Wayne reports a battle between Col. Posey\u27s battalion and a large number of Creek Indians who had combined forces with the British Army to conduct a surprise attack. The battalion held its own, and won several British trophies, mostly horses, but did lose a number of men in Cavalry, Infantry, and Artillery.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/skipwith/1022/thumbnail.jp

Greene, Nathanael

Wayne, Anthony

English

eGrove (Univ. of Mississippi)

Anthony Wayne to Nathanael Greene (24 June 1782): Transcript.  Sharon, 24th June, 1782   Dear Sir:   The advance of a large body of Greek Indians, headed by a number of their most celebrated chiefs, and warriors, and a British Officer, was announced at half after one o'clock this morning by a most furious attack upon Lieut. Col Q Posey's light Company, placed for the protection of two field pieces, a little in the rear of his Battallion. Their onset was impetuous, and their numbers so superior, as to cause that little gallant corps to fall back a few paces, which put the enemy for a few moments in possession of that artillery, but immediately rallying under the Conduct of Captain Parker, and Captain Gun arriving at that period with his troop of Dragoons, I ordered the two Companies to advance to the charge, which they did through a most tremendous fire of small arms, accompanied by a hideous yell from almost every direction. [Col?] Posey and Major Finley hearing the fire came up about the same time, and charged the Indians in flank. The whole was performed with such ir(re)sistible fortitude, as soon to terminate in the total route of the Savages, who did not betray want of prowess on this occasion, but met our charges with that ferocity for which they are famous - at the first onset, not a little heightened by their temporary success. They found an assylum in the pipemaker's swamp situated about 200 yards on our left flank, into which they dispersed with precipitation. Fourteen Indians and two white men were left dead. Among the former were several chiefs, and the famous EMISTRESEGO, our greatest enemy, and principal warrior of the Creek Mation. Their proportion of wounded must be considerable, as the bravery of the Indians, fighting hand to hand, gave an opening for the free use of the sword and bayonet.   As I had every reason to expect a combined operation by an attack from the British, we formed to receive them, making a disposition at the same time to prevent a junction with their savage allies, for which purpose Col Posey with part of his Battallion advanced to a position near the enemy's lines, when he pried their pickets and produced a conviction to them that we were at once in the possession of the field of action, and in a condition to profit from events. A little after sunrise we formed a junction of the whole, v/hen the enemy showing a disposition to advance, caused some Indians (Captured by Posey) to experience the bayonet, to free us from incumbrance. The British, after sustaining some loss, were driven back to their works by a small detachment of Infantry and Cavalry, but notwithstanding every precaution to prevent it, part of the savages found their way into Savannah under cover of the swamp already mentioned.   Our trophies are a British Standard, One Hundred and Seven horses with a number of packs - and more are hourly bringing in.   It's not in the power of language to do justice to the Military virtues of the little Corps that I have the honor to Command Numbers may prevail against them, but I will be answerable they will never be disgraced. I shall not attempt to particularize the officers who have distinguished themselves on this occasion, as in that case justice would induce me to mention every Gentleman in my own family; in the Cavalry, Infantry, and Artillery.   Inclosed is a return of our killed and wounded.   I have the honor to be  Your most Ob(edien}t and resp(ectful) Hum(ble) Servant  Ant(hony) Wayne    His Honor Major Genl Greene 

Anthony Wayne to Nathanael Greene (24 June 1782)

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Anthony Wayne to Nathanael Greene (24 June 1782)

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eGrove (Univ. of Mississippi)