Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-03-25
IMPORTANT FROM FLORIDA.

IMPORTANT FROM FLORIDA.
We nre indebted to the New York
American for the following interesting
synopsis of the interesting intelligence
from Forlda-founded on letters received
from the head quarters OF Gen Scott.
By letters received this morning from
Picola,a of Cd instant, we are panied to
learn that the United States forces led by
Gen. Gaines, have been unsuccessful in an
attack upon the main body Of the Indians.
situated on the Ou,hlachoochee, and after
the loss Of valuable lives were reduced to
entrench themseIves-sh of ammunition
and provsions--until aid coull be sent 10
them. The particulars, as far as ascer-
taned, may be thus summary stated
Gen. Gaines left Tampa Bay with 1l4O
men, and reached Fort King on The 22d
February, taking with him only enough
subsistence to last TO that place. There he
called upon Gen Clnch for 1900 rations,
bnt only 10000 could DC furnished and
these had Just been placed there by order
of Gen Scott for the support of battal-
lion of Georgia foot, then on the march to
For, King. Thus insuficiently provsioncd
he made a dash for the Outhachoochee
near Gen Cllnchs former battle ground,
where it was truly believed the main body
Of the enemy were. He arrived on the
ives, bank of the river on Saturday evening
eth. The Indians on the opposite bank
Immediately opened FIRE on him, which
was continued all Saturday from each side,
neither party crossing. At 6 o'clock on
SUNDAY evening Gen. Gaines sent an ex-
81, ~, -,
and ca ling for more ammunition and provis.
ions. His loss up to that time was two
volunteers from Louisiana killed, and ten
regulars and volunteers wounded; among
the latter, Lieutenant lizard, Of the dra-
goons dangerously. On Monday morning,
the 29th about 10 o'clock, while Gen.
Gaines was preparing men TO cross the
river he was attacked on three sides of his
camp by the Indians, who kept up viro-
rou5 assault for about two hours, frequently
approaching very near his enrenchnen,s.
They were finally rcpulsed, with, "a is sup.
| posed, considerable loss. The loss of Gen.
! Games command was one sergeant killed.,
and 10 regulars and 90 volunteers ,wounded;
among the regulars Lieut.. Duncan.-The
force Of the Indians was estimated at 1900
I men. Gen Gaines was cntrenchinr himself
and acting ON the defensive. having ruade
no sortie. He calls loudly for more force,
ammunition. and provisions. Ills situation
is a very crit ical one and he may be com
PEELED to retreat upon Fort King, distance
of 80 miles, at the hazard Of great loss
fox no timely relief can reach him. Can't.
Hitchcock is with him in the capacity of
Adjutant General, and nearly haIfhis force
is regulars
There are struggling parties of the en-
envy all over the country. A party of
several were seen near Vousa, and party
of about % were seen by some negroes 25
miles above this, two days ago. Fresh
tracks were also seen this morning, on tho
roads between this and S.. Augustine 1t
is also supposed there is body of several
hundred so miles southeast of Tampa, on
Pease Creek,
Thus far our information extends
The conduct of Gen. Gaines in this mat.
ter must subject him, we apprehend, to n
hcavey responsibility. In going to Florida
at all be violated his duty, for he was un.
der orders to proceed with the 9th regiment
OF Infantry from Jefferson barracks to the
frontiers OF Mexico. Warn in Florida he
become necessarily subject to G N. Scott
who was specially directed to take charge
OF the war ,here-ard should not have
moved one foot without the order Of that
| COMMUNICATIVE seems plain and incon-
, troverIiblc. Bnt Gen. Gtircs anxious, wo
cannot but npprehcLd, to torestal Gen.
Scott, between whom and himself, il -
, known, an old grndge exists, marches from
A well provisioned fort Tampa Bay, upon
n one that had long been baleaguered ard
. cut off from supplies, Fort King--with only
f just enough provisions 10 sustain him on
-, hts march This was first and capitsl
-, fault, Arrived there and doubtless mada
, aware OF the plan Of campaign arranged
Il by Gen. Scott which is understood to be
!. that o: completely isolalng and surround
=, ing the Indians, and thus CONNIE llinu
= them to an unconditional surrender, )--Gen.
" Gaines called upon the commandant o
To- Fort King for ratons to enable him tc
= make an immediate and Independent attack
- on the Indians, A norton only of what he
called for could be given, and this ont o
stores provided IN advance by Gen. Scott
for a sustaining force then marching upor
Fort King. This was n second preivou,
H. fault. for us effect might, and we fear will
be, to derange the combinations of The
NJ commanding General as TO cause fatal de
IS lays IN he campaign Thus scantlly sup
es Piled, however, General Gaines marched
d to attack the Indians on or near the ole
az battle ground, and of course therefore
~, showing that the river was unfordable.-
in Yet he marched on. without boats or pom
n tons, and as might be expected, found tn,
IT. Indians, flushed with former success read,
TO to oppose his crossing, and was himself re
he duced, after two days sklrmishing, TO en-
&c. trench himself and act on the defensive
until he could receive reinforcements ant
supplies, or until famine and the enem,
he should compel him to a perllous-lt may be
L.,