was an Indian town, where a large party of warriors was assembled
in preparation for some secret expedition. A large and select band was
immediately dispatched, on horseback, to attack them by surprise. Two
friendly Creeks led them with Indian sagacity through circuitous
trails. Stealthily they approached the town, and dividing their force,
marched on each side so as to encircle it completely. Aided by their
Creek guides, this important movement was accomplished without the
warriors discovering their approach. The number of the whites was so
great that they were enabled to surround the town with so continuous a
line that escape was impossible for any enclosed within that fearful
barrier of loaded rifles wielded by unerring marksmen. Closer and more
compactly the fatal line was drawn. These movements were accomplished
in the dim morning twilight.

All being ready, Captain Hammond, and a few rangers, were sent forward
to show themselves, and to bring on the fight. The moment the warriors
caught sight of them, one general war-whoop rose from every throat.
Grasping their rifles, they rushed headlong upon the rangers, who
retired before them. They soon reached one portion of the compact line,
and were received with a terrible fire, which struck many of them down
in instant death. The troops then closed rapidly upon the doomed
Indians, and from the north, the south, the east, and the west, they
were assailed by a deadly storm of bullets.

Almost immediately the Indians saw that they were lost. There was no
possibility of escape. This was alike manifest to every one, to
warrior, squaw, and pappoose. All surrendered themselves to despair.
The warriors threw down their weapons, in sign of surrender. Some
rushed into the lodges. Some rushed toward the soldiers, stretching out
their unarmed hands in supplication for life. The women in particular,
panic-stricken, ran to the soldiers, clasped them about the knees, and
looked up into their faces with piteous supplications for life.
Crockett writes:

"I saw seven squaws have hold of one man. So I hollered out the
Scriptures was fulfilling; that there was seven women holding to one
man's coat-tail. But I believe it was a hunting-shirt all the time. We
took them all prisoners that came out to us in this way."

Forty-six warriors, by count, threw down their arms in token of
surrender, and ran into one of the large houses. A band of soldiers
pursued them, with the apparent intent of s