y days, as it was supposed our services would not
be longer needed. A day or two after this we met and elected Mr. Jones
our Captain, and also elected our other officers. We then received
orders to start on the next Monday week; the time arrived, I took a
parting farewell of my wife and two little boys, mounted my horse and
set sail to join my company. Expecting only to be gone a short time, I
took no more clothing with me than I supposed would be necessary; so
that if I got into an Indian battle, I might not be pestered with any
unnecessary plunder to prevent my having a fair chance with them. We all
met and went ahead till we passed Huntsville and camped at a large
spring called Beaty's Spring. Here we stayed several days, in which time
the troops began to collect from all quarters. At last we mustered
about thirteen hundred strong; all mounted volunteers and all determined
to fight, judging from myself, for I felt wolfish all over. I verily
believe the whole army was of the real grit.

[Illustration: I SAID FAREWELL TO MY WIFE AND CHILDREN]

While we remained at the spring, a Major Gibson came and wanted some
volunteers to go with him across the Tennessee River and into the Creek
nation to find out the movements of the Indians. He came to my Captain
and asked for two of his best woodsmen and such as were best with the
rifle. The Captain pointed me out to him, and said he would be security
that I would go as far as the major would himself, or any other man.

I willingly engaged to go with him, and asked him to let me choose my
own mate to go with me, which he said he would let me do. I chose a
young man by the name of George Russell, son of old Major Russell of
Tennessee. I called him out, but Major Gibson said he thought he hadn't
beard enough to please him--he wanted men, not boys. I must confess I
was a little wrathy with this, for I know'd George Russell and I know'd
there was no mistake in him and I didn't think that courage ought to be
measured by the beard; for here a goat would have the preference over a
man. I told the major he was on the wrong scent; that Russell could go
as far as he could, and I must have him along. He saw I was a little
wrathy and said I had the best chance of knowing, and agreed it should
be as I wanted it.

We took our camp equipage and mounted our horses; and thirteen in
number, including the major, we cut out. We crossed the Tennessee River
and then traveled about seven miles furth