Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Georgia's Forgotten Conflict - The First Seminole War of 1817-1818

On this date (November 20th), 195 years ago, the last men of the  primary force of the 4th and 7th U.S. Infantry regiments arrived at Fort Scott, Georgia. It was the signal event that led to the first encounter of the long and bloody Seminole Wars.

Neamathla
While the Seminole Wars are most often associated with Florida, they actually began in Georgia as a result of a confrontation between the army officers at Fort Scott on the Flint River and the powerful chief Neamathla (Eneah Emathla, "Fat Warrior") of the nearby Creek Indian village of Fowltown. Both the fort and the village were located near Bainbridge in what is now Decatur County, Georgia.

Over coming days I will trace the history of the First Seminole War in Southwest Georgia and North Florida, but it was 195 years ago today that Major General Edmund P. Gaines gave the fateful order that would open a series of wars that would continue for forty years, claim thousands of lives and cost the treasure of the United States hundreds of millions of dollars.

Major General Edmund P. Gaines
The battle of wills between General Gaines and Neamathla had developed over the attempted enforcement by the United States of the terms of the Treaty of Fort Jackson. Signed primarily by the Upper Creeks in 1814, the treaty brought an end to the Creek War of 1813-1814. In exchange for peace, the Creeks agreed to surrender large swaths of territory to the United States. Among the lands ceded was all of Southwest Georgia below Fort Gaines. Under orders from their superiors, General Gaines and his subordinates tried to enforce the treaty by requesting a conference with Neamathla to arrange for the removal of his people from their town site on the ceded lands.

Neamathla, however, had not signed the Treaty of Fort Jackson and did not consider himself bound by it. He informed first Major David E. Twiggs and later General Gaines himself that the land in Georgia below the Flint River was his and that he was "directed by the powers above to defend it" and would do so. After sending his message of refusal, he declined to meet with the army officers at Fort Scott indicating that he had nothing more to say on the matter.

With the arrival of the 4th and 7th Infantries at Fort Scott on November 19-20, 1817, Gaines found himself with a sufficient force to arrest the defiant chief and bring him to the post by force for a conference. His original orders are preserved today at the National Archives:

Fort Scott 20th November 1817

Sir

The hostile character & conduct of the Indians of the Fowl Town, settled within our own limits, rendering it absolutely necessary that they should be removed, you will proceed to the town with the detachment assigned you, and remove them. You will arrend and bring the chiefs and warriors to this place, but should they oppose you, or attempt to escape, you will in that event treat them as enemies. Your men are to be strictly prohibited, in any event, from firing upon, or otherwise injuring women and children.

You will return to this place with your command as soon as practicable.

Major David E. Twiggs
Wishing you an agreeable command,
I am with great esteem
your obdt. servt.
E.P. Gaines
Major Genl. Comng.

To Major Twiggs
Commanding detachment
of U.S. troops.

P.S. Should you receive satisfactory information that any considerable number of the neighboring Indians have joined those of Fowltown, you will in that event immediately return to this place without making any further attempt to execute the first above written order.

The orders were issued to Major David E. Twiggs, who had commanded Fort Scott from July 1817 until the arrival of General Gaines in November. He was assigned a force of 250 men from the 4th and 7th Regiments and on the night of November 20, 1817, marched out from the walls of the fort and started up the west or north side of the Flint River for the old crossing point at present-day Bainbridge.

The Seminole Wars would begin the following morning.

To learn more about Fort Scott, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fortscott1.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Turkey Waddle among the events set for Georgia's State Parks this November!

Here's a list of events planned for Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites this November. Quite a few of them are really fun.  My personal award for best name goes to High Falls State Park for the High Falls Turkey Waddle!



 
Show Thanks for Nature's Bounty
Georgia’s State Parks Offer Ways to Appreciate Nature
 
ATLANTA, November 8, 2012  --  Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all the blessings we have in our lives.  For many, that includes an appreciation for nature’s bounty and the beauty around us.  Georgians are fortunate to have a wide variety of scenic wonder nearby, from waterfalls and lakes, to mountains and marshes.  This November, take time to appreciate all that nature brings to our lives with a getaway to one of Georgia’s State Parks.  Throughout November and around Thanksgiving, park rangers have planned a bounty of events that will get you into the great outdoors and encourage quiet reflection.  

To plan a nature-filled getaway, stay overnight in one of the parks’ varied accommodations.  Curl up next to a roaring fire inside a cabin, or make gooey campfire s’mores with your kids.  Those who appreciate more traditional getaways can reserve hotel-style lodge rooms.  The lodge restaurants even have special Thanksgiving buffets for overnight guests (reservations required).

Below is a sampling of Thanksgiving-themed events offered by Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites.  For a full calendar, visit GeorgiaStateParks.org/events.
 
 
“Thanks for Nature’s Bounty” Events in November

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Sugar Cane Festival
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
George L. Smith State Park, Twin City, GA
This annual festival highlights why we are thankful for nature's plants like sugar cane. Watch us grind sugar cane and make cane syrup. Enjoy Civil War cannon and musket demonstrations, live bluegrass, a snake program, crafts and a canoe race. Cane syrup will be for sale. Stay the weekend in cabins or the lakeside campground.  $1 plus $5 parking.  478-763-2759.

Come & Take It! -- Thankful for the American Revolution
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fort Morris Historic Site, Midway, GA
Show appreciate for our country by joining this annual American Revolution encampment.  It commemorates Colonel John McIntosh's defiant reply to a British demand for surrender: "Come & Take It!" Watch colonial demonstrations, musket and cannon drills, 18th century music and more. Interpreters in historical attire will teach about colonial life.  (912) 884-5999.

Meteors and More: Appreciating the Night Sky
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Red Top Mountain State Park, Cartersville, GA
Appreciate the beautiful skies above. Start the evening with a presentation by the Atlanta Astronomy Club, then search the night sky for stars and more. Georgia Astronomy in State Parks members will bring telescopes and answer questions.  Stay overnight in the park’s cabins or campground.  $5 parking.  770-975-0055.

Fall Harvest Candlelight Hike to the Mill
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sweetwater Creek State Park, Lithia Springs, GA
Join us for this mile-long, moderately difficult night hike down to the rapids of Sweetwater Creek. We will go inside the Civil War-era textile mill ruins where we will enjoy hot cider and hot chocolate. Candle lanterns will be provided. No children under 6 years or dogs permitted. Space is limited. Register in the Visitor's Center parking lot. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are required. $5 plus $5 parking.  770-732-5871.


Thursday, November 22, 2012

Appalachian Thanksgiving at Amicalola
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge, Dawsonville, GA
Enjoy living history demonstrations in the lower lodge lobby or hike off Thanksgiving dinner on the waterfall trail. Explore the magic of handmade folk toys, and try your hand at churning butter. Reservations for the lodge's very popular Thanksgiving Buffet are already filled, but cancellations are possible. Stay overnight in the park’s lodge, cabins or campground.  $5 parking.  (706) 344-1505.


Friday, November 23, 2012

Turkey Trot
9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain, GA
Join a naturalist to walk off some of that bountiful Thanksgiving dinner. Discover natural history of the piedmont region and search for the turkeys that got away. Meet next to the Trading Post. This easy hike is 3.2 miles along Mountain Creek Trail. Ages 8 and older. Stay overnight in the park’s cabins or campground.  $5 parking.  706-663-4858.

Walk Off That Turkey Hike
10 a.m. to 2:30 pm
Tallulah Gorge State Park, Tallulah Falls, GA
Take a guided hike through the gorge floor to work off those extra pounds you acquired over Thanksgiving. This hike is strenuous and involves climbing over and under rocks and logs, jumping from rock to rock, and possibly getting your feet wet. Participants must be 10 or older. Register in advance. $5 plus $5 parking.  706-754-7981.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Kayak Trip
11 a.m. to 2 pm
Crooked River State Park, St. Marys, GA
Explore this unique and important marsh ecosystem. Work off your Thanksgiving meal and bring leftovers for a sandbar picnic during this three hour marsh kayak adventure. No experience necessary. Gear provided. Reservations required.  $35-$85 plus $5 parking. Stay overnight in the park’s cabins or campground.   912-882-5256.

Thank Goodness for the Moon
6 p.m. to 8 pm
Stephen C. Foster State Park, Fargo, GA
Meet at the cul-de-sac near the Trading Post where we'll have high powered telescopes set-up, focused on the moon. You'll be able to see the craters in the moon which were created by meteorites and learn fun facts about the moon. Registration required.  Stay overnight in the park’s cabins or campground.  $5 Refuge Parking. $3.  912-637-5274.


Saturday, November 24, 2012

High Falls Turkey Waddle
9 a.m. to 11 am
High Falls State Park, Jackson, GA
Hike off that extra slice of pumpkin pie with this exhilarating 3.5-mile hike. Enjoy the outdoors in the crisp fall air. Bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes. Meet at the Park Office. Stay overnight in the park’s campground or yurts.  $5 parking.  478-993-3053.

Turkey Stroll at Buck Shoals
9 a.m. to 11:30 pm
Smithgall Woods State Park, Helen, GA
Burn a few calories and share this beautiful park with holiday guests. This is not a "turkey trot" fun run; instead this is a leisurely 1.5-mile stroll around Crean Lake at Buck Shoals, a future state park in White County. Hikers will meet at the Buck Shoals entrance at 9 AM and drive to the trailhead. Register in advance. Stay overnight in the park’s beautiful cabins.  Donations welcome. $5 parking.  706-878-3087.

Historic New Manchester History Hike
1 p.m. to 2:30 pm
Sweetwater Creek State Park, Lithia Springs, GA
This mile-long hike (easy to moderate) will lead to the five story ruins of the Civil War-era New Manchester textile mill and focus on the history of the Sweetwater Creek Valley. This historian or ranger-led hike will include going inside the ruins and seeing the lovely whitewater rapids which provide great photo opportunities. $5 plus $5 parking.  770-732-5871.

Hayrides and Campfires
2 p.m. to 6 pm
Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn, GA 
Enjoy wildlife, fall colors and the beauty of the park while riding on our tractor-pulled hay wagon, then sit around the campfire and roast marshmallows and hot dogs while sipping hot apple cider. What better way to enjoy fall in the mountains? Stay overnight in the park’s cabins or campground.  $5 per adult $3 per child 4 -12. $5 parking.  (706) 657-4050