Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-03-31


they were Off for provisions. They tol,
him, they had plenty. He said b,
knew they had not, and il they woul'
come over the river, he would give then
two beeves and bottle Of brandy.
II AS Gen. Clinch approached, tn,
friendly Indians, discovering the hostil,
Indians about three hundred yards from
the campof Gen. Gaines, raised whooI
which was Immediately followed by one
from the hostile Indians. The men i'm
mediately formed and fired n platoon. -
The Indians fled and were closely pur.
suod A runner then came from Gen
Gaines ordering them to stop, and in
/ formed them that Oseola was treating
with them. AT first those in pursuit
could not be restrained but the cry OF
Treaty." "Trcaty," soon checked
them. Gen. Clinch then formed and
proceeded to camp.
1 The following extract Of a letter, writ
ten after their arrival, contains some in
teresting particulars -
H HEAD QUARTERS. CAMP liam. Flo. J
i On the v iihlacoOchi-, March 4, Ut night
awe arrived at this post on the eve
ming of the 9Th, and found Gen. Gaines
army in state Of starvation, eating
horses, dogs, Sc. less than a gill Of corn
was issued for n days ratioDs. We
brought hut small quantity of provi-
sions with us, and ! believe there aie but
few men in camp who are not hungry at
this time. We found plenty fresh In
dian signs two miles above this on the
river, and some Of us wanted to pursue
it, but the General directed otherwise.
They have had General Gaines COM
pletely surrounded for several days pre-
vious TO our arrival they had fought
him all the day before without much ex-
ecuiion on either side.
Hearing the attack Of Gen. Clinch,
the officers in conversation with Oseola
advised him to retire into the hammock,
while they went to the camp.
On reaching the camp Gen. Clinch
found its inmates in great distress. They
were literally in a state of starvation.-I
They had killed and eaten several horses
and dogs. One soldier having stolen a
dog and killed it, sold one Of the quarters
for five dollars. For this act of stealing,
killing, or selling, or all together, he re-
ceived severe nogging. One man
gave six dollars for piece Of horses
entrails about foot long. Five dollars
were given for biscuit, and the same
for n quart Of corn We forbear TO men
tion many other acts, showing what hun
ger will compel one to do, which are re-
lated of these patriotic men, thus sur
rounded and suffering in savage will
derness. Yet there was perfect subor-
and every man was prompt in
the discharge Of his duty. The Alachua
volunteers cheerfully distributed their
biscuits and corn, reserving none for
1t was affecting 10 witness
the greedness and thankfulness with
which they received whole or half
biscuit from their deliverers.
The evening of the day on which their
was interrupted by the arrival
Of General Clinch, Oscola sent word to
Gen. Gaines, that if he would send awayp (
he horsemen (AIachua miltia,) they
would come and surrender their arms I.
We know not whether from suspicion or
otherwise, the horscmen were not sent
way. After waiting three days to hear ]
nOre Of Oscola, and not having provi-
ions to remain longer, Gen. Gaines re- j
urned to Fort Drane, at which place
)seola was to meet him, Monday or
Tuesday last. After reaching this fort,
'c transferred the command to General
Clinch, and left for New Orleans by }
he way of Tallahassee. During some I
If the engagements he received a wound;
he ball, passing through his lip, knocked
ut two of his teeth, but its force being
early spent, it did him no farther in n
ury. q
This movement of Oseola in request :,
'g an interview, when Gen. Gaines had
cen entirely surrounded by y. his follow
rs for several days, is inexplicablc, and
GEMS to have taken all by surprise. v
Whether it was an artifice devised on e
caring of the approach Of a reinforce :.
'ent, to give time TO make a safe retreat
r stratagem by which, after introduc- ''
e five hundred Indians within the Il
'eastwOrk under the pretence of sur W
ndering their arms, he intended to d,
AXE an attack with his main force, and,
king advantage of the confusion, to y
assacre the whole before Gen. Clinch ri
'uld render them any assistance , or, as th
says, he is really tired Of numbering 70
hite men. Gen. Clinch's arrival SOON u
than wns anticipated, prevents us from =,
termining, and time alone can decide. !"
Though Oseola has courage and cum es
ng to plan and execute almost any WI
oody movement, we sincerely hope he er
S seen the hopelessness and folly Of .,
rther resistance, and that the Indians "
LII l.. Al 4 II Is