Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-01-02
G.. NJ. TROUP.
CAPTAIN bhnson's letter.
THOMAS Co. DEC. 8,

~
had not left here more than twelve hours before
| received information that the Indians had
killed Allen Cars family in Florida, on OF
near the Augustine road on the Osilla river
Carr was from home, and his wife also-they
killed four children for certain. and report says
their uncle, Mr.. TruIuck, is also killed. MIR,
Dennis Adams family is missing from his
house, but it is hoped they are not killed. /
collected few men who had no familiesto take
care OF, and set out for the scene of the muir
der; but finding, on the way, that the murder
had two days been done, and the Volunteers un.
der Gen. Call were more than a day in advance,
and were sixty strong, we changed our course to
the most exposed part Of our own frontiers,
who were sleeping in security, not having heard
of the murder, and to arrange some definite
plan for our future operations in such exigen-
cies. The course thought most prudent IS to
build two stockade forts in the county, as a
place Of refuge, in case Of danger, for the wo-
men and children, and hoping thereby to be
enabled 70 spare some men from the defence Of
each, for the purpose Of accommodating. I think
il impraciicable to raise a company Of any con-
siderable or efficient number OF men as a stand
ing corps. Most men in the county are willing
to go on a scout for a few days or week, but
not to be confined from their families for any
considerable time. In such times the former
mode Of protection will be adopted from neces-
sity rather than choice. We are very scarce Of
arms; no person has moved, though considera-
BILE alarm prevails. The ~citIzens are very soil
ci,ous of a sufficient force to assist them in re-
pellins the aggressions Of the Indians, & assist
ing them in driving them from our limits. We
may be said to have a frontier on two sides,
for there is only a wilderness between US and
the Upper Greeks, whose disposition Is known
not to be Of a friendly character. 1t has also
been matter Of no small jealousy in our citi-
zens at the unusual avidity with which the In
dians procure powder and lead in larger guam
titles than we think a pacific disposition would
justify.
believe / stated to your excellency in a for
mer communication, some Of the causes which
made our force less efficient than troops who
have no families to secure by collecting them
together and leaving something like q guard
with them before they can consent with the
strongest OF feelings, TO leave them; and as the
mischief and alarm increases, they would natu-
rally operate more powerfully. Taking these,
and the sparceness Of our population together,
win the general temper and bad conduct Of
both tribes OF Indians on our frontier, ! believe
we stand very much in need Of some efficient
which l do hope will be afforded US.
am very respectfully Your mos, obedient
servant, r.. JOHNSON.
l open my letter to communicate further in.
tel!igence. Mr.. Truluck is dead-Mr. Adams
is not, nor family. They burnt the houses
over chem. Capt. Dade, Of the Regulars, has
taken ten painted Indians, who informed him
there were 200 determined for war. Mr.. Moore
on from General Calls party, and gave
me this information. General Call lost the
trail and returned 20 the place, and got on it
again, and was pursuing it when he left them;
he had bnt twenty men, but expected more.
-