emselves at Tallushatchee, on the south side of the Coosa, about thirteen miles distant; general Coffee was detached, witll nine hundred men, (the mounted troops having been previously organized into a brigade, and placed under his command) to attack and disperse them. Wiili this force, he was enabled, tllrough the direction of an Indian pilot, to ford tlle Coosa, at the Fish-dams, about four miles above the Islands ; and having encamped beyond it, very early tile next morning proceeded to tlle execution of his order. Having arrived within a mile and a half, he formed his detachment into two divisions, and directed them to march so as to encircle tlle town, by u~iting tlleir fronts beyond it. The enemy, hearing of h1s approach, began to prepare for action, which was announced by the beating of drums, mingled witll ydl$ G |