OCR Text |
Show 110 LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. The day had arrived, when that portiot\ of Roberts' ~brigade, which had continued in service, claimed to 1814_ be discharged ; and insisted, that whether this were given to them or not, they would abandon the campaign, and return home. Jackson believed them not entitled to it, and hence, that he had no right to give it; but as governor Blount had said differently, and his opinion, as he had required, had been promulgated, he felt it was improper that he should attempt the exercise of force to detain them. Nevertheless, believing it to be his duty to keep tltem, he issued a general order, commanding all persons, in the service of the United States, under his command, not to leave the encampment, without his written permission, under tlte penalties annexed, by the rules and articles of war, to the crime of desertion. This was accompanied by an address, in which they .were exhorted, by all those motives which he supposed would be most likely to have any influence, to remain at their posts, until they could be legally discharged. N eitlter the order nor the address availed any thing. On the morning of the 4th of January, the officer of tlte day, major Bradley, reported, that, on visiting his guard, half after ten o'clock, he found neither the officer, lieutenant Kear· ley, nor any of the sentinels at their posts. Upon this L;ente- info;mation, general Jackson ordered the arrest of \':,~' Ke•r· Kearley, who refused to surrender his sword, alleging · it should protect him to Tennessee; that he was a freeman, and not subject to the orders of general Jack· son, or any body else. This being made knO\Vn to tlte general, he issued, immediately, this order to the adjutant general: "You will fort\Jwith cause the guards LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. 111 to parade, witlt captain Gordon's company of spies, CHAP. and arrest lieutenant Kearley; and, in case you shall be IV. opposed, in the execution of this order, you are com-.._...,.._ manded to oppose force to force, and arrest him, at all 1814" haz~ds. Spare the effusion of blood, if possible ; but m_utmy must, and shall be put down." Colonel Sitler, WJtlt the g~ards and Gordon's company, immediately proceeded m search, and found him at the head of his company, on the lines, which were all formed, and about to march off. He was ordered to halt, but re-fused. -The adjutant general, finding it necessary, di-rr: cted the guards to stop him ; and again demanded his sword, which he again refused to deliver. The ~uards _were commanded to fire on him, if he did not Immediately deliver it, and had alread v cocked their ~ns. At this order, the lieutenant c~cked his, and his men followed his example. General Jackson, in-formed _o~ what was passing, had hastened to the scene, and arriv~ng at this moment, personally demanded of Ke:rrley his sword, which he still obstinately refused to dehver. Incensed at the outrage, and vi· ew·m g t he exampl_e as too dangerous to pass, he snatched a pistol from hts holster, and was already levelling it at tlte breast of Kearley, when colonel Sitler, interposing between them, urged him to surrender his sword. At tlus ~oment, Dr. Taylor, the friend of tlte lieutenant, drew It from the scabbard, and handed it to the adjutant general, who refused to receive it. It was then returned to Kearley, who now delivered it, and was placed under ~d. During this crisis, both parties remained with :tr arms ready, and prepared for firing; and a scene bloodshed was narrowly escaped. |