Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-01-19


the line, anil attack the Indians within
the Spanish territory, should they still
refuse 10 make reparaton for depreda-
tions already commit,ed-uplcss they
should shelter tbemelves under Spanish
fort, in which case he was directed TO no
tify the department.
Intelligence being received by the war
department of the massacre Of 1t. Scott
and his companions, Gen. Jackson, was
directed, By letter of the goth December,
1877, 10 repair to Fort Scott, and take
command of the forces in that quarter
with authority, in case he should deem
II necessary, to call upon the executives
OF file adjacent states for such additional
force as he should deem requisite in
which he was referred TO the previous or
,lers given to Gen. Gaines. and directed
10 concentrate his forces, and adopt the
measures necessary totermina,e a conflict,
which had been avoided from consider;,-
tious oil humanity, but which had now
become indispensable, from the settled
hostility OF the savage enemy. In Janua
ry following, the secretary Of war, in
letterto Gen. Gaines, says The honor
OF The United States requires, that the
war with the Semuoles should be termi-
mated speedily, and with exemplary pu-
nlslment for hostiliiies so unprOvoked."
Under these orders, and i'll this critical
state of sfiairs, Gen. Jackson, with that
zeal and promptness which have ever
marked his career, repaired TO the LOS
assigned, and assumed the command.
The necessity of crossing the ne into
Florida, was no Iongera subject OF doubt.
A large force of Indians and negroes was
making that territory theirrefuge, and the
Spanish authority was either too weak or
too Indifferent 10 restrain them and TO
comply. with orders given him from the
department OF war, he penetrated imne
dlately into the Seminole towns, driving
the enemy before him, and reduced them
to ashes. In the council house of the
king of the Mickasukians, more than so
fresh scaips, and i'll an adjacent house up.
wards OF 800 old scalps, of all ages and
sexes, were found and in the centre of
the public square red pole was erected,
crowned with scalps, known by the hair
10 have belonged 10 the companions of
Ii. Scott.
To intlict merited punishment upon
these barbarians, and 10 prevent repe-
luton ei these massacres, by bringing the
war to a speedy and successful termina-
Ton, pursued his march to ST. Marks,
when he found, in confederation of pre-
ylous information, that the Indians and
negroes had demanded the surrender of
that post 10 them and that the Spanish
garrison, according to the commandments
own concession, was too weak TO support
IT. Here he ascertaned that the enemy
had been supplied with The means of car
rying OH The war, from The commandment
OF the post; that foreign incendiaries, IN
stIsailng the savages, had free commune
Gallon with the fort for carrying on their
inlrjgues; councils of war were permitted
by the commandant TO be held by the
chiefs aud warriors within his own quar-
ters; the SpanislI store houses were APP
prOprlated fn the use of the hostile party,
and actually filled with goods belonging to
them; munitions Of war were furnished
them, and property, known TO have been
plindered from our citizens, purchased
from them by the commai,dant,> while he
protested friendship 10 The United States.
General Jackson. therefore, had no hest
iation to demand of the commandant of
ST. Marks the surrender OF that post, that
IL might be garrisoned with an American
iorce; and, when The Spanish officer he.
Stated TO deliver II, he entered the fort
by force, though without bloOdshed, the
enemy having fled, and the garrison be-
ing too weak 10 make opposition. Con-
vInced OF the necessity of rapid move
menis, III order 10 the ultimate success
lie Immediately marched his forces TO SUI
waney, seized upon The stores of the enc
| my, and burnt their villages:
Having Illus far effected his object,
Gen. Jackson considered the war at an
end. ST. Marks being garrisoned by an
American force; the indian towns a,
Mickasuhy aud Suwany destroyed; the
iwoindlan chiefs, who had been the prime
movers and leaders OF the savages, one
OF whom had commanded the party that
! murdered 1t. Scott and his companions,
and The two principal foreign nstigators,
Arbu,hnot and Ambrister, being taken
and executed, Gen. Jackson ordered tie
Georgia militia 10 be discharged, and was
preparing himself Ia return 10 Tennes-
see. But he soon learned that The In
dams aud negroes were collecting lis com
panics west of The Appalachicola, which
would render ii necessary for him TO
send d detachment TO Scour the country
in That quarter. While preparing for this
object, he learned, that the Indians were
| admitted bN the governor of Pensacola.
and enjoyed free access Ia that town;
that they were collecting in large mum
bers, 500 being in Pensacola, on The 10Th
Oi April, many Of whom were known 10
be hostile, aud bad just escaped from the
pursuit of our troops that the enemy
were furnished with ammunition and sup
plies, and received intelligence of The
movements of our forces, from thai place
That a number of them sallied ont, and
| murdered Is of our ciiizcns. settlers up-
on The Alabama, aud were Immediately
received by the governor, and by him
transported across the bay, that they
might elude the pursuit.
These facts being asceriained by Gen.