Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-12-17
SEMINOLE WAR.
Official Documents transmitted by the Presi.
dent to Congress.

| var Impairment. U
Head Quarters, FL. Scott, Geo.
December I'd, 1917.
SIR had the honor 10 receive. on
| The Goth ultimo, your communication Of
the 3Oih October.
| am very happy to find that the Presi-
dent approves of my movement, but
much regret that his just expectations, as
to The effect there WAS reason to believe
would be produced on the minds of the
lnGlans by This movement, have not been
realized. lam HOW quite convinced that
HE hostility of these Indians is, and has
long since been, of so deep character
"a To leave no ground 10 calculate upon
tranquility cor the future security Of on.
frontier settlements, uniiltlie towns south
and east OF tins place shall receive sig
nal proof Of our ability and Willingness 10
retaliate1or every outrage. II is nowmy
painful duty TO report an affair of 4 more
serious and decisivens,ure, than has here
iofore occurred, and which leaves nodoubt
OF the necessity Of an ia,mediate applica
hon OF force, aud active measures on our
part. A 'arge party of Seminole Indians
on the 30,h uli. formed an ambuscade
upon The Appalachicola river, mile be-
low the junction of the Flint and Chaia-
houchie, attacked one of our boats ascend
ing near the shore, and killed, wounded
| and took the greater part of the deiach-
ment, consisting of 40 men, commanded
! by 1t. X. w. Scott, of the 9Th infantry.
I There were also on board, killed or taken,
z women, the wives Of soldiers. Six men
of the detachment only. escaped, four of
whom were wounded. They report that
the strength of the current at the point
| of attack had obliged The Ieutenaui to
keep his boat near The shore; that the
| Indians had formed along the bank Of
the river, and were not discovered until
| their fire had commenced in the first
voiley of which 1t. Scott and his most
valuable men fell.
The lieutenant and his party had been
| sent from this place some days before 10
assist Mai. mublenburg in ascending the
river with three vessels laden with mill
tary stores brought from Montgomery
and Mobile. Tie major, instead of re-
tanning the party To assist him, As had
advised, (see the enclosure No. 81 retaH-
ed only about 30 men, and i'm their place
put a like number OF sick, with the wo-
men, and some regimental clothing. The
boat, thus laden, WAS detached alone for
this place. tits due 10 Mai. MuhIenburg
| 10 observe, that at the time he detached
| the boat, have reason 10 believe he was
| not apprized OF any recent hosti!ities ba-
wing taken place IN his quarter. II ap-
pears, however, from IT. SCOTS letter,
| received about the hour in which he was
attacked, Enclosure No. 81 that he had
been warned Of the danger. Upon the
receipt of this letter, had two boats fiji
ted up with covers and port holes for de-
fence, and detached Capt. Clinch, with
all officer and 40 men, with an order 10
secure the movement of It. Scott, and
| then 10 assist Mai. Muhenburg.
This detachment embarked late in the
evening OF the 3Oth, and must have pass
ed the scene of action below, al night,
snd some hours after The affair terminal
ed. have not vel heard from Captain
| CHDch. l shall immediately strengthen
the detachment under Mai. Muhlenburg
with anolher boat, secured against HE
enemys fire. He will therefore move up
with safety, keeping near The middle OF
| the river. | shall moreover take posi-
| lion, with my principal force, al the June
| ton Of the river, near the line, aud shall
| attack any vessel that may attempt 10
| intercept oUr vessel and supplies below,
| as feel persuaded The order OF the PTesi
dent, prohlblilng an attack upon the ln-
dams below The line, has reference only
TO the past, and not 10 the present or flu
ture Outrages, such as the one just now
perpetraied, and such rs shall place our
troops strictly within tie pale of natural
las where seli-delenceis sanctioned by the
privilege oiseli preservation. The wound
ed men who made their escape, concur in
The opinion that they had seen upwards of
500hosiie Indian warriors, at different pla-
| ces below the point of attack. Ofthe force
engaged they differ in opinion; but all
agree that the number was very conside-
| rable, extending about $50 yards along
The sh0 e, IN The edge Ola swamp or thick
woods. am assured by the friendly
Chief, that tile hostile warriors of every
tOwnnpOn the Charlottesville prepared ca
noes, and pushed of down the river 10
JON the Scmlnoies ,as soon as the account
OF NY movement from ihe Alabama
reached them.
lie Indians now remaining upon The
ChaiahOuchie, ] have reason 10 believe.
are well disposed. One of The new set
Hers, however, has recently been killed,
but It has been clearly proved That tie
murderer had belonged to the hostile
party. The friendly chiefs in the neigh
bOrhOod, when appTized of the murder.
| assembled a party, aud sent in pursuit Of
! ihe offender, and followed him TO Flint
river, ON the route TO Mickasukee. with
or I've escaped. Onislaj0, and several
other friendly chiefs, have offered me
their services, with their warriors, TO 90
against tie Seminoles. have promised
TO give them notice Of the time that NAV
he fixed for my departure, and ilen TO
accept their services. The EN-. losure,
| No. !, contains the substance of what /
have said to lie chiefs who have visited
NE; several of whom reside south Of the
Spanish Inc, and west of Appalacllicola
river. II was expected by The chiefs that
should communicate TO them nv views
and aishes. | felt authorispd In s.,,, Inn