Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-07-22
FRIDAY, JULY 22, 1886.

men and children, lately surrendered to
Gen. Jessup-and are confined, with the
exception of women and children, within
the pickets of Fort Mitchell, amounting in
all TO about one thousand - and, as writer
says: "they are OF all ages, from month
old TO hundred ycars-of all sizes, from
the little papoose to the giant warrior"
"The second Chief ofthe nation. and the
principal warrior of all the Creeks, Ncah.
E. Maihla. has been taken prisoner-arrcst-
ed suddenly and unexpectedly in his hostile
and murderous career, and bound hand and
foot in stubborn and unfinching iron. As
a warrior, he was possessed of a spirit cal.
cula'ed at once TO strike terror into the
hearts Of his enemies, and to inspire his
followers with an unwavering confidence /;
hence the moment il was ascertained BY his
warriors that he was in reality prisoner
to the whites, and in close confinement at
Fort Mitchell, a portion Of them resolved
upon their course, and marched forthwith to
the camp Of Gen. Jessup and surrendered
their arms.
On Thursday, the 22d inst. we visited
Fort Mitchell, our only object being to
catch glimpse of that warrior end chief.
whose name has go strongly marked the
page Of history, and whose undoubted
courage and unexampled bravery has be-
come a bye word throughout the land
.Neah E .Mathia. We were not disappoint.
ed in our visit. We were conducted within
the pickets, when our attention was at once
arrested by the person Of the celebrated
warrior Chief reposng with all his native
grace, his hands and feet being bound with
heavy irons his body seemed to be at per
feet ease, but there was a restlessness about
his eagle eye which told the story of in
ward tumult, disappointment and NORTH
cation.
He is an old man: he says he lacks but
l6 years of being an hundred years DID,
He looks like an old race horse, his flesh
being worn away by severe exercise. His
bones are prominently exhibited under his
skin, which is all over wrinkled with age,
there is something peculiarly striking in his
coun,enance, and the entire expression of
his face give evidence of his intelligence
sup, we learned that he had formed an ex.
old warrior. He stated to US, that the
strongest military posts he had ever seen.
Its location was marked with great judg.
ment. and the whole plan and arrangement
was such as TO convince him that Neah-E
Matilda was n man endowed with military
,alents OF q very high order. Gen. J. re
marked that he could take possession of that
camp with 700 men, and defend it agains.
four times that amount nf force.
The capture of this chief, as near as we
can ascertain,w was attended with the follow
ing circumstances. Gen Jessup had left
Tuskegce with about 700 men, intending
to make a direct march for Neah E Math-
las camp, which was located on the waters
of the Hatchachubbee. He continued to
be Joined by additional forces while on his
march. until the number of his entire army
amounted to 27O0, of which 1900 were
friendly Indians. He had penetrated the
country until he ascertained that he was
within about seven miles of the hos
tile camp, when he came to halt hard by
fine cool spring, and a furnishing oat
field. where he was refreshing his men and
their horses. While thus engaged, q few
of his men had wandered little distance
from the main body of the army, when they
discovered an Indian approaching on horse
back, whom they recognized as being old
Neah-E Matilda. He had piece Of white
cloth tied round his head, and white gar
men, Of some sort hoisted upon a stick bot
Of which were designed to manifest his dis
position for peace.
He was ordered to halt, but gave no
heed until one Of the party of whites had
approached within a few steps uf HIM and
threatened to shoot. when ne came to- and
was Immediately taken to Gen. Jessup and
made prisoner ; he had with him his son
and daughters and the niece of N leah. Micco
The two females were released--his son is
confined with him at Fort Mitchell. On
! being questioned in relation to the object OF
his travel, at the time he was taken, he
stated that his life had been threatened in
his own camp. and that he was hastenin 9
with all speed to Fort Mitchell, where be
intended to give himself up; and when
Maj or Mcintosh was about putting irons
upon him. he remarked, "you need not dc
this, for am friendly !" this statement
however,was universally discredited. The
opinion upon which we rely is, that he was
passing from one portion of the army to the
other, i; having been thrown into confusion
and disorder by the approach of Gen. Jes,
sup, OF which they were apprsed, and that
his object was to unite his warriors ant
mako Them 6oht