Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1836-04-02

From the Charleston Mercury, March 8.
FROM FLORIDA.
The schooner, S. S. Mills, captain
Southwick, arrived here yesterday
morning from St. Augustine, furnish
ing us with the Herald Of the gath
INST.
1t will be seen that Gen. Gaines
had encountered the Indians "a con-
siderable force near the Oulhtacoo-
chez.
The particulars Of the engagement,
is given in the following lettArs from
our correspondent, dated.
ST. AUGUSTINE, March S.
Dear sir:--I have purf Dsely re-
Trained from transmitting you any
account of the Seminole Campaign,
as the various contradictory state
ments in regard to the movements
of the enemy until within few days
since, did not deserve notice, and
were too brainlcss to be credited.
The simple fact, however, that st.
Augustine, Jacksonville, Picolata,
Camp King, Tampa and Key West,
have been for such length Of time
kept in a constant state of alarm, and
each momentarily dreading an attack,
is evidence Of talent never before dis
played by Indians-conduct they al
ways did exhibit-but that a body
of fifteen hundred or two thousand
men should make such demonstrated,
and such disposition of their forces,
is like the massacre Of Major Dade-
unparalleled. We knew that they
must be concentrating on some point,
and SO the result has proved.
You are aware that Gen. Gaines
within or s miles Of
Fort Drane-took eight days provis-
ions, land returned to the Outhlacooche
to the purpose of discovering wheth-
any Indians were on the prowl. On
at that stream. his passage
was disputed by body Of savages,
It is surmised, 20 fifteen
fight commenced across
the river, which although narrow, is
deep and rapid-and continued two
days, neither party gaining any mate
rial advantage.
The third day General Gaines re-
tired, and threw up breast work
after, he advanced to the river with
two hundred men, recommended the
skirmish, and then retreated with a
hope OF deceiving his enemy and de-
coying them into an ambush. After
dark on the same day, the entire body
of Indians, now largely reinforced
by the arrival Of scattering squads,
crossed the river aud had the bravery
to attack him in his trenches. The
stratagem was successful-the can
non opened upon them, and played
with such effect, that it is presumed
three hundred Indians and Negroes
were killed. l say presumed, IS 1t
is not known whether that number
was destroyed in the single engage
ment. or in the entire renconter.
When the cannon opened, the sasa-
ges began ssterribIe howling," and
no wonder, for | am told that all the
trace chains belonging to the wagons
were used instead of balls. and LITER
ally moved them down like grass be-
meath the scythe. Two Of our officers
", re wounded in that engagement
one OF whom. it is understood, has
since died. Gaines has since sent
into Ciinch for provisions, but after
wards countermanded the order, as
the Indians would capture the wag-
CONS. He is understood to be sur
rounded. His provisions must be
gone. and unless a reinforcement has
been sent in by Scott, his fate, and
tina; Of his gallant army, arc sealed:
Twas in camp,cbetween this and
Hanson's-when Prince, the express,
came in. the Indians having attacked
him in true military style, within e
IIeven miles Of this, and ordered hum
| 60 the right about, with shower o.
fifteen or twenty bullets The top
lof Ms cap was literally shot aw.l!
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