Unknown County GaArchives Military Records.....Blackshear, David, General 
Warof1812 - Letters 
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GOVERNOR MITCHELL TO GENERAL DAVID BLACKSHEAR

Milledgeville, August 4, 1813

Dear Sir:

"From the representations I have received of the fears of our people on the
frontier, under the present state of Indian hostility, I have to request that you
will proceed to that part of the frontier within your brigade, and adopt such
measures as will afford some security to the inhabitants until the troops now
ordered to be got in readiness are marched to the attack of the Indians.

"You will report to me what you deem necessary in this respect and have as much
regard to economy as the nature of the case will admit.

"I am, dear sir, with great regard and esteem, your very obedient servant.

D. B. Mitchell

 

Dear Sir

"I have just returned from my tour on the frontier of my brigade, where I found the
inhabitants in a high state of alarm -- an immense number of whom had fled to the
interior. I proceeded to lay off three forts on the frontier of Twiggs county (at
about ten miles distance from each other,) about one hundred feet square to have two
blockades and enclosed with a stockade 8 feet above ground, and ordered one
sub-altern, a sergeant, a corporal and fifteen privates to each, and a captain to
command and superintend the building and discipline the men.

"In Pulaski, having a greater extent of frontier as those in Twiggs, and the same
number of men to each (one of these in Fort Valley, in Crisp County,) I proceeded to
Telfair and laid out there ninety feet square, and ordered one sergeant, a corporal
and twelve privates to each and a subaltern to command the whole, to be relieved
every ten days until further orders."

Governor Mitchell directed that the whole of the lower frontier be protected by
forts and block houses, asking that the lower bridge over the river between the
Okenfinokee Swamp be occupied with a suitable garrison. He felt that tis would hold

the Indians in complete check, and his plans for the protection of the settlers were
fully carried out, but to no avail, for massacres of the most cruel kind continued
to occur in Southern Georgia.

The following year Governor Peter Early wrote General Blackshear and advised for the
cutting of a road from Hartfort to pulaski, to St. Marys.

He stated: I have for some time forborne taking any definite steps relating to the
contemplated road from Ocmulgee to St. Marys, though we wish to have an
understanding with Colonel Hawkins which might prevent anything unpleasant from
arising between us and the friendly Indians. This understanding is now effected, and
there is no obstacle remaining against proceeding immediately to the accomplishment
of the object."

Another letter from military headquarters, September 17, 1814, is quoted in part as
follows:

"There is being represented to the commander-in-chief that the Indian frontier on
the counties of Twiggs, Pulaski, and Telfair is menaced with depredation from the
hostile Indians. Brigadier General Blackshear will order some prudent and judicious
officer with a patrol of cavalry, consisting of twenty privates, armed with guns, to
explore the country between the Ocmulgee, opposite Hartford, and Flint River, below
and above the Hitchee Town.

"The object of the expedition is two-fold; First, to ascertain whether any hostile
Indians are lurking in the quarter; secondly, to ascertain the best practical route
for a road from Hartford to Flint River, striking the latter below the mouth of
Wecuy-wap creek. The officer who shall be ordered on this service will be charged
carefully to avoid any interruption with friendly Indians.

"By order of the Commander-in-chief.

"Anthony Porter, Secretary

"Orders from Major General McIntosh for General Blackshear to march with Colonel
Wimberly's regiment of infantry from Camp Hope, on the Ocmulgee, to Hartford and
from thence by opening a road in the most direct way to the Flint River are as
follows:

"Camp Hope, Dec 14, 1814

"Brigadier General Blackshear will march, with Colonel Wimberley's regiment of
infantry, direct from this encampment to Hartford, on the Ocmulgee, and proceed from
thence by opening a road in the most direct way to the Flint River, bearing in mind
that he must apprise me, from time to time, of the strength and movement of any
hostile Indians that he may acquire knowledge on the march, taking special care that
the information sent me by the best means can afford or admit of, keeping in view
the object of this march towit, to deter any hostile or marauding party of Indians
from committing acts of violence or making predatory excursions on the frontier of
the state of Georgia most exposed to their savage fury, making every effort at the
same time to arrive at the Flint River as speedily as possible, giving me the
earliest information of that event.

"Upon General Blackshear's arrival at the flint River, he will proceed to select a
proper situation as a place of deposit for provisions, and throw up a small
breastwork, with picket around it, and two small block houses at right angles of the
same, about sixteen or eighteen feet square, which will be sufficient to secure the
work for the assault on every side. A subaltern's command will be sufficient for
this on situation, who will remain and occupy it until otherwise ordered or
relieved. His excellency, the governor, will detach two hundred horsemen to join the
General at this point, as soon as in his opinion, a sufficient time has been allowed
to this detachment to reach the Flint River.

"Major Blue of the 39th regiment, with about sixteen hundred mounted men, Choctawa,
Chickasaws and Creeks, were to march on the first instant in pursuit of the Red
Sticks and their allies. Colonel Hawkins' warriors are likewise ready, and will join
to chastise the Seminoles or any other tribe of the hostile Indians that may be
collected or collecting; and (if necessary) I will combine my whole force to that
object -- which will depend on the intelligence I shall receive from you.

If there shall be the smallest grounds for believing a collected enemy in the route
directed, the general will be particularly cautious to march in regular order,
either in two or three columns, as he finds most convenient - keeping an advance and
rear guard, with double flankers in center, front and rear to prevent surprise or
ambuscade. the Flankers ought to be relieved every hour, having an arduous duty.

"Before you march you will order the regimental surgeons to report to you any of
your detachment incapable of performing duty from indisposition; and should there be
any that require any medical aid, a surgeon's mate must be left with them, and one
or two attendants, if necessary, with orders to proceed on to Fort Mitchell as soon
as surgeon deems them able to perform the march.

"By order of Major General John McIntosh."

 

"Daniel Otis Dunham,

Aide-de-Camp".


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