Vermont, and arrived at this place two days since; and further this deponent saith not. ABRAHAM WALTER. One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, in aral THIRD VICTORY OVER THE CREEKS. DEAR GENERAL, FORT ARMSTRONG, November 24th, 1818. In mine of the 19th instant, by major Outlaw, I promised you à 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 or der 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 to Little Oakfuskie, when we fell in with and captured five hostile Creek warriors, supposed to be spies. Finding no other Indians at that place, we burned the town, which consisted of thirty houses. We then proceeded to a town called Genalgo, and burned the same, consisting of ninety-three houses; thence we proceeded to Nitty Choptoa, consisting of about twenty-five houses, which I considered it most prudent not to destroy, as it might possibly be of use at some future period. From thence we marched to the Hillibee Town, consisting of about twenty houses, adjoining which was Grayson's farm. Previous to our arrival at that place, I was advised that a party of the hostile Creeks was assembled there. Having marched within six or eight miles of it on the evening of the 7th, I dismounted a part of the force under my command, and sent them under the command of colonel Burch, with the Cherokees under the command of colonel Morgan in advance,to surround the town in the night, and make the attack at daylight on the 18th. Owing to the darkness of the night, the town was not reached until after day-light; but so complete was the surprise, that we succeeded in surrounding the town, and killing and capturing almost (if not entirely) the whole of the hostile Creeks assembled there, consisting of about 316, of which number about 60 warriors. were killed on the spot, and the remainder made prisoners. Before the close of the engagement, my whole force was up and ready for action, had it become necessary; but owing to the want of knowledge on the part of the Indians of our approach, they were. entirely killed and taken before they could prepare for any effec tual defence. We lost not one drop of blood in accomplishing this enterprise. We destroyed this village, and, in obedience to your orders, commenced our march for this post, which we were unable to reach until yesterday. I estimate the distance from this to Grayson's farm, at about 100 miles. The ground over which we travelled is so rough and hilly, as to render a passage very difficult. Many defiles it was impossible to pass in safety, without the greatest precaution. For a part of the time, the weather was so very wet, being encumbered with prisoners, and the troops and their horses having to subsist in a very great degree upon such supplies as we could procure in the nation, rendered our march more tardy than it otherwise would have been. The troops under my command have visited the heart of that section of the Creek nation, where the Red Sticks were first distributed. In justice to this gallant band, I am proud to state, that the whole of the officers and men under the command of colonel Burch, performed their duty cheerfully and without complaint: that from the cool, orderly and prompt manner in which major Porter and the cavalry under his command, formed and conducted themselves in every case of alarm, I had the highest confidence in them; colonel Morgan and the Cherokees under his command, gave undeniable evidence that they merit the employ of their government. In short, sir, the whole detachment under my command, conducted in such a manner as to enable me to assure you that they are capable of performing any thing to which the same number of men are equal. It gives me pleasure to add, that Mr. M'Corry, who acted as my aid in this expedition, rendered services that to me were indispensable, to his country very useful, and to himself highly honourable. I have the honour to be, &c. Major general John Cocke. JAMES WHITE, Brigadier general. Extract of a letter from major general Wilkinson to the Secretary of War, dated "FRENCH MILLS, November 24th, 1813. "I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 15th instant from Albany, and hope my despatches have reached you which left this on the 17th. "With respect to the unfortunate issue of the campaign, I disclaim the shadow of blame, because I know I have done my duty, and more than my duty, and so do those with whom I have acted. To general Hampton's outrage of every principle of sub ordination and discipline may be ascribed the failure of the expedi tion; and that I have not yet arrested him must be attributed to my respect for you, and my desire that the arrest should proceed from the highest authority; for if this act be suffered to pass unnoticed and unpunished, it will establish a precedent to justify disobedience and subvert those obligations of blind obedience, on which the efficiency of military institutions exclusively depend. "After our losses by deaths, desertions, and discharges since we left Sackett's Harbor, I think we shall not be able to show you more than 6000 men at this point, exclusive of the dragoons who have been ordered to Greenbush and Pittsfield for convenience and economy." SIR, FOURTH VICTORY OVER THE CREEKS. CAMP, WEST CHATAHOUCHIE, December 4th, 1813. I have the honour to communicate to your excellency an account of an action fought on the 29th ultimo on the Talapoosie river, between part of the force under my command, and a large body of the Creek Indians. Having received information that a number of the hostile Indians were assembled at Autossee, a town on the southern bank of the Talapoosie, about 18 miles from the Hickory Ground, and 20 above the junction of that river with the Coosa, I proceeded to its attack with 950 of the Georgia militia, accompanied by between 3 and 400 friendly Indians. Having encamped within nine or ten miles of the point of destination the preceding evening, we resumed the march a few minutes before one on the morning of the 29th, and at half past six, were formed for action in front of the town. Booth's battalion composed the right column, and marched from its centre. Watson's battalion composed the left, and marched from its right. Adams's rifle company and Meriwether's under lieutenant Hendon, were on the flanks. Captain Thomas's artillery marched in front of the right column in the road. It was my intention to have completely surrounded the enemy by appaying the right wing of my force on Canleebee creek, at the mouth of which I was informed the town stood, and resting the left on the river bank below the town, but to our surprise, as the day dawned, we perceived a second town about 500 yards below that which we had first viewed and were preparing to attack. The plan was immediately changed: three companies of infantry on the left were wheeled into echellon, and advanced to the lower town accompanied by Meriwether's rifle company and two troops of light dragoons under the command of captains Irwin and Steele. The residue of the force approached the upper town, and the battle soon became general. The Indians presented themselves at every point, and fought with the desperate bravery of real fanatics. The well directed fire, however, of the artillery, added to the charge of the bayonet, soon forced them to take refuge in the out houses, thickets and copses in rear of the town; many it is believed concealed themselves in caves, previously formed for the purpose of secure retreat in the high bluff of the river, which was thickly covered with reed and brush wood. The Indians of the friendly party, who accompanied us on the expedition, were divided into four companies, and placed under the command of leaders of their selection. They were, by engagement entered into the day previous, to have crossed the river above the town and been posted on the opposite shore during the action, for the purpose of firing on such of the enemy as might attempt to escape, or keep in check any reinforcement which might probably be thrown in from the neighboring town; but owing to the difficulty of the ford and the coldness of the weather, and the lateness of the hour, this arrangement failed, and their leaders were directed to cross Canleebee creek and occupy that flank, to prevent escapes from the Tallassee town. Some time after the action commenced, our red friends thronged in disorder in the rear of our lines. The Cowetaws under M'Intosh, and Tookaubatchians under Mad Dog's son, fell in on our flanks, and fought with an intrepidity worthy of any troops. At 9 o'clock the enemy was completely driven from the plain, and the houses of both towns wrapped in flames. As we were then 60 miles from any depot of provisions, and our five days' rations pretty much reduced, in the heart of an enemy's country, which in a few moments could have poured from its numerous towns hosts of the fiercest warriors, as soon as the dead and wounded were properly disposed of, I ordered the place to be abandoned, and the troops to commence their march to Chatahouchie. It is difficult to determine the strength of the enemy; but from the information of some of the chiefs, which it is said can be relied on, there were assembled at Autossee warriors from eight towns, for its defence, it being their beloved ground, on which they proclaimed no white man could approach without inevitable destruction. It is difficult to give a precise account of the loss of the enemy; but from the number which were lying scattered over the field, together with those destroyed in the towns, and the many slain on the bank of the river, which respectable officers affirm they saw lying in heaps at the water's edge, where they had been precipitated by their surviving friends, their loss in killed, independent of their wounded, must have been at least 200, (among whom were the Autossee and Tallassee kings) and from the circumstance of their making no efforts to molest our return, probably greater. The number of buildings burnt, some of a superior order for the dwellings of savases, and filled with valuable articles, is supposed to be 400. Adjutant general Newman rendered important services during the action, by his cool and deliberate courage. My aid, major Crawford, discharged with promptitude the duties of a brave and meritorious officer. Major Pace, who acted as field aid, also distinguished himself; both these gentlemen had their horses shot under them, and the latter lost his. Doctor Williamson, hospital surgeon, and doctor Clopton, were prompt and attentive in the discharge of their duty towards the wounded during the action. Major Freeman, at the head of Irwin's troop of cavalry, and part of Steele's, made a furious and successful charge upon a body of Indians, sabred several and completely defeated them: captain Thomas and his company, captain Adams and lieutenant Hendon's rifle companies killed a great many Indians, and deserve particular praise. Captain Barton's company was in the hottest of the battle, and fought like soldiers. Captain Myrick, captain Little, captain King, captain Broadnax, captain Cleveland, captain Joseph T. Cunningham, and captain Lee, with their companies, distinguished themselves. Brigadier general Shackleford was of great service in bringing the troops into action; and adjutant Broadnax, and major Montgomery, who acted as assistant adjutant, showed great activity and courage. Major Booth used his best endeavors in bringing his battalion to action, and major Watson's battalion acted with considerable spirit. Irwin's, Patterson's, and Steele's troops of cavalry, whenever an opportunity presented, charged with success. Lieutenant Strong had his horse shot and narrowly escaped, and quarter master Fennell displayed the greatest heroism, and miraculously escaped, though badly wounded, after having his horse shot from under him. The topographical engineer was vigilant in his endeavours to render service. The troops deserve the highest praise for their fortitude in enduring hunger, cold, and fatigue, without a murmur, having marched 120 miles in 7 days. The friendly Indians lost several killed and wounded, the number not exactly known. Captain Barton, an active and intelligent officer, (the bearer of these despatches) can more particularly explain to your excellency the conduct, movements, and operations of the army. Major general Pinckney. I have the honour to be, &c. Killed and wounded in the action on the 29th of November, 1813. Total killed, 11; wounded, 54. |