the purpose of drawing out the enemy from their buildings, which had the most happy effects. As soon as captain Hammond exhibited his front in view of the town (which stood in open woodland), and gave a few scattering shot, the enemy formed and made a violent charge on him; he gave way as they advanced, until they met our right column, which gave them a general fire and then charged. This changed the direction of charge completely. The enemy retreated firing, until they got around and in their buildings, where they made all the resistance that an overpowered soldier could do; they fought as long as one existed; but their destruction was very soon completed; our men rushed up to the doors of the houses, and in a few minutes killed the last warrior of them. The enemy fought with savage fury, and met death with all its horrors without shrinking or complaining; not one asked to be spared, but fought so long as they could stand or sit. In consequence of their flying to their houses and mixing with their families, our men, in killing the males, without intention killed a few of the squaws and children, which was regretted by every officer and soldier of the detachment, but which could not be avoided.

The number of the enemy killed was one hundred and eightysix that were counted, and a number of others that were killed in the woods not found. I think the calculation a reasonable one to say two hundred of them were killed, and eighty-four prisoners, of women and children, were taken, Not one of the warriors escaped to carry the news, a circumstance unknown heretofore.

Two

I lost five men killed and forty-one wounded, none mortally, the greater part slightly, a number with arrows. of the men killed were with arrows. This appears to form a very principal part of the enemy's arms for warfare, every man having a bow with a bundle of arrows, which is used after the first fire with the gun, until a leisure time for loading offers.

It is with pleasure I say that our men acted with deliberation and firmness. Notwithstanding our numbers were far superior to that of the enemy, it was a circumstance to us unknown, and from the parade of the enemy we had every reason for supposing them our equals in number; but there appeared no visible traces of alarm in any, but, on the contrary, all appeared cool and determined, and no doubt, when they face a foe of their own or superior number, they will show the same courage as on this occasion.

I have the honour to be, very respectfully, sir, your obedi

ent servant,

JNO. COFFEE, Brig.-Gen. of Cavalry and Riflemen.

Maj.-Gen. Andrew Jackson.

Killed, 5 privates; wounded, 4 captains, 2 lieutenants, 2 cornets, 3 serjeants, 5 corporals, 1 artificer, 24 privates-total killed and wounded, 46.

Copy of a Letter from Major-General Jackson, commanding the Tennessee Militia, to Governor Blount.

Sir,

Camp Strother, near Ten Islands, 15th Nov. 1813. In my letter of the 11th, I gave you a hasty account of the battle of Talledega; and of the causes which compelled me return to this place. I now do myself the honour of transmitting you a more detailed account of the action; together with the report of the adjutant-general of the killed and wounded.

About thirty miles below, at a place known by the name of Talledega, 160 men of the friendly party of the Creeks, with their women and children, are forted, the more effectually to resist the efforts of the "Red Sticks," or hostile party. Late in the evening of the 7th, one of the principal men of that fort (Lashly), arrived here with the information that the enemy had arrived there in great numbers, and would certainly destroy the fort and all within it, unless speedy relief could be obtained from this army. Urged by this representation, I immediately gave orders for taking up the line of march with 1200 infantry and 800 cavalry and mounted riflemen-leaving behind me the sick, the wounded, and all my baggage, with what I considered a sufficient force to protect them, until the arrival of general White, who was hourly expected. At 12 o'clock at night the army was in motion, and I commenced crossing the river at the Ten Islands, opposite our late encampment, which in a few hours was effected. On the night of the 8th, I encamped within six miles of the enemy; and about 11 o'clock two of the friendly Indians, with George Mayfield, whom I had sent to reconnoitre the enemy, returned with the intelligence that they were encamped within a quarter of a mile of the fort; but were unable to approach near enough to give me any acaccurate information of their number or precise situation. Within an hour afterwards old Chenubby arrived from Turkey Town, with a letter from general White, advising me of his retrograde movement, occasioned by an order of major

general Cocke. Finding that the utmost despatch had now become necessary for the protection of my rear, I immediately ordered the adjutant-general to prepare the line of march, and at 4 o'clock we were in motion-the infantry in three columns-the cavalry and mounted riflemen in the rear, with flankers on each wing. The right wing of the infantry was led on by colonel Bradley-the centre by colonel Pillow-the left by colonel M'Crory-the right of the cavalry by colonel Allcorn-and the left by colonel Carmon. The advance consisting of captain Deadrick's company of artillery, with muskets-captain Bledsoe's and captain Caperton's companies of riflemen; and captain Gordon's company of spies were marched 400 yards in front, under the command of colonel Carrol, the inspector-general, to bring on the engagement. At 7 o'clock, having arrived within a mile of the enemy, I ordered the cavalry and mounted riflemen to advance on the right and left of the infantry, and enclose the enemy in a circle.

Two hundred and fifty of the cavalry and mounted riflemen, commanded by lieutenant-colonel Dyer, were placed in the rear of the centre as a corps de reserve. General Hall's brigade occupied the right-general Roberts' the left; and were ordered to advance by heads of companies. The cavalry were ordered, after having encircled the enemy by uniting the fronts of their columns, and keeping their rear connected with the infantry, to face and press inwards towards the centre, so as to leave the enemy no possibility of escape. In the execution of this order it unfortunately happened, that too great a space was left between the rear of the right wing of cavalry and general Hall's brigade, through which a part of the enemy ultimately effected their retreat. At 8 o'clock, the advance having arrived within 80 yards of the enemy, who were concealed in the thick shrubbery which covered the margin of a branch, received from them a heavy fire, which was returned with great rapidity; charged and dislodged them from their position; and turned upon the right wing of general Roberts' brigade. The advance then fell back, as they had been previously ordered, to the centre. At the approach of the enemy, three companies of the militia, having given one fire, commenced a retreat, notwithstanding the utmost exertion of colonel M'Crory and major Sevier, who are entitled to great praise for their bravery on that occasion. To fill the vacancy occasioned by this retreat, I immediately ordered up colonel Bradley's regiment of volunteers; but finding the advance of the enemy too rapid to ad

mit of their arrival in time, I was compelled to order the reserve to dismount and meet them. This order was executed with great promptitude and gallantry; and the enemy in that quarter speedily repulsed. The militia who had retreated, seeing the spirited stand which was making by the reserve, immediately rallied; and recovering the position which the enemy had just driven them from, poured upon them a most destructive fire. The engagement now became general; and in fifteen minutes the enemy were seen flying in every direction. On the left they were met and repulsed by the mounted riflemen. On the right a part of them escaped through the opening between the right wing of the cavalry and the infantry, and were pursued with great slaughter to the mountains, a distance of three miles. In this pursuit the brave colonels Pillow of the infantry, and Lauderdale of the cavalry, major Boyd of the mounted infantry, and lieutenant Barton, were wounded-the latter of whom has since died.

You will perceive from a draft which I shall send you, that, had there been no departure from the original order of battle, not an Indian could have escaped; and even as the battle did terminate, I believe that no impartial man can say that a more splendid result has in any instance attended our arms on land, since the commencement of the war. The force of the enemy is represented by themselves to have been 1080; and it does not appear from their fire and the space of ground which they occupied, that their number can have been less. Two hundred and ninety-nine were left dead on the ground; and no doubt many more were killed who were not found. It is believed that very few escaped without a wound. In a very few weeks, if I had a sufficiency of supplies, I am thoroughly convinced I should be able to put an end to Creek hostility.

The friendly Creeks from Talledega fort tell me that the enemy consider themselves already completely beaten; and state as a proof of their sense of the magnitude of the defeat they have sustained, and of their returning disposition for peace, that they have, since the battle, liberated several of the friendly party whom they had previously taken as pri

soners.

Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the advance, led on by colonel Carrol, for the spirited manner in which they commenced and sustained the attack; nor upon the reserve, commanded by lieutenant-colonel Dyer, and composed of captains Smith's, Morton's, Axum's, Edwards', and Hammond's companies, for the gallantry with which they met

and repulsed the enemy. In a word, officers of every grade, as well as the privates, realized the high expectations I had formed of them, and merit the gratitude of their country.

I should be doing injustice to my staff, composed of majors Reid and Searcy, my aids; colonel Sittler and major Anthony, adjutant and assistant-adjutant-general; colonel Carrol, inspector-general; major Strother, topographer; Mr. Cunningham, my secretary; and colonel Stackey D. Hayes, quartermaster-general; not to say that they were every where in the midst of danger, circulating my orders. They deserve and receive my thanks.

I have the honour to be, with great respect, &c.

ANDREW JACKSON.

Killed and wounded-In general Coffee's brigade, 10 killed and 45 wounded; total 55-In general Hall's brigade, 1 killed and 11 wounded; total 12-In general Roberts' brigade, 4 killed and 24 wounded;—total 28.

Total of killed and wounded-95.

The above statement is correct, agreeably to the reports made to me.

J. W. SITTLER, Adjutant-Gen. Head-Quarters, Camp Strother, near

Ten Islands, 15th Nov. 1813.

Copy of a Letter from Major-General Cocke to the Secretary of War, dated Head-Quarters, Fort Armstrong, November 28th,

1813.

Sir, I have the honour to enclose you a copy of brigadiergeneral James White's detailed report of his excursion to the Hillibee towns.

I am, with sentiments of esteem, your most obedient servant,

JOHN COCKE, Major-General.

Fort Armstrong, November 24th, 1813. Dear general, in mine of the 19th instant, by major Outlaw, I promised you a more detailed report, respecting the detachment ordered by you to the Hillibee towns in the Creek nation. In compliance with that promise I have now the honour to state, that under your order of the 11th instant I immediately marched with the mounted infantry, under the immediate command of colonel Burch, the cavalry under the command of major Porter, and a few of the Cherokee Indians under the command of colonel Morgan, with very short rations for four days only. We continued our march