CAMDEN COUNTY, GA - MILITARY EARLY LETTERS 1794 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Tara Fields For more information see: http://www.camdencounty.org These letters are at the Bryan-Lang Library along with transcribed copies by Tara Fields. [Online at GALILEO as well) 2/26/1794 Document Number ___ Garison (sic) at Colerain Feby. 26th 1794 As the Absence of the field officers of Camden County renders it necefsary (necessary) in the present state of alarm that one of the Captns. (Captains) should take a Temporary command of the said County. The adjutant Genl. has summoned a board of Officers to take that important subject into consideration, that someone thereby may be adopted without delay for the preservation of the inhabitants untill (sic) by a due information of the present situation may be given to his Excellency who will thereby be enabled to make further regulations. Capt. Eu. Hebbard Presdt. (President) Officers present at the board Members Captns. Hugh Brown Wm. Dawson Jno. F. Randolph Lieuts. N. Atkinson Randolph McGillis John Hunter Ensign John Hardee The above board being met and taking into consideration the requisition of the Adjutant Genl. As the present situation of affairs would not admit of a Due enquiry to settle the senority of rank the board unanimously agree that a temporary Command of the County in the absence of the field officers be given to Captn. Eliheu Hebbard (sic) of the 2nd District within said County untill (sic) other ways regulated by order of his Excellency the Governor commander in Chief. Signed Hugh Brown Capt William Brown Capt Jno. F. Randolph R McGillis 1st Lieut. Horse J. W. Hunter Lieut 2d William Atkinson Lieut John Hardee Ensign The above board having formed itself into a councill (sic) of safety in consequence of the present threatning (sic) state of Affairs to the frontiers of this County Richard Gascoigne Esqr. having joined the Board The above board at the requisition of the Adjutant General took into consideration the recommending of proper spies to recoinoiture (sic) the frontiers of Camden County agreeable to the regulations of the President of the united States (sic) and the number of persons necesary (sic) to perform said services and also whether the present Crisis of Affairs do immediately require another station to be Garisoned (sic) on the river St. Marys. The board are unanimously of oppinion (sic) that it will be necefary (necessary) ten proper persons be appointed as spies for said County to reconoiter (sic) the frontiers arranged in the following manner To Wit the frontier from the Branch fork to the Little Sattilla (sic) river the distance being Twenty miles to be reconoitured (sic) by four spies. The frontier from the Burnt fort to Colerain the distance twelve miles to be reconoiturd (sic) by Two spies. The frontier from Colerain down the meanders of St. Marys to Temple (the distance Eleven miles) to be reconoitured (sic) by Two spies. The frontier from Temple down St. Marys to the mouth of Catfish (the distance of ten miles) to be reconoitured by Two spies – also recommend that a Militia Guard of five men be stationed at Temple and another Guard of a Sargent (sic) and ten men of the Militia be stationed at Clarks Bluff on St. Marys and a block-house built on said Bluff sufficient for said Guard. And also recommend that a Guard of Cavalray (sic) may be detached by Captn. Randolph to Mr. Wrights place to Guard the noted Crofsing place known by the name of Mills's Ferry on St. Marys River. Signed Eu. Hebbard President Jno. F. Randolph Hugh Brown Captn. Wm. Dawson Capt. R McGillis 1st Lieut Horse Nathan Atkinson Lieut J. W. Hunter Lieut 2nd Horse John Hardee Ensign Richd. Gascoigne J. P. And it is further recommended by the Adjutant Genl. Captn. Hebbard & Richard Gascoigne Esquires who lately reconoitured the river St. Marys from the Town up to the frontier Station of Colerain that a Gun boat be built capable of conveying provisions in safety to said Station there being no other convenient seems or way of Conveyance but by water which now has become very dangerous by means of the hostile disposition of the Indians who has lately taken pofsefsion (possession) of the Evacuated spanish (sic) territory situate on the south side saint (sic) Marys. The above Board taking the same into consideration unanimously acknowledge the absolute necefsity (necessity) of speedily carrying into Effect the above recommendation, and that his Excellency the Governour (sic) may be informed thereof as the safety of the County depends upon the respective Garrisons on the Frontiers and the Garrisons on the safe conveyance of Provisions up the said river. Signed Eu. Hebbard Presdt. Jno. F. Randolph Capt Wm. Dawson Capt Hugh Brown Capt J. W. Hunter Lieut R. McGillis 1st Lieut Horse Nathan Atkinson Lieut John Hardee Ensign Richard Gascoigne J. P. =============================== 2/28/1794 Document Number ___ Colerain Station 28 Febury (sic) 1794 Dr Sir I am sorry to Inform you that the Troops under My command Stationed on this place and the Burnt Fort Station on the River Satilla; by order of the Major General commanding the first Davision (sic) and Also the Brigadier, are Verry (sic) Irregularly Supplyed (sic) by the Agent for the Contractors He tells me he cannot get Money from the Publich to furnish the Nefseferry (necessary) supplies that the Laws of the United States Allows; if this be facts, I shall no doubt be obliged to Difband (disband) the Men and Horfes (horses) for Want of Provifsions and Forrage (sic) very Soon and as you Sir have lately been an Eye witnefs (witness) to the Allarming (sic) Situation of this County; of Indian Depredations been committed on the Inhabitants, and should his Excellency Decline Vifiting (Visiting) this County; must beg leave to apply to you as Ajid. General of the State; to Inform the Commander in Chief; of the Situation of these two Stations above mentioned, have little More to Add but Remain With Refpect (Respect) Your Very Hul. (Humble) Sert (Servant) Jno. F. Randolph Capt. of the Colerain Troops Lieut. Colonel Elholm Ajidant General of the State Georgia Addressed Lieut. Colonel Elholm Ajident General for the State of Georgia ========================= 3/14/1794 Document Number ___ March 14th 1794 Dear Sir Inclosed (sic) you will have the recommendations of a board of Officers of the Militia of this County respecting the Guarding the Frontiers of the same from inroads of the Indians that is now in force on the south side of St. Marys river. The Justices of this County, having met to take the same into consideration are of oppinion (sic) that the recommendation of the Officers will if carried into Effect be of Essential service except that part which recommend a post at Temple and a Guard at Wrights place and one on Clarks Bluff on the river St. Marys which we think would be encreasing (sic) the expence (sic) without being much advantage. That the spies and Gun Boat will be of Service, there is now in that part of East Florida laying between the rivers St. Marys and St. Johns a large body of Indians in Spanish pay but for what purpose we are not made accquainted (sic) but no doubt to help them should the French forces attempt to Land in that quarter. Enclosed we beg leave to hand you a deposition of Mr. James Jordan a Gentleman of Character who resides in this place respecting an armainent (sic) collecting at Temple on this river, said to be designed to attack East Florida which deposition we Can afsure (assure) your Excellency is corroborated by common reports through this County. This collection of Men at Temple has induced the Spaniards to form a Camp all along the river in Order to keep an Eye on the motions of those people the number we are not certain of. We have the Honour to be Dear Sir your most Obedient humle. (sic) Servts. Town of St. Marys John King March 14th 1794 R. Carnes J. Burrowes William Johnston Eu. Hebbard W. M. Moubray Richd. Gascoigne J. P. His Excellency George Matthews Esqr Governor & commander & Chief &C. &C. &C. State of Georgia ================ 4/1/1794 Document Number ___ Colerain Station April the first 1794 Dr. Sir No. 89 You will receive by the bearer Our Monthly Mufter (Muster) Rolls and also our Pay Rolls together with a Monthly Return for One Year. I also Send you two Coppys (copies) of My Orders, from the Brigadier General to Substanuate (substantiate) the Validity of the Rolls the Scout that went with you to Senfavilla (sic) informed me you wrote from Senfavilla but they lost theletter on the Path therefore hope you will Excuse me for not anfwering (answering) it have little more to add Nothing Very New on this Frontier I Remain With Respect Your Very Hul. Svt. (Humble Servant) Jno. F. Randolph Capt. Dt. C C Redgement (sic) of Militia Lieut. Colo. Elholm Addressed – (by Exprefs [Express]) Lieut. Colo. Elholm Agident (sic) General Augusta ============== 11/28/1794 Document Number ___ St. Marys 28th Novemr, 1794 Capt Abner Mitchell, the Command of this Comy, or they (sic) Militia thereof falls on You in absence of Capt. Hubbard, & Randolph & they (sic) Troops on the frontiers of this County will be Discharg'd the first of Jany, the Commander in Chief having taken no Orders for Raising Troops, for the protection of this frontier, after that Date, it therefore becomes your Duty to Order a Draft of the Different Districts to hold themselves at readinefs (readiness), in Case it should be found Necefsary (necessary) to Call them out for the protectn (protection), of the frontiers, till such time the Commander in Chief, a pleasure be known thereon thereon (sic), it will take some time before the Drafts will be ready, I think it highly Necefsary (necessary), to Ifsue (issue) your Orders, to the Different District Officers, to Draft as many of their respective Companies as may be found Necefsary (necessary) to Garrison the Colerain and B. Fort (Burnt Fort) stations for the time bein (sic), or till his Excellency the Governor takes orders thereon Randolph McGillis Dragoons, Commandg. (sic) Colerain Station Capt, Abner Mitchell Commanding the Militia Camden County Ct. Copy of Lt. McGillis's letter to Capt, Abner Mitchell Endorsed Letter Randolph McGillis 28 November 1794 INDIAN DEPREDATION