ARANGER'SREPORTOFTRAVELSWITH GENERALOGLETHORPE,17391742

Excerpted from: Mereness, Newton Dennison. Travels in the American Colonies ed. under the auspices of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. New York: Macmillan, 1916. Provided by the Library of Congress American Memory program. Full text of all parts of book available at:
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Excerpted for reference by members of the Southern Indian Department. Please do not re-distribute this document; other use should access this information via the link above.

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INTRODUCTION Georgia was chartered in 1732 to save South Carolina from the French and Spanish, yet South Carolina begrudged the people of Georgia a share in the Indian trade. Georgia, on the other hand, being a prohibition province at that early day, objected to the sale of rum to the Indians, and expressly charged that the difficulties between the English and the Creeks arose from the failure of South Carolina to render "satisfaction for injuries done by their pedling traders." General Oglethorpe, who was the early guide of affairs in Georgia and who in 1738 was appointed commander in chief of His Majesty's forces in both Georgia and South Carolina, made it his first care to win the friendship of the Indians. On the 15th of June, 1739, he wrote the Georgia Trustees: "I have received frequent and confirmed advices that the Spaniards are striving to bribe the Indians, and particularly the Creek nation, to differ with us; and the disorder of the traders is such as gives but too much room to render the Indians discontented; great numbers of vagrants being gone up without licenses either from Carolina or us. Chigilly, and Malachee, the son of the great Brim, who was called Emperor of the Creeks by the Spaniards, insist upon my coming up to put all things in order, and have acquainted me that all the chiefs of the nation will come down to the Coweta town to meet me, and hold the general assembly of the Indian nations; where they will take such measures as will be necessary to hinder the Spaniards from corrupting and raising sedition amongst their people. "This journey, though a very fatiguing and dangerous one, is quite necessary to be taken; for if not, the Spaniards, who have sent up great presents to them, will bribe the corrupt part of the nation; and, if the honester part is not supported, will probably overcome them, and force the whole

Page 216 nation into a war with England. The Coweta town, where the meeting is to be, is near 500 miles from hence1; it is in a straight line 300 miles from the sea. All the towns of the Creeks2 and of the Cousees and Talapousees,3 though 300 miles from the Cowetas, will come down to the meeting. The Choctaws, also, and the Chickasaws, will send thither their deputies; so that 7,000 men depend upon the event of this assembly. The Creeks can furnish 1,500 warriors, the Chickasaws 500, and the Choctaws 5,000. I am obliged to buy horses and presents to carry up to this meeting."4 [Note 1: 1 From Frederica.] [Note 2: 2 Lower Creeks.] [Note 3: 3 The Cousees and Talapousees were Upper Creeks.] [Note 4: 4 Henry Bruce, Life of General Oglethorpe, pp. 207--208.]

The 16th of the following month he wrote the Trustees from Savannah: "The French and Spaniards have used their utmost endeavours to raise disturbances amongst our Indians and the not deciding clearly in the Act relating to them has given such Insolence to the Carolina Traders that the Indians have declared, if I do not come up to them they will take Arms and do themselves Justice and have ordered a General Assembly of all the Nations to meet me. I set out this night."5 [Note 5: 5 Collections of the Georgia Historical Society, Vol. III, p. 80.] Regarding the success of his trip Oglethorpe wrote from Augusta, September 5, 1739: "I am just arrived at this Place from the Assembled Estates of the Creek Nation. They have very fully declared their rights to and possession of all the Land as far as the River Saint Johns and their Concession of the Sea Coast, Islands and other Lands to the Trustees, of which they have made a regular Act. If I had not gone up the misunderstandings between them and the Carolina Traders fomented by our two neighboring Nations would probably have occasioned their beginning a war, which I believe might have been the result of this general meeting; but as their complaints were reasonable, I gave them satisfaction in all of them, and every thing is entirely settled in peace. It is impossible to describe the joy they expressed at my arrival they met me forty miles in the woods and layd

Page 217 Provisions on the roads in the woods. The Express being just going to Charles Town, I can say no more but that I have had a burning fever of which I am perfectly recovered."1 [Note 1: 1 Collections of the Georgia Historical Society, Vol. III, p. 81.] While at Augusta Oglethorpe received a communication from England informing him of the declaration of war against Spain and instructing him to "annoy" the Spaniards. The Ranger's Report is an account of his travels with Oglethorpe to the Indian Assembly at Kawita (Coweta) on the Chattahoochee River and in attendance upon Oglethorpe during his operations against Saint Augustine and in defense of the Georgia coast from Spanish invasion. The Report is among the Stowe Manuscripts in the British Museum, and a transcript which was made from this is in the Library of Congress.

Page 218 A RANGER'S REPORT OF TRAVELS WITH GENERAL OGLETHORPE, 1739--1742 A Report having been raised by W. C. Esqr. that General Oglethorpe had no Rangers in Georgia but two or three that he kept to defray the Expence of Servants, The Author of the following

Account (having been a Ranger in Georgia and Constantly paid as such) Submits it to any Candid Person whether such Report is not without Foundation and absolutely false. His Excellency Genl. Oglethorpe making a Tour into the Indian Nations to Establish Peace between them and the English ordered me to attend him it being about four Hundred Miles through the Woods, July the 8th we began our Journey and went by Water as far as Ebenezer. The General took Horse and Rode to the Uchee Town1 he having sent the Boat round there where we arrived July the 19th. July the 24th. The General set out with about twenty Five Persons in Company and some Indians all well Armed, it being very Necessary so to be, for not long before a Party of the Choctau Indians came down to the General who gave them Presents and they staid amongst the English as Friends, but did not prove so, for in their Return home, they met two English Men who traded among the Indians, one of these they killed and shot three of the others Fingers off, however he made his Escape to a Town of the lower Creeks, Who upon hearing his Relation of what the Choctau's had done, imediately armed themselves and went in pursuit of the Choctau's whom they find encamped round a Fire; The Creeks imediately charged them, killed a great many and took the rest [Note 1: 1 A town inhabited by Uchee Indians and situated on the Savannah River, thirty-five miles above Ebenezer and seventy miles above Savannah.]

Page 219 Prisoners. The General had also at this time two of the Choctau Indians with him who had put themselves under his Protection for fear of the People of the Creek Nation who would have killed them for the Barbarity of their Countrymen to the two English Traders. But now I return to our Journey, which we Continued being Supplied with Venison by the Indian Hunters, and also Wild Honey of which they took Plenty. July 27th. We arrived at Great Ogeechee River which we Swam our Horses over and The Packhorse Man got his Things over in a Leather Canoe which they carry for that Purpose and at every River where they are to use it, they stretch it with Stakes made on Purpose. July the 28th. The Things being all got over the River we set forward, The Indians killing plenty of Deer and Turkeys for our Refreshment, also several Buffaloes, of which there is great Plenty and they are very good Eating. Though they are a very heavy Beast they will out Run a Horse and Quite Tire him. July 31st. We Travelled over many Hills from which we had a very Pleasant Prospect of the Valleys which abounded with fine green Trees and abundance of Grapes and other Fruits, but which were not Ripe. From the Top of one of these Hills we perceived a great Smoke at a Distance from us, which we Imagined to be at the Camp of a Party of Spanish Horse which were sent out on Purpose to hinder us if possible from going to make this Treaty of Peace with the Indians and which has since been of so great Service to us, the Friendly Indians annoying the Spaniards very much. We encamped at Occomy1 River where we found a Horse belonging to one of the Spaniards; We crossed the River and killed two Buffaloes of which there are abundance, We Seeing Several Herds of sixty or upwards in a Herd. We Camped at Ocmulgas2 River where are three Mounts raised by the Indians over three of their Great Kings who were killed in the Wars. August the 6th. We came to Dollus Rivulet where we Encamped; In the Night came to us Capt. Wiggin, Mr. Gudell, and two of the Chief Indians,

before they came to us they hooped which our Indians P [Note 1: 1 Oconee.] [Note 2: 2 Ocmulgee.]

Page 220 Answered, then they came to our Camp and saluted the General in a very friendly Manner which he Returned. August the 7th. We set forward and on our way we found several strings of Cakes and Bags of Flower etca. which the Indians had hung up in Trees for our Refreshmt. August the 8th. We Encamped about two Miles from the Indian Town, The Indians sent Boys and Girls out of their Town with Fowls, Venison, Pompions, Potatoes, Water Melons, and Sundry other things. About ten of the Clock we set forward for the Indian Town and were met by the Indian King And some of their Chiefs, the King had English Colours in his hand. We Saluted them and they Returned our Salute, and then shaking Hands with the General and Company the King very gracefully taking him by the Arm led him towards the Town, and when we Came there they Brought us to Logs which they had placed for that purpose Covered with Bear Skins and desired us to sit down which when we had done The head Warriours of the Indians brought us black Drink in Conkshells which they presented to us and as we were drinking they kept Hooping and Hallowing as a Token of gladness in seeing us. This Drink is made of a Leaf called by the English Casena (and much Resembles the Leaf of Bohea Tea) It is very Plenty in this Country.1 Afterwards we went to the Kings House or rather Hut where we Dined, at night we went to the Square to see the Indians dance, They dance round a large Fire by the beating of a Small Drum and Six Men singing; their Dress is very wild and frightfull their Faces painted with several sorts of Colours their Hair cut short (except three Locks one of wch hangs over their Forehead like a horses fore Top) they paint the Short Hair and stick it full of Feathers, they have Balls and rattles about their Waist and Several things in their Hands, Their Dancing is of divers Gestures and Turnings of their Bodies in a great many frightfull Postures. The [Note 1: 1 The black drink was a tea made by boiling the leaves of the Ilex cassine. The southern Indians drank it on deliberative occasions, and especially at the Green-corn Dance, for its supposed purifying and mind-stimulating effects.]

Page 221 Women are mostly naked to the Waist wearing only one short Peticoat wch reaches from their Waist a little below their Knees, they are very nice in Smoothing and putting up their hair, it is So very long when untied that it reaches to the Calves of their Legs. Their Houses or Hutts are built with Stakes and plaistered with Clay Mixed with Moss which makes them very warm and Tite. They dress their Meat in Large pans made of Earth and not much unlike our Beehives in

England. They do not make use of Mills To grind their Corn in, but in lieu thereof use a Mortar made out of the Stock of a Tree which they cut and burn hollow and then Pound their Corn therein, and when its pounded sufficiently they seperate the husks from the Meal by sifting it thro' a Sieve made of Reeds or Canes. The Chief Business of the Women is Planting Corn and other things and minding the Business of the House, The Men Hunt and Kill Deer, Turkeys, Geese, Buffaloes, Tygers, Bears, Panthers, Wolves and several other Beasts whose Skins they sell to the Traders for Powder Ball and what other Necessaries they want. August the 12th. We set out from this Town which belonged to the Couettaus1 to go to a Town of the Causettasu2; As we drew near the Town the King came with English Colours in his Hand attended by his Chief Men, We saluted them and they returned the Salute; The King and his Chief Men conducted the General to their Square where he dined and after Dinner the General went to Captain Wiggins House where he lay that Night. August the 17th. The Indians went into the Square to Dance and some of the English Danced with them which pleased them very well. August the 21st. His Excellency General Oglethorpe went to the Square to give the Indians the Presents he had Caused to be brought for them, and to Establish that Peace with them which has since been so Beneficial to the English; He also settled the Trade between the Indians and the Traders. August the [Note 1: 1 Kawita, a Lower Creek town on the Chattahoochee River in Russell County, Alabama.] [Note 2: 2 Kashita, a Lower Creek town on the Chattahoochee River, two or three miles below Kawita.]

Page 222 25th. The General set out from the Indian Nations on his Way home. Septr. 12th. The General arrived at ffort Augusta,1 the Fort saluted the General with nine Guns, the General staid at the Captn of the Forts House. Septr. 6th. Several of the Cherokee Indians came to the General who Received them with all Tenderness. Septr. 8th. The General went to the Carolina Fort which saluted him with 15 Guns, at Night came down the Cherokee Indians and Saluted the Fort which Returned them 9 Guns. Septr. 10th. The Cherokee's came to settle a Peace with the General. Septr. the 13th. This day arrived advices to the General of a Declaration of War with Spain, at noon the General gave the Cherokee Indians their Presents they took their leave of him and returned very well Satisfied. Septr. 16th. The General set out from Fort Augusta and about Seven or Eight Miles from thence we stoped at a Fort belonging to Carolina which saluted the General with 15 Guns, the General staid and Dined there, this Fort is situate on a Hill and Commands two rivers; near the Fort are about one hundred Houses.2 Septr. 17th. We set out from this Fort and as we were going down the River we met a Trading Boat going to Fort Augusta, the People on board her told us the Negroes in Carolina had raised up in Arms and killed about forty White People. We went to the Uchee Town and from thence to Fort Prince George3 where we found thirty men come from Purysburg4 to Strengthen the Fort. Septr. 20th. A Negroe came to the General and told him that what was said of the Negroes Rising in Carolinia was True and that

they had marched to Stono Bridge where they had Murthered two Storekeepers Cut their Heads off and Set them on the Stairs Robbed the stores of what they wanted and went on [Note 1: 1 Fort Augusta was on the site of the present city of Augusta, Georgia, and was at this time primarily an Indian trading post.] [Note 2: 2 This was Fort Moore, on the east bank of the Savannah, six miles below Fort Augusta.] [Note 3: 3 Palachocolas Fort, about sixty-four miles above Savannah.] [Note 4: 4 A Swiss settlement in South Carolina, twenty-two miles above Savannah.]

Page 223 killing what Men, Women and Children they met, Burning of Houses and Committing other Outrages, and that One hundred Planters who had assembled themselves together pursued them and found them in an open Field where they were Dancing being most of them drunk with the Liquors they found in the Stores, As soon as they saw their Masters they all made off as fast as they Could to a Thicket of Woods excepting One Negroe fellow who came up to his Master his Master asked him if he wanted to kill him the Negroe answered he did at the same time Snapping a Pistoll at him but it mist fire and his Master shot him thro' the Head about fifty of these Villains attempted to go home but were taken by the Planters who Cutt off their heads and set them up at every Mile Post they came to.1 Septr. 23d. The General set out for Savannah and arrived the 24th. Octor. 5th. Tomo Cha Chi Mico or King of Yamacrau died greatly Lamented by all his People.2 Octor. 6th. He was buried in the Square facing the Church at Savannah. Novr. 5th. The General set out for Frederica and arrived the 8th. Thus ended our Profitable Voyage to the Indian Nations which has been attended with the Success desired, the Friendly Indians annoying the Spaniards very much taking them Prisoners under the very Walls of the Castle of St. Augustine and Especially At the late Invasion when the Spaniards advanced within a Mile of Frederica where they signalized their Bravery and the Love they bore to the English even facing Danger itself by taking and killing every Spaniard they Came near, besides many other Fatigues and Dangers they underwent which will appear in the Sequel of this Story. [Note 1: 1 This was the Stono Slave Insurrection in which about sixty lives were lost.] [Note 2: 2 Tomo-chi-chi was chief of the Yamacraw Indians whose habitat was on the banks of the Savannah in the vicinity of Savannah.] After our arrival at Frederica3 on the 14th of November [Note 3: 3 Frederica was a fortified settlement on Saint Simon's Island at the mouth of the Altamaha. It was founded by Oglethorpe in 1736 as a bulwark against the Spaniards.]

Page 224 advices came to the General that the Spaniards had been upon the Island of Amelia and had killed two of the Trustees'1 Servts and Cut of their Heads, but was so terrified for fear of the English coming upon them that they Ran away leaving a Hatchet and Knife behind them. Novr. 17th. His Excellency General Oglethorpe being designed for the Island of Amelia ordered me to attend him which I accordingly did. We arrived at Amelia about Eleven at Night. Early next morning the General gave orders to surround the Island by Water and he himself would march through the Body of the Island with the Men divided into Small parties wch He accordingly did and Continued so doing till Night but could discover nothing but their Tracts and one of their War Sticks which they had droped in Haste. About Ten at Night the General set out for Frederica and having a fine Gale of Wind arrived at Six next Morning Novr. 23d Helaspelle and Tooanahowi (Nephew to Tomo Cha Chi aforementioned) with Several other Indians Set out for St. Augustine vowing to have Revenge for the two Men killed on Amelia. Novr. 27th. The Spaniards came a Second time on the Island of Amelia and fired at the very Centinels, the Friendly Indians Were then there, but they were so Numerous the Indians Durst not attack them. [Note 1: 1 Georgia was founded as a proprietary province, and its proprietors constituted a board of trustees.] December the 3d. His Excellcy General Oglethorpe set out for the Spanish Look out to observe the motions of the Spaniards and see what preparations they were making, taking a body of two hundred men with him; but they discovered us before they could Land and fled to Augustine leaving us the House built for a Look out. We marched along the Beach and came within 25 Miles of the Town of St. Augustine, where we discovered a Party of Don Pedro's2 Horse with some Indians and Negroes but as soon as they saw us they made the Utmost speed to the Town of St. Augustine and our Indians pursued them till they came to [Note 2: 2 Don Diego Spinola, who was commander of Fort Diego, Florida.]

Page 225 Diego Fort,1 in the Pursuit they killed one Negroe as he was going into Diego Fort and brought his Scalp to the Genl. Who rewarded them very well. Afterwards we went to Frederica where we remained till the first January [when] The General Set out with a Body of 180 Men. We arrived at Talbot Island Janry 3d and went from thence to St. George's2 from whence we saw a Sloop off of the Spanish Look out on St. Juan's Beach, the General endeavour'd to get to her in his Cutter but the Wind blew so fresh it obliged us to return back. The General went to the Spanish Look out and Set me and two more on shore there with orders to make a Fire, that the Sloop might see the Mouth of the River, soon after the General came and took us with him to St. Georges. Janry 5th. The Sloop came over St. Juans Bar and Anchored in the River and the Capt. came ashore and offered his Service to the General to assist him taking the two Forts up the River which the

General accepted of. Janry the 6th. The Sloop and Boats came to sail having a fair Wind and went up the River St. Juan about four in the afternoon we Landed on a Point of Land distant about five Miles from the Fort San Francisco de Pupo.3 The Indians went out on discovery but could see nobody so we set forward again and Came to an Anchor close under a Point of Land near the two Forts, here we landed the Indians on the south side of the River to way lay the Path to St. Augustine and to bring Intelligence of what Discoveries they should make, here we lay all night. Early next morning the General went in his Boat to See if he could meet with any of our Indians he soon met with one of them who told him all was Quiet and that we were not discovered and that his Comrades had way [Note 1: 1 Fort Diego was on a rise of ground known as Diego Plains, about five miles from the east bank of the St. Johns River and twenty-five miles west by north of St. Augustine.] [Note 2: 2 This was Fort St. George which Oglethorpe had built at the mouth of the St. Johns. Opposite it was the Spanish outpost, or look-out of St. John.] [Note 3: 3 Fort San Francisco de Pupo, or St. Francis, was on the west bank of the St. Johns River, about eighteen miles west by north of St. Augustine.]

Page 226 layed the Path to St. Augustine, hereupon the General returned to the Sloop and Boats and ordered them to weigh their Anchors and stand for the Forts which they did and on our way we met some of our Indians in a Canoe who told us the Spaniards at Picolato Fort1 had discovered us and were fled and our Indians had set fire to their Fort. The Spaniards at San Francisco de Pupo seeing some of our Indians took them for Spanish Indians and man'd a Launch in order to Fetch them over and when they had got about half way over the River they discovered our Boats and Returned for their Fort in greater Hast than they set out. The General ordered the Men and Cannon to be Landed under Shelter of a Point of Woods wch was within a Mile of the Fort. As Soon as we had Landed we marched in the Woods till we Came within Musquet Shot of the Fort where we raised a Battery for our Cannon in the mean time keeping them employed with our Small Arms, the firing Continued very hot on both sides 'till such time we had finished our Battery from Which we began to play upon the Fort, the Fire from the Fort seeming to abate the General sent a Drum to Summon them to Surrender the Fort to the English which if they did they should have good Quarters, their Answer was "take us if you can." Whereupon our Cannon began to Play a second time upon the Fort very briskly and every Shot taking Place soon obliged them to alter their Tone and Cry for Quarters, which upon their surrendering up the Fort was imediately granted. In this Fort was one Serjt. and a Command of Ten men with one Indian, 7 Peices of Cannon Ammunition Provision and several other Stores. Janry the 8th. The General gave orders for repairing this Fort raising Parapets and Pallisading it all Round, We also mounted three more Cannon besides the Seven Peices which were in the Fort before, also leaving a Detachment of 50 Men with Ammunition and Provision. Janry 9th. The General ordered a Detachment of 30 Men of the Regiment and a Party of Indians to go on the other side of the River and

[Note 1: 1 Fort Picolata was on the east bank of the St. Johns, a little below Fort San Francisco de Pupo.]

Page 227 see if they could discover any Spaniards, they accordingly went and Discovered a Party of Spanish horse being about 20 or 30 in Number who as soon as they saw the English approach fled. Our Indians pursued but could not come up with any of them. Janry 11th. The General set out for St. Simons Island and on his Passage rec[eiv]ed advice that his Majesty's Ship the Flamborough was arrived in Jekyll Sound and that seven more ships of War were on their Passage to assist at the Siege of St. Augustine. Janry the 17th. The General arrived at St. Simons and the 19th got to Frederica. January the 28th. Came a Boat from San Francisco de Pupo with advice that the Detachment of the Regiment had taken three Spaniards with Letters from St. Mark's to St. Augustine. May the 3d. The General set out for the siege of St. Augustine with a Body of 600 Men also giving me orders to attend him. We [had] also 150 Indians of Different Nations the Main Body of them being to follow us as Soon as possible with provisions and other Stores. May the 8th. At night we landed at the Spanish Look-out on the Florida side of St. Juan's River [and] here we lay very quiet 'till about four o' th' Clock the next morning, then we sent out a party of about 50 Indians on the Scout who returned at night with a Spanish Negroe who they had taken Prisoner they also pursued six other Spaniards as far as the Fort from which the Spaniards fired several Cannon shot at them but did no Execution, this day arrived two sloops and four Schooners from Charlestown with provisions and men for the Siege. May the 10th. The men being landed we proceeded in order To attack a Fort about twenty three Miles distance from St. Augustine. May the 11th. We came within shot of the Fort Diego which began to fire at us but did us no hurt. May 12th. We attacked the Fort wth a very hot Fire on the South side they also Continued a brisk fire of their Cannon at us, about 12 o' th' Clock we summoned the Garrison to Surrender the Fort and they should have good Quarters to which they Consented and Delivered the Fort up in which we found 13 Peices of Cannon with Small Arms Ammunition and Provisions also a

Page 228 Garrison of 48 Men likewise Horses and abundance of Cattle which we drove up and killed for the Use of the Army. The Indians also took one of Don Pedro's Horsemen who was going Express to St. Augustine. The English and Indians so harrassed the Spaniards that they were afraid to appear without the Walls of St. Augustine. May the 13th. We marcht to St. Juan's River where we found Colonel Vanderdusen1 and part of the Carolina Regiment also Lieutt. Colonel Cook from St. Simons. May the 18th. The General came from Diego he had marcht within two Miles of St. Augustine where were a party of Spaniards being about 400 Men and a Troop of Horse drawn up in a Line Just before the Town but when they discovered the English they imediately fled into the Town leaving several Horses which we took. June the 5th. The General

went with a Body of 800 Men along the Sea Beach to See if the Spaniards would venture out and hazard a Battle. He marched as far as Moosa a Small Fort about 2 Mile Distant from St. Augustine and found it Deserted by the Spaniards who on their discovering our Troops fled to St. Augustine. We displayed Six Stand of English Colours on the Ramparts to try if we could Provoke the Spaniards to come out and give us Battle but all would not do, so we set Fire to the Fort and returned to Diego, struck the Tents and put them on board the Vessels in order to go to St. Augustine Barr. June the 11th. Came up with the Men of War who lay off The Barr of St. Augustine to assist at the Siege. June the 12th. The General landed on the Island of St. Eustatia over against the Castle of St. Augustine [and] the Captains of the Men of War landed 400 Men at the same time, a Party of our Indians came up with a party of Spanish Horsemen and killed four. June 13th. Capt. Warren went on board a Large Schooner to go over Augustine Barr and ordered the Faulcon Sloop and another Sloop to follow him, when they came to the Bar there was not Water Enough for the Schooner to go over so he was [Note 1: 1 Alexander Vander Dussen, colonel of the regiment which South Carolina had sent to assist Oglethorpe in his operations against St. Augustine.]

Page 229 obliged to stay till next morning but the Faulcon Sloop got in over the Bar that night, the same day we took a Fort near the Castle and hoised our Colours there. June 14th. The Schooner got over the Bar and anchored under the side of a Hill within a mile of the Castle from whence they fired very smartly at us but none of their Balls took Place, the next day I went on shore on the Island of St. Eustatia where I was taken sick and Continued so during the whole time of the Siege afterwards, and at the breaking up of the Siege was sent sick to Frederica. Thus far and to this time I was Constantly with his Excellency General Oglethorpe, being in most or all the Places of Action 'till the day of my being taken Sick. August 15th, 1741. General Oglethorpe preparing to Cruize on the Spanish Privateers that sculk'd along shore from Saint Augustine ordered me to attend him. He set out on board the St. Philip Guard Sloop, the Schooner Norfolk and Sloop Faulcon in Company and about 200 Men on board. August the 17th. We went over St. Simons Bar and the 19th parted Company with the Sloop Falcon she having sprung her Boltsprit. August the 21st. We discovered two Vessels at Anchor off the Bar of St. Augustine it being quite Calm we got out our Boat And towed towards them and the Wind freshning We came up with them apace and soon perceived that one was the Spanish Privateer Sloop of Saint Augustine and the other an English Ship that was her prize. We concluded to let the St. Philip sloop bear down upon the Spanish Privateer give her a Broadside and board her and that the Schooner Norfolk should do the like; as soon as we came pretty well towards them the Spanish Sloop gave us a broadside which we returned and the Schooner did the like, as to the Ship she had a Launch full of Men ahead towing her over the Bar, and the Sloop after two or three broadsides slipt her Cable and ran over the Bar after the Ship, our Sloop during the Action having got pretty well in with the Bar, the Water was So Shallow we was obliged to wear her for fear of getting amongst the Breakers which broke very high, giving the Spanish Sloop several

Page 230 broadsides as we went and a Volley of Small Arms. Several Spanish Galleys which lay within the Bar fired very hotly at us but they were so far within the Harbour their Shot all fell short of us, night coming on we stood to the southward but it falling Calm we came to an Anchor and in the Morning went off the Bar again and lay too for the Spanish Sloop and Galleys to come out but they chose to lay snugg in their Harbour rather than run the Hazard of a Battle. We then tackt and stood for the Matanzas Bar but could discover nothing there So Stood to the Northward. Augt. 24th. The Schooner Norfolk sprung her Mainmast and we sent our Carpenter on board her and by 12 o' th' Clock made her fit for sailing. Augt. 25th. We made St. Simons Bar and having a fair wind got in at night and the General went to Frederica. December 14th 1741. His Excellency General Oglethorpe preparing for another Cruize on the Spaniards I also was ordered with him, he set out on board the Guard Schooner Walker having 130 Men on board and the Guard Sloop St. Philips having the like number of Men on board, the same time set out a party of the Couettau Indians (being 40 in Number) to war against the Spaniards. This Cruize we not only thought of annoying the Spanish Privateers but also to destroy a new Fort they were building at the Matanzas. Decr. 15th. We went over the Bar of St. Simons and stood to the Southward. Decr. 16th. The Guard Schooner sprung her Main mast which obliged us to put into St. Simons, the General went on board the Guard sloop St. Phillip and said he would go to the Matanzas Ordering the Captain of the Schooner to make what Dispatch he could after him. Decr. 19th. The Schooner being refitted we saild over the Bar of St. Simons and the 20th about noon having a fine Breeze of Wind came off of the Bar of St. Augustine and had sight of the Castle which fired two Guns and we answered them with two false fires. We saw several vessels in the Harbour and two half Galleys seemed to stand for us but did not dare venture too far not even so far as the Bar. So we stood for the Bar of the Matanzas hoping to meet with the Guard Sloop St. Phillip but could see nothing of her, in the

Page 231 night we stood to the Northward as farr as St. Juan's River when the Wind began to freshen and blew so hard it obliged us to stand for the Offing and keep as much to Seaward as we could. The Wind Still continued to Freshen 'till at last it blew a meer storm. We having two six pounders in the head of the Schooner and she being something by the Head before, it caused her to pitch very much being Sometimes under water and strained her very hard which obliged us to throw the two Six pounders overboard. At Midnight the storm encreased to such a Degree that she would not lye too, when a Sea came in to Windward upon her Deck in such a manner that she taking a Lee roll having her Guns to Leeward laid her under Water as far as the Combings of her Hatchway and had not the men been very Brisk in heaving the Leeward Guns overboard I beleive we should never have righted her, our Boltsprit being gone by the Board, our Mainsail split and foresail all gone to peices also the fore Shrouds, but after the Guns Chests etca. were over board the Vessell righted to the unspeakable Joy of every one on board. It is most Certain we could not

have Remained in the Posture we were without the Vessels sinking very soon, she leaking very much and the Pumps both stopped with Sand with which she was Ballast, here we lay at the Mercy of the Wind and Sea till the 23d at night, our Anchor which was1 threw overboard (after our Boltsprit was Carried away) brought us up and we reckoned ourselves on Cape Canoveral shoals about two o' th' Clock in the Morning we stood for the offing. The 26th We had an Observation and found ourselves 36 Miles to the Southward of St. Simons Bar. Decr. 28th. We saw a Sail to the So[uth]ward of us there being little wind we came to Sail and sent our Boat ahead to discover what she was, they found her to be a New York Sloop bound for Frederica, the Wind springing up in the Evening We and the New York Sloop went into Jekyll Sound. Decr. 29th. The Guard Sloop St. Philip arrived having the General on board and a ship from Bristol in Company which they found [Note 1: 1 We.]

Page 232 in Distress at Sea and after having releived her Convoyed her into this Port to the great Joy of everybody on board her who expected every Moment to be lost or to fall into the Hands of the Enemy. May the 29th, 1742. Came Intelligence to his Excellency General Oglethorpe from the Rangers Camp at the White Post on the Main, that Lieutt Scroggs had discovered some Spanish Indians. Whereupon the General ordered me over (with two Horses to assist) that if Possible we could come up with any of them and take them. We accordingly went out and one of our men discovered a Spanish Indian sitting upon a Stump whereupon he fired at him and wounded him but the Indian made his Escape from him. We continued Scouting about for him Several days but could discover none of them, we found several of the places where they had Camped, and where they had pulled the Palmettoes up by the Roots to eat, but they finding themselves discovered had taken the Rout to St. Augustine without being able to Carry any prisoners or Intelligence. June 22d, 1742. Intelligence came to his Excellency General Oglethorpe that several Sail of Spanish Vessels were seen off Fort William1 and Cumberland the former of which Places they had attempted but were repulsed by the Guard Schooner Walker, The General imediately upon receiving these advices mounted his Horse and rode to St. Simons. June 24th. The Spanish Galleys being off of Cumberland Island The General went on board his Cutter taking me with him and ordered me to take my Bridle Saddle etca. with me, we went to the South End of Jekyll Island the General ordered a Detachment of the Regiment to go on board one of the Scout boats and follow him, there was another Scout Boat having a Detachment of the Regiment on board in Company. We were in all three Boats, the Genl. stood over the sound for Cumberland, when the Spanish Fleet (being 13 Sail) saw our three Boats going across the Sound, they [Note 1: 1 Fort William was at the south end of Cumberland Island, where it commanded the entrance to St. Marys River.]

Page 233 stood for us and having the Wind and a strong Tide with them soon came so near us that a Smart Engagement ensued, We fired very hotly at them and they at us. The Scout Boat where Lieutent Sterling and Ens[ig]n Chamberlain was kept up with us and fired very hotly at the Spaniards. The other Scout Boat with Lieutt. Tolson on board and a Detachment of the Regiment went off and made her Escape up the River in the Main. The General and the other Boats fought Their way through the Spaniards and got to St. Andrews1 from whence he drew off the Garrison Stores etca. and reinforced Fort William. June the 25th. The General went on board the Guard Schooner Walker and returned to St. Simons to the great Joy of all the People who imagined he was Cut off. I continued here with the other Rangers Scouting along St. Simons beach watching the Motions of the Spaniards, when I and two of Captain Jones's Rangers had orders to Swim over the fourth Creek and make a Fire at the fifth Creek (in attempting which one Burns had been drowned two Days before) We accordingly striped ourselves leaving our Horses with the Party of Rangers who were to secure our Retreat. We swam over the fourth Creek taking our Arms with us and made a Fire at the fifth Creek according to our orders and returned, the Spanish Fleet lying then close under the Shore and the place where we made the Fire being within Shot of them. July the 5th. The Spanish fleet having a Fair and fresh Gale of Wind with a strong Tide of Flood under foot came into the Harbour, as they came in one after another I sat on my horse up to the Saddle in Water and kept loading and firing my Peice at them, when I was ordered with another Ranger having some Indians with us to go into the wood right agst where the Spanish Fleet came to an Anchor and Shew ourselves and bring an Account if they Attempted to Land. As soon as they discovered us the Galleys fired several of their nine pounders at us. I continued going to and fro along the Beach observing their Motions till Eleven o' th' Clock at night, then I was ordered [Note 1: 1 Fort St. Andrews, on the northeast coast of Cumberland Island.]

Page 234 to follow the General up to the Battery where his Excellency and Captain Carr stood 'till the Great Guns and Mortars were Naild or Burst. The Regiment having marcht to Frederica to Secure that place the Spanish Fleet being at the Mouth of that River and Seem'd as if they designed to attack Frederica by Water. About 12 o' th' Clock the General ordered the Union Flag which was at the Battery to be struck I having the honour of bringing it to Frederica. As I was coming up I found a sick man upon the Road whom I took upon my horse and brought safe to Town. July the 7th. Five Rangers were ordered out upon the Scout to discover what Motions the Enemy were making and bring what horses they could meet with to Town, and William Small, Ranger of Capt. Jones's Troop, was Shot through the Leg and thigh and his horse killed under him. The other four Returned with this Intelligence to the General, his Excellency imediately mounted his Horse followed by the Rangers Highland Company and Indians, his timely presence and Care gave us all such Courage and Activity that we killed Chased and put to flight this Body

of Spaniards and Yamasee Indians. I was close by the General when he took Salvador Roman, a Spanish Grenadier, Prisoner. In our pursuit Lieutt. Robt. Scroggs of the Troop of English Rangers took Prisoner Captain Sebastian Sanchez for which and other Services he is since made Captain of the said Troop. We pursued the Spaniards half way down to St. Simons where we were ordered to halt, soon after came up to our Assistance 1 Captain 2 Lieutenants and 2 Ensigns with a Detachment of the Regiment, His Excellency posting the Detachment of the Regiment on one side of the Road and the Highland Company and Rangers on the other side with a Savannah or Meadow in the Front of them that they might be ready to give the Onset to the Spaniards if they should attempt to march towards Frederica again. The Spaniards hearing of the Fate their first Party met with sent out another of 300 Men under the Command of Don Antonio Barbara Captain of a Company of Grenadiers; about three o' th' Clock in the afternoon the Spaniards

Page 235 advanced up to the Place where we were Posted and some of them being Come within our Lines a Sharp Fire continued on all hands and betwixt both parties for some time. The Spaniards fell in great Numbers amongst which was Several Officers and also that Famous Captain of Grenadiers; the Number of the Spaniards was so great and their Fire so brisk, that some Platoons of ours gave way and were Retiring in Confusion but the timely presence of the General prevented their Retiring far. He imediately ordered them to Rally, riding himself up to the Place where he found Lieutt Sutherland and Lieutt Charles Mackay with the Highlanders and Rangers had Entirely defeated the Spaniards. We lost not one Man in the two Attacks but one Mr. Maclane a Highland Gentleman who running very hard in pursuit of the Enemy spoiled the Circulation of his Blood and died Soon after he was brought to Town. The Spaniards after this never ventured out beyond their out Centinels who were also Fortified. I having been often out by order observing their Motions and within Musquet shot of them, The Rangers and Indians were always so near them that nine Spaniards were shot in their Camp as they were Eating. July 15th. The Spaniards in great Confusion Quit St. Simons and go on board their Vessels and some go to Sea and Some within Land to St. Andrews. The General followed them and Landed a Man on Cumberland Island with a Letter for the Commanding Officer at Fort William in sight of fourteen Sail of Vessels belonging to the Spanish Fleet who lay in the Sound at the Same time. The man got Safe to Fort William and told them the Spaniards were drove off of St. Simons Island which put new Life as it were into the People. The General having received advices by Captn Gibson Commander of the Beauford Galley that there was ten sail of Spanish Vessels in St. Juans River [on] July the 18th he set out in his Cutter for the said River to Discover what strength they were of, also ordering me to attend him. We arrived in St. Juans River and Landed on the Florida side, here we found a Camp the Enemy had made and Several huts and houses of Palmetto also two Cedar Crosses. His Q

Page 236 Excellency dined in one of the Houses then burnt their Camp and Carried the Crosses with him to Fort William. July the 24th. The General went out of Amelia Inlet in the Guard Schooner Walker and Joyned Capt. Francklyn in his Majestys Ship the Rose and the other Men of War and Vessells fitted out by Carolina and Georgia. [As] we Cruized off of the Bar of St. Augustine [and] the half Galleys appeared within the Bar, Capt. Hardy1 had orders from the Commadore to attack them with the Small Craft but not to go over the Bar. With him the General went in one of his own Scout Boats a Voluntier. I also went in the Same Boat. We had one Man killed and two Wounded and the Boats Boom carried away by one of their nine pounders. Some of the Spanish half Galleys were disabled. The General was very desirous to go over the Barr but Captain Hardy had positive orders to the Contrary, and night Coming on which obliged us to Return to the Fleet. The next day the Fleet sailed for the Matanzas. The General went in his Boat to sound the Bar, in order to destroy a new Fort the Spaniards have began there and is not yet finished. The Swell was so great it was impossible to Land them. We found 3 fathom Water within less than Cannon Shot of the Fort. We returned to the Fleet hoping they would have Landed as soon as the swell was Fallen. The Sky looked very wild and seemed to threaten a hard Gale therefore Capt. Francklyn acquainted the General it was necessary to go off the Coast and Disperse the Fleet which was accordingly Done, Capt. Franklyn and the Carolina Fleet going to Charles Town, Capt. Hardy Continued cruizeing, Capt. Hamar conducted the Genl. and Georgia Craft off of the Bar where we arrived the 4th September. [Note 1: 1 Charles Hardy, commander of the South Carolina fleet.]