Starvation now began to threaten the army.

The sparsely settled country afforded no scope for forage.

There were no herds of cattle, no well-replenished magazines near at hand.

Neither was there game enough in the spreading wilderness to supply so many hungry mouths.

The troops were compelled to eat even the very hides of the cattle whom they had driven before them, and who were now all slaughtered.
While in this forlorn condition, awaiting the arrival of food, and keeping very vigilant guard against surprise, one night an Indian, cautiously approaching from the forest, shouted out that he wished to see General Jackson, for he had important information to communicate.
He was conducted to the General's tent.