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 51
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You will readily perceive, from the substance of this information,. the necessity of your using all diligence in getting to the point of destina- tion,-to wit, the confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers, and
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MEMOIR OF GENERAL
to report to me immediately: at the same time to use every exertion to accomplish a place of deposit in as little time as the means you have will do so.
In great haste, I remain, dear general, your friend and obedient servant, J. MCINTOSH.
XLV .- GEN. BLACKSHEAR TO GOV. EARLY.
CAMP BLAKELY, December 23, 1814.
SIR :- I hasten to transmit to your Excellency a list of delinquents, and also of the deserters from the detachment under my command. It is presumed by some of the officers that some of the deserters will join camp in a day or two. Others, I think, will not.
I arrived at this place (Hartford) last evening, and am anxious to cross the river; but, on my arrival, I found my flat (which I had sent a detach- ment to build) not finished, owing to the insufficiency of the tools fur- nished by the quartermaster-general's department. The axes are said by my workmen to be made of iron. Only twelve screw-augers,-not worth a cent. I fear my operations will be impeded, owing to that circum- stance; but, so soon as I can possibly get off, I shall march.
I have ordered the troop of horse and company of infantry to hold themselves in readiness to march at the shortest notice. If I should not be better advised, I shall order the rations and transportation from the same department from which the rest of the army is supplied as soon as they rendezvous.
On my arrival at my first depot, I shall not fail to communicate any occurrences which may transpire.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, your Excel- lency's obedient servant, D. BLACKSHEAR, B. Genl.
XLVI .- GEN. BLACKSHEAR TO CAPT. THOMAS.
CAMP BLAKELY, December 23, 1814.
SIR :- Agreeably to orders from his Excellency the Governor of this State, you will immediately warn, and hold in readiness to march at the shortest notice, your troop of horse, consisting of one hundred men. It is presumable you will be called on about the first of January next, if not sooner. You will be prepared to serve at least five months, unless sooner discharged.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant, D. BLACKSHEAR, B. Genl., 2d Brig. 5th Div. G. M.
XLVII .- GEN. BLACKSHEAR TO CAPT. GROCE.
CAMP BLAKELY, December 23, 1814.
SIR :- Agrecably to orders from his Excellency the Governor of this State, you will warn, and hold in readiness to march at the shortest notice, all of the first class of Pulaski county militia, to which will be added the first class of the frontier-districts of Twiggs county ; and, immediately on your receiving marching-orders, you will apprize Major James Patton of the time and place of rendezvous, who will order them, under the care of some expert officer of the militia, to that place, and of which you will take charge, to the amount of one complete com- pany in the whole. You will in the mean time apprize the men to pre-
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DAVID BLACKSHEAR.
pare themselves for an expedition of six months, unless sooner dis- charged.
Believe me to be, with respect, yours, &c., D. BLACKSHEAR, B. Genl. 2d Brig. 5th Div. G. M.
XLVIII .- GEN. BLACKSHEAR TO GOV. EARLY.
CAMP BLAKELY, December 28, 1814.
SIR :- I have the honor to state to your Excellency that a part of the army under my command has crossed the river, and the whole will be over as soon as one flat can transport them. I shall take up the line of march as soon as we are all completely across. And it is with pain that I am impelled to state that we have no quartermaster, no contractor,-one assistant forage-master, who set out from Camp Hope to act in the quartermaster-general's department, as well as that of forage-master, with but five hundred dollars, (as he states to me, ) out of which all requisi- tions and all the forage for horses and hogs are to be furnished. We now have not one day's forage in advance by the contractor. No soap, no spirits, no candles; nor is there any of the component parts of a ration, except flour, meat, and salt, and no contractor to apply to. We seem to be neglected by the departments on whom we chiefly depend.
I shall proceed to the place of my destination and wait for none of them, whether I have rations and forage or not. If I am obliged to re- turn for want of supplies, it will then be seen who is in fault. I have used every exertion to get off earlier. As soon as I take up my line of march I shall communicate with Gen. McIntosh. In the mean time it might be of service if your Excellency would let him know how I am treated by the contractor and quartermaster-general's department.
XLIX .- GEN. BLACKSHEAR TO MAJ. GEN. MCINTOSHI.
CAMP ON THE WEST SIDE OF OCMULGEE, December 30, 1814.
SIR :- I have the honor of communicating to you that I arrived at Hartford on Thursday evening after my departure from Camp Hope, where I found my flat not finished; but, by the time I had my tools helved and ground, it was ready for our transportation across the river. On Tuesday, the 26th, we began to cross the river. Owing to some obstructions, did not get the army over until yesterday evening. As soon as I got a sufficient number of my troops over, I detached two companies to clear a road and make a bridge across the first creek,-which is the most important in my route, and which is now complete.
I shall take up my line of march early to-morrow morning, and expect to gain the point of my first depot in about six days, if the department of the quartermaster-general does not stop me,-which, by-the-by, I have serious reasons to apprehend. We have no quartermaster-general, but a forage-master authorized to act for him,-and that without funds. We seldom have more than one day's forage at a time, and sometimes not that. We have no contractor, no soap, none of the component parts of a ration except flour, hogs, and salt. [ feel myself much neglected by both these departments; but I shall persevere in obedience to your orders, whether I have supplies or not.
On my arrival at the place of my destination, I will lose no time to communicate to you particularly all occurrences which may transpire.
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MEMOIR OF GENERAL
On ny arrival at my first stand, I shall make use of the best means I am possessed of to gain all the intelligence in my power relative to the force mentioned in your last at Appalachicola, and which, I still appre- hend, is not so formidable as was represented to you.
I shall send this to T. Barnard,* and request him to forward it by one of his runners, and by whom I shall be gratified to hear from you. By that time I shall be at my first stand, where I shall wait your further orders.
With my sincere wishes for your health and prosperity, I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, respect, and esteem, sir, your very humble servant, D. BLACKSHEAR.
L .- ANTHONY PORTER TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
MILLEDGEVILLE, December 30, 1814.
SIR :- Your letter of the 28th instant was received this evening by Captain Thomas. In the absence of his Excellency the Governor, who, I presume, will not return to this place until Tuesday evening, the 2d January, I beg leave to make a few observations to you in reply.
It was, I have no doubt, the impression of the Governor that, when you left Camp Hope with your detachment of the army, a due proportion of the staff of the army would have been ordered by the general to attend you on your march. If this has been neglected, you should, I think, represent immediately and without delay your situation and em- barrassment to the general, in order that he may compel by peremptory order that attention to duty which appears by your letter to be likely neglected without it.
Would it not be advisable for you to delay issuing an order to Captain Thomas to march until you can see a better prospect for supplying his company with forage, and can hear from Gen. McIntosh as to tents and pistols for them ? If there are any of either at Fort Hawkins, Gen. McIntosh can order him to be supplied ; and without the latter it appears his company would be almost useless.
An order should be issued upon the contractor immediately to furnish supplies at Hartford, to be transported overland to Flint River, provided you should not be certain of getting a supply sent down the river. Of this, however, you are no doubt properly advised.
By a letter received at the Executive office yesterday from Gen. McIn- tosh, dated at the Creek Agency, 27th inst., he informs the Governor that " We arrived at this place to-day. Crossed the army over the river. In the morning I shall take up my line of march."
Probably Gen. MeIntosh will be able to relieve all your wants by send- ing supplies down Flint River, except what may be necessary for Captain Thomas's troop. This troop the Governor conceives to be in the service of the United States, and is to be provided for accordingly; but says, should he not succeed in getting the Government to admit of the expense
* Timothy Barnard, a half-blood chief of the Creeks, was a man of fair educa- tion, wrote correctly, and was acquainted with the languages of several Indian tribes. Ile acted as interpreter at the treaty of Fort Wilkinson, June 16, 1802, and also as interpreter and witness at the signing of the treaty concluded at the city of Washington, November 14, 1805, between Gen. Dearborn, as Secretary of War, and the chief's of the Creek Nation. See the two proclamations of President Jefferson in Clayton's Digest, p. 701 and p. 705.
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DAVID BLACKSHEAR.
incurred by it, he will guarantee the faith of the State to pay the expense of it.
Respectfully, yours,
ANTHONY PORTER.
LI .- GEN. BLACKSHEAR TO MAJOR JAMES PATTON.
CAMP BLAKELY, December 23, 1814.
SIR :- Agreeably to orders from his Excellency the Governor of this State, you will cause all of the first class of the frontier-districts of Twiggs county to be warned to hold themselves in readiness to march at the shortest notice and join the first class of Pulaski county under the com- mand of Captain William II. Groce, at such place of rendezvous as you may hereafter be apprized of, and who will form them into one complete company, and march when and where ordered, prepared to serve six months, unless sooner discharged. It is to be understood that when the first class of your county are called out they are to be conducted by some vigilant officer of the militia to the place of Capt. Groce's rendezvous.
Believe me to be, with the highest consideration and respect, your humble servant,
D. BLACKSHEAR, Brig. Gen. 2d Brig. 5th Div. G. M.
LII .- ALEXANDER McDONALD TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
HARTFORD, December 31, 1814.
DEAR SIR :- According to your requisition, I purchased fifty-five pounds of soap, which was all I could get at this time. I have sent that in the care of the wagon-master Paul, whom I directed to deliver it to the mili- tary-store keeper or the quartermaster.
I have sent on three wagons loaded with fifty bushels of corn each, which will, I am in hopes, overtake you this night. Every exertion on my part will be made to furnish you with forage. While I continue at this place, I will buy soap to the amount of your requisition and send on to you.
I have employed ferrymen to take charge of the flat. Mr. Kinnard, whom I sent to Fort Hawkins, has not yet returned. As soon as he returns I will send him until he overtakes the army. I wish the military-store keeper to take charge of the forage and attend to issuing it out. I wish the wagons to return as fast as they can be emptied.
Yours, with the greatest esteem,
ALEXANDER McDONALD, Ass't Forage-Master Georgia Militia.
LIII .- CAPTAIN R. H. THOMAS TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
PULASKI COUNTY, January 1, 1815.
SIR :- I returned this evening from Milledgeville. I had not the satis- faction of seeing the Governor. I mentioned to Mr. Porter, his Secretary, that I was at a loss to know whether I should be attached to the service of this State or that of the United States. I also mentioned my situation with regard to pistols and tents. Ile observed that there was one hundred and ninety pistols at Fort Hawkins; and, as to tents, by your informing Gen. McIntosh how many you would want, he would order the quarter- master to furnish them. I also made application for fifteen or twenty VOL. I .- 28
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MEMOIR OF GENERAL
swords in addition to those I have already drawn. He stated that the quartermaster would furnish me by your order.
If you will make the above arrangements for furnishing of my troop, the favor will ever be acknowledged by your friend and most obedient servant,
RICHARD H. THOMAS.
LIV .- WILSON NAVEY TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
HARTFORD, January 1, 1815.
SIR :- I was ordered yesterday by the quartermaster to repair without delay to this place and make such arrangements about forage as I thought best or as you might direct. On my arrival here (which was at ten o'clock this morning) I find the business somewhat deranged, owing to the inexperience of the young men, and principally for the want of funds.
I did intend visiting you personally, but am ordered to return to Fort Hawkins by to-morrow, which makes it completely out of my power, as I understand the army is at least twenty miles distant.
Will you be so good as to inform Mr. McDonald, assistant forage- master at this place, what quantity of corn you suppose will be sufficient at this place, or to send from here to the army under your command ? The reason why I make the inquiry is this :- If, after your arrival at Appalachicola, the army is furnished by water from Fort Mitchell, would it be advisable to lay in corn at this place ? On this point you will please decide.
Suffer me to take the liberty of asking, Is it safe to send a few wagons on after the army without an escort ?
The distance which you will be in a few days will render it almost impossible for fodder to be transported to you. I have therefore told Mr. McDonald not to forward on any more after to-day, but to send corn as fast as possible, unless otherwise ordered by you.
I have left five hundred dollars with Mr. McDonald which the quarter- master sent, and have given him such instructions as I think will enable him to get along quite smoothly. I find the neighbors of Hartford extra- vagant in their prices of corn, (75 ets. per bushel,) and haul it ten or twelve miles. By the direction of the quartermaster, I told Mr. McDonald to give a dollar, rather than the army should not be supplied.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient, humble servant,
WILSON NAVEY,
Principal Forage-Master G. M.
LV .- A. MCDONALD TO GEN BLACKSIIEAR.
HARTFORD, January 3, 1815.
SIR :- I deem it necessary to inform you of the accident which has happened here this morning. Five wagons-four loaded with corn and one with the cartridge-boxes and blacksmith-tools-started. The first wagon got over safe ; the second wagon sunk the flat at the other bank. This is what I have dreaded for several days. I am at an entire loss to know what to do. I have written on to Captain Lane, and directed the men to ride all night. The wagon is fastened to the bank. The flat has gone down the river. There are some hands after it, but it is uncertain when we will be able to do any thing with it. You can judge for the best,
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DAVID BLACKSHEAR.
and act accordingly. I have thought it my duty to let you know the situa- tion of the business.
Yours, with the greatest esteem, &c.,
ALEX. MCDONALD, Ass't Forage- Master.
LVI .- GEN. BLACKSHEAR TO ALEX. MCDONALD.
CAMP, CREEK NATION, January 3, 1815.
SIR :- Agrecably to orders which have already been received from me, the forage-master will continue to furnish the detachment under my com- mand with long and short forage until I deem it expedient to order to the contrary. The quantity requisite for a considerable time to come you will yourself estimate from what you know of the quantity heretofore required to afford an ample sufficiency. It is also required of you, as agent of the quartermaster's department, to furnish a sufficient number of wagons to transport the blacksmiths, their tools, and baggage, as well as the forage, and also to superintend and furnish the means of keeping the ferry on the Ocmulgee in good order.
In addition to the forage required for the troops now under my com- mand, you will take immediate steps for laying in and transporting forage for one hundred horse, which it is thought expedient shortly to call into service. Whenever an escort is by mne conceived to be necessary, it will be furnished : therefore you will never wait for wagon-guards, but always send on your forage with the utmost expedition, leaving it to me to judge of the danger and of the propriety of escorts.
You will call on Major James Taylor, who has charge of certain tools, the property of the State, and who is hereby required to deliver to you all the axes and chisels of said tools. Having received, you will send them to me by the first opportunity.
In future the quartermaster will keep the road in good condition; it being at all times his duty, it will henceforth be required of his depart- ment. Therefore it becomes necessary immediately to hire hands to repair the road, as it is in a condition requiring it.
By order of Brig. Gen. Blackshear :
THOS. HAMILTON, Aide-de-Camp.
LVII .- GEN. BLACKSHEAR TO ALEX. MCDONALD.
CAMP, TWENTY-SIX MILE CREEK, January 4, 1815.
SIR :- I received yours of yesterday, and am sorry for the misfortune at the river. Had the same attention been paid to the flat and landing as when the army crossed, the loss might have been averted.
You are well apprized that it is the duty of the quartermaster-general's department to furnish transportation, to make and repair bridges and roads, to build boats, &c. &c. But, in order to facilitate the business as much as possible, I have had much of that kind of work performed : the rest remains for the quartermaster-general's department. I have already directed you to employ hands for those purposes. You will lose no time in having the flat brought up and the way made good and safe, and forward on the provisions before directed. I have sent back a detach- ment to repair the road a few miles. So soon as they return I shall proceed to the object contained in my orders. I shall implicitly rely on your best exertions to furnish me, that I may thereby be enabled to come
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up to the most sanguine expectations of Gen. MeIntosh, from whom I expect to receive orders to-morrow.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. BLACKSHEAR, Brig. Gen.
LVIII .- COL. HAWKINS TO GEN. MCINTOSH.
(Copy.)
The following information, received to-day from the Speaker of the Lower Creeks in a publie council, is deemed by them substantially true :-
"The chief warrior of Miceo-sookie led a party of his warriors toward the frontiers of Georgia,-ten in number,-and killed five white people, and carried the scalps to the British below the confluence of the Flint and Chattahoochee. There are a few white troops at Forbes's Store, (eighteen miles up Appalaehicola, on the east side.) The store was surrounded with a ditch. Thirty-two warriors of Choctaws, from Fort Jackson, (a part of those who had surrendered there,) and a great many Red Clubs, were there. The runaway and stolen negroes were close by the store. Provisions short ; biseuit only. So great the searcity of meat, that the Choetaws subsisted partly on old, stinking, raw hides.
" The supplies of Indian goods, arms, and ammunition were abundant : two boxes of dry-goods and four of saddles, brass kettles, arms, and ammunition. There were some vessels baek of the islands opposite the mouth of the river with troops on board, and some of the troops were landed and could be seen from the mouth of the river."
Accept assurances of my most respectful regard.
CAMP, NEAR FORT MITCHELL, January 4, 1815.
LIX .- GEN. BLACKSHEAR TO COL. HAWKINS.
CAMP, WITHIN EIGHT MILES OF FLINT RIVER, January 5, 1815.
SIR :- I reecived yours of the 27th ultimo this evening. I have been much impeded in my mareh in consequence of difficulties that presented themselves in cutting and travelling a new road, and in consequence of the difficulty of proeuring forage by this route. I should be glad to hear from you what preparations are making for transportation from the agency to this place by water. I am anxious on that subject, as it is indispensable that I should keep up a constant communication with the general after my arrival at my first depot, soon after which I shall expect to meet with some twenty Indians, who will eome well recommended, and I know of no person so capable of doing that as yourself. But the channel through which a communication is to be opened will rest entirely with Gen. McIntosh.
Believe me to be, with respeet, yours, &c., D. BLACKSHEAR.
LX .- MAJOR-GENERAL MCINTOSHI TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
FORT MITCHELL, January 5, 1815.
SIR :- I received your letter of the 30th ult., informing me of your movements and the delay you were under in consequence of the want of some tools, but that your difficulties were nearly overeome, and that you would be in six days at the point where you were ordered to erect works and a place of deposit.
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DAVID BLACKSHEAR.
In consequence of information I have received from Mobile, pressing me to forced marches, I lamented exceedingly the measure I was advised to, and finally acceded in, of your marching on the cast of Flint River to the junction, as one battalion, from the last information I have collected, would have been amply sufficient for the service in that quarter.
But, as we are now so far separated that a junction with me to answer the present urgent call at Mobile is entirely impracticable, you will, with Col. Hawkins, who will co-operate heartily with you, subdue any hostile tribes of Indians or British in that quarter where Georgia would be affected; and, as soon as all disturbances are silenced and overcome by you, you will, without loss of more time than cannot be avoided, march with your command to the support of the Mobile territory, and join me as early as possible.
In haste, I remain, respectfully, your most obedient servant,
J. McINTOSH, Major-General.
LXI .- GEN. BLACKSHEAR TO HIS COMMAND. CAMP, THIRTY-SIX MILE CREEK, January 6, 1815.
General Orders.)
All officers and soldiers will be careful not to fire on any Indian that may be seen, except he discovers some manifest intention of hostility, or refuse to stand when bid to do so, or refuse to answer when hailed. They will be careful not to injure any friendly Indian, and particularly when bearing a white flag or other token of friendship. They will be careful not to communicate, by writing or otherwise, the strength, contemplated route, or object of the army.
LXII .- GOV. EARLY TO GEN. BLACKSHEAR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, GEORGIA, MILLEDGEVILLE, January 6, 1815.
SIR :- On my return to town yesterday, I found in the office your two letters of the 23d and 28th ultimo. At the same time I received by express, from Gen. McIntosh, a letter of the 1st instant, enclosing a copy of one to himself from Gen. Winchester, dated at Mobile on the 20th of December. Copies of both those are now enclosed for your perusal. You will perceive by them the imperious necessity for changing your route.
Whilst Gen. McIntosh refers this matter to my discretion, it is at the same time evident that his solicitude is great that the force under your command should pursue and join him. And when I consider the great object for which the War Department required the troops from this State, and when to this view is added the fact, now clearly ascertained, that the very crisis has occurred which was at first only anticipated, I feel a deep conviction that you ought to pursue the original destination of the army. The destruction of the Red Sticks by Major Blue is a circumstance which also has its weight. It has diminished very much the causes which gave rise to your being detached from the main army. The Seminoles will, it is to be presumed, be deterred from committing hostility; and, should they continue to manifest an unfriendly temper, I must send against them another force.
You will therefore consider yourself ordered to join Gen. McIntosh with the least possible delay. The route to be taken must be left to your own discretion.
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MEMOIR OF GENERAL
Should you have reached Flint River, and boats should have met you from above, possibly you may deem it advisable to ascend the river to the Ageney. I presume, however, that you will consider it most advisable to retrace your steps, and, if boats should have come down, to order them to return, sending in them some of your heaviest baggage.
I cannot but enter into your feelings at this retrograde movement. But I know enough of your patriotism to believe that you will smother them under a sense of duty and the prospect of serving your country more effectually. I feel no doubt that, with exertion, you will be enabled to overtake Gen. McIntosh before or by the time he reaches Mobile.
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