A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF FORT CRAWFORD By: Mrs. Annie C. Waters There are many grammatical errors in this documentary. Mrs. Waters copied the quotes very carefully from the original sources, errors included. Now the history begins! On a high bluff overlooking the waters of the Aloochahatcha (Murder) Creek (1) was erected in 1816 the U.S. military post named Ft. Crawford, located within the present day city limits of East Brewton, Alabama. It was situated 3 miles from the Conaka (Conicu, Conecuh) River and about one mile east of Neyatonchee (Burnt Corn) Creek. (2) Few historical sites evoked more controversy over a century and a half among history buffs than has this fort. Such questions as, when was it built and by whom, what was its exact location, for whom was it named, how long was it manned by the American forces, what relation did it bear to Andrew Jackson and his men, who were its commanders, what unit or units of the army served there, and for what purpose was it erected, have been answered by facts mingled with traditions over the years, so that hardly any two persons seem to accept the same answers. It is the purpose of this narrative to factually answer as many of these questions as authoratative sources will permit and to renew local interest in the old fort. When the Creek War ended with the Treaty of Fort Jackson in 1814 the land area which today comprises Escambia County was a part of the Mississippi Territory as was all the land in present Alabama that was ceded to the United 1 States by the Creek Nation. As such, it was under the jurisdiction of the Territorial governor. Major General Andrew Jackson was in command of the Division of the U.S. Army of the South and at the end of the Creek War returned to Tennessee and Maj. Gen. Edmund P. Gaines was left in charge of the military affairs of what is now central and southern Alabama with headquarters at Ft. Montgomery in north Baldwin County. From 1813 through 1814 no less than thirty-two forts had been erected and from 1816 through 1818 at least 7 more were built; of these, some were built by the troops, others by the settlers. (3) The year 1815 was one of peace between the Indians and the settlers but by January 1816 hostile natives were again on the war path, encouraged by the British and Spanish particularly in West Florida. Hostile Creeks and Seminoles brought death and pillage to the southern frontiers of Georgia and Alabama, thereby necessitating the building of the second group of forts mentioned above. 1816 On March 12th Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson ordered Gen. Gaines to examine the country near where the Escambia River crossed the West Florida line and select a suitable site for a permanent fort. (4) May 6 -From the Camp Alabama River Gen. Gaines wrote the following to Maj. Twiggs of the 7th U.S. Infantry: "Upon your arrival at Ft. Montgomery you will add to your Command one of the companies now at that post, and as soon as you shall obtain such supply of rations, tools and ammunition as in your judgement may be proper, together with the necessary transport for the same, you will march to the point at which the line of demarkation between the United States and Spain crosses 2 the Escambia river; near which you will select a site, combining as much as " practicable the advantages of health and strength of position,--where you will encamp and secure yourself by a temporary stockade or breast work, made of light materials, for present defense against small arms. "Being thus secured, you will reconnoitre the adjacent country for ten miles above the line and three or four miles on each side the river and report to me the topography of the same, and your opinion as to the most eligible position for a permanent post-where it is intended to construct a strong work. "At Ft. Montgomery you will ascertain how far the arrangement of the contractor to comply with my requisition may be likely to insure a regular supply of rations, which should not be less than two or three months always in advance. P .S. Capt. Robinson will accompany and assist you in selecting a position for the new work." (5) David E. Twiggs, a native of Georgia was appointed Capt. 8th Inf. (Probably Georgia Militia) on March 12, 1812; on Dec. 2. 1815 was aptd. Capt 7th Inf. He served at Ft. Crawford in 1816 and in 1817 became commandant of Ft. Scott. Ga. He advanced to Brig. Gen. in 1846 and served with the U.S. Army until March I, 1861. Jeoffrey Robertson was aptd. from Tenn. 2nd Lt. 7th Inf. Dec. 12, 1808: Capt. 7th Inf. Feb. 21, 1814 and died Aug. 31, 1817. (6) May 27 --Gen. Gaines wrote to Gen. Jackson the following: "The Battalion of the 7th under Maj. Twiggs arrived at Escambia on the 21 st inst. He is directed to cross this river, and take a high healthy position near the Conaka" (Conecuh) "about four or five miles beyond the Escambia. The Conaka is much larger than the Escambia and is navigable for large boats,for many miles above the line." (7) 3 July 16 --Capt. James McDonald wrote from Ft. Montgomery to General Jackson reporting: "In conformity with your order of the 12th March addressed to Maj. Gen. Gaines, I have examined the Country adjacent to where the Escambia crosses the line of demarkation between the United States and Florida, and can find no position suitable for the establishment of a Fort: the country is generally low and no doubt willl be unhealthy. --The only suitable position that can be found near the 1ine, is on the Aloochahatcha (Murder) Creek three miles north of the Conecca river, and seven north of the line of demarkation between the United States and Florida, the position is high and I presume will be healthy, with the advantage of several fine springs under the bluff. Six companies of the 7th are in camp within a quarter of a mile of the place at this time preparing materials for the work. The Creek is navigable for small boats the greater part of the season, should this position meet your approbation, will commence the work immediately, I must request in the meantime to be instructed whether the Fort must be a regular work, capable of defence against heavy cannon, if so the labour will be amence in this sandy soil, Maj. Gen. Gaines directs that a work similar to Ft. Jackson, with two bastions only, instead of four will combine strength, with cheapness of materials; Four bastions to a work so small as will be requisite for four or five companies, are altogether useless, two, placed at opposit diagonal angles, are quite sufficient. I am sorry to differ in opinion with the General, however in this case I must contend that two bastions cannot defend a work similar to Ft. Jackson; under a belief that Maj. Gen. Gaines is mistaken in the plan of Fort Jackson. I must request to be particularly instructed whether I shall be permited to change the plan, or procede as ordered. "The hostile Indians in the neighborhood of Conecca and the Escambia, have generally surrendered and are very desireous of being received again as a part of the Nation, they are destitute of everything and have applied for 4 relief; I do not feel myself authorized to furnish them with provision, having received no instructions, the Awtessee Foster is the Chief of the principle town of the red sticks, (so called because their war clubs were painted red) "twenty miles east of our camp." (This location would place this Indian village within present day Escambia county, probably on Blackwater Creek.) "I have granted him, and his people leave to remain at their village, to raise there corn and hunt in the neighborhood of our Fort, a great number of them fled to Pensacola on the approach of the troops, but have since returned and surrendered, they all appear disposed to be peacable, should they be otherwise we will take ample satisfaction for the many crimes they have commited." (8) James McDonald was appointed from Ohio May 3, 1808 as Capt. Rifle Reg., transferred to 7th Inf. May 17, 1815, resigned April 30, 1817. (9) July 21 --Gen. Gaines at Ft. Hawkins wrote the following report to Gen. Jackson: "Col, McDonald with six companies of the 7th is established near the Conaka, about ten or twelve miles east of the escambia and seven miles above the national boundary, where the water is good and the site high and airy, and the troops healthy. I examined the country in the immediate vicinity of the Escambia, near the line, but could find no suitable site --the escambia being entirely unfit for boating, and the Conaka, on the contrary, affording good boat navigation rendered the latter in every way preferable to the escambia. Still as the escambia was particularly pointed out in your order, I did not feel authorised to commence a permanent work upon the Conaka without your futher order--Besides the present state of the weather forbids the heavy labor which the construction of a permanent work would demand, unless the necessity was great. I have directed Col. McDonald and Lt. Col. Clinch to 5 throw up works sufficient to secure them against small arms, --and on the approach of cool weather to construct strong works, to defend against artillery."(10) Joseph J. Clinch, born in S.C., aptd. from N.C. 2nd. Lt. 10th Info Apr. 22, 1812, transferred to 7th. Inf. May 17,1815. Capt. May 31,1817, resigned Oct. 31, 1820. (II) The temporary works built in the summer of 1816 to secure the troops against small arms appear to answer to the earthen fortification that tradition called "First Fort" and the tradition that it was built by the Spanish would seem to be in error. According to eye witnesses of the remains of Ft. Crawford the square logs of the permanent fort were embedded in the razed earthen defense. From this military correspondence there can be no doubt that the fort was built by orders of Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson and constructed by the troops under his command as Commander of the Division of the Army of the South. Thus these troops might have been referred to as, "Jackson's men" even though they were not of Jackson's Tennessee Volunteers. The location near the Escambia where Maj. Twiggs and his command first encamped appears from the records to have been used on other and later occasions and the name "Camp near Connecca" appears several times but from the context this term did not denote Ft. Crawford. This camp was in the area of present day Flomaton and in June 1816 the following officers were there: Captains Richard Whartenby, August L. Langham, David E. Twiggs, Richard R. Bell, George Vashon and John S. Allison. A month later all these names appear on the Fort Crawford roll. (12) Capt. Richard Whartenby was commander of Fort Crawford from the latter 6 part of June 1816 to June 1817. A native of Pennsylvania, he received his appointment to the 5th Inf., May 3, 1808, as 1st It., May 17, 1815 became Capt. in 7th Inf. August L. Langham, aptd. from Ohio, Ensign Rifles, May 3, 1808; Capt. 7th Inf. Dec. 2, 1815. Richard R. (H ?) Bell, aptd. Va. 2nd Lt. 5th Inf. May 3, 1808; promoted to Capt. Aug. I5, 1813; Transf. 7th Inf. May 17, 1815, resigned May 31,1817. John S. Allison, born Va. aptd. Va., 2nd Lt. 5th Inf. Jan. 3, 1812, Capt. on June 25, 1814; Transf. 7th Inf. May 17, 1815, resigned Dec. 31, 1822. (13) Ft. Crawford, undoubtedly, was considered by Gen. Jackson and Gen. Gaines as a very important link in the chain of our southern frontier defense to have had so many officers and troops assigned to its construction. In the military correspondence of Surgeon's Mate R.M.G. Walmsley who was serving at the fort in 1817 he designated the chain of forts as "peace establishments;" (14) however there is evidence that Gen. Jackson had the intention of conquering Florida as early as June 1814, when he wrote to the Sec. of War and stated: "Will the government say to me---proeeed to Florida and reduce it? If so I promise the war in the south a speedy termination and the British influence forever cut off from the Indians in that quarter."(l5) Thus it appears that Ft. Crawford and the other forts on the southern frontier were built to keep the peace for the Americans against any unfriendly Indians, the British, and the Spaniards, but also to serve as a bulwark in case of war with Spain. Many Americans no doubt wished to have Florida annexed to the United States and if negotiations failed, Ft. Crawford would occupy a strategic position in time of war. This seems to have been in Gen. Jackson's unrecorded 7 plans. August through December -The monthly Returns from Ft. Crawford show that the officers and troops were busy with the building preparations on the fort with the exception of twenty men who were reported to be busy cutting roads. (16) 1817 February -Captains Whartenby and Vashon with fifty noncommissioned officers were continuing the building of the Fort. Up until this time the provisions for Ft. Crawford had been transported from New Orleans to Ft. Montgomery by way of the Tensaw River which meant that every supply was conveyed by wagon road from Ft. Montgomery to the fort over a distance of about 70 miles which was tedious and at times led to a short supply of rations. (17) Gen. Gaines determined to remedy the situation by transporting the supplies by the way of Pensacola and up the Escambia-Conecuh waterway. March 3 --The Alabama Territory was created and Ft. Crawford was in this territory with William Wyatt Bibb as governor. March 18 --Edmund P. Gaines wrote to His Excellency The Governor of his Catholic Majesty's Province of West Florida, Jose Masot, saying: "Sir, I have the honor to notify your excellency that in consequence of the scarcity of Forrage, and provision, in this section of the U.S. Territory; and the inconvenience and delay attending the transportation of those articles by land to Ft. Crawford, upon the Conaka river. I have ordered supplies for the U.S. Troops Stationed at that Post to be sent by water. 8 "Lieut. F.S. Gray of the Army, who will have the honor to hand you this letter, is authorised to superintend the transit of the provision wanted for immediate use, by the way of Pensacola and Escambia; and to make an arrangement for the future supply of Fort Crawford by the same channel. "The peculiar circumstances of the case, the perfectly inoffensive nature of the arrangement desired; and moreover, the spirit of harmony which well-disposed neighbors ought to evince towards each other, and which I have much reason to believe characterizes the views of your Excellency, justify me in the persuasion that no objection will be made on the part of the Spanish Government to the measure." (18) French S. Gray, who was assigned to this task received his apt, from Ky, as Ensign 7 lnf., May 1814, became 1 Lt, Sept. 1816, Capt. June 1, 1817, died June 15, 1819. (19) March 18 continued -Gaines' order to Gray: "You will proceed to the town of Pensacola and deliver to the Gov. of his catholic Majesty's Province of West Florida the letter committed to your charge. The object of which is to enable you to make arrangements for the conveyance of provision, forage and other supplies through the Bay of Pensacola, up the Escambia river to Ft. Crawford on the Conaka. "The Contractor's Agent has been instructed to send thither a Three months supply of rations for Two hundred men; and I have reason to expect the arrival of it at Pensacola in the course of the present week --In the meantime you will adopt the most effectual measures in your power to expedite this supply up the river, if possible without having it landed at Pensacola; and you will moreover endeavor to secure a communication for 9 regular supplies in future by the same route. For this purpose you are authorized to employ a suitable person, with a boat, upon such terms as you may deem just and proper, to send the supplies up the river--Should there be no objection to have them stored in Town, or at any convenient point upon the Bay, this mode may be found to be most convenient. In this case the boat and men belonging to Fort Crawford may be employed alone to take the supplies up the river...It is not expected that a friendly neighbor will object to the transit of public vessels and stores, by his port from one of our own ports to another, through a channel formed by nature." (20) March 20 -The following report was sent by Gen. Gaines to the Secretary of War: "I have ordered the supplies for Fort Crawford to be sent, in future, by water, by the way of Pensacola. With the first cargo I have sent an officer, who is instructed to obtain, on reasonable terms, upon the Pensacola Bay, near the mouth of Escambia, a place of temporary deposit, -where the supplies may be discharged from coasting vessels, and put on board the Barges, or Batteaux for ascending the rivers, Escambia and Conaka." (21) Thomas Mindenhall, whose name appears in the 1820 Conecuh County census is credited, by tradition, with having built one of the first saw mills in this area located at Cotton's Bluff and cut timber and made barges for the Fort. Mindenhall was reported to have also manufactured cotton cards, spinning wheels and furniture. (22) Gray's negotiations with Jose Masot at Pensacola were not satisfactory as later correspondence will show. " March 30 --Territorial Governor William W. Bibb had not at this time been able to successfully organize the Alabama Territorial Militia but there were militia units serving voluntarily at the forts when circumstances forced the troops to places of greatest need, thus we find that Ft. Crawford was 10 temporarily evacuated by the regular troops as David B. Mitchell, Indian Agent stated in a letter to the Sec. of War, "Our forts Crawford and Gaines, having been evacuated, I believe, has been the cause of this Red Stick class beginning again to commence hostilities. They think that our troops were afraid to continue there. A moderate regular force stationed at Camp Crawford, or any other suitible position in that quarter, will, I am confident, keep all quiet and without it some serious mischief will result." (23) Tradition relates that the soldiers at Ft. Crawford were frequently sent on spying expeditions to look for renegade Indians thus temporarily interrupting the construction on the buildings. One Indian trail often scouted by the troops ran northward by present day Kirkland and Stockade Branch. On a stream running into Stockade there was a huge rock on which the troops sharpened their swords and it still bears the name "Whetrock Branch." (24) April 30 -Evidently the evacuation of Ft. Crawford was of short duration for on this date John M. Davis reported to Arthur P. Hayne, Inspector General, that Surgeon Mat R.G.M. Walmsley was stationed at Ft. Crawford with a part -of the 7th Regt. and that "not long since the Troops at that post, had not more than four days provision on hand, in consequence thereof two companies were oblidged to be ordered to Camp Montgomery to prevent them from suffering." This same letter has left an undisputed description of the Fort. "Fort Crawford is Situated about three miles west of Conaka, about fifty miles east of Camp Montgomery, and about the same distance nearly north of the Town of Pensacola --The Fort is not yet finished, is a square log work with two Block houses at a diagonal angles. The buildings are erected with square logs of about eight or ten inches square. The barracks for the officers and men form three squares of the Fort, The Doctors shop, Guard house, and Artificers Shops form the fourth. The logs are laid so close as to touch with port holes cut 11 in them, which makes Fort a complete defence against small arms. This work is sufficiently large to accommodate four companies, there is at present only two of the 7th Infantry there, under the command of Brevet Major Whartenby. In point of health Ft. Crawford is equal to any place I have ever known Troops stationed at." (25) Water was obtained from springs at the edge of the bluff but later two wells were dug in the corners opposite the block houses. One of these wells was still used in the 1880's by the Joshua Jordan family to furnish water for the stock, however drinking water was brought from a spring. (26) Richard Whartenby, was replaced as commander of Ft. Crawford on June I, 1817 by Capt. George Vashon. (27) May -Jose Masot, Governor at Pensacola, "from a spirit of conciliation" permitted a cargo of provisions which the schooner Mabiterra had brought from New Orleans to proceed up the Escambia to Ft. Crawford after paying twenty-three or twenty-four percent duty on the provisions. This evidently was the cargo Lt. F.S. Gray had been sent to Pensacola by Gen. Gaines to negotiate for on March 18. (28) June 1 -At this time the Seminole Indians in Florida and a group of still hostile Creeks were causing the settlers a great deal of trouble along the southern border of Alabama and Georgia. After their depredations on the settlers the Indians would escape across the Florida line where they were secretly being aided by British and French agencies who were unwilling to abide by the treaties that their governments had made with the United States. The situation was so severe that the U.S. took measures to strengthen the defenses of our southern frontier. Roads are of supreme importance to defense and as early as May 1816 Gen. Gaines had proposed to Gen. Jackson 12 the "laying out of a road from the post near the Escambia to the Chatahochie near the (Florida) line." (29) The trouble at Ft. Negro and St. Marks in Florida greatly increased the need for better roads. Troops had previously been used in building roads but they had also been ordered to assist the Creek Agent in building storehouses and "beating skins" for the Indians which was deeply resented by the soldiers. Gen. Gaines reported to Jackson that such menial tasks totally destroyed the chain of subordination and, "I have therefore to request that if roads are to be opened by the troops, of my command, an Officer of the Army may be selected to layout such roads, as well as to direct the opening of the same Previous to the receipt of your dispatch upon this subject, I had ordered a detachment of One hundred men to be put in readiness to march to the Chattahoochie to strengthen the posts there, and have directed Major Twiggs, the Commanding Officer, to march direct from Fort Crawford, between a due East, and East North East course -to explore the intervening country and layout a road to be opened by the Troops. To fit out this detachment I have had occasion to order the purchase of twenty Packhorses." (30) A map by S. Augustus Mitchell said to have been published in 1847 shows a road from Ft. Crawford, to Brooklyn, to Montezuma, to Wellborne in Coffee County, to Newton in Dale county, to Abbeville in Henry County thence to Fort Gaines on the Chattahoochie. An 1836 map by H.S.Tanner shows the same road as far as Daleville in Dale county. The Alabama State Department Map of Historical Roads and Trails shows a road dated 1819 from Ft. Crawford to the Chattahoochie called the "Improved Road. "These roads appear to all be essentially the same one that Maj. Twiggs was ordered to layout. July 1 -George Vashon, Commander, wrote to Gen. Gaines that he had received "30 barrels of flour, 25 barrels of pork, 844 soap, 358 candles, 71 gallons of vinegar, 232 gallons of whiskey and 70 barrels (whiskey?) may be expected about the 20th." He continued, "This post is without a magazine and a well, but a spring affording an abundant supply of excellent water can be commanded from the loop holes of the pickets... The ferries are unsafe for want of rope...the carriage unfit for service. I have 10,000 musket cartridges...The troops have always enjoyed good health at this place." (31) July 10 -The Indians in the area of Ft. Scott, Georgia had been reported to be preparing for war and Fort Scott had been put in a state of readiness, sufficient it was believed, to defend themselves against 1000 Indians. On this occasion Gaines reported to Gen. Jackson, who was in Tennessee. "I am happy to have it in my power to inform you that, by the report of Maj. Twiggs, 13 it appears that a good road may be made from Fort Crawford to the Chattahoochee, by 100 pioneers in the course of a month. I have not a doubt of this being a much shorter and better way for a road from this place (Ft. Montgomery) to Georgia, then the old route by the way of Ft. Mitchell -and this lower route will possess the advantage of passing, for the most part within our own limits; whereas the old route passes from Offusky or line creek to Ft. Hawkins, near 140 miles through the Indian country -Besides the new route will open between this place (Ft. Montgomery) and Fort Crawford. Ft. Scott and the southern frontier of Georgia generally, a line of communication the most practicable and direct. I think too, it must have been your intention, in making the Treaty and obtaining a cession of country direct from this place to Georgia, to provide for an open communication and a continuous settlement within our own limits. With these impressions I shall cause the road to be completed, if not otherwise directed." (32) Whether the word "pioneers" in this missile meant settlers, troops or a combination of both has not been -ascertained; however the road was completed before December 1817. July 12 -Gaines wrote to the inhabitants of Murder Creek, "Gentlemen, I have received your communication of the 21st of last month, stating that the Indians residing upon the Conaka had killed cattle and hogs belonging to the inhabitants of Murder Creek; and had broke into their houses and taken from them some provisions, corn etc. "In reply I have to observe that all Indians within the lately acquired territory are amenable to our laws, and may be prosecuted for the offences of which you complain in the same manner as if they were white inhabitants." And until their respective claims to their reservations have been settled "there exists no where any sort of authority to drive off such Indians, settled upon the public land." (33) Several such statements as the above concerning the Indians by Gen. Gaines were recorded and earned for him the reputation of being a 14 considerate and just man. Oct. 23 -Trouble with the Seminoles was steadily increasing on the Georgia frontier and troops from Camp Montgomery, Camp on the Escambia and Fort Crawford were transferred to the troubled area. From Head Quarters near the Escambia, Alabama Territory, Gen. Gaines communicated the following to Gen. Jackson, "The First Brigade is now in march for Fort Scott. Three vessels laden with ordnance stores, Baggage and provisions, with eighty men under the command of Maj. Muhlenburg were detatched by water on the 20th, and on the same day the effective force at Montgomery and Montpelier marched under Lieut. Col Arbuckle for Fort Crawford, where he will be joined by Capt. Vashon's command and proceed without loss of time with the detachments engaged upon the new road, to Ft. Scott, where I calculate on meeting Maj. Muhlenburg with the transports and supplies, on the 6th of, at farthest the 10th of next month. My whole effective force will amount to not more than 800 men." It had been rumored that as many as 500 Indians had gone to Pensacola because their towns were preparing for war. Gaines dispatched James Cornels, the Interpreter to Pensacola to spy out the situation, ascertain their numbers and designs. Gaines continued, "I shall halt at the Conaka (Ft. Crawford) for his (Cornel's) return, because should there be 500 or even 200 hostile warriors at Pensacola, I must take measures to keep them in check. This can only be done by calling out a few companies of the neighboring militia, until a part of the second Brigade can be ordered hither -for my present force is too small to admit of a detachment being left behind. I have found it necessary to leave only about 20 men with Surgeon Mate Whamsley. 15 "Should it appear that the Seminoles at Pensacola are supplying themselves with powder and lead, or that their towns generally are making preparations for war, I shall apply to the Governor of Georgia for a detachment of the Militia which he has notified me is held in readiness for the purpose." (34) The length of time that Gen. Gaines and his troops halted at Ft. Crawford has not been ascertained but Aaron Jordan Booge, a minister and teacher, and a member of the U.S. Army arrived at Camp Montgomery on October 22nd from Nashville and it being necessary that he report to Gaines, Booge followed Gaines to Ft. Crawford where he overtook him and the troops. Booge returned to Camp Montgomery on Nov. 7th, 1817 and began his duties of conducting public worship and establishing a school with more than twenty scholars. (35) October 30 -Acting Secretary of War, George Graham informed General Gaines, "The President approves of the movement of the troops from Fort Montgomcry to Fort Scott." (36) November 9 -Gaines had tarried at Ft. Crawford until James Cornels returned from Pensacola with information that the number of Indians reported to be there had been exaggerated, then he continued on to Ft. Gaines by way of the new road. There he received information from Maj. Twiggs, commandant of Ft. Scott at this time, that 2,700 warriors were prepared to attack Ft. Scott so Gaines requested help of the Georgia Militia and continued his march to Ft. Scott. (37) November 21 -From Ft. Scott, on this date, Gaines wrote to Jackson, "The first brigade arrived at this place on the 19th inst." (38) Gaines attempted to 16 hold a friendly conference with the Indian Chief but was repulsed and a battle ensued. The Seminoles had allies of Red Sticks and several hundred runaway blacks. In the house of the chief was found a British uniform coat (scarlet) with a pair of gold epaulettes, and a certificate signed by a British Captain stating that the Chief was a faithful friend of the British. Several other skirmishes followed and the First Seminole War had begun. (39) The trepidations of the Indians at this time within the Alabama Territory is sometimes referred to as the Second Creek War, but was in reality connected with the First Seminole War. Dec. 21 -Two companies of militia were ordered to Ft. Crawford for two .. months service and constituted part of Gen. Gaines' command. (40) At this time a Capt. Wright was assigned as commander at the Fort, and he was to prove himself a very obstinate and revengeful man. After the departure of Gaines to Fts. Gaines and Scott with the majority of the troops of the southern area of the Alabama Territory, Ft. Crawford had been poorly manned and it was at this time that the U.S. 8th Infantry was ordered to supply troops for this fort as well as Montgomery and others in the area. With the coming of the 8th Infantry we find Maj. White Youngs who was to become the hero of Ft. Crawford. Dec. 26, Sec. of War, J.C. Calhoun, informed Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson who was in Tennesse, "You will repair, with as little delay as practicable, to Ft. Scott, and assume the immediate command of the forces in that section of the southern division." (41) This order,no doubt, Gen. Jackson had been waiting anxiously to receive so that he might carry out his desire to assist in thc annexation of Florida to the United States. 17 1818 The year 1818 was destined to be the "golden age" of Ft. Crawford because of its role in its dealings with the Spanish in West Florida and its conquest of the hostile Indians taking refuge therein. Jan. 15. 1818 -On this date Lt. Col. W.A. Trimble, Commander of 8th Military Department wrote from Camp Montgomery: "In consequence of unfavorable winds the detachment of the 8th regt. did not arrive here until the sixth and their baggage and stores not until the 11th inst. "Capt. Wright has been ordered to march the detachment under his command to Ft. Crawford and garrison that place -The militia who have been ordered to that post will be discharged. They are without arms. "To watch the movements of the hostile Indians and to guard this frontier without harrassing the militia, I have taken measures to raise a company of Choctaws... I hope the measure will meet your approbation and receive your sanction. "Ft. Crawford which is the only fortified place on this part of the frontier is not in a good state of defence. There is, at that post, but a small supply of ammunition and not twenty days provisions. The local situation of the Fort is unfavorable.... Should it become necessary to place a considerable number of troops on this frontier, for its defence, I beg leave to suggest the propriety of oscupying a position on the Perdido as best calculated for the defence and protection of this frontier and from which Ft. Crawford could be supplied."(42) There is no subsequent evidence that any action was taken concerning a position on the Perdido and Ft. Crawford held its status on the frontier. March 25 -At this time Maj. Gen. Jackson was pushing for victory and an end to the Seminole War and had ordered the fortification of Ft. Gadsden. From this post on the Appalachicola River he informed Sec. of War, Calhoun, that, "Finding it very difficult to supply Ft. Crawford by land I have ordered the supplies for that garrison by water, and written to the Gov. of Pensacola that, if he interrupts them during the present Indian War, I shall view it as 18 aiding our enemy, and treat it as an act of hostility.. .and that our Governments while negotiating, can take the subject under consideration, but in the meantime, our provisions must pass to Ft. Crawford by water without interruption." (43) Gen. Gaines a year previous had attempted with little success to supply the Fort through Pensacola Bay and Escambia River. March 27 -Gov. Bibb writing to Calhoun reported more murders committed in southern Alabama by the Indians on March 13th and the Governor "immediately ordered a detachment of mounted militia into service, and proceeded with them to the place" (on the Federal Road). "At the same time, apprehending the murderers might attempt to escape to Florida, the asylum for our enemies, I transmitted a communication, by express, to the commanding officer at Ft. Crawford" (Maj. White Youngs) "notifying him of my arrangements, and desiring a force to be sent from the fort, in two detachments, along certain routes, to the place of rendezvous. The express was also instructed to overtake me. I accordingly recevied information from Maj. Young (s), that my request had been executed. The detcachments were marched with a promptitude honorable to the Major; and, I trust, they will be enabled, with the aid of militia, to arrest the progress of the hostile party." (44) This is the first mention made of Maj. Youngs being in command at the fort, so evidently he had replaced Capt. Wright who had arrived with his command in January. This could have been the cause of the contention that dcveloped between Wright and Youngs of which more will be said later. Bibb also requested the Big Warrior to call his people home and issued an order for all Indian hunting parties to depart for their nation since it was impossible to distinguish the hostiles from the friends. (45) Gov. Bibb continues, "Is it not probably, that when the Seminoles are pressed by Gen. Jackson, in the neighborhood of Appalachicola, they will retreat to our frontiers and take revenge on our defenceless inhabitants? I look 19 for it; and am without the means of resistence. There are not more than one hundred regulars at Ft. Crawford; and two-thirds of the militia of the territory are not yet organized... I earnestly entreat you to place funds at my disposal for the protection of the people; and if practicable, to order a much large number of regular troops to our frontiers." (46) April 15 -In answer to Gen. Jackson's letter of March 26 Gov. Masot of Pensacola reminded Jackson that he had permitted a cargo of provisions to go up the Escambia to Ft. Crawford in May 1817 from a spirit of conciliation, and had also a January 1818 allowed Capt. Call of the Schooner Italiana to proceed to the same place. Subsequently he allowed Lt. Eddy, belonging to the garrison of the fort, who had been commissioned by Maj. Youngs to secure 60 barrels of provisions in Pensacola, but had adhered to Spanish export duties. Masot stated that he did not have the power to give free access to boats carrying supplies to Ft. Crawford and requested that Jackson apply to the proper authority in Cuba. (47) April 26 -Lt. Eddy and his detachment had unfortunately been attacked by hostile Indians and cut off from their 60 barrels of supplies which they lost. In this engagement several Indians including women and children were killed by the U.S. troops. (48) Eddy and Capt. Wright had specific orders to request reinforcements only for defense and not for agression; however on April 28 they applied directly to Gov. Bibb for one hundred additional men to avenge their loss. Both men were charged by Youngs with "disobedience of orders" and put under arrest. (49) April 27 -Maj. Youngs wrote to Masot, Gov. of Pensacola and requested that he (Masot) negotiate with the hostile Indians in the Pensacola area to give 20 themselves up to Maj. Youngs. (5O) April 30 -Gov. Masot answered, "I assembled the principal chiefs of the Upper Creek towns of Calome, Canaan, Corvalle, and Forsytche and communicated its (Young's letter) contents to them; they all replied that they had long been unhappy and miserable, without shelter or country but that at " last by the advice of a good friend, that they all cheerfully adopted it and were grateful for the offers you had made them. These Indians amount to about eighty-seven including women and children. I have settled that they divide into three companies and they will set out as soon as your answer is received, which they think is prudent to keep, as you will, when informed of their acceptance to your offer, be enabled to give proper orders for their safety on their journey and their avoiding any unpleasant encounter with the Choctaws who, if not duly informed of it might attack them in which case, the measures taken for the peaceful arrangements that we both have so much at heart would be defeated." (51) April 30 -On this date Gov. Bibb issued the following order (copied in part): "Major Youngs or Lt. Eddy of the United States Army will accompany the expedition (which Bibb had ordered) from thence (place of rendezvous) with whom the plan of operations will be concerted. The object of the expedition is to attack the hostile Indians wheresoever they may be found, except in a Spanish Fort, Town or dwelling. Should they seek shelter in either, the Governor (Masot) should be notified of the fact, informed of the murderous incursions which have been made on our frontier, reminded of the obligations of the treaty of 1795, and requested to refuse protection to the fugitives. "(52) The writer has been unable to ascertain the exact date upon which this 21 expedition was executed however it was carried out by Maj. Youngs in open territory near Pensacola by a combined force of militia, Choctaws and regular troops resulting in the death of nine Indians and the wounding of many more. This battle made White Youngs a hero in the minds of the people of south Alabama and northwest Florida. He had carried out minor engagements with the enemy on several occasions and the Indians were learning to respect his ability as a United States Army officer. A Lt. Allen was in command of the militia on the Pensacola exploit and Maj. Youngs had praise for him and all those taking part in the expedition. (53) May 13 -The Secretary of War wrote to Gov. Bibb stating in part: "I do hope that the war has ere this, terminated in the submission of the Seminoles; but if this should not be fact, you will make such arrangements and incur such expense as, in your judgment, the defence of the territory may require. You are authorized to draw on the department for funds to cover such disbursements as you may order. Enclosed is a copy of the order, authorizing Gen. Gaines to carry the War into Florida and you will consider it as furnishing authority to the troops of the territory to pass the Florida line, should it be necessary... Gen. Jackson is vested with full powers to conduct the war, in the manner which he may judge best." (54) May 19 -Territorial Gov. Bibb was very concerned for the peace and safety of the Americans in his territory, caused forts to be built, activated the militia and visited the forts; thus we find him at Ft. Crawford on May 19 where he wrote the following to Jackson: "Fort Crawford,19th May 1818 "Dear Sir: "Proceeding to Georgia for the purpose of bringing my family to this Territory and desirous to provide for the safety of the inhabitants on the 22 frontiers during my absence. I have sought an interview with the Officer in command at this place. At Camp Montgomery I learnt that you would probably reach this place in a few days and indulged the hope of seeing you. An interview with you would have been to me a source of much pleasure, and I regret that my arrangements will not permit me to await your arrival. "The Indians commenced their murderous incursions on the frontier settlements in January last, when two men were killed in this neighborhood. No events occurred afterwards to excite apprehension until the 14 of March when a house on the federal road near "Poplar Spring" was attacked and eight persons killed. This intelligence reached me at Claiborne from whence a detachment of mounted rifle men was immediately ordered to the place for one momths service. A few days afterwards five men while traveling the road were fired at, and three killed; from whom fifteen hundred or two thousand dollars were taken. The people for the most part were flying for safety in every direction, and all communication by mail or otherwise with Georgia was wholly suspended. The Indians were known to be still in that quarter. In this state of things three posts, were established by my ordr, at which there are in the whole about one hundred men stationed who have instructions to scour the woods from day to day. A fortnight since they found a camp, but on their approach the enemy fled to it contiguous swamp; from whence they fired and killed one man. The commanding officer informs me that he thinks the number of indians now in the neighborhood considerable. I should have mentioned that in April a house within fifteen or twenty miles of Claiborne, was attacked, the husband killed, and wife and two daughters wounded. Thirty dollars, a quantity of bacon and every article which could be conveyed away was taken and carried to Pensacola where I believe the murderers might 23 still be found. "I yesterday learnt that one indian was killed and another wounded near the Poplar Spring. "This detail of events, however, was probably unnecessary as you will receive from Maj. Youngs every intelligence upon the subject. My principal object is to state that in my efforts to protect the people over whom I preside the Territorial Tresury being destitute of funds has afforded me no supplies whatsoever; nor has it been in the power of the Commanding Officer here, to render the aid which has uniformly manifested the best disposition to afford. I am desirous that the troops should be considered as in the service of the United States, and the accounts adjusted when their term of service expires. One company rendezvoused at Poplar Spring for three months service on the 10th day of April and a detachment of twenty five at Sepulges lately, for the same term of service. The expenditures incurred have been necessarily considerable, and altogether beyond my means of paying. You will readily percieve how unpleasant has been my situation, without the means of affording the protection, necessary to keep the inhabitants at their homes. The regular force in this quarter has been insufficient for the defence of the country -the Militia I had not had time to organize, and above all not a dollar in the Treasury. My views of the necessity of forwarding men and money to this section of the country has been repeatedly stated to Col. Trimble, but I apprehend that it has not been in his power to meet them. ""Having endeavoured in vain with my limited resources to arrest the enemy after their successive murders, and being satisfied that they sought refuge in Florida, I determined to raise a volunteer force and order them to 24 attack the hostile Indians without regard to our boundary. A part of the force is now under the command of Maj. Youngs, and Capt. Steele is in possession of my order. Had I been furnished with funds, the enemy would have been driven from that retreat long before this time; persuaded as I am, that it is the only effectual method of affording security to this Territory. "I have this moment received intelligence, which leaves no doubt of your approach to this quarter; and I shall now leave the Territory perfectly satisfied that the people will not suffer by my absence. Mr. Henry Hitchcock is appointed Territorial Secretary, and will act as Gov. after I set out from Ft. Jackson, which will be on the 26th or 27th of this month, I may however be detained a few days longer in arranging with the Big Warrior the reception of a party of Indians who have sued for peace and delivered themselves to Maj. Youngs. This they did so soon as the Major convinced them by a well timed and well executed expedition that they would no longer be permitted to murder our citizens and find refuge in the Spanish Territory. "There are at this place forty volunteers and the same number of militia at Camp Montgomery. Should you need any additional aid from the Territory, it would be promptly furnished, should you notify me at Ft. Jackson before my departure. "I enclose to you a letter I have received from the Commanding Officer of the Militia near the Poplar Spring which will present to you the state of things in that quarter. Excuse this hasty scrawl and accept the assurances of my regard and Esteem. Wm. W. Bibb" (55) 25 This letter would seem to affirm the tradition that Gen. Jackson did indeed visit Ft. Crawford but a succeeding document proves otherwise, at least for May 1818. General Jackson and his men had encamped at Jackson's Lake, near present day Florala, and indications are that he had planned to stop at the Fort on his march to Pensacola but he writes: "With about 1200 men I determined to scour the country west of the Appalachicola River. May 10th -crossed that river at Ochesee Village and after 12 days march misled by the ignorance of pilots, finally reached and effected a passage over the Escambia." (56) So Jackson appears to be disappointed due to the ignorance of his guides. He well may have anticipated a productive military conference with the popular, rising Major Youngs. Lt. Eddy was under arrest at Ft. Crawford during Gov. Bibb's visit and in the presence of the Governor used disrespectful language to Maj. Youngs and also disobeyed orders and visited a house between three and five hundred yards from the chain of sentinels at the Fort, when he had orders to confine himself within the cham of sentinels. (57) As has been previously stated Capt. Thos. Wright was also under arrest and he had committed some act that caused Gov. Bibb to state on April 30, 1818, "You will perceive that I have concerted an expedition with the officer of the United States in command at Ft. Crawford. It is due to Col. Trimble and the other officers (with the exception of a Captain or Lieutenant Wright) to say, that they have manifested every disposition to exert their very limited means for the protection of the frontier committed to their care." (58) 26 In retaliation, it appears, for their arrest Lt. Eddy and Capt. Wright filed charges against Brvt. Maj. White Youngs and eventually destroyed the military career of the excellent officer. So let's consider what manner of man was Maj. Youngs. White Youngs was a young New York lawyer, who, when his country became engaged with Great Britian in the War of 1812 chose to dedicate his energies to the U.S. (59) He was commissioned a Captain of the 15th Infantry on March 12, 1812 and served under Capt. Thomas Macdonough on Lake Champlain; was in command of a detachment of 248 infantrymen acting as marines on the ship Saratoga in the engagements of La Cole, Little York, Ft. George and Plattsburg. (60) On September 11, 1814 Congress passed a resolution requesting the President of the U. S. to cause gold and silver medals to be struck with suitable emblems and devices and present them to the commissioned officers of the Navy and Army serving on board during the splendid victory on Lake Champlain. In a report of the conflict Capt. Youngs' name was among those specifically mentioned. (61) For his gallant conduct at Plattsburg he was promoted to Brevet Major. On May 17.. 1815 he transferred to the 8th Infantry. (62) August 23 & 24 -Maj. Youngs reported to Maj. Glassell, Asst. Adjt. General that Capt. Boyles left Ft. Crawford on August 21 and that he had sent an express after him with orders for him and his troops to report to Ft. Dale. All the Ft. Crawford troops that could be spared were sent to Ft. Dale leaving a contingent of only seventeen men at the garrison. He reported that he had not more than 1,100 rations of flour, no meat, no salt, and no vinegar. The 27 contacting agent at the post had no money with which to purchase. Col. King had ordered Youngs to send all public property except one yoke of oxen to Pensacola thus leaving the Major to hire transport for the regulars. (63) This was the last official report found that was made by Maj. Youngs while at Ft. Crawford. Gen. Jackson having taken Pensacola on May 24, 1818 and negotiations being in progress with Spain for the purchase of Florida by the United States there remained no longer a need for the garrison and Ft. Crawford was closed, but the exact date of closing was not found; however there were Monthly Returns from the Fort in January, 1819 according to one dubious footnote to "Fort Crawford on the Conecuh" by Thompson and Stokes. (64) 1819 March 29 -On this date we find Maj. Youngs at Ft. Charles, Louisiana, facing a court martial trial. He had travelled by boat to Baton Rouge in January, 1819 and was sent from there to New Orleans. Headquarters of the 8th Military Department. The order for his arrest was dated July 1, 1818 and signed by L. Whiting, Acting Assistant Adjutant General. Charges had been filed by Lieut. Eddy and Capt. Thomas Wright (65) and were as follows: Charge 1 -Conduct unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman. Specification 1 -That Maj. W. Youngs between the first of Dec. 1818 and 31st of Jan. 1819, in the City of New Orleans visited Ball Rooms, Gambling 28 houses, and other public places in a state of intoxication. Specification 2 -That Youngs repeatedly visited the Lalla Conde Ball Room notoriously drunk. Specification 3 -That Youngs suffered himself to be led from the Lalle Conde Ball Room by two gentlemen. Charge 2 -Drunkeness Specification 1 -That Youngs was in the habit of visiting houses of notoriety drunk and had his eye blackened and bruised. Specification 2 -That Youngs attempted to walk the street and staggered. The prisoner being a lawyer, conducted his own defense. He pleaded "Not Guilty" to all the charges. (The writer has been at a loss to clear up the fact that the order for Youngs' arrest was dated July 1818 and his unlawful acts charged in the court martial were alleged to have been committed in December 1818 and January 1819.) At the opening of the trial Maj. Youngs objected to two of the witnesses, alleging that they were prejudiced. The court ruled that the challenge was not valid. He next objected to the jurisdiction of the court on the grounds that he had previously have tried by a court martial that had not been promulgated. (This had been at Baton Rouge and it appears that the court had been dismissed.) The court decided to proceed. Youngs then objected to the indefinite nature of the charges, which was over-ruled. Court was adjourned until the next day. March 30 -The witnesses, some of whom had never met Maj. Youngs used the phrases, "It was my opinion, I presumed, I think I have seen him intoxicated, to the best of my recollection and I am not certain." All witnesses 29 contended that Youngs was disgracing the United States Army, even though they testified he had not been dressed in uniform during the time of any of the allegations. When asked how they knew he was a member of the Armed Forces they replied that someone had informed them to that effect, Two of the witnesses after the second day left for Philadelphia making it impossible for Youngs to continue his examination of them. The court adjourned until April 19. April 19 -One member of the court retired from his seat and left town, April 20 -Court met and adjourned until April 22. It appears that Capt. Wright saw that his evidence was insufficient for a conviction and he contrived to add to the charges. April 22 -The Judge Advocate exhibited additional charges preferred by Thomas Wright but objected to their being received. The court over-ruled the Judge. The prisoner objected to the additional charges of quarrellin at a gaming table and lying to the court, inasmuch as the Prosecutor was under arrest at the time he preferred them, The court over-ruled the objection to the additional charges. The Judge objected to the "opinion" of the witness to the additional charges but was over-ruled, The Trial continued on April 23, 24, 26, 27 and met again on May 3, 5, and 6. On May 7, Maj. Youngs penned a letter to the court in which he contended that he considered the court was not duly consituted, therefore he had summoned no witnesses in his defense. (Gov. W. W. Bibb would have been one of the witnesses,) He quoted numerous writers on martial and civil Iaw, such as McArthur, McComb, Blackstone and others who expressly declared that "the time and place shall be particularized" and the time had been 30 specified only as sometime between December 1,1818 and January 31,1819. He asked his opponent if he had not been within the walls of a gambling house and if he had not drank wine, where he was when the-person he accused was in the victorious fields of lake Champlain and Pensacola. For lake Champlain he referred to the court to the records of Congress. He stated that he looked for an acquittal but if not he would ask for a legal investigation. The Court found Maj. Youngs guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer by visiting public places in a state of intoxication and of the added charge of lying to the court. Of the other charges he was acquitted. (66) May 18 -At New Orleans, Maj. Youngs wrote his resignation to J.C. Calhoun giving as the reason for this action his extreme desire to leave the army that he might take advantage of an offer to establish himself in business, "which if not immediately embraced might be lost forever." He expressed his reluctance at parting with his seven years companions in arms, "those who shared the toils and hardships of a three years campaign in the cold regions of the North as well as the sultry climes of the South for a like pcriod."(67) The business offer of which he wrote probably had some connection with a letter of C. Davies, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Albany, New York, which was in Maj. Youngs' file. (68) The history of the courageous Maj. White Youngs, the beloved hero of Old Fort Crawford, who was so popular in the area that John W. Mayo, one of the earliest pioneer settlers named his son, Charles Young Mayo, Sr. (Nov. 28, 1819-Apri1 19, 1898) in his honor, came to an untimely end. His resignation being accepted Youngs returned to his native state of New York and died 31 three years later on December 8, 1822. (69) Fort Crawford was located in Southwest Quarter of Section 27, Township 2 North, Range 10 East, It was of considerable size, being in excess of 500 yards long according to the charge of Maj. Youngs against Lt. Farley Eddy that he (Eddy) "did between the dates 18th and 31st, May 1818 visit a certain house four hundred paces (yards) from the chain of Sentinels at Ft. Crawford, known properly by the name Old Hospital, when he, the said Lieut. Eddy had been positively ordered by the letter of arrest to confine himself to the chain of Sentinels at Ft. Crawford." (70) It would seem certain that the Old Hospital would have been within the walls of the fort and that at least one hundred yards would have been guarded by the chain of sentinels. The United States Postal Department established an office in the old fort and John Jerrison (Jarrison), Jr. was the first postmaster in 1823. He purchased the E 1/2 of SW I/4 of Sec. 27-2-10 on November 15, 1823, certificate No. 26 (in the Sparta office) for one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, thus becoming the first private owner of the old fort and the land on which it stood.(71 ) An Act was approved March 2, 1827 establishing post routes from Pensacola to Blakeley and Pensacola to Ft. Crawford. The Mail was delivered by stage. At this time a John Jerrison, Sr. was Mayor of Pensacola and presented a petition to the Postmaster General concerning a post route between Mobile and Pensacola. (72) He may have been the father or a relative of the Ft. Crawford Postmaster. The land on which the fort stood subsequently was owned by the Brewton family and later by W. W. Weaver, Sr. 32 Through the years there has been much controversy over the person for whom the old fort was named. Some historians have been convinced that it was named for William H. Crawford who was Secretary of War before becoming Secretary of the Treasury. Judge Norvelle R. Leigh left tradtional evidence that it was named for a Lt. Crawford, who, with his contigent of men, was trapped by high water on the east (?) side of Murder Creek and learned that the Indians planned to attack them, he ordered each of his men to construct a dummy lying on the ground, covered with a blanket and a hat covering the head. The soldiers concealed themselves that night in the adjacent woods and when the Indians attacked the soliders annihilated them. (73) A descendant of the Ben Jernigan family relates the same tradition but places the battle on the west side of Murder Creek with Lt. Crawford being killed by a wounded Indian that had a rifle. This tradition states that the soldiers were so angry at Crawford'd death that they dumped the bodies of the Indians into the swollen stream (74) This last tradition gives rise to an unanswerable question. Was this battle fought on Alco Hill, on the property of Mr. John David Finlay, Sr., who has found evidence of a battle, and could the lone grave that is still visible today, be that of Lt. Crawford? According to a record in the National Archives and a letter to Mrs. Marie B. Owen, Director of the State Department of Archives and History from P.O. Harris, Adjutant General, Washington, D.C. written Oct. 6, 1921, the fort was named for 2nd Lieut. .Joel Crawford. (75) Joel Crawford, a Georgian, was the youngest son of Capt. Charles Crawford, an officer in the 8th Infantry. Joel volunteered early in the War of 1812, served initially as an officer in the cavalry in Capt. Sam S. Steele's Troop of Dragoons, Georgia Militia; then he was appointed Aide de Camp to 33 Brigadier General Floyd who commanded Floyd's Brigade of Georgia Militia and fought the Creek Indians in Alabama under the command of General Andrew Jackson. It was written that, "The Georgians on the late expedition against the Creek Indians, though not spoken of so highly as the Tennesseeans, were equally as brave, and entitled to as much praise. Joel Crawford, who was aide to Gen. Floyd assured me that the company could not show more than six days rations at any time during the six months, and that thcy marched 160 miles on a day and a half rations. Joel distinguished himself and stands remarkable high. He is going on again in the first class of Militia." (76) Joel Crawford's salary was $53.33 per month, $8 per month for each of his two horses, and $8 per month for one private servant.(77) In what unit Lt. Crawford was serving at the time that he attained his fame that resulted in the fort being named for him has not been ascertained; however the State of Georgia, having at one time claimed all the territory from the Chattahoochee to the Mississippi River that was west of her original territory, felt a kinship to the area which became the Alabama Territory and on several occasions sent her Troops to defend it against the Indians when requested to do so. That Fort Crawford was named for Joel Crawford is an established fact of history. Written records of Ft. Crawford after 1819 appear to be non-existant except for the initial land record and the continuing record of the Post Office until the year 1859. The cemetery was in use in the days of the fort and there were two rows of graves of soldiers em paled by split cedar pickets. (78) 34 Tradition reveals that the first political speeches of the area were held at the fort; that there was a large wooden block in the center of the open court from which the ladies mounted their horses and on which slaves stood to be auctioned to the highest bidder; and that there was a race track on the level stretch of land. Some of the earliest settlers in the vicinity of Ft. Crawford were Benjamin Bruton (Brewton), Benjamin Journigan (Jernigan), who reportedly had eighteen children, John W. Mayo, Thomas Mendenhall and Radford L. Cotton. Mr. Cotton served two appointments as a Justice of the Peace in 1818 and 1819 and was one of the Commissioners who chose Sparta as the permanent seat for the Conecuh County Courthouse. In 1827 we find him in the position of Postmaster of a location called Escambia, Florida. (79) Gradually the logs and the buildings of the fort were torn down and some of the logs were re-rused in the buildings known as the original W. W. Weaver house and the John Brewton house which stood on the present lot of the First Baptist Church of East Brewton. Some port holes of the fort were visible in these structures. Fort Crawford may they memory live And may the sacred and cooling spring From which the inmates drank And ne'er from duty shrank Continue to flow its liquid health. (80) The community which grew up around the fort was called Fort Crawford until it was absorbed into the town of Brewton; later the inhabitants on the east side of Murder Creek withdrew and incorporated themselves into the town of East Brewton. 35 Au revoir to many of the uncertainties of the United States garrison that was once called "The Lost Fort." --Mrs. Annie C. Waters July 7, 1975 BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF FORT CRAWFORD (1) Mississippi Territorial File, Alabama Archives Military Papers Office. Letter of Capt. James McDonald to Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson dated July 16, 1816. (hereafter called McDonald) (2) Escambia County File, Alabama Archives. Letter by Rev. L.M. Skelton to Brewton Standard. . (3) William H. Jenkins, Early Alabama Forts, pub. by Alabama Historical Society, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (4) McDonald. Same as No.1. (5) Miss. Territorial File, Alabama Archieves Military Papers Office. (Hereafter called MTF, AAMPO.) Letter by E.P. Gaines to Maj. Twiggs, 7th Infantry, written at Camp Alabama River, May 6, 1816. (6) F.B. Heitman, Historical Register and Dictionary of the U.S. Army 1789-1903, pub. 1903 (Hereafter called Heitman.) (7) M. T.F., A.A.M.P.O., Letter of E.P. Gaines to Gen. Jackson from St. Stevens, dated May 27,1816. (8) McDonald (9) Heitman 36 (10) M.T.F., A.A.M.P.O., Letter of Gaines to Jackson from Ft. Hawkins, dated July 21,1816. (11) Heitman (12) Records of Adjutant General's Office, Group 94, Monthly Returns for June 1816. (Hereafter called Monthly Returns) (13) Heitman (14) First Old Military Records. National Archives. Wash. D.C.. Letter of Surgeon's Mate, R.M.G. Walmsley to S. Gen. Dr. Lovell, dated Aug. 24, 1818. (15) Brooks Thompson and Henry E. Stokes, Fort Crawford On The Conecuh, Ed Leigh McMillan File. (16) Monthly Returns, August through December, 1817. (17) Clarence E. Carter, Territorial Papers of the United States, Vol. XVIII, p. 93 (Hereafter called Territorial Papers) Letter of J .M. Davis, Asst. Insp. Gen. to Col. Arthur P. Haynes, Insp. Gen. (18) Territorial Papers, Vol. XVIII, p. 76. (19) Heitman (20) M.T.F., AAMPO, Letter of Gaines to Gray dated March 18, 1817. (21) Territorial Papers, Vol. XVIII, p. 75. Letter of Gaines to Sec. War. (22) Robert L. Scribner, A Short History of Brewton, Brewton Standard. 1971. (23) Military Affaics Papers, Defeat of the Seminole Indians p.683, pub. Washington, Gales & Seaton 1832-61. (Hereafter called A.S.P., M.A. for American State Papers, Military Affairs.) (24) This tradition was told to the writer by James P. Jernigan, a descendant of Ben Journigan (Jernigan) one of the earliest Ft. Crawford settlers. 37 (25) Territorial Papers Vol. XVIII, pp. 92-93. (26) Interview with Herman Jordan, a descendant of Joshua Jordan on Jan. 4, 1972. H. Jordan was 78 years of age. (27) Heitman (28) Same as No. 20, also in A.S.P.,M.A., p. 706 Letter of Masot to Andrew Jackson. (29) M.T.F., AAMPO, Letter to Gaines to Jackson dated May 27, 1816. (30) Ibid, Letter of Gaines to Jackson dated June 1, 1817. (31) Letter from Geo. Vashon to Gaines dated July 1, 1817, Ed Leigh McMillan File. (32) M.T.F., AAMPO, Letter of Gaines to Jackson dated July 10, 1817. (33) Territorial Papers Vol. XVIII, pp. 139-140. (34) M.T.F., AAMPO, Letter of Gaines to Jackson dated Oct. 23, 1817. (35) Ibid. Letter of A.J. Booge to Col. Robert Butler dated Nov. 25, 1817. (36) A.S.P., M.A., Defeat of the Seminole Indians p. 685. (37) Ibid. Letter of Gaines to Jackson dated Nov. 9, 1817. Also letter of Gaines to Sec. War, on same date, same page. (38) Ibid, p. 686, Letter of Gaines to Jackson, dated Nov. 21, 1817. (39) Ibid. (40) Scribner; also M.T.F., AAMPO; also Gov. Bibb's address to the Territorial Legislature, March 14, 1818, in Niles Register. (41) A.S.P.,M.A., p. 690, Letter of J.C. Calhoun to Gen. Jackson dated Dec. 26, 1817. (42) M.T.F., AAMPO, Letter of W.A. Trimble, dated Jan. 15, 1818. (43) A.S.P., M.A., pp. 698-699, Letter of Jackson to Calhoun, dated March 25,1818. 38 (44) Ibid, p. 699 (45) Ibid (46) Ibid (47) Annals of Congress 1818-19, Vol. 33, column 1847. (48) A.S.P.. M.A. p. 707, Letter of Masot to Youngs, dated April 27, 1818. (49) R.G. 94, Records of Adjutant General's Office 1780-1917, A.G.O. of National Archives, Letter of Youngs to Col. Wm. King, dated June 16, 1818. (50) A.S.P.M.A., p. 707, Letter of Masot to Youngs, dated April 30, 1818. (51) Ibid (52) Territorial Papers Vol. XVIII, pp. 319-320. (53) Niles Register, Indian Wars P. 270. There are conflicting dates given but Bibb and Youngs give the date as the 25th of May, 1818. (54) Territorial Papers, Vol. XVIII pp. 325-326, Letter of Calhoun to Bibb dated May 13,1818. (55) Territorial Papers, Vol. XVIII, pp. 331-333. (56) Annals of Congress, Vol. 34 column 2207. (Vol. 33 appeared to be divided into two volumes, numbered 33 and 34.) (57) R.G. 94, Records of the Adj. General's Office 1780's-1917, A.G.O. Letters Received Maj. Youngs, National Archives, Washington, D.C., charges and Specifications by Brevet Maj. White Youngs against Capt. Wright and Lieut. Eddy. (58) Territorial Papers Vol. XVIII, p. 318, Letter of Gov. Bibb to Sec. of War. dated April 30, 1818. (59) Report by Youngs to President and Gentlemen of the Court written May 7, 1819 in record of court martial proceedings. He specifically mentions 39 McArthur, McComb, Blackstone and other writers on martial and civil law. (60) Ibid (61) American State Papers, Naval Affairs. Vol. I, p.310, and General Navy Register, p. 709. (62) Heitman, p. 1068 (column). (63) R.G. 94, A.G.O., Navy and Old Army Branch, Military Archives Division, Washington, D.C. Also two letters of Youngs to Maj. Glassell written at Ft. Crawford on Aug. 23 and Aug. 24, 1818. (64) Fort Crawford on the Conecuh, by Thompson and Stokes, Footnote No. 41,states there was a Monthly Return for Ft. Crawford on January 1819 but the writer believes the date should be Jan. 1818 as no 1819 Returns were found. McWillan Files. (65) R.G. 94, A.G.O. Letters Received Maj. White Youngs. (66) Ibid. Record of Court Martial of Maj. White Youngs. (67) Ibid (68) Ibid (69) Ibid (70) Ibid. Charges and Specifications preferred by Maj. Youngs against Lt. Farly Eddy of the 8th Reg. U.S. Infantry. (71) Records of U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Eastern States Office, Silver Springs, Maryland. (72) Territorial Papers, Vol. XVIII pp. 788 and 420. (73) Brewton Historical Series, Brewton Standard, Nov. 25, 1971. (74) Tradition related to the writer by James P. Jernigan, a descendant of Ben Journigan (Jernigan). (75) Letter to Mrs. Marie B. Owen, Director, Dept. of Archives and History, 40 Montgomery, Alabama from P.O. Harris, Adj. Gen. written October 6, 1921. Also a letter to Mr. Ed Leigh McMillan from William Ledford reporting a record in the Archives of the Adjutant General Office in Washington which states Ft. Crawford was named for a Second Lieut. Crawford. (76) Letter of Capt. Charles Crawford to his cousin, Rev. William Crawford of Louis, Va., dated July 22, 1813. Original in Georgia Archives, Atlanta, Ga. (77) Records on Joel Crawford in Military Service Records, National Archives (G.S.A.), Washington, D.C. (78) Related to the writer by Mr. Herman Jordan, a grandson of Joshua Jordan who, in 1875, owned the land on which the Ft. Crawford Cemetery is situated. (79) Peoples and Places of Conecuh County 1816-1860. Also, Carter, Florida Territory, Territorial Papers, Vol. XXIII, p. 980. (80) By Rev. L.M. Skelton, published in a Brewton paper, date unknown, copy in the Alabama Archives. One of the two springs from which the soliders obtained their water supply still flows. 41