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.........Before you were brought into public notice by the recent executive appointment as Senator to the Congress of the United States, I had determined to correct many erroneous statements contained in the publication which bears your name, entitled:
"The Life of Andrew Jackson, Major General in the service of the United States, comprising a history of the war in the south, from the commencement of the Creek campaign to the termination of hostilities before New Orleans."
The public expect from a historian, a faithful and impartial record of facts and events which is transmitted to posterity as correct, should they remain un-contradicted. The characters concerned, are applauded or condemned, and history is made the only evidence by which their judgment is formed.
Had your assertions with regard to myself and those under my command been true, I should have remained silent; you might have encumbered the General with what tawdry qualifications and honors you pleased, however, exaggerated. I should not have enquired into either his character or conduct.
You have made a most unwarrantable attack, without provocation. You are the propagator of malicious falsehood. You say an arrangement had been made with me by which I engaged to furnish large quantities of bread stuff at Dittos' landing for the use of General Jackson's army. Are you serious when you make this assertion, or is it the production of your fertile imagination?
It is not possible that you obtained your information from headquarters. In conversation on the subject of supplies, I gave it as my opinion, that a sufficient quantity could be procured in East Tennessee. It is not likely the General could imagine I was his quarter-master or under any obligations to purchase and transport supplies to him in total neglect of duty, and disobedience of orders.
I agreed to make the requisition on Mc'Ghee, the United States contractor; I did so immediately on my arrival at Knoxville. I even went farther, purchased 150 barrels of flour and gave General White an order to transport it to him. The General did not comply for the best of reasons. He was compelled to use it for the sustenance of the troops under his command, or they must have perished.
You represent my conduct as improper in ordering General White to change his route and proceed to the mouth of Chatoga.
What, sir, ought to have been done? Would you have had me march in pursuit of General Jackson, then 70 miles off, without one ration for the army, when I was assured by Colonel Cowan, who had been a spy in that quarter six weeks, that if I did not halt, my army must be destroyed by famine, that nothing, not even corn, could be procured ?
At this time, I had 16 and 1/2 barrels of flour and no other article of provision whatever. Here I overtook a regiment of East Tennessee troops, ordered thither by General White. Their condition was more distressing than my own; they had been five days without bread and every other article of provision was then exhausted.
In this extremity, I called the council mentioned in my letter to General White, of which you complain. I had not the least idea of General Jackson's march against the foe, where he was, or how employed. The information received justified a belief that he was pressing down the Coosa to form a junction with General Claibourne. The orders from General Jackson and myself reached General White near the same moment. Had he obeyed General Jackson, I should have been gratified.
My conduct on this occasion was dictated by necessity and not with a view to thwart the designs and arrest the success of General Jackson. Let me assure you, Mr. Eaton, jealousy had no influence. The condition of the General was deplorable indeed. His situation commanded my commiseration; believe me, sir, it did not excite my envy. No officer was ever more contemned; his tyrannical treatment was the real cause of the insubordination and mutiny you so frequently mention.
You think it dishonorable to share the dangers &. glories of the field in the cause of your country. Were you a general, would you prefer marching in the rear, out of danger, where it would be impossible to render service, or acquire a laurel for the army under your command?
But as you are not, perhaps you had rather remain in Nashville and deliver an oration when the next corner stone is laid of some public edifice.
I could wish you had pointed out the advantages likely to be attained by uniting two starving armies; the information would have been important.
General Jackson's complaints were for supplies, he already had more men than he could support. Would not a union have been more distressing?
Had I been apprised of the Generals prospect of battle, I would have aided, as far as possible, and would have been delighted to have relieved his necessities, but on whom did he call?
On me, who was as destitute as himself.
Every exertion was made to procure supplies. My army was in part furnished by wild game, and hunting parties fed the famished soldiers. By purchases from the Indians, I procured two days rations of beef.
Information was received that the enemy was holding a war dance at the Hillabee towns, over a scalp taken at the battle of Talladega. Every bosom glowed with indignation.
I detached General White to chastise them. What atonement can you make him and his brave companions for the injury you have done?
You pretend the Hillabee clan had offered to submit on any terms General Jackson might dictate. From the attack by the East Tennessee troops they lost all confidence in our integrity and humanity. Shameful!
Sir, it is too notorious that at the moment General White surprised and defeated them, a number of the warriors from these towns were actually in arms against the United States, and gave General Floyd battle the next day on the frontier of Georgia. You can plead the example of the Major General himself.
When General White's report of this brilliant achievement reached him; he endorsed on it that he had been informed by Ross, a Cherokee, that the enemy fired but one gun, and sent it to the Governor of Tennessee for publication.
The General's chagrin can be more easily imagined than described. It was a glorious victory, crowned with complete success; 68 of the enemy's best troops put to the sword, 29 more, one of whom was a principal chief, prisoners of war, and 256 others led captive without the loss of one man on the part of the United States.
It was planned and executed without his aid; it was too much for his noble soul to bear; a veil must be thrown over it; hence the story of unconditional submission.
The state of my supplies being but little changed, I received a request from General Jackson to unite with him and bring 1500 troops so soon as they could be furnished with provisions; to transport all the bread stuff and other supplies I could procure, with a pompous assurance that in ten days we would humble the Creek nation at our feet.
Every means were resorted to. The rations curtailed, confidential agents dispatched in every section of the Cherokee nation to purchase cattle, & at the time appointed, I reached his headquarters with the full quota of brave men in high spirits, with what beef I could procure and about 160 barrels of flour and corn meal.
My astonishment was great, indeed, when instead of joining an army, I found about one regiment, mutinous and discontented. I was calmly told, ere long, his ranks would be recruited, that he had dispatched General Roberts to his division for that purpose, and that I must march the East Tennessee troops home and discharge them except Colonel Lillard's regiment, that they must remain. Although the time of service of my brave companions would shortly have expired, they were anxious to march, and would have put an end to the Creek war. For special reasons, this would not be permitted. General Coffee was not then provided for. New troops were to be raised for a six months tour of duty; this order was from General Jackson. Governor Blount never did order me to detail from my division for a longer period than three months; his wise head could not distinguish a call for militia by the United States from that of the state authority. Poor Willie would consult the pamphlet acts of the state over which he presided, and his pocket companion, Bradford's Military Guide, and there would find, in plain English, and in print too, that the militia should not be compelled to serve a longer time in any one tour than three months after their arrival at the place of rendezvous.
This order of General Jackson's was promptly executed. The troops entered the service with alacrity. On their march, near Kingston, the order of his excellency, Governor Blount, which he published in the newspapers, reached camp, calling into the service of the United States, the militia of West Tennessee for three months only.
This distinction roused their resentment; however unwarrantable, they determined to resist what they believed an oppression, and abandoned the service at the end of three months; this happened in the latter end of January or first of February 1814, and after their march from Knoxville, where I was necessarily detained, I did not reach camp until the evening of the first of March.
On my arrival, I was informed of the discontent and the cause of it; early the next day a declaration expressive of their determination, signed by at least 700, was presented to General Dougherty requiring information by what authority or what law they were in service, and the reason they were called for a longer period than the West Tennessee troops, assuring him they would abandon the service whenever those should be discharged. I addressed them and reprobated their determination. I told them they were in service in pursuance of the act of Congress of 1812, as patriotic and good citizens they were bound to obey, that it was a duty demanded by the government. Their own safely, that of their families, the protection of the frontier, preservation of their honor and security of their rights required it. That should they persist in their determination, the state, themselves, families connections would be disgraced. I called to their recollection that two months of their term was nearly expired and that in three months they could render no service, I urged them to proceed and acquire the honors within their reach and relinquish all idea of returning until they were honorably discharged. I appeal to the whole army to attest the truth of my statement. I most positively deny your assertions, and tell you, sir, they are without the least foundation. You charge me in positive terms with having excited mutiny and discontent in the army; with having instructed a captain from Carter county that in the event of his marching back any number of the troops, I would take upon myself to discharge them on their return to Knoxville. When I heard of your extraordinary and unexpected elevation I wrote to that officer and procured his affidavit. Whether he justifies or condemns you is manifest from the affidavit itself.
State of Tennessee, Carter County
September 23, 1818.
Being requested by General Cocke to state on oath whether a statement made in the life of General Jackson, page 145, be true or false relative to General Cocke having instructed me, I being "the only captain from Carter county that campaign, that in the event of my marching back any number of the troops he would take upon himself to discharge them on their return to Knoxville, having seen this statement, together with others relative to General Cocke, being the cause and exciter of mutiny, I do most positively state, that General Cocke never gave me such instructions and that I never gave such information to General Dougherty or any other person, for the fact never did take place, and I know well, that I never was the author of so base and slanderous a falsehood against any man.
I do further state, that I never did know of General Cocke's having any agency in exciting the discontents which then existed among the soldiers. I know they existed in the army sometime before General Cocke reached us.
I do farther state expressly, that I was the only captain from Carter county that campaign.
Adam Winsell State of Tennessee, Carter County
Personally appeared, Captain Adam Winsell, before me, an acting justice of the peace for Carter county, and being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that the foregoing statement signed by himself contains the truth.
W. CARTER, Justice of the peace
Motives very different from an apprehension of personal safety induced my return from the army. I was notified that but one major general could be retained in service. The discontents occasioned by the conduct of the governor, rendered it highly probable no advantage would be derived to the public or honor to the officer commanding. It is not a little astonishing that you would hazard your reputation by stating that I created many obstacles or feigned difficulties in executing the order to bring into the field the quota from my division.
I received the order from General Jackson on the 16th of December 1813, at Fort Strother, between 250 and 300 miles from Knoxville, the centre of my division.
I reached that place on the 24th, issued my order and had the full complement mustered into service from the 15th to the 17th of January 1814, and took up the line of march on the 19th.
Their not being well armed was no fault of mine. Arms were not in the state. The public muskets assigned to my division were taken by General Jackson and placed in the hands of the 39th United States Regiment. The order was executed much more promptly than the General anticipated or thought possible.
He ordered their halt at the Lookout Mountain, where they remained more than one month. I own, sir, I had one difficulty to encounter, created by the General himself, when he discovered the troops from his division would no longer be commanded by his nephew, taken from the ranks, created a general of cavalry and set over them by mere dint of power.
He ordered Colonel Brown to raise a regiment of mounted men in East Tennessee. The colonel in executing this order, received some who were detailed to fill the requisition on my division. This created confusion and delay. Their places were, however, supplied by volunteers in a few days.
I have but little reliance on your discretion, and you must pardon me when I doubt your veracity. Should it be true that Governor Blount did assure General Jackson that he had ordered me to bring troops into the field for any period other than three months, he forfeited his reputation and degraded the dignity of his office. His representation to the General Assembly of Tennessee and orders to me are conclusive against him.
Did he not assure them he had received no order from the secretary of the war department? He, in pathetic terms, requested their interposition to save the defenseless women and children from savage cruelty; on his recommendation, they passed an act ordering into the field five thousand troops, and pledged the faith of the state and her revenue for their pay and support, should the United States refuse either. This is a public law, and from your profession. I conclude you have read it. His communication is on record and I will afford you the perusal of his excellency's orders to me.
Nashville, September 25, 1813.
SIR,
Having received advices that the Governor of Tennessee had been required by the Secretary of war, prior to the 26th of August to detach, organize and march, fifteen hundred militia of this state to co-operate with the Georgia militia and the regular troops in subduing the hostile part of the Creek nation, thereby to support the friendly Creeks and to put down any hostilities which may appear among the southern Indians, I do, in anticipation of the receipt of said order, hereby require you to detach and organize, in and from the 1st division of militia of this state, fifteen hundred men, as the militia law of this state directs, for the above mentioned service; cause them to rendezvous without delay, in the vicinity of Knoxville, and march them, via. Turkeytown to the Creek nation, to co-operate with the forces above mentioned, to be composed of such proportions of infantry, cavalry and mounted men as you may judge proper.
You will call on the United States contractor for provisions.
You will appoint an A. D. Q Master and call on him for ammunition and other necessary supplies in his department.
You will I appoint a muster master or inspector, and call on him to muster the troops into service and direct him to transmit duplicate muster rolls to the war department, keeping a copy himself.
You will also call out, organize, rendezvous, and march, without delay, one thousand militia and volunteers from the 1st division; one third of whom may be cavalry and mounted infantry to act with the above mentioned fifteen hundred, against the hostile Creeks and their allies in their nation, to repel an approaching invasion to be made by said Creeks, and to afford aid and relief to the suffering citizens of the Mississippi Territory, as authorized by a law of the General Assembly of this state.
You will call on the above mentioned contractor and A. D. Q Master for necessary supplies in their respective departments.
You will require the muster master or inspector to muster the troops into service and direct him to transmit his duplicate rolls to the war department and to me. Delay is inadmissible.
I am, respect fully, your ob't. servant,
Willie Blount
From this order, will you pretend that troops could have been ordered for a longer term than three months as provided for by the militia laws of Tennessee.
I have no disposition to enquire into the General's achievements at the battle of Enotochopco, the victory is well known, and was received with universal regret. It afforded a pretext most ardently desired, the arrest of Colonel Perkins. On entering the service he refused to I receive orders from General Coffee as his superior I unless he produced his commission. The Colonel knew he was no officer of the militia, and doubted his authority under the general government. He could not imagine how Mr. Coffee had been created a Brigadier General in so short a time. But he ought to have known to have questioned General Jackson's infallibility would be magnified into a high crime, and should be thankful that the decision of the court was respected. he might have shared the fate of Ambrister. By the next I campaign troops were collected that were more submissive, and General Coffee resumed his command.
I believe, Sir, he will not thank you for| magnifying his services at the Horse Shoe. He has more virtue, more modesty than to pretend I he rendered eminent services there. His situation! precluded him. He was posted on the opposite side of the river and prohibited from crossing, I pardon your errors.
The General's appointment might not be recognized, as it was unauthorized by law. Why not give the Cherokee Indians the praise they deserve. Did not they render eminent service, contrary to general orders, and were instrumental in a pre-eminent degree, in reducing the fortification?
I suppose you concluded it would be well to keep them and the order to Captain Phagan to charge the breast works with his company and stop the port-holes out of view, as this order was a little unmilitary and displayed no great talents in those you are determined to puff.
What share had the 39th regiment commanded by Colonel Williams, and the East Tennesseeans commanded by Colonel Bunch in this victory?
Did not they lead on their commands like a torrent?
Colonel Bunch was one of the first to scale the walls. Seeing his companion shot by his side, he seized his rifle and instantly dispatched the foe. He fought like a hero. Why did you not mention this?
Did you believe it would eclipse the laurels of your friends. It is really to be lamented that no order of General Jackson was faithfully executed. On every occasion you represent that by the misconduct of some and cowardice of others, his designs were frustrated, but by his superior talents and military skill, he triumphed. Full praise, power and honor is given to him. Happy for the United States they had such a General.
Your book is a compound of abuse leveled at all except Major General Andrew Jackson, his relatives and partizans. The bravery of the Kentuckians, their zeal and patriotism was untarnished until they joined his command. Their reputation was too exalted to pass without censure. Could you not have satiated his ambition without the abuse others? You might, in romantic style, have represented dangers and difficulties as insurmountable, and then, by a masterly piece of generalship, made him triumph at last.
You might have expatiated largely on his talent and address in negotiating, and particular dexterity in secret articles. Perhaps this and his march into Florida, is reserved for a second volume.
Did I believe you were mistaken as to facts, or possessed independence, I would call on you to retract your falsehoods; but when I reflect that you were at Nashville, and know, that from malicious motives, and with a view to suspend my command, I was arrested and tried for the same pretended offences you have exhibited, I own I should despair. You knew a court was selected and composed of those officers who were most clamorous against me and who had actually delivered their opinions. That the state was ransacked for evidence to afford a pretence, and if possible, an apology, for my condemnation; that all failed. All was in vain. That after every exertion, aided by the influence of the Executive, that court was compelled, not only to acquit, but to acquit me with honor.
Is it not then, Sir, unmanly?
Is it not dishonorable, to reiterate the charge for the purpose of magnifying a character that has acquired fame by his own pompous official reports.
I address you because you have given your name to the public, not that I believe you are the real author, or wrote one word of that book which bears your signature. The evidence produced is conclusive. Compare the correspondence and addresses to the army, with the narrative, and no one can mistake. It has obtained you a seat in the Congress of the United States. You are not vain enough to suppose your recommendation was in consideration of your integrity or talents but a reward for your condescension, and with the precipitation it would give weight to the production, by having an honorable Senator, the nominal author. Had you not been over-elated with your appointment, you might have received profitable instructions. You might have seen you were neither the choice of the Governor or of the people. He well knew he risked everything and offered an apology at the same time he announced your appointment. It has ruined his popularity forever, unless you prove you are worthy of the seat you occupy. The people will not be content with, yea, nay. Mr. President, they know and appreciate the abilities of your predecessor. When they saw you chosen, without talents, to guard their rights, their indignation was unbounded. Much has been said of your modest abilities. For the present, I shall abstain from an enquiry into them, in hopes that by being a member congress and attending the president's levees, on your return you may perhaps acquire a tolerable standing in the county courts.
JOHN COCKE.
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