John N. Reeves Military Service, Gwinnett County-1836
Period of Service
1st Lieutenant, Gwinnett County, December 5, 1832 – June 18, 1836
1st Lieutenant, Gwinnett County, May 31, 1836 – October 24, 1836
Correspondence with Governor of Georgia
Camp Georgia
19th June 1836
To His Excellency Wm. Schly
Dr. Sir
It becomes my duty as first in command of my command to report to you the present disorganized State of my company and await Your order
When mustered into Service the company consisting of 76 men including officers – one has been elected Lieutenant Colonel – one has been appointed adjutant we had Eight men Killed at Shepherds plantation – four wounded one of whom is now fit for service – the captain & two privates yet unfit for service We are now 63 men in the company fit for service including officers
We have 36 horses
35 Saddles
36 Bridles
17 pair of Saddle Bags
Many our of men have lost their Clothing & Blankets a part of these things were lost at the Battle on Shepherds Plantation and part of the Horses were lost at the Battle at Fort Jones on last Thursday
We now await the order of Your Excellency
John N Reeves 1st Lieut
of the Gwinnett mounted men
Note: This service was during the Creek War of 1836. Captain Hammond Garmany’s Georgia Militia Company from Gwinnett County was mustered and sent to Stewart County to defend the settlements. The Battle of Shepherd’s Plantation in Florence, GA was fought June 9, 1836, between the Georgia Militia and an attacking party of Creek warriors. Captain Garmany had divided his force several times, sending some to Fort McCreary and others to scout. Not knowing how closely they were being watched, Garmany’s unit was at its weakest point and highly susceptible to attack.
Garmany's soldiers were sitting down for dinner on the afternoon of June 9, 1836, when they heard shots in the distance. Thinking that it was another local militia company, they went to investigate, falling into a trap set by the Creeks. Overwhelmed, Garmany retreated as more Creek warriors joined the fight. The company fell back to the plantation and took up defensive positions and close fighting ensued. Disaster was avoided only after reinforcements arrived from Fort Jones. The Battle of Shepherd’s Plantation was the most aggressive Creek attack of the war, but soon thereafter the tide turned against them. Garmany was shot in the thigh and eight men of the company were killed