The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-12-28

A correspondent of the Alexandra Ga
zette, after giving a clear and forcble ac-
count of the recent skrmishes with the In
dians, the particulars of which have been
already published, makes the following in
teresting observations respecting the site OF
this savage warfare-the formidable cove of
the Wrthlacoochee-and the best mode of
conducting il
"The difficulty in the transportation of
provisions aud forage, for the supply of an
army in the interior of the Peninsula OF
Florida, is an obstacle to be surmounted,
in all the operations against the Indians,
greater than fighting the enemy. The cove
of the Ouithlacoochee is so miles from the
nearest point of approach. either on the
Gulf or the Atlantic, and as the whole OF
that region of country is in possession of
the enemy, the transportation train is liable
to attack from concentrated force at all
times. An army of at least | 800 men is
necessary TO guard the trains and depots,
without operating otherwise against the en-
emy. Added to all this, the interior of the
country has never before been known To
any but few persons, who have passed
along the trails, which are generally upon
the high lands. The cove of the Ouitha-
coochee aud the Wahoo swamp, and the
morasses connecting and around them, are
at least ninety miles in circumference. In
almost every part are thick hammocks,
deep ponds, or Cypress swamps--the most
dismal and gloomy that the Imagination
can conceive. The swamp on the Ock-
lawnha, is nearly as bad as the Outhlacoo-
chee and farther south, the swamps are
represented as being larger and more diff
cult of access. A small army can do MOTH
ing permanently useful in Florida: The
Indians are acquainted with all the fast
ness of the swamps-driven from one, they
can retire in single night TO another; and,
before their trails are discovered by scouts,
who have every difficulty to encounter, they
may be a hundred miles distant.
From every indication: the Indians
have destroyed all their property to be
transported. They have driven from the
upper country immense herds of cattle,
which it is impossible for any army to find
and DESTROY, unless it were $4,000 strong,
in marching through. They can easily be
sustained by the beef, game, and esculent
roots of the country, throughout time. They
have shown determined spirit not to yield ;
and, | see no probability, unless a larger
army should be sent into the field of their
subiugalion. The army under the COM
mand of Governor Call, have fought most
calanty on every OCCASION, when they
have encountered the enemy.-But the
number of men under his. command was not
in fact, more than sufficient TO establish de-
pots and protect the trains required for the
support of the army.-Tbe regiment of
Creek volunteers | consider as an incun-
brance they have not and cannot be of
any service. The Tennessee brigade, un-
der their gallant general, have sustained
noby, on every occasion the high character
of their State; and the regular troops and
Florida volunteers, with their officers, have
acted bravey but their numbers have not
been sufficient
"To do any thing effectual, we must
have at least 1000 men in the field, to at
tack the enemy at several points simulta-
neously, otherwise we shall have protrac-
ted war and, tile much injured citizens of
Florida will have to endure all the horrors
of another summer with the enemy harras-
sing their borders.
&" An OFFICER OF THE ARMY IN FLORIDA"
The South sea Expedition bids fair to be
wrecked before it weighs anchor. In the
first place Commodore Jones objected TO
tho anno;ntmepts of I,ieutenants Slidpll and