At the start of the Civil War, Dent was a 1st lieutenant of the Eufaula Rifles, which became Company B of the 1st Alabama Infantry; he was eventually promoted to captain and commanded Dent's Battery (formerly Robertson's Battery). In the letter...
In the letter Johnstone describes the citizens' negative reaction to the Stamp Act and their subsequent hostility toward him. He writes to defend himself against allegations of misconduct from several of his colleagues: "It may perhaps be alleged,...
The act enables local authorities to decide when to limit the sale of alcoholic beverages to Indians, in order to protect the colonists and preserve peaceful relations with local tribes: "Whereas frequent Tumults and Disturbances have happened by...
In the letter Toulmin briefly mentions plans to establish a salt works nearby, and then he criticizes Caller's recent efforts to prevent the division of the Mississippi Territory before statehood: "That the whole Mississippi Territory never will be...
In this account Margaret Ervin Austill discusses her family's move from Georgia to Alabama; life on the frontier; and relations with the Indians. In particular she describes local reaction to the fall of Fort Mims in 1813: "Every heart became...
In the letter Lee explains that he has been very ill and that he hopes to travel "below Mobile with intention of a restoration of health." He cannot afford the trip, however, so he asks Caller to lend him some money: "I cannot get the necessaries I...
In the letters Hamilton asks for Caller's assistance in a murder trial of "a Mrs Cabbet who is charged with poisoning of her Husband." Testimony collected early in the case "is charged as a forgery," so he asks Caller to have statements "taken...
In the letter Bedell explains that several armed Indians have been seen in the area, causing "a general state of alarm." He urges Caller to provide military assistance, so the inhabitants will not have to abandon their crops and property: "Would it...
In the letter Claiborne explains that Caller's son, Robert, has been selected to serve in the military "and to draw for money for the purpose of recruiting." Because Robert has not answered the order, the captain who issued it assumes that he...
In the letter Lee explains his plans to travel toward Natchitoches, Louisiana, "in order to try my fortune there." He needs money before leaving, however, so he asks Caller to help him get credit so he can borrow: "I am prepared only on the...
In the letter Dr. Smith discusses the fall of Fort Mims and a battle led by General Claiborne against the Creek Indians at Holy Ground. Though the letter is dated 1813, it was probably written in 1814: he says that the fight took place on December...
In the letter Toulmin discusses an uprising of Creek Indians in Pensacola, Florida. According to reports, they even plan to assassinate several of their own chiefs: "This will effect a compleat [sic] revolution in the government, and the patriots...
James was a Scotsman living in the Choctaw nation in Noxubee County, Mississippi. In the letter he complains that Creek warriors have recently stolen horses from settlers: "I want you to put a stop to it as we want to keep in friendship." He...
In the letter Dale discusses several scouting expeditions he has made recently, and he reports that "I am under a full belief there is no Indians of the disaffected in this quarter." He then asks about the future of the fort he established in...
In the first letter, written to Parker, Parkin discusses the growth of the Alabama Territory and its pending statehood: "We are so completely at the jumping off place of this world that we have nothing passing here that can interest any one at a...
In the letter Coffee and Bright explain that Clemens and Keys of Mooresville is responsible for removing a bridge at Cotton Port: "That bridge had been built by the Cottonport Company for which they paid $1650 and esteemed it as a very valuable...
The men were charged with abetting Samuel Nixon "in committing, a mayhem, by biting off a small part of one James A Moors left Ear." They were fined and sentenced to stand at the pillory. But the signers of the petition argue that they are...
Citizens of the county had asked the governor to excuse Lowry from the remaining part of his punishment: "That he is poor, appears penitent - and that...so far as example or reformation may be considered the objects of punishment, these have...had...
In the letter Murphy mentions that Lewis has not replied to recent correspondence regarding his appointment to the Georgia-Alabama Survey Commission. Murphy sends this message by an express messenger ("It would not be proper to abandon a matter of...