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Show ·' 358 LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. militia might make. When repulsed from our line, ~the British officers were fully persuaded that the in- ISIS. formation given them by the deserter, on the night of the 6th, was false, and, instead of pointing out the ground defended by the militia, he had referred them to the place occupied by our best troops. Enraged at what they believed an intentional deception, they called their informant before them, to account for the mischief he had done. It was in vain he urged his innocence, and, with the most solemn protestations, declared he had stated the fact truly as it was. They could not be convinced,-it was impossible that they had contended against any, but the best disciplined troops; and, without further ceremony, the poor feJ. low, suspended in view of the camp, expiated, on a tree, not his crime, for what he had stated was true, but their error, in underrating an enemy, who had already afforded abundant evidences of valour. In all their future trials with our countrymen, may they be no less deceived. |