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fUOM THE HAY A MAH OKOHOIAN.HISTORICAL REMARKSOn the Floridas.( ContinuedJram our paper uj the 'iAth-J During the revolutionary war betweenthe United States and Great Britain, tli Florida* were in the possesion of the latter. St. Augutliu^, Pensacola, and Mobile, were garrisoned, and vnne out-posts were advanced to the river St. Mary’s. These strong holds aflorded an asylum for those who were JiaalFecttd toward the independence of the United States, and gave the British government an ascendency over all the Indian tribes to the north west of Georgia.In 17*6, governor Tonyn, of East-Florida, fitted out privateers to annoy the sea-coaJf of Georgia and Carolina, in which they were very successful. The disaffected, who fled from Georgia to the Florida* were organized into s regiment, under the command of colonel Brown, and were denominated the Florida Hangers.—Their predatory attacks by land, were generally simultaneous with the privateers along the coast. Capt. John Baker, of Georgia, with seventy mili tia, advanced to St. Mary's river, w ith thegia, with the militia, and colonel Williamson with a regiment of South-Carolina militia, marched in three separate divisions, to St. Mary’s river, and constituted the force intended to reduce St. Augustine. Three separate heads, to such a mas- of discordant materials, had the effects, which one moment’s reflection of a military sage, would have foreseen. It would have been as difficult for one human body, to have acted consistently under the capricious whims of three heads, as it would have been for this military force to have acted with effect, under three separate commanders, independent of each other. When the army reached St. Mary’s river, the British demolished Fort Touyn, and retreated to Alligator creek,session, in putting tblt; works in a state ofthffe' ’ ~1fortified the encampment with logs and‘ edYexpectation of taking Wright's fort bv t prise. He killed and made prisoners a bocrew, but found the garrison too strong to make an attack, with any probability of sue-cess. Baker retreated eight or nine miles, where he encamped ; and curing the night, two of his party, Daniel and James M’Girtli, deserted, stole thirty horses, and joined the British at St. Mary’s. The former was re-warded by an appointment of lieut. colonel, and the latter to the command of a company in the regiment of Florida Hangers.Several plans were suggested by the government of the United Slates, to reduce St. Augustine, but Fort St. Marks, by which it was defended, was too strong to be taken without a formidable force and heavy artillery.boats and small vessels by the inland pas-diiFort M’Intosh, a stockade work of one hundred feet square, was erected on the north side of Sattilla river ; the garrison, consisting of one company of continental troop*, was commanded by captain Richard \\ inn. In order to gain the country be-tween Alatamaha and Sattilla, which afforded line summer pasture, and upon which there were a number of cattle ; an expedition was fitted out at St. Augustine, against Fort M'lntosh, in February, 1777. The command was confided to colonel Fustir, and consisted of four companies of .British regulars, the Florida Hungers, and a parly of Indians, commanded by the celebrated chief Cusuppa, with two six pounders. The fort was defended for two days, and then surrendered by capitulation. Lieutenants Milton and Caldwell were retained as hostages for ttie performance of the stipulations, and the remainder of Winn’s company returned to Savannah, as prisoners of war.In April, 1777, governor Gwinnett of Georgia, projected an expedition against St. Augustine. Colonel Baker was ordered to proceed by land, with one hundred and nine militia ; and colonel F-ibert’s regiment, consisting of four hundred continental troops, embarked in ilircc galhes and small boats, and proceeded by the inland passage. Suw-pil Bmff, twelve miles from the mouth of St. I John's river, vya* agreed upon as the place | of rendezvous, on the 12th of May. The j British spies discovered Baker’s detachment, soon after he c; asset! St. Mary’s river, suit j before he reached his destination.—When Elbert reached Amelia Island, it was found | that the depth of water would not admit his I gsnes through the inland pavtage. To add 1 tu Elbert’s embarrassment, two armed Uri- j tisli vessrls from St. Augustine, were waiting fur him, at the south end of Amelia Is- | land, to prevent his crusqpg the sound, and [ to sttsck him if he atteu.picd s passage out side of the island, either of which must ; have proved fatal, and prevented Elbert’s junction with Baker at Sawpit Bluff. These movements, cm the part of the U. States’ troops, were regularly communicated to the British governor at St. Augustine, by his spies; and he had adopted such measures as were best calculated to destroy their effects. The twu armed vessels which he had sent round'to the south cud of Amelia Island, were incompetent to a successful attack, in j the inland passage , but were sufficient to | ensure success, it made in the sound, or on i the sea.Governor Touyn ordered colonel Brown, with three hundred Florida Hangers and Indians, to march, in search ill colonel linker's j detachment. The spies hating discovered his position, Brow n attacked his camp by surprise on the 17lh May, in three divisions. Baker was defeated, with the loss of three killed, five afterwards murdered by the Indians, nine wounded, and thirty-one, including the wounded, were taken prisoners, the residue fled in different directions ; some j joined colonel Elbert, and others returned to the settlements in Georgia, in small parties. All hopes of a successful termination to the expedition, on the part of Elbert, being at an end, he returned to Georgia.Men who have rendered themselves conspicuous by acts of treason, have a just claim tu particular notice ill history. Captain Arthur Cariuy who had been appointed to the command of a company in the tiist continental battalion in Georgia, ignoiqjftiously abandoned the cause ot Ins country, and joined ihe British in St. Augustine. His mind does not appear to have been stored with a sufficiency of information to quality him for the practice of Villainies upon an extensive scale ; but to acts ol a petty kind,rv*V M‘IU| jhis exertions compensated for the deficiency of Ins talents, llis residence was favor- Iaide to his purposes, and under cover u! Ins commission, Ins treachery was practised for i*coiis.der*ble time, without suspic on. He !resided between the Alatainaha and St. Ma I ry’a rivers, where himself and others owned i extensive herds of catile. Alter Ins own were exhausted ill secret sales, to the enemy of his country, lie aided in the collec-tion uf others, which belonged to the inhabitant* of Georgia, for the supply u| the Bn-tisli troops in Horula. Ultimately, he fled to St. Augustine, and took an active share in the royal cause. Such men should aioavs bear in mind, •• I lev. h.e „euj, the IruMe-.” General Arnold »„ insulted tor standing near the king.In 1778. general IWost, then governor »t tit. Augustine, received such a.i.cqmsi-lion ot torce by refttgecs from the CiatvjUiv • lid Gf«lto.a, that he cherished the hope;! of conquering the tatter. He had comma,«. caied In* places ot operation to ttie com mantler in chief at New Turk, and solicitedthe co operation ol a uav.l force. At iilt.name time the government of the United States, projected an rxpWuiu tor the c m-quest of East Fiona,. General Howe with two battalion* of Georgia and Carohua cou-tiucuui troops, governor Houston, of Uoor-abbatis. Howe ordered three hundred to pursue the British, and attack them in their camp. An attempt was made to take it by storm, but colonel Elijah Clarke, who commanded the assailants, was shot through the thigh, and the defences filing found im- | pregnable, they retreated, with a lost of i three men killed, and nine wounded. The United States’ troops, being unaccustomed to the climate, were attacked with fever, and in a short time, one third of the army were in the hospital. Howe ordered the convention of a council of war ; and they advised a retreat. The sick were sent to the mouth of the river, and returned insage ; but many of them died on their way home. Howe, with the main body, retraced his former route. Col. John M’Intosh, with tine hundred and twenty new continental troops were posted at Sunbury, and the feeble remains of regular troops, returned to Savannah.Encouraged by the result of this disastrous expedition, genearl Provost determined to bring his whole force against Georgia. He had been advised that the commander in chief at New-York, had embarked a force to form a junction with him at Savannah. Colonel Fcscr embarked on board of small vessels, with one division of the troops and some light artillery, with instructions to take Sitiiburg. Colonel James Mack Provost commanded the infantry, who were transported by the inland passage to Aiata-inaha, with instructions to join lieutenant colonel M’Girth, with the Florida Hangers and a party of Indians, at Fort Barrington,Provost formed a junction witli M'Girth, and advanced toward Midway opposite to, and within ten miles of Sunburry. An A-inerican force, consisting principally of militia, were ha-tily collected by General Scri-ven ; and Maj r Baker was detached with a small party, to liarrasa Provost on his advance. A slight breastwork was hastily constructed across the rosd, a mile and a half south of Midway meeting house, in an advantageous position; flunked by thick woods, at the end of a causeway, defended by two six pounders. Provost advanced, and a warm content ensued. General Scriven received a mortal wound, early in the contest, of which he died the next day. Col. Provost’s horse was killed about tne middle of the contest, but lie was soon remounted.Flic unequal contest w as finally yielded and the Americans retreated to (jgcchee Ferry.—Provosts command, including Indians, consisted of four hundred. Col. white, who succeeded Scriven, had about one hundred. I’rovjpt pursued the Americans lor a few miles, where he encamped to wait for intelligence from the forces with which he expected to form a junction.—Col. Elbert advanced from Savannah to C'gecllee ferry, where lie threw up temporary works. M’Girlli, who was well acquainted with the country, informed Provost, that it w'ould be impossible to pas, Ogecliee, without a great superiority of force, if it was defended. Provost having ascertained that there was no intelligence cl the British force from New-York, and that Fuser had not arrived at Sun-burry, decided upon an immediate retreat to St. Augustine. On his return, mid-way meeting-house, and almost every dwelling house, and Kice barn in the country, was plundered and left in smoking ruins.Ilead winds prevented Fuser’s arrival at Sutibury, until after I’rovust had retreated. On the first uf December, he entered the harbour with several small vessels, laden with battering cannon, beside artillery and niorters, with five hundred men. After making Ins arrangements to attack the fort by land and water, he demanded a surrender of the fort : Col. M’lntosh considered it a measure of policy, to put a daring front upon his feeble condition, laconically replied, “ come and take it.” Fuser ascertained that the Northern force had not arrived and that Provost had retreated ; reembarked and followed Ins example. When these officers returned to St. Augustine, each charged ihe o iler with misconduct, and the cause of failure in the objectsofthe expedition. This furnishes another evidence of the fatal effects ot uniting two equal heads, in the command of a military expedition.Early in December the expected British fleet, consisting of two thousand regular and. provincial troops arrived at Savannah, under the command of Col. Campbell, defeated general Howe ; and touk possession of the city. His arrival was communicated to general Provost, who embarked and marched, with a mixture of Regulars, Seamen, Hangers Militia and Indians amounting to two thousand men. Tl.is force formed a junction at Sunbury on the 6th of January 1779. Major Lane who then cunmunded the fort, had been ordered to demolish the works and retreat to the hack country ; but he disobeyed tbe order and surrendered without resistance, Col. Campbell extended his military posts to Augusts and Provost asMoiitd the government of Georgia.Fort St. Marks, in St. Augustine, has been herciolwre described, as a very formidable w tk , *i.d Provost had left it garrisoned by s sufficient torce, to secure its defence. At .b^t period, general Campbell was commander ui chic I, in West Florida. General Galvez, governor ot low or Louisians taking into view the weakened condition of East Florida, considered this a favorable moment, tor the reduction of W cst Florida. He ac-cordingiy fitted out an expedition against Baton Kouge, a fortress on the Mississippi, garrisoned by four or fire hundred men, under the command of Lieut. Col. Dickson; which was surrendered by capitulation, late 111 1799. General Galvez then turned lus attention to Mobile, which was gariisoned with three hundred men ; uwder the command of Captain Duntord, of E pincers, and Lieut. Governor of the province; which was defended mote formidably,but ultimate ly surrendered by capitulation, in January 1780. Dunfurd was Cambpeli’s duet engi-defenlc ; therefore general Campbell believed he w ould b* able to defend it with the troops under bis command, consisting of six hundred regulars and three hundred provincials. General Galvez fitted out a fleet at the Havana, under the command of Don Joseph Solano, in February, 17bl, consisting of tw elve sail of tbe line and several frigates to attack Pensacola. Soon alter he got to sea a violent storm arose which dispersed his whole fleet. Ihe storm Continued for thirty huurs : three 74’s and one 64, were lost; ami two thousand one hundred and eighty officer-, seamen a^id land troops. The ship* were repaired and the fleet again sailed in April. The fleet consisted of fifteen ships of the line, and s,x frigates and seven thousand eight liu idred men. Don Calvez disembarked his land force at Pensacoia, and commenced his operations by land, while his naval force was employed in b*ttering]the works from the water; on the 8th of Mav, lie made an assault, in which he succeeded in gaining possession of, and demolishi ngpart ofthe advanced lines of defence. Pending this assault, a shell bursted the door of the principal Magazine, and one of the redoubts was blown up by the explosion. Campbell finding his works no longer tenable, hoisted a white flag and suggested terms of capitulation,’and surrendered on the 9th of May, 17S1.The possession of the Floridas by the British government, during the revolutionary war with the United States, gave important advantages to the former, had a tendency to protract the war, and render its progress more sanguinary. British merchants found their interest in supplying the Indians with goods, in exchange for peltry ; which neither the merchants nor the gov-ernment of the United Stales, had it in their power to procure. Presents, which w- re given in profusion, purchased the Indians friendship and enlisted them in the serv.ee of the British government. The dread of the hatchet and scalping knife ; diverted the attention of the militia; from carrying on the war against Great-Uvitain: to the defence of the frontiers, t he Floridas aim furnished an asylum tor those who were disaffected toward republican change of government in their own country, which would j not otherwise have been presented to them. I St. Augustine was also made the repository j for the safe keeping of United States pris- j oners. The possession of the Floridas, ren- j tiered it a measure of policy in the British government, to change the seat of war, I from the north to the south, in 1799 ; and I it is very doubtful, whether Georgia and j South-Carolina, could have been conquered |had it not been for the advantages derived from the possession of these provinces. These circumstances independent of other considerations ; will render tiie late cession, very important to the Dinted States.— It would be an act of injustice to close this subject, without acknowledging the un-remitted perseverance of the President of the United States, in his capacity of Secretary of Stale, as well as of ohiel magistrate, in bringing to maturity, the late treaty with Spain ; and altho’ Mr. Forsyth, was unsuccessful in his first efforts ; the conclusion ofthe treaty, affords the strongest evidence of policy and great talents, in obtaining all the points expected by his government. This is proved by its immediate ratification, by the President and Senate ofthe United States.The Floritbts have not been sufficiently explored by men of taletiss, to give any tiling like a correct deliberation of the geography or surface. The best maps were U*ade about forty y ears ago , and are believed to be very incorrect. The little progress which has been made in the cultivation of the soil, scarcely exhibit the evidences of agricultural pursuits, except on the river St. John’s, and in the immediate vicinity of St. Augustine and Pensacola and it is difficult to fathom the policy of the Spanish government, in discountenancing these pursuits. Notwithstanding the barrenness of a large proportion of the surface ; it is probable that the face of the country will present very different features in a few years. Making experiments upon a small scale, in the cultivation of many of the tropical fruits, may fie well enough; but it is probable that the cultivation oi the Cotton and Sugar cane, will prove to be the most advantageous articles {or the attention ofthe planters. The quality of the land, has been greatly overrated, by extravagant descriptions of it, which have gone abroad, of course many of the adventurers will be disappointed, when they have an opportuni-ty of judging for themselves.— l’his is common, in all new and unexplored countries? They flow with milk and honey; you have only to plant, and you will have a plentiful harvest. These fancies induce many to leap, before they look. I advise such as have been infected by this sort of maine, to beware. they may repent, when it is too late to repair the error.The fraudulent tricks, which have been practiced in the Floridas ; in giving several grants, for the same tracts of land; will open a tedious and vexatious field of investigations, for individual tribunals, and it wiil be for adventurous purchasers, to act with extreme caution.\UYVSVa, SUYX,Ornamental Painting, Glazing, Paper Hanging, 8fc. Subscriber anxious for Work? 1 is now ready to receive application*, having every necessary recommendation. Apply Ibis uffice for particulars.Charles A. Cox.April 23 8(1To S\\otvna\vevs.WANTEL by tbe Subscriber, a-bout the first June next, two or three Good Workmen, to whom coustaut employment, and liberal wage* will be given*Richard Matthews,Cambridge, S. C.April to. 84 fitTo Rent,, The Comer Store nextPensacola being the Capital of West Florida, and the place of residence of Governor Chester; twenty thousand pound* sterling had been expended,.under the direction of an Ei giueer ot »oute celebrity in pos.abote M’Keniie, Beutioeh A- Co. and Possession gireu 12th Alay—ApplyApril 21R. Kctchuui.69 ot
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Augusta Herald
Augusta, Georgia, US
Tue, May 01, 1821
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