340 JACKSON COUNTY. 



from Gen. Greene's army, they had formed the resolution of 

 retiring home. Jackson being informed of this state of feel- 

 ing, instantly repaired to the camp, and, by his animating ad- 

 dresses, quelled the tumult, and called upon them, in a manner 

 peculiar to himself, not to tarnish the laurels which they had 

 already gained, by deserting their country in a time of so much 

 need. His interference was effectual. The drooping spirits 

 of the militia were roused, and they resolved to bid defiance 

 to their foes. Nobly did these men fight. Jackson's arrange- 

 ments at the beginning of the attack upon Augusta, contribut- 

 ed in a great degree to the success of the American arms- 

 He led one of the advance parties, and performed other peril- 

 ous duties with great honour to himself After the surrender 

 of the town, he received orders to level the fortifications, to 

 collect as many men as possible, and join the army of Gen. 

 Greene ; but, having marched about thirty miles, he found it 

 impossible to reach the main army, and therefore returned to 

 Augusta, of which he had been appointed commandant. 



In July he was ordered to advance towards Savannah, and 

 take post midway between this town and Augusta. It was 

 here that a conspiracy was formed in his infantry to kill Col. 

 Jackson in his bed, but happily it was discovered by a soldier 

 who acted as his waiter, named Davis. This honourable man 

 observing that something uncommon was going on in the 

 camp, determined to find it out. To accomplish his object, 

 he mingled among the men, and branded the Colonel with 

 many opprobrious epithets. Supposing they might have a 

 useful accomplice in Davis, the conspirators divulged their 

 secret to him, which he immediately communicated to Col. 

 Jackson. The infantry were drawn out, the ringleaders 

 instantly arrested under a charge of cavalry, tried by a court 

 martial, and executed. Davis was rewarded for his fidelity by 

 the Legislature, with a gift of 500 acres of land, a horse, sad- 

 dle and bridle. Before Col. Jackson with his legion reached 

 Ebenezer, he had several skirmishes with the foe, in which he 

 was generally victorious. On the 2d of November, 1781, he 

 determined to surprise the British post at the Ogeechee ferry. 

 His approach to the post was conducted with so much address, 

 that it was not perceived until the demand was made upon it 



