GEORGIA MILITARY INDIAN WARS Stewart Co. Capt Jernigan Report August 5, 1836 (Stewart Rangers) ***************** 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: Lindy Hard ssautyvalleyfarm@worldnet.att.net Federal Union [newspaper, published Milledgeville, GA] microfilm roll Aug 1833-Aug 1836 30 Aug 1836 MAJ. JERNIGAN'S OFFICIAL REPORT. Head-Quarters, Lumpkin, Ga. [Stewart Co GA] August 5, 1836. General-After the battle on Sunday, the 24th July, I received by verbal express, a desire on the part of officers in command at Fort McCreary, to reinforce them with my company early next morning on the battle ground, and take up the pursuit of the savage foe, who were directing their course to Florida. I returned a written message on Sunday night, saying to the officers I would meet and co- operate with them early next morning. At this time my company were at their home recruiting. I forthwith summoned and collected those of my company were nearest, and called upon citizens for assistance. Early next morning I was informed the Indians had crossed the Cuthbert road, seven miles below this place. I therefore knew it would be a loss of time to go to the battle ground, and also anticipating your orders to pursue with energy, determined to take up the pursuit with my own force-I immediately informed the officers at Fort McCreary of the travel of the enemy-that I should endeavor to cut them off from the swamps below, and I desired their immediate aid, which, however, I did not receive. I set out for Mrs. WAMBLES' on the Fort Gaines road, and soon ascertained the Indians had crossed Petawla creek, and gained the west side of the road, and were making their way for Echowanotchaway swamp. I found their trail, at which time I was reinforced by citizen soldiers-I organized my company, and citizens of Stewart and Randolph counties, eighty in the whole, and with advance and flank guards pursued their trail. After a march of three miles struck the plantation of Mr. REUBEN JONES.-The Indians scattered, and I am sorry to say, my advance guard separated also. Captain THOMAS STAPLETON commanding the advance went with a few others through the cornfield-I was met by one of the guard, and informed that the principal trail had pased on the west side of the plantation, which I pursued until my own guardman gave me a signal to halt. He returned and stated he had seen the Indians encamped on a branch swamp, and thought himself undiscovered by the enemy. I despatched him to give signals to the flanks to return into line, and if possible to return captain THOMAS STAPLETON with the balance of the advance. He, however, soon returned without being able to find captain S. I dismounted my company in silence, detailed a horse guard, and was preparing for a silent approach upon the camp, when, to my great sorrow, a brisk firing took place between captain STAPLETON's guard and the Indians. The first thought that occurred to me was, that my little band, who had passed through the field, were surrounded. I therefore determined, instead of approaching them in silence, that I would make a furious charge, thereby divert them from the advance guard, and turn them to me; which effect was produced, but not in time to save the unfortunate captain STAPLETON. He had fallen. The battle commenced: the ground was closely contested by both white and red men. We drove them back one hundred yards, at which time they ceased their yells. I ordered a charge, but such was their superiority of members, my order was not obeyed. My men continued the firing, and the Indians returned the blast from the thicket and branch. They having decidedly the advantage of the ground, I ordered a retreat of one hundred and fifty yards, bearing my wounded before me, expecting the Indians would pursue and give us an equal chance with them, (except in numbers) which, however, they did not do. My wounded were carried to the house of captain STAPLETON, to receive attention. With the balance of my force I returned to the scene of action, and found the bodies of captain STAPLETON, THOMAS WILLIAMS, jun. and a young man by the name of COOK, who lived with D. M. LESEUR, of Stewart county. I saw evident marks of Indians being dragged from the ground. Their loss is unknown. My loss was three killed and seven wounded. The names of the wounded are CLEMENTS BRYAN, of Randolph, in the shoulder, severely; ROBERT WELLBORN, through the chest; ----- FELDER, arm broke; ---- ---- MARTIN, in the leg; N. R. BRYAN, in the throat, by a spent ball; WILLIAM SHIELD, in the foot; one other slightly wounded, name not recollected. The battle continued about fifty minutes. The number of the enemy estimated between two and three hundred. After returning to the house of Mr. JONES, near the ground of encampment, I made preparation and ordered my dead to Lumpkin, for interment, and being near night, encamped. Battle closed about twelve o'clock, M., Monday, 25th July. Tuesday morning, 26th, I resumed the pursuit, and found the trail, which passed many swamps and bogs, and such was the irregularity of their course, that ten miles travel upon the trail, led me within two miles of the battle ground. They were either lost, or hoped I would overrun their trail and go on below. About twelve o'clock, after crossing Echowanotchaway, their course was easily determined.-I pursued until near sunset: found I was near them, and they travelled down a large swamp. I halted my company, believing it best not to apprize them of my close pursuit, it being so near dark that nothing effective could be done in the swamp. I sent out spies, and kept out strong camp guard at Mr. BROWN'S, where I spent the night. My spies returned, and reported the enemy travelling slowly. I was this evening reinforced by a company from Lannahassee, Stewart county, commanded by captain GALBA MATTHEWS; and at camp by GUILFORD'S company, and a part of captain SNELLGROVE'S company, colonel WOOD, major WILLS, and captain SMITH, together with many other brave officers and soldiers, joined in the pursuit at this camp, the force now amounting to about three hundred men. A council of officers was called, who unanimously requested me to take the general command, to which I consented, and requested colonel WOOD, of Randolph, to aid me by extending my orders through the line, to which he agreed. I divided my own company into three captain's commands, and assigned to major T. J. STILL, captain G. B. BALL, and captain N. CLIFTON, each a division. I issued orders to captains commanding to prepare for a day light march. At this place, I received your complimentary orders confiding in me to pursue and check the enemy. Wednesday, 27th. This morning before sunrise the line was formed, and troops in motion, and for two reasons without breakfast.-First, no time to cook; and second, nothing to cook. The trail was soon discovered, and about three miles below the camp my advance guard under command of captain MOYE, heard the Indians crossing Turkey creek, at its confluence with the main Echowanotchaway. I advanced to the spot, and prepared for battle; ordered the advance forward, and in crossing Turkey creek, which was swimming, the Indians fired several scattering guns from thick cane brakes, and seemed to be moving forward. I ordered the advance guard to return and join the main force, as I knew were very close upon them. I wished to guard every point until I could go around and view the situation, and make an effectual blow upon them. I despatched captain MATTHEW'S [,]GUILFORDS AND SNELLGROVE'S command to station on the eastern side of the main creek, and below the Chumba and Turkey creeks. I stationed captain CLIFTON'S company on the trail which entered the swamp. Captain STILL'S and BALL'S companies I marched across the main creek, and despatched captain STILL to a trail through the swamp, which was said to be about two miles. The pilot who gave me the information professed to know the country well. The distance, however, proved to be five miles. Having now the few points guarded and knowing the Indians were below us, I despatched captain BALL to inform my eastern division that their force would be the ones required to approach the swamp; and as the point covered by captain BALL'S company, was the least probable for the Indian's escape, I should blow the horn before I countermarched, to induce the enemy to believe that a station was kept there. I accordingly joined the companies of captain BALL and CLIFTON together, and from each detailed a guard, and moved my horses to the high land. Captain BALL returned and informed me of the arrival of general WILLIAM WELLBORNE, of Irwinton, who brough ten men under his command. The general on his march to join my eastern division was cursed and damned by the Indians in the cane brake. He reached the station without being fired on, and by consent and request of the captains, commanded and led that division. The minute appointed, and signals of entry into the swamp being understood, with a part of captain B's and C's companies, I marched to the swamp.-At precisely 11 o'clock my signal guns were fired. The signals being understood, the line of march was taken up. I knew from Indian character in war, they were well prepared for battle, and would vigilantly guard their trail; and rom what had passed between them and general WELLBORN, that spies would be place upon the eastern force, I therefore determined, if possible, to take them by surprise. I marched through Turkey and Chumba creeks, leaving the Indian trail on my right. After marching about three hundred yards, the mud and water thickly set with cane, I discovered a bushy water oak; I sent a spy up the tree, who reached the distance of forty feet, and returned down, and reported the camp at the distance of three hundred yards, all cane brake, until we reached the hammock, upon which they were situated. He pointed out a noted forked pine, as a landmark. He also informed me that he could discern spies watching their trail, and others watching general WELLBORN'S division. I directed captains BALL and CLIFTON to move forward, inclining to the left, in order to give them an attack broadside. The march was continued until I could hear the Indians talk. I ordered a halt by giving signs, and despatched colonel WOOD, with others, to gain the rear of general WELLBORN, and inform him where I was situated, the situation of the Indians &c. My messengers had not been absent two minutes before a dreadful firing took place between general WELLBORN and the Indians. I ordered a charge with the sound of the horn, and in thirty seconds from the fire of the first gun, the two companies gained the hammock, and covered the line of Indians broadside. The firing from all quarters was heavy and animated. The Indians fought with more desperation and gave up the ground with more reluctance than any battle I have had with them. Such was their determination to keep the ground, I saw one shot down not more than thirty steps. Charge was the order of the day, and was ordered by officers, and performed by soldiers, well worthy of their country's praise. The engagement lasted forty-five minutes, and ended about half past 1 o'clock. After forcing them from their strong positions, two infant children were heard to cry in the cane brake. I had them brought to the battle ground. My loss were three killed-Mr. CARTER, of Irwinton, Ala., DAVID SUTLEY, of Randolph and JOHN CROCKER, jr, of Lumpkin. I had thirteen wounded-a part of these whose wounds were slight, returned to their homes.-The following is a list of the wounded: E. BUTLER, ---- FRITH, THOMAS SHEPHERD, WILLIS BARTON, WILLIAM HUGHES, colonel WOOD and WILLIAM HILBORNE of Randolph, LEWIS WILLIAMS, RICHARD CANNADY and captain GREEN B BALL, of Stewart, captain JENKINS and -----PATTERSON, of Irwinton, Alabama. The loss of the Indians cannot be ascertained. Such was the extent of the swamp, teir escape with deadly wounds is not a matter of surprise. Eighteen were found dead, some of them three miles from the battle ground. I returned to the camp bearing on twelve pack horses and two ponies, c aptured from the Indians, near one thousand dollars worth of Roanoke [Roanoke, Stewart Co Ga had been attacked by Indians 13 May 1836] goods. The most of the horses were lost in the battle on Sunday near Fort McCrary, and I am happy to say have been identified and restored to their owners. The goods were divided out to captains of companies, who distributed them to their soldiers. Wednesday night, at Camp Fillingame, I had the pleasure of seeing you with reinforcements. One infant was taken by my company on the next morning near the battle ground, and since my return to my station, I am informed that one of the citzens found a girl six years old. The three infants not exceeding six months old, were taken away by gentlemen who seemed pleased to have them. I returned to my station agreeably to your orders. Nothing has occurred worth notion since my letters to you at your camp in Baker. In conclusion, I owe it to those brave officers to state that general WELLBORN, colonel WOOD, major WILLIS, captains BALL, GUILFORD, STILL, SNELLGROVE AND MATTHEWS, discharged the respective duties assigned them, as officers, to my entire satisfaction-moved forward with that fearless courage which moved our forefathers in '76. Their motto was, "Do or Die!" I am, very respectfully, yours, H. W. JERNIGAN, Captain commanding Stewart County Randers, Major General JOHN W. A. STANFORD, Headquarters, Columbus.