Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1813-10-14

thci az SNatfOn near tnB creek line.
and about IS miles above this, on the Tom
bigbee
Col Hawkins communications for some
time past have unfortunately had tenden-
cy to lessen our approximations, and to beget
belief of our almost perfect security. NV
little, but inestimable corps, have felt the
effects begotten by the doubts which existed
as to the real intention of the Creeks. 1t
probably prevented yourself, and certainly
Governor Holmes, from sending troops In
this exposed part of the country About
the Esd ult. received information that 1900
Indians were on the eve of entering the ter
ritory, with intentions to attack the uppcr
posts on the Tombigbee, that commanded
by Colonel Carson in the fork of the Tom
bigbee and Alabama rivers, and the one ON
Tensaw, commanded by Major Beasley-
The Indians from the Black Warrior were
to attack the upper posts and those from
| the Alabama, that on rensaw. This infor-
nation was Immediately communicated 60
Col. Carson and to Major Beaslev. and nv
| arrangements made for the defence of the
three places threatened, in the best manner
of which the limited means possessed
would admit.
With eighty men, went myself to Eas-
ly's, and was joined by two detachments of
volunteer militia under the command of
Colonel Haines, abide camp to Governor
Holmes, and by Capt. Classify The place
was not attacked, and after several unsuc.
cessful attempts TO gain intelligence. my
scouts fell in with two Chaktaw Indians
from whose information / was induced tn
believe, that no attack would soon be made
In fact they seemed rather to insinuate that
| the enemy was rather intimidated. and sta.
ted that the Chaktaws in the immediate
| neighborhood who had joined them had. at
the instance of Pooshemataha, Ia medal
chief withdrawn from them. intending to
| remain neutral and that they had removed
| and were removing from the scene of action
to more secure place for their women and
children. This ascertained to be the fact
Their towns were visited by Capt Wells of
| dragons, and found abandoned. Under
| these circumstances left Easly's station
| and, on my way to this post, learned that
Major Beasley had beenattacked. Ireacb-
ed this plaza at twelve o'clock last night.
having rode seventy miles since morning
The attack on Major Beasley was made
at about a o'clock, A. NJ on the 3Oth ult,
| 1t was unexpected at the moment it occur
! red, but the whole garrison was immd;ate.l
ly under arms. The front gate was omen.
and the enemy ran in great Numbers 10 nos.
sess themselves Oft. In the contest fortbe
gate manxfell on both sides: Soon. how
ever, th Rn became general, the enemy
fighting fides in the open field, and
as near NJ ckade as they could get. The
| port holes were taken and retaken several
| times A block house was contended for
by Capt Jack, at the bead of his brave ri
| tlemen, for the space of an hour after the
enemy were in possession of part of it.
| when finally they succeeded in driving his
company into house in the fort, and hay-
| ing stopped many of the port holes with the
ends of.rails possessed themselves of the
| walls. From the houses our troops made
a most gallant defence, but the enemy set
fire to the roofs, and an attempt to extin-
guish the flames proved unsuccessful The
few who remained now attempted retreat
under the direction of Captain Bayly of the
militia, and ensign Chambers of the rifle
| company, both of whom had been badly
wounded. Previously to their retreat thew
threw into the flames many of the guns of
the dead men. Few of them succeeded in
escaping. Both the officers are missing, and
| supposed to be dead Nine of the volun-
teers and three of the volunteer militia have
reached this, several of them wounded A
few citizens who fought in the stockade.
but not enrolled in any company, also es.
capped, one of them leaving wife and six
children, who were probably burnt to death.
Major Beasley fell CALAMITY fighting at
The head of his command near the gate, at
the commencement of the action. Captain
Jack was killed about the close of the SCENE
having previously received two wounds
captain Middleton also distinguished him
self, having received four or FIVE wounds
before he fell. He was active, and fought
brayeiy from the commencement of the &C
ton until he died Lieut. Spruce NJ Os-
born, of Wilkinson county, after receiving
two wounds was taken into house, but re,
quested to die on the ground, that he might
as long as possible see the men fight The
other officers fell nobly doing their duty:
I