Gazette Of The United States

CHARLESTON, (S. C.) May 10.

Yesterday evening a gentleman arrived here from Augusta, in Georgia, who informs us that six of the Creek towns, with a number of Cherokees, had declared war against the United States, and were actually marching under the command of Bowles and Galphin, to attack the frontiers.

An Augusta paper contains the following intelligence:

AUGUSTA, May 4

We have it now in our power, from the best authority, to give the following melancholy particulars to the public, attending the murder of the family on the Oconee river, on the 22d ultimo.

The Indians, 37 in number, came to the house of a Mr. Richard Thresher, and fired upon and killed Mr. Thresher, two children and a negro woman; Mrs. Thresher to avoid, if possible, the fate with which she was threatened, fled, with an infant of about 5 or 6 weeks old in her arms, and leaped into the river--the Indians pursued, shot her through each thigh and right breast, stabbed her in the left breast with a knife, cut her left arm nearly off, and then scalped her. In this horrid situation she remained until the neighbours could assemble in sufficient numbers to cross the river and pursue the Indians. As the first canoe was crossing she had strength enough to call for assistance, they went, found her hanging by a bush in water nearly up to the chin, her infant at the bottom of the river a few yards from her--she lived nearly 24 hours, and when informed by her physician that it was impossible for her to survive much longer, she with a fortitude, that is rarely to be met with, called her friends around her, and in a calm but pathetic manner, gave her hand to each one, wishing them a better fate than had befallen herself and family; and when after her speech failed, as neighbours were constantly coming in, she continued to give her hand, until about five minutes before she resigned her breath, which was without a groan. Mrs. Thresher was about 25 years of age, of a respectable family, an elegant person, and possessed an uncommon education.

On Thursday the 24th ult. two men were killed in Franklin, 40 horses carried off; and since the accounts published in our last, all the inhabitants on the frontiers have retreated into forts, without arms or ammunition. At one meeting of near 40 persons, they could only muster five old muskets: to heighten the horror of their condition, the Indians were momently expected.

As similar murders are daily committed, it called upon the spirit of 80 gallant fellows, who marched last week against the savages, determined to revenge the cruelties perpetrated on the infant, the mother, and the defenceless.