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Show LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. instantly applied all 'the means~ he possessed. He in\. III. mediately issued the following general order: ..,....,...._, " The commanding general being informed that an actual mutiny exists in his camp, all officers and soldiers are commanded to put it down. " The officers and soldiers of the first brigade will; -ivithout delay, parade on the west side of the fort, and await further orders." The artillery company, with' two small field pieces, being posted in the front ana rear ; and the militia, under the command of colonel Wynne, on the eminences, in advance, were ordered' to prevent any forcible departure of the volunteers. The general rode along the line, which had been formed agreeably to his orders, and addressed them by companies, in a strain of impassioned eloquence. He feelingly expatiated on their former good conduct, ;md the esteem and applause it had secured them ; and pointed to tl;le disgrace which they must heap' upon themselves, their families, and country, by persisting, even if they could succeed, in their present mutiny. But he told them they should not succeed, but by pass· ing over his body ; that even in opposing their muti· nous spirit, he should perish honourably ,-by perishing at his post, and in the discharge of his duty. "Reinforcements," he continued, " are preparing to hasten to my assistance : it cannot be long before they will ;urive, I am, too, in daily expectation of receiving information, whether you may be discharged, or notuntil then, you must not, and shall not retire. I have done with intreaty,-it has been used long enough.-I will attempt it no more. ~u must now determine whe· ther you will go, or peaceably remain : if you still pers~ LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. 85 in your determinat~to move forcibly off, the p61nt CHAP. between us shall soon·~ decided." At first theyhesi-~ tated ;-he demanded an explicit and positive answer. They still hesitated,. and he commanded the artillerist· to prepare the match ; . he himself remaining in front of the volunteers, and within the line of fire, which he in-tended soon to order. Alarmed at his apparent deter· mination, and dreading the conseqllences involved in such a contest ; 1' Let us return," was presently lisped :ilbng the line, and was soon after determined upon. The officers nO\v came forward, anl:l pledged them-selves for their riren, who either nodded assent, or openly expressed a willingness to retire to their quar-ters, and remain without further tumult, until informa-tion were had, or the expected aid should arrive. Thus· passed away a moment of the greatest peril,-..:.pregnant with the most important consequences. Although the immediate execution of their purpose was thus prevented, it was soon discovered that it was not wholly abandoned, and that nothing could be expected from their future services. Jackson, therefore, determined to rid himself, as soon as possible of men whose presence answered no other end, than' to kee; alive discontents in his camp. He accordingly prepared an order to general Hall, to march them to Nashville, and do with them as he should be directed by the governor of Tetmessee. Previous to promulgating this, he resolved to make one further effort to retain them, and to make a last appeal to their honour and patriotism. For this purpose, having assembled tl1em before the fort, on the 13th, he directed his aid-de-camp tD read to them the following address : |