Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-08-16
YeesEE ESEEE.
FROM TIE SOUTH-OFFlC!AL.

n;caton from Governor Call 10 the War department,
and the accrn:pa, repn: from the gallant captain
Lee, giving '1cre parl'cnaF Gmc"H':: OF Tue a"'I WIN
the Indians on the 9 June. The lanrned Col! i1eile-
man had promised c,cu!nston':a statement, but
this duty a- dryovsd on ;he officer second in COM
uand-- hn.self dangerously Wounded lie is only
re'0'S's' rs 70 &C '''s 'Ssn'ss us q Ieobe
= TALLAHASSEE, July 81, 1886.
Sir: have the honor herewith 10 enclose copy OF
the otcicia roper: of Captain Lee. relative to the en-
gagempnt with the Indians Micanopy, on the "h
OF June last Captain Lee explains sufficiently the Tea
why this report is row made and why IL was not
made at an earlier period The grl!an, MAJOR Hrlieah
brevet,ed for his conduct on that occasl"n TUT uh
trnately did live receive the ineiigcnce o. ms
acknowledgment of his worth. 1t appears to me- pom
from the report of Major Heileman and Captain Ice,
that the latter Officer and the two surviving
who acted under his orders are equally entitled TO 's
distinction would therefore, respectfully suggest the
p.apriety as well as the Justice of comforting brepets on
Ca pit. Lee Lieut., Humphreys and Lieut. lrlcot Tor me
galan,ry and bravery with WHICH they fought on tina,
occasion. This just reward for their services. "on''
have happy effect the future operations OF the army
cm, sir very respectfully: &C;
r. K. CALL.
Govcrnc. and COMMANDMENTS Chief,
The Hoa. Secretary of War.
FoRr DEfrAScE, Micanopy,}
East Florida, July IL.
SIR:-On the day following the engagement near 'hs
place with the Indians on The yin OF June last, HeJ
Hep:nan nude asty and imperfect report OF the event
to Brigadier- General Euslis, who at that time COM
manded the troops in Florida, in which he merely gave
general outline Of the occurrences OF Tie morning.
s.aing the time, that as the state OF my
wounds would allow to give him sPec!ai account
Of my knowledge OF the affair." he sh"uld make ceta
ed port Of it, based upon the representations OF leu
tenants Whceiock and Humphreys and myself "''l'h
three or four DAYS afterwards, Ma or feiieman was At
tucked with severe illness that terminated IN his dea
which sudden and iamen,ed event has deprived tie ar
nv of one OF its most valuable officers, at time too
when our country could i'll afford to lose the SERVICES OF
such an accomplished aud gallant soldier.
The death Of Major Hcieman devo'res upon me the
duty Of giving you detailed statement of the occurren
ces of the engagement In performing this duty sla
con6ne myself plain relation of facts: leaving It to
you draw such conclusion the circumstances OF the
may seem to warrant
On The morning Of the 9Th June last: about III ciock
the enemy, in large force, having shown himself sbont
three quarters Of mile from plchetng IN an eastery
direction the troops were immeGiate paradrd under
arms, and orders given by Maj Helleman to LII Vince
lock, in command of about % drsgoons aud myself IN
command Of nineteen of company l. 50 artillery, ana
brave volunteer paniser named More BlePck TO make
snrlie and attack him. Being the senior officer, was
directed to take command; and having received Mayor
Heemans final orders, Instructed Lieut. Nheeock IN
what approach and assali tie eneiay. then
proceeded with my immediate command by route con.
ceaed from the observation of the enemy and after
marching about half mile to the right, 10 the point OF
q small hammock the Tuscawlla Lake, unexpect-
eddy found that the opposite extremity ot this hammock
about 300 from position, occupied ny large
body of Indians. Just at this time Lieut. Humphreys,
who had been ordered out by Maj. H. subsequently, TO
my leaving the pickets arrived with detachment ct 20
men, composed Of attachments from companies u and
E of the second regiment of artillery. ! directed him
10 make circuit to the left around the hammock, which
order he promptly obeyed, and had not proceeded more
than $50 yards before he found himself in contact with
the enemy's left.
The dragcoas, led on by their intrepid and gallant
commander, Lieut. Wheeiock, whose untimely death we
have recently been called upon 10 mourn, were now
warmly engugrd with the enemy right, charging on
Ihp, ,ftpr
the indians relreatng before them Having delivered
their first ire they reotc their ground and
fired again, and until the enemy were forced into
the Tuscawla hammock, their strong hold. Meantime
Lieutenant Humphreys gallaliy charged the leil-the
enemy keeping up retreating FIRE. Lieutenant Hum
phreys made several Efforts 10 bring them to close quar-
tiers, but in vain, they having the advantage in celebrity
Of movements As the enemy approached the hammock
in rereating the length Of his front necessarily d.
mnished and, as consequence, the different detach-
ments Of our troops were brought nearer together
Lieutenant Humphreys at this time observed one or Two
attempts to ounank our left which he Us often defeated
by a prompt and judcious movement in that direction.
Having given Lieutenant Humphreys his orders,
proceeded to ente: the hammock, moving in obQne
direction towards the of the enemy The trees be-
ing sparse, and the undergrnwh not sufficiently thick IN
many places TO conceal my men, obliged TO move
with great caution and ceierity. soon found myself
in the enemys ea at the distance of about 100 yards
| continued to niove on until reached the extreme
verge Of the hammock, being at that time about twenty
sary to examine particularly the position ct the
enemy, in order attack him TO the best advantage
therefore crept forward about ten or twelve PAGES upon
small knoll, and found myself in full view of about
fifty Indians, many more being concealed behind the
brow Of small hill the nearest about twenty and The
furthes about seventy yards off Their backs were TO-
wards me, and they eagerly and ntentlp observing
the movements of the troops commanded by Leutenans
Wheelock and Humphreys.
The dragons under Lieut.. Wheelock having few mo.
meu,s previously become warmly engaged, remained
several seconds in this position, my still advancing,
during which time observed two Indians, whom sup
posed be Chiefs from their earnest conversation and
gestures which induced Inc TO believe they intended to
make movement TO the rear Of Leulenans Humphreys
and Ehceock from whom they yet entirely con-
cealed. NV men had arrived at the verge OF the
hammock and only required about five PAGES more
enable me to pour voley amongst them before their
knowing Of my presence when we were unfortunately
discovered Being in advance of and on elevated
ground and my dress being some Nat soon
became general mark. Instantly gave my command
to charge raised my rifle and flashed ut one OF the sup
posed chiefs.
The scene of panic and confusion which ensued on
the part Of the indians battles all descriptions Some
fred at me without taking aim, some fled without rrg
at all, and some took to trees My company were now
clear of the bushes, and charg handsomely throwing
in shots wherever good opportunity oflered-myself
lending aont twelve PAGES in advance had proceeded
only few steps, when felt terrible concusso0 against
my shoulder great difficulty in breahing-and was
sez-d with bleeding at the mouth. found that was
badly wounded but having strength 70 Keep my fee' de-
ternined 10 Iced the charge long couid stand
/ turned to my men, observed to them wounded,
and ordered them to push ahead. had scarcely re
sumed my 'front.' and advanced three four PAGES when
brought to the ground by severe wound through
the thigh given by an Indian who about 20 yards
distant behind tree. Sergeant Hall, my orderly ser.
gesnl, came and asked whether he should have car
ried from the field; told him noto charge with every
man. 1t was not necessary TO repeat the order-the men
sprang forward at the word.
As the rear of the company about passing Rae,
one of my sergeants and several of my came and
urged me to be moved to safer place ordered them
to leave me where was, and charge. One of them
asked to lend him my rifle and in moment more