supported by the infantry. The British cavalry were thrown into confusion and pressed upon the columns of infantry, and the causeway was too narrow for either to act with effect; consequently the enemy were obliged to fall back. This was effected without much loss, as general Wayne could not get up in time to improve the advantages which Parker's position would have afforded him.

Five of the enemy were killed, and some wounded; among the latter was colonel Douglass, second in command. Two of the American van were killed, and three wounded. During the day, .colonel Jackson had two men killed and one wounded.

Wayne secured all the avenues of direct re treat to Savannah, and cherished the hope of forcing Brown to a general action the next morning; but the latter had a number of militia under his command, who had a perfect knowledge of the country. These guides led him through deep swamps by bye paths, at a right angle from the direct way, into the road leading from Whitebluff, which Brown reached before day-light, and arrived safe in Savannah the next morning.

Some time previous to the rencounter which has been mentioned, a party of Creek Indians, coming to Savannah, on a trading expedition, were intercepted by general Wayne, but not in a hostile manner: some of them were detained as hostages, and the remainder permitted to return to their own country with friendly talks.

The American general assured them that the British forces were now confined within narrow limits in Charleston and Savannah; that they would soon be compelled to abandon the idea of conquest in America and retire to England. This mild treatment, accompanied by such assurances, it was supposed would deter the Indians from fu ture hostilities. Though the grand council in the Cherokee and Creek nations, did not sanction a continuance of the war in alliance with Great. Britain; a few of their warriors determined on a compliance with the promise made to the British general in Savannah. With this view, about three hundred Creeks, headed by Guristersigo, who stood high in the opinion of his countrymen for bravery and military skill, set out from the nation for Savannah early in the month of June.

The secret movements which are uniformly observed by Indians when they are engaged in war, were scrupulously observed during their march. Having white guides, they passed down the southern frontier of Georgia unperceived, except by two boys, who were taken and murdered. Guristersigo approached the vicinity of Wayne's camp, on the night of the 22nd of June, and despatched his white guides and a few Indians to reconnoitre it. The party returned the next day and reported that general Wayne's main body was encamped at the plantation of Joseph Gibbons, seven miles from Savannah, and that his piquet was two miles in his advance, at Barrack

Gibbons', from which there was a fine open road, which led direct to the town. To avoid Wayne, and carry the piquet by surprise, was determined on by the Indian chief; and for this purpose, he made the requisite dispositions for attack.

Fortunately for general Wayne, he changed his position on the afternoon of the 23rd, to the ground which had been occupied the preceding night by his piquet guard; supposing that he had no enemy near him, from which danger was to be apprehended, except in Savannah; he had taken the necessary precautions to have all the passes well guarded in that direction, and contented himself by posting a single sentinel on the road in his rear. Guristersigo having but fifteen miles to march through the settlement, did not enter it until after dark, and pursuing his route, reached the vicinity of the American camp about three o'clock in the morning.

Having made the requisite arrangements for battle, he sent forward a few daring warriors, with orders to spring upon the sentinel and murder him before he could give the alarm. This order was promptly executed. Guristersigo advanced with his whole force upon the rear of the American camp. The infantry flew to their arms, and the matrosses to their pieces of light field artillery. By this time the Indians were among them, which being perceived by captain Parker, he or dered a retreat to the quarter-guard, behind Gib bons' house, at head-quarters.

The general sprung to his horse; supposing that the whole British force from Savannah was in the margin of his camp, he ordered the bayonet to be vigorously resorted to, and called out, "death or victory." Similar orders were given to colonel Posey, who commanded in camp, about two hundred yards from the house. The general had scarcely seated himself in the saddle, before his horse was shot and fell under him. Wayne advanced, sword in hand, at the head of captain Parker's infantry and the quarter-guard, with a determination to regain his field pieces, which he found in the possession of the Indians.

Guristersigo renewed the conflict with great gallantry, supposing he had only the piquet guard to contend with; but he was soon convinced that the rifle and tomahawk were unavailing, when opposed by the bayonet in close quarters. The artillery was soon recovered, and Guristersigo with seventeen of his warriors and white guides, lay dead upon the ground. The enemy fled with precipitancy and in confusion, leaving one hundred and seventeen pack-horses, loaded with peltry, on the field of battle. The pursuit was pressed into the woods, but of the active sav ages, only twelve were taken prisoners; who were shot a few hours afterward, by order of general Wayne.

The American loss was four killed and eight wounded. The defeated Indians retreated in

small parties to the Creek nation.

At

When the limits of the British regulars were contracted, a number of those who adhered to the royal cause, were unwilling to be confined to a garrisoned sea-port town. General Clarke imagined that they could render him essential services, by retiring to the Cherokee nation. the head of this clan was colonel Thomas Waters, who had formed a settlement on Hightower river, at the mouth of Long swamp creek, where himself and party had collected a number of negroes, horses, cattle, and other property, which they had plundered from the frontiers of Georgia and Carolina. General Pickens made application to the governor of South-Carolina, to carry another expedition into the Cherokee nation, to route this banditti and punish the Indians. Pickens' plan being approved of by the governor of Carolina, he sent an express to colonel Elijah Clarke, of Georgia, on the 5th of September, requesting the aid part of his regiment, and fixed on the 16th, at Long creek, in Wilkes county, as the time and place of rendezvous, with thirty days provision.

of

General Pickens' command consisted of three hundred and sixteen, and Clarke's of ninety-eight, including ten volunteers from Richmond county; making in the whole four hundred and fourteen; including the officers.

The general marched on the morning of the 19th in a western direction for the Chatahouchie river, which he reached and crossed on the 24th, at Beaver shoal. Pursuing their course on a small