Maury County TN Archives News.....Bird S. Hurt/ and False Alarm! March 28, 1812 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tn/tnfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Nancy Poquette npoq@hotmail.com May 28, 2006, 3:18 pm From The Tennessee State Archives, Microfilm # ____, The Western Chronicle, Columbia, TN March 28, 1812 Saturday, March 28, 1812 [just before the War of 1812 broke out] “Bird S. Hurt, Will find, storage and sell whiskey or other liquors, flour and sugar by the barrel, bar iron, ca??tings, nails, etc on a commission of ten percent. And, as I have an excellent cellar, and other conveniences for the reception of such articles, I flatter myself that I shall give general satisfaction to those who may entrust me with the same. Columbia, February 14th, 1812.” [Bird S. Hurt was the officer under whom Hiram Anthony served in the War of 1812. This was an advertisement placed by him.] From the Western Chronicle, Saturday, March 28, 1812: “FALSE ALARM! While the peace and tranquility again surrounds us, and the apprehension of the savage tomahawk and scalping knife no longer troubles our peaceful bosoms, for the satisfaction of our distant friends, we recite the particulars which led to the almost universal alarm that prevailed a few days since.” On Tuesday night last, a man arrived at his place to procure ammunition, and reported that 2,000 Indians had embodied, marched into Giles County, killed 25 families on Bradshaw’s Creek, and were pursuing in, directly towards Columbia, where it was expected they would reach that night. That the Colonel commandant in Giles County dispatched an express to Colonel Pillow giving this information, and that the different captains on Fountain Creek, and in that direction were collecting their men in order to resist if possible, these hostile depradations.” “This report was considered as the effusion of a frightened imagination, and little or no credit was attached to it, but in a few moments another messenger arrived, and affirmed the same in substance, with the addition that the Indians were seen crossing a creek 18 miles from Columbia that morning.” “It was now thought advisable to ascertain the truth, if possible, and for this purpose messengers were dispatched to Colonel Pillow’s to know if he had received any such information as was reported. In the meantime, men were hurrying in from all quarters, purchasing ammunition and telling horrible tales. The citizens became alarmed and prepared to make as good a defense as possible in case of an attack.” “General Roberts hearing the report came into town; not believing that he had as yet sufficient reason to order out the militia, he determined to trace the report and ascertain the reality. He done so, as far as possible; His presence and assurance that the thing was so improbable, relieved the minds of the people, and after placing out sentinels, retired at about 1 o’clock.” “Such a quick circulation had rumor obtained, that before 10 o’clock on Wednesday, 200 men were in town, armed and equipped for a campaign; and we are informed that the different companies throughout this and Williamson Counties were formed, and most of these on their march.” “Captains Polk, Campbell and Wells marched their companies into town; armed men were flocking in from every direction. General Roberts had not received any information which authorized him to proceed, and resolved not to do so until he had grounds sufficient to justify him with his country.” “Information now reached us that Captain Benjamin Reynolds, as soon as he heard the report, had raised his company and marched to the place where it was said the Indians were committing the depradations, and had ascertained that the report was false.” “Several gentlemen soon arrived and assured us that nothing was to be apprehended. That what gave rise to the alarm was this: Fifteen Indians had went to Huntsville and purchased ammunition and arms. Some families who saw them returning to their nation, apprehended danger, and communicated their fears to some young men, who that night, in order to have some fun, collected others and fired on the houses of some of those who had expressed their apprehensions. The people fled; reported that 1500 Indians had fired on them and burnt their houses; men, women and children flew in every direction. The alarm became universal, and when it reached us, it was in such a shape as to excite considerable apprehensions of its truth.” “We learn that Madison, Giles, Lincoln, and Bedford Counties were entirely in arms. The report reached Nashville about 10 o’clock on Wednesday, and we are informed from good authority that about 5,000 men were in that place, armed and ready to march that evening. From every information, we are led to believe that this rumor put at least 10,000 men in arms in this and the neighboring counties, in a short space of time.” “From this it will appear that we have little to apprehend either from the savages, the British, or any other nation on earth. When it is thought necessary, the people WILL fight. We have to regret the want in some degree, of arms of the proper description. Our frontier situation requires it, and we hope the government will furnish us with muskets and bayonets. If every militia man had arms of this description, from the example we have seen, we are led to believe that if every tribe west of us were to combine, we would not need the assistance of a sister state to extirpate them.” “From the display of spirit we have witnessed, we confidently believe that every man whose situation will permit him, will tender his services to government and have the honor of assisting in planting the American Eagle throughout the continent, and teaching the world that WE ARE FREEMEN.” File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/tn/maury/newspapers/birdshur235gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/tnfiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb