The soldiers knew not the news which he brought.

But immediately the beat of drums summoned all to arms.

In less than an hour a strong party of cavalry and infantry, in the darkness, were on the march.

General Andrew Jackson was one of the most energetic of men.

The troops crossed the Coosa River to the eastern shore, and as rapidly as possible pressed forward in a southerly direction toward Talladega, which was distant about thirty miles.