TNGenWeb Project/TNGenNet, Inc., (a Tennessee nonprofit public benefit corporation). "The Howard-Smith Collection" Transcription copyright: 1998, by Mrs. F. A. Augsbury; all rights reserved. The originals are at the McClung Library in Knoxville. This file is in text format. Please use your browser's "back" button to return to the previous page. ********************************************************************************* To: James T. Gaines Esq., Rogersville, Hawkins County, Tennessee From: George S. Gaines, Postmaster, St. Stephens, Mississippi Territory ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ St Stephens M T June 11th 1814 Dear Sir Since the battle of the Horse Shoe, on Talapoosa we have been in high spirits until yesterday when they fell at least 50 percent. I had been prepairing for a trip to Tennessee to see my friends and relations, and most of my neighbors had been as busy in deviseing and executing ways and means to make themselves as comfortable as they were before the war. But today we are all down in the mouth For my part my expected furlough did not arive & my neighbors have been alarmed by a report from Pensecola which I give you as I received it Colo Homer Virgil Milton is now our bigest war chief in this quarter he sent Major Carson of the 3rd Reg't. about two days ago down to Pensecola with an invitation to McQueen and the other leaders of the war party, who had taken refuge in Pensecola, to meet him at Ft. Clayborne on the Allabama, on Thursday last to talk of peace. McQueen promised to come, but in the mean time a report reached Pensecola that the British had landed, 22,000 stand of arms, ammunition clothing etc. at Appalachicola, for the Indians, that 300 troops had also been landed, that several thousand black troops were on their way from the W. Indies for the same place McQueen and his his leaders instead of making the peace talk with Col Milton set out immediately toward Appalachicola It is also reported that the Seminoles and Uchee Indians were making preparations for war & that the Chickasaws & Chocktaws had been sent for by the British at St Marks. If all this be true we shall have even a warmer summer than the last. I think it very probable that the British have sent arms to the Indians; but I cannot believe they have or will shortly attempt to land troops in Florida, they can be better employed elsewhere. Four companies of the 3rd Reg under Lt Col. Russel started from Fort Clayborne up the Allabama in boats for the Hickory ground about a week ago-Yesterday Col. Milton moved up by land with the ballance of his reg't. The 39th Reg. under Lt Col Bouton, has arived at Mount Vernon near Fort Stoddert where they wait for orders. The old 2nd Reg 400 or 500 strong has been stationed at Mobile Point for the last 13 months except one company at Mobile. Mobille Point is now breaking up by order of the Secretary of War/ some say by the advice of Gen Flournoy, & the 2nd Reg't. with the Cannon etc. are transporting to Mobille The Mobille people have petitioned Gen'l. Pinckney to have the point held until the Secretary of War can be prevailed upon to understand that it is the key to all the Mobille waters and if it is given up a petty British War Vessel might easily cut off all supplies from Orleans to the troops in this quarter. Whether the Gen'l. will interfear in this trifling matter (some important to us poore devils) is with me very doubtfull Fort Clayborne is garrisoned with a few Militia The Bassets Creek settlers begin to fall back & the Muscogees are killing their stealing their corn, etc. I have given you a hasty but I think pretty correct sketch of the situation of this part of the country. If I get a furlough by next mail & the forgoing reports should turn out groundless I may get see you this summer. Your friend Thos. A Rogers is with me & with God bless you, your lady & the rest of my relations & every body else in great haste yours Geo S Gaines