War of 1812
The War with Britain was different in the southern region of the country. Britain allied with Creek and other Native American tribes to fight the Americans in what was known as the ‘Red Stick War’ in 1813. The final chapter of the war was the ‘Battle of New Orleans’ fought near the mouth of the Mississippi when British and colonial militia from Jamaica landed and were defeated by Louisiana militia led by Andrew Jackson.
Thomas Neely … Corporal, 7th Regiment (Perkin’s Battalion), Mississippi Militia.
Major John Bowie . . . adjutant in Colonel Nixon’s regiment of Mississippi Volunteers. On April l4, l8l4, he was ordered to Pierce’s Stockade. Oct l, l8l4, he was promoted to major in Hind’s battalion of cavalry, and mustered out of service in l8l5. He is said to have participated in the Battle of New Orleans.
Colonel James Richard Fletcher … was commissioned as a Captain on October 3, 1814. After the war, lands were ceded from the Creek Indians for their support of the British. Much of those lands made up the original Henry County. James was promoted to Colonel of the 42nd Militia Regiment by Georgia Governor William Rabun on October 12, 1819. He was assigned to survey the boundaries of Henry County “by horseback”. Surveyors were paid either $3.50 or $2.50 per mile surveyed depending upon their duties out of which all expenses incurred had to be paid. In 1822 James Fletcher was appointed to
the important county office as the first Sheriff. In 1823 he purchased a lot in Square C of the city of McDonough. He is indentified as Sheriff in several original documents in the possession of his descendants. Sheriff Fletcher died suddenly in 1827 and his grave is reported to be in an old cemetery in the Riverdale area. It is believed that he died from the rapid onset of a disease.
Colonel Thomas Cargill Warner … as judge, Thomas Warner also served as colonel of the militia of Washington Parish. In 1814-15 he commanded the 13th & 14th Regiments of Lousiana Volunteers at the siege and Battle of New Orleans. Andrew Jackson stayed with the Warners on his way down to New Orleans. It is said that Col. Warner and Col. Daniel Edwards had their portrait painted with Gen. Jackson, but it was last lost or sold.
Thomas Gatlin … Florida Infantry.
Nathaniel Richbourg
Nathaniel and his son Rene, along with a slave, died Aug 30, 1813 in the massacre at Fort Mims, Alabama Territory. Another son, Wade, survived.