USA > Georgia > The history of Georgia: containing brief sketches of the most remarkable events, up to the present day, Vol. II > Part 5
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The legislature adjourned on the 21st of Feb- ruary, without giving governor Wright any satis- factory answer to his letter of the 13th, which determined him to force his way up to the town and procure such supplies as he wanted for the use of the armed vessels in the harbour.
The resolutions of congress, prohibiting com- mercial intercourse between the American colo-
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nies and the British dominions, had prevented the British armed vessels upon the coast, from pro- curing a sufficient supply of provisions for their crews. The British determined to force a trade into Savannah river, and the other harbours along the coast of Georgia, where there was a great abundance of rice prepared for market, by a num- ber of rich planters who were friendly to the royal government. When the prospect of gain was presented, these people felt no repugnance in con- travening the resolutions of congress.
Early in March, eleven merchant vessels were laden with rice in Savannah river, and preparing for a sea voyage. To favour this design, and keep the inhabitants in awe, the Tamor, Cherokee, Scarborough, and a Sloop of War, under the com- mand of captain Barclay, took their stations be- tween Cockspur island and Five-fathom Hole, a few miles below the town. The enemy sounded the river on the north side of Hutchinson's island and found a sufficient depth of water to admit two of their vessels, which passed up with the intention of coming round the upper end of the island, and attacking the town at the most accessi- ble point. Majors Maitland and Grant, disem- barked with a land force ; crossed over the island and embarked on board of a merchant vessel, which lay near the shore opposite the town. . One of the armed vessels grounded on a bank, oppo -. site to Raes Hall, from whence the crew was fired on by a company of riflemen, under the command
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of major Joseph Habersham, who would have taken it, if boats could have been procured to carry . this detachment on board. The vessel floated at high water and sheared off.
Colonel M'Intosh sent a flag to Maitland and Grant, by captains Roberts and Demere, which was detained. Captains Scriven and Baker were detached with a party to demand the return of the flag, but were refused admittance and the party fired upon, by which one man was wounded and the boat almost sunk. Captain Bowen was ordered to set fire to two vessels lying in the stream, near the one on board of which Maitland and Grant had taken shelter. The first effort, which was made in the morning, did not succeed, because the tide was too far spent. The second attempt, made in the afternoon, was successful. The cable of the ship was slipped, while she was en- veloped in flames, and drifted against the enemy : part of the British soldiers jumped overboard, and swam on shore : the officers and as many men as the boats could accommodate were, car- ried on shore. Many of the soldiers stuck in the soft mud, and with difficulty reached the rice dams, with the loss of their arms.
The South Carolinians, not only observed the continental regulations, but on all occasions cheer- fully co-operated with the friends of freedom, to prevent an infringement of them in Georgia. One hundred and fifty volunteers from Charleston, and three hundred and fifty of the country militia,
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under the command of colonel Bull, arrived at this critical moment, and aided in the dislodge- ment of the enemy. Three of the merchant ves- sels were burned, six dismantled and two escaped to sea. Before they sailed, a party of marines went on shore at Skidaway, to collect sea stores, but were driven off by lieutenant Hext's detach- ment of militia. In a skirmish at Cockspur, on the same day, lieutenants Jacob Oates, and La- roach, were killed.
Upon this trying occasion, the patriotism of the citizens of Savannah was tested, by a resolu- tion which was offered by one of the members of the committee of safety; the purport of which was, that the houses in Savannah which were owned by those whose motto was LIBERTY OR DEATH, including houses which belonged to widows and orphans, should be appraised ; and in the event of the enemy's gaining possession of the city, the torch was to be applied in every di- rection, and the town was to be abandoned in smoking ruins. To the astonishment, even of those who made the proposition, when the repub- lican party was convened, there was not one dis- senting voice. Among the number, where this resolution originated, were many of the most wealthy inhabitants of Savannah, and some whose all, consisted of houses and lots. The houses of those persons, who were inimical to the Ame- rican cause, were not to be noticed in the valua- tion. Committees were accordingly appointed,
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and in a few hours, returns were made to the council of fafety. There are many instances of conflagration, by order of a monarch, "who can do no wrong," but there are but few instances upon record, where the patriotism of the citi- zen has urged him on to the destruction of his own property, to prevent its becoming an asylum to the enemies of his country. The resolution before mentioned, was put into the hands of colo- nel Lachlan M'Intosh, and published in a general order for the government of the troops.
The little execution that was done in Savan- nah, while it was apparently attacked by an avow- cd enemy ; gives strong evidence that the hos- tile diposition of the opposing parties, was not yet roused. It was then considered as a family quar- rel, which might yet be made up, by an accommo- dation of the existing differences between Great Britain and America. Therefore, a disposition to excite alarm by menaces, rather than to irritate by the shedding of blood, prevailed upon both sides, during the time that this partial attack was made upon Savannah. If this had not been the general disposition, certainly more men would have been killed and wounded.
When the legislature adjourned in August 1775, the hope was still cherished, that a negoci- ation would be made through the medium of yielding on the part of the British government, the points for which the colonies so justly con- tended. These delusive hopes were suddenly
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damped by an act of parliament, dated 21st of December, 1775. The letter accompanying this act, was addressed to governor Wright, directing the confiscation of the property of those who ad- hered to the principles contended for in the other colonies ; and the withholding of the king's pro- tection from all the colonies, which refused im- plicit obedience to the laws of the crown. The act extended to the prohibition of intercourse, between the British nation and all the colonies, from Massachusetts to Georgia, inclusively, du- " ring the continuance of their rebellion against the · laws of England.
The inhabitants of the provinces, were charged with setting themselves up in open re- bellion and defiance to the legal authority of the king and parliament, to which they had ever been subjects ; and having assembled together, armed forces, engaged the king's troops, attacked his forts, usurped the power of government and pro- hibited 'all peaceable trade and commerce with his kingdom, and other parts of his dominions. For the speedy and effectual suppression of these daring designs, and for preventing any aid, supply, or assistance being afforded them, during the con- tinuance of the rebellion and treasonable commo- tions, it was enacted-that all manner of trade and commerce should be prohibited with the co- Ionies aforesaid, and that all ships or vessels, be- longing to their inhabitants, with their cargoes, apparel and furniture ; and all other ships or ves-
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sels, with their cargoes, which should be found trading in any of the ports of these colonies, or going to trade, or returning from trading with them ; should be forfeited to the British go. vernment, as if such ships and their cargoes belonged to an enemy. And for the encourage- ment of the officers, seamen and soldiers, in the king's service, they were to be entitled to the sole interest and property of all such ships and cargoes of merchandise, as they should seize, belonging to the colonies or the inhabitants thereof, to be divided in such proportions, and after such man- ner, as the king should see fit to order and estab- lish by proclamation, thereafter to be issued for that purpose.
This law had a tendency to rouse the lethar- gic spirits of many, who had previously been disposed to remain neuter, and strengthen the party disposed to establish an independent go- vernment in America. An express was despatch- ed to Charleston, in South-Carolina, which ar- rived there at the critical period when the legis- lature was in session, and while the important debate was pending, whether they should estab- lish an independent constitution, and separate from Great-Britain, or make another appeal, by petition, to the clemency of the British cabinet, for a re-establishment of the former order of things. The receipt of this law silenced the op- position, and determined the wavering in favour of an independent constitution, In one hour af-
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ter this British act was read in the legislature of Carolina, an order was issued to seize a Jamaica vessel, laden with sugar, and in preparation to sail for London ; the proceeds of which, were ap- propriated to the public service.
Governor Tonyn, of East-Florida, had previ- ously commissioned privateers, to cruise on the coast of the southern provinces, to plunder the property of the inhabitants, and the adventures of merchants lying in the harbours.
The loyalists, who had fled from the Carolinas and Georgia, found a secure retreat in East-Flo- · rida : and the southern settlers in Georgia, had been frequently disturbed by the predatory incur- sions of these banditti, who bore the appellation of Florida Rangers. The more effectually to excite terror in the inhabitants, they had constantly small - parties of Indians in their train. Property which was moveable, conflagration and murder, were the principal objects of their enterprise. They had no attachment for king, country, or any thing at variance with pillage and interest. Germyn Wright, the brother of governor Wright, con- structed a fort on St. Mary's river, which became a general rendezvous and deposite, for the unwor- thy servants of a more unworthy cause and mas- ter. The destruction of this receptacle, became an object of great consequence.
For the desirable purpose of routing this nest of villains, captain John Baker collected about seventy mounted volunteer militia, and marched
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to St. Mary's, observing the greatest secrecy in his operations, with a hope of surprising and de. molishing the fort. This party approached un- discovered within a short distance of the fortress, taking advantage of a thick wood for conceal. ment until dark, believing that the night would be the most favourable time for a surprise. Baker had been informed that a body of Indians had en- camped in the vicinity of the fort, and that the combined forces of the enemy would greatly out- number him: therefore, his hope of success, depended upon surprise, and a rapid retreat after the fort was destroyed. Unfortunately he was discovered by a negro, who gave notice of his number and approach. An alarm of three can- non was fired from the fort, and was answered by the schooner St. John, of eight guns, which lay two miles further down the river. A firing of musquetry commenced, but without effect. Cap- tain Baker concluded, that a reinforcement would be sent from the schooner to the garrison ; and, in order to cut off the communication, ordered a party to a landing below the fort ; from whence, three armed boats were soon descried : the party concealed themselves until the boats came near the shore, when they opened their fire : several of the crew, of the boat in front, were killed and wounded : they called for quarter, which was granted to them ; and they came to the shore and surrendered. Among the prisoners were captain Barkup, of the navy ; and lieutenant Bucher, of
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the army. The other boats escaped under cover of the night. From one of the prisoners, who was wounded, information was received that a large body of Indians were encamped on the op- posite side of the river, not far distant from the fort. When Baker received this intelligence, it was early in the night ; he retreated eight or nine miles and encamped. Daniel and James M'Girth, who were privates in Baker's command, were both on guard ; they devised the plan, and exe- cuted it, of stealing the horses belonging to the party, and deserted with the greater part of them to the enemy. For this act of treachery, and expertness in stealing, Daniel M'Girth was ap- pointed lieutenant-colonel of the Florida Rangers, commanded by colonel Thomas Brown ; and he improved, afterward, in the art by which he had gained promotion. James M'Girth, whose talents were less conspicuous, was rewarded by a com- mission of captain in the same corps. Chagrin- ed, and disappointed, by the failure of the enter- prise and loss of his horses, by the treachery of part of his command, so unexpectedly practised upon him, Baker returned to Georgia.
When the attack was made on Savannah, the legislature thought it advisable to adjourn to Augusta, where they could progress with some temporary arrangements, for civil and military government. They had no constitutional plan of government for their guide : they could only enter into resolutions, to encourage resistance to the
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British government, and carry on a communica- tion with congress and the constituted authorities of the other colonies. The legislature convened at Augusta, on the 8th day of March, and ap- pointed John Wereat, speaker of the assembly. The defects in the system of managing public affairs, were soon demonstrated, The judiciary system was running into confusion: although the criminal laws were still in force, they were virtually invalid, by the want of proper officers to execute them : so, also, were the other laws of the province. It was necessary to form some regular plan of government ; and to appoint offi- cers to fill the different departments, to put the laws into execution. When these subjects were brought before the house of assembly for discus- sion, many of the members were opposed to acting on them ; alledging that they had no authority to do so, from their constituents : they agreed, how- ever, to submit the subject, for the consideration of the people ; and in the mean time the president and provincial council, were vested with power to exercise the executive functions. They also agreed to the appointment of such officers as were necessary in the judiciary department : John Glenn was appointed chief justice, and William Stephens attorney general.
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CHAPTER IV.
CAPTAIN William Freeman had been ap- pointed by the republican government of South Carolina, to meet some of the Cherokee chiefs and head men at Seneca, on the frontier, and near the line of separation between the two states. His instructions were to communicate the friendly disposition of the white people toward the Indians; to draw the assurances of friendshi from them, if possible, and to use every argument to dissuade them from taking an active part in the war, between the United States and Great-Britain. Though he obtained these promises, he felt as- sured that Cameron's influence would prevail over the Indians in the adoption of any measure, which the interest of the royal government might induce him to recommend.
When Cameron was first appointed agent for the Cherokee tribe of Indians, by the British go- vernment, he had opened two extensive farms on the frontier of Carolina, near Savannah river, one of which he named Lochaber, and the other Dia- mond Ifill : on these farms he had placed a num- ber of negroes, and a number of horses and cattle ; from the produce of which, he promised himself an independent fortune in a few years. To secure his influence among the Indians, re- gardless of what he owed to propriety, or the
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customs of a civilized country ; he selected an Indian woman from one of the most influential families in the Cherokee nation, whom he took to his house as a mistress, and placed her at the head of his table. Her dress and equipage were of the richest kind that the country could afford ; his furniture was elegant, and mode of living sump- tuous. To increase his influence, through the means of his mistress, the royal presents were distributed among the Indians, under her imme- diate direction. When he saw the storm gather- ing in 1775, he consulted his personal safety in removing into the nation, where he was constant- ly surrounded by his red brethren. Captain Freeman foresaw that the promises of peace, made by the Indians, were not to be relied on, while they were under the baleful influence of Cameron ; and accordingly reported his opinion to the council of safety, in Carolina, after he re- turned from the conference. At this time the southern states, particularly Georgia, had every horror to anticipate from a ferocious host, under the guidance of such leaders as Stewart and Ca- meron. From the customary implements and mode of warfare, by these ferocious tribes of sa- vages, the inhabitants looked forward with dread and horror, to murder and conflagration. The distresses attending flight and pecuniary ruin, presented the only prospect of personal safety.
The committee saw no other mean of averting these calamities, but by seizing Cameron's per-
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son and bringing him out of the nation by strata- gem. This hazardous enterprise, through the agency of colonel Andrew Williamson, was con- fided to captain James M'Call, lieutenant James Baskin, and ensign Patrick Calhoun, with a de- tachment of twenty-two volunteers from Carolina and eleven from Georgia. The pretended object of this detachment was, that they were to proceed to a number of the largest towns in the Cherokee country, hold friendly conferences with their chiefs, and demand the restoration of such pro- perty as had been plundered by the loyal refugees and some unfriendly Indians, who had committed these depredations. The detachment rendez- voused at the Cherokee Ford, on Savannah river, on the 20th of June, and marched for the Chero- kee nation. Every preparation was made for a rapid retreat, in case they were opposed by a su- perior force. The orders to the commander were, to proceed to Cane creek before he broke the seal of his private instructions, or disclosed the real object of the expedition to the men who composed the detachment. Finding there was no disposition to shrink from the task which was confided to the men individually, they passed through several Indian towns and villages, where they were met, and received, with every appear- . ance of friendship and hospitality ; professing a disposition to comply with the requisitions which were made of them. On the evening of the 26th, they encamped in the vicinity of a large town,
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where M'Call made known his wishes to have a discussion with the chiefs upon the subject of his mission. The conference was spun out, until a late hour of the night, when to his surprise, himself and his interpreter, John Ballenger, were rushed upon by a party of warriors, and made prisoners. About the same moment, the detachment under Baskin and Calhoun were surrounded by several hundreds of Indians, who drove in the sentries and attacked the camp while the men were almost all asleep. The precautions which had been or. dered by the commander, who was aware of the treachery belonging to the Indian character, had not been strictly regarded. The Indians rushed into the camp with guns, knives, and hatchets, and for a few minutes the contest was of the most san- guinary kind. So closely were they engaged, that James Little of Georgia, (afterward colonel Little) killed two Indians with his knife. Ensign Cal- houn was wounded in the first onset, and the de- tachment overpowered by numbers, with the dis- advantage of surprise, fled in disorder, cutting their way through the ranks of the enemy. En- sign Calhoun, John Holland, John Patterson, and John Huffman, were killed. After sufferings al- most incredible, from fatigue and hunger, the re- mains of this detachment reached the settlement, in parties of three or four together, some on the 10th, some on the 11th, and others on the 12th day after the defeat. M'Call remained a prisoner for several weeks, and in order to give him some
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idea of the dreadful fate which awaited him, he was frequently brought up to the place of execu- tion, to witness the torture under which his fellow prisoners expired. One instance is mentioned in his journal of a boy about twelve years of age, who was suspended by the arms between two posts, and raised about three feet from the ground. The mode of inflicting the torture, was by light- wood splits, of about eighteen inches long, made sharp at one end and fractured at the other, so that the torch might not be extinguished by throwing it. After these weapons of death were prepared, and a fire made for the purpose of light- ing them, the scene of horror commenced. It was deemed a mark of dexterity, and accompani- ed by shouts of applause, when an Indian threw one of these torches so as to make the sharp end stick into the body of the suffering youth, without extinguishing the torch. This description of tor- ture was continued for two hours, before the in- nocent victim was relieved by death.
The alarm excited among the Indians, by the succeeding operations of the American troops, softened the rigour of M'Call's imprisonment. He took every opportunity of impressing on the minds of the Indians, the consequences of mur- dering a man who visited their towns, for the pur- pose of delivering friendly talks, and smoking the pipe of peace with them ; and that if he was murdered, his countrymen would require a great deal of Indian blocd to atone for his life. Coun-
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cils were held to condemn him to death, and in one instance he was saved by a single voice. Efforts were made, through the medium of an Indian woman, to obtain an interview with Came- ron; but he peremptorily refused seeing, or having any communication with him. It was inferred, from this extraordinary conduct of Cameron, that colonel Williamson had secretly communicated to him, the plan which was adopted to bring him out of the nation : this opinion was strengthened by the active part, afterward taken by William- son, in the royal cause. Finally, M'Call effected his escape ; and with one pint of parched, and a few ears of green corn, he traversed a moun- tainous desert of three hundred miles, on horse- back, without a saddle; and on the ninth day after his escape ; reached the frontiers of Virginia, where he fell in with the army under the com- mand of colonel Christie, whom he joined, and returned to participate in the conquest of the Cherokees. M'Call being anxious to accomplish the original object, for which he was ordered into the Cherokee nation, proposed to colonel Christie, to permit him to select from his command, a few expert, active woodsmen, to proceed a few days march in front of the army, imagining that Ca- meron might yet be taken. Christie acquiesced in the plan, and AI'Call with four others, painted, and in: Indian dress, entered the town in which Cameron resided, in the dusk of the evening, two days march in front of the army ; but to the
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great disappointment of these adventurers, Came- ron had taken his departure for Mobile the pre- ceding morning.
On the night of the 30th of June, the frontier settlements, from Georgia to Virginia, were at- tacked by small parties of Indians, who fell upon single families at a fixed period. They murder- ed the weak and helpless, and made prisoners of a few of such as were able to bear the fatigue of a rapid march ; for the purpose of making them the victims of their gratification, and objects on whom to glut their unfeeling and unprovoked vengeance.
· Scouting parties of militia had been kept on the alert, on the frontier, and by their vigilance only five families of Georgians fell into the hands of the savages in the first attack. The frontier was assailed about the time of wheat harvest : the fences were opened by the Indians, which gave free access to horses, cattle, and hogs, and in a few days, the promising appearances of a plentiful harvest, exhibited a general mass of de- solation and destruction. Families were crowd- ed into stockade forts, subsisting upon coarse scanty morsels, and for many days without any kind of shelter from the weather.
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