Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1836-11-10

From tho Savannah Courier.
IMPORTANT FROM FLORIDA.
SAVANNAH, Oct. "a.

L.
SAVANNAH, Oct. "a.
The steam packet Dolphin, Captain Pen
noysrI arrived hsre yesterday from st. Au-
gustine, with Major Pierce and other off,
csrs Of our gallant little army on board By |
this arrival ws have received an extra, from
the St. Augusties Herald, which furnishes |
the important Intelligence which We give |
below.
The fret extract explains the mission Of
Major Pierce, whose conduct in Florida has
already excited the admiration III our read
ers. We hope that he ~ i'll be successful in
procuring all the material necessary for the
prosecution Of the war
From tie Herald Ertro, Oct 81.
We are pleased 10 learn that Gov. Cali
has ecafsrrsd upon M.j Pierce the appoint
usnt Of Quartsrmaster General. We feed
satisfied that the ONCE could not DE In better
hands. He proceeds Immediately in the
Dolphin 10 Savannah and Charleston, with
discrseioaary powers to procure every Thing
requisite Tor the army.
Ffom tire surrey
To the Editor Of the Florida Herald:
Sra: Al Il 10 desirable 10 our readers, and
to the pubiic generally, TO learn the opera
tions Of tho army commanded by Governor
Call, you will be pleased 10 publish the fol-
lowing short, but correct statement, furnish
ed by one Who was with him.
On the 2Sih the Governor passed the Su-
wannse, at the Old Town, with ,26O volun-
teer Tennsssseans and l25 Floridians, all
mounted. He had ordered an abundant supp
ply Of rations and forage, which was then a.
float at tho mouth Of the river. but owing to
tho sickness Of the crew OF three steamboats,
lying in tho river, had not been brousht 10
the depot. Such was the impotence Of the
volunteers to End the enemy, that they pro-
pared TO make sudden rush on the foe, pre-
Stunning that they might be surprised; and
although an express from Gov. Read, then al
the Old Town, overlook tho Governor with
in tan miles from that post, 70 inform him of
the reception of a full supply Of every thing
wanted by the army, both officers and men
expressed decided unwillingness 10 delay
their march. On their route 10 Camp Drane,
seven Indians were killed, and few, If any :,
discovered by the spy guard in advance. es-
capped the unerring shot Of the volunteers.
reached Fort Drane, and found the fires of
the enemy still burning. They had escaped
with their women and children by lew
hours only, and but for the accidental escape
OF . spy found about Wacahouta, he was
hotly pursued, but in vain, we should have
surprised, and perhaps destroyed this whole
gang Of Micasuckiss, with Powell At the
head. As il wss, four Of their number were
run down and killed.
The army remained sncamped at Fort
Dsane until junction could he effected with
Maj. Pierce, then at Black Creek, on whose
zeal and ability the Governor relied 10 sup-
ply bis army with provisions. Nor did he
rely IN vain. On the night of the 4ih, at 10
o'clock. an express reached the Major from
San Tsfe. giving information that 100 Flor
9d:ans had reached the latter place, to aid in
sscorting provisions to Camp Drane. Alta
O'Clock, two hours after the express, ths Ma.
Jor was in the saddle, and his whole com.
mand on the move. II 10 zeal and energy
like this that the times require; il il this
that gains tho confidence Of the General in
Chief, and saves an army from want. On
the morning Of the 9th, the movement vac
made from Black Creek and on the evening
OF the next day, Major Pierce, with bis de.
tachment, reached Fort Drans, and furnish
ed TO Governor Call seven or eight days ra-
tions for his whole command, a distance Of
sixty>fve miles
With this supply ii was deemed advisable
to press on to the Witblscoochie, pass n, at
the cove, ii found fordabIe, and capture their
women and children il the warriors should
eIude us: or, should the waters Of the river
be beyond the banks, fall down tho river to
the depot directed TO be established at Ora
hams Old Camp, and unite with General
Read and Colonel Lane, at the head of the
friendly Greeks. On the why, the advanced
guard fell in with a small encampment OF
Mickasuckies, the mnst warlike and hostile
OF the tribes, killed Is men, who did no, FIRE
shot, and took prisoners 4 women and 8
children. Alter an examination OF tho
squaws, Il was found that we had reached the
river at the point most desirable; that the
body Of ths Indian families were on tbs CD.
posite side, and the negro town, 30 cailxd,
was three miles above US, protected by deep
creek, running through thick swamp ham.
mock, and fordable only at very dry seasons.
10 this last place detachment of 200 Ten.
nsssee volunteers, under Col. Gill, proceed
ed, who returned in the evening, with 8 kill
led and 7 wounded, by shot from an unseen
toe, unable to cross the creek from tbs depth
Of water.
The main body contin uesi their march 10
the river, and On reaching the banks, after
passing the most yiIIanous 90 arnp ever passed
on horseback, found the river flooded great
iy above it's banks, and $50 Yards over.
Whilst standing on the edge Of the water,
and mortified that barrier so unlocked for
WAS thrown IN our way, few shots were Fl.
red from tho other side; and il was with
much difficulty that the impetuosity of our
nnen could be restrained. The firing was
continued on both sides without our sesino
the indians. When the volunteers had bees
recalled, Major Gordon CALAMITY volunteer
ed with 200 OF his men to silence The 6rinp
on the opposite side. To this the Command,
cr-in-chiei was reluctantly induced 70 give
bis assent, and the gallant band marched IN
the banks, two feet deep in water. and after
much Intellectual firing, which oor officers