Incident Between Whites and Cherokees at Mr Whitney's Store at Ward's Mill

The Chickamauga Nation

November 28, 2022
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History

Report on incident between whites and Cherokees at Mr Whitney's store at Ward's Mill killings near Ft Matthews calling out the militia and letter from Creeks to President

War Department Papers

All misspellings are in original

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Description    From Augusta Georgia Major Henry Gaither reports on an incident between whites and Cherokees on 25 October 1792. Approximately 8 or9 Cherokees with family came to Mr. Whitney's store at Wards Mill to procure winter goods. Three killed and one wounded by white men. Inhabitants, fearing retribution, moved away with their families. On 1 November 1792 David McChesky and 58 men attacked Cherokee town of Chinstolee or Chinstotee and killed,burned and plundered. Incident reported at Fort Matthews, which caused more settlers to leave. Governor contacted Gaither to call out militia. Called out Captain Fauche, Captain Woods and Captain Williamson. Gaither encloses a letter from from the Upper and Lower Creeks for the President of United States General George Washington. Reports that there are 180 cavalry and 500 infantry militia in service in Georgia. Reports that Governor of Georgia plans to mobilize thousands more against the Creeks.

 

note     This document is enclosed in a statement relative to the South Western frontiers, as connected with the state of Georgia and Creek Indians, the south Western territory of the United States and the Cherokees submitted to the House of Representatives on December 4, 1793. This document is an integral part of [Public Reports] and other communications of the Secretary of War, 12/99/1793.

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transcription             Major Henry Gaither to the Secretary of War.
Augusta 28th August 1793
Sir,
There were eight or nine Cherokee Indians came to the Store of W. Whitney at Wards Mills about the 25th of October last in order to trades ogg skins and procure Winter goods for their families; after being there four or five days they were fired on early in the morning by unknown white men; Three of them killed and one squaw wounded the other indians escaped. This very much alarmed the inhabitants and caused many to move their families, expecting the Indians would take satisfaction on some of them.
The first day of November following David McChesky with fifty eight ment advanced into the Cherokee nation and in the morning of the fifth attacked the town of Chinstotee.
Chinstotee killed three or four Indians, pludered and burned the town, returned and reported this to me at Fort Mathews the 8th. This gave the inhabitants a second alarm and caused fifty six frontier settlers to leave their homes. On the Governer's hearing this he sent express to me to call out the Militia this I forwarded to the [undecipherabele] head, the 19th of November 1792. I waited on the Governor, and we concluded that Captain Fauche already in service (by the governors former [undecipherable] and Cap't Woods and Capt Williamsons should be called into service until the Inhabitants get over their panic. these three troops were ordered to Fort Mathews and there take orders from Capt Roberts,who was by me instructed to arrange and provide for horses.Capt Woods soon raised his troops and Capt Chanye offered his service to Capt Roberts who recieved and confirmed him in service {undecipherable] of Capt Woods.
I have enclosed a letter from the Upper and lower Creek to the President. This is all new and have been the greatest find of the summer about one hundred and horse, and about five hundred infantry of this State in service by order of the[undecipherable: govinor?]; mind who is, or pretends to be [undecipherable]preparing an army to go against the Creeks, this army to consist of four thousand five hundred men; one thousdand cavalry and fifteen hundred infantry from this State and two thousand infantry from South Carolina.
I have the honor to be [rubric]
(signed)
Henry Gaither

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