When the British attacked the American rampart during their reconnaisance in force on December 28, they almost succeeded in outflanking the rampart and capturing the American positions at this end of the line. The Americans responded by extending the rampart farther into the cypress swamp. This new section was defended by Kentucky militia, General John Coffee's Tennessee militia, and Captain Pierre Jugeant leading a group of Choctaw Indians. On January 8 the British concentrated their main attack here. According to tradition, Lieutenant Samuel Spotts of the Artillery Corps gave the order at Battery 7 to fire the battle's first shot.