GEORGIA MILITARY INDIAN WARS June 1836 Roanoke Battle (Stewart Co) ***************** 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 June 1836 Massacre at Roanoke.-From several persons who were at the burning and massace of Roanoke, we have learnt some additional particulars. Roanoke was a small village lying on the Chattahoochee, in Stewart county, some forty miles below Columbus. The first attack was made on Friday night 13th instant, by about thirty Indians, as is supposed, who fired upon the Steamer Georgian and killed all on board. They attacked the village, but were driven off by the whites who rallied on the spot. The second attack was made on Sunday morning, 16th instant just before day, by about three hundred Indians. A block-house we understand had been erected and picketed in.-The accounts do not agree as to the number of persons there-some say there were twenty or twenty-five men, besides women, children and negroes. It seems they were not anticipating an attack, most of them being asleep in their own houses. The first that alarmed them, was the firing rifles and the yelling of the savages. The men sprang to their arms, and returned the Indians' fire-but seeing their number so large, immediately retreated, breaking their way through their midst. nine whites and three blacks were killed at the first fire and eight or nine wounded. It is not known what injury the Indians received. One man says he saw four fall. It was reported at first, that colonel F. G. GIBSON and captain J. U. HORN were among the killed-we are happy in being able to contradict that report. They were both wonded, the latter severely. Mr. ANDERSON WILLIAMS (brother-in-law of colonel GIBSON) was among the slain. The Indians carried a good many negroes and horses away with them. A confidential letter from colonel GIBSON written from Lumpkin the day after, thus describes the attack upon Roanoke, and his miraculous escape: "No apprehension ws felt of an attack, the men had nearly all gone out to Lumpkin, not more than twenty men in camp, which was near the ware house. I was sleeping in my own room, GAZAWAY (WILLIAMS) up stairs alone-just before day break I was awakened by the firing of the Indians-at that moment three fired through the window at my bed-I sprang out of bed, and on looking round could distinguish them at each window-I ran into the dining room whee I found every window occupied by two to three, and whenever I passed they fired on me. I determined to sell my life as dearly as possible, feeling confident my last hour had come-caught up my gun,--hollowed to Gazaway to make his escape-burst open the door going into the passage, when a volley was discharged at my breast-closed it and ran to the other door, determined to hazard all in endearoring to join the men at camp-on opening it two fired, and a number approached-I fired, shut the door, caught up another gun, opened and ran out of the door-from the door to the rence I passed through the midst of twenty or thirty, all shooting as fast as they could fire, some lying down-I ran so near their powder burnt my clothes-and a number at the fence-got through all untouched, except a blow given with a gun or something else, which nearly arrested me. I then, finding the men flying in all directions, reached and found a thick place of bushes growing over the branch-laid down in the water below the spring, the Indians passing within a few paces, constantly expecting every moment to be butchered.-Shortly afterwards, Talbot, captain HORN, (who was wounded,) and another gentleman pursued by several Indians, came to my retreat. I then gave up again all earthly hope of escape, and told them I had determined to run down and jump into the river. They insisted on my staying and all dying together. As our Maker would have it, the savages at that time commenced burning houses to which their attention was chiefly drawn, and we lay until 12 o'clock, suffering all that men could suffer in the cold water from the spring. On coming out was so benumbed with cold and bruises, could not walk up the hill. On reaching the bluff, discovered to our joy a party of soldiers had come to our relief and that the Indians had fled. We reached Lumpkin about dark. "GAZAWAY [WILLIAMS] seeing the Indians all flock after me, when I left the house, s prang out of the second story and made his escape, without being fired on. "Poor ANDERSON [WILLIAMS]! he was shot in the head face to face with the savage and expired without a groan. "KERSHAW ws shot in his own house; his wife and child with Mr. PIERCE, remained until the house was in flames and near falling in, when they made their escape. The two Mr. DONALSON's were sleeping in the back room of my house-they fell and were burnt up. One or two in MATTHEWS' house-making in all eight whites. Our dwelling and ware house, JOICE's store, STARKE's store, ROOD and SEYMOUR's, MATTHEWS' dwelling and new house, all burnt. "PETER (black boy) fought near ANDERSON [WILLIAMS] bravely. The Indians made great exertions to kill him." For several days after the burning of Roanoke, we learn the Indians kept possession of the place. On Sunday morning an expedition moved against it, with the intention of giving battle to the Indians if any were there. On arriving at the spot they found no Indians on the ground. A hard battle was expected, as in two or three previous skirmishes the Indians had remained masters of the field. The people are turning out in the counties surrounding Roanoke, on both sides of the Chattahoochee, en masse, determined to defend the soil with their lives.-Macon Telegraph, 26t ultimo.