THE GEORGIA REFUGEES
EXTRACTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Excerpted from The Revolutionary Records
of the State of Georgia
Compiled and published
under authority of the Georgia Legislature by Allen D. Candler.
The Franklin-Turner Company, Atlanta,
GA 1908
Terry Oglesby
April 5, 2001
…RESOLVED, First—That there is every reason, from
the appearance of things at this time, to apprehend a war with the Creek Indians
is become unavoidable, they having actually killed several of the inhabitants of
this State and taken and carried away a number of horses and cattle from the
same.
Second—That it is prudent and necessary to make provision for such an event in the best manner the State can, and the Council advises that the Governor do order the Militia of Wilkes and Richmond to be immediately drafted into two parts; the one to be called out and placed on duty, either in Scouts or otherwise, as the Field Officers of the said Counties respectively shall judge fit, and at the end of a fortnight to be relieved by the other; and that the detachments of these Counties do as circumstances require occasionally move to the assistance of each other; that nothing herein contained extend to prevent the Commanding Officer of each regiment from calling out and placing on duty, either in Scouts or posts the whole of his regiment, if an alarm or other intelligence shall so require;…
Wednesday, 2 December, 1778
…WHEREAS, by the late Militia law passed on the .. day of November last past [Note: this date
is 15 November, T.O.] it is directed that new elections for Officers of the
militia be held throughout the State, within two months from the passing of the
said law.
It is Therefore Ordered, the several Colonels, or other
Commanding Officers of regiments within the several Counties, do cause such elections
to be held at the usual places, within the time limited by the said law; and
that due notice thereof be given by them before the holding of such elections.
It is Further Ordered, that the Clerk of this Board do
immediately furnish each of the said Colonels or other Commanding Officers as
aforesaid with a copy of this order by express, if no safe opportunity shall
otherwise offer, and also of the law as soon as the same can be procured from
the Printer, at public charge.
Tuesday, 26 January, 1779
The Council met,— A return being made from the County
of Wilkes for Officers elected for said County Viz, John Dooly, Colonel; Elijah
Clark, Lieutenant Colonel; and Burwell Smith, Major; Commissions were accordingly
made out and delivered.
Thursday, 17 June, 1779
The Council met, and took into consideration General
Lincoln’s recommendation to the inhabitants of the State of Georgia, and recommended
to Colo. Dooly to put it in execution.
Saturday, 26 June, 1779 The Council Met.
It is recommended by this Council to Colo. Dooly, as soon
as he can have an opportunity, to order to Colo. Baker, with all his men under
his Command to join him.
It is also recommended, that all prizes taken by the Militia
now acting in this State, under the command of the said to Colo. Dooly, should
be disposed of as recommended by His Excellency General Lincoln; and that all share
alike in all prizes taken by any part or parties of the present detachment: provided nevertheless, that if any effects be
taken wherein there may be a probability that such effects does [sic] not belong
to the person or persons which they are taken from, at the time of taking them,
that they shall not be disposed of till they are ten days published or advertised
in Main Camp, so that if they should belong to a friend of the States; they may
have an opportunity of getting their property on paying one sixth part of the
value thereof. And it is our opinion
that to Colo. Baker as well as all other forces now in arms in this State is [sic],
and has been [sic] under the Command of to Colo. Dooly ever since his appointment
to Colo. Commandant.
Issued orders for one Delegate to be chosen to represent
us in Congress, as per copy taken.
Thursday, 1 July, 1779 The Council met.
Took into consideration a letter from to Colo. Dooly, and
the proceedings of a Court of Enquiry held at Butlers Creek on the 30th day of
June last, enquiring into the conduct of to Colo. George Wells; and maturely
considering the matter, it appears by the first article, Section 17th of the
Continental Articles of war; also by the express words of the late Militia Act of
this State, which refers to the continental articles of war for the rule of
conduct to govern the militia by, when on duty; that that matter does in no
wise come before this Board. …
Saturday, 24 July, 1779
Appointment of nine member Supreme Executive Council, upon which devolved all control of State power. One of the members of the Supreme Executive Council was John Dooly.
Friday, 6 August, 1779
…A
return being made by Colo. Dooly, of the Free Citizens from Wilkes County, Who
signed the delegation of the late House of Assembly from that County. It appeared that there were three hundred
and three, who signed the same.
Saturday, 14 August, 1779
…RESOLVED, that this Board will particularly interest themselves
with Congress, General Lincoln and the State of South Carolina, to put the Militia
of this State upon the same footing with respect to their pay for past services
as the militia of South Carolina have been, since the pay of the Militia of that
State has been augmented, and that for the future, they shall be in every respect
on the same footing that the Carolina Militia at present are….
Wednesday, 18 August, 1779
A letter was drafted and sent to the Governor and Council of South Carolina detailing the depredations on Georgia since the fall of Savannah, and asking for assistance:
…When the enemy retreated
from Augusta, those who had received protection, imagining that they would be
deemed traitors, and treated as such, went down with them; to this we impute
the cause of so many joining them. Since
then, a number of the people of the Counties of Burke, Richmond, and Wilkes under
the command of Colonels Dooly, Few and Twiggs, have given repeated proofs of
their zealous attachment to the cause of their Country; among others the
Militia under command of Colo. Dooly were very instrumental in defeating a
large body of disaffected people from the back parts of your State, commanded
by Colo. Boyd, which put a stop, in a great measure; to the enemy receiving the
support they expected from thence; and while they were in Johns Island a party
from Burke County under the Command of Colo. Twiggs, penetrated as low down as Ogechee
Ferry, within fifteen miles of Savannah, and totally defeated a party of fifty
picked regulars; at the same time near three hundred horse, under the Command
of Colo. Dooly were on their March down the Country, and in all probability
would have effected something of consequence had not a great part of the force
of the enemy returned to Savannah.
These exertions of the people
of the back Country have greatly exasperated General Provost [sic, Prevost], who
declares he will have nothing unattempted, to ruin them. …
…Being reduced to situation
that we expected would be out lot whenever the enemy made this State their object,
without a legislative body, or the means of raising money, the greatest part of
our Militia have received no pay since December last, which has occasioned much
dissatisfaction amongst them; We are therefore, induced to apply to you for the
loan of sixty thousand dollars for this and other necessary expenses, till our
Delegates can make application to Congress for support. …
Monday, 23 August, 1779
…Received a letter from Colo. Dooly, dated 22d Instant, to
which the following is an answer.
DEAR SIR, We are very sorry to be informed of your indisposition
and that the Indians have been so very troublesome on the frontiers. In this situation of affairs, the Council
are of opinion it would not be prudent for you to march any part of your regiment
this way. We shall make Genl. McIntosh acquainted
with our reasons for countermanding his orders, and in future whenever there is
any occasion for the Militia, the Council will order them to be embodied, at
present, as your people are out you will take such steps for the defence of the
frontiers, as you shall judge best.
The express is in such a hurry to return, that the Council
have not had time to determine what ought to be done with respect to enlarging
the representation from Wilkes County, however, you may inform the people that
every step shall be taken to do them justice in this matter, and if you can possibly
attend the Council, towards the latter end of the week or beginning of next, we
are in hopes you will have it in your power on your return not only to satisfy
them respecting this business; but also, about their pay and salt, for both of
which the Council have wrote [sic], and the express that was sent with the letters
will return in a few days….
Wednesday, 19 January, 1780
…RESOLVED, That the Militia which shall be ordered on
duty by his honor the Governor, or in his absence, the President of the Council,
be supplied with rations of every kind, by the Deputy Quarter Master and Commissary
General, in such quantity and proportion as directed for confederal Troops—That
whenever any of the militia are ordered on duty, the same shall be made known
by His Honor the Governor or in his absence, the President, to the Officers commanding
in the confederal line, for the time being; to the end that orders may issue from
him to the Deputy Quarter Master and Commissary General, for a necessary supply
of provisions, forage, horses, wagons &C. for their use, to be received and
dealt out in due proportion, by such persons as the Commanding Officer of the Militia
shall duly appoint. That no returns
made to the Deputy Quarter Master and Commissary General, from any Officer of
the militia shall be received, unless it be under the above regulations.—…
January, 1780 [misplaced
date, the meeting occurred between 19 and 28 January. T.O.]
…On a representation made to the Board by Colonels Dooly &
Clark, of the necessity of having the newly erected Forts in the frontiers in Wilkes
County properly garrisoned.
RESOLVED, That His Honor the Governor be requested to
issue orders to Colonel Dooly to order thirty men for the defence of each Fort,
including one hundred and eighty men in the whole, to be kept on constant duty,
until the further orders of the Board.
RESOLVED, That a Fort be built at Harris old Fort and
that the sum of five hundred pounds be allowed for the building the same, and
to be erected under the direction of Captain
Zachariah Philips agreeable to the regulations which were made with respect to
the other Forts on that frontier. …
Saturday, 5 January, 1782
…It appears to this Board, by the deposition of James Rusin
that the Indians & Tories have been & are now doing mischief in the
upper part of this State. Therefore,
RESOLVED, That Lieut. Colo. Cunningham be immediately directed
to proceed as speedily as possible with what men he has at Spirit-Creek, to Wilkes
County, and that General Twiggs be made acquainted with the same; And likewise
that Colo. Cunningham be supplied with a small quantity of ammunition for the
men under his command….
Saturday, 19 January, 1782
ORDERED, That His Honor the Governor be requested and
empowered to order a draft of one half of the militia of Burke, Effingham, &
Richmond counties; and one third of the militia of Wilkes, to serve for two months,
to be marched on foot and rendezvous at Spirit Creek, except those of Burke &
Effingham, who will meet in the said Counties, as soon as possible. …
Tuesday, 29 January, 1782
…WHEREAS, it appears that the frontiers of this State,
from information, is equally in danger of being distressed by the Indians &C.
and as there is an expedition now forming in No. and South Carolina against the
Indians, therefore,
RESOLVED, That His Honor the Governor be requested to
countermand the orders respecting a draft of Militia for the County of Wilkes—…