USA > Georgia > The bench and bar of Georgia: memoirs and sketches. With an appendix, containing a court roll from 1790-1857, etc., volume I > Part 49
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I then proceeded to Telfair, and laid out three, ninety feet square, and ordered one sergeant, a corporal, and twelve privates to each, and a subal- tern to command the whole, to be relieved every ten days until further
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orders. I employed persons to furnish those men called out with meat, meal, and salt until some arrangement can be made.
This plan of defence, with the addition of two horsemen to each fort to reconnoitre on the other side of the river as far as the next fort, I should deem sufficient even in time of actual danger, which protection will be a great inducement to those who have left their homes to return. Those in Telfair should have the same force as the other counties ; but that county is thinly inhabited, and the men called out are from the frontier- counties.
Should this plan meet your Excelleney's approbation, I shall imme- diately order men from Wilkinson and Laurens to relieve them; and, if it should be deemed proper to reduce or augment the force thus ordered out, any other order your Excelleney may think proper to give shall be at- tended to with the utmost promptness. My exertions, together with your letter to Col. Tooke reiterating that the frontier should be protected, had great effect in removing the apprehension of danger. Should there be any arms and ammunition to spare, those forts in Telfair county will stand in need of some. I am, &c., D. BLACKSHEAR, Brigadier-General.
P.S .- I send this express by Mr. Maddux, by whom I can receive any communication you may think proper to make. D. B.
XIV .- GOV. MITCHELL TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
MILLEDGEVILLE, August 14, 1813.
SIR :- Your letter of yesterday I have this moment received by Mr. Maddux express. I hope the inhabitants of the frontier in your brigade will be satisfied with the measures you have adopted, although I am fear- ful the expense will be very considerable. I shall rely upon the inhabitants in that quarter doing all they can to make the burden as light as pos- sible to the State in her present situation, when all her resources will be wanted to carry on an active campaign against the enemy.
I have thought, since I saw you, that the best mode of securing the whole of our lower frontier will be to erect a fort and block-house on the middle ridge over the river, between that and the Ekau-fo-no-ko Swamp, and occupy it with a suitable garrison. This would save us the trouble and expense of garrisons for all the forts along our frontier, and would hold the Indians in complete cheek. The objection that it is Indian country can be easily obviated by obtaining the consent of the General Government, and the friendly Indians, if necessary. In the mean time, the posts you have marked out will keep our frontiers in quiet.
I returned yesterday from a tour to Fort Hawkins, and from thence to Clinton, Monticello, and Eatonton. Nothing new has occurred. I expect to issue an order for the march of the troops to the frontier next week.
I am, with high consideration and respect, your very obedient servant, D. B. MITCHELL. The express is in such haste to get back that I have not detained him an hour.
XV .- GEN. BLACKSHEAR TO LT. COL. JOSEPH BLACKSHEAR.
September 3, 1813.
(Brigade Orders.)
SIR :- It is but too manifest that a part of the militia of your county called out by the authority of the United States in the late expedition to
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Point Petre, cither from a disregard to the laws of their country, or from some other cause, failed to perform the duties required of them. I have therefore ordered the captains under whom they were liable to serve to report to you a list of all such defaulters as belong to your county, on the receipt of which you will order a regimental court of inquiry and have the said defaulters duly notified, and will proceed to the trial under the militia law of this State, the eighteenth section of which will completely reach their case.
I am, &c., D. BLACKSHEAR, Brigadier-General.
Similar orders were issued to Lieut. Cols. Wimberly, Cawley, Tooke, and Major Com't Cawthorn, of Telfair county.
XVI .- GEN. BLACKSIIEAR TO COL. WIMBERLY.
FORT TwIGGS, September 14, 1813.
SIR :- The danger of an immediate invasion on the frontier appears to have subsided for the present. A detachment of troops having marched out to Flint River will, in my opinion, give security to the frontier. You will therefore discharge the men ordered out on the frontier of your county. I am, sir, &c.,
D. BLACKSHEAR, Brigadier-General.
XVII .- MAJ. GEN. ADAMS TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
MILLEDGEVILLE, November 19, 1813.
(Division Orders.)
General orders of the 12th instant require me to raise, in the Fifth Division, one hundred and fifty men, seventy-five of whom, including non-commissioned officers, will be furnished from your brigade, to be taken from the first class of militia. When a classification has taken place in conformity with general orders of the 19th day of September, 1812, nine good horses must be furnished by the men of your brigade. You will take care to have attached to the privates and non-commissioned officers the proper and requisite captains and subalterns according to the number you detach from your command,-viz. : one captain, one lieu- tenant, and one ensign ; and you will cause a full and accurate return to be made to the commander-in-chief of this State, and to Major James Patton, of Twiggs county, with as little delay as possible. Should a voluntary tender of services of a sufficient number render detaching unnecessary, they should be accepted.
You will view the frontier-line in your brigade, and select places for the crection of block-houses, and cause the necessary stockading to be laid off at proper and advantageous sites, and suitable distances between ten and twenty miles from each other. You will remember that block-houses have been erected in the counties of Twiggs, Pulaski, and Telfair. They should be retained if by alteration or repairing they can be made to answer the purpose of defence. As soon as the troops shall have volun- tecred, or be detached, you will command them to march in equal ratios to the different places on the frontier-line which you will have designated and selected for the erection of block-houses. In distributing the number
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required from your command, you will exempt those companies which lie immediately on the frontier-line of each county from the performance of this duty, as their services may be wanted in case of an actual attack or invasion, for which service they should be held in constant readiness. The term of service of the troops called out under these orders will be sixty days, at the expiration of which time they will be discharged.
Should the situation of the country require it at the expiration of that term, others will be ordered out to relieve them.
By order of Major-General David Adams :
JAMES WOODRUFF,
Aide-de- Camp.
XVIII .- GOV. EARLY TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
MILLEDGEVILLE, December 2, 1813.
DEAR SIR :- Your two letters by Mr. Spear were safely delivered." The Legislature will adjourn the day after to-morrow, and you can readily perceive that I can only snatch a moment to address you. The pay-roll shall have an early attention. The service performed by you must be duly appreciated by the State. Nothing has occurred here worth men- tioning since you left us.
I thank you for your ideas on the subject of defence along the route you have marked. I will take that subject into consideration as speedily as possible. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
PETER EARLY.
XIX .- GOV. EARLY TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, GEORGIA, MILLEDGEVILLE, January 4, 1814.
SIR :- It has become necessary, in consequence of the disability of Brigadier-General Floyd to take the field, that some officer of the same rank should be detailed from the militia of this State to assume the com- mand of the army from Georgia, now in the service of the United States' against the hostile Creek Indians.
The task of doing this devolves upon me. In discharging a trust so important to the public interest, I shall look solely to the good of the ser- vice ; and, with this alone in view, I now tender you the command of the army.
Permit me to believe that you will not hesitate a moment to accept it. The operations during the remainder of the campaign are intended to be entirely active. Preparations are already made for an immediate forward movement to the Tallapoosa River, and that movement will take place immediately on your taking the command. The time is short; but, with every necessary preparation already made, much may be done by the close of the campaign. As the army is now only waiting for a commander, permit me to request that you will repair to this place without the least delay. Here you will receive your instructions from Major-General Pinckney, and can repair forthwith to the scene of operations.
I am, dear sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, PETER EARLY.
XX .- GEN. BLACKSHEAR TO GOV. EARLY.
CAMP, TEN MILES. SOUTH OF FLINT RIVER, January 13, 1814.
SIR :- I have just received your Excelleney's despatch by the hand of Captain Lane, dated the 10th instant, with the enclosed copies of an order
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from Major-General McIntosh, and the report from Col. Hawkins on which the order is forwarded for my again pursuing the object of my first expedition.
I have remained silent on the subject of Col. Hawkins's numerous reports until silence on that subject would cease to be a virtue. Such ambiguous reports are calculated to keep the army bandied about without ever having it in the power of any commander to effect any thing.
When I first arrived at Camp Hope the Miccasukie Indians were repre- sented as hostile, the British force at the Appalachicola few in number, the Red Sticks, or hostile Indians, at about three hundred. At Perry- man's, before I left that place, the Miccasukies were represented as friendly, the Seminoles hostile. I endeavored to find out who were the Seminoles ; but all the information on that subject was so vague and eva- sive, and contained so many ambiguities,-the same reports at different times explained differently,-the same Indian towns represented at dif- ferent times by different names, all calculated to mislead any officer who was credulous enough not to suspect some design.
The day after I left Camp Hope I received an order from Gen. McIntosh, grounded on another report, that fourteen thousand British troops were at the mouth of this river. Now there are a few, some Indians and some negroes, and the Miccasukies have been killing people in Wayne county; and, after all this, it is thought one battalion will be sufficient to conquer the whole of them with the co-operation of Col. Hawkins's seven hundred Indians, and that without artillery or rifles.
If I had the planning of the expedition, (and which I deem of the first importance to Georgia,) I should ask a full regiment, exclusive of detach- ments to guard my depots, if Col. Hawkins and his seven hundred troops remained at Fort Mitchell; but if they were to go and co-operate with me, I should want at least fifteen hundred effective men, besides officers. No calculation can be made on any advantage that can result from the colonel and his red force. If your Excellency will only turn to the letter which I saw published two or three weeks since, grounded on one of these reports, stating the receipt of a letter from Linebaugh, dated the 15th of November, the contents of which were reported to Gen. McIntosh about the 18th of December, stating the intelligence of the ten ships and fourteen thousand British at the mouth of the river,-if the date of that letter comports with the one I received, it will be seen that it was some- thing more than a month from Linebaugh to Col. Hawkins, and was not communicated to Gen. McIntosh until after I marched from Camp Hope.
If Gen. Jackson or Gen. McIntosh believe that they can induce Col. Hawkins and his red regiment to fight, why not march them to Mobile ? Why send them where they are not wanted ? I know of no other service they can or will render with me but to employ one-half my force to watch them, and to punish us if we should meet with a repulse; for I should calculate as certain on their turning on us and assisting the enemy in our destruction. But I am aware of them, and told Gen. McIntosh that I did not want that force with me; that if Barnett and about one hundred of his Indians were to go with ine I should have no objection.
A great number of my men are sick. Three have died since I crossed the Ocmulgee, three more like to die, about ninety sick and convalescent. A number deserted. I have about seven hundred effectives to guard my places of deposit which I must necessarily establish, to destroy all the hos- tile Indians, all the negroes, and all the British at the mouth of this river,
1
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DAVID BLACKSHEAR.
and at the same time keep an artful commander and seven hundred war. riors in cheek. Of my situation your Excelleney may judge. If I can only obtain provisions, (and of which I have but little doubt if Captain Lane continues here, ) I think we shall give a good account of ourselves before long. We shall have to beat meal a few days until the supplies can get on. I shall wait here to-day, and then return back to Flint River, and there act as my orders and circumstances require.
There is a six-pound piece of ordnance in Hartford which might be of great service to us if it was mounted and we had ball.
On my arrival at this place I examined my ammunition, and find the powder fit for nothing but to burn in artillery or to practise with blank- cartridges. My cartridges are too small to load and prime, and some of them in bad condition. If your Excellency could let me have some powder of a good quality, I could go into action with much more confidence .*
XXI .- FROM GOV. EARLY TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
MILLEDGEVILLE, April 19, 1814.
DEAR SIR :- I have for some time forborne taking any definitive steps in relation to the contemplated road from Ocmulgee to St. Mary's, though we wish to have an understanding with Col. Hawkins which might prevent any thing unpleasant from arising between us and the friendly Indians. This understanding is now effected, and there is no obstaele remaining against proceeding immediately to the accomplishment of the object.
To concert properly the arrangements and preparations, so that it may progress speedily and be executed judiciously, is a matter very desirable. For this purpose I wish to have with you a personal interview. If, there- fore, it be not too troublesome, I hope and request that you will, as early as may be convenient to you, come to this place.
Major James Taylor has offered to furnish all supplies.
I am, sir, with high regard, your obedient servant, PETER EARLY.
XXII .- MAJOR-GENERAL ADAMS TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
HEAD-QUARTERS, 15th Division G. M.
SIR :- In pursuance of general orders from the commander-in-chief of the militia of this State, you will, immediately on the receipt of this order, cause the whole of the first class of the militia within your brigade to be assembled at the respective court-houses of the counties in which they reside, for the purpose of being trained and disciplined by their company-officers at least one day in every two weeks.
It is to be understood that the troops (if not already done) are to be organized into companies until they are ordered to take the field, and that each company shall consist of one captain, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant, one third lieutenant, one ensign, five sergeants, six corporals, two musicians, and one hundred privates. A muster-roll of each com-
* The letters from Gen. Blackshear here published, to which no signature is attached, are from the rough drafts in his handwriting, or from the Order-Book. VOL. I .- 27
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MEMOIR OF GENERAL
pany, with the names alphabetically arranged, will be returned to me without delay.
By order of Major-General Adams :
WILLIAM COOK, Aide-de- Camp.
XXIII .- GOV. EARLY TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, GEORGIA, MILLEDGEVILLE, July 16, 1814.
SIR :- It has become my duty to appoint the general officers who are to command the first class of the militia of this State. There will be to the detachment one major-general and two brigadiers. Yourself and Gen. Floyd are fixed on as the brigadiers. Be pleased to inform me as early as possible whether you will accept.
I am, with high regard, your obedient servant, PETER EARLY.
ยท
XXIV .- GEN. BLACKSHEAR TO GOV. EARLY.
OCONEE, July 20, 1814.
SIR :- I this day received yours of the 16th inst., in which you have honored me with a tender of the command of one of the brigades composed of the first class of the militia of this State. I beg leave, therefore, to signify to your Excellency that I am at all times ready promptly to accept that or any other appointment you may think proper to confer on me in which it is in my power to serve my country.
Believe me to be, with highest consideration, respect, and esteem, sir, your Excellency's humble servant,
DAVID BLACKSHEAR, Brigadier-General.
XXV .- FREDERICK FREEMAN TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, GEORGIA, MILLEDGEVILLE, August 25, 1814.
DEAR SIR :- I have just received your letter of this morning by Mr. Bane, and, as his Excellency is not now at the scat of Government, have thought proper to give you my opinion upon the subject to which it relates.
We have certainly good reasons to calculate upon military operations from this quarter at no distant period; and it is cqually certain that, in that event, the tools and camp-equipage spoken of will not be a burden to the troops. I therefore accord with you in the opinion that they had better be "retained for further public use ;" for, although the General Government will be expected to furnish those articles, yet we know how deficient they have been on former occasions. At all events, no injury can result to the State by suspending the sale of them until you can hear from his Excellency upon the subject. IIe will be here on Monday next.
Col. Hawkins has written to the Governor that the enemy at Appalachi- cola have ten vessels,-are using all stratagems in their power to deceive the Indians and unite them in their cause. They are training some Indians and negroes in military tactics for purposes hostile to us, telling them that seven nations have combined to put down France, and are now
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DAVID BLACKSHEAR.
united and determined to conquer America. All this is stuff to dupe the poor devils.
Gen. Jackson has terminated his negotiations with the Creeks, (says Col. Hawkins.) The line of limits drawn from them is Coosa River (reserving two miles square for Fort Williams) to the falls seven miles above Fort Jackson ; thence across to the Tallapoosa at the mouth of Opickshee Creek ; thence up said creek ten miles; thence to Chattahoo- chee, at the mouth of Sumn-mo-chi-co Creek, and thence east to Georgia, (supposed to strike the Ocmulgee near the commencement of the new road cut out by your brother, ) with an occasional reserve to accommodate the Kinnards. All below the line belongs to the United States.
I have to beg you to excuse my scrawl, for I write in haste, as the bearer is waiting, and I expect you would like to know the facts I have written.
For fear that you may not have seen the last general order relative to the organization of the first class, I send enclosed herewith a copy ; and am, with high respect,
Your most obedient humble servant, FRED. FREEMAN.
N.B .- I am not a candidate, nor can I reconcile it to myself to be one ; but I shall be with you when you are called on to take the field, if upon my own expenses.
XXVI .- GOV. EARLY TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, GEORGIA, MILLEDGEVILLE, September 1, 1814.
SIR :- I had the honor in due time to receive your letter accepting the appointment which had been tendered to you in the first class of militia ordered to be held in readiness for the field.
When I determined on organizing this detachment, and on having them' ready for service, I took the step from a conviction that the crisis rendered it necessary. I had not then received from the War Department any requisition or instructions on the subject. Two days after the date of my letter to you, a requisition from the War Department was received at this office for detaching, organizing, and holding in readiness three thousand five hundred militia for United States service. This requisition prescribes one major-general and two brigadiers. Our movements were, therefore, fortunately timed. The same major-general and brigadiers will command, should it alone be ordered into service.
I have now, after immense difficulties arising from the law of the last Legislature, nearly completed the organization of the whole of the first. class, save from Floyd's brigade. That brigade, for obvious reasons, is to remain untouched. In ten days at farthest, the quota, or the whole of the first class, will be completely ready to march. If the quota only is to be used, it can at once be ordered from such parts of the State as may be deemed most advisable.
The elections for company and field officers I have ordered to be held at home. The former have all taken place ; the latter will be over within ten days. I have thought it proper to communicate these matters to yourself and the other general officers appointed for this command. The distance of all of you from the seat of Government has deprived me of the benefit of your advice ; but I have proceeded with an honest zeal to do
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MEMOIR OF GENERAL
that which iny best judgment prescribed. The issue I leave to Provi- dence and the courage of my countrymen.
I have the honor to be, with high regard, your obedient servant, PETER EARLY.
XXVII .- COL. ALLEN TOOKE TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
'HARTFORD, September 8, 1814.
SIR :- I have this day received information from Christian Linebaugh, assistant agent, which contains alarming news; and, in order that you may be fully acquainted with the same, I hereunto annex a copy of the official note received for your perusal :-
"CHATTAHOOCHEE CAMP, NEAR FORT MITCHELL, September 4, 1814.
" To the Inhabitants of Pulaski county and the town of Hartford.
" It becomes my duty to make known to my fellow-citizens of Georgia that I have received information from down this river that the Seminole Indians are preparing to make an attack upon Hartford or this place. They have as yet not determined at which place they will strike first. If the information I have received is correct, Hartford, or that neighbor- hood, will be the first place they will aim for. I think it would be advi- sable for the inhabitants to be watchful, and have guards and spies out in that quarter, and be prepared for the events. In a short time we shall know how affairs will be with these Lower Indians.
"I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, " CHRISTIAN LINEBAUGH,
"Principal Assistant-Agent for Indian Affairs Creek Nation."
Sir, I have repeatedly laid letters before you which go to prove the foregoing facts : therefore I have to ask your pardon for intruding on you, which I hope you will grant. The foregoing has created great alarm among the inhabitants of this county. I have therefore ordered an ensign's command to Forts Pike, Greene, and Lawrence, and forty pri- vates, a lieutenant, two sergeants, and two corporals to Fort Mitchell, and one captain to take command of the whole. I am somewhat at a loss respecting the furnishing the provisions : therefore I hope you will instruct me immediately, as I have not laid the orders I have given before his Excellency the Governor.
The first class of militia being organized and given up for the United States service, I have thought proper not to order or request them to per- form any service unless in case of invasion : therefore you will be so good as to instruct me whether or not I should order the first class into service.
As we are very weak after deducting the first class, which is within your own knowledge, I hope you will as early as possible aid us in the protection of our defenceless frontier.
I am your most obedient servant,
ALLEN TOOKE, Lieutenant- Colonel 36th Regiment Georgia Militia.
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DAVID BLACKSHEAR.
XXVIII .- GOV. EARLY TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
HEAD-QUARTERS, GEORGIA, MILLEDGEVILLE, September 17, 1814. (General Order.)
It being represented to the commander-in-chief that the Indian frontier on the counties of Twiggs, Pulaski, and Telfair is menaced with depreda- tions from the hostile Indians, Brigadier-General Blackshear will order some prudent and judicious officer, with a patrol of cavalry, consisting of twenty privates, armed with guns, to explore the country between the Ocmulgee, opposite Hartford, and Flint River, at, below, and above the Hitchee Town.
The object of the expedition is twofold :- first, to ascertain whether any hostile Indians are lurking in that quarter; secondly, to ascertain the best practicable route for a road from Hartford to Flint River, striking the latter below the mouth of We-cuy-wau Creek. The officer who shall be ordered on this service will be charged carefully to avoid any interrup- tion with friendly Indians.
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