THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES , o on-/. CA !E3 n IrNl f? TF r" fh fB) B fi 1 ijsj y if-J [e, j HullJ i ii'Wi[|ll Tf Ji . PHILADELPHIA 1852 Hippmcotfs Stetflrifg of GEORGIA. THE ISTORY OF GEORGI lmnit tn JJJB f nmi im. BY T. S/ ARTHUR AND W. H. CARPENTER. PHILADELPHIA : LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO. 1852. Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1852, by T. S. AKTHTJR AICB W. H. CARPENTER, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 8TERIOTTPED BT L. JOHNSON A!fD CO. 1'JIII, MiKI.l'IIH. PRINTED BT T. K. AND P. 0. COLLINS. PEEFACE. A SERIES of State histories, which, without su- perseding the bulkier and more expensive works of the same character, might enter household channels from which the others would be ex- cluded by their cost and magnitude, has long been wanted. For some time past we have been making pre- parations to supply this want, by the publication, in separate and distinct volumes, of the history peculiar to each State in the Union. The present volume on Georgia is one of the series. The merit we claim for it and it will equally apply to the others is point, condensa- tion, and historical accuracy. Our aim is to make the vital history of every State a portion of the knowledge of its people ; to bring down the narrative to the present day ; 55G3C8 6 PREFACE. and, while compressing all those dry details relating to legislative action, to present to the general reader every point of real interest in a clear, vivid, and picturesque manner. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Introductory observations Georgia discovered by Sir "Walter Raleigh His voyage along the coast His conference with an Indian chief Reasons for planting the colony Jea- lousy of the Spaniards A regiment of blacks formed at St. Augustine Disagreement concerning the English and Spanish boundaries A fort built by the Carolinians on the Alatamaha A charter obtained for a new province The proposed settlers to be persons in decayed circumstances Their outfits and allotments Stipulations with the adven- turers Negroes to be prohibited Private contributions solicited The first embarkation.... 15 CHAPTER II. Arrival of the colonists in Charleston Oglethorpe visits the Savannah, and selects Yamacraw Bluff as the site for a town His letter to the trustees Treats with the Indians for their lands Certain lands reserved by the Indians Government assists the trustees in the settlement Glowing descriptions of the new colony 28 CHAPTER III. Oglethorpe sails for England, taking with him several Indian chiefs -Speech of Tornochichi to the king The king's re- ply The Indians return to Georgia Tomochichi's advice to his nation Georgia found less healthy and productive than was supposed Condition of the colonists during Ogle- thorpe's absence Justice Causton His arbitrary proceed- ings The regulations of trustees found inoperative Go- vernment assists the colony Immigration of Scotch and Germans John Wesley arrives in Georgia 37 7 CONTEXTS. CHAPTER IV. Oglethorpe makes a treaty with the Governor of East Florida Confers with a commissioner from Havana Embarks for England Revival of discontents among the colonists They petition the trustees for fee-simple titles, and the use of slaves Counter-petitions from the Germans and Scotch The true condition of the settlers stated.... . 44 CHAPTER V. Difficulties between England and Spain still continue Spa- nish encroachments England declares war Agents from St Augustine deceive the Creeks Oglethorpe's troubles The trustees change the tenure of land in Georgia Refuse to admit negroes or ardent spirits Spanish perfidy Con- spiracy to murder Oglethorpe His narrow escape The ringleaders shot Negro insurrection in Carolina quelled Declaration of war Oglethorpe projects an expedition to St. Augustine, which fails Conduct of his enemies in Georgia and Carolina Condition of Georgia in 1740 50 CHAPTER VL Rev. George Whitofield arrives in Georgia His piety and benevolence His Orphan-house Whitefield's character and life His death . 59 CHAPTER VII. Description of Frederica Its fortifications Zeal and energy of Oglethorpe Descent of the Spaniards upon Georgia Lukewarmnessof the Carolinians Indians and Highlanders assist Oglethorpe Spanish fleet enter the harbour and land The Spaniards defeated in three engagements Ogle- thorpe's successful stratagem The Spanish defeated at Bloody Marsh The enemy retreats from Georgia Spanish commander tried and disgraced The provincial governors congratulate Oglethorpe Charges brought against him by Colonel Cooke He is tried and acquitted Cooke disgraced Civil government established 66 CHAPTER VIII. Slavery introduced Daring scheme of Thomas Bosomworth Malatche made Emperor of the Creeks Signs a deed to CONTENTS. 9 Mary Bosomworth for the Indian reserved lands Mary as- sumes the title of empress She threatens destruction to the colony March of the Creeks The president prepares for defence The Indians reach Savannah Bosomworth and Mary seized and confined 81 CHAPTER IX. Fickleness of Malatche His speech The president's reply Bosomworth and Mary threaten vengeance against the colony The Indians prevailed on to return home Bosom- worth and Mary released Bosomworth reasserts his claims by a suit at law Decision of the English courts Another suit instituted . 90 CHAPTER X. Condition of the province Hostile attitude of the Cherokees Trustees resign their charter Georgia formed into a royal government Quarrel between the Virginians and Cherokees Treachery of Occonostota Captain Coytrnore killed Indian hostages massacred The savages desolate the frontiers Colonel Montgomery sent against them De- feats them and burns all the lower towns Returns to Fort Prince George Enters the nation again Bloody battle near Etchoe town Returns to Fort Prince George Siege and capitulation of Fort Loudon Treachery of the savages Attakullakulla rescues Captain Stewart Hostilities en- couraged by the French Grant marches against the In- dians, and defeats them Treaty of peace concluded 98 CHAPTER XL Wright appointed governor Prosperity of Georgia Emigra- tion continues Political aspect of the colony overclouded Dr. Franklin appointed agent in England The legisla- ture define their rights and demand redress Corresponding committees nominated Georgia charged with lukewarm- ness Defence of the same Republican spirit manifested Powder magazine in Savannah broken open and its con- tents secreted Cannon spiked on the battery Delegates appointed to the Congress at Philadelphia Munitions of war seized Georgia declares her independence Governor Wright imprisoned Escapes in the night Troops ordered to be raised BUI of credit issued Nine merchant vessels burned or dismantled Patriotism of the citizens of Savan- nah.... .. 114 10 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XIL Loyalists take refuge in Florida Their predatory incursions Treachery of the McGirth's Expedition against the Chero- kees Treaty of peace with that nation Unsuccessful inva- sions of Florida Howe's attempt The American army re- treats Georgia attacked on the south Skirmish at Bull- town Swamp Battle at Medway Scriven mortally wounded White retreats to the Ogechee Sunbury invested Heroic reply of Colonel Mclntosh The enemy retreats 126 CHAPTER XIII. Defensive operations of General Howe Approach of the Bri- tish fleet Exposed condition of Savannah British army land at Brewton's Hill Capture of Savannah Provost takes Sunbury The Rev. Moses Allen drowned Lincoln assumes command of the southern army Provost unites with Campbell Proclamation of the enemy Unsuccessful conference for the exchange of prisoners 134 CHAPTER XIV. Position of Lincoln His force Moultrie defeats Gardiner Skirmishes in Burke county Campbell occupies Augusta Pickens and Dooley besiege Hamilton at Carr's Fort Pursuit of Boyd Battle of Kettle Creek Death of Boyd British outposts surprised and captured. '. 147 CHAPTER XV. ' Campbell evacuates Augusta Lincoln proposes the recovery of Georgia Ash defeated at Brier Creek Force of the Bri- tish in Georgia Campbell leaves for England Censure of Ash by a court of inquiry Embarrassed condition of Lin- coln Shameful treatment of the American prisoners Lincoln marches into Georgia Provost advances towards Charleston Battle at Stono River Cooper defeats a Bri- tish detachment Spencer captures a British cutter Sir James Wright resumes the government of Georgia 158 CHAPTER XVL France acknowledges the independence of the United States D'Estaing agrees to co-operate with Lincoln British preparations for defence French forces disembarked D'Estaing demands the surrender of Savannah Truce CONTENTS. 11 granted Provost reinforced Siege of Savannah Assault Repulse of the combined armies Jasper wounded Count Pulaski wounded Force of the allied army Force of the British Siege raised Lincoln retreats to Ebenezer. 174 CHAPTER XVII. Heroic instances of devotion to freedom The grenadiers of Count Dillon Anecdote of Lieutenant Lloyd Sergeant Jasper His daring bravery at Fort Moultrie His roving commission Captures ten men near Savannah Presented with a sword by Governor Rutleclge Plants the colours on Spring Hill redoubt Is mortally wounded Count Pulaski His early life Confederates with others for the redemp- tion of Poland Captures Stanislaus Seeks refuge in France Appointed a brigadier-general in the American service His death 185 CHAPTER XVIII. Sufferings of the Georgians Mrs. Mclntosh The forged let- ter Skirmish at Ogechee Ferry Siege and surrender of Charleston Removal of the Georgia records Governor Howley Defection of Brigadier-general Williamson Mur- der of Colonel Dooley Inhuman treatment of Mrs. McKay Defeat of the loyalists by Jones Skirmish at Wafford's Iron-works Clarke defeats the British at Musgrove's Mill. 193 CHAPTER XIX. Cornwallis violates his pledges of protection Indignation of the people Clarke returns to Georgia Siege of Augusta Brown's desperate defence Cruger advances to reinforce Brown Retreat of Clarke Cruelty of Brown towards his prisoners Savage treatment of Mr. Alexander by Colonel Grierson Ferguson ordered to intercept Is pursued him- self Battle of King's Mountain Skirmishes Clarke wounded.... 209 CHAPTER XX. Skirmish at Seattle's Mill Sickness of Clarke Death of McCall Georgians harass the British Skirmish at Wig- gins's Hill Death of Rannal McKay and others Augusta invested by Williamson Clarke assumes command Is re- inforced by Pickens and Lee Fort Grierson abandoned Colonel Grierson shot Surrender of Brown Mrs. McKay's 12 CONTENTS. interview with him Fort Ninety-Six abandoned by Cruger Wayne advances towards Savannah Defeats three hun- dred Creek Indians Pickens marches against the Chero- kees Closing of the war Savannah evacuated Treaty of peace concluded at Paris 220 CHAPTER XXL Condition of the colonies at the close of the war Re-organi- zation of the Federal government proposed Delegates jneet at Annapolis Recommend a convention to meet at Phila- delphia Convention meets Number of states represented Washington elected chairman Rules of proceeding The first questions considered, ratio of representation, and rules of voting Contest between the larger and smaller states Vote of Georgia The executive A counter project Grand committee of conference Proposition of Franklin Rule of appointment Committee of detail New diffi- culties Compromises Doubts and fears respecting the con- stitution Territorial suit between Georgia and South Caro- lina Georgia called upon to cede her public lands Con- gress of 1790 Slavery petitions 233 CHAPTER XXIL Recapitulation of the various treaties made between Georgia and the Indians Oglethorpe's treaty Treaty of Augusta Florida restored to the Spaniards Frontier war commenced Treaty of Galphinton Treaty of Shoulderbone Con- tinuation of Indian hostiltiies Washington appoints com- missioners to treat with McGillivray Romantic history of the latter Conference at Rock Landing Failure of nego- tiations Colonel Willet sent on a secret mission Inter- view with McGillivray Indian council at Ositchy Speech of the Hollowing King McGillivray departs for New York His reception Treaty of New York Its reception by Georgia Dissatisfaction of the Creeks Bowles the free- booter McGillivray. in Florida Capture of Bowles 252 CHAPTER XXIII. New constitution adopted Synopsis Indian territory Spe- culations in wild lands Combined Society Yazoo compa- nies Sale of Yazoo lands Sale annulled Seat of govern- ment removed to Louisville Education University of Georgia Congress passes the fugitive slave law Liability of states to individuals Land speculations Fraudulent Bale by the legislature of Yazoo lands Sale ratified by CONTENTS. 13 Congress Great excitement in Georgia Yazoo land sales repudiated Kecords burned Difficulties in relation to the Yazoo sales Congress appoints commissioners to negotiato for the public territory of Georgia Compact entered into Report of commissioners concerning the Yazoo claims Randolph's resolutions 268 CHAPTER XXIV. Ellicott appointed to run the line between the Creeks and" Georgians Obstacles Assertion of Spanish claims to the Indian territory Intrigues of McGillivray Appointed Su- perintendent-general of Spain in the Creek nation Irrita- tion of the Georgians Their determined stand Sickness of McGillivray His death Frontier excesses Georgia arms against the Indians Failure of the invasion Sea- grove attends a council of the Creek chiefs Friendly dis- position of the Indians Seagrove attacked in his house and plundered Arrival of Genet His extraordinary course Fits out privateers Organizes expeditions from Ken- tucky and Georgia against New Orleans and Florida The Spanish governor remonstrates Course of Governors Shelby and Matthews Genet recalled Projects of Clarke Settles the Oconee lands Ordered off Refuses Is driven off by the militia of Georgia 282 'CHAPTER xxv. Council of Coleraine Treaty of New York formally renewed and ratified Discontent of Georgia Treaty with Spain Settlement of boundaries Ellicott appointed commissioner to run the boundary between Spain and the United States Intrigues of Carondelet His reluctance to carrry out the conditions of the treaty Sends an emissary to Kentucky Fort Panmure summoned by the Americans Increase of American force Gayoso evacuates Fort Panmure Survey commenced Interruptions feared from the Creeks Council at Miller's Bluff Governor Folch, of Pensacola, instigates the Creeks to break up the survey Ellicott proceeds to St. Marks Joins the surveyors on the St. Mary's Bowles the freebooter Refuses to enter the Spanish service Sent to Manilla Escapes Reaches Florida Is captured Sent to Havana Dies in Moro Castle 295 CHAPTER XXVI. Revision of the Constitution of 1789 Cession of Louisiana to France Jefferson's letter to Livingston Negotiations 2 14 CONTEXTS. Louisiana purchased by the United States Claiborne ap- pointed governor Takes possession of New Orleans Flourishing condition of Georgia Milledgeville laid off Becomes the seat of government Foreign relations of the United States Disputes with England Embargo laid on French ports Berlin and Milan decrees of Napoleon Injuries sustained by American commerce Declaration of war against England Dissatisfaction among the Indians Tecumseh Confers with the British agents at Detroit Departs for the south Stimulates the Seminoles to hostili- ties Enters the Creek nation gains many proselytes Returns to his nation Outrages on the frontier Civil war among the Indians Creek war War with Great Britain Peace proclaimed Difficulties between Georgia and the general government 305 CHAPTER XXVII. The soil of Georgia Tide-swamp binds Sea Islands Swamp lands of the Savannah, Alatamaha, Ogechee, and the Great St. Ilia Character of the soils in the middle re- gions of the state Lands in south-western Georgia Chero- kee Georgia The gold region Railroads Cotton manu- factories Fidelity of Georgia to the Union Sends volun- teers to Georgia Mexico Conclusion 323 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. CHAPTEE I. Introductory observations Georgia discovered by Sir Walter Raleigh His voyage along the coast His conference with an Indian chief Reasons for planting the colony Jealousy of the Spaniards A regiment of blacks formed at St. Augus- tine Disagreement concerning the English and Spanish boundaries A fort built by the Carolinians on the Alatamaha A charter obtained for a new province The proposed settlers to be persons in decayed circumstances Their out- fits and allotments Stipulations with the adventurers Negroes to be prohibited Private contributions solicited The first embarkation. THAT portion of the United States of North America which now forms the State of Georgia was originally included in a patent granted to South Carolina ; first, as a proprietary govern- ment, and afterwards, in 1719, as a regal one, bounded by the thirty-first and thirty-sixth de- grees of north latitude. For the first discovery of this portion of the North American continent, we are indebted to the zeal of the unfortunate Sir Walter Raleigh. Being deeply interested in the adventures of his half brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, who had obtained a patent from Queen Elizabeth, granting him permission to possess and colonize such coun- 15 16 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. tries as lie might discover, Sir Walter made a successful application for a similar grant, and on the 23d of April, 1584, despatched two ships, under the command of Captains Amadas and Barlow, for the purpose of visiting the countries of which he contemplated the future settlement. To avoid the error of Gilbert in shaping his course too far to the north, Sir Walter took the route by the West India islands, and approached the North American continent at the Gulf of Florida, from whence he followed the coast, and touched the shore, occasionally, visiting and con- versing with the natives, until he reached Pamlico Sound on the borders of North Carolina. From thence he proceeded northward along the coast, and returned to England in September of the same year. There have been some doubts expressed by his- torians as to whether Sir Walter ever visited North America in person. But when James Edward Oglethorpe, the principal founder of the colony of Georgia, came over from England, he is said to have brought with him Sir Walter Raleigh's written journal, from which it appeared, by the latitude of Savannah and by the traditions of the natives, that Raleigh landed at the mouth of Savannah River, and visited the bluff on which the city was afterwards built. According to the statement made by the Indians to Mr. Oglethorpe, Sir Walter was the REASONS FOR PLANTING THE COLONY. 17 first Englishman their forefathers ever saw. So favourable was the impression made by the gal- lant knight upon this rude forest people, that their chief king, before he died, desired to be taken to a high mound of earth, about half a mile from Savannah, in orde that he might be buried at the spot where he talked with the great and good white stranger. The policy of planting a new colony south of Savannah River was an object of great import- ance to South Carolina, in consequence of the differences existing between England and Spain in regard to the respective boundaries of their settlements in North and South America. The rapid increase of population in North America, and its growing commercial import- ance, had long been viewed by Spain with a jealous eye. Already occupying, in right of dis- covery and possession, the territory of Florida ; the Spanish government sought, by garrisoning the coast with troops, to command not only the Indian trade brought down the Mississippi, but also the trade of those large rivers to the north of it. These encroachments could not be made without seriously endangering the province of South Carolina, which at that time was nume- rously stocked with negroes, brought from Africa by British merchants, and sold to the rice-plant- ers, whose wealth consisted almost entirely of 18 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. It being the interest of Spain to throw every obstacle in the way of the English planters, the most favourable means of doing so seemed that of enticing the negroes from the service of their masters, by pointing out to them the happiness of freedom, and promising them all the privi- leges enjoyed by the subjects of Spain. To more effectually accomplish this sinister purpose, a black regiment was formed at St. Augustine, consisting entirely of runaway slaves from Carolina; and though there was no war existing at that time between the rival nations, all the remonstrances addressed to the Spanish governor were disregarded. One cause of this vexatious state of things was the uncertainty in regard to the correct boundaries between the British provinces and Florida. These had never been settled by any public agreement, neither were they marked or well understood. To prevent negroes escaping from the Carolinas to St. Augustine, a fort was built on the Alatamaha river, and garrisoned. This gave offence to the Spanish governor, who complained of it to the court of Madrid as an encroachment on the dominions of his royal master. The Spanish ambassador at London was immediately authorized to demand that the troops should be removed and the fort de- molished. It was thereupon agreed, that the governors of PETITION FOR A NEAV PROVINCE. 19 the respective nations in America should meet in an amicable manner, and adjust the boundaries between the British and Spanish dominions in that quarter. Commissioners "were accordingly appointed for that purpose. They met at Charleston, but the negotiation ended unsatisfactorily to both parties. The fort was soon after burned down, and the southern frontier of South Carolina again left exposed and defenceless. Finding that the Spanish authorities in Florida still continued their acts of aggression, the people of South Carolina, alarmed at the danger to which they were continually exposed, endeavoured to protect their property in future by placing a more efficient barrier between themselves and their imperious neighbours in Florida. With these views, they advocated the forma- tion of a new colony between the Savannah and Alatamaha rivers ; and encouraged a number of gentlemen, of wealth and station in England, to embark in the humane design of sending over a number of poor people, who had no means of supporting themselves and families in the mother country. Accordingly, twenty-one persons petitioned the throne ; and, on the 9th of June, 1732, ob- tained a charter for a separate and distinct pro- vince from Carolina, between the Savannah and Alatamaha rivers, by the name of Georgia, in 20 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. honour of the king by whom the charter was granted. Subsequently, the limits of Georgia were ex- tended to the Chattahoochee river, which now forms its western boundary. In pursuance of this charter, the trustees, with Lord Purcival at their head, met in London about the middle of July, for the purpose of fixing upon some fit person to superintend the settle- ment of the colony, and also to establish rules for its government. In order to carry out the intents and purposes for which the charter was obtained, it was finally resolved, that none were to have the benefit of the charity fund, for their transportation and sub- sequent subsistence, except such as were in de- cayed circumstances, and thereby disabled from any profitable business in England ; and such as, having large families, were in a measure dependent upon their respective parishes. No drunken or vicious persons were to be received. The trustees consented to give to such persons as they sent upon charity to every grown male, a watch-coat, musket and bayonet, hatchet, hammer, hand-saw, sod-shovel or spade, broad- hoe, narrow-hoe, gimlet, and drawing-knife; a public grindstone to each ward or village ; and to each man, an iron-pot, pot-hooks, and frying- pan. For his maintenance for one year, they allowed STIPULATIONS. 21 him three hundred pounds of beef or pork, one hundred and fourteen pounds of rice, one hun- dred and fourteen pounds of peas, one hundred and fourteen pounds of flour, forty-four gallons of strong beer, sixty-four quarts of molasses, eighteen pounds of cheese, nine pounds of butter, nine ounces of spice, nine pounds of sugar, five gallons of vinegar, thirty pounds of salt, twelve quarts of lamp oil, and twelve pounds of soap. The same allowances, with the exception of beer, were extended to each of the mothers, wives, other females, and children over twelve years of age ; half allowance for children of seven and under twelve ; and one-third for those from two to seven; passage paid, and sea stores allowed extra. Before embarkation, the emigrants were re- quired to enter into the following covenants : That they would repair on board such ship as should be provided for them ; demean them- selves well during the voyage, and go to such place in the province of Georgia as should be designated, and then obey such orders as should be given them for establishing and governing the said colony. That for the first twelve months after landing in the province, they would labour in clearing their lands, making habitations and necessary defences, and on all other works for the common good and public benefit of the said province, ac- 22 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. cording to such plans and directions as should be given them. That after the expiration of the said twelve months, they would, during the next two succeed- ing years, inhabit the province of Georgia, and cultivate the lands allotted to them and their male heirs, according to their best skill and ability. All such persons were to be settled in the same colony, either in new towns or villages. Those in the towns were to have, each of them, ;i lot sixty feet front by ninety deep, whereon they were to build a house, and as much land in the adjoining country as would, in the whole, make up fifty acres. Those in the villages were each of them to have a lot of fifty acres, upon which a house was to be built ; and a rent-charge was placed alike upon all, of two shillings and sixpence sterling upon every fifty-acre lot, for the support of the colony. By another provision, the trustees allowed every freeholder to take over with him one male servant, or apprentice, of the age of eighteen and upwards, to be bound for no less than four years. By way of loan to such freeholder, they agreed to advance the charges of passage for such servant or apprentice, and to furnish him with the following clothing and provisions : A pallet, bolster, blanket, a frock and trou- sers of linsey-woolsey, a shirt, a frock and trou- OBJECT OF THE TRUSTEES. 23 sers of osnaburg, a pair of English shoes, two pairs of colonial shoes, two hundred pounds of meat, three hundred and forty-two pounds of rice, peas, or Indian corn. The expenses of passage, clothing, and provision, to be reimbursed to the trustees by the master, within the third year from their embarkation from England. To each man-servant and his male heirs, upon a certificate of good behaviour from his master, were to be granted, after the expiration of the term of service, twenty acres of land, under the same rents and agreements as had been granted to any other man-servant in like circumstances. The inhabitants of Georgia were to be. con- , sidered as soldiers and planters, and provided v with arms for defence, as well as tools for culti- vation ; occasional military exercise being held as requisite to the safety and prosperity of the colony, as the more peaceful labours of agricul- ture. Towns were to be laid out for settlement, and lands allotted to each colonist as near as conve- nient ; so that the towns, which were to be re- garded in the nature of garrisons, might be easily reached, and each man arrive at his post of defence at a short notice in case of emergency. As the object of the trustees having in view the protection of the Carolinas was to found a province partly military and partly agricultural, and as the military strength was particularly to 24 HISTOEY OF GEORGIA. be taken care of, it was deemed necessary to establish such tenures of lands as might most effectually preserve the number of planters, or soldiers, equal to the number of lots of land within a narrow compass ; therefore, each lot of land was to be considered as a military fief, and to contain no more than was deemed sufficient for the support of the planter and his family. Fifty acres were judged sufficient, and provision was made to prevent any increase or diminution of this quantity, lest, on the one hand, the means of defence should be weakened, or, on the other, subsistence found to be too scanty. In the infancy of the colony, the lands granted were to descend to male heirs only, as most likely to answer the purposes of the donors ; and, in consideration of the service expected of the colo- nists, they were to be maintained at the public expense during their voyage, and their passage paid ; and were to be provided (for the space of one year) with arms, implements, seeds, and other necessaries, from the general store. To others, who should come over at their own charges, particular grants were agreed upon under the same tenure, and on the condition that they should settle in Georgia within twelve months from the date of their grants, bringing with them one man-servant for every fifty acres; should inhabit there for three years ; clear and cultivate within the first ten years one-fifth of the land so SLAVES PROHIBITED. 25 granted ; within the next ten years, clear and cultivate three-fifths more, and plant one thou- sand white mulberry trees upon every hundred acres cleared the raising of raw silk being one of the principal objects contemplated by the founders of the colony. One particular restriction was placed upon all the colonists alike, and this was, that no negro should be employed or harboured within the limits of Geor- gia, on any pretence whatever, unless by special leave of the trustees. . The object of this prohibition was to present a military frontier to South Carolina consisting of Europeans only ; to shield the slave population of the latter State from the artifices and allure- ments held out by the Spaniards, and to shut out from among the colonists of Georgia all those in- centives to idleness which the introduction of a slave population is so apt to favour. It was further argued, that the introduction of negroes into Georgia would facilitate the desertion of the Carolina slaves, and instead of proving a frontier, would promote the evil which was intended to be checked, and give additional strength to the Spanish force at St. Augustine. In the execution of this laudable plan, the trustees, after hav- ing themselves contributed largely towards the scheme, undertook to solicit donations from others, and to apply the money towards clothing, arming, purchasing implements for cultivation, and trans- 26 HISTORY OP GEORGIA. porting such poor people as should consent to go over and begin a settlement. To prevent any misapplication or abuse of the funds thus collected, they agreed to deposit the money in the Bank of England, to keep a correct list of the names of the donors, and the sum re- ceived from each ; and bound themselves and their successors in office, to lay an annual state- ment of the moneys contributed and expended before the lord chancellor, the lords chief justices of the King's Bench and Common Pleas, the mas- ter of the rolls, and the lord chief baron of the Exchequer. When this scheme of settlement was made pub- lic, the philanthropic motives of the trustees were warmly applauded in all parts of Great Britain. Perfectly disinterested themselves, neither de- siring nor retaining any source of personal ag- grandizement, but contented with the simple honour of benefiting the poorer classes at home by gratuitously providing them with the means of procuring a comfortable subsistence in a region where industry was sure to meet with a successful reward, the benevolent founders of the colony of Georgia are entitled to the high honour of having promoted a design at once generous and praise- worthy. They voluntarily offered their money, labour, and time, with the hope of alleviating the distressed condition of others ; leaving themselves no other reward than the gratification arising SAILING OF THE COLONISTS. 27 from having performed a humane and virtuous action. When the trustees, by their own contributions, aided by donations from several private persons, had accumulated a sum of money sufficient to commence the intended settlement, it was resolved to send over one hundred and fourteen persons, men, women, and children, being such as were in decayed circumstances, and thereby disabled from following any business in England. James Edward Oglethorpe, esquire, one of the trustees, consented to accompany them at his own expense, for the purpose of forming the set- tlement. The trustees prepared forms of govern- ment agreeably to the powers given them. These preliminaries being arranged, on November 16, 1732, the Rev. Mr. Shubert, a clergyman of the Church of England, and a man from Piedmont, engaged by the trustees to^ instruct the people in the art of winding silk, and one hundred and four- teen persons, embarked on board the ship Anne, Captain Thomas, with every thing furnished them by the trustees, and nothing to risk but what might arise from casualties or a cnange of climate. Mr. Oglethorpe was clothed with power to exercise the functions of a governor over the new colony. 28 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. CHAPTER H. Arrival of the colonists in Charleston Oglethorpe visits the Savannah, and selects Yamacraw Bluff as the site for a town His letter to the trustees Treats with the Indians for their lands Certain lands reserved by the Indians Government assists the trustees in the settlement Glowing descriptions of the new colony. ON the 13th of January, 1733, the ship Anne arrived safely in the harbour of Charleston, with the loss only of two children at sea. After being hospitably entertained by the go- vernor and council, Oglethorpe and his people, well furnished with provisions and stock by gene- rous Carolinians, set sail for the new province of Georgia. The authorities of Charleston furnished vessels to carry the additional supplies to the Savannah River, and also ordered some scout-boats, with a body of rangers, to accompany the adventurers, and protect them from any assault by the Indians, while the former were building houses and forti- fications to defend themselves. They reached Beaufort on the 20th of January. Here Ogle- thorpe left his colonists, while he, accompanied by two experienced men from Carolina, explored the country in search of a suitable place for his intended settlement. As soon as the governor LETTER TO THE TRUSTEES. 29 had selected an advantageous site, he addressed the following letter to the trustees in London : " Camp, near Savannah, Feb. 10, 1733. " GENTLEMEN : I gave you an account in my last of our arrival in Charleston. The governor and assembly have given us all possible en- couragement. Our people arrived at Beaufort on the 20th of January, where I lodged them in some new barracks built for the soldiers, whilst I went myself to view the Savannah River ; I fixed upon a healthy situation about ten miles from the sea. The river here forms a half-moon, along the south side of which the banks are about forty feet high, and on the top a flat, which they call a bluff. The plain high ground extends into the country about six miles, and along the river-side about a mile. Ships that draw twelve feet water can ride within ten yards of the bank. " Upon the river's side, in the centre of this plain, I have laid out the town, opposite to which is an island of very rich pasturage, which I think should be kept for the trustees' cattle. The river is pretty wide, the water fresh, and from the key of the town you see its whole course to the sea, with the island of Tybee, which forms the mouth of the river. For about six miles up into the country the landscape is very agreeable, the stream being wide, and bordered with high woods on both sides. * " The whole people arrived here on the first 3* 30 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. of February : at night their tents were got up. Till the 10th we were taken up in unloading and making a crane, which I could not get finished, so took off the hands and set some to the fortifi- cations, and began to fell the woods. I have marked out the town and common : half of the former is already cleared, and the first house was begun yesterday in the afternoon." On the 20th of the same month, writing again to the trustees, he gives a further description of the site he had chosen, and his reasons for select- ing it. "I chose the situation for the town upon a high ground, forty feet perpendicular, above high- water mark ; the soil, dry and sandy ; the water of the river fresh, and springs coming out of the hill. I pitched upon this place not only for the pleasantness of the situation, but because, from the above-mentioned and other signs, I judged it healthy ; for it is sheltered from the western and southern winds, (the worst in this country,) by vast woods of pine trees, many of which are a hundred, and few under seventy feet high. The last and fullest conviction of the healthiness of this place was, that an Indian nation who knew the nature of the country chose it for their situation." Soon after this, a small fort was erected on the bank of Savannah River, as a*place of refuge, and some guns mounted on it for the defence of TREATY WITH THE INDIANS. 31 the colony. The people were then employed in felling trees and building huts, while Oglethorpe encouraged and animated them by his presence and example. He formed them into a company of militia, appointed officers, and furnished them with arms and ammunition. To awe the Indians, he frequently exercised the colonists in their presence ; and as his people had been disciplined previously by the sergeants of the guards in London, they exhibited, under review, but little inferiority to the regular troops. As soon as his little colony was comfortably sheltered and protected, the next object of Ogle- thorpe ^as to treat with the Indians for a portion of their lands. The principal tribes occupying the territory he desired to obtain, were the Upper and Lower Creeks. The former were numerous and strong ; the latter, reduced by war and disease, but a small band ; though both tribes together were computed at about twenty-five thousand. As these Indians laid claim to the lands lying south- west of Savannah River, it became an object of the highest consequence to secure their friendship. There was only one small tribe at Yamacraw, the Indian name of the bluff which Oglethorpe had selected as the site of his town. It was, therefore, thought expedient to open a communi- cation with the Upper Creeks also, as more nu- HISTORY OF GEORGIA. merous, and prevail upon them to join in the treaty. To accomplish this purpose, Oglethorpe selected a half-breed Indian woman named Mary, who had married a trader from Carolina by the name of Musgrove, and who could speak both the English and Creek languages. Perceiving that she had some influence among the Indians, and might be made serviceable to his views, he first purchased her friendship with presents, and then allowed her a salary of one hundred pounds a year. By her assistance he summoned the chief men of the Creeks to meet him at Savannah, and about fifty of them attended. With these Ogle- thorpe concluded a treaty ; and after he had dis- tributed some presents, according to the Indian custom on such occasions, Tomochichi, one of the principal orators among the Creeks, rose and ad- dressed him as follows : " Here is a little present. I give you a buf- falo's skin, adorned on the inside with the head and feathers of an eagle, which I desire you to accept, because the eagle is an emblem of speed, and the biifialo of strength. The English are swift as the bird, and strong as the beast ; since, like the former, they flew over vast seas to the uttermost parts of the earth ; and like the latter, they are so strong that nothing can withstand them. The feathers of the eagle are soft, and signify love; the buffalo's skin is warm, and INDIANS RESERVE LAND. 33 signifies protection ; therefore I hope the Eng- lish will love and protect their little families." The treaty subject to the ratification of the trustees in England was concluded to the satis- faction of both parties; and as the colonists appeared contented with their condition, every thing seemed to promise a long course of pros- perity. By this treaty, a full and complete right and title were granted the trustees for all the lands lying between the Savannah and Alatamaha Rivers, extending west to the extremity of the tide-water, and including all the islands on the coast from Tybee to St. Simons. By a short-sighted policy, which was after- wards a source of great danger and annoyance, the Indians were allowed to reserve for them- selves, within the limits of this tract, the islands of Sapeloe and St. Catharine's, for the purpose of hunting, bathing, and fishing ; and also the tract of land lying between Pipe-maker's Bluff and Pally-chuckola Creek, above the new town of Savannah; these lands being retained by the Indians for an encampment, whenever they came to visit their beloved friends at Savannah. The consequences arising from the admission of this unfortunate stipulation will be found nar- rated in a subsequent portion of this history. The annual statement made by the trustees to the lord chancellor, on the 9th of June, 1734, 34 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. showed that there had then heen sent to Georgia, at the expense of the corporation, one hundred and fifty-two persons, of whom sixty-one were males capable of bearing arms; and that the money received from private contributions amounted to nearly four thousand pounds, of which two thou- sand two hundred and fifty- four pounds had been already expended for the purpose of settlement. In the mean time, the colonists had been kept busily employed. A public garden was laid off, as a nursery, to the eastward of the town, and planted with mulberry trees, vines, oranges, and olives, for the supply of the people. A beacon was erected on Ty bee Island, at the mouth of the river. Fort Argyle was built at the narrows of the Ogechee, to protect the settlers against an inland invasion from St. Augustine, and a stock- ade fort built at Skidaway Narrows. To aid the purposes of the trustees in rapidly strengthening their new colony, the British go- vernment sold some lands at St. Christopher, and applied ten thousand pounds to encourage the settlement. In September and October, 1733, the trustees sent over two embarkations, amounting to three hundred and forty-one persons, principally per- secuted Protestants from Saltzburg, in Germany. These settled further up the Savannah, at a place they called Ebenezer, and were soon fol- lowed thither by many others of their countrymen. GLOWING ACCOUNTS. 35 During this year, the most glowing accounts of the climate of Georgia, and the prosperous condition of the colonists, were sent over by some of the immigrants to their friends in Eng- land. About the same time, a pamphlet also appeared in London, entitled, "A new and ac- curate Account of the Provinces of Carolina and Georgia," in which, after a high encomium of the trustees of the latter, the writer goes on to say : " The air of Georgia is healthy, being always serene and pleasant, never subject to excessive heat or cold, or sudden changes of weather. The winter is regular and short, and the summer cooled by refreshing breezes. It neither feels the cutting northwest wind the Virginians com- plain of, nor the intense heats of Spain, Barbary, Italy, and Egypt. " The soil will produce any thing with very little culture : all sorts of corn yield an amazing increase ; one hundred fold is the common esti- mate, though the husbandry is so slight, that they can only be said to scratch the earth and cover the seed. All the best cattle and fowl are multi- plied without number, and therefore without price. "Vines are natives here; the woods near Savannah are easily cleared ; many of them have no underwood, and the trees do not stand, generally, thick upon the ground, but at con- siderable distances asunder. " When you fall timber to make tar, or for 36 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. any other use, the roots will rot in four or five years, and in the mean time you may pasture the ground. If you would only destroy the timber, it is done by a few strokes of an axe, surround- ing each tree a little above the root. In a year or two the timber rots, and a brisk gust of wind fells many acres for you in an hour ; of which you may make a bright bonfire. " Such an air and soil can only be described by a poetical pen, because there is no danger of exceeding the truth ; therefore take Waller's de- scription of an island in the neighbourhood of Ca- rolina, to give you an idea of this happy climate. " The spring, which but salutes us here, Inhabits there, and courts them all the year ! Ripe fruits and blossoms on the same tree live ; At once they promise what at once they give. So sweet the air, so moderate the clime, None sickly lives, or dies before his time. Heaven sure has kept this spot of earth uncursed, To show how all things were created first." Speaking of the Indians, the author adds " They bring many a mile the whole of a deer's flesh, which they sell to the people who live in the country, for the value of sixpence sterling ; and a wild turkey, of forty pounds weight, for the value of twopence." This florid picture excited a wonderful commo- tion among the peasantry of England. The trus- tees, however, represented that the description of the country was greatly exaggerated ; and thus allayed the inflamed fancies of the people. TOMOCHICHI. 37 CHAPTER III. Oglethorpe sails for England, taking with him several Indian chiefs Speech of Tomochichi to the king The king's reply The Indians return to Georgia Tomochichi's advice to his nation Georgia found less healthy and productive than was supposed Condition of the colonists during Ogle- thorpe's absence Justice Causton His arbitrary proceed- ings The regulations of trustees found inoperative Go- vernment assists the colony Immigration of Scotch and Germans John Wesley arrives in Georgia. HAVING provided for the security and wants of the settlers during his absence, Oglethorpe sailed for England in April, 1734, taking with him the Indian chief Tomochichi, together with his wife, and several other influential Creeks. On their arrival in London, the Indian chiefs were introduced to the king, in the presence of his nobility. Tomochichi, astonished at the grandeur of the British court, addressed the king in the following words : " This day I see the majesty of your face, the greatness of your house, and the number of your people. I am come in my old days, though I cannot expect to see any advantage to myself; I am come for the good of the children of all the nations of the Upper and Lower Creeks, that they may be instructed in the language of the English. HISTORY OF GEORGIA. These are feathers of the eagle, which is the swiftest of birds, and which flieth round our na- tions : these feathers are emblems of peace in our land, and have been carried from town to town. We have brought them over to leave them with you, great king, as a token of everlasting peace. great king, whatever words you shall say unto me, I will faithfully tell them to all the chiefs of the Creek nation." The king then replied : "I am glad of this opportunity of assuring you of my regard for the people from whom you came. I am extremely well pleased with the as- surances you have brought me from them, and accept very gratefully this present, as indicating their good dispositions to me and my people. I shall always be ready to cultivate a good corre- spondence between the Creeks and my subjects, and shall be glad on any occasion to show you marks of my particular friendship." While these Indians remained in England, nothing was neglected that would impress them with just notions of the greatness and power of the British nation. They were allowed, during their sojourn in the country, twenty pounds a week by the government. They were feasted magnificently by the nobility; and when they returned to their own country, it was computed that they carried with them presents to the value of four hundred pounds sterling. THOMAS CAUSTON. 39 After staying four months they embarked for Georgia, highly pleased with the generosity and grandeur of the English nation, and promising perpetual fidelity to its interests. On his return, Tomochichi told his people that the Great Spirit had given the English wisdom, power, and riches ; so that they wanted nothing. He had given the Indians great extent of terri- tories, yet they wanted every thing. He exerted his influence in prevailing on the Creeks to re- sign such lands to the English as were of no, use to themselves, and to allow them to settle among them, that they might be supplied with useful articles for cultivation and the necessaries of life. He told them further, that the English would trade with them fairly ; that they were brethren, and friends, would protect them against danger, and go to war with them against their enemies. Notwithstanding the enthusiastic praise which some of the settlers had bestowed upon the cli- mate of Georgia, its fertility, salubrity, and the almost Arcadian life of those who had emigrated thither, it was soon found to be less healthy and productive than the imaginative had supposed. The colonists, too, partly owing to the absence of Oglethorpe, were neither happy nor prosperous. When the governor sailed for England in April, 1734, he delegated his authority, mainly, to one Thomas Causton. Other magistrates were, in- deed, associated with him, but, as Causton had 40 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. sole charge of the public stores, they were de- pendent upon him for subsistence, and, conse- quently, entirely under his control. This man, who was of low origin, soon became intoxicated with the powers vested in him. He grew proud, haughty, and cruel ; assumed a sort of gubernatorial state; compelled eight free- holders, with an officer, to attend at the door of the court-house when it was in session, with their guns and bayonets, ordering them to rest their firelocks as soon as he appeared. He bullied the jurors, and threatened with the jail, stocks, and whipping-post, all who dared to oppose his arbi- trary proceedings. Among the victims of this tyrannical conduct was Captain Joseph Watson. He brought a charge against this militia officer of stirring up animosi- ties in the minds of the Indians. Watson was indicted, and Causton appeared against him in the triple character of witness, prosecutor, and judge. The jury returned twice without finding the prisoner guilty of any crime, except that of using certain unguarded expressions. Causton commanded the jury to return, find him guilty of lunacy, and recommend him to the mercy of the court. They did so: Causton immediately or- dered him to prison, and, without passing any sentence, confined him there for three years. In December, 1734, Mr. Gordon was sent over by the trustees as chief magistrate, but old Caus- COLONISTS DISSATISFIED. 41 ton's cunning soon devised an expedient to rid him of his adversary. Gordon was refused either money or provisions from the public store, and this refusal rendering him incapable of supporting himself and family, he was obliged, after a stay of six weeks, to return to England. After Gor- don's resignation, two others were appointed ; but the first died soon afterward, and the second soon became a pliant tool in the hands of Causton ; so that the latter was eventually reinstated in his authority, and became as absolute as ever. But the colony flourished no longer. The sys- tem of rules framed by the trustees was found to be but little adapted to the circumstances and situation of the poor settlers. The principal part of the people had been idlers and outcasts at home, and it was found impossible to make industrious farmers of them abroad. The tenure by which they held their lands offered no inducements to any extraordinary exertion, as, in default of male heirs, the lands reverted to the trustees at the death of the occupant. The restrictions placed upon the Indian trade injured Georgia, while it benefited Carolina, where the trade was carried on unshackled by conditions. In Carolina, too, the people could buy as many negroes as they pleased, possess by a fee-simple title several hun- dred acres of land, and choose it from the best that was vacant. These comparisons between the two conditions 42 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. of provinces adjoining each other soon rendered the Georgians dissatisfied, and tempted many to cross the Savannah River and take up land under the more favourable auspices of Carolina. In the year 1735, the British government hav- ing appropriated large sums of money to the settlement of Georgia, and deeming its rapid increase in population to be of the utmost im- portance to the other colonies, became more vigorous in its efforts. Finding that the poorer classes, who formed the first settlers, were as idle and useless abroad as they had previously been at home, the trustees now sought for a hardy, bold, industrious race of men, accustomed to rural pursuits. Turning their eyes to Germany and Scotland, they resolved to send over a number of men from both those countries, to strengthen the infant colony. A number of Highlanders immediately accepted the proposals, and were transported to Georgia. They were settled on the Alatamaha, where they built a town and called it New Inverness. It is at present known by the name of Darien. About the same time, one hundred and seventy Germans embarked with Oglethorpe, and joined their coun- trymen at Ebenezer. Thus in the space of three years, Georgia received six hundred inhabitants, one-third of whom were Germans. Oglethorpe arrived in Georgia the 5th of Febru- ary, 1736, bringing with him a number of guns JOHN WESLEY. 43 for the forts and batteries already erected, or yet to be built at Savannah, Frederica, Augusta, and other places. The town of Augusta, now to be garrisoned, had been laid off and partially settled the year previous. Several warehouses were already built, and furnished with goods suitable for the Indian trade. Boats, constructed by the inhabitants, and calculated to carry about ten thousand weight of peltry, made four or five voyages to Charleston annually. Augusta soon became a general resort for the Indian traders in the spring, where they purchased annually nearly two thousand pack- horse loads of peltry. It was estimated that six hundred white persons were engaged in this trade. The celebrated John Wesley accompanied Ogle- thorpe to Georgia, with the intention of acting as a missionary among the Indians, as well as preaching to the colonists. Before he left Eng- land, Wesley and his followers were distinguished by a more than common strictness of religious life. They received the sacrament of the Lord's supper every week ; observed all the fasts of the church ; visited the prisons ; rose at four o'clock in the morning, and refrained from all amuse- ments. From the exact manner in which they disposed of every hour, they acquired the appel- lation of Methodists, by which title their followers have ever since been denominated. Wesley soon gained a number of proselytes ; 44 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. but, in doing so, was unfortunate in creating un- pleasant divisions among the people. His ene- mies charged him with requiring from his converts too much of their time to attend prayer-meetings and sermons, fixed at improper hours, thus se- riously interfering with their industrial pursuits. Other and more serious allegations were made ; but we may justly conclude, from his subsequent irreproachable life, that they were either false, or exceedingly broad exaggerations of the truth. Finding himself involved, through the malice of ill-disposed persons, in difficulties of a mortifying nature, he abruptly left the province, and never afterward returned. CHAPTER IV. Oglethorpe makes a treaty with the Governor of East Florida Confers with a commissioner from Havana Embarks for England Revival of discontents among the colonists They petition the trustees for fee-simple titles, and the use of slaves Counter-petition from the Germans and Scotch The true condition of the settlers stated. THE presence of Oglethorpe in February, 1736, soon produced a good effect in allaying the inter- nal dissensions of the colony, and strengthening it against the threatened hostility of the Spa- niards. Finding that the Georgians were gradu- ally acquiring ability to cope with the forces SPANISH JEALOUSY. 45 stationed at St. Augustine, the governor of that place, though still regarding his neighbours with a jealous eye, thought it expedient to enter into a negotiation with the English colony. The terms upon which the treaty was concluded were just and reasonable to both the contracting parties. But it soon appeared that the Spanish ministry at home were far from being desirous that a fair understanding should be established between the two colonies. Their object was to compel the British government to relinquish the design of settling the colony of Georgia. Their ambassador at the court of London was instructed to present a memorial to the Duke of Newcastle, claiming it as indisputable that the colony of Georgia was settled upon his master's dominions. No plainer proof was needed to show that the Spaniards were determined, if possible, to compel the crown of Great Britain to surrender this set- tlement. This was soon made more clearly ap- parent. In the course of the year, Oglethorpe was notified by a message from the governor of St. Augustine, that a Spanish commissioner from Havana had arrived in Florida to make certain demands of him, and would meet him at Frederica for that purpose. At the same time information was obtained that three companies of infantry had been landed with the commissioner at St. Augustine. 46 HISTORY OP GEORGIA. A few days afterward, Oglethorpe held a con- ference with the commissioner in Jekyl Sound. The latter demanded that the English should evacuate, without loss of time, all the territories to the southward of St. Helena Sound, as they belonged to the King of Spain, who was deter- mined to maintain his right to them. Oglethorpe endeavoured to argue the matter ; but as the de- mand continued positive and peremptory, the conference broke up without coming to any agree- ment. Apprehensive of danger, Oglethorpe embarked immediately and sailed for England, for the pur- pose of obtaining a sufficient force to meet the enemy in case the colony should be invaded. On his arrival, he found the trustees disposed to suspend further proceedings, as war had not yet been formally declared between the two nations. At length, late in the year 1737, the danger to the colony was found to be growing imminent. On the 10th of August, the trustees petitioned that the military strength of Georgia might be increased to an extent sufficient to protect the province from the additional forces thrown into Florida by the Spaniards. On the 25th of the same month, Oglethorpe was appointed a colonel, with the rank of general, and commander-in-chief of the forces in South Carolina and Georgia; with orders to raise a regiment with all possible expedition for the pro- DISCONTENT OF THE COLONISTS. 47 tection of the frontiers of the colonies. This regi- ment reached Georgia in September, 1738. During Oglethorpe's absence, the discontent of the people had ripened into a settled aversion to their condition. They discovered that their constitutions would not bear the cultivation of the / swamp lands ; and that the pine lands were un- productive. Instead of reaping the rich harvest of plenty, raising commodities for exportation, and rolling in wealth and affluence, as they had been taught to expect, the labour of several years had not enabled them to provide a coarse, common subsistence for themselves and families. Under these discouragements, numbers of them withdrew to the Carolina side of the river, where the prospects of success were more promising. Dispirited by a foresight of the depopulation of the colony, the magistrates joined the free- holders in and about Savannah, in drawing up a petition to the trustees, asking the latter to grant, as remedies for the grievances under which the settlers laboured, a fee-simple title to all lands held by them, and the use of negroes under pro- per limitations. In this petition, the hardy, industrious Ger- mans and Highlanders would not join. On the contrary, in counter-petitions, drawn up and pre- sented to Oglethorpe soon after his arrival in 1738, while they were silent in regard to the restrictions under which their lands were held, 48 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. they denounced in the strongest terms the intro- duction of slaves into the colony ; the Scotch asserting that a white man could labour more usefully than the slave; and the Germans ex- pressing themselves perfectly contented with their condition, while they denied emphatically the necessity of employing negroes in the culture of rice. The Highlanders and Germans both in- terceded for the introduction of more of their own countrymen, to assist them in their labours during the prevalence of peace, and strengthen them with their weapons in case they should be invaded. In the German petition, they draw an excellent contrast between the land they had left and that of their adoption. It is well worthy of being preserved, as giving quite a picturesque glimpse of the habits of the period : Though it is here," they go on to say, " a hotter climate than our native country, yet it is not so extremely hot as we were told on our first arrival. Since we are used to the country, we find it tolerable, and for working people very convenient, setting themselves to work early in the morning till ten o'clock, and in the afternoon from three to sunset. Having business at home, we do it in our houses in the middle of the day, till the greatest heat is over. People in Germany are hindered by frost and snow in the winter, from doing any work in the fields and vineyards ; but we have this preference, to do the most and SLAVES INTKODUCED. 49 heaviest work at such a time, preparing the ground sufficiently for planting in the spring. At first, when the ground has to be cleared of trees, bushes, and roots, and fenced in carefully, we undergo some hard labour ; but it becomes easier and more pleasing when the hardest trial is over, and our plantations are better regulated." It will be seen by the reader that Georgia con- tained two very different classes of men; one which laboured heartily, and was prosperous and contented ; while the other charged the climate and soil with causing that deplorable condition of things which should have been ascribed to their own idleness and dissatisfaction. Had the whole of the colonists consisted of such men as the Saltzburghers and the Highlanders, Georgia might have favourably compared with the most flourishing of her sister States, both in popu- lation and in wealth. But evil counsels prevailed. The idlers far outnumbered those who worked, and although the trustees stood out for a long time, slaves were eventually admitted, and the energies of the industrious whites correspondingly paralyzed. On the one hand, it must be admitted that a portion of the settlers had just cause of complaint. The land about Savannah was granted indiscrimi- nately. Some of the lots were rich and valuable, others poor. The farmer who was obliged to cultivate pine land could barely subsist by his 50 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. labour ; while the river and swamp land was so heavily clothed with timber, that it required twenty hands for one year to put forty acres in a good condition for cultivation. There is no doubt, also, that the air from the swamps generated intermittent and bilious fevers. The sea-breeze could not penetrate the thick forests sufficiently to agitate the air, which at some seasons is heavy and foggy, and at others clear, but close and suffocating. CHAPTER V. Difficulties between England and Spain still continue Spanish encroachments England declares war Agents from St. Augustine deceive the Creeks Oglethorpe's troubles The trustees change the tenure of land in Georgia Refuse to admit negroes or ardent spirits Spanish perfidy Conspi- racy to murder Oglethorpe His narrow escape The ring- leaders shot Negro insurrection in Carolina quelled Decla- ration of war Oglethorpe projects an expedition to St. Augustine, which fails Conduct of his enemies in Georgia and Carolina Condition of Georgia in 1740. SEVERAL years passed without England and Spain coming to an open rupture, yet there was not a good understanding between the two courts, either as regarded the privileges of navigation or the southern limits of Georgia. The British mer- chants claimed, by treaty, the privilege of cutting logwood in the Bay of Campeachy ; and finding ST. AUGUSTINE REINFORCED. 51 this tolerated by Spain, extended their claim to a traffic with the Spaniards, and supplied them with English manufactures. To check this illicit trade, the Spaniards doubled their marine force on that station, and directed the seizure of all vessels carrying contra- band commodities. At length, not only smugglers, but fair traders were searched and detained. This injustice produced remonstrances to the Spanish court, which were answered by evasive promises and vexatious delays. In the mean time, considerable reinforcements were sent to the garrison at St. Augustine, and a surplus of arms, ammunition, and clothing, which were supposed to be intended for the Indians. Georgia and Carolina now became seriously alarmed. The lieutenant-governor of the latter province despatched advice to England of the growing power of Spain in East Florida, and ac- quainted the trustees with the fact that such preparations were making there as evidently por- tended hostilities ; and as the Spaniards pretended to have a claim to Georgia, there were strong grounds to believe that they would assert their claim by force of arms. The king resolved to maintain his rights and vindicate the honour of his crown. Instructions were despatched to the British ambassador at Madrid to demand, in ab- solute terms, a compensation for the injuries of trade. The Spanish government agreed to allow 52 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. the demand, on condition of its claims upon the South Sea Company being deducted, and Ogle- thorpe's settlers recalled from Georgia. These conditions were indignantly rejected by the court of Great Britain. The Spanish ambas- sador at London was informed that the King of England was determined on maintaining his right to every single foot of land within the province of Georgia; and that he must allow his subjects to make reprisals, since satisfaction for their losses in trade could be obtained in no other way. The Hector and Blandford ships of war had been ordered to convey Oglethorpe's regiment to Georgia, where they arrived in September, 1738. The general established his head-quarters on Jekyl and Cumberland Islands, to watch the mo- tions of the enemy. During these preparations, Spanish agents from St. Augustine, knowing the attachment of the Creek Indians for Oglethorpe, went among them, and, impressing them with a belief that he was at St. Augustine, prevailed upon some of them, by promises of considerable presents, to visit him at that place. Finding, on their arrival, that a deception had been practised upon them, they became highly offended. The Spanish governor, in order to cover the fraud, pretended that the general was sick on board of a ship in the harbour, and invited the chiefs to go there and see him. But the Indians, suspicious of some deep design, refused to go, OGLETHORPE'S TROUBLES. 53 rejected their presents and offers of alliance, and immediately left the place. When they reached their towns, they found an invitation from Ogle- thorpe to meet him at Frederica. They imme- diately repaired thither, and renewed, with an ardour increased by the conduct of the Spaniards, their former treaty of friendship and alliance. But while thus watchful over the interests of the colony, Oglethorpe was continually harassed with unceasing complaints from the people in and around Savannah. Letters written in the boldest style, and couched in the most vigorous language, were addressed to him over the signature of " The Plain Dealer ;" while petitions, numerously signed, were forwarded by the malcontents to the trustees in London. They were clamorous for rum, for the privilege of purchasing slaves, and for fee-simple titles to their lands. Finding that the discontent and uneasiness among the settlers were not likely to be allayed until some favourable action was taken upon their petitions, the trustees met on the 15th of March, 1739, and removed the only real cause of com- plaint, by passing a resolution, that in default of male issue, any legal possessor of land might, by a deed in writing, or by his last will and testa- ment, appoint his daughter as his successor, or any other male or female relation ; with a proviso, that the successor should, in the proper court in Georgia, personally claim the lot granted or de- 5* 54 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. vised, within eighteen months after the decease of the grantor or devisor. This privilege was soon after extended to every legal possessor, who was empowered to appoint any other person to be his successor. The petition for the introduction of negroes was at the same time rejected, out of considera- tion for the firm, but respectful remonstrances of the Scotch and German settlers. All kinds of ardent spirits, however, in spite of prohibition, soon found their way, by secret channels, into the colony. So feeble or so im- perfect were the exertions made to suppress their introduction, that Oglethorpe, while sitting in the apartments of respectable officers or settlers, would frequently observe them retire to an ad- joining room to indulge privately in the use of the interdicted spirits, at the smell of which he would exclaim : " Wo to the liquor if it come to my sight !" That which he discovered was always thrown away. The darling project of General Oglethorpe was to restrain the Spaniards to the south of St. John's ; for which purpose he established a chain of forts from Augusta to the mouth of that river. But while he was thus preparing his colony for defence against the invasion of the enemy, a criminal scheme was concocted against him, which, had it been successful, would have involved the most dangerous consequences. Treason was CONSPIRACY AGAINST OGLETHORPE. 55 discovered in the centre of his camp, and a deep- laid plot had heen planned to assassinate him. Two companies of his regiment had been drawn from Gibraltar, some of whom could speak the Spanish language. Detachments from these com- panies had been stationed on Cumberland Island, and the Spanish outposts on the other side could approach so near as to converse with them. One man of these companies had been in the Spanish service, and not only understood their language, but, being himself a Catholic, professed an aver- sion to the Protestant religion. The Spaniards found, through this villain, the means of corrupt- ing the minds of several of the British soldiers, who united in forming a design to murder Ogle- thorpe, and then make their escape to St. Augus- tine. Accordingly, the day was fixed. The soldiers who were concerned in the plot came up to the General, and made some extraordinary demands, as a pretext for executing their diabolical purpose. These, as they expected, being refused, at a sig- nal previously concerted, one of them discharged his piece at the general, who was so near at the time, that the powder burned his face and singed his clothes, the ball passing harmlessly over his shoulder. Another conspirator then presented his piece and attempted to fire, but the powder only flashed in the pan ; a third drew his hanger and attempted to stab him. The general, by 56 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. this time, having drawn his sword, parried the thrust, and an officer, coming up, ran the ruffian through the body and killed him on the spot. The mutineers, discouraged by the failure of their efforts, attempted to escape by flight, but were caught and laid in irons. A court-martial was ordered to try the ringleaders of this desperate conspiracy, some of whom were found guilty and sentenced to be shot. Another and more dreadful effort of Spanish policy was attempted to be practised about the same time in South Carolina. Emissaries had been sent from St. Augustine to Carolina, with a design to stir up an insurrection among the negroes, whose number amounted to forty thou- sand, while the entire white population of that province did not exceed more than five thousand. This nefarious design was only partially suc- cessful. A number of negroes collected at Stono, hoisted their standard, and proclaimed open re- bellion. They marched through the country, with drums beating and colours flying ; plundered and burned several houses, and murdered men, women, and children. But for the circumstance of the English carrying their guns with them to church, an indiscriminate massacre of the whites must have ensued. Fortunately, the armed men from the church made a judicious attack upon the head- quarters of the negroes, and they were either killed or dispersed. WAR DECLARED. 57 Oglethorpe, having been advised of the insur- rection in the neighbouring province, redoubled his vigilance in Georgia, and seized all straggling negroes and Spaniards who were found passing through the colony. In the mean time, matters were hastening to a rupture in Europe, and a war between England and Spain appeared to be inevitable. Plenipo- tentiaries met at Pardo in convention, but the con- ference terminated as before, unsatisfactorily to both parties. The spirit of the English people was now fully roused : hostile preparations were made ; all the officers of the army and navy were ordered to their stations, and with the unanimous voice of the nation, war was declared against Spain, on the 23d of October, 1739. Admiral Vernon was sent to take command of a squadron on the West India station, with orders to act offensively against the Spanish dominions in that quarter, so as to divide their force. General Oglethorpe was ordered to annoy the subjects of Spain in Florida, by every method in his power. Acting under these instructions, he projected an expedition against the Spanish settlement at St. Augustine, in which he was warmly seconded by the authorities of South Carolina. Owing to a combination of untoward circumstances, this ex- pedition signally failed, and Oglethorpe returned to Frederica on the 10th of July, 1740. His conduct during this short and unfortunate 58 HISTORY OP GEORGIA. campaign was bitterly censured, and maliciously criticised, by the news-mongers and pamphleteers of the province, by whom he was alternately charged with cowardice, despotism, cruelty, and bribery. That these charges were without the shadow of foundation in truth, the whole life of this amiable and energetic gentleman testified. Without any views to his own interests, his whole efforts were directed to the enlargement of the dominions of his country, the propagation of the Protestant religion, and providing for the wants and necessities of the indigent. He had volun- tarily banished himself from the pleasures of a court, and exposed himself to the dangers of the ocean, in several perilous and tedious voyages. Instead of allowing himself the satisfaction which a plentiful fortune, powerful friends, and great merit entitled him to in England, he had inured himself to hardships and exposures, in common with the poor settlers ; his food, boiled rice, mouldy bread, salt beef and pork ; his bed the damp ground, and his covering the canopy of heaven. The settlers of Georgia had not increased with that rapidity which had been anticipated by the trustees, nor was its condition by any means flourishing, considering the immense sums of money which had been expended. The number of colonists sent to Georgia, and supported at the expense of the trustees, was found, at the close REV. GEORGE WHITEFIELD. 59 of the eighth year, to be fifteen hundred and twenty-one, of whom six hundred and eighty-six were men capable of bearing arms. The amount expended in the settlement, up to the same period of time, were one hundred and twelve thousand pounds. Of this amount, ninety-four thousand pounds were appropriated by the British Parlia- ment, and the balance raised by private contri- butions. Those who came at their own charges are not included in the above statement, nor is the number of them known. CHAPTER VI. Rev. George Whitefield arrives in Georgia His piety and benevolence His Orphan-house Whitefield's character and life His death. THE Rev. George "Whitefield, who merits par- ticular notice in the history of Georgia, arrived at Savannah in May, 1738. This celebrated field preacher was born in 1714, in Gloucester, Eng- land. At twelve years of age he was put to a grammar-school, and at sixteen he was admitted servitor in Pembroke College, Oxford, where he distinguished himself by the austerities of his de- votion. At the age of twenty-one, the fame of his piety recommended him so effectually to Dr. Benson, Bishop of Gloucester, that he ordained 60 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. him. Immediately after Mr. Whitefield's admis- sion into the ministry, he applied himself with the most extraordinary and indefatigable zeal and industry to the duties of his calling, preaching daily in the prisons, fields, and open streets, wherever he thought there would be a likelihood of making religious impressions. Having at length made himself universally known in England, he applied to the trustees for establishing the colony of Georgia, for a grant of a tract of land near Savannah, with the benevolent intention of build- ing an orphan-house, designed as an asylum for poor children, who were to be clothed and fed by charitable contributions, and educated in the knowledge and practice of Christianity. In his efforts for the propagation of religion, Whitefield several times crossed the Atlantic Ocean to con- vert the Americans, whom he addressed in such manner as if they had been all equally strangers to the privileges and benefits of religion, with the aborigines of the forest. However, his zeal never led him beyond the maritime parts of America, through which he travelled, spreading his faith among the most populous towns and villages. Wherever he went in America, as in Britain, he had multitudes of followers. When he first visited Charleston, Alexander Garden, who was an Epis- copal clergyman in that place, took occasion to point out the pernicious tendency of Whitefield's doctrines and irregular manner of life. He repre- REV. GEORGE WHITEFIELD. 61 sented him as a religious impostor or quack, who had an excellent way of setting off, disguising, and rendering palatable his poisonous tenets. On the other hand, Mr. Whitefield, who had been accus- tomed to stand reproach and face opposition, retorted in his own peculiar way. On one occa- sion, Alexander Garden, to keep his flock from going after this strange pastor, expatiated on these words of Scripture : " Those that have turned the world upside down are come hither also." Mr. Whitefield, with all the force of comic humour and wit for which he was distinguished, by way of reply enlarged upon these words : Alexander the copper-smith hath done me much evil : the Lord reward him according to his works." Mr. Whitefield commenced the building of his orphan-house in Georgia in 1740, on a sandy bluff near the sea-shore, on a tract of land granted to him for the purpose by the trustees ; the house was built of wood, and was seventy feet by forty. To this house poor children were sent, to be sup- ported partly by charity, and partly by the pro- ducts of the land cultivated by negroes. Mr. Whitefield took the healthiness of the place for granted, from its similarity of situation to that of Frederica, and having formed the project, he determined to persevere, priding himself on sur- mounting every obstacle and difficulty. He tra- velled through the British empire, setting forth the excellence of his design, and. obtained from 6 62 HISTORY OP GEORGIA. charitable people money, clothes, and books, to forward his undertaking and supply his poor orphans in Georgia. The house was finished, and furnished with an excellent library ; but, owing most probably to the unhealthiness of the situa- tion, the institution never flourished to the extent of his expectations and wishes, though a great sum of money was expended in bringing it to maturity. The talents of Mr. Whitefield were extraordi- nary. His influence and weight at that day cer- tainly made him one of the most useful men in America. He had many friends and admirers among men of the first influence and respecta- bility, and followers from all classes. He was so popular in preaching, that his churches or places of religious resort were crowded a long time be- fore he appeared. Often when he preached in a church, a line was extended outwards, there being no room to go in ; and at the door pious persons were soliciting for leave " only to see his blessed face," though they could not hear him. Such were the respect, enthusiasm, and regard he had in- spired, owing to his sincerity, faith, zeal, and truly great and extraordinary talents. It is re- lated of the accomplished Lord Chesterfield, that he once observed, " Mr. Whitefield is the greatest orator I have ever heard, and I cannot conceive of a greater." His writings are said to afford no idea of his oratorical powers : his person, his de- REV. GEORGE WHITEFIELD. 63 livery, his boldness, his zeal and sincerity of pur- pose in the propagation of the gospel, made him a truly wonderful man in the pulpit, while his printed sermons give the impression of only an indifferent preacher. It is not an easy task to delineate his character. He was in the British empire not un- like one of those strange and erratic meteora which appear now and then in the system of na- ture. He often lamented that in his youth he was gay and giddy; so fondly attached to the stage, that he frequently recited difficult pieces while he was at school, with such great applause, that Garrick observed of him that the stage had lost an ornament. Then he probably acquired those gestures, which he practised under his clerical robes with great success and advantage upon the feelings of his hearers. After receiving his ordination in the Church of England, he refused submission to the regulations either of that or any other particular church, but became a preacher in churches, meeting-houses, halls, fields, in all places and to all denominations, without exception. Though not distinguished for his learning, he had a lively imagination, much humour, and had acquired a great knowledge of human nature and the customs of the world. He possessed a large share of humanity and benevo- lence ; but frequently displayed an excessive warmth of temper when roused by opposition and contradiction. His reading was inconsiderable, 64 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. but he had an extraordinary memory, and man- kind being one of the great objects of his study, he could, when he pleased, raise the passions and excite the emotions of the human heart with admirable skill and fervour. By his affecting eloquence and address, he impressed on the minds of many, especially of the more soft and delicate sex, such a strong sense of sin and guilt as often plunged them into dejection and despair. While he was almost worshipped by the lower order, men of superior rank and erudition found him the polite gentleman, and the facetious and jocular companion. Though he loved good cheer, and frequented the houses of the rich and hospitable, yet he was an enemy to all manner of excess and intemperance. While his disposition to travel led him from place to place, his natural discernment enabled him to form correct opinions of the cha- racters and manners of men, wherever he went. Though he gave a preference to no particular established church, yet good policy winked at all his eccentricities, as he everywhere supported the character of a steady friend to civil government. He had great talents for exciting the curiosity of the multitude, and his roving manner stamped a kind of novelty on his instructions. When ex- posed to the taunts of the irreligious scoffer and the ridicule of the flagitious, he remained firm to his purpose, and could retort upon his deriders with astonishing ease and dexterity, and render vice REV. GEOKGE WHITEFIELD. 65 abashed under the lash of his satire and wit. In short, though he was said to have had many oddi- ties, yet few will undertake to deny that religion in America was greatly indebted to the zeal, diligence, and oratory of this extraordinary man. After a long course of peregrination, his fortune increased as his fame extended among his follow- ers, and he erected two very extensive buildings for public worship in London, under the name of tabernacles : one in Tottenham Court road, and the other at Moorfields, where, by the help of some assistants, he continued several years, at- tended by very crowded congregations. By being chaplain to the Countess-dowager of Hunting- don, he was also connected with two other reli- gious meetings : one at Bath, and the other at Tunbridge, chiefly erected under that virtuous lady's patronage. In America, which had engaged much of his attention, Mr. Whitefield was destined to close his eyes. He died at Newburyport, Massachu- setts, in 1770. When the report of his decease reached the legislature of Georgia, honourable mention was made of him, and a sum of money was appropriated, with a unanimous voice, for bringing his remains to Georgia, to be interred at his orphan-house ; but the inhabitants of New- buryport, being much attached to him when living, objected to the removal of his body, and the de- sign was relinquished. 6* 66 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. In a letter from Dr. Franklin to Dr. Jones, mentioning Mr. Whitefield, he says, "I cannot forbear expressing the pleasure it gives me to see an account of the respect paid to his memory hy your assembly : I knew him intimately upwards of thirty years ; his integrity, disinterestedness, and indefatigable zeal, in prosecuting every good work, / have never seen equalled, I shall never see excelled." CHAPTER VII. Description of Frederica Its fortifications Zeal and energy of Oglethorpc Descent of the Spaniards upon Georgia Lukewarmness of the Carolinians Indians and Highlanders assist Oglethorpe Spanish fleet enter the harbour and land The Spaniards defeated in three engagements Ogle- thorpe's successful stratagem The Spanish defeated at "9loqdy Marsh The enemy retreats from Georgia Spanish commander tried and disgraced The provincial governors congratulate Oglethorpe Charges brought against him by Colonel Cook He is tried and acquitted Cook disgraced Civil government established. FREDERICA, the head-quarters of General Ogle- thorpe, was settled in 1736, on the island of St. Simons, south of the Alatamaha, and on the west side of that island about the centre. It stands upon a high bluff, compared with the marshes in its front. The shore is washed by a fine river, which communicates with the Alatamaha, and FREDERICA. 67 enters the ocean through Jekyl Sound, at the south end of the island. The river forms a bay be- fore the town, and is navigable for vessels of large burden. The town was defended by a pretty strong fort of tappy, and several eighteen-pound- ers were mounted on a ravelin in front, which commanded the river. The fort was surrounded by regular ramparts, had four bastions of earth, stockaded and turfed, and a palisaded ditch, which included the storehouses ; two large and spacious buildings of brick and timber, with seve- ral pieces of ordnance mounted on the rampart. The town was also surrounded by a rampart, with flankers of the same thickness as that round the fort, in form of a pentagon, and a dry ditch. The whole circumference of the town was about a mile and a half. The town had two gates, called the town and water posts ; next to the latter was the guard- house, under which was a prison handsomely built of brick. At the north end the barracks were built of tappy, and near them the magazine. A road was opened to the southward, to the plantations of Captain Demere, Mr. Hawkins, and General Oglethorpe ; the latter, at a little distance, re- sembled a neat little country village : farther on were several families of Saltzburghers. A look- out of rangers was kept at Bachelor's Bluff, on the main. A corporal's guard at Pike's Bluff on 68 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. the north, and a canal was cut through the gene- ral's island to facilitate communication with Darien. Frederica was laid out with spacious streets, named after the officers, and margined with orange trees. At the south point of the island was the little town of St. Simons ; near it a small battery was built as a watch-tower to discover vessels at sea, and upon such discovery an alarm-gun was fired, and a horseman despatched to head-quarters about nine miles distant. In case an enemy appeared, the number of guns fired indicated the number of vessels. Forts and batteries were also erected on the north end of Jekyl Island, (where a brewery was established to make beer for the troops,) on the north end of Cumberland Island, near St. An- drew's Sound, and at the mouth of St. John's River. A stronger proof cannot be given of General Oglethorpe's zeal and indefatigable in- dustry, than that all these fortifications were erected in seven months. The time was now advancing when these de- fences were to be found useful. The squadron of Admiral Vernon had, for some time, occupied so much the attention of the enemy in the West Indies, that none of the Spanish fleet could be spared to contest their supposed right to the southern portion of Georgia. But no sooner had the greatest part of the British fleet left SPANISH INVASION. 69 those seas and returned to England, than the Spaniards commenced their preparations for a descent upon Oglethorpe's settlement. Accordingly, two thousand troops, commanded by Don Antonio de Rodondo, embarked at Ha- vana, and arrived about the first of May, 1742, at St. Augustine ; but before they had reached their destination, they were discovered by the captain of an English cruiser, who notified Ogle- thorpe of the impending danger. The latter immediately sent intelligence to Governor Glen of South Carolina, requesting his military assist- ance with all possible expedition, and at the same time he despatched a sloop to the West Indies to acquaint Admiral Vernon with the expected in- vasion. But though the Carolinians had found great advantage from the settlement of Georgia, and were equally interested with their neighbours in making a vigorous defence, they had but little confidence in Oglethorpe's abilities after his un- successful expedition against St. Augustine. The inhabitants of Charleston declared against sending him any assistance. They determined to fortify their town and defend themselves upon their own ground, leaving Oglethorpe to stand or fall against a far superior force. In the mean time, the general sent messages to his faithful Indian allies, who gathered to his assistance in the hour of danger. 70 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. Captain Mclntosh's Highlanders, burning to revenge the loss of their companions who had been overwhelmed by the Spaniards at the re- capture of Fort Moosa, marched from Darien and joined Oglethorpe on the first intimation of the enemy's approach. With these, and his re- giment at Frederica, the general determined to stand his ground, still hoping for reinforcements from Carolina, and expecting their arrival every hour. On the 21st of June, nine sail of Spanish ves- sels came into Amelia Sound, but were repulsed by a brisk cannonade from Fort William. When Oglethorpe was advised of this attack, he resolved to support the fortifications on Cum- berland, and set out with a detachment on board of his boats. He sent Captain Horton with his company of grenadiers in front, and was himself obliged to fight his way, in two boats, through fourteen sail of Spanish vessels, which endea- voured to intercept him in St. Andrew's Sound. Owing to the cowardice of Lieutenant Tolson, who commanded the boat of the greatest strength, and was afraid to follow the general, fears were entertained for the safety of the latter, but he succeeded in returning the next day to St. Simons. On the 28th of June, the Spanish fleet, amount- ing to thirty-six sail, and carrying upwards of five thousand men, under the command of Don Manuel Monteano, came to anchor off St. Simon's SPANISH ENTER THE HARBOUR. 71 Bar, where they remained until the 5th of July, sounding the channel. After finding a depth of water sufficient to float the ships, they came in on the flood-tide. They were received with a brisk fire from the batteries and the vessel. All the attempts of the Spaniards to board the ships in the harbour were repulsed with considerable loss. In this engagement, which lasted upwards of three hours, the enemy lost seventeen killed and ten wounded. The fleet anchored about a mile above Ogle- thorpe's works, on the south end of the island, hoisted a red flag at the mizzen topmast head of the largest ship, landed their forces upon the island, and erected a battery, on which twenty eighteen-pounders were mounted. Among their land forces, they had a fine regi- ment of artillery, under the command of Don Antonio de Rodondo, and a regiment of negroes. The negro commanders were clothed in lace, bore the same rank with the white officers, and with equal freedom and familiarity, walked and con- versed with the commander- in-chief. When Ogle- thorpe found that his batteries at St. Simon's had become useless, he spiked the guns, destroyed the stores, and fell back upon his head-quarters at Frederica. So great was the disparity of the opposing forces, that he plainly saw his only hope of safety lay in acting upon the defensive. He kept scouting parties in every direction, to 72 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. watch and annoy the enemy, while his main body made the fortifications as strong as circumstances would permit. His little army did not exceed seven hundred men. To animate them with a spirit of perseverance, he exposed himself to the same hardships and fatigues as were experienced by the common soldiers. In the mean time, the Spaniards had made several attempts to pierce the woods, with a view to attack the fort, but met with such opposition from the deep morasses and dark thickets, de- fended by the Indians and Highlanders, that every effort failed with considerable loss. On the 7th of July, the general was warned that a body of the enemy had approached within two miles of Frederica ; he ordered four platoons of the regiment to follow him immediately, and marched with some rangers, Highlanders, and In- dians, who were then under arms, and attacked and defeated the enemy, who lost one hundred and twenty-nine men in killed and prisoners. After heading the pursuit two miles, Oglethorpe halted until a reinforcement came up. He posted them with the Highlanders in a wood, with a large savanna in front, over which the Spaniards must pass on their way to Frederica, and then hastened to the fort to have an additional force in readiness, in case of emergency. By the time this arrangement was completed, three hundred of the enemy's best troops attacked the party he THE SPANIARDS DEFEATED. 73 had left. Oglethorpe hurried to their relief, rallied three platoons which had retreated in dis- order, and led them to the assistance of the gal- lant Highlanders, and the on'ly platoon -which had nobly remained firm. When he reached them the conflict was over, and the enemy in retreat. In this action, Don Antonio de Barba was mor- tally wounded, and several of the enemy killed and taken. In these two actions and the pre- vious skirmishes, the Spaniards acknowledged a loss of two hundred and sixty-nine men. On the 12th, an English prisoner escaped from the Spaniards, and brought advice to Oglethorpe of a difference subsisting between the troops from Cuba and those from St. Augustine ; and that in consequence of this misunderstanding, they en- camped in separate places. Oglethorpe instantly decided to attempt a surprise upon one of the en- campments. With the advantage of his knowledge of the woods, he marched out in the night, with three hundred regular troops, the Highland com- pany, rangers, and Indians. Having advanced within two miles of the enemy's camp, he halted, and set forward with a small party to reconnoitre their position. While most desirous of conceal- ing his approach, a Frenchman from his party fired his musket, deserted to the enemy, and gave the alarm. Oglethorpe, finding his design thus defeated, thought it prudent to return to Frede- rica. Apprehensive that the traitor would dis- 7 74 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. cover his weakness to the enemy, he resorted to a stratagem, with the hope of shaking the confi- dence of the Spaniards in the deserter's story. For this purpose he wrote a letter, and addressed it to the Frenchman, in which he desired him to acquaint the Spaniards of the defenceless condi- tion of Frederica, and how easy and practicable it would be to cut him and his small garrison to pieces. He requested the deserter to use every art in urging them forward to an attack, and to assure them of success. If he could not prevail upon them to make the attempt, he was to use every influential argument to detain them two or three days longer upon the island, as within that time he (Oglethorpe) would receive a reinforce- ment of two thousand land forces, and six British ships of war. lie closed this letter by cautioning the renegade not to subject himself to suspicion, reminding him of the great reward he was to re- ceive in the event of success attending the plan, and urging the necessity of profound silence re- specting Admiral Vernon's intentions against St. Augustine. This letter was given by Oglethorpe to one of the Spanish prisoners, who, for the sake of liberty and a small reward, promised to deliver it to the French deserter privately, and conceal the circumstance from every other person. With these injunctions, the soldier was liberated, and, as Oglethorpe wished and expected, the letter was delivered to the Spanish commander-in-chief. OGLETHORPE'S STRATAGEM. 75 The conjectures and speculations occasioned by this letter were various ; and the Spanish com- mandant was not a little perplexed to know what inference he ought to draw from it. In the first place, he ordered the supposed spy to be placed in irons to prevent his escape, and then called a council of war to consider what was most proper to be done, in consequence of intel- ligence so puzzling and alarming. Some officers were of opinion that the letter was intended as a deception to prevent them from attacking Frede- rica ; others thought that the circumstances men- tioned in it wore such an appearance of truth, that there were good grounds to believe that the English general wished them to take place, and, therefore, gave their voice for consulting the safety of St. Augustine, and relinquishing a plan of conquest attended with so many difficulties, and putting to hazard the loss of both army and fleet, and perhaps the whole province of East Florida. While the Spanish officers were employed in these embarrassing deliberations, three vessels of small force, which the Governor of Carolina had sent out to watch the motions of the enemy, ap- peared at some distance on the coast. This, cor- responding with part of Oglethorpe's letter, in- duced the Spanish commander to give credit to its entire contents. It was, therefore, determined to attack Oglethorpe at his stronghold at Frede- 76 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. rica before the expected reinforcement should arrive ; and accordingly the whole Spanish army was put in motion. Captain Noble Jones, with a detachment of regulars and Indians, being out on a scouting party, fell in with a small detachment of the enemy's advance, who were surprised and made prisoners, not deeming themselves so far in front of the main army. From these prisoners infor- mation was received that the whole Spanish army was advancing : this was immediately communi- cated by an Indian runner to the general, who detached Captain Dunbar with a company of grenadiers, to join the regulars and Indians, with orders to harass the enemy on their approach. These detachments, having formed a junction, ob- served at a distance the Spanish army on the march ; and, taking a favourable position near a marsh, formed an ambuscade. The enemy fortunately halted within a hun- dred paces of this position, stacked their arms, made fires, and were preparing their kettles for cooking, when a horse observed some of the party in ambuscade, and frightened at the uniform of the regulars, began to snort and gave the alarm. The Spaniards ran to their arms, but were shot down in great numbers by Oglethorpe's detach- ment, who continued invisible to the enemy. After repeated attempts to form, in which some of their principal officers fell, they fled with the BLOODY MARSH. 77 utmost precipitation, leaving their camp equipage on the field, and never halted until they had got under cover of the guns of their battery and ships. General Oglethorpe had detached Major Horton with a reinforcement, who arrived only in time to join in the pursuit. So complete was the surprise of the enemy, that many fled without their arms ; others in a rapid retreat, discharged their muskets over their shoulders at their pursuers ; and many were killed by the loaded arms which were left on the ground. Generally the Spaniards fired so much at random that the trees were pruned by the balls from their muskets. Their loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners, was estimated at five hundred. The loss in Oglethorpe's detachment was very incon- siderable. From the signal victory obtained over the enemy and the great slaughter among the Spanish troops, the scene of action just described has ever since been denominated the "Bloody Marsh." On the 14th, the Spaniards burned all the works and houses on the south end of St. Simon's and Jekyl Islands. They then sailed to the southward, with Oglethorpe following close on their rear. At daylight, twenty-eight sail of the Spanish line appeared off Fort William, which was commanded by Ensign Stuart. Fourteen of these vessels came into the harbour, and de- manded a surrender of the garrison : Stuart re- plied, that it should not be surrendered, nor 7* 78 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. could it be taken. They attacked the works from their galleys and other vessels, and attempted to land, but were repulsed by a small party of rangers who had arrived by a forced march down the island. Stuart, with only sixty men, defended the fort with such bravery, that after an assault of three hours, the enemy discovered the approach of Oglethorpe, and put to sea with considerable loss. Two galleys were disabled and abandoned, and the Governor of St. Augustine proceeded with his troops by the inland passage. Ensign Stuart was rewarded, by promotion, for the bra- very of his defence. Thus was the province of Georgia delivered, when brought to the very brink of destruction by a formidable enemy. Don Manuel de Mon- teano had been fifteen days on the small island of St. Simon's, without gaining the least advan- tage over a handful of men ; and in the several skirmishes, had lost a considerable number of his best troops; while Oglethorpe's loss was very inconsiderable. When the Spanish troops returned to the Ha- vana, their commander was arrested and tried by a court-martial, found guilty, and dismissed with disgrace, for his improper conduct on an expedition, the result of which proved so shame- ful and inglorious to the Spanish arms. The Carolinians, surprised at a success so tri- umphant, achieved without their assistance, were CALUMNIOUS CHARGES. 79 still divided in their opinions respecting the mili- tary character of Oglethorpe. The more magna- nimous among them acknowledged his signal services, and poured out the highest encomiums on his courage and military skill. There were others, however, who still continued to censure his conduct and detract from his merit. The authorities of South Carolina neither praised nor blamed. The Governors of New York, New Jer- sey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, congratulated the general in the warm- est terms, and offered their humble thanks to the Supreme Governor of the universe for placing the fate of the southern colonies under the direc- tion of one so well qualified for the important task. But in the midst of his glorious achievements, envy and detraction busied themselves with de- faming his honour and integrity. Lieutenant- colonel Cook exhibited nineteen charges against him, and named several officers and citizens in Georgia, who were to be summoned to prove his guilt. Indignant at the calumnious misrepresen- tations of his accuser, Oglethorpe embarked for England, and reached there in 1743. A general court-martial was ordered for his trial ; several days were spent in examining the various articles of complaint lodged against him, and, after the most mature deliberation, the court adjudged the charges to be false, malicious, and groundless; 80 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. and his honourable acquittal was reported to the king. Lieutenant-colonel Cook was dismissed from the service in consequence, and declared incapable of serving his majesty in any military capacity whatever. Oglethorpe never afterward returned to Georgia ; but upon all occasions, zeal- ously exerted himself in behalf of its prosperity and improvement. From its first settlement, the colony had been under a military government, executed by the general and such officers as he chose to appoint. But now the trustees thought proper to establish a sort of civil government, and committed the charge of it to a president and four councillors or assistants, who were to act agreeably to the instructions they should receive from the trus- tees ; and to be accountable to them for their public conduct. Under these new regulations, William Stephens received the appointment of president. SLAVERY INTRODUCED. 81 CHAPTER VIII. Slavery introduced Daring scheme of Thomas Bosomworth Malatche made Emperor of the Creeks Signs a deed to Mary Bosomworth for the Indian reserved lands Mary assumes the title of empress She threatens destruction to the colony March of the Creeks The president prepares for defence The Indians reach Savannah Bosomworth and Mary seized and confined. AFTER the signal defeat of the Spaniards, the affairs of the province passed on without any im- portant occurrences for several years. The cul- tivation of the vine and mulberry, being found unprofitable, was neglected, although the trustees made strenuous efforts to encourage the manu- facture of silk by offers of bounty for its pro- duction. After bearing with the unceasing complaints of the colonists for a long time, the restrictions placed upon the introduction of slaves were par- tially abandoned ; and, although slavery had not yet been formally introduced into the province, the planters were tacitly permitted to hire negro servants in Carolina. Finding that this plan of evading the law succeeded, negroes were hired for a hundred years, or during life, and a sum equal to the value of the slave paid in advance ; 82 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. the former owner in Carolina binding himself to exhibit his claim whenever the Georgian authori- ties should interfere. Finally, purchases were openly made in Savannah; some seizures took place, but the magistrates and the courts for the most part joined in evading the operation of the law. Matters had now reached a crisis. The trustees, finding that any further resistance to the introduction of slavery would endanger the peace and prosperity of the colony, yielded to the publicly expressed wishes of a majority of the people, and in the year 1747 all previous restraints upon the purchase of negroes were removed. In December of this year, a daring scheme of self-aggrandizement was devised by a clergyman named Bosomworth, which came very nearly involving the destruction of the whole province. It will be recollected that at the first settle- ment of the colony, Oglethorpe had employed a half-breed woman, called Mary Musgrove, as an interpreter between himself and the Creeks. By the generosity of Oglethorpe, who had allowed her a liberal salary for her services, she obtained great influence over the minds of the Indians. After the death of her first husband, Bosom- worth, who had been a chaplain in Oglethorpe's regiment, married this woman, and taking advan- tage of the respect in which she was held by the neighbouring tribes, conceived a plan of acquiring, BOSOMWORTH'S SCHEME. 83 through her means, a fortune equal to any in America. An Indian king, by the name of Malatche, of an age and standing in the Creek nation well suited to Bosomworth's purpose, was present at Frederica with sixteen others, who called them- selves kings and chiefs of the different towns. While at Frederica, Bosomworth suggested to Malatche the idea of having himself crowned by his companions. Accordingly, a paper was drawn up, acknowledging Malatche Opiya Meco to be the rightful natural prince and emperor of the dominions of the Creek nation ; vesting him with power to declare war, make laws, frame treaties, convey lands, and transact all affairs relating to the nation ; the chiefs binding themselves, on the part of their several towns, to abide by and fulfil all his contracts and engagements. This paper having been duly signed and wit- nessed, Bosomworth obtained a deed in the name of Mary, his wife, from Malatche for all the islands and lands reserved by the Indians in their first treaty with Oglethorpe. For two years after the making of this deed, Bosomworth remained silently waiting an oppor- tunity to profit by it. In 1749, he determined that his wife should assert her claim to the Indian reservations of the islands of Sapelo, Ossabaw, and St. Catharine's. To render this claim still stronger, he encouraged his wife into the pretence 84 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. of being the eldest sister of Malatche, and of having descended in a maternal line from an Indian king, who held from nature the whole territory of the Creek. Accordingly, Mary assumed the title of an in- dependent empress, and disavowed all allegiance or subjection to the King of Great Britain, otherwise than by way of treaty and alliance. She summoned a meeting of all the Creeks, to whom she set forth the justice of her claim, and the great injury they had sustained by the loss of their territories, and urged them to a defence of their rights by force of arms. The Indians, thus artfully addressed, rose up, and pledged themselves, to a man, to stand by her to the last drop of their blood, in defence of her royal person and their lands. Thus sup- ported by the whole force of the tribe, Queen Mary, escorted by a large body of her savage subjects, set out for Savannah, to demand from the president and council a formal acknowledg- ment of her rights in the province. President Stephens and his council, alarmed at her high pretensions and bold threats, and sensible of her influence with the Indians, from her having been made a woman of consequence as an interpreter, were not a little embarrassed as to what steps to take for the public safety. They thought it best to use soft and healing measures until an opportunity might offer of INDIANS ENTER SAVANNAH. 85 privately laying hold of her and shipping her off to England. In the mean time, the militia were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to march to Savan- nah, at the shortest notice. The town was put in the best possible state of defence, but its whole force amounted to only one hundred and seventy men able to bear arms. A message was sent to Mary, while she was yet several miles distant from Savannah at the head of her mighty host, to know whether she was serious in such wild pretensions, and try the influence of persuasion to induce her to dismiss her followers and drop her audacious design ; but finding her inflexible and resolute, the president resolved to put on a bold countenance, and receive the savages with firmness and resolution. The militia were ordered under arms to over- awe them as much as possible ; and as the Indians entered the town, Captain Noble Jones, at the head of a troop of horse, stopped them, and de- manded whether their visit was with hostile or friendly intentions ; but receiving no satisfactory answer, he required them to ground their arms, declaring that he had orders not to suffer one armed Indian to set foot in the town, and that he was determined to enforce the orders at the risk of his own life and that of his troops. The savages with great reluctance submitted ; and, accordingly, Thomas Bosomworth, in his 86 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. canonical robes, with his queen by his side, fol- lowed by the kings and chiefs according to rank, marched into the town on the 20th of July, making a most formidable appearance. The inhabitants were struck with terror at the eight of this ferocious tribe of savages. When they advanced to the parade, they found the militia drawn up under arms to receive them, by whom they were saluted with fifteen cannon, and conducted to the president's house. Bosomworth being ordered to withdraw, the Indian chiefs in a friendly manner were required to declare their intention in paying this visit in so large a body, without being sent for by any person in authority. The warriors, as they had been instructed, an- swered that Mary was to speak for them, and that they would abide by whatever she said ; that they had heard that she was to be sent like a captive over the great waters, and they were come to know on what account they were to lose their queen; that they intended no harm, and begged that their arms might be restored to them ; and after consulting with Bosomworth and his wife, they would return and amicably settle all public affairs. To please them, their guns were accordingly returned, but strict orders were issued to allow them no ammunition, until the council should see more clearly into their dark designs. On the day following, the Indian's^ having had some private conferences with Mary, were ob- BOSOMWORTH AND MARY CONFINED. 87 served to march in a tumultuous manner through the streets, evidencing a hostile temper, and ap- parently determined on mischief. All the men being obliged to mount guard, the women and children were terrified and afraid to remain in the houses by themselves, expecting every moment to be murdered and scalped. During this con- fusion, a false rumour was circulated, that they had cut off President Stephens's head with a tomahawk, which so exasperated the inhabitants that it was with difficulty the officers could re- strain the troops from firing upon the savages : perhaps the exercise of the greatest prudence was never more requisite to save the town from being deluged with blood. Orders were given to lay hold of Bosomworth, to whom it was in- sinuated that he was marked as the first victim of vengeance in case of extremities ; and he was carried out of the way and closely confined, upon which Mary, his beloved queen, became outrageous and frantic, and threatened the thunder of her vengeance against the magis- trates and the whole colony. She ordered all white persons to depart immediately from her territories, and at their peril to refuse ; she cursed Oglethorpe and his fraudulent treaties, and furi- ously stamping her foot upon the earth, swore that the whole globe should know that the ground she stood upon was her own. To prevent any ascendency by bribes over the chiefs and war- 88 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. riors, she kept the leading men constantly un- der her eye, and would not suffer them to utter a sentence on public affairs, but in her pre- sence. The president, finding that no peaceable agree- ment could be made with the Indians while under the baleful influence of their pretended queen, privately laid hold of her, and put her with her husband in confinement. This step was found necessary, before any reasonable terms of nego- ciation would be heard. Having secured the royal family, who were un- questionably the promoters of the conspiracy, the president employed men acquainted with the In- dian tongue to entertain the warriors in the most friendly and hospitable manner, and directed that explanations should be made to them of the wicked designs of Bosomworth and his wife. Ac- cordingly a feast was prepared for all the chiefs and leading warriors, at which they were in- formed that Bosomworth had involved himself in debts which he was unable to pay, and that he wanted not only their lands, but a large share of the king's presents, which had been sent over for the chiefs and warriors ; that his object was to satisfy his creditors in Carolina at their expense ; that the king's presents were only intended for the Indians, as a compensation for their useful services and firm attachment to him during the war against their common enemy ; and that the A TALK WITH THE INDIANS. 89 lands adjoining the town were reserved for them to encamp upon when they should come to visit their beloved friends in Savannah, and the three mari- time islands to fish and hunt upon when they should come to bathe in the salt waters : that neither Mary nor her husband had any right to those lands, but that they were the common pro- perty of the whole nation : that the great King George had ordered the president to defend their right to them, and expected that all his subjects, both white and red, would live together like breth- ren, and that the great king would suffer no one to molest or injure them ; and had ordered these words to be left on record, that they might not be forgotten by their descendants, when they were dead and gone. This policy produced a temporary effect, and many of the chiefs, being convinced that Bosom- worth had deceived them, declared they would no longer be governed by his advice : even Malatche, the leader of the lower Creeks, and the pretended relation of Mary, seemed satisfied, and was not a little pleased to hear that the king had sent them some valuable presents. Being asked why he acknowledged Mary as the empress of the great nation of the Creeks, and resigned his power and possessions to a despicable old woman, while he was universally recognised as the great chief of the nation, and that too at the very time when the president and council were to give him many 8* 90 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. rich clothes and medals for his services, he re- plied, that the whole nation acknowledged her as their queen, and none could distribute the royal presents hut herself, or one of her family, as had been done heretofore. The president, by this answer, saw more clearly the design of Bosomworth's family. To lessen their influence and consequence, and show the Indians that he had power to divide the royal bounty among the chiefs, he determined to take the task upon himself, and immediately dismiss them, on account of the growing expenses of the colony, and the hardships the people underwent in keeping guard night and day for the defence of the town. CHAPTER IX. Fickleness of Malatche His speech The president's reply Bosomworth and Mary threaten vengeance against the colony The Indians prevailed on to return home Bosom, worth and Mary released Bosomworth reasserts his claims by a suit at law Decision of the English Courts Another suit instituted. IN the mean time, Malatche, whom the Indians compared to the wind, because of his fickle and variable temper, having at his own request ob- tained admission to Bosomworth and his wife, was again drawn over to support their chimerical claims. While the Indians were gathered to- MALATCHE'S SPEECH. 91 gether to receive their respective shares of the royal bounty, he stood up in the midst of them with a frowning countenance, and in violent agi- tation delivered a speech fraught with the most dangerous insinuations and threats. He declared that Mary possessed the country before General Oglethorpe ; that all the lands belonged to her as queen and head of the Creeks ; that it was by her consent that Englishmen were at first permit- ted to settle on them ; that they still held the land as her tenants at will ; that her words were the voice of the whole nation, consisting of three thousand warriors, every man of whom would raise the hatchet in defence of her rightful claim. Then pulling a paper out of his pocket, he de- livered it to the president in confirmation of what he had said. This was evidently the production of Bosomworth, and served to discover in the plainest manner his ambitious views and wicked intrigues. The preamble was filled with the names of Indians, called kings of all the towns in the upper and lower Creeks, none of whom, how- ever, were present except two. The substance of the paper corresponded with Malatche's speech, styling Mary the rightful princess of the whole nation, invested with full power and authority to settle and finally determine all public affairs and causes relative to land and other things, with King George and his men on both sides of the sea ; and asserting that whatever should be done by her, 92 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. they would abide by as if done by themselves. Bosomworth probably did not intend that this paper should have been shown, nor was Malatche aware of the consequences of putting it in the hands of the president. After reading this paper in council, the mem- bers were struck with astonishment ; and Malat- che, perceiving their uneasiness, begged to have it again, declaring that he did not know it was a bad talk, and promising that he would imme- diately return it to the person from whom he had received it. To remove all impressions made on the minds of the Indians by Malatche's speech, and convince them of the deceitful and danger- ous tendency of this confederacy, into which Bosomworth and his wife had betrayed them, had now become a matter of the highest conse- quence : happy was it for the province, that this, though difficult, was practicable. As ignorant savages were easily misled on the one side, it was practicable to convince them of their error on the other. Accordingly, having gathered the Indians together, the president determined to adopt a bold and decided tone, and addressed them with the following speech : " Friends and brothers : When Mr. Ogle- thorpe and his people first arrived in Georgia, they found Mary, then the wife of John Mus- grove, living in a small hut at Yamacraw; he had a license from the Governor of South Caro- A TALK WITH THE INDIANS. 93 Una to trade with the Indians ; she then ap- peared to be in a poor ragged condition, and was neglected and despised by the Creeks ; but Gene- ral Oglethorpe, finding that she could speak both the English and Creek languages, employed her as an interpreter, richly clothed her, and made her a woman of the consequence she now ap- pears ; the people of Georgia always respected her until she married Bosomworth, but from that time she has proved a liar and a deceiver. In fact, she was no relation of Malatche, but the daughter of an Indian woman of no note, and a white man. General Oglethorpe did not treat with her for the lands of Georgia, for she had none ; but with the old and wise leaders of the Creek nation, who voluntarily surrendered their territories to the king ; the Indians at that time having much waste land, which was useless to themselves, parted with a share of it to their friends, and were glad that white people had set- tled among them to supply their wants. He told them that the present discontents of the Creeks had been artfully infused into them by Mary, at the instigation of her husband ; that he demanded a third part of the royal bounty, in order to rob the naked Indians of their right; that he had quarrelled with the president and council of Georgia, for refusing to answer his exorbitant demands, and therefore had filled the heads of the Indians with wild fancies and groundless 94 HISTORY OP GEORGIA. jealousies, in order to ferment mischief, and in- duce them to break their alliance with their best friends, who alone were able to supply their wants and defend them against their enemies." Here the Indians desired him to stop, and put an end to the contest, declaring that their eyes were now opened, and that they saw through the insidious design of Bosomworth ; but though he desired to break the chain of friendship, they were determined to hold it fast and disappoint him ; and begged, therefore, that all might smoke the pipe of peace. Accordingly, pipes and rum were brought, and they joined hand in hand, drank and smoked together in friendship, every one wishing that their hearts might be united in like manner as their hands. The royal presents, except ammunition, with which it was judged im- prudent to trust them, until they were some dis- tance from town, were brought and distributed among them ; the most disaffected and influential received the largest presents: even Malatche himself seemed fully satisfied with his share, and the savages in general, perceiving the poverty and insignificancy of Bosomworth and his wife, and their total inability to supply their wants, apparently determined to break off all connection with them. While the president and council were congra- tulating themselves on the re-establishment of friendly intercourse with the Creeks, Mary, EXCITING SCENE. 95 drunk with liquor, and disappointed in her royal views, rushed in among them like a fury, and told the president that these were her people, that he had no business with them, and that he should soon be convinced of it to his cost. The president calmly advised her to retire to her lodg- ings and forbear to poison the minds of the In- dians, otherwise he would order her again into close confinement. Upon this, she turned about to Malatche in great rage, and repeated, with some ill-natured comments, what the president had said. Malatche started from his seat, laid hold of his arms, and, calling upon the rest to follow his example, dared any man to touch the queen. The whole house was filled in a moment with tumult and uproar. Every Indian having his tomahawk in his hand, the president and council expected nothing but instant death. During this confusion, Captain Jones, who commanded the guard, very seasonably interposed, and ordered the Indians immediately to surrender their arms. Such courage was not the only re- quisite to overawe them ; great prudence was, at the same time, necessary, to avoid coming to extremities. With reluctance the Indians sub- mitted, and Mary was conveyed to a private room, where a guard was placed over her, and all further communication with the Indians de- nied to her during their stay in Savannah. Her 96 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. husband was sent for, in order to reason with him and convince him of the folly of his chi- merical pretensions, and of the dangerous conse- quences which might result from his persisting in them ; hut no sooner did he appear before the president and the council, than he became out- rageously abusive, and in defiance of every argu- ment which was used to persuade him to submis- sion, he remained contumacious, and protested he would stand forth in vindication of his wife's right to the last extremity, and that the province of Georgia should soon feel the weight of her power and vengeance. Such conduct justly merited a course which it would have been impolitic in the council to pur- sue ; but finding that fair means were fruitless and ineffectual, they determined to remove him out of the way of the Indians until they were gone, and then humble him by force. After having secured the two leaders, it only remained to persuade the Indians to leave the town and return to their homes. Captain Ellick, a young warrior, who had distinguished himself in discovering to his tribe the base intrigues of Bosomworth, being afraid to accompany Ma- latche and his followers, consulted his safety by setting out among the first. The rest followed him in different parties, and the inhabitants, tired out with constant duty, and harassed with frequent alarms, were at length happily relieved. BOSOMWORTH PARDONED.. 97 It affords a striking evidence of the weakness of the colonists, and their fear of Indian retalia- tion, when we relate, that after passing through this terrible ordeal, the provincial authorities did not dare to molest either Bosomworth or his wife. It is true, that the reasons given for their pardon were said to have been in consideration of the intercession of Adam Bosomworth, a brother of the culprit, and a letter from Bosomworth him- self, acknowledging the title of his wife to be groundless, and craving forgiveness on the plea of her present remorse and past services to the province. But the real cause of their not being severely dealt with was, undoubtedly, a dread of the consequences that might ensue. In 1751, the restless intriguer revived his claim. It was litigated in the English courts for many years, and at length partially decided in his favour ; but one Levy claiming a moiety of the lands by previous purchase of Bosomworth, a new suit was instituted, which, from Levy dying not long after, has never been legally settled. 9 98 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. CHAPTER X. Condition of the province Hostile attitude of the Cherokees Trustees resign their charter Georgia formed into a royal government Quarrel between the Virginians and Cherokees Treachery of Occonostota Captain Coytmore killed Indian hostages massacred The savages desolate the fron- tiers Colonel Montgomery sent against them Defeats them and burns all the lower towns Returns to Fort Prince George Enters the nation again Bloody battle near Etchoe town Returns to Fort Prince George Siege and capitula- lation of Fort Loudon Treachery of the savages Attakul- lakulla rescues Captain Stewart Hostilities encouraged by the French Grant marches against the Indians, and de- feats them Treaty of peace concluded. THE condition of the province of Georgia in * 1751 was indeed deplorable. Eighteen years had now passed off, and the colonists had not, in any one year, furnished subsistence enough for its own consumption. Commerce had barely commenced ; numbers, in disgust at the unpro- mising state of things, had left the country, and settled in Carolina; the white servants fled from their masters and took refuge in Carolina, and the country was rapidly dwindling into in- significance. In this enfeebled condition, the Cherokee In- dians assumed a hostile attitude. At the first signal of alarm, a number of Quakers, who had settled, during the preceding winter, on a REYNOLDS APPOINTED GOVERNOR. 99 body of land west of Augusta, abandoned their plantations and fled the country. Other planters also sought protection in the towns, and the pro- vince was placed in the best state of defence which its weakened condition admitted. The difficulty, however, blew over for a time. The trustees, finding that the province did not flourish under their patronage, and wearied out with the complaints and murmurs of the people, for whose benefit they had devoted so much time and expended so much money, resigned their , charter on the 20th of June, 1752, and the pro- v vince was formed into a royal government. For two years after the resignation of the trustees, the province of Georgia remained in an unprotected condition. On the 1st of October, 1754, the king appointed John Reynolds, an offi- cer in the navy, Governor of Georgia, and granted legislative powers similar to those of the other royal governments in America. Several years elapsed, however, before Georgia began to pros- per. During the year 1759, war between France and Great Britain having been previously de- clared, General Abercrombie, commanding the British forces in America, threatened the French stronghold on the Ohio, westward of Virginia. To assist in carrying out his designs, he invited the Cherokees to join him in the capture of Fort Duquesne. The French garrison fled to the 100 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. south, and taking advantage of an unfortunate quarrel between the Virginians and Cherokees, were successful in detaching the latter from the British cause, and exciting them into a bloody and remorseless war against their former friends. The occasion which gave rise to the feud was this. A number of Indians returning home through the back parts of Virginia, having lost their own horses in the expedition against Du- quesne, caught such as came in their way ; never imagining that they belonged to any individual in the province. The Virginians, resenting the injury, followed the savages, killed fourteen of them, and took several prisoners. The Chero- kees, naturally indignant at such conduct from their allies, flew immediately to arms, and mur- dered and scalped a number of people on the frontiers. Captain Coytmore, commanding Fort Prince George, on the bank of Savannah River, near the Cherokee town of Keowee, despatched messengers to the Governors of Georgia and South Carolina, warning them of the dangers which were threat- ening. Governor Lyttleton immediately hastened to the fort, with a body of militia, and succeeded in forming a treaty of peace with six of the chiefs on the 26th of December, 1759. By this treaty, thirty-two Indian warriors were left in the fort as hostages for the fulfilment of certain stipulated OCCONOSTOTA'S STRATAGEM. 101 conditions. The small-pox breaking out in Lyt- tleton's camp, he was obliged to return to Charleston. He had scarcely reached the seat of his government, when war again broke out. The Indians had contracted an invincible an- tipathy to Captain Coytmore, who commanded in the fort ; the imprisonment of their chiefs had converted their desire for peace into the bitterest rage for war. Occonostota, a chieftain of great influence, had become a most implacable and vindictive enemy: he collected a strong party of Cherokees, sur- rounded the fort, and compelled the garrison to keep within their works; but finding that he could make no impression on them, nor oblige the commander to surrender, he contrived the following stratagem for the relief of his country- men, confined in it as hostages. As the under- wood was well calculated for his purposes, he placed a party of savages in a dark canebrake by the river-side, and then sent an Indian woman whom he knew to be always welcome at the fort, to inform the commander that he had something of consequence to communicate to him, and would be glad to speak to him at the river-side. Cap- tain Coytmore imprudently consented, and with- out any suspicion of danger, walked to the river, accompanied by Lieutenants Bell and Foster. Oc- conostota appeared on the opposite side, and told them that he was going to Charleston to procure 9* 102 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. the release of the hostages, and would be glad of a white man to accompany him as a safe- guard. The better to cover his design, he had a bridle in his hand, and added that he would go and hunt for a horse. The captain replied, that he should have a guard, and wished that he might find a horse, as the journey was very long, and performing it on foot would be fatiguing and tedious : upon which the Indian turned quickly, swung the bridle round his head as a signal to the savages placed in ambush, who instantly fired upon the officers, shot the captain dead upon the spot, and wounded the other two. In conse- quence of this, orders were given to put the hos- tages in irons, to prevent any further danger from them ; but, while the soldiers were attempting to execute these orders, the Indians stabbed the first man who laid hold of them, and wounded two more, upon which the garrison, exasperated to the highest degree, fell upon the unfortunate hos- tages and butchered them in a manner too shock- ing to relate. There were few men in the Cherokee nation that did not lose a friend or relation by this massacre ; and, therefore, with one voice all declared for war. The consequences were dreadful. From the dif- ferent towns, large parties of warriors took the field, and commenced an indiscriminate slaughter among the defenceless families upon the fron- tiers, ravaging and burning wherever they went. COL. MONTGOMERY'S EXPEDITION. 103 In this extremity, application for immediate assistance was made to the commander of the British forces in New York, and to the Governors of North Carolina and Virginia. Seven companies of rangers were raised to patrol the frontiers, and prevent the savages from penetrating farther down the settlements, and the best possible preparations made for chas- tising the enemy as soon as the regulars should arrive from New York. In April, 1760, Colonel Montgomery landed in Carolina, with a battalion of Highlanders and four companies of Royal Scots. As the conquest of Canada was the grand object of this year's cam- paign in America, he had orders to strike a sud- den blow for the relief of the southern provinces, and return to head-quarters at Albany without loss of time. After having been joined at the Congarees by the military strength of South Carolina, he marched rapidly in the night with a party of his men to surprise the Indian town of Estatoe. On his way thither, he entered suddenly the town of Little Keowee, and put every Indian in it to the sword, sparing only the women and children. He next proceeded to Estatoe and burned it to ashes ; but the savages, with the exception of a few, had already fled. Sugartown, and every other settlement eastward of the Blue Ridge, shared the same fate. In the lower towns, one 104 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. hundred Indians were killed or taken prisoners, and the rest driven to seek for shelter in the mountains. Having finished this business with the loss of only three or four men, he marched to the relief of Fort George, which had been invested for some time by the savages. Happily succeeding in his object, he despatched from thence messengers to the upper and lower Cherokee towns, offering to treat with them for peace. Finding the enemy still implacable, he determined to chastise them a little farther ; but in order to reach the savages, he was now compelled to penetrate a wilderness of dark thickets, rugged paths, and dangerous passes. On the 27th of June, when he had advanced within five miles of Etchoe, the nearest town of the middle settlements, he entered a low valley, covered so thick with brush that a soldier could scarcely see the length of his body, and in the middle of which there was a muddy river with steep clay banks. Through this dark place, where it was impossible for any number of men to act together, the army must necessarily march. Captain Morison, who commanded a company of rangers, was ordered to scour the thickets. They had scarcely entered it, when a number of savages sprang from their ambuscade, fired on them, killed the captain, and wounded several of his party; upon which the light grenadiers were ordered to advance and charge the enemy. The BATTLE NEAR ETCHOE. 105 firing then became general, though the soldiers, for some time, could only discover the enemy by the report of their guns. Montgomery, finding that the Indians were in large force, ordered the Royal Scots to advance between the savages and a rising ground on the right, while the Highlanders marched to the left, to support the light infantry and grenadiers. Undismayed by the war-whoops and horrible yells of the savages, the troops pressed forward. At length, the Indians gave way, and in their retreat, falling in with the Royal Scots, suffered severely. As soon as Montgomery saw that the enemy continued to retreat as his troops ad- vanced, he gave orders for the line to face about and march directly for the town of Etchoe. The Indians immediately retreated behind the hill, and hastened to provide for the safety of their wives and children. In this desperate battle, Montgomery had twenty men killed, and seventy-six wounded. The loss of the enemy was never ascertained. This action, though it terminated in favour of the British, had so burdened them with wounded, that the commander judged it most prudent to return to Fort George. ! Accordingly, orders were given for a retreat, which was made with great regularity, although the enemy continued hover- ing around and annoying the troops whenever a favourable opportunity presented itself. 106 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. In the mean time, the distant garrison of Fort Loudon, consisting of two hundred men, was re- duced to the dreadful alternative of perishing by hunger or submitting to the mercy of the enraged Cherokees. For a long time they had enter- tained hopes of being relieved by the Virginians ; but the latter, foreseeing the difficulty of marching an army burdened with supplies, through a bar- ren wilderness, where the passes and thickets were ambuscaded by the enemy, had given over all thoughts of the attempt. Driven to despair, the men threatened to leave the fort and die at once by the hands of the savages, rather than perish slowly by famine. In this extremity, a council of war was called, when it was finally agreed to surrender the fort to the Cherokees on the best terms that could be obtained. For this purpose, Captain Stewart, an officer much beloved by all the Indians who remained in the British in- terest, was sent to Chote, one of the principal towns in that neighbourhood, where he obtained terms of capitulation. One of the conditions as- sented to by the Indians was, that the garrison, with a sufficiency of arms and ammunition, should be permitted to march unmolested to Fort Prince George or Virginia, under the escort of a number of Indians, by whom they were to be supplied with provisions during their march. Accordingly, the fort was given up on the 7th of August, 1760, and the garrison, accompanied TREACHERY OF OCCONOSTOTA. 107 by Occonostota and several other Indians, set out on their way to Fort Prince George. At the first halting-place for the night their treacherous escort deserted them, and early next morning they were attacked by a large body of warriors, who killed Captain Demere, the commander, the other officers, and twenty-six men, and took the remainder as prisoners back to Fort Loudon. Among those who deplored this shameful breach of faith, was a noble-hearted chief by the name of Attakullakulla. No sooner did he learn that his friend Captain Stewart had escaped death, than he hastened to the fort and purchased him from his Indian captor, giving the latter his rifle, his clothes, and every thing he could command. Soon after this, he learned from Captain Stewart that Occonostota, meditating an attempt upon Fort Prince George, had determined that Stewart and a party of his companions should assist in the reduction, of the fort ; and that in the event of Stewart's refusal to act against his own country- men, the prisoners should be burned one after another before his face. Upon hearing this savage resolve of Occonos- tota, the aged Attakullakulla resolved to save the life of Captain Stewart at once, and at every hazard. Accordingly, he signified to his people that he intended to go hunting for a few days, and carry his prisoner with him to eat venison : at the same time Captain Stewart went among his 108 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. soldiers, and told them that they could never ex- pect to be ransomed by their government if they gave the smallest assistance to the Indians against Fort Prince George. Having settled all matters, they set out on their journey, accompanied by the old warrior's wife, his brother and two soldiers, who were the only persons of the garrison that knew how to convey great guns through the woods. For provisions they depended upon what they might kill by the way. The distance to the frontier settlements was great, and the utmost expedition necessary to prevent any surprise from Indians pursuing them. Nine days and nights did they travel through a dreary wilderness, shaping their course by the sun and moon for Virginia, and traversing many hills, valleys, and paths that had never been travelled before but by savages and wild beasts. On the tenth they arrived at Holston's river, where they fortunately fell in with a party of three hundred men sent out by Colonel Bird for the relief of such soldiers as might make their escape that way from Fort Loudon. On the fourteenth day the captain reached Colonel Bird's eamp, on the frontiers of Virginia, where having loaded his faithful friend and his party with pre- sents and provisions, he sent him back to protect the unhappy prisoners until they should be ran- somed, and to exert his influence among the Cherokees for the restoration of peace. FRENCH MACHINATIONS. 109 Having glutted their vengeance, the Cherokees would have been disposed to listen to terms of accommodation, had not several French emissaries crept in among the upper towns, and fomented their ill-humour against the southern provinces. Louis Latinac, a French officer, was among these, and proved an indefatigable instigator to mischief. He furnished the Indians with arms and ammunition, and urged them to war, per- suading them that the English had nothing less in view than the extermination of their race from the face of the earth. At a great meeting of the nation, he pulled out his hatchet, and sticking it into a log, cried out, Who is the man that will take this up for the King of France ?" Saloue, a young warrior of Estatoe, laid hold of it and cried out, " I am for war ! The spirits of our brothers who have been slain still call upon us to revenge their death he is no better than a woman who refuses to follow me." Many others seized the tomahawk yet dyed with the stains of innocent blood, their hearts burning with ardour for the field. Canada being now reduced, General Amherst, responding to the repeated calls from the south for assistance, despatched Colonel Grant to Charleston, with a force of regulars amply suffi- cient to meet the emergency. In the spring, Grant took the field with two thousand six hun- dred men, and on the 27th of May, 1761, arrived at Fort Prince George. 10 110 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. On the 7th of June, he marched from thence into the Cherokee country, carrying with him thirty days' provisions. On the 10th, various circumstances concurred to awaken suspicion, and orders were given for the first time to load and prepare .for action, and the guards to march slowly forward, doubling their vigilance. As they frequently spied Indians around them, all were convinced that they should that day have an engagement. At length, having advanced near the place where Colonel Montgomery was attacked the preceding year, the Indian allies in the vanguard, about eight in the morning, ob- served a large body of Cherokees posted upon a hill on the right flank of the army, and imme- diately gave the alarm. The savages rushed uown and commenced a heavy fire upon the ad- vanced guard, which being supported, the enemy was soon repulsed, and again formed upon the heights : under this hill the army was obliged to march a considerable distance. On the left was a river, from the opposite bank of which a large number of Indians fired briskly on the troops as they advanced. Colonel Grant ordered a party to mai-ch up the hill and drive the enemy from the heights, while the line faced about and gave their whole charge to the Indians who annoyed them from the side of the river. The engagement became general, and the savages seemed determined obstinately to dispute the THE CHEROKEES DEFEATED. Ill lower grounds, while those on the hill were dis- lodged only to return with redoubled ardour to the charge. The situation of the troops was in several respects unfavourable: fatigued by a tedious march in rainy weather ; surrounded with woods, so that they could not discern the enemy ; galled by the scattered fire of the savages, who when pressed always kept aloof, but rallied again and returned to the ground ; no sooner did the army gain an advantage over them on one quar- ter, than they appeared in force on another. While the attention of the commander was oc- cupied in driving the enemy from their lurking- place on the river-side, the rear was attacked, and so vigorous an effort made to take the flour and cattle, that he was obliged to order a party back to the relief of the rear-guard. From eight o'clock in the morning until eleven, the savages continued to keep up an irregular and incessant fire, sometimes from one place and sometimes from another, while the woods resounded with the war-whoop, and hideous shouts and yells, to in- timidate the troops. At length the Cherokees gave way, and being pursued for some time, scat- tered shots continued until about two o'clock, when the enemy disappeared. The loss sustained by the enemy in this action was not accurately ascertained. Colonel Grant's loss was between fifty and sixty killed and wound- ed. Orders were given not to bury the slain, but 112 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. to sink them in the river, to prevent their being dug up from their graves and scalped. The army then proceeded to Etchoe, a large Indian town, which they reached about midnight, and next day reduced to ashes. All the other towns in the middle settlement, fourteen in number, shared the same fate. The corn, cattle, and other stores of the enemy were likewise destroyed, and the savages, with their families, were driven to seek shelter and subsistence among the barren moun- tains. After remaining thirty days in the heart of the Cherokee territories, Grant concluded to return to Fort Prince George, and await there, recruiting the strength of his men, until he saw whether the enemy were yet sufficiently humbled to sue for peace. To represent the situation of the savages, when reduced by this severe correction, would be diffi- cult. Even in time of peace, they were destitute of that foresight which, in a great measure, pro- vides for future events ; but in time of war, when their villages were destroyed, and their fields plundered, they were reduced to the extreme of want. Driven to barren mountains, the hunters being furnished with ammunition, might, indeed, obtain a scanty subsistence for themselves; but women, children, and old men, suffered greatly, when almost deprived of the means of supporting life. I PEACE CONCLUDED. 113 A few days after Colonel Grant's arrival at Fort Prince George, Attakullakulla, attended by several chiefs, came to'his camp and expressed a desire for peace. Severely had they suffered for breaking their alliance with the English, and giving ear to the deceitful promises of the French. Convinced at last of the weakness and perfidy of the latter, who were neither able to assist them in time of war, nor to supply their wants in time of peace, they resolved to renounce all connection with them forever : accordingly, terms of peace were drawn up and proposed, which were no less honourable to Colonel Grant than advantageous to the southern provinces. The different articles being read and inter- preted, Attakullakulla agreed to them all, except- ing one, a cruel provision, by which it was de- manded, that four Cherokee Indians should be delivered up to Colonel Grant at Fort Prince George to be put to death in the front of his camp, or four green scalps be brought to him within twelve days. Attakullakulla declared that ho had no such authority from his nation, that he thought the stipulation unreasonable and un- just, and that he could not voluntarily grant it. Colonel Grant wisely withdrew this offensive article ; after which peace was formally ratified, and their former friendship being renewed, all expressed a hope that it would last as long as the sun should shine and the rivers run. 10* 114 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. CHAPTER XI. Wright appointed governor Prosperity of Georgia Emigra- tion continues Political aspect of the colony overclouded Dr. Franklin appointed agent in England The legislature define their rights and demand redress Corresponding com- mittees nominated Georgia charged with lukewarmness Defence of the same Republican spirit manifested Powder magazine in Savannah broken open and its contents secreted Cannon spiked on the battery Delegates appointed to the Congress at Philadelphia Munitions of war seized Georgia declares her independence Governor Wright imprisoned Escapes in the night Troops ordered to be raised Bill of credit issued Nine merchant vessels burned or dismantled Patriotism of the citizens of Savannah. ON the 80th of October, 1760, Sir James Wright was appointed Governor of Georgia, and under his auspices the colony soon began to flourish. By the peace which was soon after made with Spain, the boundaries were extended to the Mississippi on the west, and on the south to latitude 31 and the St. Mary's River. East and West Florida were also given up by Spain, and though of themselves but little more than a barren waste, formed an important acquisition to Georgia. No province on the continent felt the happy effects of public security sooner than Georgia. The able and energetic exertions of the governor goon developed resources which had hitherto lain PROSPERITY OF GEORGIA. 115 dormant. Commerce extended rapidly ; agricul- ture flourished. The planters, having the strength of Africa to assist them, laboured with success, and the lands every year yielded greater and greater increase. Many emigrations now took place from Carolina, and settlements were made about Sunbury and the Alatamaha. The plant- ers situated on the other side of the Savannah River found in the capital of Georgia an excel- lent market for their commodities ; and, at length, the shipments of produce from the province to Europe equalled, in proportion to its popula- tion, those of its more powerful and opulent neighbours. Nothing of any marked interest interfered with the progress of the colonies for several years. The brief but bloody wars of the Indian nations among themselves occasioned at times a tempo- rary alarm among the colonists residing on the frontiers, but by a cautious policy on the part of the governors, and the watchfulness of the Indian agents, all real danger was for the most part averted. Emigrants continued to flock into the country. In 1765, four additional parishes were laid off between the Alatamaha and the St. Mary's rivers. Within the space of ten years from 1763, the ex- ports of the province increased from twenty-seven thousand, to one hundred and twenty-one thou- sand six hundred pounds sterling. The number 116 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. of negroes in 1773 was estimated at fourteen thousand. The political aspect of the colony was, however, far from being unclouded. When the offensive stamp act of the 22d of March, 1765, received the royal assent, it pro- duced a tumult in every province in America. It was no sooner repealed than it was succeeded by the revival of another act equally offensive, for quartering his majesty's troops on the inhabitants, and supplying them in their quarters ; so that wherever they were stationed, no expense should be brought upon the crown. These and similar grievances occasioned a spirit of discontent, which the systematic neglect of all petitions for relief in no wise tended to allay. In 1768, Doctor Franklin was recognised as the agent of Georgia in England, but his subse- quent letters afforded only faint hopes of ade- quate relief. The people now determined to speak out for themselves. At a meeting of the legislature in the province of Georgia, in February, 1770, they took into consideration the authority by which the parliament of Great Britain claimed, to bind the people of America by statutes in all cases ; their imposition of taxes on the Americans under various pretences, but in truth for the purpose of raising a revenue ; their establishing of a board of commissioners with unconstitutional powers, and extending the jurisdiction of courts of admi- RIGHTS DEFINED. 117 ralty, not only for collecting the duties imposed by these acts, but for trial of causes arising within the body of a county. Standing armies were also kept up in America in time of profound peace ; and by the revival of a statute made in the thirty- fifth year of Henry the Eighth, colonists might be transported to England, and tried there upon Accusations for treason, or misprisions or conceal- ments of treason, committed in the colonies ; and by a late statute, such trials had been directed in cases therein mentioned. Moreover, the gover- nor had frequently taken upon himself to dissolve the assemblies, contrary to the rights of the peo- ple, when they attempted to deliberate on griev- ances, in conformity to the custom of their an- cestors, for ascertaining and vindicating their rights and liberties. In consequence of these infringements, the House of Assembly, after defining their rights by the laws of nature, the principles of the English constitution, and the several charters or compacts, resolved, " that the exercise of legislative power in any colony by a council appointed during plea- sure by the crown, may prove, dangerous and destructive to the freedom of American legisla- tion : all and each of which, the commons of Georgia, in general assembly met, do claim, de- mand, and insist on, as their indubitable rights and liberties, which cannot be legally taken from 118 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. them, altered, or abridged by any power what- ever, without their consent." After detailing a list of the acts of Parliament which the members of the assembly considered as infringing upon and violating the rights of the colonies, they demanded the repeal of the same, and closed their deliberations by resolving " that , - , be deputies to represent this province in the intended American continental congress, proposed to be held at the city of Phila- delphia on the 10th of May next, or at any other place or time as may hereafter be agreed on by the said congress." Letters from Doctor Franklin, during the course of this year, held out some feeble prospects that, gradually, every obstruction to that cordial amity so necessary to the welfare of the whole empire would be removed. But the arbitrary conduct of the provincial governors and other crown officers, and the blind obstinacy of the British ministry, prevented such pleasing antici- pations from being realized. In 1772, corresponding committees were nomi- nated in all the colonies, and the crisis approached when it was necessary for them to decide whether they would submit to taxation by the British Par- liament, or make a firm stand for the support of their principles. During the intervening period, Georgia had been charged with lukewarmness in the cause of SITUATION OF GEORGIA. 119 freedom by her sister provinces ; but though there appeared to be some grounds for the obnoxious accusation, her course was justified by all impar- tial minds, when the difficulties of her position came to be better understood. Her situation was a peculiar one. Governor Wright, with that political forecast which led him to anticipate the subsequent events, had se- cured to the interest of the king as many men of wealth, talents, and influence, as he could find willing to hold offices. John Stuart, superintend- ant of Indian affairs, had taken the same precau- tion in the selection of his agents with the different tribes of Indians. Many of the most wealthy inhabitants foresaw that their pecuniary ruin would be the inevitable consequence of partici- pating with the other colonies in resistance to the aggressions of the crown ; while another class, composed of the idle and dissipated, who had little or nothing to risk, perceived their advantage in adhering to the royal government. The situation of Georgia was inauspicious. It was but thinly inhabited, on a territory about one hundred and fifty miles from north to south, and about thirty miles from east to west. It presented a western frontier of two hundred and fifty miles. It had on the northwest the Cherokees ; on the west, the Creeks ; on the south, a refugee banditti in Florida ; and on the east, the influence of Go- vernor Wright, who controlled the king's ships 120 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. on the sea-coast. The population of the eastern district of the province was composed of white people and negro slaves ; the latter the most nu- merous, the former but few in number. A great majority of the inhabitants were favourable to the cause of the colonies ; yet, from surrounding dan- gers, their measures were to be adopted with cautious circumspection. Under these depressing circumstances, the strength of the republican party was of slow growth. The committees of safety, though cau- tious, were active and efficient ; and the more daring of the patriots took advantage of every opportunity of serving the cause of freedom, and testifying their abhorrence of the royal domina- tion. On the night of the llth of May, 1775, a num- ber of gentlemen, principally members of the council of safety, and zealous in the American cause, broke open the magazine at the eastern extremity of the city of Savannah, took out the powder, sent a part of it to Beaufort, in South Carolina, and concealed the remainder in their cellars and garrets. Governor Wright issued a proclamation, offering a reward of one hundred and fifty pounds sterling for apprehending the offenders and bringing them to punishment ; but the secret was not disclosed until the Americans had occasion to use the ammunition in defence of their rights and property. PATRIOTIC PROCEEDINGS. 121 On the 1st of June, Governor Wright and the loyal party at Savannah ordered preparations to be made for the celebration of the king's birth- day. On the night of the 2d, a number of the inhabitants of the town collected, spiked up all the cannon on the battery, and hurled them to the bottom of the bluff. With difficulty a few of the spikes were drawn and drilled out, and the guns re-mounted to perform the usual ceremonies. A general election was held for delegates, to meet at Savannah on the 4th day of July. The members accordingly assembled ; and on the 15th of that month they appointed the honourable Archibald Bulloch, John Houstoun, John Joachim Zubly, Noble Wimberly Jones, and Lyman Hall, esquires, to represent this province in Congress, at Philadelphia. The resolution for this measure was signed by fifty-three members, who pledged themselves for its support ; and their proceedings were communicated to Congress, then in session, accompanied by a declaration that this province was determined to unite in, and adhere to the common cause of the provinces. During the session of the delegates in Savan- nah, Captain Maitland, from London, arrived at Tybee, with thirteen thousand pounds of powder, and other articles for the use of the British troops, and for the Indian trade. It was determined to obtain possession of that valuable prize without loss of time. Accordingly, about thirty volun- 11 122 HISTORY OP GEORGIA. teers, under the command of Commodore Brown and Colonel Joseph Habersham, embarked on board of two boats, proceeded down the river Savannah to the ship, took possession of her, and discharged the crew. A guard was left on board of the ship, and the powder brought to town and secured in the magazine. Five thousand pounds of the powder were sent to the patriots near Bos- ton. Owing to a variety of causes, but mainly to a dread of being involved in a war with the Chero- kees, who were already desolating the frontiers of South Carolina, Georgia took no farther open and decided part in the contest, until the meeting of the provincial assembly on the 20th of Janu- ary, 1776. Then it was that President Ewin, of the com- mittee of safety, laid before the house a variety of documents, representing the oppression of the other colonies to the north, and the united zeal with which the British troops had been opposed. Among other papers was the address of the House of Commons to the king, at the opening of parliament, on the 28th of October, 1775. In this address the English members expressed the greatest satisfaction in having learned that the king had increased his naval establishment, and greatly augmented his land forces ; and that he had adopted the economical plan of drawing as many regiments from outposts as could be spared, THE GOVERNOR ARRESTED. 123 to subdue the American colonies, and bring them to a proper sense of their dependence upon the British government. After the documents were read, the house en- tered into a resolution to embark with the other colonies in the common cause with the utmost zeal ; to resist and be free. Orders were given to arrest Governor Wright and his council. Ac- cordingly, on the 28th of January, Joseph Ha- bersham, Esq., who was then a member of the house, raised a party of volunteers, took Gover- nor Wright prisoner, paroled him to his house, and placed a sentinel at his door, prohibiting all intercourse with the members of his council, the king's officers, or any other persons who were supposed to be inimical to the American cause. On the night of the llth of February, the governor effected his escape, and passing down the river in a boat, took refuge on board the Scarborough man-of-war, which, with four other armed ships, was lying at Tybee, in the mouth of the Savannah River. Previous to this occurrence, the assembly had passed a resolution to raise a battalion of conti- nental troops ; and on the 4th of February, the following field officers were appointed to com- mand it : Lachlan Mclntosh, Colonel ; Samuel El- bert, Lieutenant-colonel ; and Joseph Habersham, Major. About the same time, Archibald Bui- loch, John Houstoun, Lyman Hall, Button Gwi- 124 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. nett, and George Watson, esquires, were elected to represent the province in Congress, at Phila- delphia. Bills of credit were issued in the form of certificates, and resolutions entered into for the punishment of those who refused to receive them in payment of debts, or at par, for any article which was offered for sale. In direct opposition to a law of Congress, pro- hibiting commercial intercourse between the colo- nies and the British dominions, a number of wealthy loyalist planters, early in March, freighted in Savannah River eleven merchant vessels with rice, and prepared for a sea voyage. To favour this design, the armed ships at the mouth of the river, moved up and threatened the town. The militia under the command of Colonel Mclntosh were immediately called out ; and with the as- sistance of five hundred Carolinians, commanded by Colonel Bull, succeeded in dislodging the enemy, burning three of the merchant vessels, and dismantling six. The other two escaped to sea. Upon this trying occasion, the patriotism of the citizens of Savannah was tested, by a resolu- tion which was offered by one of the members of the committee of safety ; the purport of which was, that the houses in Savannah which were owned by those whose motto was "Liberty or Death," including houses which belonged to widows and orphans, should be appraised; and PROPOSAL TO BURN SAVANNAH. 125 in the event of the enemy's gaining possesion of the city, the torch was to be applied in every di- rection, and the town to be abandoned in smoking ruins. To the astonishment, even of those who made the proposition, when the republican party was convened, there was not one dissenting voice. Among the number where this resolution origi- nated, were many of the most wealthy inhabit- ants of Savannah, and some whose all consisted of houses and lots. The houses of those persons who were inimical to the American cause were not to be noticed in the valuation. Committees were accordingly appointed, and in a few hours returns were made to the council of safety. There are many instances of conflagration by order of a monarch, "who can do no wrong," but there are few instances upon record, where the patriotism of the citizen has urged him on to the destruction of his own property, to pre- vent its becoming an asylum to the enemies of his country. n 126 HISTORY OP GEORGIA. CHAPTER XII. Loyalists take refuge in Florida Their predatory incursions Treachery of the McGirth's Expedition against the Chero- kees Treaty of peace with that nation Unsuccessful inva- sions of Florida Howe's attempt The American army re- treats Georgia attacked on the south Skirmish at Bull town Swamp Battle at Medway Scriven mortally wounded White retreats to the Ogechee Sunbury invested Heroic reply of Colonel Mclntosh The enemy retreats. DURIXG the period in -which the republican party in Georgia maintained the ascendency, many of the loyalists fled from the latter pro- vince and from the Carolinas, and found a secure retreat in East Florida. The southern frontiers of Georgia were thus exposed to the predatory incursions of these banditti, who bore the appel- lation of "Florida Rangers," and whose place of rendezvous and deposite was a fort on St. Mary's River. The destruction of this recepta- cle became, therefore, an object of great conse- quence. Accordingly, during the year 1776, Captain John Baker collected seventy mounted militia, and marched to St. Mary's with the hope of sur- prising and demolishing the fort. Unfortunately, when he was within a short distance of the fortress, he was discovered by a TREACHERY AND DESERTION. 127 negro, who gave the garrison notice of his ap- proach. The enemy were immediately on the alert, and Baker, finding his design frustrated, retreated eight or nine miles and encamped for the night. While his party were sleeping in fancied security, Daniel and James McGirth, two privates who had been placed on guard, stole the greater part of the horses and deserted with them to the enemy. For this act of treachery, Daniel McGirth received the appointment of lieutenant- colonel of the Florida Rangers, and his brother that of captain in the same corps. These trai- tors afterward distinguished themselves above all others, by the energy, audacity, and cruelty with which their predatory incursions were marked. The subsequent operations of this and the succeeding year consisted of an expedition against the Cherokees, which resulted in a treaty of peace with that nation ; of numerous skir- mishes between the loyalists and patriots, wherein victory inclined sometimes to the one side and sometimes to the other ; and of several abortive attempts made by the Americans to conquer East Florida; which, being planned with rash- ness, and executed without skill, depressed the ardour of the patriots and gave increased confi- dence to the enemy. Early in the year 1778, Major-general Robert Howe, to whom the command of the southern 128 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. forces had previously been confided, removed his head-quarters from Charleston to Savannah. The project of reducing Florida being still a favourite one, Governor Houstoun of Georgia consented to co-operate with Howe for that pur- pose. Accordingly, on the 20th of May, the latter reached the Alatamaha, where he halted till his reinforcements should come up. On the 25th, Howe crossed the river and landed at Reid's Bluff. Here the mischievous effects of a divided command became first apparent. Governor Hous- toun had issued orders in regard to his galleys which it was impossible for them to execute ; neither of the commanders was willing to submit to the dictation of the other, and as unanimity of action was no longer to be expected, the American forces were compelled to return with- out effecting any thing of importance. . These repeated failures were probably among the causes which induced the enemy to become assailants in their turn. General Augustine Provost, who commanded at St. Augustine, was informed by the British general at New York, that a number of trans- ports with troops on board would sail from thence direct for the coast of Georgia, and was ordered by him to send detachments from his commmand to annoy the southern frontier of that state, and divert the attention of the American troops from BRITISH PREDATORY INCURSION. 129 Savannah. By these measures, the possession of that town would be obtained with little loss, the retreat of the American troops cut off, and their capture rendered probable. Reinforce- ments were promised to insure success to the en- terprise. In obedience to these orders, Provost de- spatched a portion of his troops, with some light artillery, by water, to Sunbury, where Colonel John Mclntosh was stationed with one hundred and twenty-seven men. The command of the British detachment was given to Lieutenant- colonel Fuser, who had orders to possess himself of that important post. Another detachment under Lieutenant-colonel James Mark Provost, consisting of one hundred regular troops, sailed by the inland navigation to Fort Howe on the Alatamaha, where he was joined by the infamous McGirth, with three hundred refugees and In- dians. On the 19th of November, Lieutenant-colonel Provost advanced into the settlements, making prisoners of all the men found on their farms, and plundering the inhabitants of every valuable article that was portable. As soon as Colonel John Baker received intel- ligence of the advance of Provost and McGirth, he assembled a party of mounted militia with the intention of annoying the enemy on their march. He had not proceeded farther than Bulltown 130 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. Swamp, when he fell into an ambuscade prepared by McGirth, and after a short skirmish was com- pelled to retreat. In the mean time, Colonel John White had col- lected about one hundred continental troops and militia.' With two pieces of light artillery he took post at Medway meeting-house. He constructed a slight breastwork across the road, at the head of the causeway over which the enemy must pass, where he hoped to keep them in check until he should be reinforced by Colonel Elbert from Sa- vannah. On the 24th, General James Scriven, with twenty militia, joined Colonel White. While the enemy was approaching it was determined to meet them in ambush, about a mile and a half south of Medway meeting-house, where the main road was skirted by a thick wood. But the design was already anticipated by McGirth. When the Americans approached the ground they intended to occupy, General Scriven, accom- panied by his aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Glascock, inclined to the right to make a reconnoisance, while Colonel White arranged his plan of attack. The British and Americans arrived on the ground, and were preparing their snares for each other about the same time. A firing commenced. Gene- ral Scriven had advanced but a short distance, when he received a mortal wound, of which he died the ensuing day. Major Baker, who com- THE AMERICANS RETREAT. 131 manded the left flank, pressed the enemy with such vigour that they gave way, but they were soon reinforced and returned to the contest. As Colonel Provost was crossing the road, a shot from one of the field-pieces passed through the neck of his horse and he fell. On seeing him fall, Major Roman advanced quickly with the field-pieces to take advantage of the confusion which ensued ; and Major James Jackson called out " Victory," supposing the enemy was retreat- ing. But Provost was soon remounted, and ad- vanced in force. Finding himself opposed by far superior num- bers, Colonel White ordered a retreat to the meeting-house, which he effected in good order by throwing out small parties to annoy the front and flanks of the enemy, and by breaking down the bridges as he retired. When he had regained his position, he learned that the force opposed to him consisted of five hundred men. This great superiority of numbers compelled him to retreat to the Ogechee River, but fearful of being pressed too closely by the enemy, he endeavoured by a stratagem to check the ardour of their pursuit. He prepared a letter as though it had been written to himself by Colonel Elbert, directing him to retreat, in order to draw the British as far as possible ; and informing him that a large body of cavalry hud crossed over Ogechee River, 132 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. with orders to gain the rear of the enemy, by which their whole force would he captured. This letter was dropped in such a way as to insure its getting to Colonel Provost's hand, and to attach to it the strongest evidence of its genu- ineness. It was found, handed to Provost, and was supposed to have been so far effectual as to deter the enemy from advancing more than six or seven miles. When White reached the Oge- chee, he found Colonel Elbert already there with a reinforcement of two hundred men. The latter now assumed the command. He despatched by Major John Habersham a flag to Colonel Provost, requesting permission to furnish General Scriven with medical aid. The messen- ger was also to propose some general arrange- ments to secure the country against pillage and conflagration. The attendance of surgeons was allowed, but Colonel Provost refused to make any stipulations for the security of the country. Learning from Major Habersham whom he put upon his honour to answer truly that no British reinforcements had arrived off the coast of Georgia, he retreated early next morning toward St. Augustine, burning and plundering as he went. The British detachment under Colonel Fuser, being delayed by contrary winds, did not reach Sunbury before the 1st of December. On that day, Fuser anchored off Colonel's Island. After HEROIC REPLY. 133 making the necessary preparations to attack the fort by land and water, he demanded a surrender ; threatening, in case of refusal, to put the whole garrison to the sword. The force under Fuser amounted to five hundred men, well supplied with battering cannon, artillery, and mortars. The garrison at the fort did not exceed one hundred and twenty-seven men. Against a well-conducted attack the works would not have been tenable for an hour ; but expecting immediate relief from Savannah, Colonel Mclntosh determined on oppo- sition to the last extremity. When, therefore, Fuser summoned the garrison to surrender the fort, Mclntosh, undeterred by the bloody threat of extermination, answered in four bold defiant words, " Come and take it." This heroic reply deterred Fuser from making an attack, until he should be joined by the forces under Provost. Learning soon afterward that the latter had re- treated, Fuser, alarmed by the tidings of troops advancing from Savannah, and hearing nothing of the expected reinforcements from the north, supposed that Provost had fallen back before a superior force. He therefore raised the siege and returned to St. John's River, where he met Pro- vost, and where each attributed the failure of the expedition to the misconduct of the other. When Fuser retreated from Sunbury, he left the regular troops of his command at Frederica, on St. Simon's Island, where the old military 12 134 HISTORY OP GEORGIA. works of General Oglethorpe were temporarily repaired for defence. The loyalists proceeded with Fuser to St. John's, and thence to St. Augus- tine, where the booty was deposited in safety, and preparations made to return to Georgia with a more formidable force. General Provost, having been disappointed in this expedition, determined to suspend further operations until he should receive certain informa- tion of the arrival of the transports from New York. In the mean time, he held himself in readiness for that event. CHAPTER XIII. Defensive operations of General Howe Approach of the Bri- tish fleet Exposed condition of Savannah British army land at Brewton's Hill Capture of Savannah Provost takes Sunbury The Rev. Moses Allen drowned Lincoln assumes command of the southern army Provost unites with Camp- bell Proclamations of the enemy Unsuccessful conference for the exchange of prisoners. DURING the interval that elapsed between the retreat of Provost and Fuser into Florida, and the arrival of British reinforcements from New York, General Howe endeavoured to place the province of Georgia in the best state of defence that circumstances would admit. From his letters to Congress, the attempt ap- pears to have been both difficult and unsatisfac- BRITISH INVASION. 135 tory. He complained that all the military works were in ruins ; that there were no tools, nor any apparent disposition to make the necessary re- pairs ; that the militia came and went as they pleased ; and that he had more trouble with the officers than with the men. On the other hand, the people of Georgia charged Howe with military incapacity ; and the influence of the state was exerted to remove him from the chief command ; but as Congress had, as yet, seen nothing to justify this exercise of its power, the request, from motives of delicacy, was not complied with. It was during this untoward state of affairs in the province that tidings reached Savannah of the approach of the enemy. On the 27th of December, the transports, escorted by a squadron of the fleet, under the command of Commodore Sir Hyde Parker, crossed the bar and came up to Cockspur Island. The British land forces consisted of the seventy- first regiment of Royal Scots, two battalions of Hessians, four battalions of provincials, and a detachment of artillery. They were commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Archibald Campbell, an officer of acknowledged skill and bravery. Having made arrangements for landing, the Vigilant man-of-war, Keppel brig, Greenwich sloop-of-war, and the Comet galley, came up the river with a strong tide and favourable breeze, 136 HISTORY OP GEORGIA. followed by the transports in three divisions. About five o'clock in the afternoon of the 28th, the Vigilant opened the reach at Four-mile Point, and was cannonaded by the American galleys Congress and Dee, but without much effect. Night coming on, some of the transports grounded on a mud flat, but got off at high-water, and pro- ceeded up, in the morning, above Five-fathom Hole, opposite to Brewton's Hill, where the first division of light infantry debarked, and marched up to take possession of the high ground, so as to cover the landing of the troops from the other transports. Savannah, at this time, was in the most defence- less condition imaginable. With the exception of a few guns mounted upon a battery at the eastern end of the city, and only calculated to defend the approach by water, every other part of the town was exposed, and the ground offered no advantage against an equal force. General Howe had formed his encampment southeast of the town of Savannah, anxiously waiting the arrival of reinforcements of miltia and the continental troops from South Carolina, under the command of Major-general Benjamin Lincoln. Howe's army had not yet recovered from the fatal effects of the Florida campaign, the pre- ceding summer : about one-fourth were confined by disease, and many of his convalescents yet too feeble to encounter the fatigues of a battle. The APPROACHES TO SAVANNAH. 137 dread of a climate, where disease had produced more terrors, and proved not less fatal than the sword, retarded the progress of militia, and pre- vented many from returning who were absent on furlough. On the day of battle, Howe's army, exclusive of militia, amounted to six hundred and seventy-two, rank and file. The force of the enemy was two thousand one hundred, including land troops, seamen, and marines ; but it was thought by Howe that the enemy exhibited the appearance of greater numbers than what was really possessed, and that the opposing armies were nearly equal. The town of Savannah is situated on high, level, sandy ground, forty feet above the surface of the water, on the south bank of the river, and approachable by land at three points ; from the high ground of Brewton's Hill and Thunderbolt, on the east by a road and causeway over a morass, with rice-fields on the north side of the causeway to the river, and the morass with wooded swamps from the causeway southward several miles ; from the south, by the roads from White Bluff and Ogechee Ferry, which unite near the town ; and from the westward, by a road and causeway over the deep swamps of Musgrove's Creek, with rice-fields from the causeway to the river on the north, and by Musgrove's Swamp leading in from the southward. From the eastern 12* 138 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. causeway to that on the west is about three quarters of a mile. On the morning of the 29th, Colonel Elbert suggested to Howe the advantage of occupying Brewton's Hill, and offered to defend it with his regiment ; but his proposition was rejected. About the same time, Colonel Walton informed the general of a private way through the swamp, by which the enemy could march from the high grounds of Brewton's Hill and gain the rear of the American right ; but though it admitted of easy defence, General Howe did not avail himself of the advantage which would have resulted from its occupation. By this pass, so blindly neg- lected, Colonel Campbell approached. Howe formed for battle on the southeast side of the town. His centre was opposed to the head of the causeway by which he believed the enemy must advance ; his left with the rice-fields in front, and flanked by the river ; his right with the morass in front, and flanked obliquely by the wooded swamp, and one hundred of the Georgia militia. Having made his disposition, Howe detached Captain John C. Smith, of South Carolina, with his company of forty infantry, to occupy Brew- ton's Hill and the head of the causeway. The force was altogether inadequate to its object. Smith defended his post with gallantry, but was compelled to retreat, which he accomplished with- HOWE S INDISCRETION. 139 out loss of men. The enemy lost in this affair one captain and two privates killed, and five pri- vates wounded. Ignorant as yet of the force of the enemy, but now believing it to be greatly superior to his own, Howe called a council of his field officers to advise him whether to retreat or defend Savannah. Very rashly they resolved to defend the town to the last extremity. General Howe certainly ought not to have risked an action with superior num- bers, when he had certain information that Gene- ral Lincoln was advancing with a body of troops to reinforce him, and with whom he could have formed a junction in two days. The consequences were disastrous in the ex- treme. After Colonel Campbell had formed his army on Brewton's Hill, he moved forward and took a position within eight hundred yards of the American front, where he manoeuvred to excite a belief that he intended an attack on their centre and left. At the same time a body of infantry and New York volunteers, under the command of Major Sir James Baird, filed off, unperceived, from the rear, and, under the guidance of an old negro, penetrated the swamp by the pass which Howe had so carelessly neglected, and fell sud- denly upon the American rear. At this moment Campbell moved forward and attacked the front. Hemmed in between two fires, the American line was almost immediately broken, and the men 140 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. retreated in great disorder towards the only prac- ticable outlet across Musgrove's Swamp, west of the town. Before they gained the head of the causeway, they found, to their dismay, that the enemy already occupied a position which enabled them to dispute the passage. At length, however, by the extraordinary ex- ertions of Colonel Roberts, the American centre gained the causeway and accomplished their re- treat. The right flank suffered severely. The left, under Colonel Elbert, continued the conflict until a retreat was impracticable. He attempted to escape with a part of his troops, under a gal- ling fire from the high grounds of Ewensburg, through the rice-fields between the causeway and the river; but as it was high-tide when they reached the creek, only those who could swim were enabled to cross it ; the others were made prisoners or drowned. About one hundred Georgia militia, under Colonel Walton, posted on the south common of the town, made a gallant defence until their colonel was wounded and taken prisoner. The way of retreat being cut off, most of the men were killed, wounded, or taken. Some of them, who were citizens of Savannah, were bayoneted in the streets by their victorious pursuers. Gene- ral Howe retreated with the remains of his army to Cherokee Hill, about eight miles from the field of battle, where he halted till the rear came up. BRITISH INHUMANITY. 141 He then marched up the Savannah River to the Sister's and Zubley's ferries, and crossed over into South Carolina. Few conquests have ever been made with so little loss to the victor. The enemy had only seven killed, and nineteen wounded. The American army lost eighty-three men killed, and thirty-eight officers ; and four hun- dred and fifteen non-commissioned officers and privates, including the sick, wounded, and the aged inhabitants of the town and country, were made prisoners. The fort, with forty-eight pieces of cannon, and twenty-three mortars and howitzers, with all the ammunition and stores belonging to them, a large quantity of provisions, the ship- ping in the river, and the capital of Georgia, all fell into the possession of the British army, in the course of a few hours. The private soldiers who were made prisoners on this occasion were alternately persuaded and threatened to induce them to enlist into the British army : those who resolutely refused were crowded on board of prison-ships, and during the succeeding summer, four or five of them, died every day : the staff- officers, particularly those of the quarter-master's and commissary's departments, were treated in a similar way. Many gentlemen who had been ac- customed to ease and affluence were consigned to these abominable prison-ships : among the number was the venerable Jonathan Bryan, bend- 142 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. ing under the weight of years and infirmities, whose daughter, when she was entreating with Commodore Sir Hyde Parker to soften the suf- ferings of her father, was treated by him with vulgar rudeness and contempt. When General Howe halted at Cherokee Hill, he despatched Lieutenant Tennill with orders to Lieutenant Aaron Smith of the third regiment of South Carolina, who commanded at Ogechee Ferry, and to Major Joseph Lane, who com- manded at S anbury, to evacuate their posts, re- treat across the country, and join the army at the Sister's Ferry. Lieutenant Smith immediately complied ; but Major Lane, influenced by Captain Dollar, who commanded a corps of artillery, and many others of the inhabitants whose pecuniary ruin was at stake, resolved to defend his post. On the 6th of January, 1779, he was attacked by General Provost, with an army of two thou- sand men from Florida, and after a short conflict compelled to surrender at discretion. By this rash and unwarrantable conduct, the Americans lost twenty-four pieces of artillery, ammunition, and provisions, and the garrison, consisting of seventeen commissioned officers and one hundred and ninety-five non-commissioned officers and privates. During this assault one captain and three privates were killed and seven wounded. The British loss in killed and wounded was only four men. REV. MOSES ALLEN. 143 The Washington and Bulloch galleys were stranded and burned by their crews, who took passage for Charleston on board of Captain Sal- ter's sloop, but were captured by a British tender and taken to Savannah. For this disobedience of orders, Lane was sub- sequently tried by a court-martial, and dismissed the service. After Sunbury fell into the possession of the British troops, the continental officers who were made prisoners at Savannah were sent to that place on their parole, except the Rev. Moses Allen, who had accepted a commission as chaplain in the Georgia brigade. This gentleman was refused the privileges al- lowed to the other officers, and confined on board a prison-ship. His animated exertions on the field of battle, and his patriotic exhortations from the pulpit, had exposed him to the particular resentment of the enemy. Wearied by long con- finement, and hopeless of speedy release, he de- termined to regain his liberty, or lose his life in the attempt. In pursuance of this hazardous resolution, he leaped overboard with the hope of being able to swim to one of the islands, assisted by the flood-tide, but was unfortunately drowned. The death of Mr. Allen was greatly lamented by the friends of independence, and particularly by his brethren in arms, who justly admired him for his bravery, exemplary life, and many virtues. 144 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. Major-general Benjamin Lincoln, who had been previously appointed by Congress to take the command of the southern army, reached Purys- burg, a few miles above Savannah, on the 3d of January. His troops, consisting of levies from North and South Carolina, amounted to twelve hundred men. On the 4th, he was joined by the remnant of Howe's army, which had been placed under the orders of Colonel Huger. Finding himself in no condition to advance against the enemy, Lincoln established his head- quarters at Purysburg, and waited for the ex- pected reinforcement. When General Provost had united his troops with those under Campbell, his force consisted of nearly four thousand men. He determined to complete the subjugation of Georgia, and establish military posts as far as the populous settlements in the back country extended. He confided the garrison of Savannah and the police of the neighbouring country to Lieutenant-colonel Innes ; he established a fort at Ebenezer, twenty- five miles above Savannah, and advanced Lieu- tenant-colonel Campbell at the head of eight hundred infantry to capture Augusta, and take advantage of circumstances in completing the conquest of the province. With the main body he watched the movements of the American general. The inhabitants of Savannah and the BRITISH PROCLAMATION. 145 surrounding country were ordered by proclama- tion to bring in their arms and accoutrements of every description, and to discover where arms, accoutrements, stores, and effects were buriod or otherwise concealed. Regulations were established ; places desig- nated for the landing of boats ; and, to prevent property from being carried away, no departure was allowed without a permit from the superin- tendent of the port. A joint proclamation was also issued by the commanders of the royal army and navy, offer- ing peace, freedom, and protection to the king's subjects in America, desiring them to repair without loss of time and unite their forces un- der the royal standard ; reprobating the idea of forming a league with the French ; promising freedom from the imposition of taxes by the Bri- tish Parliament, and securing them in the enjoy- ment of every privilege consistent with the mutual interests of the colonies and the mother country. Ample protection was offered to the persons and effects of all who would immediately come in and acknowledge their allegiance to the British crown and support it with their arms. Deserters of every description were invited to return within three months, and such inhabitants as were in- clined to enjoy the benefits of the proclamation were desired to repair to head-quarters at Savan- nah, and take the oath of allegiance. 13 146 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. <*f , 1?; On the llth of January, another proclamation was issued, offering a reward of two guineas for every citizen who adhered to the American cause, and ten guineas for every committee or assembly- man, who should be taken and delivered to the commanding officer of any of the king's garrisons. The families of those who adhered to the cause of their country, whether in the camp or on board of prison-ships, were stripped by the British of every article of property, even to the common necessaries of life. From this cause many of them were reduced to the most deplorable ex- tremities. Upon a representation of the suffering of the Americans in captivity being made to General Lincoln at Purysburg, the general wrote to Lieu- tenant-colonel Campbell, then on his march to Augusta, and proposed a conference with him at Zubley's Ferry, for an exchange of prisoners, and the parole of the officers until exchanged. A negotiation was consented to, and Lieutenant- colonel James M. Provost was nominated to con- fer with Major Thomas Pinckney on the subject. They had an interview on the 31st of January, and terms were proposed; but being such as Major Pinckney could not in honour allow, the negotiation terminated in a disagreement. POSITION OF LINCOLN. 147 CHAPTER XIV. Position of Lincoln His force Moultrie defeats Gardiner- Skirmishes in Burke county Campbell occupies Augusta Pickens and Dooley besiege Hamilton at Carr's Fort Pur- suit of Boyd Battle of Kettle Creek Death of Boyd British outpost surprised and captured. THE position chosen by General Lincoln at Purysburg was an excellent one. It enabled him to watch the movements of General Provost, and wait for reinforcements. The freshets in Savannah River at that season of the year overflowed the swamps from two to four miles in breadth, and upwards of one hundred miles in length from the sea, so that neither general could assail the other with any prospect of advantage. By a field return, on the 1st of February, General Lincoln had three thousand six hundred and thirty-nine men, composed of about six hun- dred continental troops, five hundred new levies, and one thousand three hundred effective militia. The residue were invalids, and without arms. If the American troops had been all effective and veteran, General Lincoln would have been about equal to his antagonist; but his numbers were principally made up by militia, on which no de- 148 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. pendance could be placed, when opposed to a veteran army. From the equality of the militia with their officers, and independence at home, they were unwilling to submit to the requisite discipline of a camp : they must know where they were to go, what they were going to do, and how long they were to be absent, before they would move ; and if not satisfied on these points, and permitted to do very much as they pleased, they would be off, knowing that their punishment for desertion would be light. Early in February, a party of the enemy, commanded by Major Gardiner, embarked at Savannah, and proceeded by the inland passage to Beaufort, in South Carolina ; they effected a landing, but were soon after attacked and defeated by General Moultrie, with an equal force, nearly all militia of Charleston. In this engagement forty of the enemy were killed and wounded: they fled to their boats, and returned to Savannah. While Lieutenant-colonel Campbell was ad- vancing to take possession of Augusta, he de- tached Colonels Brown and McGirth, with four hundred mounted militia, to make a forced march to the jail in Burke county, and form a junction with Colonel Thomas and a party of loyalists. On his way thither, Brown fell in with a party of two hundred and fifty militia under Colonels Few and Twiggs, and in the attack which ensued, he was defeated with the loss of several men. Ex- SKIRMISHES. 149 pecting that Brown would be reinforced by Camp- bell, Twiggs and Few retreated the ensuing day. Brown rallied his troops during the night, and having been strengthened in the mean time by some refugees from South Carolina, and a de- tachment under Major Gardiner, he determined to renew the attack. He was defeated with greater loss than before, himself being among the wounded. In this skirmish Captain Joshua Inman killed three of the enemy with his own hand. Shortly after this, Twiggs and Few being joined by a detachment of troops under General Elbert, the united commands crossed the Savan- nah River, and skirmished with Campbell ; but not receiving the reinforcements they expected, were compelled to retire, and Campbell took pos- session of Augusta about the last of January, where he established a post, and placed it under the orders of Colonel Brown. About the 1st of February, Campbell spread his military posts over the most populous parts of Georgia, and all opposition ceased, though for a few days only. The oath of allegiance was administered to the inhabitants who remained, and the torch applied to the habitations of those who had fled into Carolina. When the families of the latter were placed in security, the men assembled under their leader, Colonel John Dooley, and took a position on the Carolina shore of the Savannah River, about thirty 13* 150 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. _____ f miles above Augusta. McGirth, with three hun- dred loyalists, occupied a position on the Georgia shore, five miles below. Dooley returned into Georgia with a part of his men, but being closely pressed by one of McGirth's detachments under Major Hamilton, was compelled to recross the Savannah River. Hamilton then encamped at Waters's planta- tion, three miles below Petersburg, and Dooley opposite to him in Carolina, where he was joined by Colonel Andrew Pickens, with two hundred and fifty men of his regiment. With this united force it was determined to as- sault Hamilton's detachment. But the latter had already marched across the country, and was in possession of Carr's Fort before the main body of the Americans came up with them. The baggage and horses of the enemy fell into the hands of their pursuers. Hamilton was summoned to surrender, but re- fused. Knowing that the garrison were without food or water, a siege was determined upon, under the confident belief that they could not hold out twenty-four hours. But disappointment awaited the besiegers. An express arrived from Captain Pickens, with the information that Colonel Boyd, at the head of eight hundred loyalists, was pass- ing through Ninety-six district, on his way into Georgia, ravaging and burning all before him. The Americans instantly raised the siege, and MILITARY OPERATIONS. 151 started in pursuit of Boyd. In the mean time, Captain Anderson, with eighty men of Pickens's regiment, having learned that the enemy were advancing, took post about five miles above Cherokee Ford, and disputed Boyd's passage into Georgia. In the skirmish which ensued the American loss was sixteen killed and wounded, and the same number taken prisoners. Boyd acknowledged a loss of one hundred in killed, wounded, and miss- ing; many of this number deserted him, and returned to their homes. After the skirmish, Anderson retreated, and joined Pickens and Dooley in pursuit of the enemy. On the 12th of February, the Americans passed over Savannah River into Georgia, and advanced to Fishdam Ford on Broad River. Captain Neal, with a party of observation, was ordered to gain the enemy's rear, and occasionally send a man back with the result of his discoveries, so as to keep the main body well informed of the enemy's movements. To avoid danger, Boyd at first shaped his course to the westward, and on the morning of the 13th, crossed Broad River near the fork, at a place now called Webb's Ferry, and thence turned toward Augusta, expecting to form a junction with McGirth at a place appointed on Little River. The corps of observation under Captain Neal hung close upon the enemy's rear, and made frequent communications to Pickens 152 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. and Dooley. The Americans "crossed Broad River, and encamped for the night on Clark's Creek, within four miles of the enemy. Early on the morning of the 14th, the Ameri- cans resumed their march with a quickened pace, and soon approached the enemy's rear, but with such caution as to remain undiscovered. The line of march was the order of battle, wherever the face of the country admitted of it. Colonel Dooley commanded the right wing, and Lieute- nant-colonel Clarke the left, each consisting of one hundred men. The centre, commanded by Colonel Pickens, consisted of two hundred, and an advance guard one hundred and fifty yards in front. Under three leaders whose courage and military talents had been often tested, this inferior number, of four against seven, looked forward to a victory with great confidence. Early in the morning they passed the ground where the enemy encamped the preceding night. Colonel Boyd, unapprehensive of danger, had halted at a farm on the north side of Kettle Creek. His horses were turned out to forage among the reeds in the swamp; some bullocks were killed, and corn parched to refresh his troops, who had been on short allowance for three days. The encampment was formed on the edge of the farm next to the creek, on an open piece of ground, flanked on two sides by the cane- swamp. The second officer in command was THE BKITISH SURPRISED. 153 Lieutenant-colonel Moore, of North Carolina, who, it is said, possessed neither courage nor military skill : the third in command, Major Spurgen, is said to have acted with bravery, and gave some evidence of military talents. After the Americans had marched three or four miles, the enemy's drums were heard to beat. They halted for a few minutes, examined their guns, and primed them afresh. Captain McCall had been ordered in front to examine the enemy's situation and condition. He reported the situation of the encampment and the nature of the adjacent ground. The enemy were, apparently, unsuspi- cious of danger, he having passed their flank within musket-shot, and in full view. Satisfied upon these points, the Americans advanced to the attack. As the camp was approached, the enemy's pickets fired and retreated. Boyd or- dered the line to be formed in the rear of his camp, and advanced at the head of one hundred men, who were sheltered by a fence and some fallen timber. The American centre filed off" a little to the right, to gain the advantage of higher ground. Boyd contended for the fence with bravery, but was overpowered and compelled to order a retreat to the main body. On his retreat he fell under two wounds through the body, and one through the thigh, which proved mortal. The other two divisions were embarrassed in passing through the cane, but by this time had reached 154 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. their points of destination, apd the battle became warm, close, and general, and some of the enemy who had not formed fled into the cane and passed over the creek, leaving behind them their horses, baggage, and some of their arms. Colonel Clarke observed a rising ground on the opposite side of the creek, in the rear of the enemy's right, on which he believed they would attempt to form. After a warm contest, which lasted an hour, the enemy retreated through the swamp over the creek. Clarke ordered his division to follow him across the creek ; at the same moment his horse was shot, and fell under him ; he was quickly re- mounted, and fortunately fell into a path which led to a fording-place on the creek, and gained the side of the hill. His division had not heard, or had not understood the order, in consequence of which not more than one-fourth of it followed him. While Major Spurgen was forming the enemy upon one side of the hill, Colonel Clarke attacked him upon the other side, which gave intimation to the remainder of his division, by which he was soon joined. Colonels Pickens and Dooley pressed through the swamp with the main body in pursuit, and when they emerged from the cane, the battle was again renewed with great vigour. For a considerable time the contest was obstinate and bloody, and the issue doubtful. The Americans finally gained the summit of the hill, BRILLIANT VICTORY. 155 when the enemy began to retreat in some confu- sion, and fled from the field of battle. This engagement lasted one hour and forty-five minutes, and for the last half hour was close and general. Great credit is given to Colonel Clarke for his foresight in speedily occupying the rising ground on the west side of the creek. Consider- ing the inequality of the troops in point of military experience and equipment, and that the numbers in the ranks of the enemy were seven to four, the result of this engagement reflects great honour and credit on the American officers and soldiers who were engaged in it, and it was justly considered a brilliant victory. About seventy of the enemy were killed and died of their wounds, and seventy-five were taken prisoners, including the wounded who could be carried off the ground. The American loss was nine killed, and twenty-three wounded two mor- tally. The prisoners that Boyd had taken at the skirmish on Savannah River were in charge of a guard in advance, which consisted of thirty- three men, including officers, with orders, in case of disaster, to move towards Augusta. When the guard heard the result of the engagement, they voluntarily surrendered themselves prisoners to those whom they had in captivity, upon a promise of their influence for pardon and permis- sion to return home. This promise was complied with, upon condition that they would take the 156 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. oath of allegiance to the American govern- ment. After the action was ended, Colonel Pickens went to Colonel Boyd and tendered him any ser- vices which his present situation would authorize, and observed, that as his wounds appeared to be mortal, he would recommend those preparations which approaching death required. Boyd thanked him for his civilities, and inquired what had been the result of the battle. Upon being informed that victory was with the Americans, he ob- served that it would have been otherwise if he had not fallen. He said that he had marched from his rendezvous with eight hundred men ; that one hundred of that number were killed and wounded, or had deserted at Savannah River; and that on the morning of the action, he had seven hundred men under his command. He had the promise of Colonel Campbell, that McGrirth, with five hundred more, should join him on Little River, about six miles from the field of battle, on that evening or the ensuing morning. He con- cluded by saying that he had but a few hours to live, and desired that Colonel Pickens would leave two men with him to furnish him with water, and bury his body after he died. He also asked Colonel Pickens to write to Mrs. Boyd, in- forming her of his fate, and to send* her a few articles which he had about his person. He ex- FATE OF THE INSURGENTS. 157 pired early in the night, and his requests were faithfully complied with. The insurgents taken at Kettle Creek were con- veyed to South Carolina and tried by the laws of the state ; found guilty of treason, and sentenced to death. Five of the most atrocious offenders suffered accordingly ; the others were pardoned. Of those who fled from the scene of action, some took refuge in Florida ; some in the Creek and Cherokee nations ; and a remnant, under command of Colonel Moore, retreated to Augusta, where they met with nothing but humiliation, scorn, and neglect. In the engagements at Carr's Fort and Kettle Creek, the Americans took as booty about six hundred horses and their equipments, with a quantity of arms, accoutrements, and clothing. Shortly after this action, Colonel Twiggs, and Lieutenant-colonel John Mclntosh, with some militia from Richmond county, surprised one of the British outposts at Herbert's, consisting of seventy men ; killed and wounded several, and compelled the remainder to surrender. 158 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. CHAPTER XV. Campbell evacuates Augusta Lincoln proposes the recovery of Georgia Ash defeated at Brier Creek Force of the Bri- tish in Georgia Campbell leaves for England Censure of Ash by a court of inquiry Embarrassed condition of Lincoln Shameful treatment of the American prisoners Lincoln marches into Georgia Provost advances towards Charleston Battle at Stono River Cooper defeats a British detach- ment Spencer captures a British cutter Sir James Wright resumes the government of Georgia. UPON the approach of General John Ash with a body of North Carolina militia to reinforce General Elbert, Colonel Campbell precipitately abandoned Augusta, and fell back to a fortified camp at Hudson's Ferry, about fifty miles from Savannah. Ash passed the river at Augusta on the 28th of February, and pursued Campbell as far as Brier Creek, where he halted and encamped. His force was seventeen hundred men. General Lin- coln was encamped at Purysburg with three thou- sand men ; General Rutherford at Black Swamp with seven hundred ; and General Williamson at Augusta with twelve hundred. By concentrat- ing these scattered forces, General Lincoln be- lieved he would be sufficiently strong to commence active operations against the enemy. A council was therefore summoned to meet at General Ru- ASH'S DANGEROUS POSITION. 159 therford's quarters on the 1st of March. At this council, it was inquired of Ash if his position was secure, and such that his troops could act with the hest advantage ? General Ash ex- pressed himself confidently, as to the safety of his command, against any force it was in the power of the enemy to bring against it. He observed that the enemy appeared to be afraid of him, believing his numbers to be greater than they were ; he only asked for a detachment of artillery with two field-pieces, which General Lincoln ordered to his assistance. Strange as it may appear, while Ash was thus boasting of the complete security of his troops, they were encamped in a position the best cal- culated for their defeat of any he could possibly have chosen. On the left of his army was a deep creek, on the right a lagune,, and on the rear the Savannah River ; while the front offered an open and uninterrupted entrance to the enemy. Always prompt to take any advantage of any unskilful conduct on the part of his adversaries, Lieutenant-colonel Campbell determined to strike at Ash before "Williamson who was already on the march to join him should be able to come to his assistance. Masking his real design by advancing a battalion of the seventy-first regi- ment and a party of South Carolina loyalists to Buck Creek, three miles south of Brier Creek bridge, he ordered Lieutenant-colonel Provost, 160 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. with a force of regulars and provincials amount- ing to some seventeen hundred men, to march by a circuitous route of about forty miles, gain the rear of General Ash, and surprise and attack him in his camp. In the mean time, Ash, having learned that Campbell was manoeuvring on his front, sent out various detachments to reconnoitre, until he had reduced his force in camp to eight hundred men. From Williamson's advanced parties Ash ob- tained the first intelligence that Provost was approaching his rear. These startling tidings being soon afterward confirmed by Colonel Smith, who was in command of the baggage-guard some eight miles up the river, General Ash ordered the beat to arms. Strange as it may appear, at that late hour cartridges were to be distributed to the militia, some of whom had rifles, some shot- guns, a few had muskets, while some were with- out arms. Thus equipped, without any preconcerted plan, General Ash ordered his troops into the line of battle in three divisions; the right, under the command of Colonel Young, and the centre under the command of General Bryant. The left was committed to the care of General Elbert and Lieutenant-colonel John Mclntosh, and consisted of about sixty continental troops and one hun- dred and fifty Georgia militia, to which a light field-piece was attached. BATTLE OP BRIER CREEK. 161 At three o'clock p. M. the enemy's advance- guard attacked and drove back the American pickets, and took some prisoners, who gave in- formation that the Americans were unadvised of an enemy in force being near. Provost made his disposition for action : the light infantry with two field-pieces was formed on the right, with orders to penetrate by a road leading toward the American camp : the centre was composed of the second battalion of the seventy-first regiment, with some rangers and Carolina loyalists on its left, and with a howitzer and two field-pieces in front ; the left consisted of one hundred and fifty dragoons, with orders to turn the American right ; the reserve was formed four hundred yards in the rear, composed of three companies of grena- diers and a troop of dragoons ; and fifty rifle- men were placed in ambuscade at a pass, by which it was supposed the Americans might turn their left and attack their rear. At four P. M. the British moved forward and commenced the attack. When General Ash had formed his line, he advanced about a quarter of a mile in front of his encampment, with his left at the creek, and his right extending within half a mile of the river swamp. The British, advancing in three columns of six in front, opened their fire at the distance of one hundred and fifty yards from their cannon. The American centre, which was in advance, be- 14* 162 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. gan to retreat in about five minutes, and the right broke and ran the instant they were attacked. Colonel Young, who commanded the right, said that it was not his intention to retreat ; but, per- ceiving that the enemy intended to turn his right, he wished to file off to the right to prevent it ; but his troops construed his intentions into an order to retreat. The centre and right fled in the utmost confusion. General Elbert, with the left, maintained his ground with so much gal- lantry, that the British reserve was ordered to support their right ; and, notwithstanding the great superiority of the enemy, Elbert supported the conflict until every avenue of a retreat was cut off. Finding that further resistance would be temerity, he ordered his gallant little band to ground their arms and surrender. Nearly the whole of his command was killed, wounded, or made prisoners. The Americans who fled entered, the river swamp, which was two or three miles in extent, to escape from the enemy ; such of them as could swim crossed the river, but many who made the attempt were drowned. The American loss was estimated at one hun- dred and fifty killed and drowned ; twenty-seven officers, and one hundred and sixty-two non-com- missioned officers and privates, were taken prison- ers ; seven pieces of field artillery, a quantity of ammunition, provisions, and baggage, and five LINCOLN'S PLANS DISCONCERTED. 163 hundred stand of arms, were lost or fell into the possession of the victors. The British loss was one commissioned officer and fifteen privates killed and wounded. Generals Ash and Bryant, with two or three hundred of the fugitives, were stopped at Bee's Creek bridge, twenty miles from the scene of action, in the evening of the same day, by Captain Peter Horry, who was marching with a detachment to join the camp ; some with and some without arms. The loss of General Elbert and his command, of Neal's dragoons, and many of PirkinS's regi- ment of North Carolina, was seriously calami- tous to Georgia, which had more than one thou- sand men, including nearly all the regular troops of the state, in captivity with the British. The defeat of Ash disconcerted the plans of General Lincoln. If the army had been concen- trated, as was intended, the American forces, in- cluding the reinforcements about to join them, would have amounted to seven thousand men ; an army sufficient, as it was believed, to have driven the British troops out of Georgia. The wavering and disaffected would have joined the American standard, and South Carolina would not have been invaded. The parties of militia, who were on their march to join the army, heard of the disaster and returned home ; while many who were previously undecided in their politics now joined the enemy. 164 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. The different corps composing the British army in Georgia amounted to upward of four thou- sand men. Five thousand additional troops were daily expected from New York, under General Vaughan. After these arrived, the capital of South Carolina was intended as the object of future operations. The command of the southern British army was offered to Lieutenant-colonel Campbell, but he declined it. He appears to have been dissatisfied with General Provost's hav- ing taken the chief command and government of Georgia, after he had made the conquest. Colonel Campbell was an officer at all points ; circumspect, quick, brave, and profound in mili- tary knowledge. He was beloved for his courtesy and humanity, and admired for the elegance of his manners. The departure of such an officer from the southern states excited joyful sensa- tion among the friends of freedom and independ- ence. He sailed soon after for England. In addition to the British force already stated, five hundred Indians were assembled on the Ala- tamaha River, and there was a proffer of all the aid of the Creek and Cherokee Indians, under the influence of Stuart and Cameron, to engage in any enterprise which might be required of them. Hudson's Ferry and Paris Mill were well for- tified, cannon mounted at each, and strongly garrisoned. Ebenezer and Sister's ferries were GENERAL ASH CENSURED. 165 put in a state of defence, and all the passes of Savannah River secured by the British. The light troops were held prepared to move to any point, on short notice. After the defeat of Ash at Brier Creek, that general, finding he was viewed by all grades of the army with contempt and disrespect, de- manded a court of inquiry, which was granted. The court was convened on the 9th day of March. The conclusions they came to, after having maturely considered the matter before them, were, " That General Ash did not take all the necessary precautions, which he ought to have done, to secure his camp and obtain timely intelligence of the movements and approach of the enemy." "While Lincoln was thus, most unfortunately, thwarted in his project to attempt the recovery of Georgia, the British army received the ex- pected reinforcements from New York. Shortly after this, the forces of the American general were rendered still less effective ; the term of service for which the North Carolina militia had been drafted having expired, without any imme- diate prospect of others arriving to replace them. In this condition of things several of the inhabit- ants of Georgia, who had left their families, re- presented to General Lincoln that all their pro- perty had been plundered and destroyed by the enemy, and desired him to point out to them any 166 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. possible means by which their families could be secured against want. They expressed their will- ingness to yield to the loss of property and every other privation, if their wives and families could be guarantied the necessaries of life ; but that they should be left to suffer from the want of food, and under the continued insolence of their enemy, was rather more than their feelings could be expected to endure. The general con- sented that such men as had families should return to their homes, and remain quiet until a change should take place. Some of the Georgia prisoners, who were ex- changed for a like number sent from Charleston, were so much emaciated when they arrived in camp, that they were obliged to be carried from the boats in which they were brought from the prison-ships. They complained bitterly of tho ill-treatment which they had experienced on board these filthy floating dungeons, of which their countenances and emaciated bodies ex- hibited condemning testimony. They asserted that they had been fed on condemned pork, which nauseated the stomach, and oatmeal so rotten that swine would not have fed on it ; that the staff officers and the members of council from Savannah shared in common with the soldiery ; even the venerable Bryan was obliged to partake such repasts, or die of hunger. The Jews of Savannah were generally favour"- SUFFERINGS OF PRISONERS. 167 able to the American cause, and among this persuasion was Mordecai Sheftall, commissary- general, and his son, who was his deputy ; they were confined in common with the other prison- ers, and by way of contempt to their offices and religion, condemned pork was given them for the animal part of their subsistence. In consequence of such food, and other new devices of mal-treat- ment, five or six died daily. Their bodies were conveyed from the prison-ships to the nearest marsh and buried in the mud, whence they were soon exhumed by the washing of the tides; and at low water, the prisoners beheld the car- rion crows picking the bones of their departed companions. General Lincoln, having removed his quarters from Purysburg to Black Swamp, was soon after- ward reinforced by seven hundred militia from North Carolina. His army being thus increased to five thousand men, he determined once more to attempt the recovery of Georgia. He left General Moultrie, with one thousand men, to defend Purysburg and the passes of the Savan- nah River, with orders to maintain his post as long as possible, and if the enemy should force their way toward Charleston to retreat before them, skirmishing with their front and destroying the boats and bridges on the way. On the 20th of April, Lincoln, with two thou- sand men, marched for Augusta. Five days 168 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. after his departure, General Moultrie received intelligence that the enemy were in motion, and that some parties of them had passed over into South Carolina below the town of Savannah. Moultrie filed off toward Charleston for the purpose of keeping in the enemy's front, and sent an express to General Lincoln to apprize him of their movements, and his intention to harass and retard their progress, until he received reinforcements. General Provost's army consisted of two thousand chosen troops, and seven hundred loyalists and Indians. Moultrie, to oppose him, had but one thousand militia ; and, instead of his numbers increasing, his troops wasted away by desertion. When he had retreated to Ashley River Ferry, he had only six hundred men. Lincoln, imagining that Provost only intended a feint on Charleston, to divert him from his pur- pose toward Savannah, continued his march on the south side of the Savannah River, and sent three hundred light troops and the legion of Pu- laski, which had been stationed at the ridge forty- five miles north-east from Augusta, to reinforce Moultrie. Every advantageous pass was disputed with the enemy by the latter officer, and he so effectually retarded their progress, by frequent skirmishes, that they did not reach Charleston until the llth of May. When Provost appeared before Charleston, he MILITARY MOVEMENTS. 169 made the apparent dispositions for a siege, and demanded a surrender. Calculating that Lincoln was in pursuit of the enemy, it was deemed im- portant to gain time. The reinforcement sent by General Lincoln and the legion of Pulaski had arrived ; and the greatest exertions were used to place the town in a state of defence. Twenty-four hours were spent in negotiations, which terminated in bidding the enemy defiance. Having failed in his expectations, and fearing that Lincoln would fall upon his rear, Provost retreated precipitately over Ashley Ferry, and formed a fortified encampment on Stone River, within reach of some small armed vessels and transports, by which he could secure a retreat toward Savannah, if he should be pressed by a force with which he was unable to contend. He collected all the boats which fell in his way, to facilitate the transportation of his troops from one island to another, or through the inland navi- gation, as might be advisable. When Lincoln arrived at Ashley River, he was doubtful of the issue of a general engagement with the enemy ; for, although he was superior to his antagonist in numbers, he was far inferior in the quality of his troops and equipments, and was aware of the certain consequences of a defeat. It was, therefore, necessary for him to proceed with caution, and not risk a battle, if the result appeared in the least doubtful. He was appre- 15 170 HISTORY OP GEORGIA. hensive of the consequences of drawing his forces to one point, for a general attack, and leaving Charleston unprotected ; and to prevent the enemy from retreating by land to Savannah, he was obliged to guard the passes by strong de- tachments. Thus situated, the two armies lay within thirty miles distance, for forty days, watching the motions of each other. The British army was encamped on John's Island, near Stono Ferry. To preserve a com- munication with the main land, they had con- structed some redoubts and lines of communica- tion, on which some field artillery was advanta- geously placed, with an abatis in front, on the main land at the ferry, and a garrison of eight hundred men to defend it, under Lieutenant- colonel Maitland. In the event of its being attacked, the main encampment was sufficiently near to afford reinforcements. At length, on the 20th of June, an attack was made on the redoubts at the ferry. General Moultrie, with a body of the Charleston militia, was to have made a feint on the British encamp- ment, from James's Island ; but from the diffi- culty of procuring boats, he was unable to reach the place of destination in time to make the di- version required. When the Americans advanced to the attack, two companies of the seventy-first re- giment of Scots sallied out to support the pickets ; Lieutenant-colonel Henderson, with the light in- THE BRITISH RETREAT. 171 fantry, charged them, and only nine of their number returned within their intrenchments. All the men at the field-pieces between their redoubts were killed or wounded. Major Handley, who commanded the remnant of the Georgia conti- nental troops, was attached to Colonel Malmady's command, and carried that part of the British works against which they acted. The failure of General Moultrie in the diversion assigned to him enabled General Provost to reinforce the redoubts, and made it necessary for General Lincoln to withdraw his troops ; a general sortie was made on the retiring Americans ; but the light infantry, commanded by Malmady and Henderson, held the enemy in check, and enabled the Americans to remove their wounded, and retire in good order. Soon after the action at Stono, the British commenced their retreat, and passed from island to island, until they arrived at Port Royal, where Provost established a post with eight hundred men, under the orders of Lieutenant-colonel Mait- land, and thence returned to Savannah. While Lincoln was employed in South Carolina against Provost, Colonels Dooley and Clarke were actively engaged in defending the frontiers of Georgia ; and Colonels Twiggs, Few, and Jones were watching the British outposts, to cut off supplies of provisions from the country. Private armed vessels were also employed along the sea- coast. 172 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. On the 24th of June, Captain Spencer, who commanded an American privateer, surprised Colonel Cruger and a party of British officers at a house on the river Medway, and took them prisoners of war. On the 28th, Colonel Twiggs, being informed that a detachment of forty mounted grenadiers under Captain Muller was advancing to attack him, sent forward Major Cooper with thirty men to meet the enemy. Cooper formed his command across a rice-dam upon which Muller was advanc- ing, and after a short, but fierce conflict, during which Muller was mortally wounded, the whole of the enemy were either killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. The American loss was only two officers wounded. The situation of the wounded required the as- sistance of a surgeon, and Savannah being the nearest place where one could be obtained, Wil- liam Myddleton offered his services to carry a flag for that purpose. Captain Muller died be- fore the surgeon's arrival. While Myddleton was in Provost's quarters, a British officer requested him to narrate the circumstances attending the skirmish. After he had given the particulars, the officer observed, that " If an angel was to tell him that Captain Muller, who had served twenty- one years in the king's guards, had been defeated by an equal number of rebels, he would disbelieve it." Myddleton requested the officer's address, BRITISH VESSEL CAPTUKED. 173 and observed that they were not then on equal terms, but hoped to have it in his power at a future time to call him to an account for his rudeness. Colonel Provost rebuked the officer for using such improper language to the bearer of a flag. On the 3d of August, Captain Samuel Spen- cer sailed into Sapelo Sound, when one of the enemy's vessels, of six guns, ran down and at- tacked him. The engagement was well supported for fifteen minutes, when the enemy was boarded and surrendered. Spencer had one man wounded : the British, one killed, five wounded, and twelve made prisoners. Spencer divided his crew, and collected a number of negroes and other pro- perty, which he carried in safety to the owners, who had fled to Carolina. The prisoners were paroled and landed on Sapelo Island. Ten days previous to the above gallant little affair, Sir James Wright returned from England and resumed the government of Georgia ; but he was not suffered to remain long in the quiet per- formance of his official duties. 15* 174 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. CHAPTER XVI. France acknowledges the independence of the United States D'Estaing agrees to co-operate with Lincoln British pre- parations for defence French forces disembarked D'Es- taing demands the surrender of Savannah Truce granted Provost reinforced Siege of Savannah Assault Re- pulse of the combined armies Jasper wounded Count Pulaski wounded Force of the allied army Force of the British Siege raised Lincoln retreats to Ebenezer. WHILE Georgia was thus ineffectually strug- gling in the grasp of her conquerors, an event occurred which, while it roused the timid and recalled the wavering, inspired all those who still clung fearlessly to the cause of freedom, with the liveliest hopes of eventual success. France acknowledged the independence of the United States, and on the 6th of February, 1778, negotiated with the American commissioners at Paris a treaty of alliance, offensive and defensive. Having thus become a party to the war, pre- parations were made to render the colonies that assistance which, from the increased efforts of Great Britain to recover her lost authority, was now becoming imperatively necessary. A fleet was fitted out, and an army sent to the West Indies, under the orders of the Count D'Estaing. They made the conquest of the PROPOSED OPERATIONS. 175 islands of St. Vincent and Grenada, and retired to Cape Francois. As the recovery of Georgia was of the utmost importance, the co-operation of the French forces in the West Indies was solicited for that purpose. Count D'Estaing immediately returned a favour- able response, and sailed from Cape Francois on the 20th of August, 1779, after despatching to Charleston two ships of the line and three frigates in advance, to concert a plan of operations with the American general. General Lincoln made every exertion to collect an army, and was sanguine in his hopes of suc- cess in the execution of the concerted plan. The llth of September was the time appointed for the rendezvous of the two armies at Savannah, and preparations were made to invest the place. The militia took the field with alacrity, sup- posing that nothing further would be necessary than to march to Savannah and demand a surren- der. Colonel Maitland, with eight hundred men, retained his position at Beaufort, and General Lincoln had fixed his quarters at Sheldon, to pre- vent them from spreading into the country to obtain provisions : thus occupied, General Lin- coln could not march to Savannah until the French troops were ready to land. As soon as the probability of an attack in force became known at Savannah, Provost called in his outposts, and endeavoured to make his fortifi- 176 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. cations as strong as possible. Thirteen redoubts and fifteen batteries were completed, and mounted with seventy-six pieces of cannon. The guns and batteries were manned by the seamen from the ships of war, transports, and merchant ves- sels in the harbour. A number of field-pieces, protected by intrenchments, were placed in re- serve. In the mean time, General Mclntosh pressed forward from Augusta toward Savannah accom- panied by the infantry under his command, and a body of cavalry under Count Pulaski. Before the enemy were apprized of his approach, the latter cut off one of their pickets, killed, wounded, and captured eleven men, and opened a commu- nication to the sea-shore. Mclntosh advanced toward Ogechee Ferry, but so soon as a body of French troops had landed, he returned and halted three miles from Savannah, until Lincoln should arrive. On the 6th of September, the French fleet ap- peared off Savannah bar ; but it was not until the morning of the 16th, that Count D'Estaing was able to approach within three miles of the town, and demand a surrender. In answer to the summons, Provost proposed a suspension of hostilities for twenty- four hours, to which D'Estaing agreed. The latter had not then formed a junction with the American forces under Lincoln, and was entirely ignorant of the BRITISH GARRISON REINFORCED. 177 advantages which would have accrued from an immediate attack. Lincoln reached Millen's plantation on the Ogechee the same day, and proceeded directly to pay his respects to the Count D'Estaing, and fix on the plan of future operations. The latter suggested that no time should be lost, as it was necessary for the fleet to leave the coast as early as possible, from the dangerous character of the hurricanes which usually visited it at that season of the year. Measures were thus precipitated, which, under other and more fortunate circum- stances, would have been arranged with greater coolness and system. General Provost exercised great military judg- ment in soliciting twenty-four hours for conside- ration, because he calculated with great certainty that within that time Colonel Maitland would arrive with eight hundred troops from Beaufort. There is but little doubt that on this event rested all his hopes of saving the garrison. When the fleet first appeared off the coast, the enemy had but twenty-three pieces of cannon mounted upon the redoubts and batteries, to defend an extent by land and water of near three miles. On the evening of the 16th, Maitland arrived at Dawfuskie ; guided by some negro fisherman, he was enabled to avoid the Savannah River, and by passing through various creeks in small boats, gained the town in s'afety. 178 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. The acquisition of this formidable reinforce- ment effected a complete change in the condition of the desponding garrison. A signal \vas made, and three cheers given, which rang from one end of the town to the other. In the afternoon of the 17th, Provost notified D'Estaing of his deter- mination to defend the place. Mortified at receiving a defiance when he was confidently anticipating a surrender, and the fa- vourable moment for reducing the fortress by assault having been suffered to pass away, no prospect of success now offered but the tedious operations of a siege. This was what the enemy wished. The principal engineer had declared that if the allied army would once resort to the spade, he would pledge himself for the success of the defence. To prevent the French frigates from coming so near the town as to aid the operations by land, two ships and four transports were- sunk in a narrow part of the channel below, while similar obstructions were placed above the town, to pre- vent the galleys which passed up the North river from assailing them in that direction. One of the frigates and two galleys anchored near the wrecks ; but the enemy's guns, mounted upon batteries forty feet above the surface of the water, soon compelled them to retire. From this time until the evening of the 7th of October, the siege was vigorously pressed by the SIEGE OP SAVANNAH. 179 allied forces, and as vigorously resisted on the part of the enemy. Count D'Estaing having been a month on the American coast, and the fleet close in shore, his naval officers remonstrated with him on the dan- gerous situation it was in, and the hazard of being attacked by the British fleet while theirs was in bad condition, and while many of their officers and men were on shore. To these remonstrances were added the commencement of an extraordina- ry disease in the French camp, and the approach of the hurricane season, usually so destructive on the southern sea-coast of the United States. These considerations determined Count D'Estaing to call a council of war, in which it was the opi- nion of the engineers that it would require ten days more to work into the enemy's lines ; upon which it was determined to try to carry them by an assault. Accordingly, on the 8th of October, General Lincoln issued his orders for the attack, which was to be made at four o'clock the following morning. He divided the infantry into two bodies ; the first, consisting of the light troops under Colonel Laurens, to which the grenadiers were attached. The second, composed of the continental bat- talions and the Charleston militia. Pulaski, who commanded the cavalry, had orders to penetrate the enemy's lines between 180 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. the battery on the left of the Spring Hill redoubt, and the next toward the river. He was to be supported by the light troops and grenadiers, and reinforced, if necessary, by the first South Caro- lina regiment. The militia of the first and second brigades, together with General Williamson's and the two battalions of Charleston militia, were ordered to the trenches, and to subject themselves to the commanding officer there. Previous to this, how- ever, five hundred of the militia were to be drafted and placed under the command of Gene- ral Huger, who was directed to march to the left of the enemy's lines, and make his attack as near to the river as possible. This was intended only as a feint, but Huger was authorized, if an opportunity offered, to convert it into a positive attack and push into the town. On the night of the 8th, a sergeant of the Charleston grenadiers deserted, and communi- cated to the British general the plan of attack and the time when it was to be made. Being ap- prized that the Spring Hill redoubt and batteries was the point where the principal effort was to be sustained, and that the menace on the left of .the works by Huger was but a feint, he made his dispositions accordingly. He removed the principal part of his force from the left of his works to the right, near to the Spring Hill, and ASSAULT ON SAVANNAH. 181 placed that part of the defences under the orders of Lieutenant-colonel Maitland. By one of those strange fatalities "which seemed to accompany every attempt made by the Americans to release Georgia from the grasp of the British, the attack, which was ordered to take place at four o'clock on the morning of the 9th, was delayed until clear daylight. An op- portunity was thus afforded the garrison of di- recting their fire upon the assailants with terrible effect, while the latter were in the act of advanc- ing toward the works. The French columns passed the abatis, crowded into the moat, and ascended to the town under a galling fire in front and flank. The carnage was awful, but no useful impression made. Lieutenant-colonel Laurens, with the light troops, advanced by the left of the French column, attacked Maitland's redoubt, and succeeded in gaining the parapet, where Lieutenants Bush and Hume set the colours of the second regiment of South Carolina : both those gallant officers were immediately shot down. Lieutenant Gray sup- ported the colours, and was mortally wounded. Sergeant Jasper, seeing Gray fall, seized the colours and supported them, until he also received a wound, which proved mortal. At this point, the assault and resistance were of the most daring character. Mclntosh, at the head of the left column of 16 182 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. the American troops, forced his way into the ditch of the works north of the Maitland redoubt. Count D'Estaing, early in the assault, received a wound in the arm, but remained at his post until a wound in his thigh made it necessary to bear him off the field. Count Pulaski, while attempting to pass the works into the town, received a cannon-shot in the groin, of which he fell near the abatis. Huger made his attack as directed, and having accomplished the object of his orders, retired with the loss of twenty-eight men. Finding it impossible to make any impression upon the works of the enemy, the commanding generals ordered a retreat. On the retreat, it was recollected by his corps that Count Pulaski had been left near the abatis ; some of his men immediately forced their way through the firing and bore him off, though the heroic Pole was wounded mortally. The loss of the allied army in this most rash but spirited assault was nearly eleven hundred men killed and wounded. Among the latter were the Count D'Estaing, Major-general De Fontange, the Chevalier D'Ernonville, and Count Pulaski. D'Ernonville was taken prisoner, his arm being broken by a ball. If he had consented to an amputation, he would probably have sur- vived. When urged to the measure by General Provost, he refused ; saying, that with but one THE SIEGE RAISED. 183 hand, he could not serve his prince in the field, and if so disabled, life was not worth preserving. He died on the 25th of December, and was buried with all the honours of war. The loss of the British during the assault was only fifty-five killed and wounded. How many they lost during the siege is not known. The combined force employed against Savan- nah was four thousand nine hundred and fifty men. That of the enemy, twenty-eight hun- dred and fifty, including Indians and armed slaves. General Lincoln urged that Count D'Estaing would agree to continue the siege of Savannah ; but the reasons which the count gave for propos- ing the assault still obtained : it was further urged, that the troops of France were reduced by the consequences of the siege, in killed and wounded, and by disease, which was increasing, to less than fifteen hundred men fit for duty, on the 18th of October ; and that the American troops under General Lincoln did not exceed twelve hundred effectives. In addition, there were good reasons for a belief that the British fleet at New York, with an army on board, was preparing for a southern expedition ; and in the present sickly condition of the crews of the fleet, and the re- duced force of the combined troops, who were not more than equal to the besieged, it would be highly imprudent to remain and risk the conse- 184 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. quences. The count notified General Lincoln of his determination to raise the siege. General Lincoln retreated to Ebenezer, and on the 19th of October he left the army for Charles- ton, with orders to march to that place. There was great dissatisfaction expressed by the citizens of Georgia at the determination of D'Estaing to raise the siege. Many of them had been under British protection, and having re- sumed their arms in opposition to the royal go- vernment, they were apprehensive of the con- sequences if they again fell into the enemy's hands. Notwithstanding these murmurs, General Lincoln by prudent management silenced the expressions of discontent, and the allied forces separated with mutual assurances of esteem and affection. HEROIC DEVOTION. 185 CHAPTER XVII. Heroic instances of devotion to freedom The grenadiers of Count Dillon Anecdote of Lieutenant Lloyd Sergeant Jasper His daring bravery at Fort Moultrie His roving commission Captures ten men near Savannah Presented with a sword by Governor Rutledge Plants the colours on Spring Hill redoubt Is mortally wounded Count Pulaski 'His early life Confederates with others for the redemp- tion of Poland Captures Stanislaus Seeks refuge in France Appointed a brigadier-general in the American service His death. IF the siege of Savannah was unfortunate in many respects, it yet afforded many cheering instances of heroic devotion to the cause of free- dom. Count Dillon, commander of the Irish brigade in the service of France, and who led on the third column of the allied armies in their assault of the British garrison, anxious that his regiment should signalize itself, offered one hundred guineas as a reward to the first of his grenadiers that should plant a fascine in the fosse, which was exposed to the whole fire of the garrison. Not one offered to advance. The count, mortified and disappointed heyond measure, began upbraid- ing them with cowardice, when the sergeant-major made the following noble reply : " Had you not, sir, held out a sum of money as a temptation, your grenadiers would, one and all, have presented 16* 186 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. themselves." They did so instantly, and out of one hundred and ninety-four, of which the com- pany consisted, only ninety returned alive. Previous to the assault, some Georgia officers who had no commands, and other private gentle- men to the number of thirty, formed themselves into a volunteer corps, under Colonel Marhury. Of this little party eleven were either killed or wounded. Among the latter was Lieutenant Edward Lloyd, whose arm had been carried away by a cannon-ball. While a surgeon was employed in dressing the remaining stump of this young officer's arm, Major James Jackson observed to him, that his prospect was unpromising, from the heavy burden which hard fate had imposed upon him, as a young man who was just entering into life. Lloyd answered that, unpromising as it was, he would not willingly exchange it for the feel- ings of Lieutenant Stedman, who had fled at the commencement of the assault. The conduct of Sergeant Jasper merits still more particular notice. At the commencement of the Revolutionary war, Sergeant Jasper enlisted in the second South Carolina regiment of infan- try, commanded by Colonel Moultrie. He dis- tinguished himself in a particular manner at the attack which was made upon Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Island, on the 25th of June, 1776. In the warmest part of the contest the flagstaff was severed by a cannon-ball, and the flag fell to SEKGEANT JASPER. 187 the bottom of the ditch on the outside of the works : this accident "was considered by the anx- ious inhabitants of Charleston as putting an end to the contest by striking the American flag to the enemy. The moment Jasper made the discovery that the flag had fallen, he jumped from one of the embrasures, and seizing the colours, which he had tied to a sponge-staff, supported them on the parapet until another flag was procured. His subsequent activity and enterprise induced Colo- nel Moultrie to give him a sort of a roving commission to go and come at pleasure ; confi- dent that he was always usefully employed. He was privileged to select such men from the regiment as he should choose to accompany him in his enterprises. His parties consisted gene- rally of five or six, and he often returned with prisoners before Moultrie was apprized of his ab- sence. Jasper was distinguished for his humane treatment when an enemy fell into his power. His ambition appears to have been limited to the characteristic of bravery, humanity, and useful- ness to the cause in which he was engaged. When it was in his power to kill but not to capture, it was his practice not to permit a single prisoner to escape. By his sagacity and enter- prise, he often succeeded in the capture of those who were lying in ambush for him. In one of his excursions, an instance of bravery and hu- 188 HISTOKY OF GEORGIA. manity is recorded by the biographer of General Marion, which would stagger credulity, if it were not well attested. While he was examining the British camp at Ebenezer, all the sympathy of his breast was awakened by the distresses of Mrs. Jones, whose husband, an American by birth, had received the king's protection, and had been confined in irons for deserting the royal cause after he had taken the oath of allegiance. Her well-founded belief was, that nothing short of the life of her husband would atone for the offence with which he was charged. Jasper secretly consulted with his companion, Sergeant Newton, whose feelings for the distressed female were equally excited with his own, upon the practicability of releasing Jones from his im- pending fate. Though they were unable to suggest a plan of operation, they were determined to watch for the most favourable opportunity, and make the effort. The departure of Jones and several others (all in irons) to Savannah, for trial, under a guard con- sisting of a sergeant, corporal, and eight men, was ordered upon the succeeding morning. Within two miles of Savannah, about thirty yards from the main road, is a spring of fine water, surrounded by a deep and thick under- wood, where travellers often halt to refresh themselves with a cool draught from the pure RESCUE OF AMERICANS. 189 fountain. Jasper and his companion considered this spot the most favourable for their enterprise. They accordingly passed the guard, and concealed themselves near the spring. When the enemy came up, the corporal, with his guard of four men, conducted the prisoners to the spring, while the sergeant, with the other four, having grounded their arms near the road, brought up the rear. The prisoners, wearied with their long walk, were permitted to rest themselves on the earth. Two of the corporal's men were ordered to keep guard, and the other two to give the prisoners drink out of their canteens. The last two approached the spring where our heroes lay concealed, and resting their muskets against the tree, dipped up water; and having drunk themselves, turned away, with replenished canteens, to give the prisoners also. "Now, Newton, is our time !" said Jasper. Then burst- ing from their concealment, they snatched up the two muskets that were rested against the tree, and instantly shot down the two soldiers that kept guard. By this time the sergeant and corporal, a couple of brave Englishmen, recovering from their panic, had sprung and seized up the two muskets which had fallen from the slain : but before they could use them, the Americans, with clubbed guns, levelled each at the head of his antagonist the final blow. Then securing their weapons, 190 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. they flew between the surviving enemy and their arms, grounded near the road, and compelled them to surrender. The irons were taken off, and arms put in the hands of those who had been prisoners, and the whole party arrived at Purysburgh the next morn- ing and joined the American camp. There are but few instances upon record where personal ex- ertions, even for self-preservation from certain prospect of death, would have induced a resort to an act so desperate of execution. After the gallant defence at Sullivan's Island, Colonel Moultrie's regiment was presented with a stand of colours by Mrs. Elliot, which she had richly embroidered with her own hands ; and as a reward for Jasper's particular merit, Governor Rutledge presented him with a very handsome sword. During the assault against Savannah, as previously stated, two officers had been killed, and one wounded, endeavouring t$ plant these colours upon the enemy's parapet of the Spring Hill redoubt ; when, just before the retreat was ordered, Jasper endeavoured to replace them upon the works, and while he was in the act, received his mortal wound and fell into the ditch. When a retreat was ordered, he recollected the honour- able conditions upon which the donor presented the colours to his regiment, and among the last acts of his life, succeeded in bringing them off. Major Horry called to see him soon after the COUNT PULASKI. 191 retreat, to whom it is said he made the following communication : I have got my furlough. That sword was presented to me by Governor Rutledge, for my services in the defence of Fort Moultrie ; give it to my father, and tell him I have worn it in honour. If the old man should weep, tell him his son died in the hope of a better life. Tell Mrs. Elliot that I lost my life supporting the colours which she presented to our regiment. Should you ever see Jones, his wife and son, tell them that Jasper is gone, but that the remem- brance of that battle, which he fought for them, brought a secret joy into his heart when it was about to stop its motion for ever." He expired a few moments after closing this sentence. Count Pulaski, who fell mortally wounded dur- ing the same assault, was a native of Poland, whose king, Stanislaus, had been raised to the throne, not by the customary voices of the people, but by the influence of the Empress of Russia. Indignant at this innovation on the elective franchise, a number of patriotic nobles, among the foremost of whom was Pulaski, confederated together to rescue their country from foreign in- fluence by force of arms. Pulaski, for his high character and military enterprise, was elected their general. Finding the force and resources of the confe- derates unequal to the objects they had in view, Pulaski applied to France for assistance, and was 192 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. secretly encouraged and supplied with money. A number of French officers also engaged as vo- lunteers in his service ; but the numbers that joined his standard were not sufficient to enable him to achieve more than partial success. At length, the confederates determined to seize on the person of the king. A party selected for that purpose attacked and wounded him in the streets of Warsaw. They succeeded in bearing him off a prisoner ; but the guard deserted, and suffered Stanislaus to escape to his palace. Shortly after this, Russia, supported by Prussia and Aus- tria, sent troops into Poland, and under the plau- sible pretext of aiding Stanislaus in the recovery of his rights, stripped him of the greater part of his territories. The confederates sued for peace and pardon : Pulaski, and others of the chiefs, fled to France. The American ministers, to whom he was made known at Paris, recommended Pu- laski to the consideration of Congress, from whom he received^on his arrival, the appointment of brigadier-general of cavalry.. The remainder of Pulaski's life was devoted to the service of the United States ; and it may be truly said, that on all occasions when he had an opportunity to act, " he sought the post of dan- ger, as the post of honour ;" welcomed every op- portunity of being engaged with the enemy, and was always foremost in the day of battle. After being wounded in the attack on Savan- DEATH OF PULASKI. 193 nah, the vessel in which he was being conveyed to Charleston having a long passage, he died at sea, and his body was launched and sunk beneath the waves. The funeral rites were performed in Charleston with military honours. The death of that gallant officer was greatly lamented by all the Americans and French who had witnessed his valour or knew how to appreciate his merits. CHAPTER XVIII. Sufferings of the Georgians Mrs. Mclntosh The forged let- ter Skirmish at Ogechee Ferry Siege and surrender of Charleston Removal of the Georgia records Governor Howley Defection of Brigadier-general Williamson 'Mur- der of Colonel Dooley Inhuman treatment of Mrs. McKay Defeat of the loyalists by Jones Skirmish at Warlord's Iron-works Clarke defeats the British at Musgrove's Mill. NOTHING could exceed the deplorable condition of Georgia after the repulse of the allied forces before Savannah. Flushed with the hope of ex- pelling the enemy, many patriotic men, regard- less of the danger to which their families would be exposed, had joined the standard of Lincoln, and were now to suffer the fearful calamities which always attend disastrous issues. Future protection was not to be expected ; and nothing remained for them but the halter and confiscation from the British, or exile for them- selves, and poverty and ill-treatment, by an inso- 17 194 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. lent enemy, for their wives and children, who were ordered forthwith to depart the country without the means for travelling, or any other means, but a reliance on charity for subsistence on their way. The families of Mclntosh, Twiggs, and Clarke, with numerous others, experienced hardships and distresses of the most afflicting character. That of Colonel Twiggs, while removing under the protection of a flag, was fired upon and a young man killed who was of the party. The family of General Mclntosh was reduced from affluence to extreme want. On reaching Virginia, Mrs. Mclntosh was obliged to apply to Governor Jefferson for relief from absolute want. He furnished her with ten thousand dollars in continental money, but so greatly was its value depreciated, that it required seven hundred dol- lars to purchase a single pair of shoes. The house of Colonel Clarke was pillaged and burned, and his family ordered to leave the state, With no other means of conveyance than a pony of little value, Mrs. Clarke and her two daugh- ters set out for the north. Poor as it was, the horse was soon wrested from them, and the un- fortunate females compelled to traverse on foot an enemy's country, thinly inhabited, and with- out any means of subsistence. After Savannah had fallen into the hands of the enemy, the legislature dispersed without ap- ATROCIOUS FORGERY. 195 pointing a governor for the ensuing year. John Werreat, esquire, president of the council, acting as governor, issued on the 4th of November, 1779, a proclamation representing the necessity of convening the legislature, and fixing the second Tuesday of the same month for the elec- tion of members, who were to meet at Augusta without delay. Fearful, however, that the British would seize upon Augusta before the authorized election could take place, a number of gentlemen, chosen from the county of Richmond alone, formed themselves into a body under the name of the general assembly ; by whom William Glascock was chosen speaker, and George Walton, esquire, governor of the state. During the session of this legislature a letter was forged in the name of William Glascock, the speaker, and sent to the President of Congress. This letter, written by some rancorous enemy of General Mclntosh, falsely stated that his pre- sence in his native state gave neither satisfaction to the militia nor the confederated patriots ; and strongly urged upon Congress to select some dis- tant field for the exercise of the abilities of that officer. Fortunately, a copy of the letter was forwarded to General Mclntosh and, instantly enclosed to Mr. Glascock, by whom, and by the body over which he presided, its contents were indignantly 196 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. disavowed, and the attorney-general ordered to search out and prosecute its author. In the mean time, the Georgians whose pro- perty had been confiscated were active in devising means for its recovery and removal to places of security. On the other hand, the loyalists were as energetic in their attempts to intercept it. Skirmishes and reprisals occurred continually, and with various success. Colonels Twiggs, Dooley, Clarke, Few, and Jones were still engaged in par- tisan warfare ; sometimes on the frontiers against the Indians, and sometimes in attacking the de- tached parties of the British. To repress these outbreaks, General Provost ordered Captain Conklin, with a force of sixty- four men, to proceed to Governor Wright's plan- tation and disperse the Americans who were col- lected, to the number of sixty, at that place. At the Ogechee Ferry, Conklin was discovered while in the act of crossing over, but was suf- fered by Pickens and Twiggs to pass the river without interruption ; they encouraged the ad- vance of the enemy by exhibiting only twenty militia dragoons, under the command of Captain Inman. In the early part of the skirmish which ensued, Captain Conklin received a mortal wound. Lieutenant Honey, finding his situation critical, resorted to the bayonet, with which he made a desperate charge, and was also wounded. En- sign Supple' s detachment was pressed closely by CHAKLESTON TAKEN. 197 Captain Inman's dragoons, and compelled to retreat through the swamp in a rice-field, where he knew the dragoons could not carry the pur- suit. He rejoined his party, and ordered the wounded to be carried to the boats. He kept up a retreating fire until he reached the river, which he recrossed. Of the enemy, two pri- vates were killed and seven wounded : among the latter were the first and second officers in the command. Finding that the impressions made upon the northern states were but transitory, the British generals determined to subjugate those of the south. Accordingly, on the 1st of April, 1780, Charleston was invested by land and blockaded by sea. The siege was continued until the 12th of May, when the works being considered no longer tenable, General Lincoln surrendered the city to the British army and navy. By the fall of Charleston, General Mclntosh, with the remnant of the Georgia brigade, all the other continental troops in the southern depart- ment, several thousands of the militia, and the residue of the ordnance and military stores in the southern states, fell into the hands of the enemy. The situation of the Governor of Georgia at Augusta being no longer safe, he retreated with part of his council, and a number of his civil officers to North Carolina, and narrowly escaped capture by the way. 17* 198 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. Colonel Heard, president of the council, with several other members, retired to Wilkes county, where the semblance of a government was still kept up. The records of the state had been previously removed to Charleston ; they were no"w sent to North Carolina. Upon the passage of the British army through the latter state, the Georgia records were carried to Maryland, where they remained until the close of the war. During the brief administration of Governor Howley, the gay and joyous temperament of that gentleman, and of his secretary of state, sustained the spirits of the fugitive council from sinking into gloom and despondency. The value of paper money was at that time so depreciated, that the governor dealt it out by the quire for a night's lodging for his party ; and if the fare was any thing extraordinary, the land- lord was compensated with two quires, the gover- nor gravely signing a draft upon the treasurer made out in due form for the delivery of the same. Public opinion about this time was strongly agitated in reference to the eccentric movements of Brigadier-general Williamson. He was en- camped with three hundred men, near Augusta, and by his continual prevarications and delays induced many influential persons to suspect that Williamson was by no means averse to being captured by the enemy. WILLIAMSON'S TREACHERY. 199 The editor of the Royal Gazette of Georgia boldly charged Williamson not only with having the king's protection in his pocket, but that he had agreed to accept a colonel's commission from the same source. The result justified the charge. Williamson did, soon after, encourage the sur- render of his brigade ; infamously accepted the proffered commission of a royalist colonel, and until the close of the war, warmly advocated the re-establishment of the government of the crown. Almost simultaneous with the defection of Wil- liamson, Colonel Brown, with a detachment of royalist forces, took military possession of Au- gusta. But there were, even in these desperate times, a few noble hearted patriots who would not de- spair of eventually saving their country. Colonel Elijah Clarke had embodied three hundred men in Wilkes county, and Colonels Jones and Few, commanding two detachments of a similar de- scription, as soon as they were advised of the treachery of Williamson, retreated across the country and joined their forces to those already collected by Clarke. Immediately after occupy- ing Augusta, Colonel Brown despatched emis- saries into the country, with authority to give protection and administer the oath of allegiance to the British crown. One of these parties en- tered the house of Colonel John Dooley at a late hour of the night, and barbarously murdered him 200 HISTORY OP GEORGIA. in the presence of his wife and children. The loss of so energetic a partisan as Colonel Dooley, was severely felt among the patriots, and was one among the many causes of those terrible measures of retaliation which were afterward enforced. Previous to the murder of Colonel Dooley, a detachment was sent by McGirth into the neigh- bourhood of Captain McKay, in South Carolina. In two days seventeen men were massacred on their farms, and the whole of a flourishing coun- try of thirty miles in length, and ten in breadth, was desolated by these banditti. Disappointed in their expectations of getting possession of McKay's person, they resorted to the torture of his wife to extort from her a know- ledge of the place of his concealment. The mode of inflicting the torture was by taking a flint out of the lock of a musket, and putting her thumb in its place. The screw was applied, until the thumb was ready to burst. While under this new species of torture, which would have disgraced the most savage n'ation in the world, in addition to the questions put to her respecting her hus- band, she was required to disclose the secret deposit of his most valuable property, which they alleged had been removed and hidden in the woods. If McKay was afterward charged with inhumanity to those whom he captured, the gross outrage just narrated must be admitted as afford- ing at least some palliation for his conduct. NANCY HAKT. 201 It was at this bloody period of the war that the well-known incident occurred, which, though va- riously related, has never been so well told as in the following account by Mrs. Ellet : " In a portion of Wilkes now Elbert county called by tories, "The Hornest's Nest," on account of the number of whigs among the in- habitants, a stream named ' War-woman's Creek,' joined Broad River. It was so called on account of a zealous tory-hating heroine who lived on its banks. On the occasion of an excursion from the British camp at Augusta, into the interior for the purpose of pillage and murder, five loyalists separated from their party, and crossed the river to examine the neighbourhood and pay a visit to their old acquaintance, Nancy Hart. When they arrived at her cabin, they unceremoniously en- tered it, and informed her they had come to learn the truth of a story, that she had secreted a noted rebel from a party of 'king's men,' who, but for her interference, would have caught and hung him. Nancy undauntedly avowed her agency in the fugitive's escape. She had heard at first, she said, the tramp of a horse, and then saw a man on horseback approaching her cabin. As soon as she knew him to be a whig flying from pursuit, she let the down the bars in front of her cabin, and motioned him to pass through both doors and take to the swamp. She then put up the bars, entered the cabin, and closed the doors. 202 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. Presently some tories rode up to the bars, calling vociferously for her. She muffled up her head and face, and opening the door, inquired why they disturbed a sick, lone woman. They said they had traced a man they wanted to catch near to her house, and asked if any one on horseback had passed that way. She answered no, but that she saw some one on a sorrel horse turn out of the path into the woods, two or three hundred yards back. 'That must be the fellow!' said the tories ; and asking her direction as to the way he took, they turned about and went off, ' well-fooled,' concluded Nancy, < in an opposite course to that of my whig boy, when, if they had not been so lofty-minded, but had looked on the ground inside the bars, they would have seen his horse's tracks up to that door, as plain as you can see the tracks on this floor, and out of t'other door down the path to the swamp.' " This bold story did not much please the tory party, but they contented themselves with order- ing her to prepare them something to eat. She replied that she never fed traitors and king's men if she could help it the villains having put it out of her power to feed even her own family and friends, by stealing and killing all her poul- try and pigs, < except that one old gobbler you see in the yard.' < And that you shall cook for us,' said one who appeared to be a leader ; and raising his musket he shot down the turkey, which NANCY HART. 203 another brought in and handed to Mrs. Hart to be cleaned and cooked without delay. She stormed a while, but seeming at last disposed to make a merit of necessity, began with alacrity the arrangements for cooking, assisted by her daugh- ter, a little girl ten or twelve years old. " The spring of which every settlement had one near was just at the edge of the swamp ; and a short distance within the swamp was hid among the trees a high snag-topped stump, on which was placed a conch-shell. This rude trumpet was used by the family to convey information, by va- riations in its notes, to Hart or his neighbours, who might be at work in a field or < clearing' at hand to let them know that the < Britishers' or tories were about that the master was wanted at the cabin or that he was to keep close, or < make tracks' for another swamp. While cook- ing the turkey, Nancy sent her daughter to the spring for water, with directions to blow the conch in such a way as should inform her father there were tories in the cabin ; and that he was to keep close with his three neighbours until he should again hear the signal. While the men, who had become merry over their jug of liquor, were feasting upon the slaugh- tered gobbler, Nancy waited on the table, and occasionally passed between them and their mus- kets. She had contrived that there should be no water in the cabin ; and when it was called for, 204 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. despatched Sukey a second time to the spring, with instructions to blow such a signal on the conch as should call up Hart and his neighbours immediately. Meanwhile she had managed by slipping out one of the pieces of pine which form a * chinking' between the logs of a cabin, to open a space through which she was able to pass to the outside two of the five guns. She was detected in the act of putting out the third. The men sprang to their feet, when, quick as thought, Nancy brought the piece she held, to her shoul- der, declaring she would kill the first man who approached her. The men arriving from the field, the tories were taken prisoners, and, sad to relate ! received no more mercy than had some of the whigs at the hands of their enemies." During the month of June, Colonel Clarke was actively engaged in collecting additional troops, and in concerting with the authorities of South Carolina the plan of a campaign against the enemy. Agreeably to appointment, on the llth of July, one hundred and forty men, well mounted and armed, reached the rendezvous at Freeman's Fort; but as the British and loyalists were in force in his front, Clarke proposed to disband his men for a time, and wait until a more favourable opportunity occurred for carrying out his designs. This arrangement was very generally approved, but Colonel Jones, joined by some thirty-five men, determined to force their way across the PARTISAN SKIRMISHES. 205 state into North Carolina, and join the American army wherever it was to be found. On the 14th, Jones surprised, by stratagem, a party of loyalists, killed one and wounded three, and took twenty-eight prisoners. The next day he joined Colonel McDonald at Earls' Ford, on Packolet River. The united forces numbered over four hundred men. Ignorant of the approach of McDowell, Colo- nel Innis, commander of the British garrison at Prince's Fort, despatched Captain Dunlop with seventy dragoons, in pursuit of Jones. Dunlop pressed forward with rapidity, attacked the Ame- rican encampment during the night, killed and wounded thirty-eight men, and retreated with the loss of but one man wounded. A pursuit was immediately ordered, and after a march of fifteen miles in two hours, Dunlop was himself defeated in turn, with the loss of eight men killed at the first fire, and many others killed and wounded before he was enabled to reach the fort. Clarke, having in the mean time, re-assembled his regiment, was joined soon after by Colonel Jones, near the line which separates North from South Carolina. His presence forming a great annoyance to Colonel Innis and his garrison, the latter determined to bring on a general action ; but after a short but indecisive skirmish at Waf- ford's Iron-works, in which Major Burwell Smith was killed, both parties retired from the field. 18 206 * HISTORY OF GEORGIA. The loss of Major Smith was greatly regretted by Colonel Clarke, who considered him as one of his best partisan officers. The continued success of the American foraging parties determined Colonel Innis to increase his force, renew the attack upon Clarke's camp, and, if possible, drive him out of the country. On the night of the 17th of August, the approach of Innis whose command consisted of three hun- dred and fifty men was communicated to Colonel Clarke. Fortunately, the latter had previously been joined by Colonels Williams, Branham, and Shelby, whose forces had raised Clarke's num- bers to an equality with those of the enemy. It was, therefore, determined to give battle the next morning. About four miles from Musgrove's Mill there was a plantation, through which was a lane, and Clarke considered that the north end of it afforded him a favourable position for an attack. He advanced with one hundred men, himself on the right, and Major McCall on the left ; form- ing in the edge of the thick wood across the road, and extending his flanks near the fence. Wil- liams and Branham were ordered to form close in the rear of the flanks, and Shelby to cover the centre as a reserved corps, and to throw his force wherever circumstances might require. The advance-guard of the enemy were within fifty paces before they were aware of danger. When THE BRITISH DEFEATED. 207 Clarke commenced the attack, Innis ordered his dragoons and mounted militia to charge upon the Americans, and force them from the ground they occupied, that he might have room to form his regulars. Clarke was aware that the issue of the battle depended on his holding his ground, so as to force the British regulars to form in the open field, while his own men would be covered by the fence and the woods. Williams and Branham advanced and formed upon the right and left, and Shelby to the support of the centre, when the contest became close and sanguinary. Observ- ing this additional force, the dragoons and royal militia retreated into the lane among the British regulars, thus increasing the confusion, and flying from the field in the utmost disorder. The regu- lars had not room to form, and if they had done so in the open field, it would have been to great disadvantage. In this confused state, exposed to a galling fire from the American riflemen, they remained but a few minutes before seven British officers out of nine were either killed or wounded ; and the men tumbled down in heaps, without the power of resistance. Among the wounded was the British commander. Captain Ker, second in command, finding that resistance would then be vain, and without hope of success, ordered a re- treat ; which was effected in close order for four miles, resorting to the bayonet in flank and rear. The pursuit was continued by the victors, until 208 HISTORY OP GEORGIA. the enemy took refuge in Musgrove's Mill. The British loss was sixty-three killed, and one hun- dred and sixty wounded and prisoners. The American loss was four killed and nine wounded. Among the former was Captain Inman, and among the latter were Colonel Clarke and Captain John Clarke. The colonel received two wounds with a sabre on the back of his neck and head. His stock-buckle saved his life. He was for a few minutes a prisoner with the enemy, in charge of two men ; but taking advantage of his strength and activity, he knocked one of them down, and the other fled. Colonel Clarke, after burying his dead, returned to his former encampment near the iron-works. PLEDGES VIOLATED. 209 CHAPTER XIX. Cornwallis violates his pledges of protection Indignation of the people Clarke returns to Georgia Siege of Augusta Brown's desperate defence Cruger advances to reinforce Brown Retreat of Clarke 'Cruelty of Brown toward his prisoners Savage treatment of Mr. Alexander by Colonel Grierson Ferguson ordered to intercept Is pursued himself Battle of King's Mountain Skirmishes Clarke wounded. LORD Cornwallis, having, as he supposed, en- tirely subjugated the states of Georgia and South Carolina, now shamefully determined to violate those pledges of protection which many of the inhabitants had been compelled previously to accept. The impression first made upon the public mind was, that persons and property were to be secured against outrage and molestation by the British troops and loyalists ; and that peaceable citizens were not to take up arms against the crown of Great Britain so long as these conditions were duly regarded. So soon, however, as Cornwallis had succeeded in restoring the government of the crown, he wrote secret orders to the commanders of his outposts, directing them to punish with the utmost rigour all who had taken part in the revolt, to imprison all who refused to take up arms on the 18* 210 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. side of the British, and to confiscate or destroy their property. The most positive instructions were also given to hang every militia-man who, after having once borne arms for the crown, had subsequently joined the patriots. Orders of so sanguinary a character could not remain long unknown to the people. Indignant at this gross violation of the compact entered into between themselves and their brutal rulers, many immediately flew to arms ; while others of a cooler temperament smothered their resentment for a time, but were not the less resolved to shake off, at the first favourable opportunity, their allegiance to a government as treacherous as it was blood- thirsty. Among the most confident of those who entertained hopes that the authorized cruelties, which ensued soon afterward, would rouse a large proportion of the population into open rebellion, were Colonel Elijah Clarke and Lieutenant-colonel McCall. About the 1st of September, 1780, the first returned to Wilkes county in Georgia ; while the other went into the western part of Ninety-Six district, with the expectation of raising a joint force of at least one thousand men. To such an army it was supposed that Augusta would sub- mit with little or no resistance, and that Ninety- Six might soon afterward be menaced, and would probably be evacuated by the enemy. The suc- cess of this scheme would have given the Ameri- AUGUSTA ATTACKED. 211 cans the whole of the western divisions of Georgia and South Carolina. Instead of five hundred men, which McCall had confidently calculated on from Carolina, his persuasions could only induce eighty to accom- pany him upon the expedition. Clarke had been more successful. His numbers amounted to three hundred and fifty. With this small band he determined to precipi- tate himself suddenly upon Augusta ; and as soon as he was joined by McCall, he commenced his march. The garrison of Augusta consisted, at the time of Clarke's approach, of five hundred and fifty rangers and Indians, under the command of the renegade Colonel Brown. On the morning of the 14th of September, the Americans halted, unobserved, near the town, and separated their forces into three divisions. One of these divisions, under Major Taylor, while advancing to the attack, fell in with an Indian camp near to Hawk's Creek, and drove the savages back upon their allies. Taylor press- ed on to get possession of McKay's trading- house, denominated the white house, one mile and a half west of the town. At this house the Indians joined a company of the king's rangers, commanded by Captain Johnston. The attack upon the camp gave the first intimation to Brown of the Americans' approach. He ordered Grier- 212 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. son to reinforce Johnston, and advanced to the scene of action in person, with the main body. The centre and right divisions completely sur- prised the garrisons of the forts, and took pos- session without resistance. Seventy prisoners, and all the Indians present, were put under charge of a guard, and Clarke marched with the residue to the assistance of Major Taylor. Brown and Grierson had joined Johnston and the In- dians, and upon Clarke's approach, took shelter in the white house, and defended it. Several attempts were made to dislodge the enemy, by taking possession of some small out-houses to the eastward ; but they failed, from the houses being too small and flanked by the Indians. Finding that these houses furnished little or no defence, they were abandoned. A desultory fire was con- tinued from eleven o'clock until night, but it was found that the enemy could not be dislodged without artillery. At the close of the day the firing ceased, and strong guards were posted to keep the enemy in check. Under cover of the night, Brown strengthened his position by throwing up some works around the house, and by filling the inter- stices between the weather-boarding with earth. The next morning Clarke brought up two pieces of artillery from Grierson's Fort, which were placed in a position to bear upon the house ; but owing to unskilful management, and the SIEGE OF AUGUSTA RAISED. 213 fall of his only artillerist, they proved of little use. On the morning of the 16th, the Americans succeeded in driving the Indians from their shel- ter, and cut off the supply of water, by which the enemy, particularly the wounded, suffered greatly. Early in the engagement, Brown was shot through both thighs and suffered among the wounded, who were often heard calling for water and medical aid. The sufferings of the wounded, the nauseous smell of animal putrefaction from the dead bodies of men and horses lying around, and the want of water, it was supposed, would induce the enemy to surrender. Accordingly, on the 17th, Clarke sent Colonel Brown a summons, but the proposition was re- jected. In the afternoon the summons was re- peated ; the reply of Brown expressed his deter- mination to defend himself to the last extremity. The only hope of the latter rested upon the messengers he had sent off early in the contest to Colonel Cruger at Ninety-Six, asking immediate reinforcements. Nor were these hopes fallacious. On the night of the 17th, Clarke's spies informed him of the approach of Cruger by forced marches, with five hundred British regulars and militia ; and at ten o'clock on the morning of the 18th, the Americans raised the siege, after having held the enemy for three days almost within their 214 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. grasp. The retreat itself was a bitter mortifica- tion, but the consequences which immediately followed it were horrible. When Clarke felt himself compelled to retire before a vastly superior force of the enemy, he humanely paroled his prisoners, to the number of fifty- four officers and men, hoping that this considerate policy would operate favourably in regard to such of his own wounded as were not in a condition to be removed from the town. He had fearfully mistaken the character of his enemy. The prisoners he had released immediately vio- lated their parole, and took up arms against him. Captain Ashy, an officer noted for his bravery and humanity, with twenty-eight others, including the wounded, fell into the hands of the enemy, and were disposed of, under the sanguinary order of Lord Cornwallis, in the following manner : Captain Asby and twelve of the wounded prison- ers were .hanged on the staircase of the White- house, where Brown was lying wounded, so that he might have the satisfaction of seeing the victims of his vengeance expire. Their bodies were delivered up to the Indians, who scalped and otherwise mangled them and threw them in the river. Henry Duke, John Burgamy, Scott Redden, Jordan Ricketson, Darling, and two youths, brothers, of seventeen and fifteen years of age, named Glass, were all hanged : the former of these youths was shot through the ATROCIOUS CRUELTIES. 215 thigh, and could not be carried off when the re- treat was ordered, and the younger brother could not be prevailed on to leave him ; his tenderness and affection cost him his life. A horse was the fatal scaffold on which they were mounted, and from the gibbet they entered together on the long journey of eternity. All this was merciful, when compared with the fate which awaited the other prisoners. They were delivered to the Indians to glut their ven- geance for the loss they had sustained in the action and siege. The Indians formed a circle and placed the prisoners in the centre, and their eagerness to shed blood spared the victims from tedious torture : some were scalped before they sunk under the Indian weapons of war ; others were thrown into fires and roasted to death. Thus mournfully ended an expedition which, had it been successful, would have been lauded as highly as it was subsequently censured. After the siege was raised the country was searched, and those whose relations were engaged in the American cause were arrested and crowded into prisons : others who were suspected of hav- ing intercourse with any of Clarke's command were hanged without the forms of trial. The venerable grandfathers of the American patriots, whose hoary heads were bending toward the grave, were crowded into filthy places of confine- ment for no other crimes than those of receiving 216 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. visits from their descendants, after a long ab- sence. Among the number was the father of Captains Samuel and James Alexander, in the seventy-eighth year of his age : he was arrested by a party commanded by Colonel Grierson, and by his order was ignominiously chained to a cart, and dragged like a criminal forty miles in two days ; and when he attempted to rest his feeble frame by leaning upon the cart, the driver was ordered to scourge him with his whip. These old men were kept in close confinement, as hostages for the neutrality of the country ; but by the in- clemency of the season, the small-pox, and inhu- man treatment, very few of them survived to greet their friends in freedom, upon the re-con- quest of it by the American troops. So soon as Lord Cornwallis heard of the retreat of Clarke from Augusta, he directed Major Fer- guson, a partisan officer of distinguished merit, to march to the frontiers of South Carolina and intercept Clarke. The hardy mountaineers of Virginia and North Carolina, collecting at this time from various quarters, constituted a formidable force, and ad- vanced by a rapid movement toward Ferguson. At the same time, Colonel Williams, from the neighbourhood of Ninety-Six, and Colonels Tracy and Banan, also of South Carolina, con- ducted parties of men toward the same points. Ferguson, having notice of their approach, com- BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 217 menced his march for Charlottesville. The several corps of militia, amounting to near three thou- sand men, met at Gilbert-town, lately occupied by Ferguson. About one thousand six hundred riflemen were immediately selected, and mounted on their fleetest horses, for the purpose of follow- ing the retreating army. They came up with the enemy at King's Mountain, October 7th, 1780, where Ferguson, on finding he should be over- taken, had chosen his ground, and waited for an attack. The Americans formed themselves into three divisions, led by Colonels Campbell, Shelby, and Cleaveland, and began to ascend the mountain in three different and opposite directions. Cleave- land, with his division, was the first to gain sight of the enemy's picket, and halting his men, he addressed them in the following simple, affecting, and animating terms: "My brave fellows, we have beat the tories, and we can beat them ; they are all cowards. If they had the spirit of men, they would join their fellow-citizens in supporting the independence of their country. When en- gaged, you are not to wait for the word of com- mand from me. / will show you how to fight by my example. I can undertake no more. Every man must consider himself as an officer, and act from his own judgment. Fire as quick as you can. When you can do no better, get behind trees or retreat, but I beg you not to run quite 19 218 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. off. If we are repulsed, let us make a point to return and renew the fight ; perhaps we may have better luck in the second attempt than in the first. If any of you are afraid, such have leave to retire, and they are requested imme- diately to take themselves off" This address, which would have done honour to the hero of Agincourt, being ended, the men rushed upon the enemy's pickets, and forced them to retire ; but returning again to the charge with the bayonet, Cleaveland's men gave way in their turn. In the mean time, Colonel Shelby advanced with his division, and was in like manner driven back by the bayonets of the enemy ; but there was yet another body of assailants to be received : Colonel Campbell moved up at the moment of Shelby's repulse, but was equally unable to stand against the British bayonets, and Ferguson still kept possession of his mountain. The whole of the division being separately baffled, determined to make an other effort in co-operation, and the conflict became terrible. Ferguson still depended upon the bayonet ; but this brave and undaunted officer, after gallantly sustaining the attack for nearly an hour, was killed by a musket-ball, and his troops soon after surrendered at discretion. The whole army of the enemy, consisting of over eleven hundred men, with but few exceptions, were either killed, wounded, or taken prisoners ; and all their arms, THE AMERICANS VICTORIOUS. 219 ammunition, camp equipage, horses, and baggage of every description fell into the hands of the victorious Americans. The loss of the latter did not exceed twenty in killed, though the number of their wounded was very considerable. After disposing of their families among the hospitable inhabitants of Kentucky, Clarke col- lected the remains of his regiment, recrossed the mountains, and formed a junction with General Sumpter, on the borders of South Carolina. While they remained in the latter state, the Georgians took an active and an honourable part in the battles of Fishdam Ford, Blackstocks, and Longcane, and subsequently, under Morgan, shared in the more important victory at the Cow- pens. Colonel Clarke, however, was unable to take any part personally in the latter battle, owing to his having received a dangerous wound Curing the action at Longcane. 220 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. CHAPTER XX. Skirmish at Beattie's Mill Sickness of Clarke Death of McCall Georgians harass the British Skirmish at Wig- gins's Hill Death of Rannal McKay and others Augusta invested by Williamson Clarke assumes command Is re- inforced by Pickens and Lee Fort Grierson abandoned Colonel Grierson shot Surrender of Brown Mrs. McKay's interview with him Fort Ninety-Six abandoned by Cruger Wayne advances toward Savannah Defeats three hun- dred Creek Indians Pickens marches against the CLerokees Closing of the war Savannah evacuated Treaty of peace concluded at Paris. As soon as Clarke had sufficiently recovered of his wound, he joined General Pickens in Ninety-Six district, and took part in the skir- mish at Beattie's Mill on Little River. In this spirited affair, Major Dunlop, with seventy-fiv British dragoons, were signally defeated ; Dun- lop himself killed, nearly half of his entire force either killed or wounded, and the remainder made prisoners of war. When it became known that General Greene intended to advance into South Carolina, Clarke proceeded into Georgia with his troops, accompa- nied by McCall and a part of his regiment from South Carolina. About the middle of April, 1781, both these officers were seized with the small-pox. Clarke SKIRMISHES. 221 eventually recovered, but McCall returned into Carolina and died of the disease. When the Georgians returned into their own state, they dispersed into parties of ten and twelve men each, so as to spread themselves over the settlements and harass the enemy as much as possible. Information having been received by Colonel Brown, that Colonel Harden with a body of American militia was in the neighbourhood of Coosawhatchie, he ordered his provincials to join him at Augusta and defend it ; but they shrunk from the dangerous task, and fled into the Indian country. Brown now determined to attack Harden in person. They met at Wiggins's Hill; where, after a sharp contest, the Americans were de- feated, with the loss of seven killed and eleven wounded. Several prisoners were captured after the skirmish by detached parties of the enemy. Among these was Rannal McKay, a youth of seventeen years of age. Mrs. McKay, who was a widow, hearing of the captivity of her son, re- paired to Brown's camp, carrying with her some refreshments which she intended to present to him, as a means of obtaining more ready access to his person. Brown received the refreshments, but turned a deaf ear to her entreaties, and would not per- mit her to have an interview with her son, whose 19* * 222 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. fate she already foresaw : she was forced without the sentries. Colonel Rannal McKinnon, a Scots officer, who was a soldier of honour, and unused to murderous warfare, remonstrated with Brown against hanging the youth, and gave Mrs. McKay some assurances that her son would be safe. Brown returned that night and encamped at Wiggins's Hill, and caused a pen to he made of fence rails, about three feet high, in which he placed his prisoners, and covered it over with the same materials. Mrs. McKay had followed to the camp, but was not permitted to enter it ; and Captain McKinnon, the advocate of hu- manity, was ordered on command. On the ensuing morning, the prisoners, Rannal McKay, Britton Williams, George Smith, George Reed, and a Frenchman, whose name is not known, were ordered forth to the gallows ; and after hanging until they were nearly dead, they were cut down and delivered to the Indians, who scalped them and otherwise abused their bodies in their accustomed savage manner. The fate of young McKay inspired his brother, a youth of fifteen, to join his countrymen and add his strength in avenging the murder of his brother. But the period was fast approaching when Georgia, bleeding and desolated, was to be re- lieved of the presence of her sanguinary oppres- sors. AUGUSTA BLOCKADED. 223 On the 16th of April, Lieutenant-colonel Wil- liamson, on whom the command of the Georgian militia was devolved during the illness of Colonel Clarke, assembled his detachment at the ap- pointed rendezvous on Little River, where he was shortly afterward joined by other detach- ments of Georgians and Carolinians. With this force, but little superior in numbers to his adver- sary, he marched at once upon Augusta. Williamson took up a position within twelve hundred yards of the town, and fortifying his camp kept Brown in a state of blockade until the 15th of May. On that day, Colonel Clarke ar- rived with a reinforcement of one hundred men, and assumed the command. Clarke was unfurnished with cannon, but had picked up an old four-pounder in the field, which had been thrown away by the British : believing it might be converted to use, he had it mounted, and employed a blacksmith to form pieces of iron into the shape of balls; and commenced his approaches by constructing a battery at four hundred yards distance from Grierson's Fort, and placed his gun upon it. Powder was so scarce, that orders were given not to use it when the sword could be substituted. He sent an express to General Pickens, stating his situation and re- questing assistance. At the time the messenger reached him, Pick- ens had so weakened his force by detachments 224 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. against the Indians, that he was unable to com- ply with the request. He sent, however, a letter to General Greene, who, as soon as he was in- formed of the condition and prospects of Clarke, ordered a detachment under Colonel Lee to march to his relief. Almost immediately after- ward, Pickens was placed in a condition to fol- low. On the 23d of May, a junction was formed by Pickens, Lee, and Clarke. After reconnoitring the ground and the British works, it was deter- mined to dislodge Grierson, who was garrisoned about half a mile west of Fort Cornwallis, and either destroy or intercept him in his retreat. The attempt was immediately made. Discover- ing that Grierson was in a critical situation, Brown drew out a part of his forces, and made an ineffectual attempt to relieve his subordinate. Grierson, finding resistance would be vain, evacuated his fortress, and endeavoured, under shelter of a ravine leading to the river's bank, to unite his command with that of Brown in Fort Cornwallis. In this hazardous retreat, he had thirty men killed, and forty-five wounded and taken prison- ers. Grierson himself was shot, after he had sur- rendered, by one of the Georgia riflemen. A re- ward was offered by the American commander for the apprehension of the offender, but without effect. The death of Grierson was in retaliation for his SIEGE OF AUGUSTA. 225 numerous cruelties, but especially for his barba- rous conduct toward the venerable Mr. Alexander a short time previous. As the company of Captain Alexander formed a part of the American force before Augusta, it may easily be conjectured by whose hand Grierson fell. Brown, finding that he would be closely in- vested, applied himself to strengthen his fortress ; and every part which required amendment was repaired with industry. He placed the aged Alexander, and others who had long been in captivity, in one of the bastions most exposed to the fire of the rifle batteries ; one of which was manned by Captain Samuel Alexander's com- pany : thus the father was exposed to be killed by the hand of his son ; but he escaped uninjured. These preparations on the part of the enemy could not be counteracted. The Americans had but one field-piece, and all that could be done was only to be achieved by close investure and regular approaches. At length, Colonel Lee suggested the plan of raising a tower of square logs, some thirty feet high, proof against the enemy's artillery, and sufficiently large and strong to sustain a six- pounder. By the 1st of June, the tower was raised suffi- ciently high to overlook the works of the enemy, and Brown, anticipating the fatal consequences which would result from its completion, directed 226 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. his attention to the destruction of it. Finding it could not be destroyed by fair and open combat, Brown resorted to stratagem to effect his object ; but in this also he was equally unsuccessful. On the 31st of May, Brown had been sum- moned to surrender, but refused. On the morn- ing of the 3d of June, another opportunity was afforded him, which he rejected. During the day an incessant and galling fire was kept up from the rifle batteries, which were raised so high as to enable the besiegers to unman the field-pieces, and drive the enemy from the opposite bastions. The six-pounder in the tower had dismounted the enemy's artillery, and ren- dered it useless. They were obliged to dig vaults in the ground within the fort, to secure them- selves from the fire of the American riflemen. The morning of the 4th, at nine o'clock, was destined for the assault : as the hour approached, and columns were arrayed waiting the signal to advance, a British officer appeared with a flag, and presented a letter at the margin of the trenches, addressed to General Pickens and Colonel Lee, offering to surrender on the conditions specified in the communication. After a day's delay, the terms which the Americans offered as their ulti- matum were agreed to ; and, on the morning of the 5th of June, the fort and garrison were sur- rendered. The British loss during the siege was fifty-two MRS. MCKAY'S ADDRESS TO BROWN. 227 killed, and three hundred and thirty-four, in- cluding the wounded, were made prisoners of war. The American loss was sixteen killed, and thirty- five wounded, seven of them mortally. Brown and his officers were placed under a strong guard to secure their safety. Young McKay, the bro- ther of the youth murdered by Brown, endea- voured to kill the latter, but was prevented by the guard. Mrs. McKay was said to have armed herself for the same purpose. As the prisoners were on their way to Savannah for the purpose of being exchanged, she met the escort at Silver- bluff, and, after promising the officer in charge to do no violence to Brown, obtained leave to speak with him. As soon as she was admitted to his presence, she thus addressed him : Colonel Brown, in the late day of your pros- perity, I visited your camp, and on my knees supplicated for the life of my son ; but you were deaf to my entreaties : you hanged him, though a beardless youth, before my face. These eyes saw him scalped by the savages under your im- mediate command. As you are now a prisoner to the leaders of my country, I lay aside for the present all thoughts of revenge ; but when you resume your sword, I will go five hundred miles to demand satisfaction at the point of it, for the murder of my son !" Immediately after the capture of Augusta, Pickens and Lee, with a part of the Georgians, 228 HISTORY OP GEORGIA. joined General Greene in his investment of Fort Ninety-Six. The approach of Lord Rawdon at the head of two thousand men compelled Greene to raise the siege and retire toward North Caro- lina. The situation of the British becoming every day more precarious, Ninety-Six was soon after- ward abandoned by Colonel Cruger, who de- stroyed the works, and, retreating upon Orange- burg, formed a junction with Rawdon. The attention of the continental officers was now turned to the reduction of Savannah ; but before this could be accomplished, it was found necessary to organize an expedition against the Indian towns, to chastise the savages and loyal- ists, who had for some time been murdering and plundering along the frontiers. The expedition terminated favourably, and for a few months the inhabitants were left in the enjoyment of peace. At length, the success of the American army under General Gilene in South Carolina enabled him to send a force, commanded by General Wayne, to the assistance of the Georgians. The British Brigadier-general Clarke, who at this time commanded in Savannah, on learning the advance of Wayne, called in his outposts and made preparations for a vigorous defence. He despatched expresses to the Creek and Cherokee Indians, requesting them to march to his as- sistance ; but the defeats they had suffered from Pickena and Lee had in some measure discouraged DEFEAT OF THE SAVAGES. 229 them. They met in council in the spring of 1782, and while some agreed to join the British on the southern frontier by the middle of May, the greater part of the warriors resolved to remain neutral. In the mean time, in endeavouring to keep open the communication to the southward of Savannah for the purpose of giving free pas- sage to his savage allies, the detachments of the British commander suffered several defeats. On the night of the 23d of June, three hundred Creek Indians, headed by Guristersigo, reached undiscovered the vicinity of Wayne's camp, and while seeking to avoid it by surprising the pickets, fell upon the main body. After a short conflict the Indians were routed. Scattering into small parties they returned to the Creek nation, leaving seventeen men dead upon the field, and one hun- dred and seventeen pack-horses loaded with pel- try, in the hands of the victors. Shortly after this, an expedition was organized by Pickens and Clarke against the Cherokees, the effect of which was to bring about a treaty with that nation, by which the Cherokees ceded to Georgia all the lands south of Savannah River, and east of the Chattahoochee, as the price of peace. Early in 1783, the chiefs repaired to Augusta, and, on the 30th of May, formally ratified the treaty entered into with General Pickens the September previous. 20 230 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. . Another treaty was made soon after with the Creeks, by which the lands claimed by them east of the Oconee River were surrendered to Georgia. The war was now rapidly drawing to- a close. The defeat of Burgoyne at Saratoga, the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown, joined to the ill-suc- cess which had attended the British arms gene- rally, had rendered the war very unpopular in England. After numerous debates upon the subject, Ge- neral Conway, on the 29th of February, 1783, moved in the House of Commons, " That a further prosecution of hostilities against the colonies would tend to increase the mutual enmity so fatal to the interests of both Great Britain and Ame- rica." A change of ministry and policy soon suc- ceeded. General Sir Guy Carleton was ordered to take command of the British forces in America, and, in conjunction with Admiral Digby, was ap- pointed to negotiate a peace with the American government. On the 2d of May, General Leplie, who com- manded the British forces in the southern depart- ment, proposed to General Greene a cessation of hostilities ; but the latter declined entering into any stipulation of the kind without authority from Congress. It was understood, however, that measures were in progress for withdrawing the British forces from America, and that terms of SAVANNAH EVACUATED. 231 peace had been offered by Great Britain to the American commissioners at Paris. About the 1st of July, a deputation from the merchants of Savannah visited General Wayne, for the purpose of ascertaining upon what terms British subjects might be permitted to remain in the city after it should be evacuated by the troops of the enemy. After some preliminary difficulties had been overcome, the conduct of the negotiation on the part of Georgia was intrusted principally to Ma- jor John Habersham, and on the llth of July, 1783, the embarkation of the British troops was commenced. The American army entered and took possession of the city the same day. Be- tween the 12th and 25th of the same month, twelve hundred British regulars and loyalists, five hundred women and children, three hundred Indians, and five thousand negroes sailed from the port of Savannah. The metropolis of Georgia had been three years, six months, and thirteen days, in the en- tire possession of the enemy ; and at several times, the whole state had been under the control of the British government. The number of the disaffected to the republican government appears, by the act of confiscation and banishment, to have amounted to two hundred and eighty. A considerable number of them were afterward re- stored to the rights of citizenship, and some of 232 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. them to the enjoyment of their property, upon paying twelve and a half per cent, upon the amount thus restored ; and others upon paying eight per cent, into the public treasury. No correct estimate can be made of the im- mense losses sustained by the inhabitants of Geor- gia during the Revolutionary war. The negroes and other property which was carried off ; the houses, plantations, and produce, destroyed by fire ; the loss of time, by constant military em- ployment ; the distressed condition of widows, who were left by the numerous murders com- mitted upon the heads of families, and killed in the field of battle, seem to bid defiance to calculation. If the inhabited part of the state, with all the property it contained, had been valued at the commencement of the war, half of the amount would probably have been a moderate estimate of the loss. As early as the 30th of November, 1782, pro- visional articles of peace were entered into at Paris between the American commissioners and the commissioner on the part of Great Britain, but the definitive treaties between England, France, and America, were not finally ratified until the 3d of September, 1783. Thus ended the terrible but glorious war of the American Revolution ; terrible in the calami- ties which it brought upon a patriotic people, glorious in its final result. Never in the history CONDITION OF THE COLONIES. 233 of the world did an appeal to arms originate from purer motives, or entail more blessings upon future generations by the success which fol- lowed it. CHAPTER XXI. Condition of the colonies at the close of the war Re-organiza- tion of the Federal government proposed Delegates meet at Annapolis Recommend a convention to meet at Phila- delphia Convention meets Number of states represented Washington elected chairman Rules of proceeding The first questions considered, ratio of representation, and rules of voting Contest between the larger and smaller states Vote of Georgia The executive A counter project Grand committee of conference Proposition of Franklin Rule of appointment Committee of detail New difficulties Com- promises Doubts and fears respecting the constitution Territorial suit between Georgia and South Carolina Geor- gia called upon to cede her public lands Congress of 1790 Slavery petitions. THE long and bloody struggle against British oppression was now closed. That independence in political action, for which the colonies had dared and suffered so much, was acknowledged and confirmed. They were henceforth, in the eyes of all Europe, free and sovereign states. But they had yet many difficulties to encounter. They were about to take upon themselves a form of government, the permanence of which all pre- vious examples had shown to be precarious and uncertain. In addition to this cause for reason- able doubt, there were others equally calculated 234 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. to operate injuriously to the free working of the The war was indeed over, and peace once more smiled upon the land ; but the disruption of so- cial ties during a prolonged contest, the depressed condition of trade, the interruptions which com- merce had so long experienced, and above all, the heavy load of debt by which the nation was encumbered, rendered the experiment of self- government not merely hazardous in the extreme, but, in the opinion of many profound thinkers, certain to end, after the lapse of a few years, in the entire destruction of the commonwealths. One of the first acts of the disenthralled states showed a thoughtful recognition of the future. They proposed a re-organization of the federal government with powers equal to the importance of its functions. Delegates from six states, responding to the call of Virginia, met at Annapolis in September, 1786 ; but finding their number so few, and the powers of several of them very much restricted, they resolved to recommend a convention of dele- gates from all the states, to meet at Philadelphia the following May, to consider the articles of confederation, and to propose such changes therein as might render them adequate to the exigencies of -the Union. The proposal was transmitted to all the state legislatures, and was presently laid before Con- CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 235 gress. At first, it was received with marked coolness ; but circumstances occurring soon after that rendered some action of the kind imperatively necessary, the proposed convention was sanctioned and approved, and delegates chosen from all the states, except Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Although the 14th of May was the day ap- pointed for the meeting of the convention, on the 25th there were but seven states represented. By the end of the month, however, fifty dele- gates from eleven states were present men highly distinguished for talents, character, prac- tical knowledge, and public services. Of this convention Washington was elected President. The rules of proceeding adopted were copied chiefly from those of Congress. Each state was to have one vote ; seven states were to constitute a quorum ; all committees were to be appointed by ballot, and the debates to be conducted with closed doors and under the injunction of secrecy. The first questions which were considered re- lated to the ratio of representation and the rule of voting in the national legislature ; whether it should be by state, or by the individual members. The small states desired to retain that equal vote which, under the confederation, they already possessed. The larger states, on the other hand, were firmly resolved to secure to themselves, under the new arrangement, a weight propor- 236 HISTORY OP GEORGIA. tiopate to their superior wealth and numbers. Georgia, afid the -two Carolinas, anticipating a ^spsedy^mcrease of population, voted with the larger states, and representation by population was thus carried by a majority of one only. The election of the first branch of the national legislature by the people was strongly opposed by Roger Sherman and Elbridge Gerry; the latter of whom said : All the evils we expe- rience flow from excess of democracy. The people do not want virtue, but are the dupes of pretended patriots. In Massachusetts, they are daily misled into the most baleful measures and opinions. He had been too republican hereto- fore, but had been taught by experience the danger of a levelling spirit." In reply to this, Madison and others argued that no republican government could stand with- out popular confidence, which confidence could only be secured by giving to the people one branch of the legislature. In this opinion the delegates from Georgia^co- incided, and voted for the resolution, which was successfully carried, in opposition to the neigh- bouring delegates from South Carolina, who thought a choice by the people impracticable in a scattered population. The election of senators now came up, and after much debate, it was agreed that their nomi- nation should emanate from the second branch of DEBATES IN THE CONVENTION. 237 the state legislatures ; and it was carried by a vote of six states to five, that the same ratio of representation should prevail in both branches. When the question arose, " Whether the execu- tive should consist of one person or several?" it gave rise to considerable hesitancy among the members. At length, James Wilson, of Pennsyl- vania, moved that it be composed of a single person. After an animated debate, during which C. Pinckney, of South Carolina, denounce4-ttft4t-yjn the executive officer as thfi- *cfoeitiia of monarchy-, ' the motion was carried rvj-eorpa voting in the affirmative. - The mode by which the executive should be elected was next discussed. Wilson proposed at first, doubtfully, the election by the people ; and, subsequently, by a college of electors chosen by the people : Sherman proposed an election by the national legislature ; and this was at length acceded to as part of the plan. The term of office was then fixed, after con- siderable varying, at seven years, with ineligi- bility afterward. The^efrfgtar members =adiQ. preferred three years with re- eligibility voting with the minority. ~~ A motion to allow the executive a modified veto was next carried ; making a vote of three- fourths in both branches necessary to pass laws objected to by the executive. 238 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. Considerable excitement having arisen from the determination of the larger states not to ad- mit an equality of representation in the second branch of the legislature, Paterson, of New Jersey, brought forward a counter scheme. This counter project, and the plan just re- ported to the house, were referred to a new com- mittee of the whole, and the entire question of a national government, or not, had again to be gone over. The report of the committee of the whole being now taken up, each article of the plan previously passed was separately considered anew; many alterations were suggested, and several were made. Two difficulties, however, presented them- selves, in so serious an aspect, that they threat- ened to result in the breaking up of the conven- tion. The first of these arose from the determination of the smaller states to agree to no plan which did not concede an equality of representation in the second branch of the national legislature. As a last resource, the convention appointed a grand committee of conference, consisting of one member from each state. In this committee, the proposition of Franklin, giving to the first branch of the legislature one representative for every forty thousand persons, according to the three-fifths ratio, with the sole DEBATES IN THE CONVENTION. 239 power to originate money-bills : and to the second branch, an equal representation by the states : was reluctantly acquiesced in by the larger states, and thus this vexatious question was settled. The rule of apportionment was another diffi- culty. Paterson, of New Jersey, considered a mere reference to wealth and numbers too vague ; and asked, "if negroes, being regarded in the light of property in the states to which they belong, are not represented in those states, why should they be represented in the general govern- ment ?" King contended for a compromise between the north and south, and argued that as eleven of the thirteen states had agreed to consider slaves in the apportionment of taxation, taxation and representation ought to go together. Gouverneur Morris expressed great apprehen- sions of the new states to be formed in the west ; and proposed to leave the future apportionment of members of the first branch to the discretion of the legislature. Edmund Randolph, sup- ported by Mason and Wilson, objected to any such arrangement, as it would put the majority into the power of the minority. The former, therefore, proposed that future appointments should be regulated by a periodical census. Williamson, of Maryland, moved, as a substi- tute, to reckon in this census the whole number of freemen, and three-fifths of all others. Butler 240 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. and C. Pinckney insisted that all the slaves ought to be counted. Gerry thought three-fifths quite enough. Gouverneur Morris denounced the three-fifths clause as an encouragement to the slave-trade, and an injustice to human nature. Wilson, while professing his ignorance of the principles upon which the admission of the blacks could be explained, acknowledged the existence of difficulties which were only to be overcome by a spirit of compromise. The voting now com- menced. Butjer'sjaotion tojiount blacks equally with^whites was rejected r Georgia voting in tne affirmative. The three-fifths clause, moved by Williamson, was also voted down. Kandolph's periodical census was next rejected. The question then recurring on the report of the special committee, authorizing the legislature to regulate future ap- portionments on the basis of wealth and numbers, Gouverneur Morris moved a preliminary proviso, that taxation should be in proportion to repre- sentation, which, being restricted to direct taxa- tion, was unanimously agreed to. Davie, of North Carolina, now rose and de- clared, " it was time to speak out. He saw that it was meant by some gentlemen to deprive the southern states of any share of representation for their blacks. He was sure North Carolina would never confederate on any terms that did not rate them at least as three-fifths. If the DEBATES IN THE CONVENTION. 241 eastern states meant therefore to exclude them altogether, the business was at an end." This plain speaking brought matters to a crisis. After several ineffectual attempts to restore har- monious action in the convention, a motion was made by Randolph to adjourn till the morrow ; " to devise, (as he said,) if possible, some concilia- tory expedient ; or, in case the small states con- tinued to hold back, to take such measures what he would not say as might seem necessary." The adjournment was carried. The delegates from the larger states met in consultation, but nothing could be agreed upon. The next day the ques- tion was set at rest by a failure of the motion to reconsider, and the convention proceeded to take up the remaining articles of the report. The provisions respecting the national legisla- ture having thus been decided upon, the conven- tion passed to the articles on the executive, and after two warm debates, succeeded, with some few modifications, in completing them. In the articles relating to the judiciary, no essential change was made. The amended report was now referred to a committee of detail, which, after an adjournment of ten days, brought in their report a rough sketch of the constitution as it now stands. This draft gave to the national legislature the name of Congress ; the first branch to be called the House of Representatives ; the second branch 21 242 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. the Senate. The name of President was given to the executive. In detailing the powers of Congress, some new provisions had been introduced by the committee, which were the occasion of exciting considerable feeling in the convention. Those subjects which elicited the strongest opposition were the taxes on exports, the regulation of commerce, and the importation of slaves. The^eastern ship-owning states were in favour of empowering Congress to enact navigation laws. The southern states dreaded any such laws, as likely to enhance the cost of transportation. The prohibition of the slave-trade was no new idea. The Continental Congress had long before resolved " that no slave be imported into any of the United States." Delaware, Virginia, and Maryland, and all the more northern states, had expressly acquiesced in the prohibition. Notwithstanding this, mer- chant vessels belonging to the northern states continued to carry on the traffic elsewhere, and already, since the acknowledgment of independ- ence, some New England ships were engaged in transporting slaves from Africa into Georgia and South Carolina ; and the latter expressed them- selves determined to maintain, not the institution of slavery only, but the importation of slaves likewise. In the midst of this conflict of interests, a COMPROMISES. 243 bargain was struck between the commercial re- r s^ presentatives of the northern states and the dele-V/ gates of South Carolina and Georgia, by which the unrestricted power of Congress to enact navigation laws was conceded to the northern merchants, and to the Carolina rice-planters, as an equivalent, twenty years' continuance of the slave-trade. This was the third great compromise of the constitution. The other two were the conces- sion to the smaller states of an equal representa- tion in the senate, and to the slaveholders the counting three-fifths of the slaves in determining the ratio of representation. After some few other amendments, offered with a view to conciliate conflicting interests, the con- stitution as reported received its final corrections and the sanction of the convention. This sanction was not given by the members of the convention without a gloomy presentiment that its numerous imperfections would lead to the ruin of the confederacy. Mason declared his belief that the proposed constitution would terminate in a monarchy, or a tyrannical aristocracy. Randolph, Mason, and Gerry, all expressed their dissatisfaction at the extended and indefinite powers conferred on Congress and the executive. Pinckney, and other southern members, on the contrary, ob- 244 HISTORY OF GEORGIA. jected to the contemptible -weakness and depend- ence of the executive. So opposite and inharmonious were the feel- ings of the members in relation to the instru- ment, the articles of which they had examined .and passed clause by clause, that it required all the address of Franklin and other influential members, to gain for the new constitution unani- mous signature. A form was proposed which might be signed without implying personal approval of the con- stitution ; it. read thus: "Done by consent of the states present. In testimony whereof we have subscribed, &c." Hamilton, though opposed to the plan, urged the infinite misehief that might arise from refusing to sign it. Washington also addressed the convention in its favour. These ap- peals succeeded with some of the dissatisfied mem- bers, but Randolph, Mason, and Gerry could not be prevailed upon to subscribe their names. The federal constitution, thus laboriously pro- duced, was laid before Congress, then sitting at New York, with a letter from its framers recom- mending its reference, for approval or rejection, to state conventions, to be called by the state legis- latures. Congress hesitated at first in comply- ing with this request ; but finally, on September 28th, 1787, a bill was passed, transmitting the document to the state legislatures, to be acted upon as the convention had suggested ; and in WESTERN LANDS CEDED. 245 the beginning of the yea*-! tflfi,