Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c. The disposition which you have manifested to abstain from "rash measures" towards those Indians, affords ground to hope that, viewing them as a part of the human family, possessing the =right of residing among us, you will make allow ance for their ignorance and their wants, which are calculated rather to awaken our commiseration than to excite in us a spirit of hostility towards them. That you may have peace and prosperity throughout your settlement, is the sincere wish of your obedient servant, EDMUND P. GAINES. Extract of a letter from Major Twiggs to General taken satisfaction. They charge us with having killed ten of their warriors, and, claiming a balance of three to be due them, they admit, by necessary implication, that they have killed seven of our citizens. They acknowledge the murder of a woman (Mrs. Garret) and her two children. But the chiefs attempt to justify this act upon the ground that the warriors who committed the outrage had just before lost some friends; had entered our settlements to take satisfaction; found at the house of Garret a kettle belonging to the Indians who had been killed, and from this circumstance supposed the murder had been committed by the her and her two children! "husband of the woman;" they therefore killed By a letter from Major Twiggs, the commandant of Fort Scott, I learn that he had been warned, some weeks past, by the principal chiefs of the Fowltown, (fifteen miles above the fort, and twenty above the national boundary,) not to cut another stick on the east side of the Flint river; adding, that the land was his, and he was directed by the Powers above to protect and defend it, and should do so; and it would be seen talking could not frighten him. Major Twiggs adds, he had not seen the chief, nor any of his people, since he made this threat. The Major states, in another letter, that this town had been detected in stealing one hundred head of cattle in one drove, all of which they had killed. FORT SCOTT, September 17, 1817. Your communication to the Indians on the east side of Flint river was read and explained to the principal chief of the Mickasukies, the 6th of this month. He promised to give an answer in ten days at furthest. I have detained the express until this time, in expectation of sending it on by him, but have been disappointed. I have not heard from them since. The interpreter informed me the principal warriors were absent when he was there, but what were present said they never heard of Indians being given up to be punished by the whites; that they had heard of their being sometimes killed by themselves, for offences committed, but seemed to think that giving them up was out of the question; but said they would have a meeting, and would auswer the letter in a few days. As they have not done so, I think but one construction can be put on their conduct. The young seemed to dis-dians have delivered the enclosed letter to me. like the communication very much; and when Gregory was about leaving the town, he offered his hand to an Indian, who held out his with a knife in it, and refused to shake hands with him. He staid so short a time among them, that it was impossible for him to give much information respecting them. Captain Donoho has returned; he has been sick in Hartford, which was the cause of his delay. On his return the Indians were very rude to him, and frequently threatened his guide, and once caught hold of the Captain's bridle in a threatening manner. Major Twiggs to General Gaines, dated I have the honor to be, &c. To the commanding officer at Fort Hawkins. SEPTEMBER, the 11th day, 1817. DEAR SIR: Since the last war, after you sent word we must quit the war, we, the red people, have come over on this side. The white people have carried all the red people's cattle off. After the war, I sent to all my people to let white people alone, and stay on this side of the river and they did so; but the white people still continue to carry off their cattle. Barnard's son was here, and I inquired of him what was to be done; and Extract of a letter from General Gaines to the Secre- he said we must go to the head man of the white tary of War, dated CAMP MONTGOMERY, M. T., October 1, 1817. I have the honor to lay before you a copy of a letter which I have received from the chiefs of ten of the Seminole towns, in reply to my demand for the delivery of the murderers of our citizens. By this communication it appears that, instead of a compliance with my demand, the chiefs have set up a claim against us for the lives of three Indians, for whom they allege they have not yet * The inhabitants promised not to resort to "rash measures." 15th CoN. 2d SESS.-68 people, and complain. I did so, and there was no head white man, and there was no law in this case. The whites first began, and there is nothing said about that, but great complaint made about what the Indians do. This is now three years since the white people killed three Indians. Since that they have killed three other Indians, and taken their horses, and what they had; and this Summer they killed three more; and very lately they killed one more. We sent word to the white people that these murders were done, and the answer was, that they were people that were outlaws, and we ought to go and kill them. The white people killed our people first, the Indians then took satisfaction. There are yet three Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c. men that the red people have never taken satisfaction for. You have wrote that there were houses burnt, but we know of no such thing being done; the truth, in such cases, ought to be told; but this appears otherwise. On that side of the river the white people have killed five Indians; but there is nothing said about that, and all that the Indians have done is brought up. All the mischief the white people have done ought to be told to their head man. When there is anything done you write to us, but never write to your head man what the white people do. When the red people send talks, or write, they always send the truth. You have sent to us for your horses, and we sent all that we could find; but there were some dead; it appears that all the mischief is laid on this town, but all the mischief that has been done by this town is two horses; one of them is dead, and the other was sent back. The cattle that we were accused of taking, were cattle that the white people took from us; our young men went out and brought them back, with the same marks and brands. There were some of our young men out hunting, and they were killed; others went to take satisfaction, and the kettle of one of the men that was killed was tions, and perhaps of inducing them to make reparation for the murders which they have committed. Should they, however, persevere in their refusal to make such reparation, it is the wish of the President that you should not, on that account, pass the line, and make an attack upon them within the limits of Florida, until you shall have received instructions from this Depart ment. You are authorized to remove the Indians still remaining on the lands ceded by the treaty made by General Jackson with the Creeks; and, in doing so, it may be proper to retain some of them as hostages until reparation may be made for the depredations which have been committed. On this subject, however, as well as to the manner of removing them, you will exercise your discretion. McIntosh, and the other chiefs of the Creek nation, who were here some time since, expressed then. decidedly, their unwillingness to permit any of the hostile Indians to return to their nation. P.S. The authority to remove the Indians will, of course, not extend to those Indians and their families who have claims to reservations of lands under the treaty. Extract of letter from General Gaines to the Secretary of War. found in the house where the woman and two children were killed; and they supposed it had been her husband who had killed the Indians, and took their satisfaction there. We are accused CHATAHOOCHEE, November 9, 1817. of killing up Americans, and so on; but since the From various reports from the Seminole Inword was sent to us that peace was made, we dians I can only learn that they are determined stay steady at home, and meddle with no person. to deliver up none of their offenders; nor will You have sent to us respecting the black people they restore stolen property, except one town, the on the Suwanee river; we have nothing to do Mickasukees, the chief of which professes to be with them. They were put there by the Eng-friendly. By the enclosed letter from Major lish, and to them you ought to apply for anything about them. We do not wish our country desolated by an army passing through it, for the concern of other people. The Indians have slaves there also a great many of them. When we have an opportunity we shall apply to the English for them, but we cannot get them now. This is what we have to say at present. Sir, I conclude by subscribing myself, &c. and this is the answer. Extract of a letter from George Graham, acting Secretary of War, to Brevet Major General Edmund P. Gaines, Fort Hawkins, Georgia, dated OCTOBER 30, 1817. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st instant, covering a copy of the reply which was made by ten of the Seminole towns, to the demand made by you on them for the surrender of the murderers of some of our citizens. These papers have been submitted to the President, and I am instructed by him to inform you that he approves of the movement of the troops from Fort Montgomery to Fort Scott; the appearance of this additional force, he flatters himself, will at least have the effect of restraining the Seminoles from committing further depreda Twiggs it appears that they are determined to attack us as soon as we pass Flint river; and that they have two thousand seven hundred warriors. Although I feel little faith in their threats, and believe their numbers to be overrated, yet I deem it proper to be provided with additional force. I have therefore requested of his excellency the Governor of Georgia a regiment of infantry and a squadron of cavalry, which, he has informed me, are held in readiness to march. Extract of a letter from General Edmund P. Gaises to Major General Andrew Jackson. HEADQ'BS, FORT GAINES, GEORGIA, November 9, 1817. Previous to my leaving the Coroka I ascertained that the accounts I had received respecting the Seminole Indians being at Pensacola were incorrect, and that the number of Indians of different tribes there did not exceed what had been usual at this season of the year. This statement was soon after confirmed by Mr. Denson and the interpreter Cornels. The latter, however, states that he had seen and conversed with the hostile party of Ochu warriors, part of whom killed Johnston, and Magasky, and Mr. Glass. They now consist of about thirty warriors, or thirtyfive. They were, a few days past, at the mouth of Yellow Water; had several stolen horses Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c. which they offered for sale, and declared their determination to be always hostile towards our citizens. From Major Twiggs I learn that he has received information, upon which he places reliance, that the Indians have recently had a meeting at the Mickasukee town, of near two thousand seven hundred warriors, when it was determinened they would attack us as soon as we should cross the Flint river. Although I put little faith in these threats, and believe their numbers to be overrated, yet I deem it proper, keeping an eye to the safe side, to be provided with additional force; and have therefore desired the Governor of Georgia to send me the regiment of infantry Iand squadron of cavalry held in readiness for that purpose: for, in a war with savages, I think little should be hazarded; as every little advantage which we suffer them to acquire tends to add, in an extraordinary degree, to their strength and confidence. Extract of a letter from General Gaines to Major General Andrew Jackson. FORT SCOTT, GEORGIA, November 21, 1817. The first brigade arrived at this place on the 19th instant. I had previously sent an Indian runner to notify the first town chief, E-me-hemaut-by, of my arrival, and with a view to ascertain whether his hostile temper had abated, requested him to visit me. He replied, that he had already said to the commanding officer here all he had to say, and he would not come. He had warned Major Twiggs not to cross or cut a stick of wood on the east side of Flint river, alleging that the land was his; that he was directed, by the Powers above and below, to protect and defend it, and should do so. This being the talk referred to, and his town having continued to be hostile ever since the last war, having participated, as the friendly Indians assert, in the predatory war carried on for some time past against the Georgia frontier, I yesterday detached two hundred and fifty men, (supposed to be about the strength of the town,) under the command of Major Twiggs, with orders to bring me the chief and warriors, and, in the event of resistance, to treat them as enemies. The detachment arrived at the town early this morning, and were instantly fired upon, but without effect. The fire was briskly returned by the detachment, and the Indians put to flight, with the loss of four warriors slain; and, as there is reason to believe, many were wounded. It is with deep regret I have to add, that a woman was accidentally shot, with some warriors, in the act of forcing their way through our line, formed for the purpose of arresting their flight. The unfortunate woman had a blanket fastened around her, (as many of the warriors had,) which, amidst the smoke in which they were enveloped, rendered it impossible, as I am assured by the officers present, to distinguish her from the warriors. Among the articles found in the house of the chief, was a British uniform coat, (scarlet,) with a pair of gold epaulettes, and a certificate signed by a British captain of marines, "Robert White, in the absence of Colonel Nicholls," stating that the chief had always been a true and faithful friend to the British. The reports of friendly Indians concur in estimating the number of hostile warriors, including the Red Sticks and Seminoles, at more than two thousand, besides the blacks, amounting to near four hundred men, and increasing by runaways from Georgia. They have been promised, as several Indians inform me, assistance from the British at New Providence. This promise, though made by Woodbine, is relied on by most of the Seminole Indians. I have not a doubt but they will sue for peace, as soon as they find their hopes of British aid to be without foundation. Extract of a letter from General Gaines to the Secretary of War. FORT SCOTT, Georgia, November 26, 1817. With a view to ascertain the strength of the hostile Indians in the vicinity of Fowl Town, and to reconnoitre the adjacent country, I, a few days past, detached Lieutenant Colonel Arbuckle, with three hundred officers and men. The colonel reports that the Indians had placed themselves in a swamp, out of which about sixty warriors made their appearance near the town, and, with the war-whoop, commenced a brisk fire upon our troops, which they returned in a spirited manner. The fire continued but fifteen or twenty minutes, the swamp, with a loss, which the colonel estiwhen the Indians were silenced, and retired into mates at six or eight killed, and a greater number wounded. wounded. We had one man killed, and two DEPARTMENT OF WAR, Dec. 2, 1817. SIR: Your letter of the 9th ult. advising of the call on the Governor of Georgia to assemble the auxiliary force, which had been previously required by you, at Fort Hawkins, on the 25th ultimo, has been received. It is hoped that the letter addressed to you from this Department, on the 30th of October, will have been received, and that you will confine your operations to the objects stated in that communication, and to such a disposition of the regular force under your command as will deter the Seminole Indians from making further depredations on the frontiers of Georgia. The state of our negotiations with Spain, and the temper manifested by the principal European Powers, make it impolitic, in the opinion of the President, to move a force at this time, into the Spanish possessions, for the mere purpose of chastising the Seminoles for depredations which have heretofore been committed by them. I have the honor to be, &c. GEO. GRAHAM. Major Gen. EDMUND P. GAINES. Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c. General Gaines to the Secretary of War. SIR: I had the honor to receive, on the 26th ultimo, your communication of the 30th October. I am very happy to find that the President approves of my movement. But I much regret that his just expectations, as to the effect there was reason to believe would be produced on the minds of the Indians, by this movement, have not been realized. I am now quite convinced that the hostility of these Indians is, and has long since been, of so deep a character, as to leave no ground to calculate upon tranquillity, or the future security of our frontier settlements, until the towns south and east of this place shall receive a signal proof of ability and willingness to retaliate for every outrage. It is now my painful duty to report an affair of a more serious and decisive nature than has heretofore occurred, and which leaves no doubt of the necessity of an immediate application of force and active measures on our part. A large party of Seminole Indians, on the 30th ultimo, formed in ambuscade, upon the Appalachicola river, a mile below the junction of the Flint and Chatahoochee, attacked one of our boats, ascending the river near the shore, and killed, wounded, and took, the greater part of the detachment, consisting of forty men, commanded by Lieutenant R. W. Scott of the 7th infantry. There were also on board, killed or taken, seven women, the wives of soldiers. Six men of the detachment only escaped, four of whom were wounded. They report that the strength of the current, at the point of attack, had obliged the lieutenant to keep his boat near the shore; that the Indians had formed along the bank of the river, and were not discovered until their fire commenced; in the first volley of which Lieutenant Scott and his most valuable men fell. The lieutenant and his party had been sent from this place, some days before, to assist Major Muhlenburg in ascending the river with three vessels laden with military stores, brought from Montgomery and Mobile. The Major, instead of retaining the party to assist him, as I had advised, (see the enclosure No. 1,) retained only about twenty men; and, in their place, put a like number of sick, with the women, and some regimental clothing. The boat thus ladened was detached alone for this place. It is due to Major Muhlenburg to observe, that, at the time he detached the boat, I have reason to believe, he was not apprized of any recent hostilities having taken place in this quarter. It appears, however, from Lieutenant Scott's letter, received about the hour he was attacked, (enclosure No. 2,) that he had been warned of the danger. Upon the receipt of this letter, I had two boats filled up with covers, and with port-holes for defence; and detached Capt. Clinch, with an officer and forty men, with an order to secure the movement of Lieut. Scott, and then to assist Major Muhlenburg; this detachment embarked late in the evening of the 30th, and must have passed the scene of action below at night, and some hours after the affair terminated. I have not yet heard from Captain Clinch; I shall immediately strengthen the detachment under Major Muhlenburg with another boat secured against the enemy's fire. He will, therefore, move up with safety, keeping near the middle of the river; I shall, moreover, take a position, with my principal force, at the junction of the rivers, near the line; and shall attack any force that may attempt to intercept our vessels and supplies below; as I feel persuaded the order of the President, prohibiting an attack upon the Indians below the line, has reference only to the past, and not to the present or future outrages, such as the one just now perpetrated, and such as shall place our troops strictly within the pale of natural law, when self defence is sanctioned by the privilege of self preservation. The wounded men who made their escape concur in the opinion, that they had seen upwards of five hundred hostile Indian warriors at different places below the point of attack; of the force engaged, they differ in opinion, but all agree that the number was very considerable, extending about one hundred and fifty yards along the shore, in the edge of a swamp or thick woods. I am assured by the friendly chief, that the hostile warriors of every town upon the Chatahoochee prepared canoes and pushed off down the river to join the Seminoles, as soon as the account of my movement from the Alabama reached them. The Indians, now remaining upon the Chata- EDMUND P. GAINES, No. 1. Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c. General Gaines to Major Muhlenburg. FORT SCOTT, Nov. 1817. country by American troops. The English are not able to help themselves; how, then, should they help the old "Red Sticks," whom they have ruined by pretended friendship? retary of War, dated FORT SCOTT, GEO., Dec. 4, 1817. SIR: The waters having risen sufficiently high to enable you to ascend the river with all the vessels, I wish you to do so, though it should take Extract of a letter from General Gaines to the Seclonger than I had anticipated. You can avail yourself of the aid of Lieutenant Scott's detachment to expedite your movements hither. Keep your vessels near to each other; and should you meet with any insuperable obstacle, endeavor to apprize me thereof, and you shall have additional relief. Wishing to see you soon with your fleet, I remain yours, &c. E. P. GAINES. SPANISH BLUFF, Nov. 28, 1817. SIR: Enclosed you will receive Major Muhlenburg's communication, which he directs me to forward to you by express from this place. Mr. Hambly informs me that Indians are assembling at the junction of the river, where they intend to make a stand against those vessels coming up the river; should this be the case, I am not able to make a stand against them. My command does not exceed forty men, and one half sick, and without arms. I leave this immediately. I am, &c. R. W.SCOTT, Lieutenant 7th Infantry. NOTE.-The bearer of this is entitled to three dollars on delivering this letter. The Indians have a report here that the Indians have beaten the white people. CHIEFS AND WARRIORS: The President of the United States has been informed of the murders and thefts committed by the hostile Indians in this part of the country. He has authorized General Jackson to arrest the offenders, and cause justice to be done. The Indians have been required to deliver up the murderers of our citizens, and the stolen property, but they refused to deliver either; they have had a council at Mickasukee, in which they have determined upon war; they have been at war on helpless women and children, let them now calculate upon fighting men. We have long known that we had enemies east of this river: we likewise know we have some friends; but they are so mixed together we cannot always distinguish the one from the other. The President, wishing to do justice to his red friends and children, has given orders for the bad to be separated from the good. Those who have taken up arms against him, and such as have listened to the bad talks of the people beyond the sea, must go to Mickasukee Suwany, where we wish to find them together. But all those who were our friends in the war will sit at their homes in peace; we will pay them for what corn and meat they have to sell us; we will be their friends, and when they are hungry we will give them meat. The hostile party pretend to calculate upon help from the British! they may as well look for soldiers from the moon to help them. Their warriors were beaten, and driven from our I would much more willingly devote my time and humble faculties in the delightful occupation of bringing over savage man to the walks of civil life, where this is practicable without force, than to contribute to the destruction of any one of the human race; but every effort in the work of civilization, to be effectual, must accord with the immutable principles of justice. The savage must be taught and compelled to do that which is right, and to abstain from doing that which is wrong. The poisonous cup of barbarism cannot be taken from the lips of the savage by the mild voice of reason alone; the strong mandate of justice must be resorted to and enforced. After all that the wisdom and philanthropy of our country and Government, aided by millions of money, have yet been able to effect, it is a melancholy truth, that in no Indian nation within my knowledge, (the Chickasaws excepted,) has the scalping knife been laid aside for any considerable length of time, until their every hope of using it with impunity had been defeated. DEPARTMENT OF WAR, Dec. 9, 1817. SIR: Your letter, bearing date the 21st ultimo, advising of the first brigade at Fort Scott on the the Indians at Fowltown, has been received. 19th ultimo, and of the subsequent attack with Although the necessity of this attack, and the consequent effusion of blood, is exceedingly to be regretted, yet it is hoped that the prompt measures which were taken by you on your arrival at Fort Scott, and the display of such an efficient force in that quarter, will induce the Indians to abstain from further depredations, and sue for peace. this Department on the 30th of October and 2d Referring to the letters addressed to you from of December, as manifesting the views of the instructions therein given. Should the Indians, President, I have to request that you conform to however, assemble in force on the Spanish side of the line, and persevere in committing hostilities within the limits of the United States, you will, in that event, exercise a sound discretion as to the propriety of crossing the line for the purtown. I have the honor to be, &c. pose of attacking them, and breaking up their GEORGE GRAHAM. Major Gen. EDMUND P. GAINES. Extract of a letter from David B. Mitchell, Indian agent, to George Graham, acting Secretary of War, dated CREEK AGENCY, Dec. 14, 1817. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your two letters of the 31st of October, and 3d |