GEORGIA MILITARY INDIAN WARS Stewart Co. Capt Jernigan Newspaper Account August 5, 1836 ***************** 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 2 Aug 1836 From the Columbus Sentinel, 29th ult. THE WAR NOT YET ENDED. On Sunday morning last a severe engagement took place as usual, between the Georgians and the Indians, in the neighborhood of Mr. QUALL's [QUARLES in another article] plantation , above Roanoke-We have not received the particulars of the fight but learn that information was given to the forces stationed at Fort M'Crary, that fresh signs of the Indians had been discovered in a swamp in Mr. QUALL's plantation; upon which captain CALHOUN, of DeKalb county, with a command of ninety men, were despatched in pursuit of the enemy. In scouring the place a fresh trail was found, leading out of the swamp in the direction of Lumpkin. It was followed. In a short time the party came up with a small gang of Indians, of thirty or more, and commenced the fight. The Indians soon fled, leaving seven of their number killed. The whites, after the first skirmish, supposed the Indians whipped and the fight over; but they found that this advance party was a mere decoy, to draw them into the midst of their enemies, by whom they soon found themselves completely flanked on both sides. The battle was renewed, but the ammunition of the whites being exhausted, they were compelled to retreat. In the engagement the whites lost five killed, and several wounded. Among the slain were, Mr. COLLY, (overseer for D. P. HILLHOUSE, Esq.,) a brave man, and much respected; a Mr. WILLIS, and Dr. ORR, of DeKalb-the names of the others are not yet known to us. It is said that the whites had only three rounds of cartridges apiece when the fight first commenced-a very unfortunate oversight, indeed, and if true, whooly unpardonable in the commanding officer. Something of this sort was surely the matter or the DeKalb boys would never have turned their backs upon their enemy, although they may have outnumbered them three to one. Upon the receipt of this intelligence, general SANFORD issued the following order: HEADQUARTERS first Army Corps, Army of the South.} Columbus, July 25, 1836. ORDER No. 130.-The apprehensions of the major general that the enemy would reassemble in force on the disbandment of the troops has been but two sadly verified; a party of Indians amounting probably to two hundred have again invaded out soil; they are doubtless seeking a covert in the Chickasahatchee swamp. An energetic pursuit must be immediately adopted and the enemy must be overtaken, and overcome; captains DELAPANER, SLEDGE and BOSTWICK, with their companies will immediately proceed to the reinforcement of the detachment now at Fort M'Creary: the instructions contained in order No 129 will be rigidly pursued by the senior officer of the whole force, who will take command of the detachment. In addition to these instructions, he wil consider himself as not being confined to the limits of one county, but if necessary, pursue them to the Florida line-he will remember the Indians must not escape. Supplies of arms, ammunition and subsistence, will be immediately forwarded to Fort M'Creary, and every disposition made to check the escape of the enemy. By order of major general SANFORD. W. S. ROCKWELL, Aid-de-camp. On Monday, captain JERNIGAN, of Stewart county, with what force he could hastily collect among the citizens of that county, went to pursuit and overtook the Indians about fifteen miles below Lumpkin. He engaged them, and it is said lost four killed and a number wounded. The loss of the Indians not known. Captain JERNIGAN, we are further informed, had the Indians hemmed in a swamp, and was waiting for general SANFORD to come up, (who had with him major HOXEY's command from this place, and a company from Coweta county,) when it was supposed a general engagement would take place. Passengers who arrived here yesterday, report that they heard brisk firing in that direction as they passed the road. It is also stated that a party of Indians, supposed to be four hundred, had crossed between Irwinton and Roanoke, and that general WELBORN, with troops from the former place, had marched to interrupt them. We wait with anxiety to hear the result of those movements. We learn since writing the above, that the three persons killed on Monday, under captain JERNIGAN, were a Mr. MOORE, Mr. WILLIAMS and Mr. BRYAN, and ROBERT WIMBERLY mortally wounded [Note that the names here do entirely agree with those in captain Jernigan's official report.llh] -five others badly wounded, but expected to recover. The Indians were still in the swamp, when captain JERNIGAN engaged them, and were watched by the company, waiting for general SANFORD's approach. Our informant states that he heard an express had been received at Fort Mitchell on yesterday, (Thursday,) that three white men had been killed the day previous at or near Fort Henderson, fifteen miles below Fort Mitchell, on the Alabama side of the river-the names not heard, nor the particulars given. The marines who were stationed at that fort, had been ordered away some time since. The Indians were hard a work upon their rafts at night-evidently preparing for another excursion to Florida or the impenetrable swamps of Baker, Thomas and Lowndes counties; where, if they once get a foothold, they will have their women and children, and carry fire and sword, murder and devastation, through the surrounding country, and sometimes penetrating to their old homes in Alabama. It will require a large force constantly engaged to prevent these fugitive gangs of Indians from crossing the river, and ruining the intervening country between Roanoke and Florida. We fear our army was disbanded too soon; but, as fifteen hundred Tennesseans have arrived and are now under the command of general JESSUP, that officer, co-operating with general SANFORD, they will have ample force between them, as we hope and believe to overcome all the hostile Indians who remain out. Much anxiety is felt in regard to the friendly Indians, in anticipating their removal. It is feared that many of them will become hostile, when they find they also are compelled to go. We learn that general JESSUP is making the necessary disposition of his forces to act effeciently in case any resistance should be offered.