- Collection:
- Southeastern Native American Documents, 1730-1842
- Title:
- Letter, 1836 Feb. 29, Jackson, Butts County, Geo[rgia to] William Schley, Governor [of Georgia], Milledgeville, Georgia / James D. Gray
- Creator:
- Gray, James D., fl. 1836
- Date of Original:
- 1836-02-29
- Subject:
- Seminole War, 2nd, 1835-1842
Georgia. Militia--Recruiting, enlistment, etc. - Location:
- United States, Florida, 28.75054, -82.5001
United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018 - Medium:
- letters (correspondence)
military records - Type:
- Text
- Format:
- text/html
image/jpeg - Description:
- This document is a letter from James D. Gray, a citizen of Butts County Georgia, to William Schley, Governor of Georgia (1835-1837), dated February 29, 1836. Gray explains that he has volunteered for service in the current military action against the Seminole Indians in Florida, but he was promised a horse, a promise which has not been fulfilled. He explains that he cannot afford to furnish a horse for himself but does not want to be considered a deserter.
Digital image and encoded transcription of an original manuscript, scanned, transcribed and encoded by the Digital Library of Georgia in 2001, as part of GALILEO, funded in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. - Local Identifier:
- tcc568
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc568
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc568#item
- IIIF manifest:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_tcc568/presentation/manifest.json
- Language:
- eng
- Bibliographic Citation (Cite As):
- Cite as: [title of item], Telamon Cuyler, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries, presented in the Digital Library of Georgia
- Extent:
- 4 pages/leaves
- Original Collection:
- Manuscript held by the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries, Telamon Cuyler, box 50, folder 05, document 09.
- Holding Institution:
- Hargrett Library
- Rights:
-
Page: [1]
Jackson Butts County Geo. [Georgia]
Feby. [February] 29th 1836
To His Excellency the Governor,
Sir,
As we live in an age and under a government in which the most humble individual can approach those whom he has chosen to rule over him, I as an humble individual have dared to write a few lines to your Excellency calling for information in which I am deeply interested; hoping you will condescend to give me the information without delay. I now proceed to lay before your Excellency my situation in relation to the matter under consideration. Some time since agreeable to orders received by the Colonel of this Regiment a draft for fifty two men from among us was ordered, which draft could be superseded by the voluntary enlistment of the requisite number of men, accordingly when the day came on which the draft was to have been; previously however, to proceeding to a draft, the Colonel and other individuals addressed the Regiment stating what I have above written and also requesting necessary contribution in money to be made for furnishing the volunteers with necessary equipments, which contribution was immediately subscribed to the amount of eight hundred and seventy four dollars I believe, which induced me with some others in my situation to volunteer our services and join the company, as we were unable, nevertheless, anxious to go to Florida or any other part of our land to chastise those merciless indians or other enemies of our country. without this contribution being made to aid us in going, They then proceeded to [unclear text: beat ] up for volunteers and having failed to enlist the requisite number, the draft was made, and the money subscribed was relinquished by a majority of the volunteers.
Page: [2]
I at the time of relinquishment of the claim to the money frequently told them that I was unable to furnish myself with a horse without some assisstance [assistance], and was as often told by some prominent individuals that I should be furnised [furnished] with a horse for that purpose which promise induced me to continue with the company, and my name has been sent to the Department as one [word ommitted: of ] the volunteers of the Butts County cavalry. notwithstanding they have not furnished me with a horse agreeable to the promise made, and there is now no hope that they will do so, for an application to those men to fulfil [fulfill] their promise they refuse to do it and say that I must look to my own resources for aid as they can do nothing for me, I have spoken to Captain Wilson on the subject to know the course I must pursue, he also says I must see to it myself as he can promise no aid; and as he expects to receive marching orders in a very short time from your Excellency and says he will be compelled to report every volunteer who refuses to march with him, as a deserter from his command. I now Sir earnestly entreat your Excellency to inform me whether I can be furnished by Government with a horse for the expedition, or what course I shall take in this great emergency. for I am a poor man, have my family to support by the sweat of my brow and am not able in justice to my self, to my family to procure a horse without some aid from some source other than that of myself, I am anxious to serve my country when she calls on me for aid for my country I live for my country I will fight and if necessary for my country I will shed the last drop of my life's blood, Your Excellency will please inform me on this subject immediately, for you cannot
Page: [3]
fail to see that it is impossible for me to comply with the duty required without some aid, I can say that I only cannot furnish aid myself in justice to my family but I can say that it is altogether impossible for me to do so, and without aid from Government I feel that [added text: my ] character and standing in the community will be blasted and myself treated with some other as a deserter from the service of my country. from which, if in your power, you will, I doubt not, shield your most humble petitioner who will as in duty bound every pray
[Signed] James D. Gray
Letter
James D Gray
19 Febry [February] 1836
Vol. Flor. [Volunteer Florida] Expedition
Page: [4]
Jackson Ga.
29th Feby [February] }
10
To His Excellency William Schley milledgeville Georgia