Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-02-04
MELANCHOLY PARTICULARS OF
THE LATE MASSACRE

/ Letters received from New Orleans from
officers at Tampa Bay furnish many painful
details of the distressing calamity wi, ch be-
fel cur brave troops in the Seminole country.
1t appears that the iamented Captain Uarde-
ner, of the I'd artillery, had his wife with him
mt Tampa Bay when the expedition was pro-
jected. She was in declining state of health;
and it was believed would not survive his de.
paltdie from her. Nevertheless, this gallant
officer having been appointed to command
the detachment, deemed it his duty to obey
orders and mounted his horse as the compa-
nies were about to march.
Mai. Ddde at this moment made a propo-
siion to the commanding officer to take Capt.
G's. place on account Of the situation of his
wife. The proposition was accepted and the
Command commenced its march. Before
they had proceeded many miles Capt. G. as
certained that the u. S. schooner Motto was
about to sail for Key West, for the purpose
bf bringing two tweve-pounders from that
post, ammunition. SC. His children with
their grandfather were already there, and he
Concluded to seld Mrs G to Key West in the
Motto, and thus crafty his earnest desire to
~ with his company: Hc did so, and over
taking the troops, placed himself under the
command Of Mai. Dade. His fond and faith
ful dog alone succeeded in escaping, who re-
turned TO Tampa bay three days after the
buttle.
A letter from Lieut.. Grayson says;
"Thc woods were lined with mounted war
fiors; who coihmehced the attack at 3 O'clock
fought one hour, then retired to replenisl
their ammunition, and renewed the attack
During the interval Capt Gardener cut down
trees and made breast work, placed fresh
men at the twelve FOUNDER, but the Indians
picked them off, just as fast AS the posts were
supplied. When the soldier Lett the ground
he Says that there were not more than teii
men, and some of them wounded. Major
Mountiort and myself were to have left to-
morrow morning for Fort King, and we
should doubtless have shared the same fate,
. but the commanding officer, Capt Beton. has
decided to strengthen his position by keeping
us. We are very strong behind picket, but
our anuiunition is, virtually speaking, nothing
and some Of tile hostile Warriors are known
to have so kegs of rifle powder. That we
shall be attacked is considered almost certain:
The attack was evidently a preconcerted
one, for the Indians were mostly naked dnd
painted. The inhabitants of the whole sur
rounding country are within the pickets, and
large body of friendly Indians are located
on the opposite shore of the river, with all
their boats ready to move off if an attack is
made. Poor Mrs Bassinger Is with Mr. HIS
kill, and is nearly beside herself; the death of
her husband has not yet been communicated
to her. lie was shot through the breast and
tried to escape, but was overtaken and touia-
hawked by runaway negroes, who were over
jpyed at the opportunity for revenge upon
the whites"
Another letter states that the Mickazukies
and unfriendly Semnoles mainly constituted
the oody of the attacking tribes. 1t is feared
that the Creeks have joined them.