Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I, Part 14

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1294

USA > Georgia > Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I > Part 14

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The musters required by law were frequent. The officers, both commissioned and non-commissioned, of every regiment were to be assembled once each year, and being fornied into a company the adjutant-general was required to train and instruct them in the exercises and discipline prescribed by the congress of the United States. At these annual drills the commissioned officers were ordered to appear in full uniform and with their swords; the non-commissioned officers with firelocks and bayonets accoutered also with cartouch boxes, bayonet belts and scabbards, and with six blank cartridges each for practice in loading and firing. The encampment and drill could continue three days and in addition to this exercise the brigadier-general could order separate drills and reviews of the officers under his personal supervision. The regimental muster of the entire command was held annually under the inspection of the adjutant-general, who was directed by the law to instruct the regiments in the evolutions prescribed by congress. The colonel must also hold an annual muster of his whole regiment, and the majors were authorized to call on their battalions for exercise twice every year. In addition to these general assemblies the company parade was to be made in the several militia districts four times annually, at which time the captains exercised their men according to the tactics.

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It was found necessary to give special encouragement to the volunteer cavalry, who could be rapidly moved in emergencies. Many sections of the state needed this particular arm for protection of the inhabitants. Hence squadrons of volun- teer cavalry were organized, comprising two to five troops and commanded by a major. Each troop was required to consist of at least forty men uniformed in blue, mounted on good horses and armed with broadswords and pistols with holsters. Musters for instruction were held four times a year, and once annually a three-days' patrol and drill of the whole squadron was exacted. Every county was permitted to form a cavalry company, the whole body throughout the state being known as the Georgia Guards, and were subject to first call in all emer- gencies. A system of reports was adopted by which an exact account of arms, accouterments and the number of effective men was regularly made by each captain, and these forwarded to regimental headquarters were consolidated, then transmitted to brigade commanders, were again consolidated and forwarded to the division headquarters, and then to the office of the governor. Military storekeepers were also appointed for Savannah and Milledgeville, who were charged with the cus- tody of all arms, munitions, arsenals and other military property.

This minute military system which converted the population of Georgia into a military force, was sustained in part by fines and penalties for delinquencies, but also by the knowledge of its importance for the safety of the people. Notwith- standing its imperfect fulfillment it provided the state with a method through which a sufficient force could be quickly assembled in any section. The governor was clothed with full authority to call out the militia of the line or any volunteer com- pany on invasion or insurrection, or a probable prospect thereof, either by entire companies or by drafts of men, and when thus called out they were governed by the laws which regulate troops of the United States. Even officers commanding in counties were empowered in cases of sudden invasion of a county to summon their commands to repel the invaders without waiting for orders from any superior officer. In such cases, however, it was made their duty to dispatch a courier to the brigade commander, and through that source to report the invasion to the governor. With these military dispositions Georgia sustained itself throughout the petty Indian difficulties of twenty years following the cessation of British hostilities until confronted with the serious outbreak of the lower Creeks in 1836.

WAR WITH CREEK INDIANS.

The war with the Creek Indians in Georgia during the year 1836 was caused by the continued depredations committed by roving bands of this tribe upon the frontiers. Near the beginning of the century it was deemed advisable to extinguish by treaties the titles of the Indians to the territory of the state and to induce them to remove to the west beyond the Mississippi river. Many treaties were signed under which partial cessions of land had been made, and the United States govern- ment finally contracted with Georgia' to secure the removal of the Creeks, Cherokees and all other Indians from the state. This effort was so warmly resisted by the Indians in South Georgia as to cause its temporary suspension, but the commissioners were directed to hold a council with the Creeks at The-Cath-Co, the capital of the tribe, for the purpose of final negotiations. The council was held in 1824 and resulted in a refusal by a majority of the chiefs to accede to the proposed terms. President Monroe being appealed to, brought about another full meeting of the chiefs at Indian Springs, February, 1825. Big Warrior, the head of the Muscogee Confederacy in the Creek nation, a man of great ability and of friendly disposition, was attended in the council by the notable chiefs of his

MILITARY HISTORY.

tribe and listened with gravity to the addresses of the commissioners. They were answered by Opothleyolo, their chosen spokesman, who eloquently recited the claims of the Creeks, and in conclusion declared that no treaty for the extinguish- ment of their titles could be agreed upon by their chiefs. He therefore advised the holding of another council at Broken Arrow. After the council of the day ended Big Warrior departed with the chiefs and warriors of the Cussetas, but certain leading chiefs belonging to the party led by McIntosh remained in large numbers, and on the next day resumed the council and agreed upon a treaty which was duly signed and forwarded to President Monroe, who also signed it on behalf of the United States This formal cession of their lands in Georgia created an excite- ment among the hostile portions of the Creek nation which was expressed at first in warm protests accompanied with threats of war. Among their first revenges was the assassination of McIntosh in the night at his house by two bands which had been selected for that purpose in a secret council. The home of McIntosh on the Chattaheechee river was set afire by the appointed assassins and he, after desperately fighting for his life, was slain and scalped. His house was then burned to the ground, his property plundered and his cattle killed. The excited Indians next marched to the house of Hawkins, the son-in-law of McIntosh, and brutally slew him in the same manner. Tustennugee, a brave, intelligent chief who had signed the treaty was also killed, and the Creeks proceeded to make forays for plunder and slaughter upon the defenseless settlements. The fears of the people becoming very great, Gov. Troup organized bodies of Georgia militia for defense. The secretary of war of the United States also ordered Gen. Gaines to co-operate with Troup. An extra session of the legislature was called, during which the treaty was fully discussed, and a dangerous controversy arose between the state and the Federal government. The legislature declared that upon its investigation it fully appeared that the Indian Springs council had concluded a fair and open treaty which President Monroe had ratified. The treaty was made in accordance with the compact entered into between the state and the general government in 1802. But through improper influences this treaty was ignored and another signed in 1826 which President Adams sent to the senate for ratification. Cuth- bert, Forsyth, Meriwether and other Georgia congressmen vigorously opposed the second treaty, but it was ratified by the senate. Gov. Troup held to the validity of the first treaty at Indian Springs, and in reply to the president, who had threat- ened force in carrying the last treaty into effect, declared that "he would feel it to be his duty to resist to the utmost any military attack which the president of the United States should think proper to make upon the territory, people, or sovereignty of Georgia." The legislature sustained the bold governor, and the people declared for "Troup and the treaty" without dissent. Fortunately no violence was offered by the general government to sustain its untenable position, and the territory ceded by the Creeks was surveyed and divided by lottery in 1827.

But the hostile Creeks were not at all contented and uniting with the Seminoles in lower Alabama, made numerous hostile demonstrations throughout Alabama and on the borders of Georgia along the Chattahoochee river, producing constant alarm. One of the earliest attacks upon the Georgia settlers was made at night in May, 1836, upon the little village of Roanoke, situated on the left bank of the Chattahoochee river in Stewart county by the same body of Creek Indians who had attacked the small steamboat "Georgia" not long before, and killed all on board. The first night attack on Roanoke was repelled by the citizen soldiers who had collected there for its defense, chiefly from Stewart county, and the Indians were driven across the river. A block-house surrounded by sharpened pickets had been built in Roanoke and other preparations made to resist attacks, but as the Indians

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did not immediately return the town felt secure and relaxed its vigilance. So little fear was felt of further immediate assault that many of the soldiers who had been assembled at that place to guard the borders of Georgia went to their homes in Lumpkin and other parts of the county on short leaves of absence. Only a few men were left on guard and there appeared no danger. But on Sunday morning, very shortly after the first unsuccessful attempt of the Indians and just before day- break, the slumbering garrison was aroused by the yells and shouts of the Indians now numbering about 300. They had silently crossed the river and stealthily approaching the little hamlet, scattered around it in Indian fashion and, as if fearing the result of assault, began to pour in their fire from a little distance. The aroused troops returned the fire with irregular and uncertain aim in the dark, and the Indians closing in around them began to fire with deadly effect. Eleven men were killed in a short time and eight were wounded. The remainder who were unhurt, with such of the wounded as could escape, making a dash for life broke through the circle of Indians into the adjacent woods and fled under the bluffs of the river. The savages set fire to the town and in the midst of their revels during the day were attacked and routed by a new body of soldiers who had fortunately hurried to the relief of the little garrison. This and similar attacks created such alarm that many families fled to middle Georgia. Women and children were removed to Lumpl.in, and the court-house was converted into a block-house as a safe refuge. All the men of the county were put under arms.

About three weeks later a severe fight occurred on Sheppard's plantation in the same county between Capt. Garmany's command of Georgia militia and the Creeks. Capt. Garmany's company consisted of only about forty men, but on meeting with the Indians the heroic little band at once attacked them, when a fight ensued in the style adopted often in Indian wars. The fight was in the form of a skirmish where each soldier took advantage of any tree or other protection while firing on his foe. At first Garmany drove his enemy before him, but re- inforcements coming from the larger body of Indians he was forced to fight in retreat, stubbornly contesting the field from tree to tree. Maj. Jernigan, who was stationed at Fort Jones, hearing the firing pushed forward and arrived in time to take a brave and active part in the battle. At a critical moment another relief came from Fort McCreay and then a general advance being made the Indians were put to flight. The courage of these pioneer settlers fighting for the protection of their families from the ravages of Indian marauders was widely commended. Garmany was severely shot and many of the command were killed and wounded.

After these battles in Stewart county the Indians with increased numbers began their march down the Chattahoochee river and turning through Randolph county sought to reach the Seminoles on the borders of Florida and Georgia. As they were passing through Randolph and Lee counties they were pursued by the gallant Jernigan with the companies of Capt. Ball and Capt. Clifton, now reinforced by companies from other parts of the state commanded by Captains Wood, Mathews, Guilford, Snellgrove, Wills and Smith, making a regiment of about 300 men. A short and bloody encounter occurred on July 25 at the Ichuanochua creek and the Indians retreating at night were followed until July 27, when they were again overtaken and Gen. Welborn, arriving from Eufaula with troops, was placed in command and continued the battle. The Indians, numbering over 300, secreted themselves in the depths of the swamp and awaited the advance of the Americans. Dividing the command so as to move with advantage to a common center Welborn and Jernigan charged the Indians from several directions, but met with a desperate resistance at all points. Finally securing an advantage through a flank movement of Capt. Wood, and a simultaneous direct attack by the companies of Capt. Ball

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and Capt. Clifton, the whole line assailed the Indians and so impetuously scattered them, that contrary to their custom they left many of their dead and wounded behind.

The battle of Chickasawhachee, which occurred in a swamp in Baker county, is a companion of the engagement just related and also illustrated the warfare in Georgia during its early settlement. The Indians, about 300 strong, had collected on an island in the swamp and prepared for defense. The swamp was about six miles wide and fifteen miles long, containing small islands and infested with wild animals. Within its dark recesses the Indians had penetrated, intending to march southward to join the Seminoles. Col. Beall, commanding a militia force of about 500 men, composed of infantry companies from Stewart, Early, Baker, Thomas and Pulaski and a cavalry company from Bibb, pursued and determined to attack them in their covert. First stationing a part of his force at points along the swamp to intercept the Indians on their escape, the other companies marched into the swamp through mud and water about four miles. The advance guard coming in sight of the savages imprudently fired and thus by alarming the camp saved the Indians from complete surprise. Instantly taking to their cover and animated by their chief, they fought the advancing Georgians with great bravery and only gave way when a rifle ball slew their courageous chief. The Indians were heavily slaughtered as they fled down the swamp, leaving behind them all their tents, horses, provisions and entire equipage. The battle almost entirely broke up the Indian party. Dispersing in all directions, one body hurried southward to the Seminoles for shelter and others skulking through the woods, recrossed the Chat- tahoochee into Alabama, while many of them were captured in small numbers in different places.

It was one of these scattered remnants marching through Thomas county toward Florida that was discovered and attacked by the Thomas county and Lowndes county battalions, commanded by Maj. Young, between Warrior creek and Little river. The battalion was formed in line confronting the Indian force, which had made a stand in a good position and dashed against them under a galling fire. The Indians made a fierce resistance, continuing the fight even after their lines were broken by firing from behind trees until they at last escaped below the borders of the state.

The difficulties with the Creeks in southern Georgia were co-incidental with the Cherokee troubles. The Cherokee Indians, once a powerful nation inhabiting the fine country from the Ohioto the Tennessee river, had dwindled to a small but intelligent tribe which had encroached on the territory of the upper Creeks until they had gained possession of a large part of north Georgia. The tribe in 1838, the date of their removal, had advanced very much in civilization. They had schools, churches, farms and trading places and lived under a written constitutional form of government. Conflicts of jurisdiction were inevitable where the state of Georgia claimed civil and military jurisdiction over territory occupied by a race which asserted for themselves another form of government, and the difficulties were of such a character as to be without solution except by the entire submission of the Cherokees to the state government, or their removal beyond the Mississippi. The latter alternative appearing to be alone feasible, the United States in 1827 provided for removal and permanent settlement of the Cherokees, but very few were found willing to make the change of counties. Georgia had found it neces- sary to extend its commercial jurisdiction over the Cherokee nation, but John Ross, principal chief, appealed to the supreme court of the United States for in- junction to restrain the state from enforcing this legislation. Pending these troubles a survey of the land was made by Georgia amidst great excitement, and

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for many years the state as well as the general government was in perplexity. In 1834 the Cherokees began to make such a show of hostilities that the legislature authorized the government to organize the Georgia guard for protection, and a part of this guard composed of mounted troops was put under command of Col. Bishop and stationed within the Cherokee territory.

As a further complication of difficulties parties divided among the Cherokees on the question of removal. John Ridge, a Cherokee chief of distinction who favored the removal, and John Ross, another Cherokee of high esteem among his people who led the party opposed to removal, at first strove for supremacy, but finally went together to Washington and there formulated a plan of treaty which, after much discussion between the Ross party and the Ridge party, was concluded and ratified May, 1836, at Washington. But hostile sentiments felt by Cherokees opposed to the treaty were still exhibited in terms so unfriendly as to cause great fears of an outbreak. Consequently Gen. Hemphill was ordered to station a body of militia on the Coosa under Maj. Nelson and arms were freely distributed among the Americans in the Cherokee country. Gen. Wood was sent into Georgia with a Tennessee brigade commanded by Gen. Dunlop, and these prudent movements of well-armed troops acting in concert with the Georgia guard prevented hostilities. Final arrangements were then made for the removal of the Cherokees and Gen. Scott was sent in 1838 to superintend the work. He assembled his command at New Echota and dispatching various companies in different directions throughout the Cherokee nation, collected the Indians in camp and about the close of the sum- mer started them up the long march to the west. About 14,000 were then re- moved and all possible arrangements were adopted for their comfort. Thus ended the Indian difficulties of the state with the Indian tribes whom Oglethorpe found in Georgia 105 years before.

MEXICAN WAR.

Scarcely a decade had passed, during which the whole country as well as Georgia passed through several years of financial distress, when the United States became involved in a brief successful war with Mexico, caused chiefly by the resistance of that country to the "annexation of Texas." But it is not within the scope of this sketch to follow the history of that foreign struggle. It is sufficient. to say that Georgia favored most heartily the annexation of Texas, and having already contributed men like Lamar, Houston, Fannin and Wood to fight and die for Texan independence now responded to its small quota of men and money re- quired by the government. The entire United States force employed in the invasion of Mexico was composed of 26,690 total regulars and 56,926 total volun- teers, besides the navy. The losses of men by death from disease and wounds was about 11,000, and only about 1,500 were killed in battle, making a loss of only seven per cent. The cost in money amounted to $150,000,000. The gain consisted of the cession of extensive territory stretching to the Pacific ocean, several thou- sand miles of valuable sea coast and an immense bound of the United States into international power. In the accomplishment of this general result Georgia sent the following organizations in addition to numbers who served from the state in various bodies through the war:

First regiment of volunteers: Col. Henry R. Jackson, Lieut-Col. T. Y. Redd, Maj. Chas J. Williams; Adjts. C. P. Hervey, John Forsyth, Capts. Bird, Calhoun, Davis, Dill, Grambling, Holmes, Jones, Nelson, Sarjent and Turner.

Battalion Georgia volunteers: Lieut .- Col. I. G. Seymour, Adjt. F. M. Levison, Capts. Fain, Gaulden, Grant, Hervey, Nelson and Smith. Battalion Georgia

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mounted volunteers: Lieut .- Col. J. S. Calhoun, Adjts. Haliday and Knight; Capts. Fulton, Goulding, Hamilton, Kendall, Nelson, Renfro and W. T. Wofford.

Independent Georgia mounted volunteers: Capt. John Loyall; Lieuts. F. M. McCordy, George T. Anderson and Ed. L. Thomas. Among the regular army officers we find the names of men distinguished then and afterwards for military skill and gallantry, such as Maj. James Longstreet, Lieut. La Fayette McLaws, Lieut .- Col. W. H. T. Walker, Maj. Alfred H. Colquitt, Maj. Goode Bryan, Capt. Gilmer, Capt. G. W. Smith, Maj. Geo. Rains, Capt. Duncan Clinch, Capt. Ector, Col. Echols, all of whom, as is well known, rose to high rank in the Confederate war. Maj. David E. Twiggs was a distinguished soldier before the Mexican war and now bore a famous part under Taylor and Scott from the beginning to the close. Lieut. Geo. T. Anderson and Lieut. Ed. L. Thomas and Lieut. W. T. Wofford became brigadier-generals in the Confederate army. Lieut .- Col. Wm. McIntosh, an officer of the war of 1812, commanded the Fifth infantry, was one of the most conspicuously gallant commanders under Taylor, but was unfortunately mortally wounded in a charge upon the regiment by the Mexican cavalry, which he gallantly repulsed. The Georgia regiment in Quitman's brigade and in de- tached service fought at Resaca, Palo Alto and Monterey and followed Scott from Vera Cruz to Mexico. Loyall's chivalric command did extraordinary service. In one of the engagements at the storming of Huamantla Gen. Lane assigned an important assault to this company, in which they drove the Mexicans back with slaughter, and Lieut. George T. Anderson had the honor of capturing the brave Mexican general La Vega. The entire Georgia contingent became greatly de- pleted by the close of the war, especially by diseases produced by the climate, and when the struggle was over the survivors returned with honor to the state which they had faithfully served.

TERRITORIAL DIFFICULTIES!'

Following the Mexican war questions arose relating to the territory acquired by the treaty of peace as well as by former purchases from France, causing fiery debates in the Federal congress and continuing until a settlement was had in the celebrated campaign measures of 1850. But the party spirit inflamed during these discussions produced an increased sectional feeling, notwithstanding the forma- tion of a constitutional union movement whichi was designed to unite into one salutary organization the old whig and democratic parties of the country. Sec- tional discussions continued to be prominent through the years succeeding the settlement made in 1850 until the epoch of the great Confederate war began to dawn in 1859. Causes of various kinds had been tending towards this terrible event in American history, until coming together in full force they culminated in the convulsion which for a time concerned and even alarmed many civilized nations, of the world. The period of that eventful war is the most interesting, tragical and patriotic part of Georgia's history and the great struggle between the states will be here considered mainly as it took place on the soil of Georgia with only necessary notices of nations and movements of armies outside the common- wealth.

Already the relations between the southern states and the general government were strained to the utmost tension. The governor of Georgia, Joseph E. Brown, set forth in his message to the legislature of 1859 a careful, serious and able review of the situation, pointing attention to the approaching presidential election as a critical period in the history of the country. He said: "In the present condition of affairs I would advise the citizens of Georgia to stand united with the national

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Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I, Part 14

Author: Publication date: 1859 Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association Number of Pages: 1294

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1294