In 1836, men from Campbell County answered the Governor
William Schley’s call for volunteers to head to South Georgia when various
Creek Indian bands began attacks to drive white settlers from their lands.
Whole families were killed, mail stages were disrupted, and the town of
Roanoke, Georgia was burned to the ground.
The governor initially called for 3500 volunteers from militia
groups around the state. Men from Morgan, Putnam, Hancock and Monroe Counties
volunteered and saw action including the Battle of Shepherd’s Plantation in
Stewart County. Other men from counties such as Coweta, Carroll, Fayette, and DeKalb
volunteered, organized, and made preparations to leave.
It appears the men serving with the Fayette Dragoons
actually made it to Fort Twigg on the Ocmulgee River on June 14, 1836, while
men serving with the Carroll Rangers reached Camp Thomas on July 11, 1836.
At some point, however, the Governor gave an order to
stand down. Currently, I have no records that tell me the men from Campbell
County actually served away from home. In fact, some of their own words tell me
they didn’t.
The fact that they never left home didn’t stop the people
of Campbell County from celebrating their brave volunteers, and in October,
1836, the people of Campbell County gave the group a dinner. I ran across a newspaper article from the “Federal
Union”, a paper published in Milledgeville, dated October 4, 1836 which
discusses the dinner and records all of the toasts that were made.
The dinner as well as some historical context regarding
the Creek Indian War of 1836 is the subject of my Douglas County Sentinel history column presented in the December
18, 2016 issue.
I decided to post a transcribed copy of the article here
along with some biographical information regarding the men since I have space
limitations with the Sentinel.
So, why are men from Campbell County important to Douglas
County history? Please remember that
prior to 1870 Douglas County was actually a part of Campbell County. Many of the men discussed in this 1836
article are the patriarchs of many Douglas County families.
Also, it is important to note I have no formal roster of
men from the Campbell County Blues of 1836.
Some of the men mentioned in the article are noted as volunteers while others
are not.
The article text is presented in italics while the
biographical information is presented in regular type.
From the “Federal Union” (Milledgeville), October 4, 1836....
On
Saturday, the third instant, the Campbell County Volunteers assembled in
Campbellton according to previous arrangements and partook of a public dinner
tendered them by the citizens of the county. At three o’clock they sat down to
a dinner handsomely prepared for them. Thomas M’Kay, esq. (I’m
fairly certain this is a misspelling and should be McKoy) presiding as president, Edmund Randle, Henry Paulett, Joseph Jay, E.B.
Thompson, and Richard Moore assisted as vice-presidents. After the removal of
the cloth, the following sentiments were offered; and about four o’clock the
festivities of the day closed, having been conducted with good order throughout
the day.
Regular
Toasts
1.
The President of the United States
2. George Washington, the father of his country;
may all festivals and celebrations be adorned by the memory of his
distinguished services
3.
Thomas Jefferson, the enlightened statesman – he prayed that his life might be
prolonged till the 50th anniversary and his prayer was granted.
4.
The Signers of the Declaration of Independence – their names will be as immortal
as their services have been invaluable.
5.
The American Union – embracing in its bosom 26 independent states united by a
written compact the work of the illustrious dead – esto perpetua.
6.
Our Army and Navy – the bulwark of our liberties and the terror of our enemies.
7.
The Soldiers of the American Revolution – their services will be remembered by
the American people with gratitude.
8.
The Battle of Bunker Hill – a splendid achievement of American bravery
9.
General LaFayette, the friend of national liberty his name will ever be dear to
American freemen.
10.
James Madison – the devoted patriot, the distinguished republican for sure and
unsullied politician
11.
The memory of James Monroe – the scientific statesmen and benevolent patriot
12.
The Campbell Volunteers – you cheerfully obeyed your call of your country – we
bid you a welcome return to your families and friends
13.
Females of Georgia – they approve by their smiles the chivalry of her
volunteers
Volunteer Toasts
Thomas
McKay, Esq. – President
Martin Van Buren, May he be our next president.
This could be McKoy, not McKay.
Based on the Thomas McKoy (October 15, 1770 to September
27, 1846) name he came south from Campbell County, Virginia to Campbell County,
Georgia by 1830. His first wife was Catherine Strong. His second wife was
Martha “Patsey” Harvey. McKoy represented Campbell County in the 1835 state
legislature. McKoy’s son was Thomas McKoy, Jr. (1804 to 1865) who is buried in
the McKoy Cemetery located on Highway 166 opposite Smith Ferry Road.
I’m not certain at this point if the person making the
toast is the Sr. or Jr.
Edmund
Randle, First Vice President – Captain
Camp and his brave volunteers, ever ready to march to the field of battle to
rescue innocent women and children from the merciless savages’ tomahawk and
scalping knife, may be supreme power be with them
Edmund Randle was of the first settlers in Campbell
County. He born in 1793 in Brunswick, Virginia. During the War of 1812, Edmund
Randle was a lieutenant under General Andrew Jackson fighting Indians. He was
the postmaster at Rivertown, Campbell County in 1834, and was married to Sarah
Hines Colquitt. The Randles moved to Alabama in 1846.
Joseph
Jay, Second Vice President – May
party spirit throughout the Union never give rise to any other than Republican
principles.
Jay also served in the militia that did see action in
1838 with the rank of sergeant. He was also a Justice of the Inferior Court in
Campbell County in 1839.
Col.
Richard Moore, Third Vice President
– Our guest Captain Camp and his gallant comrades – if not favored with an
opportunity to gain victory over the savages their wish to do so has secured to
them a triumph equally important and gratifying
He was born in 1794…Wife’s name was Olive. Also, the Col. with his name is not a military
ranking, but notes that he was an attorney. I’ve run across some newspaper articles where
he’s mentioned, and I’d like to expand his bio information out a little at a
later date.
Henry
Paulett, Fourth Vice President
– Those of Campbell County Volunteers
who refused to be mastered into the United States service; they are not
of the description of Hudibras’ men who fighting fell and falling fought when
on the ground fought all about
Henry Paulett was the son of Richard Paulett, a
Revolutionary soldier who also ended up in Campbell County by 1830 and died in
1835. Paulett moved from Clark County to Campbell in the late 1820s. In fact,
you can find the Paulett name listed in George White’s “Historical Collections
of Georgia” as one of the earliest settlers in Campbell County.
A Lewis M. Paulett is listed as part of the Campbell
County volunteers in 1838, but I’m not sure how he and Henry are related.
E.B.
Thompson –
Welcome to the return of our volunteers – the officers have served without
censure and the soldiers without disgrace.
E.B. Thompson is another Campbell County citizen I’d like
to expand a bit. I see him mentioned in early newspaper articles. He served the county as an Inferior Court
judge in 1834
P.J.
Abbott –
Andrew Jackson, President of the United States, the mover of the Indian tribes
out of the limits of the states, the restorer of the West India trade, the
successful French negotiator, the destroyer of the United States Bank and the
hero of New Orleans real southern presidents have served with more censure none
with more merit.
I believe his full name was Peter J. Abbott (Abbett), son
of Simeon W. Abbott.
Thomas
J. Bomar –
John A. Cuthbert and Dr. Tomlinson Fort – may these men quit quarrelling
themselves, reconcile their friends, and quarrel with their enemies
In my limited time I didn’t make a connection with him….
E.P.
Bomar –
success to all true-hearted Americans hoping they may never let party spirit
divide the Union
This might possibly Edward P. Bomar, son of Barbery and
William Bomar who married Sophia White in 1838. This might also be Elisha
Pinckney Bomar. I need a Bomar family
expert for this one.
William
H. England –
General Houston - the brave soldier and
skillful commander may be in all future engagements with the enemies of Texas,
prove a successful as he did at the capture of San Jacinto
I’m wondering if this could be William English. He
purchased land in 1830 and is buried in the old Baptist Church cemetery in
Campbellton. He was born in Ireland in 1771 and died in 1850.
If this is William English his name was not only
misprinted in the 1836 article, but the 1838 militia roster as well, as a
William England served then, too. Hmmm….
A.G.
Yates –
May Jernigan of the Stewart Volunteers, the rescue of Captain Germany’s company
at Shepherd’s plantation and his successful continuation of re-counters during
that time with the enemy, entitle him to the grateful recollection of his
countrymen
Alfred G. Yates (1817-1840), a son of Joel Yates. He
married Amanda Sheats in 1836. His son was Alfred G. H. Yates who was a town
marshall in Villa Rica in the 1880s
James
Ward –
The Campbell County Blues – living proof that the blood of ’76 has descended to
the present generation, uncontaminated. We greet them with good cheer and a
hearty welcome to the bosom of their family and friends
This gentleman could possibly James Word, not Ward. James
Word led the milita group during the 1838 Indian War.
Wade
White –
The railroad system – may it continue to prosper till all kinds of goods and groceries
become as cheap in Campbell County as it is selling now in the city of Savannah
Wade White settled in the Salt Springs/Lithia Springs
area of Campbell County, now Douglas County. He was born in North Carolina in
1791 and served in the militia in Clarke County in 1815. In 1816, he married Sarah Traylor. After
moving to Campbell County he served as state representative in 1835, 1836,
1838, and Inferior Judge 1841-45, and 1849-51. He also served as the first
postmaster of Salt Springs/Lithia Springs in 1849 to 1859, succeeded by John C.
Bowden.
William
M. Britt –
The memory of Major Dade and his men
After looking around a little I’m almost certain this is
William M. Butt, not Britt. If so, the M. initial stood for Martin. He was a
native of Warren County and arrived in Campbell County in 1830. He was the son
of Clary Butt Gibson (widow of John Gibson, Revolutionary Soldier). It’s
important to note that Gibson was not Butt’s father. He served as an Interior
Court judge from 1831 to 1849, moved to Atlanta in 1850 where he served on the
city council and was elected mayor of Atlanta in 1854.
D.D.
Smith –
The immortal Washington, the father of his country his name will go down with
increasing splendor to all republican men
His full name was David D. Smith and married Sarah
Ginnings (Jennings) in 1840. He served as a Campbell County Inferior Court
judge in 1841.
P.
Brooks, a volunteer – Gentlemen,
here is union to the US, and prosperity to the republican world.
I haven’t found any information to date.
Job
Smith –
Governor Lumpkin; prosperity and happiness in his retirement and success to his
friend Andrew Jackson
Could this be J.B. Smith?
William
Hill, a volunteer – Our
members of Congress, firm enlightened and patriotic; may they all be again
returned to their seats at our next election
I haven’t found any information regarding William Hill,
to date.
James
E. Dickens, a volunteer –
General Jesup: Judas like he has endeavored to betray his master - like Judas
may he meet with reward
Married Flora Berthenia Wharton January, 1838
James
Danforth –
General Scott: Though his character has been traduced by Jesup, we still have
confidence in his abilities as a general
Shows up in the 1840 census (1804-1871) and died living
in Palmetto Born 1804 in North
Carolina. Married Martha (Johnson)
Danforth in 1838
John
B. Smith, First Lieutenant of the volunteers
– May Van Buren be our next president, believing he will pursue the same course
marked out by our revolutionary patriot now at the head of the government.
Could this be J.B. Smith? So many Smiths to sift through…..
W.A.
Maxwell, a visitor from Lee County
– The ladies, our arms shall be their protection, their arms our reward.
I haven’t found any information to date
E.W.
Polk of North Carolina – May
the volunteers of the state and all others praise General Houston for his
bravery of Texas, and that he may gain as great a victory at the next
contemplated battle as Jackson did at New Orleans.
I haven’t found any information to date
Adam
R. Bomar –
The memory of the volunteers of Georgia will last as long as the name of
General Washington.
I haven’t found any information to date
Merrel
Humphries, a volunteer – To
my officers with whom I have served, I tender them by best respects for their
good conduct towards the soldiers during their service.
I haven’t found any information to date
J.F.
Nelson, a volunteer, Orderly Sergeant
– To the patriotic citizens of Campbell County for their aid to the Campbell
Blues, when about to march for service, ad for the present repast in honor of
our return; may the smiles of heaven ever be over them, and may the volunteers
never forget them.
I haven’t found any information to date.
Wesley
Camp –
The memory of our worthy friend and deceased fellow soldier – he is dead, but
he yet lives in the hearts of his countrymen.
I haven’t found any information to date.
Benjamin
Camp, Captain of the volunteers
– Here is to the volunteers of Campbell County, both cavalry and infantry, may
they ever stand up to the rack, fodder or no fodder, and never be affrighted or
bolt at the sight of a United States’ officer, may they always act the part of
good soldiers and be esteemed by every warm and true hearted patriot.
Benjamin Camp, per his obituary he was born in Walton
County and settled in Campbell County in the 1830s. He was “an officer in the
U.S. Army and participated in all the wars with the Indians in this section of
the country…..During his long life he was prominent in all walks of life.” More on him later….
Henry
Paulett –
The name of Martin Van Buren, together with his votes upon the Missouri
question and free negro suffrage that Congress has the right to abolish slavery
in the District of Columbia, with that of Mr. Benton of Missouri and his vote
upon the distribution of the surplus funds among the states: may they be
inscribed within a circle as black as the family of Richard M. Johnson, and
across them, may it be written in plain and indelible characters expunged by
order of the democracy of the United States. General welfare, the good of the
whole and not part……The memory of brave Garmony and his brave little band –
never be forgotten by the friends of American freedom.
I’m not sure why Henry Paulett has two mentions in the
toasts. Maybe he didn’t like his first
one and decided to give another…..Look up above for his bio information.
Check out my column in the Douglas County Sentinel dated
December 17, 2016 for more information, and follow this link to my website
where I discuss the men who volunteered in 1838 during the round-up of Cherokee
natives.
If you what to add something more about these gentlemen
feel free to leave a comment or drop me an email at douglascountyhistory@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment