Pulaski County GaArchives History .....Blackshear's Maneuvers 1935
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BLACKSHEAR'S MILITARY MANEUVERS

   The Blackshear roads grew out of the vigorous efforts of the State of Georgia
to protect its exposed western and southern borders from invasion and attack by
the Indians. It fell to the lot of General Blackshear of Dublin to protect the
frontier in this section. The Blackshear Trails were either roads opened by him
on military excursions or roads followed by Blackshear's troops marching from
one point to another.

   Blackshear's first visit to our frontier was occasioned by representations to
Governor Mitchell that the people of this section were fleeing the country for
the interior from a high state of fear of an anticipated Indian attack. In
obedience to Governor Mitchell's orders, General Blackshear commanded Col.
Ezekial Wimberly of Twiggs, Col. Allen Tooke of Pulaski, and Major Cawthorn of
Telfair to erect a chain of forts in their respective counties for the
protection of the border. The General visited the border the middle of August,
1813, on a military tour of inspection, and was satisfied with the measures of
defense provided. No road was opened or associated with Blackshear's first visit.

   The threat to massacre Hartford and neighborhood by the Seminole Indians
caused a second reign of terror among the whites along the border. Christian
Linebaugh, assistant Indian agent, on September 8, 1814, addressed an open
letter to the inhabitants of Pulaski County and the town of Hartford, advising
of the Seminoles' plans. When this new peril of the frontier was communicated to
Governor Early he immediately directed General Blackshear to select some prudent
and judicious officer to send upon a scouting expedition in the country between
the 0cmulgee and the Flint Rivers. The object of the expedition was twofold:
first, to ascertain if any hostile Indians were lurking in that quarter, and,
secondly, to ascertain the best practical route for a road from Hartford to

p. 37

Flint River, striking the latter below Wecuywan Creek. Captain Richard Thomas,
first clerk of the court of Pulaski County, was chosen for this task, with the
instructions that he make his report direct to Governor Early. On December 6th,
after General Black-shear had been ordered to cut a road from Hartford to Flint
River, Governor Early sent Captain Thomas' information and map to the General,
saying: "I enclose you the chart made by Captain Thomas of his route last
September." (Letters 28, 29, and 43.) No road was opened by Captain Thomas and
his cavalry troop of twenty men, but his survey charted the route Blackshear's
military road later followed.

   Orders from the Secretary of War, received about'the middle of October,
brought a call from Governor Early for 2,500 of the militia of Georgia to
assemble at Fort Hawkins. Major General John Mc-Intosh and Brigadier General
David Blackshear were placed in command. These troops were expected to march to
Mobile and there join Major General Jackson. But while awaiting marching orders
these two Georgia officers and Governor Early decided it was best to detach a
body of infantry and place it under General Blackshear for the purpose of
cutting a road from Hartford to Flint River and there establish a depot of
supplies. From this new fort General Blackshear would be expected to march on
the Seminole settlements lying sixty miles west of the Flint River, aided by a
troop of 200 horsemen under Captain Thomas, and accomplish their destruction. It
was on this attempted expedition that Blackshear cut the military road from
Hartford to the Flint River.

   There is a tradition that General Blackshear and the Creek Indians had quite
a skirmish on the hill where the old colonial home of the Coleys now stands, for
the possession of three never-failing springs. General Blackshear was supposed
to be marching with his troops from Fort Mitchell to Fort Early.

   Blackshear's military road was that road cut by Blackshear and troops from
Hartford to the Flint River between the dates Dec. 27, 1814, and Jan. 6, 1815.
It was the first road ever to be opened in Western Pulaski County, and the only
road into that section for a number of years. Its route has been determined with
some accuracy. After ferrying the Ocmulgee from Hartford, Blackshear began his
road at the ferry landing (near the foot of Commerce Street). He then took the
course of Jackson Street, crossing Mile Branch at its foot, and proceeded to
near Big Creek along the route of the present Dixie Highway. Big Creek (or
Tuscawhachee) was crossed some 300 yards below the present concrete bridge.

   After cutting the road to Flint River and establishing Fort Early, before the
General could make his excursion against the Seminole

p. 38

settlements, he was ordered to join General McIntosh, who was then on his way
from Fort Hawkins to Mobile. The General suspended operation at Fort Early on
the 9th and prepared to follow. How-ever, conflicting orders caused him much
uncertainty and loss of time. But at camp, twelve miles east of Flint River,
Jan. 14, 1815, General McIntosh was informed that General Blackshear would
retrace his steps and take the road at Fort Hawkins. After crossing the Ocmulgee
and marching five miles above Hartford despatches from Governor Early informed
General Blackshear that the enemy was invading the State along the coast and
ordered him to change his course and march with all haste to Fort Barrington on
the Altamaha, near Darien. He did so immediately and, passing by Hartford, he
camped five miles below the town on the night of the 21st. The General marched
out of the county on his way to Barrington. This completed the military
movements of the General in Pulaski. (Letters 73, 77, 79, 81, 82, 83.)


Additional Comments:
Extracted from 
"HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY
GEORGIA"

OFFICIAL HISTORY

COMPILED BY THE HAWKINSVILLE CHAPTER
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
PRESS OF WALTER W. BROWN PUBLISHING COMPANY
ATLANTA, GEORGIA


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