Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-11-04
For q.yE .dRcUS.

An extract of a letter from a gentleman of the
Sreatest 7eSPectadikity in the Mississibbi Ter
rifory, TO his Brother in AiGeularle county,
Virginia.
" The Creek nation of Indi2ns are now in n
state of active hostilities against this TERRITORY,
and the inhabitants on Tombigbee, are in ,br
most distressed condition, being obliged TO
abandon their homes, leaving their crops, stock
and many valuable articles entirely at the dis
pOsal OF Tie Indians, anch seek shelter them.
selves and families in iortS: and before this
reaches yau no doubt you HSll have heard of
the dreadful massacre of the garrison and the
inhabitants in Fort Mimms in the forks elton
bigbee and Allibam2 rivers, withiR. our settle
ments some distance. MaiRr ID. Iieaslcy com
handed the Fort with about 400 men, twelve
months Volunteers, including officers, aud by
some unaccountable and objectionable neglect,
were surprized with the gate of the Fort open
ny about 700 Creek Indians. who came so rapid
iy that 1t was impossible to shut the gate, and
after most obstinate struggle of several hours,
IN which 1t was supposed about 200 Indians
were kllled, the troops were overpowered by
the Indians who came into the Fort, and after
having massacTed all whom they came across,
they sci fire to the house of Mr.. Mimms. which
was within the Fort, and consumed it, together
WIN nearly 200 woplen and children in its
walls, who had crowded themselves i'm tile
house (which was a large and spacious build
ing) when the attack was nst1feAupon the Fort
Great God what a tragic scene Death and
destruction awaiting them ut the doors, from
the hands OF the cruel sav2ges, while the fierce
element was encrcling them with its curling
hames within the agonizing ia others throwing
their arms around their helpless Babes, who
were crying to them for protection against the
scorching heat, until no longer able 20 sustain
the excrutiating torments OF flaming fire, they
all sunk IN the arms of death, and together with
the ruins OF the house, they formed one pile Of
burning matter =
" This distressing event would never have
happened had the government Of the u. States
aken possession OF East Florida and any per-
son who deserves the name of a statesman, who
knew the situation orthis country, and who also
knew the situation and strength of the Creek
nation Oi Indians, ought 10 have calculated on
he danger of .uch an event. Policy then die.
ated the propriety OF taking possession of that
ract OF country, and the stgictest Justice did
ot forbid it. believing, as did, that the oc.
upatt"n OF East Florida, by the troops Of the
/ states, was measure in which the safety
this section of The union was so deeply in
folycd, and seeing tbcd ispOsition Of the south.
~ forces Of the Uhitedustates, 1 looked for.
yard to the measure almost'with certainty, T.
While was examining the newspapers to see
he tuhlment OF my expectations, behold
iw that the Senate Of the United States had re-
lsed TO sanction the measure, and the follow
1g year my disappointment was equally great,
when Gen. Jackson, from tennessee, was sent
by the executive ofthc United States for that
'urpose, with force amply sufficient for tho
contemplated object, but an objection from the
same quarter prevented the measure. My
lear brother, the Senate Of the U. States have
aiken responsibility, AN awful responsibility
upon themselves, in withholding their assent tC
that measure-but hope the shrieks and dy.