The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-05-16
Volunteered to Take Party to
 Relief of Fort Gaines. But
 Services Were Not Need ' ed. @

Relief of Fort Gaines, But
 Services Were Not Need
 ed. was enough for me. dropped the blanket and petticoat, as well as theagun. took the water and whether I waded. swan or forded, never stop ped to inquire, but crossed in hur- ". It was q little way to where I left A1freend, the Indian and the other man; we soon made our way to camp. By the time it was light enough to travel. and see what was around us. we had a good force near the town. We crossed the men over, found the trail of the hostile Indians, and pur- sued them until late in the day, they going toward the white settlements and rather In the direction of our camp. We returned to, camp that night hun gry, wet and cold. Major Morgan had | been out that day with a party of men. and discovered their tfail, and followed them until evening: he came in sight of their camp--they had encamped on a little ridge ofStimber that was en- tirelye surrounded by water and within six miles of our camp.
 The troops were anxious to go that | night and surround the camp. but Il was objectedRto; the next morning one of the friendly Indians whom had left to follow the trail, came in and said they had left, and gone in the di- 1 rection of Hartford An officer and some men were dispatched to meet some provision wagons and let them know that there was danger to be ap- prehended. The wagons were met; a Major Franklin Heard had charge of the guard. They reached Cedar Creek within four miles or less of our camp, and two men, Tom Lee and Sam LoftIs, went into the creek and had nearly crossed. when they were fired upon and killed. They cut Lees head on and scalped Lofts. The same man, Stroth- CT, whom had with me night or two before, was along when the men were killed. and brought the news into camp.
 Relief of Fort Gaines.
 Just before we learned that Lee and Lofts were killed, man named Keith had come through alone from Fort Gaines; he had travelled of nights, and wanted some assistance, as there were great many women and children un- protected in the fort. I volunteered to go and my battalion was willing to go also. but was not allowed. I then proposed that ii the General would is- sue an order for me to take the com mana at Fort Gaines, would go alone. with the scout, Keith. This he would not do, but said if I could get thirty men. I might have that number. I made call and got nineteen men. myself, Keith, and Indian Bill (the same man that saved General Gainess life when the boat was wrecked), making twenty-two.
 As soon as they brought in Lee with out his head. and Lofts scalped, we took look and started that night. I lxRrA kIa .Nxr Kitchafoony Creek, got fourteen In- dian warriors. and left next morning. wanted. if possible. to cross before night. the Echowagnotchy Creek, which. was very large and very full, and large swamp on both sides.
 Between sunset and dark we enter ed the swamp. We had not gone far when we discovered some dozen pair of Indian le8gins hung up to dry. We made our way to the run of the creek and cut down a large hollow gum for the men to cross upon. and when it fell 1t went so deep into the water that we could not use 1t, and we had to return back to the high land and camp. Fortunately, we found a little wet weather spring near the top of the most elevated point we could find and number of dead pines had fallen. We soon built breastwork. and took our horses fn--(there were but four)--and we concluded that If the worst came to the worst. as the saying is, we would try horse flesh. I slept very lit- tie that night.
 The old chief whom I had along with me said he knew of a. better and safer crossing place. Just before day we built up large fires, and left for the new crossing. which was about three miles. We crossed quite handy. and had to turn up the creek to get to our A
 number of guns fired in the direction of our camp--we made a forced march that day. We. frequently, through that day, could see one or two Indians who | would keep at distance from us That night about 9 o'clock, we came in the neighborhood of Fort Gaines.
 NOW sir l have seen trouble in my on' and have often felt bad. but a por- tton of that night was the most dis. agreeable ever spent.
 When we got within a half-mile of Fort Gaines, we could see dogs trot- ting, and hear them bowling in every direction. Keith said the Fort had been taken. We got within 300 yards of the fort and could see a dim light, that Keith said was in one of the block. houses. Keith approached a little near. CT. and returned, and was sure rhe fort was iR~possession of the enemy. sent my interpreter and another In- dian to the boat landing. to see if there were any crafts in which we could de- scend the river. They returned and said there were number of canoes and A ferrJ-boat. I went a. short distance to spot that was a little lower than the surrounding earth, and wrote a few lines to General Gaines. who was then at Old Hartford. Ga.
 January l6. ISIS, 10 o'clock at night am now within gun shot of Fort Gaines. which is in the possession of the Indians. There is a heavy cloud rising, and as soon as 1t gets so dark that objects cannot be distinguished from the Fort, wM attempt to re- take 1t, and try and sustain myself un- til get assistance. If ind I cannot do that, will try and descend the river below Perryman Town, and go across to Fort Scott. l shall at all events sell myself and men as dearly as possible.
 These lines I wrote by little fire- light, kindled by the friendly Indians, | they holding their blankets around to prevent its being seen from the Fort gave these lines to the interpreter. Bill; gave him my horse and told him whenever he heard the firing commence, and was certain 1t was a light, to make the best of his way to Hartford; but not to start until he was certain that the Fort was still in the possession of the whites, and by chance a sentinal