GEORGIA MILITARY INDIAN WARS June 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 16 June 1836 CREEK WAR. From the Columbus Herald, 7th inst. Creek War Incidents.-Troops continue to pour in from different counties, many of which are well mounted and armed, and all will be fully equipped in a day or two, and ready for service, when they will be immediately detailed, and put to the all important work of subduing the hostile Creeks. The chivalry and prowess of the Georgia troops was perhaps on no occasion better displayed than on the present-and the alacrity with which Volunteers from distant counties have repaired to the scene of danger, speaks volumes of praise for the spirited and patriotic sons of Georgia, and gives hearty assurance of their readiness at all times to battle for their beloved country and her rights. Gen. SANFORD with promptitude, equal to the emergency, immediately on organizing his staff removed his Head-Quarters to Fort Ingersoll, a fortress which has been thrown up since the present excitement, and is planted upon Alabama soil. To 'cross the river' and 'pitch tent,' under all the circumstances of the times were, agreeably to our notions, good motives, and precisely corresponded with our preconceived opinions of Gen. SANFORD's character as an officer. Nothing delays him from a march to the enemies' strong hold, but the want of more provisions. On Wednesday last the troops, as many as had then arrived, were collected at Fort Ingersoll, and regularly mustered into the service of the United States. Gov. SCHLEY was present on the occasion, and addressed the troops. In the course of his remarks, he took occasion to advert to the many objectioons which had been made by volunteers being mustered into the regular service; set forth in a clear view the reasons why this muster should take place, the necessity for it, and the utter confusion that would prevail in attempting to conduct an army upon any other principle. He exhorted them to fidelity to their country, and portrayed in accurate and eloquent language, the high and honorable character of the soldier. On Saturday morning Maj. Gen. JESSUP took his departure for Tuskeegee, a town located in the Nation about midway from Columbus to Montgomery-he was escorted by the Bibb and Talbot cavalry and a number of volunteer citizens, in all amounting to about 200 men. Gen. J. will take command of the Alabama forces. A battalion of Cavalry, 220 strong under the command of Maj. HOWARD, left on Saturday morning for the vicinity of Mr. BOYKIN's plantation about 20 miles below this place, where it was understood that a large party of Indians were endeavoring to cross the river, supposed to be on their way to Florida. We presume this to have been JIM HENRY's band, and we invoke all the good fortune of war upon the head of HOWARD, that he may fall upon the path of [JIM] HENRY and literally 'use him up.' We await news from this detachment with a geat deal of interest. The entire force now on the Chattahoochee is not less than 2000 effective men-men who have voluntarily travelled from 50 to 200 miles, with the sole object of fighting savage foes, the question is no longer, are the Indians hostile? But shall we, can we get a fight is heard from each soldier. Revenge is busy with their gallant spirits-the voice of kindred blood cries from the graves of those who have been cruelly butchered in the very midst of their innocence, and whilst honestly laboring to sustain themselves and their families in a new and uncultivated land. Many families who were driven from their homes have bid farewell to the country of their adoption, and returned to the State from which they migrated; others hold to their homesteads with an unflinching grasp resolved to re-occupy the soil which they have moistened with their sweat, or perish in the attempt. We stated in a former number that Gen. WOODWARD had visited our city, together with 8 Indians and 11 white men. Gen. W. made an effort to beat up Volunteers during his visit, with a view to scour the Nation, but his exertions proved abortive, there being no spare arms or ammunition in town at that time; and he returned, we believe, with but 8 men. We had entertained some fears for his safety, as his route homeward lay directly through a section of country, where the Indians were known to be hostile. It was with pleasure that we were informed on Saturday last, that he had reached home in safety. He however discovered a ____ party on his way, who were standing on the top of a hill watching his movements; from their position Gen. WOODWARD had good reasons to believe that there were probably a large number of hostiles on the other side of the hill.-After a moment's reflection, WOODWARD concluded to charge upon them, and on doing so the Indians fled to the thicket. The steamboat Metamora on her passage from Apalacicola was fired on by the Indians about 8 miles above Roanoke. The Metamora was pressed at Irwinton by Capt. WOOD, who had under his command two volunteer companies from Randolph county Ga and the "Volunteer Guards" commanded by Capt. BOOTH, from Pike county, Alabama,--in all about 130 men.-Their object was to run up to Columbus on the steamboat, with a view to pick up a fight with the Indians if possible; and as they desired, so they had it. About 20 hostiles appeared on the west bank of the river, and pulled trigger on the boat; three individuals were wounded among the whites.-Messrs. OWENS, SMITH, and BUTLER. Mr. OWENS dangerously; Capt. BOOTH was smoothly shaved by an Indian bullet, it passing over the surface of his chin, and leaving not a whit of beard behind. In this "sharp shooting," there were from 10 to 15 Indians killed. The force of the hostile foe in Alabama has been so variously estimated, that we have taken some pains to ascertain their true numbers. There are in the Creek nation 8,000 (low estimate) warriors, including boys capable of doing much mischief. There are 700 friendly Indians in the camps of O poth-le Yo-ho-lo and E-che Had jo; 300 in Chambers county; 80 at this place, and 20 at Fort Mitchell; making in all 1,000 friendly warriors. The Indians have all been repeatedly invited to come in ; their hostility has been put upon this issue, and every inducement offered to bring them under our protection. Ne-ah Mic-co has 700 warriors at Wa-loo-ta-ha-ka, and is by some thought to be friendly; but such is not the case. General WOODWARD expresses to us no doubts of his hostility-and we perused a letter a few days since written at Ne-ah Mic-co's camp, which detailed nothing but a long series of the most wanton and bloodthirsty actions. There can be no doubt, but that the murderous attack upon the stages was made by a band from his camp-some of the stage horses having been found in their possession. After the most thorough inquiry upon the subject we cannot believe that the hostile party number less than 6,000. To prevent these savages from escaping into Florida, and to chastise them in their own country, will require a large force; the former object is of great moment. Should many reach Florida, it is impossible to foresee the termination of the war; one warrior in Florida being equal, we think to ten in Alabama. From the Columbus Enquirer, 9th instant. No movement of the main body of the troops has yet taken place. Arms and ammunition are as necessary in war as men. So soon as these can be obtained, it is believed the army will take up the line of march in order to subdue the Indians. Measures have been taken to prevent the hostiles from escaping to Florida through the thinly settled part of Georgia, which they will no doubt attempt. The troops leave their present encampment this morning, and will be stationed about three miles below here in Alabama. Several skirmishes have taken place down the river since our last. On Friday, a company under the direction of captain Brown, consisting of parts of captains BROWN's, M'CREARY's and CARR's commands, discovered a considerable number of Indians attempting to cross the river. The whites fired upon them and killed in the engagement, four or five. One of captain Brown's company, from Crawford, by the name of CROSLAND, ws killed. The whites sustained no other loss. An attack was made on the steamboat Metamora on Saturday last whilst ascending the river [… see article…] the following particulars of the fight have been furnished us by the officers in command of the expedition. On Saturday, an attack was made on the steamer Metamora LOYD captain, which at that time contained the following companies, viz. captain BOOTH's company, Pike Guards, from Alabama, captain ADAIR's company of Randolph Blues, and captain SNELGROVE's company from Randolph county, Georgia. In consequence of the Indians having made frequent attacks on the boats passing up and down the river the these troops, who were at that time in Irwinton, determined to pass up, in order to obtain a brush with them-the entire companies were not ordered on this duty, but those who came, volunteered their servcie for the purpose. The Pike [AL] Guards are a mounted company, but so strong was their belief that the boat would be attacked, that they left their horses in Irwinton, to which place they returned on Wednesday. […see article…] In this attack, a man by the name of Samuel Butler, belonging to the Pike [AL] Guards, and one of the boat hands (name unknown,) were severely wounded […see article…] One man BENJAMIN OWENS, of the Pike [AL] Guards, was wounded--it is feared mortally, in this engagement. […see article…] 16 June 1836 Stationed at Fort Ingersoll, Major General Sanford. COUNTIES CORPS CAPTAIN NO Baldwin, mounted volunteers Gaither 55 Bibb, mounted volunteers M'Call 41 Burke, cavalry, volunteers Byne 47 Clark, infantry, volunteers Ligon, 92 Crawford, infantry, volunteers Carr 62 Coweta, infantry, volunteers Anderson 87 Fayette, cavalry, volunteers Stinson, 53 Gwinnett, cavalry, volunteers Germany 76 Gwinnett, infantry, volunteers Reid 91 Greene, infantry, volunteers Dawson 99 Harris, drafted infantry Vardeman 96 Henry, cavalry, volunteers Love 66 Henry, infantry, volunteers Dodson 71 Heard, infantry, volunteers Dent 44 Houston, cavalry, volunteers Dennard 59 Houston, drafted infantry Smith 102 Jasper, drafted infantry Roe 51 Jasper, drafted infantry Lane 49 Jones, drafted infantry Hardeman 91 Laurens, infantry, volunteers Troup 56 Marion, drafted infantry Berry 77 Marriwether, drafted infantry Sloan 85 Monroe, cavalry, volunteers, Flewellen 75 Monroe, drafted infantry Russell 50 Monroe, drafted infantry Stewart 80 Morgan, infantry, volunteers Porter 61 Muscogee, drafted infantry Coleman 90 Muscogee, artillery, Hoxey 85 Muscogee, infantry, volunteers Urquhart 74 Muscogee, infantry, volunteers Evans 84 Oglethorpe, infantry, volunteers Hill 107 Pike, cavalry, volunteers Lynch 53 Pike, drafted infantry Allen 51 Pulaski, drafted infantry Hodges 32 Talbot, cavalry, volunteers Bush 101 Talbot, infantry, volunteeers Miller 54 Taliaferro, infantry, volunteers Sanford 90 Troup, infantry, volunteers Sledge 66 Troup, cavalry, volunteers Kendrick 73 Troup, infantry, volunteers Hardin 90 Upson, cavalry, volunteers Crute 88 Upson, cavalry, volunteers Beall 85 Wilkes, infantry, volunteers Toomes 105 Wilkinson, infantry, volunteers Burney 50 Total 3237 _____________________________________ From the Standard of Union, 14th instant. Extract of a letter from the Governor, dated Columbus, 10th June, 1836. "One steamboat, armed and manned, with captain WILLIAM C DAWSON's company, is cruising on the river, and another will leave here tomorrow. The Indians are very bold. They cross the river, and give us battle below this. There have been several skirmishes. DAWSON's boat had one, yesterday with Indians that had just come from General WATSON's plantation, where they had shot three negro women-one, it is thought, will die. No harm done on either side, in the skirmish with Dawson's company. "Yesterday evening at six o'clock, the Indians, to the number of two hundred, crossed near Roanoke, at SHEPHERD's plantation, and attacked Captain GERMANY's company of about forty. The Captain was wounded in the thigh, and several were killed and wounded. A detachment of thirty, under Captain JERNIGAN, of Stewart, went to their relief, but were repulsed with loss." GWINNETT TROUP.-This corps, commanded by Captain GARMANY, has been attacked near Fort M'Creary, about eighteen miles below Columbus, by a considerable body of Indians, and various and contradictory reports have prevailed, as to the loss which is sustained. By the last statement, which we believe to be true, four of our men weere killed, and three were missing, besides the wounded.