The Creeks and Seminoles, living within the limits of Florida, began a series of outrages against the white settlements at the opening of the War of 1812. Numerous runaway slaves took refuge in the swamps and morasses where they were welcomed by the Indians and were safe against pursuit and recovery by their former masters. These negroes intermarried with the Indians and the mongrel population was of the most degraded character. Their forays became so harassing, that the militia of the Southwest were called out, and marched against the savages. A large number of the inhabitants fled to Fort Mimms, a stockade on Lake Tonsas, Alabama. Knowing the peril to which these refugees were exposed, Governor Claiborne sent one hundred and seventy-five volunteers to its defence, and placed them under the command of Major Beasley. In his anxiety the governor visited the fort, and tried to impress Beasley with the imminence of the danger to which all were exposed. "I look upon it as almost certain you will be attacked; Weatherford is one of the most daring leaders the Indians have ever had; his spies are watching you at this moment, as they have been doing from the first; nothing that you can do will escape him; if you give him the first encouragement, he will massacre everyone of you." The officer assured the governor that he would be vigilant, but the fear of the executive was not removed. Fort Early was the farthest advanced in the Indian country, and he went thither with his escort to impress the same watchfulness upon the garrison there. While on the road, he wrote a letter to Major Beasley, warning him again of his peril, and reminding him that the life of every one of the women and children who had fled to the post was in his keeping.