Harris-Crawford-Macon County GaArchives History .....'INDEX TO VOLUNTEER SOLDIERS INDIAN WARS & disturbances ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Robin Wallace Robin.wallace2@gte.net December 11, 2003, 3:58 pm Shown in 'INDEX TO VOLUNTEER SOLDIERS INDIAN WARS & disturbances 1815-1853 Twilley, Elijah pvt. srv. in Carr's Co of Porter's 1st GA. Inf. Creek War. Capt. Carr's Account BATTLE AT BOYKIN'S FERRY MACON GEORGIA TELEGRAPH, Thur. June 16, 1836 TO THE EDITOR OF THE GEORGIA TELEGRAPH: Crawford County June 9th, 1836 Enclosed you will receive a letter written by Capt. William A. Carr, of the Crawford Volunteers, to his family, giving an account of the skirmish with the Indians on Friday morning .3rd June, at Boykin's Ferry, 25 miles below Columbus, on the Chattahoochee River. As it is attempted to deprive Capt.Carr of the credit of being in this battle, I am anxious a true account should be published. Please publish that part of the letter relating to the Battle and oblige. Fort Crossland June 4, 1836 "Dear -----: Since I wrote you before, I have been in a fight with the Indians. Yesterday about 11 o'clock we fired on a large party across the river; a fight ensued which lasted about one hour and 15 or 20 minutes. We killed from six to ten Indians; several were seen to fall and were dragged off; some were seen lying for several minutes before they were taken away. We were so unfortunate as to lose one of the best men in my company, W.J.K. Crossland. He was shot dowm and spoke but once or twice after. " I have thrown up a breast-work in order to defend ourselves and have called it "Fort Crossland", in honor of the brave young man who fell in the defence of his country. A part of the Crawford Troop (Cavalry) is here with us and the remainder will be here tonight. "I have wrote to the commanding officer at Columbus for a reinforcement; if he does not send it, it is likely we shall have to guit our post. We are stationed at the most dangerous post on the river, and expect an attack every night; but if we are attacked we will give a good account of ourselves. I have been well ever since I left home, except a camp diarrhea which has made almost every man sick. I think we shall be at home in four or five weeks, as the Indians have already petitioned for peace." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - MACON GEORGIA TELEGRAPH, Sept. 1836 TO THE PUBLIC At the request of many of the citizens of the county of Crawford, I have been induced to publish the following certificates In complying with this request I wish to be distinctly understood that the principal object I have in view is the vindication of my conduct as an officer and my character as an individual, from the unjust aspersions that are attempted to he cast on both. This contraversy was not of my own seeking, and if the evidence produced shall convict Captain Brown before the public of being the author of a report, which, through the instrumentality of himself and friends, has obtained general circulation in the country, reflecting on my conduct as an officer during hte late Creek campaign, and calculated to inflict serious and lasting injury on my conduct as an individual, he must not blame any other person than himself. The certificates will speak for themselves; without any further explanation from me. William A. Carr Francisville, Crawford Co. 14th Sept. 1836 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Georgia Crawford County I do hereby certify to the best of my recollection, that I heard Wm. M. Brown say that he had the command of the officers and men in the engagement with the Indians at Boykin's on the Chattahoochy, and that he was solicited by officers and men to do so, and that the men said they would not go to the river unless he did take the command, and that he ordered Capt. Carr and McCrary to flank to the right and left, and not let the Indians out-flank them; that he, Brown, did not pretend to say that Capt. Carr ordered a retreat, but that when he, Brown went to the house, that Captain Carr was there, and that some of his men had their knapsacks on their backs and some in their hands, with their guns, apparently ready or had started to leave the place; that Capt. Carr was standing among his men and asked Brown what must he do, that the Indians were crossing above and below; and that he, Brown, said to Capt. Carr, send out above and below to ascertain if it was a fact, and that the signal for the fire was to be the fire of his gun, andthat he did fire, and at Brown that Capt. Carr wanted to see him, and that he answered that It was damned pretty time to send for a man engaged as he was, but he told him he would be there presently and that his (Brown's) impression was that Capt. Carr was wounded by his by his sending for him, and when he went to the house he found he was not wounded, but standing in the yard as before stated; when he went up in the yard he found the men with their knapsackn on, and that he cursed them for a set of d----d cowards, and threatened to blow their brains out. EPHRAIM BEARD GEORGIA Crawford County I, James Beasley, do certify that I heard William M. Brown in a conversation make the following statements, viz: that he, Brown had the command in the action at Boykin's and that he fired the signal gun; and the agreement between him and the man that fired with him was that he, Brown, would touch him on the foot when ha got ready to shoot, and then they were to fire, and at the fire two Indians fell and that he killed one of them, and killed one afterwards. He said Carter Cleveland called to him (Brown) and told him to come there; Cleveland came to him the second tim~ and said Capt. Carr wanted him He, Brown, went and thought Carr was wounded, but found him at the house; and some of Carr's men had their knapsacks, and others were getting theirs, and he, Brown asked them what they meant; he cursed them, and told them to put down their knapsacks, and go back and fight, or he would shoot their Damned brains out, or something like that. He then asked Capt. Carr what he wanted with him. Capt. Carr told him that tht Indians were crossing above and below, and that his ammunition had given out, and that they had better get away from there he told Carr he had sent for ammunition and re-enforcement, and tha it would be there in ten or fifteen minutes. He then wanted Car: and his men to go back and fight, hut Carr and his men would not go Sack, but he went back where he left the men a fighting and fired two or three rounds at the Indians before they give way; and he also ordered a picket guard, one above and below, but did not impeach Carr of being a coward. And while he, Brown, was at the house a part of Carr's men continued fighting until he returned to the river, and fought bravely. This conversation took place in Upson County, at Blount's Store , a few days after his return from out of the service. JAMES BEASLEY (Sept 10, 18936) Georgia, Crawford County I, WILLIAM C. WALLIS of the County of Crawford and state aforesaid, do hereby certify that sometime during the month of June, after William M. Brown's return from the Chattahooche, the came to my house, and in conversation relative to the fight at Boykin's Plantation he said there were thirteen of Capt. Parham's company, and a few of Capt. McCrary's company together tiwh Capt. Carr's Company at the place, and that he was solicited by all the officers and men to take the command, for the men said they would not march down to the river unless he had the command. I asked Brown if Capt. Carr asked him to take the cormnand; he said he was not positive that Capt. Carr did ask him to take the command, but was present within six or eight feet, and he, Brown, concluded that silence gave consent, and he Brown, did take command and marched them to the river, and placed Capt. Carr on the right and McCrary on the left, and he, Brown, took place in the center, and gave the signal when to fire on the Indians by firing himself; and he also ordered Carr and McCrary to flank to the right and left, so the Indians should not out-flank the, and then the Indians out-flanked then, and after fighting sometime the firing ceased on the right, and he, Brown, did not know the caus of it until Carter Cleveland came within 100 or 50 yards of him and called him, that Carr wanted him to come there, he told Cleveland it was a damned pretty time to send for a man engaged as he was; Cleveland called to him, Browm, the second time, and he then went, thinking Capt. Carr was wounded. He went to the house where the company was first stationed and found twenty of thirty of Capt. Carr's men coming out of the gate with their knapsacks on and he, Brown, cursed them, and told them that, damn their cowardly souls, he was a good mind to blow their brains but. Capt. Carr had not his knapsack on, but was in the passage of the house Where the others were getting their knapsacks. He asked Capt. Carr what he wanted with him, Capt. Carr told him the Indians were crossing the river above and below and asked him if they had not better go away from the place, as the Indians would surround them. He told Carr that he, Brown, would lose the last drop of blood before it should be said the Indians should whip him, when the Indians were on one side of the river and they on the other; Capt. Carr also stated that he was nearly out of ammunition, and he, Brown, ordered Carr to place a picket guard above and below on the river. During his, Brown's, absence to the house there was a remnant of Carr's Company that continued fighting with Capt. Parham's and Capt. McCrary's men, and he returned back to the scene, but Carr and his men did not return to the river with him, Brown, and the men remaining at the river had two or three rounds, after he returned, firing at the Indians. But he, Brown, said he did not accuse Capt. Carr of cowardice, but I,Wallis, remarked, that if Carr acted as he, Brown, stated, I impeach him with cowardice. July 26, 1836 WM C. WALLIS GEORGIA Crawford Co. I do certify that the comments contained in the certificate of Wm. C. Wallis is just and true to the best of my recollection. ENOCH B. WALLIS GEORGIA, Crawford County I do hereby certify that I was on guard at the camp when the company went to the river and that I was not present when the action commenced but after the firing did commence I left and went to the firing at the river, and there I found Capt. Carr engaged among his men; and after the firing ceased I went to the house with the men who carried Crossland to the house, and I saw Capt. Carr in company with the men. I saw Capt. Carr when he met Charles McCullers at the gate and heard Capt. Carr say to McCullers to stay there, for he was not going to quit the place as Capt. Carr made this remark, Sat. Rrown came up to the yard in company with several others of the company. I saw nothing in the conduct of Capt. Carr that induces me to believe he had the least intention of quitting his station or to dishonor his command, but saw him busily engaged in making preparations to maintain his station. his Aug. 25, 1836 DANIEL, G.x HICKS mark Columhus, Georgia August 13th, 1836 Dear Sir: Yours of the 10th inst. was received yesterday. I was not less surprised than mortified to learn that there are those who are disposed to depreciate the services of Capt. Carr in the late Creek Campaign. Nothing could he more unjust or ungenerous, as that gentleman was amongst the earliest on the field; and up to the time of his discharge, displayed a zeal, fidelity, and a courage in the performance of his duty, not surpassed by any officer in the Army. From what I have learned of the skirmish at Roykin's had the entire company been with Capt. Carr, that affair would ahve been one of the most brilliant feats of the war. Very respectfully, your obedient servant Henry Crowell, Esq. J.W.A. SANFORD Harris County Aug. 14th, 1836 I received yours of the 10th inst informing me that reports prejudicial to Capt. Carr as an officer had reached your county. Why such reports whould be circulated I am entirely at a loss to conjecture. Be assured that they are without foundation. Capt. Carr was immediately under my command the most of the time that he was in the service, and I take great pleasure in stating to you that his conduct wa such as became an officer, a soldier and a gentleman. He was much esteemed by the officers generally, and well did he merit it. You are at liberty to use the above as you may think proper. Yours truly, H.H. Dowe ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Certificates in Macon GA Telegraph in defense of Capt. Carr (similar in nature to the above) were given by: Ephraim Heard James Beasley William C. Wallis Enoch B. Wallis John Causey Alfred Cook Wm. T. Long Wm B. Snelling Willis Hobbs Thomas J. Grant P.B. Wade 2nd Corpl Joseph J. Bradford 1st Lieut Charles McCullars Searborn C. Christopher James Hampton George L. Pace Augustus Potter Lewis Tanner Isom McClendon Everett Watkins James Gray Thos Woods Levin Tanner Jeremiah Dukes H. Jackson Patterson 2nd Sergt William McGee Allen W. Hobbs James Duncan ? Thomas Thompson ***Elijah Twilley Michael Welch Daniel G. Hicks Hugh Ross Jacob Duckworth Drury Dukes Peter W. Gray DINNER TO THE CRAWFORD VOLUNTEERS - July 28, 1836 Agreeable to previous arrangements, on Saturday, the 23rd instant, a splendid dinner was given to Capt. Carr's Company of Crawford Volunteers. The place selected for the entertainment was the spring near the "old camp ground". Much credit is due the two Mrs. Carrs, and Mrs. Bacon, and Messrs Henry Crowell, Jr,, Ferry Cart and Joseph Bradford, Esqrs. for the handsome style in which the dinner was served up. The number of peusons present, including both sexes, was estimated at between five and six hundred. Age, youth, wealth, beauty and fashion were there to do honor to the gallant volunteers and their no less gallant commander. As soon as the managers announced that the table was ready, Capt. Henry Crowell was unanimously requested to act as President and Ephraim Heard as Vice-President of the day. Upon being conducted to the head of the table, the President in his usual patriotic and happy style explained the object of the enter- tainment. He also took a brief, yet comprehensive view of the causes which led to the late Creek War, and paid a just and merited compliment to the patriotism and bravery of Capt. Carr and his company. At 4 o'clock P.M. the cloth was removed and the following volunteer toasts drunk: By Capt. Henry Crowell, President: The Crawford Volunteers: although unnoticed in all the bulletins of the commanders, are yet held in high estimation by their county-men Ephraim Heard, Vice-President: CrawJford Volunteers: they have proven to the world that they have the good of their county at heart - may they ever receive the thanks of their friends. (Here Capt. Carr expressed his thanks for the honor conferred upon himself and company, and concluded by offering the following sentiment:) Capt. Wm. Carr: The Constitution of the United Stales: formed on principles of Union in 1787 - may those principles be handed down from generation to generati;on, until the motto of all shall be Union, the whole Union and nothing but the Union. John Rogers: Success to every true hearted republican, and especially to our good Union boys, Gideon Newsom: Success to the Crawford Volunteers - may they always be prepared to perform their duty as well as they have in 1836. I wish Old Hickory to be remembered always by the Union Boys and that Van Buren may take his seat after the 4th of March next, and tread in his footsteps. John B. Grace: The citizens of Crawford County ready at all times for exigencies. Gregory Turner: Gov. Schley: he is entitled to our thanks for his vigilance and patriotism. R.F. Davis: The Volunteers of Crawford County; may the Captain not be forgotten on the first Monday in October next. W.C. Slatter of Alabama: The Volunteers of Alabama and Georgia: may they always protect themselve against the reproaches of intriguing demagogues, and domineering fanatics. By a Lady: May the ladies ever love and remember the Volunteers of Crawford County. Nathaniel Bradford: Disgrace to the party that cannot sustain itself without attempting by slander to deprive honest men of the credit due them for their services. Thomas Crutchfields: The Federal Constitution was established in 1787; may it be perpetual, the efforts of the Nullifiers to the contrary not withstanding. George R. Hunter: The officers and volunteers from Crawford County in the late campaign; at home good citizens, in the field friends to their country. Henry Crowell, Jr.: Capt. Carr: successful in the battle at Boykin's Ferry-- may he also triump at the October election. Charles Walker: Capt Carr and his command; their courage an dperseverance in the late Creek campaign deserve the highest praise. J.J. Bradford: May the names of all those who fell in the late Creek War, be ever fresh in the memory of every Georgian. W.H. Lowe: Capt. Carr and his command; may they always receive the applause due them from their county-men. W.H. Brooks: The American Navy; may it said on a sea of glory and wafted by the gales of prosperity, always enter the port of victory. John Crowell, Jr. The Crawford Volunteers: they gallantly did what they went to do, to fight the enemies of their country. Henry Davis: The battle of Chickasahatchee Swamp: the men that would fight in water over cyprus knees, would do to fight anywhere. William Colbert: The Crawford Volunteers: they have proven to the world that the spirit of '76 is not yet extinct in America. L.W. Hicks: May the officers of the Crawford Foot Volunteers long be remembered. Campbell Renfrow: May harmony of feeling and concert of action prevail among the Union Party and Finny, Carr, and Colbert be elected William Campbell: The Crawford Volunteers; may they long be remembered by their fellow citizens. George R. Hunter (the President having retired) Capt. Henry Crowell; may he long live to enjoy the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. When the loud and continued cheering with which this sentiment was received had subsided, the company dispersed in excellent order, highly pleased with the festivities of the day. Contributed by: Desmond Harp Shown on the 1850 Census for Harris Co., Georgia 769 825 Elijah TWILLEY 35 M W farmer Unknown Alley 30 F W NC James 11 M W AL William 8 M W AL Henry 5 M W AL Elizabeth 3 F W GA Mary 1 F W GA This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/ File size: 19.6 Kb