he hung to a barge that had overset. A Court of Inquiry was immediately instituted, which completely disproved the charge; on this being communicated to Sir Sidney, he sent a verbal reply that he was sorry for the excesses committed by his troops, but that he would in future prevent the falling into such conduct. A savage chieftain could have alledged the same kind of excuse for the ungovernable warriors whom he led. The subject underwent an examination before a committee of Congress, who reported upon it in terms as strong as language could express them. It is most sincerely to be lamented that greater regard was not paid to the feelings of America by the British government; for these affairs must unavoidably render it difficult for the restoration of that harmony and good understanding, which it is undoubtedly the interest of both nations to cherish. For the remainder of the season the enemy contented himself with his petty war of plunder, and occasionally threatening the towns South of the Delaware.

Having thus given an account of what happened on the coast, a war which redounded so little to the honour of England, we shall pass in review the important war of the South with the Creek Indians, which was closely connected with the hostilities with England. Very soon after the commencement of the war, the Siminole Indians on the borders of Georgia, with a number of runaway negroes began to make inroads and to infest the frontiers. On the eleventh of September, 1812, Captain Williams of the marines, convoying some waggons, loaded with military supplies, was attacked by a party of these people, and was compelled to retreat with the loss of several men, himself receiving a wound of which he afterwards died. Towards the close of the same

month, Colonel Norman with about 100 Georgian volunteers proceeded towards the Latchway towns with a view of chastising the savages. He was attacked by a large body of Indians, and after a sharp conflict compelled them to fly, leaving their king Paine on the ground; after repeated efforts to regain the dead body, they at length succeeded by bringing up additional numbers, after which they moved off. They soon after returned, however, with a still more powerful party; the Georgians apprehending this, had hastily thrown up a breast work, in which they were soon closely besieged. The siege was kept up for some days until they found it impossible to do any thing, on which they retired, but returned in a little while under the belief from the stillness which reigned in the camp that the Americans had abandoned it. On crowding up to it they were saluted with a volley or two which sent them howling to the woods. After this the Georgians decamped and reached the place from whence they set out, after encountering no small degree of fatigue. This affair had a most favourable operation on the minds of the savages, who were thenceforth exceedingly shy of the settlements.

A more serious war broke out in the course of the year 1813, with the Creek nation. The American government had taken great pains to civilize these people, and had spared no expence to effect this humane object. But its endeavours had met with no more than a partial success, for many of the natives obstinately adhered to their Indian manners, and violently opposed the introduction of the acts of civilization. The celebrated Tecumseh had paid them a visit in which he threw among them additional causes of discord. A civil war took place and the savage part of the nation proved the

strongest, the rest were either compelled to fly, or to join those who were for war with the United States. A wonderful degree of superstition and fanatacism were brought into play on the occasion; they were led to believe by their priests or magicians that they would certainly defeat us by the assistance of their potent charms. The credulous creatures were persuaded by these conjurors to destroy all their cattle, so that there should be nothing among them that might wear the appearance of civilization. They were further stimulated by the British agents, who also gave them some supply of arms, and made them promises of assistance. It was not, however, until towards the close of August that hostilities openly commenced on their part; but this was a commencement of a most shocking kind.

Foreseing the approaching storm, the settlers on the Mobile on Alabama had collected in small forts, or stations, erected for their security. At one of these called fort Mims, about three hundred persons, men, women and children, had taken refuge. It was defended by Major Beasly of the Mississippi Territory with about 130 volunteers. A party of 500 Creeks suddenly appeared before this place and attacked it at noon-day. Unfortunately, the gate happened to be standing open, as the Indians rushed towards it with a hideous shout. The Major attempted to close the gate, and fought with bravery while life remained, for he soon fell mortally wounded. The Indians were at length repelled with the exception of a few who had taken the block house, from which they were after some time dislodged. A second assault was made, which unhappily proved more successful. A breach was made in the pickets, and the savages gained possession of the area of the fort, but not without great

loss. From the houses or barracks in which the troops had taken shelter, a fight was still kept up for some time, but they succeeded at last in setting fire to the roofs. Dreadful were the agonizing shrieks of the wretched victims of this infernal tragedy. With the exception of a few privates who made their escape over the pickets, the whole of these unhappy people perished by savage violence or were consumed by the flames.

This atrocious outrage demanded a prompt retaliation. The Indians having thus wantonly violated the peace which had been for so many years established between them and the whites, the governments of the nearest States, of Georgia and Tennessee, and also of the Mississippi Territory, without delay concerted measures for carrying war into the country of the Creeks. To do this at once and effectively was the only way to ensure safety to the exposed frontiers, and at the same time to prevent the rising of the other Southern Indians. There is but little doubt, that all this might have been prevented, if the United States had condescended to employ the Indians in the prevailing war. The infernal policy of the British government in employing and in exciting these short sighted people was the cause of the unhappy fate which as a just retribution overtook the Creeks. A series of brilliant victories over this desperate and deluded foe, gained by Generals Floyd of Georgia, Coffee, White and Jackson of Tennessee, in the course of one season humbled them in the dust.

On the shortest notice. General Jackson brought together a brigade of mounted riflemen and cavalry, and immediately penetrated the Creek country. On the 2d of November he detached General Coffee with about 900 men to destroy the Tullushatches town, where a

considerable body of Creek warriors had assembled. A party was sent to draw them out, which completely succeeded, and the Creeks found themselves suddenly opposed to the whole American force. They notwithstanding fought with astonishing desperation, but were at last compelled to retreat to their village, where they continued their resistance, obstinately refusing quarters until every one perished. The women and children of the village to the number of eighty were taken prisoners. Coffee had five men killed, and forty-one slightly wounded.

In the morning of the 7th, a friendly Indian brought intelligence to General Jackson, that about thirty miles below his camp, there were a number of Creeks collected at a place called Talledega, engaged in besieging some, friendly Indians, who must inevitably perish unless speedily relieved. He marched at twelve o'clock the same night, at the head of 1200 men, and arrived within six miles of the place the next evening. At midnight he again advanced, and by seven o'clock, was within a mile. of the enemy. Having approached almost unperceived, within eighty yards of the Indians, the battle commenced on their part with great fury, but being repulsed on all sides, they attempted to make their escape, but soon found themselves inclosed; but two companies having at first given way, a space was left through which a considerable number of the enemy escaped, and were pursued to the mountains with great slaughter. In this action the American loss was 15 killed and 80 wounded. That of the Creeks was little short of 300; their whole force exceeded a thousand.

General Cocke who commanded the other division of the Tennessee militia, on the eleventh detached General