Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-09-22

thOrity to call the states quota "
the detachment Of militia into tht
service of the United States. and has
the requisite power to cooperate
with the friendly chiefs without de,
Law and with effect.
!" The citizens in the forks Of A.
labama. and their neighbors the
Half breeds, must put themselves
into the best situation they can to
resist an attack from Alabama"
Copu Of a letter from Col. Joseph
Carson to Brig. Gen. Claiborne OF
the Mississippi Militia.
MOUNT VERNON, July 80, 1913.
SIR deem it my duty to commu-
nicate to you the circumstances when
led to the unfortunate rencountre
with the Creek Indians on the 27th
inst. together with the result OF that
affair from the best information 1
have received.
A number of the Creek Indians
have for some time evidenced dis
Dosition hostile to the American go
yernment, and have at length sue
ceeded in killing or driving from
their land every ehiefi in the Amerl-
can interest they have shot at the
mail carrier, killed his horse, and
taken several mails on the route be-
tween here and the state of Georgia.
Some time since Information was
received that a half-breed by the
name of Peter Mcqueen, with about
500 warriors. were gone to Pensaco-
la for the purpose ofprocuring arms
and ammunition from the governor
Of that place, to enable them to make
war upon the settlements Of Tom
bigby.
Persons ofrespectability were i'm
mediateIy dispatched to Pensacola to
ascertain whether the Indians were
supplied with arms and ammunition
| by the governor, and. if possible, to
discover what were the intentions of
! the Greeks generally. These per-
sons staid until the Indians had re-
| ceived three hundred pounds ofpow-
| der and proportionate quantity OF
lead from the governor. They were
not satisfied with this; said they
must have more and openly decIar-
| ed they we're going to war with the
| Americans; and that on their return
they would be joined by 700 warri-
| ors at the Milestone Hills (about 400
miles from this place.. where they
! would distribute their ammunition
/! and return against the Tolnbigby
settlements.
On the return of the persons frem
Pensacola with this information, a
bout f75 men were hastily collected
together and proceeded, commanded
by Col. Caller, to meet the powder
party, and, if possible to take the
powder before they were Joined by
the party from the nation. On
Tuesday last, about 12 o'clock A. NJ.
| they met the Indians in the edge of
the Escambia Swamp. about 80 miles
from this place attacked and drove
them into the swamp. and took most
Of their pack horses.
| From the best information | could
receive, [ suppose 10 or IL of the
Indians were killed, and many more
wounded. -Four of the whites were
killed. and s or 9 wounded. The
Indians we're in the swamp, and our
men in open woods. The eOmman-
der thought il prudent to order a re-
treat; the whites. generally, broke
and ran in great confusion. and Col.
Callier.although he used every exer.
ton which brave officer could do.
and was supported by several officers
and priyates, was unable to rally his
men or restrain their precipitate
flight. The Indians discovered their
! confusion and pursued them nearly
a mile in open woods, and nothing
saved our men from a general slaugh-
ter but the inability Of the Indians
to oyertakc them.
Although the whites were defeat
ed, and many of them deservedly
disgraced, yet the object Of the OK.
petition has ia part succeeded: our
party took about two hundred pounds
IF powder and some lead. | think
as soon as these Indians find them
selves in a situation. they will en-.
deavor to revenge themselves on our
frontiers.
| i have the honor to be, your OK.