itself still in a
starving condition. Though the expedition had been eminently successful
in the destruction of Indian warriors, it had consumed their
provisions, without affording them any additional supply. The weather
had become intensely cold. The clothing of the soldiers, from hard
usage, had become nearly worn out. The horses were also emaciate and
feeble. There was danger that many of the soldiers must perish from
destitution and hunger.

The regiment to which Crockett belonged had enlisted for sixty days.
Their time had long since expired. The officers proposed to Jackson
that they and their soldiers might be permitted to return to their
homes, promising that they would immediately re-enlist after having
obtained fresh horses and fresh clothing. Andrew Jackson was by nature
one of the most unyielding of men. His will was law, and must be
obeyed, right or wrong. He was at that time one of the most profane of
men. He swore by all that was sacred that they should not go; that the
departure of so many of the men would endanger the possession of the
fort and the lives of the remaining soldiers. There were many of the
soldiers in the same condition, whose term of service had expired. They
felt that they were free and enlightened Americans, and resented the
idea of being thus enslaved and driven, like cattle, at the will of a
single man. Mutinous feelings were excited. The camp was filled with
clamor. The soldiers generally were in sympathy with those who demanded
their discharge, having faithfully served out the term of their
enlistment. Others felt that their own turn might come when they too
might be thus enslaved.

There was a bridge which it was necessary for the soldiers to cross on
the homeward route. The inflexible General, supposing that the regulars
would be obedient to military discipline, and that it would be for
their interest to retain in the camp those whose departure would
endanger all their lives placed them upon the bridge, with cannon
loaded to the muzzle with grape-shot. They were ordered mercilessly to
shoot down any who should attempt to cross without his permission. In
Crockett's ludicrous account of this adventure, he writes:

"The General refused to let us go. We were, however, determined to go.
With this, the General issued his orders against it. We began to fix
for a start. The General went and placed his cannon on a bridge we had
to cross, and ordered out his regulars and drafted men to p