The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

SAVANNAH (Georgia) March 20.

Extract of a letter from Col. James Maxwell to Brigadier General Jackson, dated 16th March.

"On the 6th inst. Capt. Sterling, of the regiment, received intelligence of a party of Indians collecting stock over the river Altamaha, whereupon he ordered five picked horsemen, well mounted to cross the river. They lay that night at the evacuated fort called William's and on Saturday morning proceeded up the south side of the river, and at Phinholloway creek found their track, which they followed, and about two o'clock came up with them, twelve in number, with seventeen head of cattle and a drove of hogs. The white party immediately charged, and drove the Indians for a considerable distance, until they gained a bay, where they resolutely faced about, and, finding the small number of whites, entered into a spirited action which continued for some time, during which two of the Indians were killed; but the superiority of numbers obliged the white party to retreat, after having one of their horses killed, another so wounded as to be of little service, one of the men wounded through the hand, and another slightly in the neck. I make no doubt but they will leave the stock and make off, as this is the first check they have had in this part."

The names of the five brave men who fought so superior a number, almost three to one, and who would certainly have destroyed the Indian party but for the swamp, are, Green, Harvey, King, Waggoner and Corker; Green was slightly wounded in the neck, Harvey rendered unfit for action by a shot in the hand, King's horse was wounded, Waggoner's horse was killed on the spot, and his rifle almost choaked the first fire, and Corker lost his only flint in the action, yet with all those disadvantages, they made a safe and secure retreat. Waggoner a poor man, lost his horse, bridle, saddle and blanket. I hope his country will make him whole. Captain Lewis, whose corps is very valuable, has scouted as far as Ohoopie without finding a sign. Most of the settlers on the frontiers have removed to their plantations. A white man was with the party, but kept aloof during the action.

Extract from Brigade orders, dated March 18th, 1788.

"The General requests Colonel Maxwell to present his warmest thanks to Green, Harvey, King, Waggoner and Corker, the five brave men of his regiment, who so gallantly engaged so superior a number of Indians, over the Altamaha, on the 6th instant. and to assure them he will make a point of acquainting his Honour the Governour, and the honourable the Executive, of their conduct. He hopes their example will be followed by every party who are fortunate enough to fall in with our savage enemy."

JOHN LUCAS, Aid de Camp.