The reflector. (Milledgeville, Ga.) 1817-1819, January 26, 1819, Image 1

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

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,