Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c.

be too late. So soon as they are done with the schooner, I shall expect a visit in this neighborhood. Six will be sufficient to destroy all the corn in this part of the country, as it all remains at the people's houses without any protection.

An Indian report here says that Mr. Arbuthnot's son is with the Indians, giving them instructions, and that it was his doings that Doyle and Hambly were taken; they state that he is with Kenhija, and that his orders were to take them to him. The chiefs below here sent word to those above that they have heard that they were in the white people's service, and that they will pay them a visit after a little, and reward them for their conduct. Finding that those above are not coming down soon, they are considerably alarmed for fear they will fall on them.

ROBERT IRVIN. Col. ARBUCKLE, com'g Fort Scott.

The armed boat returned from the vessel in the

talk met the Mickasukeys at the half-way ground, coming with a peace-talk to us.

Mr. Hambly and Mr. Doyle were taken prisoners; Hopoie Haija saw them; Tustennogee Chepeo has gone to release them, and carry them to the fort at St. Mark's. I have sent you this little talk now; our meeting that you appointed will soon be, and then every thing will be made straight.

The Chehaws have received two letters from the army, and they had nobody to read them, and they do not know the contents, and wish the army could be stopped until our meeting is over. TUSTENNOGEE HOPOIE, HOPOIE HAIJA.

No. 4.

CAMP CUMMING, January 10, 1818. SIR: Yours of the 8th is just received, and I am extremely gratified to hear of your arrival at Hartford, as I already feel considerably relieved. The many difficulties which have occurred since you left us, from contractors, together with the want of experience, I can assure you, has caused me to feel the responsibility attached to my command; but, with your instructions, I flatter myself I shall now be able to get on.

Appalchicola river yesterday; and, although they Fort Blackshear, on a very beautiful and comWe are now encamped about four miles from have not progressed much, I was greatly gratified to be informed that no men had been killed or manding spot, with a considerable creek on each wounded on board of them, except those I in-side, about four miles distant, neither of which can be crossed with wagons. formed you of in my communications of the 20th erected on the one in our rear, but it is entirely A bridge was and 21st instant. gone; so soon as the one in our front falls suffi ciently, it will be bridged. I have thought it advisable to have the roads repaired, which will be done immediately.

I consider the situation of those vessels much more safe than when I wrote to you last, and have little doubt I shall have them here in ten days from this time, or, if not, I can unload them with safety below, and have them returned to the bay.

I have had no information respecting the Georgia militia, or McIntosh and his Indians, except

what is contained in the enclosed.

I have not heard of provisions being on the way from Fort Hawkins, nor have I received a line from you since your departure from this post. I am, &c.

M. ARBUCKLE, Lieut. Col. Com. Major General E. P. GAINES,

St. Marys, Georgia.

No. 3.

FORT MITCHELL, Dec. 30, 1817. MY FRIEND: The messenger which was sent to the Mickasukeys has returned with an answer to our talk. The Mickasukeys say it was not them that began the war; they were sitting down in peace, and the white people came on them in the night and fired on them. The Mickasukeys are all sitting in their town and doing no mischief, and waiting to see if the white people will make peace with them. The people that shot at the boat, and killed all the white people, were the old Red Sticks from the Upper town-those that turned hostile last war. The man that was sent to the Mickasukeys (Hoopie Haija) with a peace

Upolicha, a confidential Indian, has just arwhich is as follows: He states, that since the rived with a talk from Conard, the purport of principal chiefs left home for the Agency, the off by some of the Fowltown Indians, and that whole of the property of one of them was taken Conard is considerably alarmed for his own property. He has advised us to be on our guard, particularly so far as it relates to the soldiers strolling from the camp, which, for fear of danger, will be attended to. We have not now on hand ten bushels of corn. Brockman is of opinion that it will be dangerous to go again to the Chehaw, in consequence of which I have, at his particular request, sent him with this express. I must refer you to him for further information as to the corn and provisions to be procured in the nation.

I am almost fearful, when I recollect for a moment, that the time of service for which this detachment has been called on, will expire before your object can be accomplished, as the officers, with a few exceptions, are governed by the men, and not the men by the officers. I am in hopes, however, that should your object not be accomplished by the first of next month, I shall be able to render you an essential service, by volunteers from my command, should it be deemed neces

Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c.

CEDAR CREEK, 5 o'clock, Jan. 22, 1818. SIR: I was ordered this evening by General Glasscock to take five men, and proceed immediately to meet Captain Leigh, who was packed from Hartford with provisions. I proceeded accordingly, and met him about two miles on the east side of this creek, and Captain Leigh, five men and myself, proceeded on to Blackshear's works, in considerable haste; when we reached the creek, we made a halt to fix on a pack, which was likely to fall, before we crossed. During this stay, Captain Leigh and a private of Captain Avery's company, by the name of Samuel Loftis, started to cross. I called to the Captain, and observed that he was probably going into danger; he replied not. As my party and self had crossed not more than half an hour before, I proceeded, and accompanied by this man Loftis, they had not gotton entirely across the creek, when they were fired on by a party of Indians, the number I suppose to be twenty or thirty, from the report of their guns, and both shot dead on the spot; I immediately rode back and ordered the provisions, together with Cornet Isaac Brown's command, consisting of twenty men, to a corner of General Blackshear's old works, on the east side of the creek, where we took shelter in a small breastwork, determined to secure the provisions if possible: this was the only alternative, as they were planted on the swamp, which was at least one hundred yards across, and I not having more than twenty-seven men under my command with guns. When we completed our works, Captain Snother and Mr. John Bridges proceeded down the creek, in order to make their way across to the army, that General Glasscock might be informed of the murder, and we reinforced: that reinforcement has just reached our works, commanded by Major Joseph Morgan. I, with Captain Donnelly's company, will proceed with the provisions to the army, and Major Morgan will pursue the trail.

my great mortification, I found the draught little further advanced than when the order first issued from the Executive department. In a conference with Lieutenant Colonel Marshall, I learned that the draught has been made, but that a number of desertions had since taken place, which, with forty-seven determined exempt from duty, have reduced the quota one-half, and that he knows of no steps that can be adopted, without a flagrant violation of the civil law, to cause their attendance at the general rendezvous, if they refuse to go, which they do, almost unanimously. The draught from the 35th regiment have progressed further in their preparations for the service, though I was informed by Lieutenant Colonel Harrison that it would be some days before they could leave their homes, as an inquiry into exemption, and a second draught, would be necessary to fill their ranks.

On my leaving Savannah, Colonel Marshall assured me, that as soon as a second draught had been effected, and the necessary arrangements made for their movements, he would address to me a report to that effect, at Fort Hawkins, which has not been received, and I am left to conclude that the arrangements referred to have not been carried into effect. Captain Russell reported to me that he was prepared to furnish the transportation necessary for their movements, if it should be required. I have the honor, &c. CLINTON WRIGHT,

Major United States Army.

General E. P. GAINES.

HEADQ'RS, HARTFORD, GEORGIA,
January 30, 1818.

SIR: I had the honor to receive yesterday your letters of the 26th December, and 16th of the present month, the first having followed me from Amelia Island.

I have, for some months past, endeavored to inform myself of the topography of the country between the Appalachicola and St. John's; but have received only the apparently imperfect ac counts of some half-blooded blacks, and Indians, as to the western part of that tract of country. The eastern part is well known to many of the inhabitants of this State, with whom I have con versed. From Amelia Island to the Lochway the country is, for the most part, what is here called pine barren, nearly level, intersected with creeks and ponds, bordered in many places with rich hammock land, which increases in quantity and quality as you approach the Lochway towns. From thence to St. Mark's and Appalachicola, the hammock land is found in very considerable bodies; much the largest portion of the country, however, is poor, sandy, pine barren. The hammock lands afford great quantities of live oak, some cedar, and other valuable timber. There are several large swamps on the route between the Lochway and St. Mark's, which, during a season of rainy weather, are impracticable, with SIR: In obedience to your order to me of the out the aid of boats; but the country being gen 2d instant, I proceeded to Savannah, when, toerally open, will admit of good roads, when the

I hope, sir, as this was written by a torch, that
you will excuse, or correct, any mistake.
I am sir, your obedient servant,

F. E. HEARD, Brigade Major.
No. 6.

HEADQ'RS, HARtford Georgia,
January 26, 1818.

Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c.

weather is moderately dry. I have not a doubt but the army may march with considerable facility, from the Appalachicola to St. John's, or Amelia Island, with the aid of a few vessels to send provisions, &c., from Fort Scott down the river, and thence coastwise to the mouth of the Suwanee river, 130 miles east of the Appalachicola, and about 140 miles west, southwest from Amelia Island. The last mentioned distance may be marched in eight days, without wagons or baggage, the troops carrying their own provisions in their haversacks. A movement from Amelia Island, by the way of St. John's and Lochway, as you have suggested, would, I think, produce the desired effect, in co-operation with the troops from Fort Scott; upon this subject, I shall confer with the commander-in-chief of the division.

By a letter from Major Bankhead, dated the 17th of this month, I learn that two thousand Spanish troops are reported to have arrived at St. Augustine. Although little reliance can be placed in the report received by Major Bankhead, yet, whether it be true or not, I am satisfied his command (220 men) is quite too small to admit of any detachment, other than that at Trader's Hill. There should, indeed, be not less than this number stationed at and in the immediate vicinity of the Hill, and a much greater number upon the frontier between that point and this. By a letter from W. Harris, Esq., of Telfair, I am informed that a party of Indians killed a Mr. Daniel Dikes and his family, a few days past, on the St. Tilla, about forty miles from the town of Jackson, Telfair court-house. I immediately detached a troop of cavalry in pursuit of the Indians, and at the same time sent out a detachment of infantry to reconnoitre the country, and secure the intermediate frontier from a similar outrage.

Accompanying this I enclose a monthly return of the detachment of Georgia militia under Brig. adier General Glassock, which was not received until this day; I had confidently believed that the proper returns of this detachment had been duly forwarded by Major Nicks, who mustered and inspected the same, to the Adjutant and Inspector General's office.

issued during the present month, and is now engaged in the purchase of thirty 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 supplies, 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. I had taken the liberty to send to Augusta a draft upon the Department of War for fifteen thousand dollars, but could not obtain money on the draft without suffering a discount of 2 per cent. which was totally inadmissible.

The fifteen thousand dollars, forwarded by your order, being required to pay the expense of transportation, for which this sum will be insufficient, I have to request that you will be pleased to order the sum of ten thousand dollars, on account of the supply of rations to be forwarded to his excellency Governor Rabun, to replace that sum advanced by him. I have, &c.

EDMUND P. GAINES.

The Hon. JOHN C. CALHOUN,

Secretary of War.
No. 1.

HEADQ'RS, HARTFORD, GEORGIA,
January 12, 1818.

SIR: I have received your report, in which you
on the way,"
state that you have some rations"
but you do not state where, or in what quanti-
ties, they are to be found. Let me be informed
upon this subject without delay.

Having been informed by Brigadier General Glasscock that he has not been regularly supplied with rations by you; that he had advanced you two thousand dollars to purchase pork for the detachment of Georgia militia under his command, (which I directed you to forward to this place for that detachment,) I learn that you have not complied with my requisition or order. Should this apparent neglect remain longer unexplained, your continuance as contractor's agent, or as suttler, within the limits of my command, will be no longer tolerated.

EDMUND P. GAINES,
Major General commanding.

Captain O. W. CALLIS,
Contractor's Agent, Fort Hawkins.

No. 2.

HARTFORD, January 24, 1818.

With extreme regret, I have to state that the expected co-operation on the part of that detachment has entirely failed. An attempt to obtain volunteers to continue in service until the arrival of the detachment from Major General Floyd's division, produced but forty men. The enclosed SIR: Your communication of the 12th is rereport of Major Wright, assistant adjutant gen-ceived. To the several subjects therein refereral, contains a discouraging picture of that de- red, and to others, I have the honor to reply as tachment. It cannot be expected at this place before the 10th of next month, nor is it probable that more than two hundred and fifty or three hundred out of the five hundred called for, can be got into service.

The enclosed papers, No. 1 to 4, contain copies of my last correspondence with the contractor's agent.

The acting quartermaster, Lieutenant Keiser, has purchased the greater part of the provisions

follows:

The rations reported to have been on hand were at Fort Hawkins, Creek Agency, Fort Mitchell, and Fort Gaines; estimated, at Fort Hawkins, say ten or fifteen thousand rations of pork and beef, and of flour four or five thousand rations; at the agency, nine thousand rations of flour, with a considerable quantity of the smaller parts; at Fort Mitchell, ten thousand rations of flour, with a very small quantity of vinegar; and

Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c.

at Fort Gaines, say six or seven thousand rations of flour.

The two thousand dollars received of General

O. W. CALLIS,

Contractor's Agent.

FORT SCOTT, January 12, 1818.

SIR: On the 16th instant I had the honor to

inform you of the arrival of the vessels in charge of Brevet Major Muhlenburg, and to enclose to you the resignation of 1st Lieutenant Sharp, of the corps of artillery, the acceptance of which I recommended, on account of his intemperate

of the same corps, has tendered his resignation. which is herewith enclosed. I would also recommend that his wish to leave the service should Indians some time since was not such as to eribe gratified, as his conduct in a skirmish with the dence his being well qualified for the profession of arms.

Glasscock I did not understand were to be applied exclusively to the purchase of pork. My disbursements in the purchase of provision have considerably exceeded that sum since the receipt of it, which was on the 10th of December last. Of this fact I shall be able to convince the Gen-habits. Since that period, Lieutenant Johnson, eral, by a reference to my books, and other vouchers on that subject. It is true that the balance of pork left at Fort Hawkins was not forwarded to this place in compliance with your orders; this non-compliance proceeded from no disposition to evade or treat with indifference the orders of the General, but for want of immediate means of transporting it. In short, allow I have permitted him and Lieutenant Sharp me to assure you, sir, this if I have, or if I may to be absent until the acceptance of their resig disobey your orders, it is alone ascribable to the nations may be published, unless otherwise or want of the means for compliance. With re-dered; and herewith enclosed is a copy of Lieu gard to the flour refused at Fort Hawkins, after-tenant Sharp's letter of resignation. On the 4th instant I crossed the Flint river, wards transported to and sold at this place to the troops, by Mr. Lavake, I report that it was never about fourteen miles above this post, and prothe property of the contractor; that it was in-ceeded to Fowltown, which had been deserted. ! spected and refused as his; that it was transportburnt it, and on the next day arrived at Allapuled and sold by him, without the knowledge or ges, a small town about fourteen miles southeas consent of the contractor or his agent. of this post. It had also been abandoned, and the I have the honor to be, &c. cattle and stock of every kind removed, as had been the case at Fowltown. I am informed they have gone to or beyond the Okolokne river, there to place their women and property in greater secu rity, and better prepare themselves for war. They continue to have considerable intercourse with the Indians at Chatahoochee, many of whom were with them, and assisted in the destruction of Lieutenant Scott and his party, and in the attack on our vessels ascending the river, under the command of Brevet Major Muhlenburg. You have herewith a copy of a letter from Mr. Irving, commanding at Fort Gaines. I cannot believe the information it contains, yet I have been informed. a few days since, that the Indians on the Chatahoochee, below Fort Gaines, have received information from the agent of the Creek nation that they are to use their pleasure in joining us, as we are the aggressors. But few of them require great inducement to act in the war, but most if on our side; and should the war with the Lower Creeks terminate on the terms represented by Mr. Irvin, it will be risking but little to say the peace will be of short duration. The force of this place is much too small to advance against the enemy, and I have not received the least information of the Georgia militia or McIntosh's Indians, except what is contained in Mr. Irvin's letter, or a line from General Gaines since his departure.

Major Gen. E. P. GAINES, &c.

No. 3.

HEADQ'RS, HARTFORD, GEORGIA,

January 19, 1818. The army contractor is hereby required to provide for the daily issue of two thousand complete rations to the United States' troops and militia, at the new fort now building on Flint river, near the Chehaw village, and to have in store at that fort, by the 20th day of the next month, (February,) sixty thousand complete rations; the meat part of which to consist of good pickled pork or

bacon.

EDMUND P. GAINES,
Major General Com'g

BENJAMIN G. ORR, Esq.,
Army Contractor, or his Agent.

No. 4.

HARTFORD, January 24, 1818. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your requisition, under date of the 19th, and to report that the contractor cannot comply with it in full; but that there is engaged to the contract to have been delivered at Fort Hawkins, on the 20th of this month, seventy thousand rations of pork, which, together with the provisions the money I have, or may have, will pro

cure, shall be furnished the troops.
I have the honor to be, &c.
O. W. CALLIS,

Major General GAINES.

Contractor's Agent.

I have but about two days' rations of meat and something upwards of thirty days' rations of flour on hand, and without advice of addi tional supplies being on the way; and should Captain Birch, who is now at Fort Gaines with a command of one hundred and twenty men, for the purpose of obtaining beef, not succeed, and the contractor's agents persist in neglecting the duty much longer, the consequences must b

Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c.

Department of War, Aug. 14, 1818. SIR: The President having determined to restore St. Marks and Pensacola, with the BaranFORT SCOTT, January 13, 1818. cas, to the Spanish authority, I am directed to SIR: I received your letter of the 20th ultimo, issue orders to carry this determination into effect. yesterday, after writing to Major General Jack-You will, accordingly, give the necessary orders