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as my provisions were nearly consumed. I considered it not necessary' to pursue them any farther, as the object of a general engagement would be more certainly attained by commencing a return, which, to them, would have the appearance of a retreat, and would inspire them with new courage to pursue me; and not prudent because of my wounded, the starving condition of my horses, they not having neither eat con nor cane for two days, and of the scarcity of my provisions-influenced by these considerations, I commenced my return march on the 23d and reached Enotachopco that night. I took a different route from the one we came in, to avoid a deep defile between two mountains. Having a deep creek to pass I issued a general order pointing out the manner in which the men should be formed, in case of an attack. The front guard and the wounded had crossed, when an alarm gun was heard in the rear. I heard it without surprise, and even with pleasure, as I calculated on the firmness of my troops, from the manner in which I had seen them act on the 22d. Having chosen the ground, I expected to have entirely cut off the enemy, by wheeling the right and left columns on their pivots, recrossing the creek above and below, and falling upon their flanks and rear. But to my astonishment, after a few guns had been fired, I beheld the right and left columns of the rear guard give way. This shameful retreat was disastrous in the extreme; drawing with it the greater part of the centre column, and producing consternation and dismay in the whole army. There was left to oppose the enemy a few of the rear guard, the artillery, and Capt. Russell's company of spies; they realized. and exceeded my best expectations. Never was there more bravery displayed than on this occasion. Amidst the most galling fire from the enemy, more than ten times their number, they ascended the hill. In the hurry of the moment, in separating the gun from the limbers, the rammer and picker were left tied to it. No sooner was this discovered than Craven Jackson, and Constantine Perkins, gunners, found means to replace them; Jackson amidst the galling fire of the enemy, pulled out the ramrod of his musket, used it as a picker, primed with a cartridge, and fired the cannon. Perkins having taken off his bayonet, used his gun as a rammer, aud Jackson using his former plan, again dis

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charged her. Lieut. Armstrong soon fell, and exclaimed as he lay, my brave fellows, some of you may fall, but you must save the cannon.' At this time a number crossed the creek, and entered into the chase, when they were pursued more than two miles, fleeing in consternation, throwing away their packs, and left 26 of their warriors dead on the field. This last defeat was decisive.

I am, sir, with sentiments of respect, &c.

SON

ANDREW JACKSON.

AMERICAN LOSS.

Killed 20-wounded 75.

BRITISH LOSS.

Killed 235-wounded, not known.

Gen. Jackson to Governor Blount.

Fort Williams, March 31, 1814.

[Extract.] SIR-I have just returned from the expedition which I advised you in my last I was about to make to the Tallapoosee; and hasten to acquaint you with the good fortune which attended it.

I took up the line of march from this place on the morning of the 21st inst. and having opened a passage of 52 1-2 miles over the ridges which divide the waters of the two rivers, I reached the bend of the Tallapoosee, three miles beyond where I had the engagement of the 22d of January, and at the southern extremity of New-Youka, on the morning of the 27th. This bend resembles in its curvature that of a horse shoe, and is thence called by that name among the whites. Nature furnishes few situations so elligible for defence, and barbarians have never rendered one more secure by art. Across the neck of the bend which leads into it from the north, they had erected a breast-work of the greatest compactness and strength, from five to eight feet high, and prepared with double port holes very artfully arranged. The figure of this wall manifested no less skill in the projection of it, than its construction; an army could not approach it without being exposed to a double and cross fire from the enemy, who lay in perfect security behind it.

In this bend the warriors from Oakfusky, Oakehagu, New-Youka, Hillibee, the Fish Ponds, and Eufauta towns, apprised of our approach, had collected their strength

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Their exact number cannot be ascertained; but it is said by the prisoners we have taken, to have been a thousand. Early on the morning of the 27th, having encamped the preceding night at the distance of five miles from them, I detailed Gen. Coffee with the mounted men, and nearly the whole of the Indian force, to cross the river at a ford about 3 miles below their encampment, and to surround the bend in such a manner that none of them should escape by attempting to cross the river. With the remainder of the forces I proceeded slowly and in order, along the point of fand which led to the front of their breast-work; having planted my cannon (one six and one three pounder) on an eminence at the distance of 150 or 200 yards from it, I opened a brisk fire, playing upon the enemy with the muskets and rifles whenever they shewed themselves beyond it; this was kept up, with short interruptions, for about two hours, when a part of the Indian force, and Capt. Russell's and Lieut. Bean's companies of spies, who had accompanied Gen. Coffee, crossed over in canoes to the extremity of the bend, and set fire to the buildings which were there situated; they then advanced with great gallantry towards the breast-work, and commenced a spirited fire upon the enemy behind it.

Finding that this force, notwithstanding the bravery they displayed, was wholly insufficient to dislodge them, and that Gen. Coffee had entirely secured the opposite bank of the river, I now determined to take their works by storm. The men by whom this was to be effected had been waiting with impatience to receive their order, and hailed it with acclamation.

The spirit which animated them was a sure augury of the success which was to follow. The history of warfare furnishes few instances of a more brilliant attack-the regulars led on by their intrepid and skillful commander, Col. Williams, and by the gallant Major Montgomery, soon gained possession of the works in the midst of a most tremendous fire from behind them, and the militia of the venerable Gen. Doherty's brigade, accompanied them in the charge, with a vivacity and firmness that would have done honor to regulars. The fighting continued with some severity about five hours.

According to my original purpose, I commenced my return march for fort Williams to-day, and shall, if I find supplies there, hasten to the Hickory ground. The power of the Creeks is, I think, for ever broken.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ANDREW JACKSON.

AMERICAN LOSS.

Killed 26-Wounded 106.

BRITISH LOSS.

Killed 823-Prisoners 250.

CHAPTER XI.

CAPT. PORTER'S CRUIZE.
Capt. Porter to the Secretary of the Navy.

U. S. F. Essex, Pacific Ocean, July 2, 1813. SIR-On the 23d March last, I sailed, shaping my course to the northward, and on the 26th of the same month, fell in with the Peruvian corsair ship Nereyda, mounting 15 guns: she had a few days before, captured two American whale ships, the crews of which (amounting in number to 24 men) were then detained prisoners on board her; and they assign no other motive for the capture, than that they were the allies of G. Britain, and as such, should capture all American vessels they could fall in with; therefore, to prevent in future such vexatious proceedings, I threw all her armament into the sea, liberated the Americans, and dismissed the Nereyda.

I then proceeded with all possible dispatch for Lima, to intercept one of the detained vessels, which had parted with the Nereyda only three days before, and was so fortunate as to arrive there and recapture her on the 5th April, at the moment she was entering the port. This vessel (the ship Barclay, Capt. Gideon Randall, of New Bedford,) I took under my protection, and have had her with me ever since. From Lima, I proceeded for Galapagos Island where I captured the following British Letters of marque ships. Montezuma, 2 guns, 21 men-Policy, 10 guns, 26 men -Georgiana, 6 guns, 25 men-Atlantic, 8 guns, 24 men-and Greenwich, 10 guns, 25 men.

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The Georgiana being reputed a very fast sailer, and ap parently well calculated for a cruizer, I mounted 16 guns on her and gave the command of her to that excellent offi cer, Lieut. John Downes, with a complement of 42 men. Lieut. Downes joined me at Tumbez, near Guiaquil, on the coast of Peru. on the 24th June, after capturing three Letter of Marque ships.

Hector, 11 guns 25 men-Catherine, 8 guns, 29 menRose, 8 guns, 21 men.

I found, by experience, that the Georgiana did not deserve the character given of her for sailing, I therefore shipped her officers and crew to the Atlantic, and mounted on her 20 guns, with a complement of 60 men, and uppointed midshipman Rich. Dashiell, acting sailing master, on board her; to this vessel I gave the name of Essex Junior. I also fitted up the ship Greenwich as a store ship, and mounted on her 20 guns, placing her under the command of Lieut. Gamble, of the marines. On board her L have put all the provisions and stores, of my other prizes, except a supply of three and a half months for each, and have by this means secured myself a full supply of every necessary article for seven months. I had hoped to dispose of my other prizes at Guiaquil: the Govs. in Peru, however, are excessively alarmed at my appearance on the coast, as my fleet now amounts to nine sail of vessels, all formidable in their appearance, and they would if they dare, treat us with a hostility little short of declared enemies.

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Indeed, sir, when I compare my present situation with what it was when I doubled Cape Horn, I cannot but esteem myself fortunate in an extraordinary degree. There my ship was shattered by tem, estuous weather, and destitute of every thing; my officers and crew half starved, na ked, and worn out with fatigue. Now, sir, my ship is in prime order, abundantly supplied with every thing necessary for her. for her. I have a noble ship for a consort of 20 guns, and well manned, a store ship of 20 guns, and well supplied with the best of every thing that we may want, and prizes which would be worth in England two millions of dollars and what renders the comparison more pleasing, the enemy has furnished all.

The times of my best men have expired; but their attachment to the ship, and their zeal for the service we are

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