of huts for the army, in Chataugay, below the line. This paper sunk my hopes, and raised serious doubts of receiving that efficacious support which had been anticipated; I would have recalled the column, but it was in motionand the darkness of the night rendered it impracticable. I could only go forward. The army was put in motion on the morning of the 26th, leaving its baggage &c. on the ground of encampment.

On advancing near the enemy, it was found that the column, on the opposite side, was not as far advanced as had been anticipated; the guides had misled it, and finally failed in finding the ford. We could not communicate with it, but only awaited the attack below. About two o'clock the firing commenced, and our troops advanced rapidly to the attack. The enemy's light troops commenced a sharp fire, but Brig. Gen. Izard advanced, with his brigade-drove him every where behind his defences, and silenced the fire in his front. This brigade would have pushed forward, as far as courage, skill and perseverance could have carried it; but, on advancing, it was found that the firing had commenced on the opposite side, and the ford had not been gained. The enemy retired behind his defences; but a renewal of his attack was expected, and the troops remained some time in their position to meet it. The troops, on the opposite side, were excessively fatigued; the enterprize had failed in its main point; and Col. Purdy was ordered to withdraw his column to a shoal, four or five miles above, and cross over. The day was spent, and Gen. Izard was ordered to withdraw his brigade to a position, three miles in the rear, to which place the baggage had been ordered forward.

The slowness, and order, with which Gen. Izard retired with his brigade, could but have inspired the enemy with respect; they presumed not to venture a shot at him during his movement; but the unguardedness of some part of Purdy's command exposed him to a rear attack from the Indians, which was repeated after dark, and exposed him to some loss; these attacks were always repelled, and must have cost the enemy as many lives as we lost. Our entire loss, of killed, wounded, and missing, does not ex

ceed 50. In its new position, within three miles of the enemy's post, the army encamped on the night of the 26th, and remained until 12 o'clock of the 28th. All the deserters, of whom there were four, having concurred in the information that Sir George Prevost, with three other general officers, had arrived, with the whole of his disposable force, and lay in the rear of these defences; and a letter from Major Parker, (by express, received on the evening of the 26th,) having informed me that no movements of our army, down the St. Lawrence, had been heard of at Ogdensburgh, and for some distance above. The following questions were submitted to the commanding officers of brigades, regiments and corps, and the heads of the general staff, in a council, convened for the purpose:"Is it advisable, under existing circumstances, to renew the attack on the enemy's position; and, if not, what position is it advisable for the army to take, until it can receive advices of the advance of the grand army down the St. Lawrence ?" The opinion of the council was expressed in the following words:" It is the unanimous opinion of this council, that it is necessary, for the servation of this army, and the fulfilment of the ostensible views of the government, that we immediately return, by orderly marches, to such a position, (Chataugay,) as will secure our communications with the U. States, either to retire into winter quarters, or to be ready to strike below." In pursuance of this opinion, the army has returned, by slow marches, to this place, and now awaits the orders of the government. Its condition will be stated by the bearer, Col. King, who can give you, upon every point, more full and perfect information, than could be contained in a written detail.

I have the honor, &c.

Hon. J. Armstrong, Sec. War.

pre

W. HAMPTON.

VICTORY OVER THE CREEKS.

Copy of a letter from Major-General Cocke, to the Secretary of War, dated

H. Q. Fort Armstrong, Nov. 28, 1813. SIR-I have the honor to enclose you a copy of Brig. Gen. James White's detailed report of his excursion to the Hillibee Towns.

I am, &c.

JOHN COCKE, Major-General.

GEN. WHITE'S REPORT.

Fort Armstrong, Nov. 24th, 1813. DEAR GENERAL-In mine of the 19th instant, by Major Outlaw, I promised you a 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 honor to state-That, under your order of the 11th inst. I immediately marched with the mounted infantry, under the immediate command of Col. Burch; the cavalry, under the command of Major Porter; and a few of the Cherokee Indians, under the command of Col. 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 30 houses. We then proceeded to a town called Genalga, and burned the same, consisting of 93 houses; thenee we proceeded to Nitty Chaptoa, consisting of about 25 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 20 houses, adjoining which was Grayson's farm. Previous to our arrival at that place, I was advised that a part of the hostile Creeks was assembled there. Having marched within six or seven miles of it, on the 17th, I dismounted a part of the force under my command, and sent them, under

the command of Col. Burch, with the Cherokees, under the command of Col. 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 daylight-but so complete was the surprize, 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 effectual defence. We lost not one drop of blood in accomplishing this enterprize. 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 Col. 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. Col. Morgan, and the Cherokees under his command, gave unde

niable 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 indispensible-to his country very useful, and to himself highly honorable.

I have the honor to be, &c.

Major Gen. John Cocke.

JAMES WHITE, Brig. Gen.

GEN. FLOYD'S VICTORY OVER THE CREEKS.

Head-Quarters, 6th and 7th districts.

Milledgeville, 7th Dec. 1813. SIR-I have the honor of enclosing to you a copy of the official account which I have just received from Brigadier-General Floyd, of an attack made by him on the hostile Indians, and sincerely congratulate your excellency on the good conduct and bravery displayed on this occasion by the officers and troops of the state in which you preside.

I have the honor to be, &c.

His excellency Peler Early.

THOMAS PINCKNEY.

Camp west of Catahouchie, Dec. 4, 1813. Major-General Pinckney,

SIR-I have the honor to communicate to your excellency, an account of an action fought the 29th ult. on the Talapoosie river, between part of the force under my command and a large body of the Creek Indians.

Having received information that numbers of the hostile Indians were assembled at Autossee, a town on the southern bank of the Talapoosie, about eighteen miles from the X