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Show ro LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. up their arms, these faithful adherents presented a front II I. which threw the deserters into affright, and caused ........,._,them to retreat precipitately to the main body. Here, it was hoped, the matter would end, and that no further opposition would be made to returning. This expectation was not realized ; a mutinous temper began presently to display itself throughout the whole brigade. Jackson having left his aid-de-camp, major Reid, engaged in making up some despatches, had gone out alone amongst his troops, who were at some little distance; on his arrival, he found a much more extensive mutiny, than that which bad just been quell- Mutiny. ed. Almost the vvhole brigade had put itself into an attitude for moving forcibly off. A crisis had arrived; and feeling its importance, he determined to take no middle ground, but to triumph or perish. He was still without the use of his left arm ; but, seizing a musket, and resting it on the neck of his horse, he threw himself in front of the column, and threatened to shoot the first man who should attempt to advance. In this situation he was found by major Reid and general Coffee, who, fearing from the length of his absence, that some disturbance had arisen, hastened where he was, and placing themselves by his side, awaited the result in anxious expectation. For many minutes the column preserved a sullen, yet hesitating attitude, fearing to proceed in their purpose, and disliking to abandon it. In the mean time, those who remained faithful to their duty, amounting to about two companies, were collected and formed at a short distance in advance of the troops, and in rear of the general, with positive directions to imitate his example LIFE OF GE~. JACKSON. 71 in firing, if they attempted to proceed. At length, CHAP. finding no one bold enough to advance, and overtake~ by those fears that in the hour of peril always beset persons engaged in what they know to be a bad cause, they abandoned tl1eir purpose, and turning quietly round, agreed to return to their posts. It is very cer-tain, that, but for the firmness of the general, at this critical moment, the campaign \\l"ould for the present have been broken up, and would probably never have been re-commenced. . Shortly after the battle of Talladega, the Hillabee Hillobee tribes, who had been the principal sufferers Of\ that oc- tn bes sue . , · for peace. cas~on,_ a~phed to general Jackson for peace; declaring therr willmgness to receive it on such terms as he might be pleased t? dictate. His decision had been already returned, statmg to .them that his, government had taken up arms, to bring to a proper sense of duty, a people, to whom ~he had ever shown the utmost kindJ1ess, and who, nevertheless, had committed against her citizens the most unprovoked depredations ; and that she,wo.uld lay t11em down only when certain that this object was attamed.* "Upon those," continued he, "who are • This communication did not arrive in time :-;;enera1' White, ~ho had been detached for that purpose, having, on the_ mormng ?n whi_ch it Was written, atta:cked and destroyed th~tr town, killed Sixty, and made two hundred and fifty-six pnsoners. The event was unfortunate; and in it may perhaps he found the reason why these savages, in their after: bat~ les, fought with the uesperation they uiu, obstinately refusmg to ask for <tuarte•·· They believed themselves attackeu by Jackson's army; they knew they had asked peace upon his own tPrm<:, 'Vhen, therefore, under th<'se circnms1ance;;;, |