South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-08-20
From Florida.
ST. AUGUSTINE, Aug. 3.


with intelligence that battle had ia
ken place in the morning, at six o.
clock, at Ridgeley's mill, near the
mouth of Black Greek, between de-
tacbment Of United States troops, Is
in number, under command of Lieu
tenant Herbert, and a party of Sc
Iodians.
Lieutenant Herbert left here on
Wednesday last, to escort 40 led hor-
ses to Garey's ferry, and reached that
place in safety the next day. He was
on his return, 10 the steamboat Essay,
ons, to Picolata. When the boat arri-
we'd opposite the mill, he landed in a
small boat with nine Of his men, with
a view of going to Mr.. Traver's PLAN
tatioD, whose house had been burnt the
day previous, and making an exami.
nation. On landing he's discovered
fresh moccasin tracks, and took up the
pursuit. He soon fell in with a party
/ Of fifteen or twenty Indians, whom ne
Immediately attacked. He was join
ed by the remainder of his command
as speedily as possible, and at the
same time the enemy we're reinforced
! by about rs more warriors. The In
dams made two attempts to turn the
/ TANKS of Lieutenant Herbert, but we're
| gallanuy beaten back, and after
warm action, which lasted an hour
and twenty minutes, the enemy were
driven into hammock, from which
| they did not show themselves until the
detachment had retired on board the
steamboat, and was under way, when
they came to the river bank, and fired
upon the boat. After driving them
into the hammock, and the ammuni.
ton being nearly exhausted, Lieuten-
ant Herbert, from the superior force
and position Of the enemy, did no.
think it prudent to follow them.
| Five Of his meu were wounded
none ofthem dangerously. It's thought
tina, six Of the enemy we're killed and
wounded, as they were seen to fall land
negro, who acted as guide, and who
understood the Iadian tongue, said be
heard them repeatedly call, during the
:tion, for men to carry off their woun-
d,d.
This is one of the most brilliant at.
fairs that has occurred during the war,
and we hope that the current OF disas-
ter with which we had to contend hith-
erto is about to turn, and Successes fol-
Llow in the place Of misfortune.
Colonel Crane, Of the Army, COM
manding the regular .tspops in East
F lorida,up receiving the intelligence
| here, ordered Captain Cummett's COM
pany Of mounted volunteers, and Lieu.
tenant Irwins's company Of mounted
U. S. troops, to Picola.a, where they
probably crossed the ST. Johns last
night; and tits hoped they will be a.
BILE to fall in with this band of lndi-
ans, who, i. is supposed, have been
lurking 10 the vicinity Of Black Creek
for some days.
We have just learned that the COM
panies reached PicoIats, and finished
crossing the river at o'clock this
morning. Lieutenant Herbert's de-
lachment have just arrived with their
wounded.
We ought to have stated in our last,
| that Lieut.. Colonel Crane, U. S. A.
mad arrived, and had assumed the
command of the post at ST. Augustine;
and it gives US pleasure to add that,
since this event, the most active and
intelligent means have been used to
protec. the small remnant Of inhabi-
tanIs and property that have been left
unscattered and undestroyed.
| Under his orders most satisfactory
disp osition of the forces east OF the St.
Johns has been made, and all the re-
naming settlements are rendered per-
fectly safe.
| A detachment Of 10 men is stationed
at Pablo, and another of the same
number is placed at ST. Johns Bluff.
These are a part Of Captain Curry's
company, unuer command of Lieut..
Sammis. Capt. Curry, with the fest
OF his company, remains at Mandarin.
The force a. Hanson's IL sufficient to
secure that important settlement.
| A company OF volunteers, 90 in
number, from Georgia, and 40 recruits
sailed from Jacksonville, on Wednes-
DAY, for uarey's ferry.
Several fires, supposed by some TO
be signal fires OF the Indians, had
been seen On the opposite side OF the
st. jonn's, short distance south OF
Plcolata, several days back.
j A detachment oil Is men Of Capt.