Letter [with enclosures], 1788 Apr. 11, Savannah, [Georgia to] Governor [George] Handley, Augusta, [Georgia] / General Ja[me]s Jackson

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Publick [Public] His Honor Governor Handley Augusta
[illegible text] favor
Capt Reiley

Letter
General Jackson

11th April 1788
Order to be filed
22 instant
Military





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Savannah
April 11th 1788
Dr Governor,
I had the honor of the orders of the Executive through Mr Meriwether and your favor by Mr Ross. The former, I hope my last and its inclosures [enclosures], fully convinced the Honble [Honorable] board of the necessity of my exceeding. I mean the ordering more Horsemen to the Frontiers of Effingham, than that order warranted. Necessities in Government & situations like our presence, require extraordinary exertions; and the officer using them in such situations, which are the only times for his justification however he may be blamed, does more for his Country, than him who keeps to the letter of the law. Had I kept to that, in all probability the present Frontier of Effingham would have broken up.
Since my last dispatch another small Skirmish has happened with the Indians, and one of our parties of Effingham Militia stationed at Bryans Cowpen -- Lieutenant [unclear text: Zechinger ], who commanded, lay his plan with credit, but had the misfortune to see it ruined by the imprudence of one of his men; who fired contrary to orders and at too great a distance; and which prevented the Indians from falling into our hands,


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as they were proceeding to a House, which [unclear text: Zechingers ] party had surrounded. There were five Indians and seven whites engaged. [unclear text: Zechinger ] seems confident of two wounded, one of them repeatedly fell & at the different places, a great sign of blood was seen & several of his Bullets [added text: were ] picked up, which had dropped from his pouch. They as usual made off and got into a Swamp. On this side the Alatamaha we seem in every late attempt to have the advantage; it has been the reverse on the other. [unclear text: Col Hillery ] s Houses on Blyth by a Letter from Major Braddock are destroyed and the Horses drove off, the negroes and Provisions were fortunately previous to that taken off. Inclosed I send you a copy of the Majors letter; as I likewise do a copy of one from Mr Israel Bird, the most considerable settler in the lower part of Effingham, South of Ogeeche, on the topic of ammunition and provisions, which is the general cry throughout that County: the Inhabitants being in


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general poor & barely capable of a subsistance [subsistence] for their families: indeed what with a request from this and that quarter, an express this way and an express that, my whole time is taken up in writing answers, promising assistance and persuading the Inhabitants to stand their ground. I have expended for one article since the beginning of
January a whole Ream of paper, entirely on Publick [Public] business. This with paying frequently for the board of poor expresses, is a charge too heavy: and I have, whether it will be allowed [document damaged] thought myself justified [document damaged] ing two barrels of rice fro [document damaged] my own specific tax. My expences [expenses] one way & another since last fall, attending Commission, have been upwards of one hundred Guineas. Some secret service money assuredly ought to be allowed. I am really anxious for the arrival of the Troops the people in general laugh at the idea of any coming down.

I have the honor to be, Dr Governor Yr [Your] very Obedt Servt [Obedient Servant]
[Signed] Jas [James] Jackson Brig Genl [Brigadier General] 1st District



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[unclear text: St. Simons ]
April 1 1788
Dr [Dear] General
On the first or second of last month one Mcafee and three Negroes were taken [deleted text: for ] [added text: by ] the Indians within two or three miles of Williams fort [illegible text] a few days after the fort was Evacuated & Captn. [Captain] Williams & the most of those that were in the fort are at Darian on the 18 they came down to Captn. [Captain] Tompkins fort and kild [killed] two men Slaves and [illegible text] and carried off a Girl about fourteen years old in two or three days after they shot one [unclear text: Pelcher ] through the Thigh & [unclear text: scalpt [scalped] ] him he is still alive at the same time took a man of the name Sears this was done near the remains of Williams fort the fort being burnt in a few days after they left it, the day before yesterday Barnet was shot through the Hips But got of [off] he being on Horseback -- Captn. [Captain] Tompkins and those that were with him are on this Island. About [unclear text: seven ] days ago Mr Palmer saw a party of Indians on Blyth Island They have Burnt Coll [Colonel] Hillerys houses his Negroes & Provisions Being moved sometime before they took all the Horses of the Island
I am informed that some of the Inhabitants of Camden County have had a treaty with the Indians on the South side of St Marys river & that the Indians have promist [promised] not do anything any mischief to those Below Great Satilla & St Marys and that some of the People have moved of [off] Cumberland to their places on the Main I wish to hear from you by the first apportunity [opportunity] as our situation at this time wants your advice from [illegible text]

Yr Hble St [Your Humble Servant]
[Signed] John Braddock Copy letter to Genl J [General James] Jackson



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Black Creak
9 April 1788.
Brigadier General Jackson
Sir
I make no doubt but you have had the Accounts of the defeat of a party of Indians four miles from my house which was well planed [planned] but badly caried [carried] into Effect by the Imprudence of one of the men fireing [firing] before they came close anuf [enough] to do much Execution I should write more particular if I did not Expect the the Lutenant [Lieutenant] at Brians Cowpen had allready [already] given you a full accounts of the proceedings -- [unclear text: I find ] Captn. [Captain] Wisenbakers men that takes [unclear text: there ] tower [tour] at my fort to be poorly supplied with ammunition as some I have been ablige [oblige] to assist with that articles before they could load their peice [piece], I have had as yet to supply them and the scarcity of provision hear [here] will make it necessary to be brought from Elsewhare [Elsewhere] I think it would be the convenient so to be brought from the Ferry as the men wishes to be supplied with [added text: [unclear text: some ] ] [unclear text: rice ] that could be brought by water. I have small Boats wold [would] [illegible text] I have rote [wrote] to Mr. Lane sometime past concerning their rations but have never received any answer, you will as best what is to be done I make us doubt youll see the necessity of continuing [illegible text] hear I shall make while bea [be] as agreeable to them as is in my power, I thank you to let me no [know] by the first opportunity what accounts you have from the Westward and youl [you'll] as much oblige

Yr Hble St [Your Humble Servant]
[Signed] Israel Bird