USA > Tennessee > The history of Tennessee, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 14
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Coffee's troops, hurrying from the destruction of the village, now attacked the unfortunate savages in the rear. Thus hotly assailed, they fought with the courage of desperation, none asking for quarter, but each man selling his life as dearly as possible. After a lengthened struggle some fled to the river and, attempting to swim it, met death from the unerring rifles of the Tennesseeans. Many betook themselves
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to the western angle of the breastwork, where, screened by heaps of timber and treetops, they maintained a spirited fire upon Jackson's line. Desiring to save the lives of those brave men, the commander-in-chief despatched a messenger . to them, telling them of the uselessness of fur- ther resistance, and assuring them of his cle- mency provided they would surrender. Shout- ing defiance, they replied by firing upon the messenger, who received a severe wound in the breast. An attempt was then made to dislodge them with the artillery. This failing, fire was applied to their covert, and as they fled they were shot down without mercy. Night only put an end to this scene of blood, during which five hundred and fifty-seven Indians left their bodies on the field of battle. Besides these, many were slain while crossing the river; and it is conjec tured that not more than two hundred survived, and under cover of the darkness of night made good their escape. Two hundred and fifty were taken prisoners; all men and women except two or three. The loss of Jackson, when com- pared with that of the enemy, was small. In- cluding the friendly Indians it was but fifty-five killed and one hundred and forty-six wounded.
After the battle an interesting incident oc- curred. Moved by the wail of an Indian infant found upon the field, the mother of which had perished during the confusion of the battle,
1814.] SURRENDER OF WEATHERFORD. 241
Jackson endeavoured to persuade some nursing women among the captives to suckle it. "Its mother is dead," was the stoical answer ; "let the child die too." Without children himself, the general then undertook the duties of a nurse, feeding the forsaken infant with some brown sugar, which formed part of his private stores. Subsequently carried home by Jackson, the poor orphan thus provided for grew to be an intelli- gent lad, learned the trade of a saddler, and coming to manhood was comfortably established at Nashville.
The battle of the Horse-shoe brought the war nearly to an end. Entirely broken in spirit, the Red Sticks made but few efforts to rally, and presently began to come into Fort Jackson, built since the fight, four miles above the conflu- ence of the Coosa and Tallapoosa.
Among the most conspicuous of the chiefs who thus submitted themselves and their people to the terms of peace offered by Jackson, was Weatherford, the half-breed, who, leading the Indians at Fort Mimms, had opened the war. Riding up to the general's marquee, Weather- ford was met by Jackson, who passionately in- quired,-
" How dare you, sir, to ride up to my tent after having murdered the women and children at Fort Mimms ?"
" General Jackson"-so he replied-"I am
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. [1814.
not afraid of you. I fear no man, for I am a Creek warrior. I have nothing to ask for my- self. Kill me if you desire. I come to beg you to send for the women and children of the war party, who are now starving in the woods. Their fields and their cribs have been destroyed by your people, who have driven them to the woods without an ear of corn. I exerted myself in vain to prevent the massacre of women and children at Fort Mimms. I fought there. I fought the army of Georgia. I did you all the injury I could. I am now done fighting. My
warriors are all killed, and I can fight no longer. I look back with sorrow that I have brought destruction upon my nation. Send for the women and children. They never did you any harm. But kill me if the white people want it done." '
When this speech was concluded, the throng that had gathered around the marquee began to cry out, " Kill him ! kill him ! kill him!" Commanding silence, " Any man," exclaimed Jackson, " who would kill so brave a man as this, would rob the dead !" The men murmured, but Weatherford's life was spared, and he took no further part in the war except to influence his warriors to surrender.
By the establishment of Fort Jackson a line of posts was now formed from Tennessee and from Georgia to the Alabama river. The leni-
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JACKSON A MAJOR-GENERAL.
1814.]
ent policy of the general having induced most of the Red Sticks to submit, it was not deemed necessary to maintain a large army longer in the field. Garrisoning the different posts with the East Tennesseeans of General Dougherty, General Pinckney, the senior officer of the southern army, on the 21st of April, ordered the West Tennessee troops to march home. Two hours after the order was issued they were in motion. Reaching Camp Blount, near Fay- etteville, they were there discharged by Jack- son, who, before parting with them, spoke grate- fully of their gallant conduct and of the patience with which they had borne the privations and hardships of war.
CHAPTER XXI.
Jackson appointed a major-general-He negotiates a treaty with the Creeks-The British at Pensacola-Jackson's cor- respondence with the Spanish governor-His project for the reduction of Pensacola-He calls upon Tennessee for volun- teers-Fort Bowyer attacked-Repulse of the British-They take refuge at Pensacola-Jackson determines to attack that place-Arrival of volunteers from Tennessee-Jackson marches upon Pensacola-Unsuccessful negotiations-Ame- ricans attack the town-Submission of the Spanish governor -Escape of the British-Indians driven off-Jackson re- surrenders Pensacola-He proceeds to New Orleans.
HAVING been elevated to the rank of major- general in the United States army, Jackson once
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more left the retirement of the Hermitage, and early in July proceeded to the fort called by his name, where during the following month he suc- cessfully negotiated a treaty with the conquered Creeks. Through this treaty an assurance of safety was given to the frontiers of Tennessee, by the cession to the United States of all the Indian territory lying along the Tennessee River.
In the mean time, a considerable number of the Red Sticks refusing to submit to the terms of- fered them, had fled to the Floridas, which at this period belonged to Spain. Already pre- paring for an energetic attack upon the south- west when the northern campaign should close, the British, landing a large quantity of military stores at the mouth of the Apalachicola River, began to reassemble and arm the fugitive Creeks. Of this fact, and of the succour and protection afforded the savages by the Spanish authorities at Pensacola, rumours reached Jackson while he was still employed in negotiating the treaty of which mention has already been made. He im- mediately despatched a letter to Manriquez, the governor of Pensacola, remonstrating against the conduct of the Spanish authorities toward the United States, with which power Spain professed to be at peace. In reply, Manriquez denied that the fugitive Creeks were then with him. If they were, he continued, hospitality would forbid him to surrender them, or to refuse them assistance
1814.] LETTER TO SPANISH GOVERNOR. 245
in their distress. Admitting that the English still possessed and used certain posts in the Floridas, he attempted to show that they did so by right of a treaty which existed between Great Britain and the Indians previous to the conquest of the country by Spain.
Not at all pleased with the reply to his first note, Jackson despatched to Manriquez a second, sharp and energetic in its tone and quite charac- teristic. "I have the honor," so he wrote, "of being intrusted with the command of this district. Charged with its protection and the safety of its citizens, I feel my ability to discharge the task, and trust your excellency will always find me ready and willing to go forward in the perform- ance of that duty whenever circumstances shall render it necessary. Your excellency has been candid enough to admit your having supplied the Indians with arms. In addition to this, I have learned that a British flag has been seen flying on one of your forts. All this is done while you are pretending to be neutral. You cannot be surprised then, but will provide a fort in your town for my soldiers and Indians, should I take it into my head to pay you a visit."
In this last sentence, Jackson hinted at what he had more than once previously urged upon the federal authorities, the necessity of accomplish- ing the reduction of Pensacola. Returning from that place, the messenger who had carried
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. , [1814.
the general's second letter to Manriquez, reported that he had there seen from one hundred and fifty to two hundred soldiers, and about five hun- dred Indian warriors, under the drill of British officers, armed with new muskets, and dressed in the English uniform.
This information Jackson immediately de- spatched to the government, and again urged his favourite project-the reduction of Pensacola. Orders to take possession of that post had already been sent to him, but he did not receive them till six months afterward.
At length, having finished his business with the Indians at Fort Jackson, the commander-in-chief, on the 11th of August, departed for Mobile, which it was expected that the British would soon attack. Here he found himself at the head of three thin regiments of regulars. In view of the preparations which the enemy were mak- ing at Pensacola, he presently hurried off de- spatches to Tennessee, with pressing calls for volunteers. These despatches had scarcely reached Nashville, when, on the 15th of Sep- tember, Fort Boyer was attacked by the British. This post, the possession of which would greatly facilitate the proposed operations of the enemy against New Orleans, was built on the eastern point of Mobile Bay, thirty miles distant from the town, and commanding the approach to it. Garrisoned by one hundred and thirty re-
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1814.] EXPEDITION AGAINST PENSACOLA.
gulars, the fort made so gallant a resistance that the British were at length forced to retire, with the loss of a sloop-of-war blown up, and of two hundred and thirty-two men killed and wounded.
After this repulse the enemy took refuge at Pensacola. Finding all his previous conjectures thus confirmed, Jackson, though without orders, determined to assume the responsibility and take possession of that place. Such a course he be- lieved could not afford even a pretext for rupture between Spain and the United States. If the latter country through her agents gave assistance to our enemy, she deserved herself to be treated as a foe. On the other hand, if Spain, having but a small force in the Floridas, could not main- tain her neutrality by expelling thence the troops of Great Britain, it would certainly be no just ground of complaint if the United States were to bring in an army to assist her. At any rate, so Jackson argued, should complaint be made, his government having never given him authority to do as he proposed might with propriety dis- avow the act, and by exposing himself to punish- ment sufficiently atone for whatever outrage he might thus inflict upon Spain. Accordingly he resolved to march upon Pensacola as soon as a sufficient force could be raised.
In the mean time, Jackson's call upon Ten- nessee had been responded to with spirit and alacrity. Only nineteen days after it had reached
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. [1814.
the state capital, Coffee was at Fayetteville with two thousand able-bodied troops, well equipped, and eager to advance. Joined during his rapid march by eight hundred additional volunteers, Coffee presently encamped on the western bank of the Tombigbee, a short distance above its con- fluence with the Alabama. Here on the 26th of October he was met by Jackson, who pro- ceeded expeditiously to make. the necessary ar- rangements for an immediate march.
Crossing the Tombigbee, Coffee's brigade pressed forward to Fort Montgomery. After a few days of repose at this place, Jackson took up his line of march for Pensacola, at the head of three thousand Tennesseeans, regulars, Mis- sissippi mounted men, and friendly Indians. On the 6th of November he encamped within two miles of the Spanish town.
Before proceeding farther, Jackson deter- mined to try once more the effect of peaceable negotiation, and endeavour to ascertain how far Manriquez felt disposed to preserve a good un- derstanding between the two governments. Ac- cordingly Major Pierre was despatched with a flag to make known the objects at which the Americans aimed, and to require that the dif- ferent forts, Barrancas, St. Rose, and St. Michael, should be immediately surrendered, to be garri- soned by United States troops until Spain, by furnishing a sufficient force, might be able to
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1814.] EXPEDITION AGAINST PENSACOLA.
protect the province and preserve her neutrality unimpaired.
Fired upon from Fort St. Michael's, Pierre was compelled to return without having accomplished his mission. Notwithstanding this outrage, Jack- son still desired a peaceable understanding, and by a prisoner sent a letter to the Spanish go- vernor, demanding an explanation for the insult that had been offered to his flag. In his reply, Manriquez disclaimed any participation in the affair, and expressed his perfect willingness to receive any overtures the American general might be pleased to make.
Confirmed in his opinion that what had been done was chargeable upon the English rather than upon the Spanish authorities, Jackson ad- mitted himself satisfied with this explanation by immediately despatching Pierre a second time to the governor, with a message similar to the one previously attempted to be sent. "I come not," he wrote, "as the enemy of Spain, to make war, but to ask for peace; to demand security for my country, and that respect to which she is entitled and must receive. My force is sufficient, and my determination taken to prevent a future repetition of the injuries she has received. I demand, therefore, the possession of the Barran- , cas, and other fortifications, with all their muni- tions of war. If delivered peaceably, the whole will be receipted for, and become the subject of
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. [1814.
future arrangements by our respective govern- ments ; while the property, laws, and religion of your citizens shall be respected. But if taken by an appeal to arms, let the blood of your sub- jects be upon your own head. One hour is given you for deliberation. At the expiration of that hour your determination must be had."
Receiving the message at midnight, Manriquez immediately summoned a council, which decided that the American general's demands could not be acceded to. Assuring the governor that re- course would certainly be had to arms, Pierre returned to Jackson, who at once put his troops in motion toward the town.
Across the only street by which Jackson could enter Pensacola, without passing under the guns of Fort St. Michael, the Spaniards had planted several pieces of artillery. To remove this ob- struction, Captain Laval, of the third regiment, was ordered forward with one hundred picked men. Regardless of a heavy cross-fire, poured in upon him from houses and gardens, Laval, early on the morning of November the 7th, ad- vanced with a daring rapidity that carried him almost into the midst of the Spaniards before they had time to discharge their pieces. Though at this moment deprived of their leader, who fell with his leg shattered by a grape-shot, Laval's little band reaching the battery, carried it at the bayonet's point, and drove the Spaniards from their guns.
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1814.] SURRENDER OF PENSACOLA.
In this brief but spirited affair seven Ameri- cans were slain and eleven wounded. The loss of the Spaniards was four killed, six wounded, and several taken captive.
Forming in three columns, the main body of Jackson's troops now advanced along the beach eastward of the town. Here they were met by the terrified governor, bearing a flag of truce, and expressing his readiness to agree to the American commander's proposals. Ordering a cessation of hostilities, Jackson hurried to the Intendant's house, and there completed an ar- rangement by which the town-arsenals and muni- tions of war were to be immediately surrendered
Leaving Major Pierre with eight hundred men to take possession of Fort St. Michael, Jackson withdrew the remainder of his troops to their camp outside the town. An attempt was made by the British, whose shipping still remained at anchor in the harbour, to intercept his return march. Aided by their boats, they were enabled to open a brisk fire upon the Americans as they passed along the principal streets, but Lieutenant Call hastening to the beach with a single piece of artillery, soon obliged them to disperse.
At six o'clock in the evening the commandant of Fort St. Michael declared that he could not evacuate before morning. Word was at once sent him that if the fort were not instantly delivered up it would be stormed and the garrison put to
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. [1814.
the sword. The American troops were imme- diately admitted.
Early in the following morning preparations were made to take possession of Fort Barrancas, seven miles from Pensacola, and which, command- ing the entrance to the harbour, if once in the hands of Jackson, would enable him to cut off the retreat of the British shipping-an object he earnestly desired to accomplish. The order for its delivery had been signed by Manriquez and the line of march toward it already taken up, when a tremendous explosion, followed by two others in quick succession, was heard in that di- rection. Intelligence presently arrived that the fort had been blown up by the British, whose fleet, sailing by the yet smoking ruins, made good their escape to sea.
Having thus driven off the British, and com- pelled the fugitive Red Sticks to flee for shelter to the banks of the Apalachicola, Jackson, on the 9th of November, gave up Pensacola to the Spa- nish authorities, and marched his forces to Fort Montgomery. From this post, Coffee with his mounted Tennesseeans was ordered to proceed to the Mississippi, and to encamp on the borders of that stream as near New Orleans as a supply of forage could be obtained. Convinced that the British were preparing a formidable expedition against that city, Jackson himself hastened by way of Mobile to take command there in person.
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CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS.
1814.]
CHAPTER XXII.
Jackson calls again for volunteers-Patriotism of the Tennes- seeans-Disaffection at New Orleans-British forces under Packenham threaten that city-Difficulty with the Louisiana militia-Martial law proclaimed-Vanguard of the enemy encamp on the Mississippi-Night attack by Jackson and Coffee-Dilatory movements of the British-Destruction of the schooner Caroline-First repulse of the enemy-Jack- son's difficulty with the Louisiana legislature-Battle of the 8th of January-Packenham slain-Final repulse of the British.
IN consequence of communications from the Governor of Louisiana, Jackson seeing at once that for the defence of New Orleans he would have to rely mainly upon exterior resources, had already pressed the executives of the neighbour- ing states to hasten forward bodies of militia to his support.
Enthusiastic and active, Governor Blount had exerted all his authority and influence in com- pliance with Jackson's solicitations. By the 19th of November twenty-five hundred brave Ten- nesseeans, headed by the energetic Carroll, were assembled at Nashville. Eight days afterward they embarked on the Cumberland for New Orleans. Fortunately the river, usually low at this period of the year, was unexpectedly swol-
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- [1814.
len by heavy rains, and the boats descended without obstruction to the Ohio.
Reaching New Orleans on the 1st of Decem- ber, Jackson found that city illy prepared to meet an attack. The anxiously-expected troops from Tennessee and Kentucky had not as yet been heard from. A few regulars and the militia and volunteers of the city and its vicinity formed almost the sole force upon which Jackson could depend in the event of the enemy's sudden ap- pearance. Already in session several weeks, the legislature of Louisiana had as yet resolved upon nothing. Despondency and discontent, and what was more alarming, disaffection were manifested on all sides. The arrival of Jackson, however, and the activity and energy which he immediately displayed, gave a more encouraging aspect to affairs and inspired even the desponding with hope.
On the 12th of December intelligence arrived at New Orleans of the appearance off the en- trance to Lake Borgne of the long-looked-for English fleet, having on board, exclusive of sailors and marines, between ten and twelve thousand veteran troops, commanded by Sir Edward Pack- enham, a distinguished general of Wellington's late Peninsula army. Two days afterward, the American flotilla of gunboats, despatched to re- connoitre the enemy, having been becalmed on Lake Borgne, was there attacked by a greatly
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EFFORTS OF JACKSON.
1814.]
superior number of British barges, and after a hard struggle compelled to surrender.
Seriously concerned at this disaster, Jackson on the 15th hurried off expresses to obtain tid- ings, if possible, of Coffee's brigade and of the militia expected from Tennessee and Kentucky. "You must not sleep," so he wrote to Coffee, "until you arrive within striking distance. Your accustomed activity is looked for. Innumerable defiles present themselves where your services and riflemen will be all-important. An oppor- tunity is at hand to reap for yourself and brigade the approbation of your country." ยท
On the 16th, an aid-de-camp arrived with in- telligence from Carroll, who wrote that the state of the weather, and high and contrary winds. greatly retarded his progress. To remedy this, the only steamboat then on the river having just arrived from Pittsburg, was sent to bring him down.
After encountering numerous hardships from heavy rains and a scarcity of supplies, Coffee reached Sandy Creek, a short distance above Baton Rouge, where he received Jackson's orders on the evening of the 17th of December. Leav- ing behind him the sick, three hundred in number, he set off at once with twelve hundred and fifty men. Pushing forward himself with eight hun- dred of the best mounted, he accomplished the distance of one hundred and twenty miles in two
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days, and on the third encamped within four miles of the city.
In the mean time, Jackson had been actively engaged in preparations to prevent surprise, and to meet the enemy promptly at every accessible point. In this, however, he encountered serious difficulties. His first effort to draw out the mi- litia, among whom were many disaffected persons, met with resistance on their part, and that re- sistance was encouraged by the legislature then in session, who declared his requisition to be illegal, unnecessary, and oppressive. Thus sup- ported, a considerable portion of the militia clung to the position they had taken, and resolutely refused to answer any call upon their services, except on conditions to which Jackson's unyield- ing disposition would not suffer him to consent:
In this emergency the commander-in-chief urged upon the legislature the necessity of sus- pending the writ of habeas corpus. Wearied at length with the dilatory, and perhaps justifiable cautiousness of the legislature in acting upon this subject, on the 20th of December he took the responsibility of closing their deliberations by proclaiming the city and environs of New Orleans under martial law. This rigid policy which, as will presently be seen, involved its author in con- siderable difficulty, was adopted " under a solemn conviction that the country committed to his care could by such a measure alone be saved from
1814.]
NIGHT ATTACK. 257
utter ruin. By it he intended to supersede such civil powers as in their operation interfered with those he was obliged to exercise. He thought that, at such a moment, constitutional forms should be suspended for the preservation of con- stitutional rights; and that there could be no question, whether it were better to depart for a moment from the enjoyment of our dearest pri- vileges, or to have them wrested from us for ever."
Meanwhile, having been joined by the Ten- nesseeans under Carroll, and a body of Mississippi dragoons, Jackson, on the 21st, found himself at the head of five thousand men, less than one-fifth of whom were regulars. With the exception of the Kentucky troops all the forces expected had arrived.
On the 22d, the British vanguard, composed of three thousand men, led by General Keene, having passed, under the guidance of some Italian fishermen, from the head of Lake Borgne through the Bayou Bienvenu to within a short distance of the Mississippi, encamped on the left bank of that river, fifteen miles below New Orleans.
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