GEORGIA MILITIA Col. J. W. A. Sanford 1831 ***************** 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: Linda Murray lhmurray@bellsouth.net The Roll Book of the Georgia Guard-1831 Col. John William Augustine Sanford, Commander "Headquarters of the Guard Agency at Scudder's, Cherokee Frontier" Whereas, by an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia, passed the 22d December, 1830, his Excellency the Governor is authorized and empowered to raise and organize a guard for the protection of the gold mines in the Cherokee Nation, and for divers other purposes, and Whereas, His Excellency the Governor has appointed Col. J.W.A. Sanford, Commander, and Col. Charles H. Nelson, Sub-Commander of said guard, NOW Know all men that we whose names are hereunto subscribed have enrolled ourselves members of said guard under the above mentioned officers, and, hereby, obligate ourselves to perform all the duties of good, faithful and trusty Soldiers for 12 months from the date annexed to our respective names, unless sooner discharged by the Commander - in - Chief. (The bottom corner of the first page is torn away so that only a few names remain ) Enrollee's name Enlisted Residence Jacob R. Brooks, 1st Sarg't. 8 Jan. 1831 DeKalb Caleb Sappington, 2nd Sarg't. 3 Jan. 1831 Wilkes Elias Henderson, Sarg't. 8 Jan. 1831 Jackson NOTE: Elias Henderson seems to be some sort of merchant floating around the Cherokee, Forsyth Co. area. reseacher: Terry Jackson Thomas J. Rogers 6 Jan. 1831 Jackson William C. Perry 8 Jan. 1831 DeKalb Pleasant T. Henderson 13 Jan. 1831 Hall NOTE:Pleasant Thompson Henderson, son-in-law of Stephen Jett of DeKalb Co., GA. Pleasant moved to Coosa Co., AL ca. 1847 then to Cullman Co., AL ca. 1878. Died there 5-14-1885. reseacher: Terry Jackson ---vid Booker 6 Jan. 1831 Jackson --- Sample 10 Jan. 1831 Hall --- R. Brown 12 Jan. 1831 Hall --- Barnes 15 Jan. 1831 Gwinnett --- PettyJohn 7 Jan. 1831 Jackson --- Whetchel 11 Jan. 1831 Hall --- Miller 5 Jan. 1831 Jackson --- M. Cantrell 10 Jan. 1831 Hall --- Yancy 12 Jan. 1831 Hall --- Haines (his mark) 14 Jan. 1831 Hall (Mrs. Beeson noted: "Here many leaves are cut out of the ledger, evidently it was done beforehand, for autographs continue on nextpage with this caption:") We whose names are hereunto subscribed consent to the foregoing obligation: James M. Reed 13 Jan. 1831 Hall John T. Cox 13 Jan. 1831 Hall John C. Pope 3 Jan. 1831 Wilkes Jacob Butman 12 Jan. 1831 Hall (William Word should be here) John W. Hay 2 Jan. 1831 Wilkes William Wood 7 Jan. 1831 DeKalb (William Word, not Wood) Green W. Durham 1 Jan. 1831 Baldwin (Green J.B. Durham) David Roundaville 8 Jan. 1831 Clarke (David Rounsavell) Nathaniel G. Henderson 8 Jan. 1831 Jackson (his mark) Charles Haynes 14 Jan. 1831 Hall Burl Bradley (his mark) 14 Jan. 1831 Hall (Bechel Bradley) R.T. Fowler 14 Jan. 1831 Clarke John Daniel 14 Jan. 1831 Hall Martin B. Harben 14 Jan. 1831 Hall (Nath'1. B. Harben) Redding Pinson 4 Jan. 1831 Hall Jesse Townsend 6 Jan. 1831 DeKalb John Ballard 3 Jan. 1831 Wilkes John M. Jack 8 Jan. 1831 Clarke (John M. Jay, Sr.) Joseph W. Shevy 6 Jan. 1831 Jackson (Joseph McSherry) William Tippen 14 Jan. 1831 Hall Thomas F. Booker 3 Jan. 1831 Wilkes Samuel Hall 1 Jan. 1831 Baldwin "The Battle of Leather's Ford" - January 16, 1831 ===================== Page 70: VOLUNTEER UNITS RAISED On January 26, 1831, Governor Gilmer wrote William Ezzard and Major Hines Holt of dekalb County, Col. Nathan S. Hutchins of Gwinnett County, Col. Allen Fambrough, Col. IWA Petit, and Col. Andrew Moore of the need to "organize volunteer companies in every frontier county near the Cherokees, for the special object of compelling the Indians to submit to the authority of the laws, and of removing vicious and refractory white men residing among them, whose influence has been directed to excite them (the Cherokees) to disobedience". SOURCE: Georgians, by George R. Gilmer Page 67: BATTLE OF LEATHERSFORD "Soon after the (Georgia) Guard entered the mining districts, a number of persons were made prisoners for taking gold contrary to law, and marched off to the nearest judicial officer for commitment. A large body of trespassers followed them for the purpose of rescuing their arrested associates. They attacked the guard. One of the attacking party was wounded. The guard was at the time under the command of Col. Nelson, a brave, but violent man." Source: Georgians, by George R. Gilmer Received Thursday, February 10, 1831, letter from Col. JWA Sanford, to Gov. George R. Gilmer: "Agency, at Scudder's, January 22, 1831 Sir, In my letter of the 15th inst. to your Excellency, I mentioned that Col. Nelson was charged with an expedition to the Upper Mines. On Monday the 17th inst. he returned to Head quarters, having successfully accomplished the object of his march. I regret, however, to add, that in the performance of that duty, he has had to encounter difficulties of the most serious and embarrassing nature. I regret it the more, inasmuch, as I may have induced the belief that the law in relation to this territory would be readily submitted to, and would itself, thus become a sufficient safe-guard of the interest it was designed to protect. I must confess, however, that I have been mistaken - not, indeed, in the character of those from whom the opposition has arisen, but from the DARING and OUTRAGEOUS manner of their resistance. Col. Nelson, in his enterprise upon Daniels' (Upper Mines) having succeeded in arresting several persons, guilty of working the mines since the 1st, their friends and former associates became apprised by some means of their capture, and from their subsequent conduct, no doubt, resolved upon their release. For this purpose, they assembled in force (between 50 and 60) early in the morning of the 16th at Leather's Ford, having ascertained that the command with the prisoners, would cross the Chestatee at that place. The first act of their hostility was indicated by their having caused a number of obstructions in the passage of the river, with the view of harassing the detachment and otherwise perplexing and retarding its movements. These were, however, avoided without any great difficulty and the opposite shore having been reached in safety, the van escorting the prisoners resumed its line of march. It had proceeded but a short distance, when the sergeant commanding the rear brought intelligence of its being attacked to Col. Nelson. Having secured the prisoners (11 in number) with a sufficient guard, he hastened immediately to the scene of engagement. Upon his approach, the assailants desisted from their attack, with the exception of three, who continued the assault with great fury until checked by the bayonet. One of these, the VILEST of the vile, received a couple of severe wounds, believed at the time to have been mortal; but upon examination, it was found that he was not likely to experience the fate so richly merited by his infamous life, and still more infamous conduct in this affray. Previously to the encounter, he had, I learn, professed the utmost contempt of Georgia, her laws, her officers, denied her jurisdiction over this territory, and encouraged those who were inclined to violate her recent enactments in relation thereto, with the protection of his CHIVALROUS ARM. In the practical demonstration of his prowess, he has learned a lesson, which may hereafter be servicable to himself and a hint to all others who may be disposed to invade our rights or infringe our laws. Its good effects have already been experienced, for I understood, that no less than 70 of those desperate and abandoned wretches have suddenly disappeared from their former haunts in the settlements. Even before the occurrence of the affair at the Ford, individual members of the guard, when alone, had been insulted and menaced in a manner that evidenced the most inveterate and rancorous feeling. Aware of their hostility, from what he too had seen, Col. Nelson advised his men to a cautious and circumspect deportment whilst passing them, and to refrain from any expressions or observations. In obedience to this order, the command were proceeding quietly and peaceably, when the outrageous abuse of this horde elicited a reply from one of his men. In an instant, as if by pre-concert, the whole clan commenced gathering stones, billets of wood, and every species of missile, discharging them at the guard. It was with the utmost difficulty that they were restrained from returning this unexpected salutation with a volley of musketry. Again and again were their pieces leveled whilst the often repeated, order 'reserve your fire' alone prevented their discharge. Your Excellency will discover in this attack, a plan previously arranged and directed(?) with considerable military tact. They calculated that by engaging with the rear, that the front having charge of the prisoners, would be necessarily called to its relief, and that an opportunity would thus be presented of effecting their escape in the confusion which would ensue. The precaution of the commanding officer prevented the accomplishment of this design. Having failed in their attempt, they next sought his arrest by legal process, and accordingly a warrant was obtained, demanding the surrender of himself and command. Seeing the very improper purpose for which this writ was issued, he (col. Nelson) determined that it should not prevent him from doing his duty, and accordingly marched to Gainesville with his prisoners, where eight of them were committed for trial at the next (Superior) court. Having thus gotten rid of his charge, he declared that it was neither his wish nor intention whilst apprehending others for violating the law, to oppose any resistance to it himself; that the course he had pursued was founded in a sense of duty; if in its discharge he had done wrong, he was willing to submit himself to any tribunal having cognizance of his offence. The hue and cry against the Guard for its conduct in this transaction has spread far and wide through the country. Falsehoods, accusing them of crimes of the most atrocious and aggravated character, are daily fabricated and circulated for the purpose of rendering them odious to the public. The motive for this is too palpable to be mistaken for a single moment. The mines under the protection given them are no longer a source of profit and employment - - Misrepresentation and calumny have busied themselves in exciting clamour; and clamour it is thought will effect the removal of the troops. The mines will then be left defenseless, and an opportunity again afforded them of renewing their depredations, whilst impunity is secured them by their number. These are the calculations of the idle and dissolute. These are their avowed objects, and really, Sir, they have set at work systematically for their accomplishment. In my former letter, I said something about this class of people. I cannot now dismiss them without expressing to your Excellency my conviction that there does not exist on earth elsewhere, beings so vicious and so depraved. To me they seem to be predestinated and incorrigible, and that the punishment of this world are inadequate to their crimes Yet even with these miscreants, when compelled to an intercourse, I have uniformly inculated a respectful deportment, and I hope your Excellency will believe that nothing has been done which the good of the country did not IMPERIOUSLY demand. This has been my constant aim, and every thing will be done having a tendency in the least degree towards its promotion. The Guard, notwithstanding their exposure, retain fine health. Twenty of them, under command of Col. Nelson, left this (place) on the 19th for the Lower Mines, Sixes, Alatoona, etc. Daniels' will be again visited upon his return. SOURCE: JWA Sanford Letterbook, Georgia College Library, Milledgeville The above roll on pg 60 from "Whites Among the Cherokees", Mary B. Warren and Eve B. Weeks, 1987, Heritage Papers, Athens, GA 30606 Discrepancies in parentheses.