OCR Text |
Show 58 LIFE OF GEN'. JACKSON~ CHAP. and war whoops. An hour after sun-rise, thfaction II . . ,~s commenced by captain Hammon's and lieutenant ..,...,-..;;Patterson's companies of spies, \vho had gone within the circle of alignement, for the purposeo0f drawing the Indians from their buildings. No sooner had. these Dattl• of companies exhibited their front in view of the town. ~;.~~h~~. and given a few scattering shot, t~n the enemy form~d, and made a violent charge. Bemg compelled·.fo g•ve way, they were pursued, until they reached· the· main body of the army, which immediately opened:~! general fire, and charged in their turn. The Indians retreated, firing, until they got around, and in their build· ings, where an obstinate con!lict ensued, and where those who maintained their ground persisted in fighting, as long as they could stand or sit, without manifesting fear, or soliciting quarter. Their loss was an h~ed and eighty-six killed; among whom were, unfortunately, and through accident, a few women and children. 'Eighty-four women and children were taken prisoners, towards whom the utmost humanity was shown. Of the Americans, five were killed, and forty-one wounded. Two were killed with arrows, which, on this occasion, formed a principal part of the arms of tlle lndi· ans ; ·each one having a bow and quiver, which he used after the first fire of his gun, until an opportunity occurred for re-loading. Having buried his dead, and provided for his wound· cd, general 'Coffee, late on the evening of tlle same day, united with the main army, bringing with him about forty prisoners. Of the residue, a part were too badly wounded to be removed, and were therefore left, with a sufficient number to take care of LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. 51 them. Those whi~;h he brought in, received every CHAP. comfort and assistance their situation demanded and II . for safety, were immediately sent into the settle~ents: ~ . ~rom the manner in which the enemy fought, the ltiihng and wounding others t)mn their warriors was not to be avoided. On their retreat to their village, aft~r the commencement of the battle, tlley resorted to their block houses, and strong log dwellings, whence they kept up resistance, and resolutely maintained the fight. Thus mingled with their women and children it was impossible they should not be exposed to th~ general danger; and thus many were injured, notwithstan~ ng every possible precaution was taken to prevent 1t. , |