Georgia Military - 1812 Monday, 08-Jul-2002 18:14:30 MDT     Georgia USGenWeb page

War of 1812

Battles | Officers |Rosters |Letters-Newspapers
The Indian Wars of ca. 1812-1815 (excluding the later Seminole Wars, partly an outgrowth of the 1812-1815 Creek Indian Wars) were a facet of the War of 1812 (they were basically the result of British and Spanish support and encouragement to the Indians -- provision of weapons and incitement to attack American whites). Military service records for these Indian Wars are included with War of 1812 records at the National Archives (W.D. King)

Since most military papers are organized by the Commanding Officers, this first section centers on them. Remember that top officers were usually promoted from the ranks, so served in various capacities.

Battles

Autosee-Tallasee and Camp Defiance

Pictorial Field-Book: War of 1812
Maps are at the lower part of this page

Night Attack at Calabee Creek

OFFICERS

GENERAL JOHN FLOYD

General John Floyd was induced by Gen. Jas. Jackson, one of the distinguished Governors of Georgia, to enter public life in 1803, or 04, as a member of the State Legislature. In 1806, he was appointed Brigadier General of the 1st Brigade Georgia Militia; and from the high opinion entertained of his military character and patriotism, the Governor of the State, in the autumn of 1813, selected him to command the Georgia troops against the Creek Indians.

In September 1813, Floyd assembled 3,600 Georgia troops at Fort Hawkins.Thomas H. Davis Diary account
Although greatly embarrassed from the want of proper supplies, he marched promptly into the nation, built Fort Mitchell (on the west side of the Chattahoochee,) in November, 1813, and leaving there the main body of the army, with the baggage, under a Colonel, advanced, himself, at the head of a detachment of 950 troops, (with a few friendly Indians under the chief McIntosh) to surprise the enemy, 1500 strong, at Autossee and Tallasee towns, on the Tallapoosa, 60 miles distant, through a wilderness. The towns were attacked just before day-break, on the 29th November, 1813, and burned, and 250 Indians slain on the field.
In this action we lost only 11 men, and 54 were wounded; among the latter the General, who received a rifle ball in the left knee (where it still remains).
Although wounded early in the battle, and suffering severe pain, he remained in the field on horseback, performing th duties of an active commander, until the fight was over; nor would he permit the wound to be dressed until all the wounded men were attend to.
After the battle, the detachment returned to Fort Mitchell, having in seven days marched 120 miles, in severely cold weather; destroyed Autossee and Tallasee towns and 250 of the enemy, with but five days' provision of bread only, each man carrying his own rations.

CAMP DEFIANCE - Jan 27, 1814 The General did not quite the army in consequence of his wound, but having partially recovered after much suffering advanced again from Fort Mitchell, in January, 1814, and was attacked before day light on the 27th of that month at Camp Defiance, by the enemy in great force, headed by the famous warrior Weatherford, and aided by Colonel Woodbine, an English officer who boasted afterwards of having planned the attack.
[This attack was to prevent a junction of the Georgia troops, under Gen Floyd, and the Tennesseans, under Gen Jackson, which was desired by both Generals. who passed letters to each other by Indian runners and spics. The junction was never formed. The success of each General rendered it unnecessary.]
The Georgia troops were encamped in the form of a parallelogram, cavalry and baggage in the centre, with two pieces of artillery [four pounders, taken in the Revolution at Saratoga] on the right and left faces of the camp.
The fight was furious for several hours, and nothing but the firmness of troops saved them from destruction.
The formation was bravely maintained under an incessant fire, (which was returned with great vivacity) until sunrise. The enemy were then charged and routed at the point of the bayonet, leaving a great many of their dead on the field.
On their retreat, 15 were sabred by the cavalry. Our loss was considerable, and we had a great many wounded. The campaign terminated soon after the battle of Camp Defiance, and General Floyd was appointed to command the troops at Savannah, for the protection of the city. He remained in command at Savannah, until the termination of the war. In 1815, he was appointed Major General. Ref: Sherwood, Adiel, A GAZETTEER OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, 1837, Printed by P. Force, pp. 277-279.

Floyd's Family Home
Floyd Family Cemetery

THOMAS FLOURNOY

June 1812-1815, Brigadier Gen. Thomas Flournoy, headquartered in New Orleans.

Thomas Flournoy was a native of Augusta, Ga., where he practiced law until called into service in the War of 1812. He was commissioned a brigadier general in the United States Army in June, 1812. He commanded the 3rd United States Infantry stationed along the Carolina-Georgia frontier. Flournoy was involved in raising troops, securing the coasts, and defending Americans living in East Florida.
In March, 1813, he succeeded General Wilkinson as commander of the 7th Military District, comprising Mississippi Territory, Louisiana, and Tennessee.
Flournoy's major responsibility was fighting the Creek Indians, who were supplied and armed by the Spanish and their British allies in Florida. Throughout Flournoy's command the Gulf region was torn by bitter warfare. Though nominally in command of the district, Flournoy's activities were eclipsed by Andrew Jackson, who succeeded him in April, 1814. In 1820 Flournoy was appointed United States commissioner to treat with the Creek Indians.
Thomas Flournoy papers

Summerville Cemetery
In memory of Thomas Flournoy, Born Jan ?, 1775, Died July 21, 1857, a native of Virginia but for the greater part of a century a citizen of Georgia.  A Brigadier General in the army of the United States, during the war of 1812, and for many years one of the most distinguished members of the Georgia Bar: he leaves behind him the yet higher title of an upright, honorable man.  "The memory of the just is blessed."
Photo of tombstone

JETT THOMAS

(1815 - elected General of Militia) (see 2nd Regiment below)
Photo of Tombstone Memory Hill Cemetery, Milledgeville

ROSTERS

We are attempting to put together lists of Georgia Regiments. If you know of any man who should be added, please send it to me

Partial Rosters and Pensions.

1st REGIMENT

BOWLING

Lewis, Nimrod

1 REGIMENT J. R. CHAMBERS' GA Militia

Capt Thomas H. Miller
Capt Thomas Forth
Joshua Hawthorn 
Company: 1 REGIMENT (CHAMBERS'), GEORGIA MILITIA
Rank - Induction: PRIVATE 
Rank - Discharge: PRIVATE 
Roll Box: 95 
Roll Exact: 602
Researcher: Paul Hawthorne [email protected]

Captain Clark's Company - 1st Regiment