CAMDEN COUNTY, GA - Jernigan, Capt Aaron  to Gov McDonald, Indian problems 1842

*****************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm
***********************
This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:
 Tara D. Fields tutcher@camdencounty.org


Extracted from:
Southeastern Native American Documents, 1730-1842
http://neptune3.galib.uga.edu/
By Tara D. Fields
tutcher@camdencounty.org

March 06, 2004
History and Genealogy of Camden and Charlton Counties, Georgia 
http://www.camdencounty.org

Document: TCC641 
[Letter] 1842 Mar. 4, Camden County, Georgia [to] C[harles] J. McDonald, Milledgeville, Georgia / Capt[ain] Aaron Jernigan

author: Jernigan, Aaron 
date: March 4, 1842 
extent: 3p 
summary: This document is a letter from
Captain Aaron Jernigan in Camden County,
Georgia to Charles J. McDonald, Governor of
Georgia (1839-1842), dated March 4, 1842.
Jernigan informs the governor of a recent
murder allegedly committed by Indians within
10 miles of Fort Gilmer in Columbia County,
Florida (adjacent to Ware and Camden
Counties in Georgia). Jernigan expresses his
belief that such murders are likely to
continue unless volunteer troops are added
to the U.S. troops already stationed along
the frontier. He goes on to state that the
inhabitants near the Okefenokee Swamp and
the Everglades will remain in danger of
attack during the remainder of the Seminole
War. 
repository: Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries 
collection: Telamon Cuyler 
box: 52 
folder: 08 
document: 01 

Page: [1] [ | ]

Camden County Georgia 
March 4th 1842 

Sir
I hasten to inform your Excellency of the
late murders commited [committed] on our
citizens by the Indians it was on or about
the 26th ult. [ultimo] they killed a woman
two children and wounded a young woman at
the Same attack though effected She made her
escape this murder was done in Columbia
County E. Florida ajoining [adjoining]
County to Camden and Ware. On the 28th Ult
[Ultimo] there was a woman murdered by them
in Ware County after they were done their
work of Slaughter and plunder they Set the
house on fire and the body of the Slain was
in it and was consumed in the flame. this
murder was done in about ten miles of fort
Gilmer where there is a company of Dragoons
Stationed. I think that this is evidence
Sufficient to Show that these troops
Stationed for the protection of the Georgia
fronteer is not adequate to the purpose.
therefore I must request your Excellency to
call again in to the Service of the State
two Companies of Volunteers. the Safety of
the people of Georgia require it, and have
them to continue in the field during of the
Seminole War [deleted: e]. as the people in
the Okefenokee district will never be free
from the apprehention [apprehension] of
danger during this Indian war without this
protection afforded them I informed you in
Some of my former writing that they had a
thoroughfare from the eviglades to the
[deleted: Okene] that they will pas [pass]
through as long as there is any part of them
remains in their hostile attitude. and will
be reapetedly [repeatedly] killing our
inhabitants. unless otherwise prevented by
keeping up a force on the line that is well
acquainted with the country and the hiding
place of the Indians. an immediate answer on
the receipt of this informing [added: me] if
my request be complied with will be kindly
received. I think that if the life of one
good citizen be Saved it is worth the Small
Sum that it would take to keep two companies
in the field, though it appears that
Government prefers to dispense of the lives
of citizens to the Spending of a few dollars
for their protection

I have the honor to be your Excellencys Obt Servt [Obedient Servant] 
[Signed] Aaron Jernigan 
His Excellency C. [Charles] J. McDonald Gov}
 Milledgeville Georgia } 

Page: [3] [ | ]
Capt Jernigan 
1842