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THE REFLECTOR.
MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA, TUESDAY, .1ANUARY 26, 1819.
NO; 4.
OLE WAR.
DOCUMEN I S.
RS TOT Ilk WAR lir.VAHTMRTT
r</, Ga. January '26, 1818.
ince to vour order to me.
roc ceded to Savannah,
it mortification, 1 found
:heradvanced than when
etl from the executive
conference with It. col.
I that a draft had been
number of desertions
lace, which, with 47 de
em duty, have reduced
and that he knows of
be adopted, without a
of the civil law, t.i
ance at the general ren-
fused to go, which they
lously. The drafts from
have progressed farther
ns for the service, tho’ I
ieutenant-colonel Har-
Id be some days before
iheir homes, as an enqui-
and a second draft,
K to fill their ranks,
avannah, colonel Mar
tha), as soon as a se
tt eft’ected, and the ne-
nts made for their move-
address to me a report
’ort Dawkins, whieli has
and I ain left to con-
angements referred to,
rieil into effect. Capt.
;o me, that he was pre-
e transportation ncces-
vement, if it should br
ave the honor to be, ^'c.
WRIGHT, maj.u.s.A.
IMS.
general, contains a discouraging picture
of that detachment. It cannot be expect
ed at this place before’’the 10th of next
month, nor is it probable that more than
or 300, out of the 500 called for, can
he got into service.
The enclosed papers, No. 1 to 4, con
tain copies of my last correspondence with
the contractor's agent.
The acting quarter master, lieut. Rei
ser, has purchased the greater part of the
provision issued during the present month,
and is now engaged in the purchase of 30
thousand rations, the greater part of which
is now on the way to fort Scott, by the
way of Flint river. To pay for these sup
plies I have been under the necessity of
borrowing ten thousand dollars from the
governor of Georgia, upon a promise to
replace the amount in three months from
the 23d instant. 1 had taken the liberty
to send to Augusta a draft upon the de
partment of war, for 815,000, but could
not obtain money on the draft without suf
fering a discount of 2 1-2 per cent, which
was totally inadmissible.
The 815,000 forwarded bv your order
being required to pay the expense of trans-j i4 m i|es south easl of this post. It had
portati m, for which this sum will be in-1 a | so beP |, abandoned, and the cattle and
sufficient. I have to request that you will | stock „f every kind removed, as had been
he pleased to order the sum of ten thousand the case at Fowl Town. I am informed
No. 5. Fort Scott, January 12, 1818.
Sir,—On the 16th instant, I had the ho
nor to inform you of the arrival of the ves
sels in charge of brevet major Muhlenberg,
and to enclose to you the resignation of
1st lieut. Sharp, of the corpse of artillery :
the acceptance of which I recommended,
on account of his intemperate habits.—
Since that period, lieut. Johnson, of the
same corps, has tendered his resignation,
which is herewith enclosed. I would also
recommend that his wish to leave the ser
vice should he gratified, as his conduct in
a skirmish with the Indians, some time
since, was not such as to evidence iiis be
ing well qualified for the profession of
arms.
I have permitted him and It. Sharp to be
absent until the acceptance of their resig
nations may be published, unless other
wise ordered, and herewith enclose a co
py of lieutenant Sharp’s letter of resigna
tion.
On the 4th instant I crossed Flint river,
about 1 1 miles above this post, and pro
ceeded to Fowl Town, which had been de
Flint river, on the 12th instant, for the
purpose of concerting measures for the
destruction of the inhabitants on the Cha
tahoochie, and the reduction of this post.
In the latter object they expecttosucceed.
•wing to our want of supplies, and their
.ilculations are not without a reasonabh
nospect of success, should not uncom
mon exertions be made to supply us from
vour quarter : as this command has been
without meat at this time for five or -i\
days, and have barely a hope of receivin '
a temporary supply bv a command sent I ’
fort Gai-ie- for the purpose of colleclin.
few beef cattle.
I have heard from the bav this evening ;
one. vessel has arrived there with clothing
ami military stores, having on board very
little, if any more provisions, than will
be required bv the command on board of
her, and without certain information ofo-
ther vessels on the way.
I have to request you will let me hear
i from vou without loss of time, ami that
vnu will inform me of the prospect of sup-
serted; I burnt it, and on the next day !, P 1 '” £ ron )
arrived at Allapulges, a small town about
Ga. January 30, 1818.
honor to receive, yester-
of the 26th December
esent month ; the first
efrom Amelia Gland,
months past endeavored
f the topography of the
the Appalachicoia and
e received only the ap-
I accounts of some half-
I Indians, as to the west-
itract of country. The
1 known to many of the
state with whom I have
Amelia-Island to the
try is, fertile most part
id pine barren, nearly
with creeks and ponds,
laces witli rich ham
increases in quantity
pproach the Loch way
ce to St. Marks ami
am muck land is found
ies; much the largest
intry, however, is poor,
The hammock land
ies of live oak, some
uable timber. There
mps on the route he
ld St. Marks, which,
f rainy weather, are
it the aid of boats;
ig generally open, will
when the weather is
have not a doubt but
h with considerable fa-
lacliicola to St. Johns
ith the aid of a few
isions, &c. from fort
r, and thence coast-
f Suwany river, 130
ipalachicola, and about
th west from Amelia
entioned distance may
days, without waggons
ps carrying their own
haversacks. A move-
stand, by ti.'C way of
vay, as you have su[
ink, produce the desi
ation with the troops
on this subject 1 shall
niander in chief of the
najor Bankhead, dated
[ith, I learn that 2000
eported to have arriv-
Although little re-
lin the report receiv
ed, yet, whether it be
Itisfied his command.
Bo small to admit ol
ber than that at Tra-
hould, indeed, be not
kr stationed at and in
|ty of the hill, ami a
|)er upon the frontier
kind this. By a letter
, of Telfair, 1 am in-
of Indians killed a
nd his family, a few
liars, on account of the supply of ra
tions, to be forwarded to his excellency,
governor Rabun, to replace the sum ad
vanced oy him.
I have the honor to be, most respectful
ly, your obedient servant,
EDMUND P. GAINES.
The hon. John C. Calhoun.
No. 1.
H. Q Hartford, Ga. January 12, 1318.
Sir,—1 have received your report, in
which you state that you have some rations
the ways hut you do not state where
or in what quantities they are to be found
they have gone to or beyond the Oaklochy
river, there to place their women ami
pr ioertv in greater security, and better
prepare them "Ives for war. They con
tinue to have considerable intercourse with
the Indians at Chatahoochie, many of
whom were with them, and assisted ill the
destruction of lieut. Scott and iiis party,
and in the attack on our vessels ascending
the river, under t ic command of brevet
major Muhlenberg. You have herewith
a copy of a letter from Mr. Irvin, com
manding at Fort Gaines. I cannot belie e
the information it contains, yet I hav
Let me be informed on this subject with- been ^formed, a few days since, that the
out delay. j Indians on the Chatahoochie. below tort
Having been informed by hrigadier-gen. I Gaines, have received information fr in
Glascock, that he has not been regularly the agent for the Creek nation, that they
supplied with rations by you ; that lie bad ; are to use their pleasure in joining us, . -
advanced you 82000 to purchase pork for. we are the aggressors. But few of them
the detachment of Georgia militia under! requiie great inducement to act in the
his command, (which I directed you to j W ar—(most on our side;) and should
forward to this place for that detachment)! the war with the lower Creeks terminate
I learn that you have not complied with on the terms represented by Mr. Irvin, it
my requisition or order. Should this ap- i will be but risking little to sav, the peace
parent neglect remain longej unexplained, ‘
your continuance as contractor’s agent or
as sutler, w ithin the limits of my command,
will be no longer toleiated.
Your most obedient servant,
E. P. GAINES, muj.gcn. comd’g.
‘J. \V. Calais, contractor’s agent. Ft. liuwliuis,
No. 2.
Hartford, January 2.1, 1818.
Sir,—Your communication of the 12th
is received—to the sever.objections
therein referred, and to others, 1 have
the honor to reply as viz. The rations re
ported to have been on hand, were at fort
Hawkins, Creek agency, fort Mitchell, &
fort Gaines; estimated, at fort Hawkins,
sav III r 15.600 rations of pork and beef,
and of flour 4 or 5000 ; ;u the agency,
0000 rations of flour, w ith a considerable
quantity of the smaller parts ; at fort Mit
chell, i0,000 rations of flour, w ith a small
quantity of vincgai ; and at fort Gaines,
only 6 or 7000 rations of flour.
The 82000 received of general Glas
cock, 1 did not understand was to he ex
clusively applied to the purchase of pork.
My disbursements in the purchase of provi
sions have considerably exceeded that sum
since the receipt of it, which was on the
10th of December last. Of this fact I shad
be able to convince the general, by a re
ference to my hook and other vouchers, on
that subject.' It is true that, tile balance of
pork left at fort Hawkins was not forward
ed to this place, iu compliance with your
orders. This non-compliance proceeded
from no disposition to evade, or treat with
indifference, the orders ot tiie general;
but for want of immediate means of trans
porting it. In short, allow me to assure
you, sir, that if I have, or it l may diso
bey your orders, it is alone ascribable to
the want of means tor compliance. IV ith
regard to the flour refused at lort Hawkins,
afterwards transported to and sold at this
place to the troops, by Mr. Lavake, I
report that it was never the property ot
the contractor ; that it was inspected and
refused as his ; that it was transported
and sold by him without the knowledge or
consent ot the contractor or his agent.
I have the honor to be, £c.
O. VV. CALLlS, con’rs ag’t. .
.Vlajorqjencral Gaines, cmiurianding, 8te.
No. 3.
IT Q. Hartford, Ga, January 19, 1818.
The army contractor is hereby required
to provide lor the dailj issue of 2000 com-
1VJ Ilia IdlllllY) U IC'T r ^ , «
.Tills*, 40 miles from fletc rations, to the United States troops
Telfair court house,
lied a troop of cavalry
liana, and at the same
fchment of infantry, to
\try, and secure the
|lrom a similar out-
11 enclose a monthly
pent of Georgia mili-
»’l Glascock, which
:il this day. I had
that the proper re
cent had been duly
Jicks, who mustered
hme, to the adjutant
4’s office.
yet I have to state,
operation on the pari
I entirely failed. An
anteers, to continue
rrival of the detach-
heral Floyd’s division,
The enclosed re
lit, assistant adjutant
and militia, at the new fort now building
on Flint river, near the Cheliaw village;
and to have in store, at that lort, by the
20th day of next month, (February) 60
thousand complete rations ; the meat part
of which to consist of goud pickled pork
or bacon.
E. P. GAINES, maj. gen. comd’g.
jrj’p (j . Oiui, cun’r,or his at Ft. llawkms.
No. 4.
Harford, January 24, 1818.
Sir,—I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your requisition, under date
„f the l'Jth, and to report that the con-
trattor cannot comply with it in full; hut
that there is engaged to the conti act to
have been delivered at fort Hawkina, on
the 20th of this month, 70,000 rations of
pork, which, together with the provisions,
the money I have, or may have, will pro
cure, shall be furnished the troops.
1 have the honor to be, most respectful
ly, your obedient servant,
O. \V. CALLIS, contr’a ag’t.
Major-general Gaines-
will be of short duration. The force of
this place is much too small to advance a-
gainst the enemy, and I ha-e not receiv
ed the least information of the Georgia
militia, or McIntosh’s Indians, except
what i- contained ill Mr. Irvin’s letter, or
a line from general Gaines, since Ids de
parture.
I have but about two days rations of
meat, and something upwards of thirty
s rations of flour on hand, ami without
advice of additional supplies being on the
way ; and should captain Burch, who i
now at fort Gaines, with a command of
120 men, for the purpose of obtaining beef
not succeed, nod the contractor’s agents
persist in neglecting their duty much lon
ger, the consequences must be very dis
astrous to the tumps, and the inhabitants
of the Chatahoochie.
I have sent captain Cummings to the
hay, for the purpose of obtaining informa
tion should tiny vessel arrive there with
provision ; and I will do all in my powei
to maintain my position ; yet I do greatly
ear, my best exertions to do so w ill fail.
I detached a sergeant and lour mounted
men on express to Fort Hawkins on the
21st ult. and have not since heard of them.
I shall write to the Creek agent by the pre
sent opportunity, and enclose to him a co
py of Mr. Irvin’s letter.
1 am, sir, very respectfully, your obedi
ent servant,
M ARBUCKLE. It. col. 7th inft.
Major-gcncp 1 A takew Jackson.
N. B. Since writing the above, I h ive
received a letter from general Gaines, da
ted the 20th ultimo, at Hartford. The.
contractor’s agent in that quarter, I am
informed, has failed, and tue militia are
now about 90 miles above this place, bad
ly supplied with provisions. Capt. Burch
has informed me, that he will b able to
obtain 30 or 40 head ot beef cattle at fort
Gaines. He will be compelled to take
them as the people refuse to sell.
No. G.
Sir,—I received your letter of the 20th
ultimo, yesterday, after writing to major-
general Jackson. A copy of in v letter to
him is enclosed, which will exhibit to you
the state of things in this quarter.
I have heard nothing more of colonel
Brearly, or the militia, excppt that they
were within 25 miles of the Flint river on
the 4th inst. Brockman wrote me on that
date, and informed me that he was engag
ed in procuring provision for the militia,
the contractor having laded to supply.—
This, with the information you gave on
that subject, has induced me to contract
with Mr. McCullock to deliver 15,000 ra
tions of meat at this post, 20 days from
this time, 12 1-2 cents per ration. Should
he fulfil his engagement, and capt. Burch
succeed in procuring 30 or 40 head of beef
cattle, l think that supply wilj last the
troops until provisions are received from
New-Uleans. Our horses Uave a distem
per among them, which I fear will destroy
a great number of them.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obe
dient servant,
M. ARBUCKLE, It. col. com’g.
vlaior-sreneral Gaines.
No. 7.
Fort Scott, January 18, 1818.
Sir,—I have received information this
evening, which I have no doubt may be re
lied on that the whole or the greater por
tion of the hostile Indians, are to have a
meeting aonunhwo urn the mouth of
I am, sir, most respectfully, your obe
dient servant.
M. ARBUCKLE, It. col. com’g.
TUig. Gen. Glascock, Chehaw town, Hint rive
L' TTr.ns from TIIF. tv Ml DEPARTMENT
To maior-Kcncial Gaines, to major-s-en. Jacks"’
ami to the governor of the Alabama territory.
E.rtrade of a 'otter from Georg? Graham, acting
secretn'y of ~oar, to general Gainer, dated the
3utA October 1817
I ,'ive the 1 otior to acknowledge the
receipt of jour letter of the 1st ins*, o.ov.
ering a ennv ot the reply wliii h n.ie m.,3"
bv ten of the Seminole towns, to thr de
mand made bv vou. no tleon, for the or
render of the murderers of some of om
citizens.”
“ The papers have been submitted t"
the president, and 1 am instructed br
io inform you. that he approves of the
movement of the troops from fi .t Mont
gomery to fort Srott. The apnearanc
of this additional force, he flatters himself
will, at len-t, have the effect of restraining
the Seminole* from committing further de
predations, and perhaps of inducing them
to make reparation for the murders whir'
they have committed—Should they, how
ever. persevere, in their refusal to make
such reparation, it is the wish of the pres
ident that you should not on that account
pass the line, and make an attack upon
them within the limits of Florida, until
v.'U shall have received further instruc
tions f-om this department.”
“ Youare authorised to remove the Indians
still remain*’ g on the lands ceded by the
treaty made by general Jackson with the
Creeks ; and in doing so, it may be proper
to retain some of them ns hostages, until
reparation may lisve been made for the
depredations which have hern committed.
On this subject, however, as well as the
manner of removing them, you will exer
cise vour discretion.—M’Intosh and the
other chiefs of the Creek nation, w ho wen
here sometime since, expressed then, de
cidedly, their unwillingness to permit any
of the hostile Indians to their nation.”
*• P. S. The authority to remove the In
dians will, of course, not extend to those
Copy of a letter from J. C. Calhoun, secretary of
roar, to general Gaines, dated 16tk December
1817. , , ..
Sir—On the receipt of this letter should
the Seminole Indians still refuse to make
reparation for their outrages and depreda
tions on the citizens of the United States,
it is the wish of the president, that yen
consider yourself at liberty to march a-
cross the Florida line, and to attack them
within its limits, should it be found neces
sary, unless they should shelter thenr-
-eiv"3 under a Spanish fort. In the last
event, you will immediately notify this
department. I have, &c. &c.
Department of mar, December 29th 1817.
Sir—You will repair, with as little de
lay as practicable, to Fort Scott, and as
sume tbe immediate command of tbe forc
es in that section of the southern divis-
ion.
The increa -ing display of hostile inten
tions by the Seminole Indians, may ren
der it necessary to concentrate all the con
tiguous and disposable force now there,
which is about 800 strong, and 1000
militia of the state of Georgia are cal
led into service.
General Gaines estimates the strength
of the Indians at 2700. Should you be of
opinion that our numbers are too small to
beat the enemy, you will call on the exec
utives of the adjacent states for such aa
additional force as you may deem re
quisite.
General Gainos'had been ordered early
in last month to repair to Amelia Island-
It is presumed that he has, therefore, re-
linquishcd the command at fort Scott.
Sobsenuenl orders have been given to gen.
,ivues, (copies of which will be furnish
ed yoii)advising him that you would be di
verted to take command, and directing
him to re-assume, should lie deem the pub
lic interest to require, the comoinv 1 at
Fort Scott, until you should arrive t.. re.
H, however, the general should have pro
gressed to Florida, before the subsequent
onlers mar have rearhed him, he wa- in
truded to penetrate to the Seminole
towns, through thr Floridan, pre'ided
the stre gth of his command at Am lia
would justify his engaging iu offensive op-
pi .itions.
" itli this view, you may be prepared to
c .' centrate your forces and to adopt the
ucressarv measures, to terminate a con
flict, v Inch it has been the desire of the
president, from considerations of humani
ty, to avoid, but which is now made neces
sary. bv their settled hostility.
With great respect, I have the honor, SiCi
J. C. CALHOUN.
Maj. gen. Andrew Jackson.
Department of war, Dec. 26th, 1817.
Sir—Your letter of Nov. the 26th, and
of the 2d and 3d inst. were received bjr
this morning’s mail. The fate of the de
tachment under lieut. Scott, is much to
lie regretted ; but, under all the ciixu-n-
stances, no blame can attach to yon■ < If,
or the officers immediately conr.i reed.
When the order of the 12th NVobcr
was given, directing you to repair to Ame
lia Island, it was hoped that the Seminoles
would have been brought to their reason,
without an actual use of force, and that
their hostility would not assume so seri
ous an aspect. It is now a subject of
much regret, that the service in that quar-
Indians, and their families, who have ter has been deprived of your well known
claims to reservations of land under the skill and vigilance-
treaty,” j before this will reach you, it is hoped
Copy of a letter from George Graham, acting wo that the views of the president, in relk-
retary of war, to General Gaines dated 2d De- j tion to the settlement on Amelia Island,
cember 1817. will have been effected. Should that be
Sir—Your letter of the 9th ult. ndvis- the case, it is his wish that vou should im-
ing of the call on the governor of Georgia,'mediately repair to Fort Scott: ann re-
to assemble the auxiliary force which had | sumo the command, till general Jackson’s
been previously required by you at fort j arrival, to whom orders have this day been
Haw kins, on the 26th ultimo, has been re
ceived.
It is hoped that the letter addressed to
sent to command there ; or, if you should
think the force under your command suf-
ficient. and other circumstances will admit
you from this department on the 30th Oc- penetrate through the Florida*, and « o-
tober. will have been rereived ; iktliat vou
will confine your operations to tire obj'Tts
stated in that communication, and to such
a disposition of the regular force under
your command, as will deter the Seminole
Indians from making further depredations
on the frontiers of Georgia.
The state of our negotiation with Spain
and the temper manifested by the princi
pal European powers, make it impolitic,
in the opinion of the president, to move
‘ force at this time ioto the Spanish
possessions, for the mere purpose of
chastising the Seminole* for depredations
which have heretofore been committed
by them. 1 have, 4xc.
Copy of a letter from C. J Calhoun, icertfary of\
mar, to gen. Gaines, dated 9th December, 1817.
Sir—Your letter bearing date the 21st
ultimo, and advising of the arrival of the
1st brigade at fort Scott on the 19th ultimo,
and of the subsequent attack on tbe In
dians at Fowl-town, has been received.
Although the necessity of this attack ami
the consequent effusion of blood is exceed
ingly to be regretted, yet it is hoped that
prompt measures which were taken bv
you on your arrival at fort Scott and the
display of such an efficient force in that
quarter, will induce the Indians to ab
stain from further depredations and to sue.
for peace.
Referring to the letters addressed to
you from this department ob the 20th Oc
tober, and 2d of December, as manifesting
the views of the president, I have to re
quest that you conform to the instructions
therein given. Should the Indians, how
ever, assemble in force on the Spanish
side of the line, and persevere in commit
ting hostilities within the limits of the
United States, you will, in that event, ex-
ercise a Bound discretion, as to the propri
ety of crossing the line for the purpose of
attacking them, and breaking up tbs if
towaa. I liare ; Ik. Ik.
operate in the attack on the Seminole*, f
am not sufficiently acquainted with the
topography ot the country between Ame
lia Island and their towns, to say whether
it is prai ticable, or what would be the best
route ; but it is not improbable that -ome
advantage might be taken of theSt.John’a
river, to affect the object. Should ii be
practicable, it is probable efficient aid
might he given to the attack on them, ug
the attention of their warriors must be
wholly directed towards Fort Sci tt.
Should you think it practicable and advisa
ble to co-operate with the force under
vour command, you will leave sufficient
number at Amelia Island, tu retain the
possession of that place.
1 have the honor to be, &c.
J. C. CALHOUN.
Brevet maj. gen. E. P. Gaines.
An extract of a tetter to breret maj. gen. Edmund
P. Gaines, dated, “ department of vo:*, January
16th 1818.
The honor of the United States requires
that the war with the Seminoles should bo
terminated speedily, and with examplary
punishment tor hostilities so unprovoked.
Orders were issued soon after tny arrival
here, directing the war to be carried on
within the limits of Florida, should it be
necessary to its speedy and effectual ter
mination. . The orders, I presume, have
been received.
As soon as it was known that you had
repaired to Amelia Island, in obedience to
orders, and it being uncertain how long
you might be detained there, the state of
things at Fort Scott made it necessary to
order general Jackson to take command
there. From his known promptitude it
is presumable that hi* arrival may w soon
expected : anil, in the mean titr-.'full con
fidence is placed in your we* established
military talents. I h«'* ! the junction of
the militia will ep'“ e r v ° u *° carry on of
fensive oiieraP.' * au< * to restrain the en
emy nn the frontier.
i 3 C* CAUiOl/.Y,