Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-06-10
LATE AND IMPORTANT NEWS
FROM FLORIDA.

LA LIZ ANU lMfON AN NCWo
FROM FLORIDA.
Th, intelligence from Florida is very in.
tercsting, The Apolachicola G1zette Of
May l9.h, announces tho arrival at that
pace of three IN from the Block House,
the Whhlacooche, which was left in
of Capt, Holloman, on the 9Th of
April. Since that time the place has been
closely invested by the Indians, who have
pressed upon them in great numbers. The
only sub sislence of the garrison for q long
time, has been corn and water.
On one occasion they were attacked or
all sides by not less than one thousand In,
dams. Capt. Holloman's men returned
their fire with tremendous effect. They
pressed upon the Block House in such dense
masses that every shot Of the brave defend
ers took effect. After this contest, which
terminated so fatally 10 the Indians, they
failed to show themselves for several days.
1t was during this respite, that Capt. Hol,
loman undertook to strengthen his defences
between the Block house and the river
but while engaged in this duty, he was
shot down by the Indians; the balance Of
the party secured their retreat to the house.
This fact showed the 5esieged, that though
the Indians had learned the folly Of endea
voring to shoot them through their defen-
ces, yet tina, they continued to be strictly
observed. After the death Of Capt. Hollo
man. the command devolved upon Lieut..
Walker, who is determined, at all hazards,
to maintain his pc sltion till relieved.
Tue Tallahassee Floridian of the q ST of
May, also announces the arrival there OF
three men, drawn by lot, and despatched
by Lieut.. Walker. to give information cf
the situation of his little garrison. These
men were bearers of a letter from Lieut..
Walker to the late Major McLemore, who
led The command to that post, and who
was succeeded in the command by the late
Captain I1olloman. But, like his success.
sor, Major McLenorc was in his grave,
before the letter of Lieut.. Walker was re.
ceived. The editor OF the Fiorldiau, gath
ering Information from the messengers,
states that
"For six long weeks they have been alone
in the wilderness, assai'ed by more than a
thousand warriors-lhis is the number re
ported by the Indians themselves, to have
been employed ir besieging the post
Lieut.. Walker is as modest as he is brave,
and cautioned his messengers against tell
ing large stories. From the commence,
ment Of the siege, not a shot had been fred
unless a, a particular object, and as there
are some Of the best shots in Jefferson Co.
among them, many must have been killed.
The Indians confding in their overwhelm
ing numbers, at first approached within
point blank rifle distance, but taught by the
unerring aim of our men, they have latter
ly kept a more respectful distance. Dur
ing the attack of the 18th n chief who had
made himself conspicuous, was brought
down by a marksman. -Four or FIVE Indians
sprang forward TO his assistance, and all
fell at one fire over his Frustrated body.
The Indians ascribing their own losses
and the invlncible courage Of our men to
wicthcraft fired siiUsr bullets in accordance
with a well known superstition prevailing
among them. The circumstance was at
tribuled BY our men to a want of other
'bu ~ u'I'bulltluu, Uut u 10 huUWu tlut
they acquired lead enough from the various
sugar houses they have destroyed to last
them many years. No wonder the savages
thought this lite band 10 league with The
devil TO be able to withstand a force which
foiled and defeated Gen, Scott.
The bearers Of this letter embarked at
II o'clock at night, in q canoe which had
been perforated during the siege with rifle
balls, and so leaky in consequence that
constant baiIing was required. They
heard the Indians on both banks of the river
trying to intercept them, but. favored by
the darkness, they escaped the thousand
dangers which beset them, and arrived on
the coast before dawn. They were fired
IN near the mouth of the Suwannee by a
party in ambush, but were too far out TO
receive any injury.
Their appearance in town was hailed
with the most lively testimonials of interest.
1t seemed a. ifthey had risen from the dead,
for q report had previously reached here
that Gen. Cllnch had attempted to relieve
the post, but found the garrison mastered.
The most prompt measures were taken for
their relief, A volunteer COMPANY has
been raised in this and the adjoining coun.
ties to attempt the arduous enterprise
Col Augustus Aston commsnds the Leon
volunteers. The expedition is commanded
by Col. Repd, and consists of eighty men.
They embarked in a steamboat yesterday
for the Wlthlacoochee, from whence they
will proceed in a fortified boat. Whatever
bravery and skill can accomplish, will be
performed. God grant that this effort to
save these brave men from destruction may
be crowned with success. 1t is an enter
prise that would grace the best days OF
chivalry. 1t is projected by the noblesl
motives, and is surrounded BY a thousand
dangers,
The Apalachicola Gazette states the cx-
trsordinary fact that q, the very time when
the steamer Merchant having on board the