Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

from the summit of a hill, over which | however, been destroyed or driven away passes the road leading to the spot. A by the hunters. mill occupies one of the banks; and a lofty bridge, erected across, was partly destroyed, a few years since, by a flood.

The falls, seen from below, make an impressive appearance. The breadth of the bed is there about three hundred feet, and a mass of rock, at the brow of the first precipice, divides it into two sheets, which descend perpendicularly about fifty feet, in beautiful foam, made in the course of its tumultuous passage down the rapids. Here it is received by a deep gulf, which suddenly checks its fury; but, before it has time to recover its tranquillity, it reaches the brow of the second rapids, down which it hurries, with roar and turbulence, a distance of two hundred feet, and then pours over the second fall, in a current broken into several cascades, when it soon subsides, below, to comparative quietness. The height, roughness, and thick shade of the banks, greatly increase the effect of the scene. The reader may form some correct conception of the interesting spot, by a glance at the accompanying engraving, which is copied from a print in that elegant work, "The Scenery of Georgia," to which we have been indebted for many interesting facts on these pages. The drawing was made from the northern bank of the stream, a spot rather difficult of access, and not easily attained by many spectators, who generally find it more convenient to content themselves with a view from the opposite side. There are, however, many favorable points of view, both near and more distant, especially from some of the rude rocks which border and overhang the water, in different parts of its romantic and terrific course.

A short distance below the falls, a little land occupies the middle of the river, dividing it into two currents, which are narrow, but rapid. This vicinity was formerly a favorite resort of the deer, which visited it in considerable numbers, to feed on a peculiar kind of long and delicate plant, resembling moss, which grows to the length of two feet, in the sluices of the falls. They have,

TOCKOA FALLS.-The most remarkable waterfall in this state is that of the Tockoa creek, which flows from the southern extremity of the Alleganies, at Cunawhee mountain. It descends one hundred and eighty-seven feet, from a precipice, in a narrow stream, twenty feet in breadth, which, in the rainy season, forms an unbroken sheet of foam to the bottom. At the ordinary height of water, the supply is so small, that it is said to be dissipated in vapor before it reaches the level below.

REMARKABLE INCIDENTS IN THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.-As we have not room to give a connected history of this state, it may be interesting to our readers if we recount a few incidents relating to some of its most important periods.

Yamacraw, the Indian name of the bluff on which Savannah now stands, was the spot on which the treaty was held with the Creek Indians by General Oglethorpe, at which the first tract of land was ceded to him. The place was then occupied by a small tribe of that nation, called the Yamacraws.

In 1733, General Oglethorpe brought out from England a band of one hundred and thirteen colonists, who landed at Charleston. They were there kindly assisted, and furnished with boats, &c., by which they were enabled to proceed to the place of destination, and soon reached the Savannah river. The following year they were joined by five or six hundred more, who were provided with tracts of wild land, but soon proved ill-qualified for the task they had undertaken, and ere long difficulties arose, as many of them had been collected from among the poor and idle population of European cities. The trustees of the colony therefore took measures to secure emigrants of a better class; and, in 1735, about four hundred arrived in Georgia, from Scotland, Switzerland, and Germany.

Mary Musgrove was the name of an Indian woman, or half-breed, who rendered material service to General Oglethorpe, in promoting his plans for the

[graphic]

pursue. The militia, however, were soon under arms, and Captain Noble Jones, by his resolute conduct, induced the Indians to lay by their weapons, when Bosomworth, with his queen, escorted by the chiefs and their warriors, solemnly paraded the streets, and struck the feeble colonists with fear. They, however,

benefit of the colony. She was able to speak both languages, and appears to have been a woman of much address, acting as interpreter at several important treaties which terminated favorably. In gratitude, he bestowed upon her a hundred pounds a year, in addition to the presents with which he had secured her interest. Fifty Creek chiefs pre-made such fair promises, that their arms sented themselves at the treaty of Savannah, at which the great land-grant was obtained, and among these was Tomochichi, who, in the name of the others, thus addressed Oglethorpe, in reply to the general's speech, in which he had dwelt on the power and wisdom of the British king:

[ocr errors]

Here is a little present. I give you a buffalo-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 buffalo of strength. The English are swift as the bird, and strong as the beast; since, like the former, they flew over the 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, signifying love; the buffalo's skin is warm, and signifies protection: therefore I hope the English will love and protect their little families."

were returned. Bosomworth was soon after seized and confined, which so irritated his wife that she threatened vengeance, and excited the savages to hostile demonstrations. By great prudence and coolness, the governor succeeded in tranquillizing them, two or three successive times, though Mary and Malatchie as often again enkindled their passions, and misled their judgment. The storm was at length dispelled by the decision of Captain Noble, who entered the council-room with a guard, and made the Indians surrender. Bosomworth was subsequently induced to lay aside his ridiculous claims, and received a pardon, while the Indians departed in peace. It was not long, however, before Bosomworth presented his case in England, which remained pending in the courts for twelve years. The result was, that the island of St. Catharine was granted to him and his wife, of which they took possession. She, however, died soon after.

But, although this treaty terminated in so amicable a manner, difficulties, ere In the year 1778, Savannah was occulong, began to arise, being fomented by pied by General Howe, with six hundred one of those restless, unprincipled, and regular troops and a few militia, when dangerous men, so often the bane of it was attacked by a British army of six young colonies. Thomas Bosomworth, thousand men, under Lieutenant-Colonel the chaplain in Oglethorpe's regiment, Campbell, who had arrived from New for his own selfish and ambitious views, York by water. The defenders were in wrought upon a petty prince, named too small force effectually to resist such Malatchie, king of Frederica (near Sa-numbers, but did not yield without a vannah), till he persuaded him to as- severe struggle. An obstinate battle sume the ridiculous title of Emperor of the Creek Nation. Bosomworth then married Mary Musgrove, and set up for her a claim to the empire, on pretence of her being the elder sister of Malatchie. The Indians were incited to support her, and escorted her to Savannah, to establish her claim.

The president of the colony, and his council, were alarmed at their approach, and at first knew not what course to

was fought, in which our countrymen lost about six hundred men killed, and thirty-eight officers and four hundred and fifteen soldiers prisoners, with fortyeight guns, twenty-three mortars, and all the vessels lying in the river.

The enemy remained in possession of the city until 1779, when Count d'Estaing, commander of the French fleet, then in the West Indies, being invited by General Lincoln to make a combined

other measures which their ingenuity dictated; and then, in due form, and in a peremptory manner, summoned the enemy to surrender.

Colonel John White, of the Georgia line, and Captain Elholm, were the lead

attack upon Savannah, proceeded to the lighted them all at once, in the evening, river with twenty ships-of-the-line, two presuming the Englishmen would misof fifty guns, and eleven frigates. Lin- take them for the camp-fires of a large coln, with the militia of Georgia and body of troops. In order to counteSouth Carolina, proceeded toward Sa-nance such a deception, they resorted to vannah; but, before his arrival, Count d'Estaing, after demanding a surrender, had granted a suspension of hostilities for twenty-four hours, before the expiration of which, a reinforcement of eight hundred troops arrived at Savannah, from Beaufort, who encouraged the gar-ers in these movements, which required rison to reject the demand of a surrender. The siege of the town was therefore commenced on the 4th of October, with thirty-seven cannon and nine mortars, on land, and fifteen cannon from the water. An assault was, however, determined on; and on the 9th, at day-portant for the captors to avoid the exbreak, a strong force attacked the Spring Hill battery, which was taken, and held for a short time, but soon recovered, and the invaders retreated, abandoning the enterprise. A regular siege, it is believed, would have soon reduced the place; but the French officers objected to hazarding their fleet so long on the

coast.

Count Pulaski, a Polander, distinguished by his birth, and exploits in Europe, who had recently been made a brigadier-general in our army, received a mortal wound in that engagement. In memory of him, Congress ordered the erection of the monument, which is described on page 388.

We will close our brief account of that interesting period, by mentioning a remarkable exploit performed by six Americans, just before the attack on Savannah. It is equally remarkable for the sagacity of the plan and the coolness and bravery of the execution.

so much skill and caution; and with such success did they perform their parts, that the British were completely blinded, and their commander, "to prevent the effusion of blood," promised to surrender. It was now extremely im

posure of their weakness; and Colonel White represented to Captain French, that he was afraid to bring forward his troops, because they were exasperated against the invaders of their country, and offered to give him three faithful men, as guides, who would conduct them to safe and comfortable quarters. The offer was thankfully accepted; and the Englishmen marched off in haste, leaving the colonel, with his whole "reserve" (his servant and one other man), to bring up the rear. To perform this last-remaining duty required a little time, for he immediately hurried away to call out the militia; but he soon followed on, and made his appearance with a respectable force, which had been collected rather later than the enemy supposed.

General Lee declares, that this exploit was of so extraordinary a nature, that he could never have persuaded himself to record it, if it had not received general credit, without ever having been contradicted.*

On the Ogeeche river was a British force of about one hundred and forty men, of whom one hundred were under Captain French, of the royal army, and forty were sailors, composing the crews For the pictures which accompany this article, of five small vessels lying in that stream,ards, Esq. the first, if not the only artist, who has we are indebted to the pencil of T. Addison Richfour of them armed, and the largest with sought themes of study amid the beautiful scenery of fourteen guns. The six men above reto, formed an ingenious plan for capturing this force. They made preparations for kindling numerous fires, at short distances from each other, and

ferred

the south. It is to his works, which have been en

graved on steel, wood, and stone, and widely circulated, that we owe our acquaintance with the beau tiful mountains, valleys, and cascades of the southern states. No work of the kind, in this country, has equalled in beauty his interesting publication, "Geor gia Illustrated."

Among the numerous men who performed important parts in the early periods of our colonial history, there are few more remarkable for activity, enterprise, and purity of principle, than Oglethorpe. He performed a variety of duties, and generally with equal skill and success. As circumstances required, he could confer with the friends of America in England, on plans for planting colonies, then, collecting bands of emigrants, and placing himself at their head, conduct them across the Atlantic, and transport them to the places assigned for their habitation. He would conduct negotiations with the savages, provide for the sustenance and defence of the community, encourage his companions under adversity, protect them from invaders, and even march, with a band of white men and Indians, through the wilderness, to seize the post of a dangerous enemy, or to intimidate them, when an attack was to be apprehended. Oglethorpe combined in his character much strength of purpose, and boldness and perseverance, with philanthropy and active zeal. Had he been of a less manly disposition, he might have chosen a less exposed and less dangerous theatre to act upon; but the peculiar position of the country now forming the southern part of Georgia, offered attractions for such a spirit as he possessed. It was wholly unoccupied by civilized men; for, although it was included in Heath's old patent, that instrument had been declared void, on account of the failure to fulfil the terms on which it had been granted, viz., that settlements should be made on the land. But the time had now arrived, when it was highly important that some of the principal military points should be occupied: for the Spaniards in Florida, and the French in Louisiana, had the power to traverse it at will, and were at liberty to enter it with whatever force they could command, and might soon annex it to their own territories.

The exposed situation of that district excited much solicitude in England; and to interpose a protecting power between it and the rival Spanish neighbors, whose antipathies were religious

as well as national, was the principal motive for the first settlements made in the territory of Georgia. A charter was therefore granted to Sir James Oglethorpe, and several other noblemen and gentlemen, in 1732, of the country lying between the Savannah and Altamaha rivers; and they proposed to form a colony of criminals taken from the prisons, on the plan afterward practised on a larger scale in New Holland. The project was approved by the benevolent, and a considerable sum of money was collected in different parts of England, while the house of commons granted, at several times, appropriations to the amount of thirty-six thousand pounds, to the enterprise. We have already given a brief outline of some of the principal events, and shall now only attempt to supply some of the important particulars, not included in our cursory glance.

On his first visit to Savannah, Oglethorpe in a short time erected a fort, formed his colonists into a military company, consummated his treaty with the Creek Indians, and, appointing two of his officers, named Scott and St. Julian, to exercise the government of the colony during his absence, returned to England. He gave them charge to make a treaty with the Choctaws, which they successfully accomplished, and thus secured the friendship and protection of another powerful native nation, of great importance in the infancy of the colony.

The principal chief of the Creeks accompanied the governor to England, with his wife and several of his inferior sachems. They were received with much honor in London, being introduced to the king and nobility, and enriched with numerous presents, estimated to be worth four hundred pounds. Af ter a stay of four months they returned with Oglethorpe, in a vessel which brought out a new band of colonists. Among the numerous emigrants who soon after arrived from Germany and Switzerland, were several of the associates of the celebrated Moravian missionary, Count Zingendorf; and a no less famous individual of that age, John Wesley, came from England in the same

« AnteriorContinuar »