Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-11-10
The WAR IN FLORIDA.-The National In


telligencer of this day contains, or at least is
promised to contain "a bong communication
from an officer of the Tennessee Brigade,
giving detailed account of the movements
of that corps, from its arrival in Florida to
the period of Gov. Calls abortivc advance to
the Wythlacoochie." This document we
shall probably lay before our readers at an
early day. In the meantime we copy from
the Intelligencer short communication on
this subject, which corresponds exactly in
sentiment with the remarks we took occasion
to make on Thursday.
"The failure Of Governor Calls expedition
! in Florida involves n responsibility somc-
where, which should be the subject Of inqui-
~ by the country. After the abuse which
has been heaped on General Scott for his
failure, as it was termed, and the premature
disgrace in which it is attempted to involve
him by his recall, and the inquiry pending
over him, what apology can be offered tor the
failure of the present campaign? 1t must be
recollected that the authorities OF the coun-
try had all the benefit of the information OBJ
tanned by the last years campaign. They
knew the points at which it would be neces-
sary to place the supplies required to carry
on the war; they knew the country bordering
on the Wythlacoochee, the point at which
the enemy would be found, his stronghold,
the absence of all resource in Florida; and
yet with all these lights, the campaign has
been undertaken without preparation. We
see that Col. Pierce has been appointed
quartermaster general, and sent to Savannah
for supplies, and an officer of General Calls
staff is now on his way to Philadelphia for
the same purpose, and this at time when
the season is advancing, Will it be believed,
after all the complaints against the army and
the generals, and after all The experience Of
the last campaign, that the supplies of am
munition, forage, and provisions are yet to be
sent to Florida? Well may the country CON-
plain, and well may the people Of Florida
complain that their interests and lives are dis
regarded, when such renissness prevails in
the functionaries at Washington"
From statement which we published yes
terday, it seems that an effort was made to
convey the requisite supplies, by steamboat
up the Wythlacoochie, but failed in conse-
quence OF q disaster TO the bout-the Gen.
lizard. This fact removes the blame, to some
extent, from the shoulders Of the war depart
ment. But why did Gov. Call make his ad-
vance before he knew that the supplies had
reached the point where they we're needed?
And how is the disaster Of the steamboat TO
be accounted for? There must have been
gross negligence, somewhere; and that neg
ligence must be investigated.-[M Y. Com.
1t is but justice to remark that the Nat.
Intelligencer of subsequent date, corrects
its foregoing statement--"that supplies Of
ammunition, forage, and provisions are yet to
be sent to Florida" 1t is due, il says, to the
vigilant officer at the head of the Subsistence
Department, TO state, 'rhat there was placed
in depot on the east side of Florida, on the
st. Johns, and at other points, as early rs the
month of September, not less than six hun
dred thousand rations, and on the west side
of the peninsulas at Tampa Bay, on the Su-
wannee, and other points, three hundred
thousand rotions." These large depots Of
supplies were placed at the disposition of
Gen. Call, and he officially notified Of it, so
that no censnre can attach to the Subsiste nee
Department, whatever may be thought Of
the talents or proceedings Of Gen. Call.
The Inteligencer states that an express
started from Washington on Friday morning,
to relieve Gov. Call from the command Of the
army, and assign it to Gen. Jessup. The
cause OF this movement is not stated.