Muscogee COUNTY GA Indian Wars Newspaper Abstract Feb 4, 1836 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jerry Jones http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/muscogee/military/indian/feb1836.txt Transcribed from Macon Messenger, Feb 4, 1836 There has been considerable excitement for a week or two past at Columbus, and in the vicinity, from apprehension of hostile intentions on the part of the Indians of that neighborhood, and rumor has thrown in its usual contribution in making up all that was lacking in fact. On Thursday of last week it was understood that 500 Indians had crossed the Chattahoochee at BRYANT's Ferry, 15 miles below Columbus. A detachment of twenty-two men, headed by Col. John H. WATSON, proceeded to the place to ascertain particulars. They there found 40 armed Indians, who were returning to the ferry, who took cover and commenced firing. After some firing on both sides, two white men, Mr. Josiah JOHNSON and Mr. ____ McBRIDE, were killed, and two wounded, and the whites then left the field, and the Indians probably returned home. [Note:According to McBride descendants, the one who died was Eleazar McBride. He was the son of William McBride (born 1773, Burke Co, GA; died April 1854, Chattahoochee Co, GA) and Nancy Eleanor Patterson (died before 1820). Eleazar was likely to have been born in Jefferson Co, GA, along with his siblings Nancy Eleanor and Mary Jane (wife of Dr. Micajah C. Wardlaw). Source: page 355, "History of Chattahoochee County, Georgia", N. K. Rogers; copyright 1933, reprinted 1976 by Southern Historical Press.] From all that we can learn from people well acquainted with the Indians, we should not judge that there was a hostile disposition on the part of those Indians generally, but that there are outlaws and marauders who are ready to rob and plunder principally for provisions, and to fight whenever it becomes necessary. This we believe to be the fact, both with regard to these Indians and those residing below. Note: This is sometimes known as "Battle of Hitchity". Following this incident, "two companies were formed, under the command of Alexander McDOUGALD, and J.H.P. CAMPBELL, who left Columbus during intensely cold weather and repaired to the scene of hostilities; but they found no Indians." Columbus Georgia. complied by John H. Martin, 1874. pg 59 ======================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access. ==============