Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-06-06
Copy Of a letter, dated
u. y. SUR Concord,
Tampa Bay, April 3Olh, 1896.

SIN The Nan,laa having lett here for tho
Rancho, for the purpose of watering, immediae-
" proceeded. IN the United Suites revenue cutter,
Ia the head quarters Of the commanding General,
Ia tender In him the co-op,rAon of tho force un-
der my command, AS directed by your order of thu
10Th inst.
The post IL situated at the head ut ililsboro'
Bay, twelve miles from Gsdsden's Point, and four.
miles from this anchorage, being the nearest
point oi approach for SHIP OF the Concord's
draugli OF water. Il seems TO me TO have been
selected npro Tor the beauty of the situation, thar
lar It's capablllty oi defence I'M military point Of
view 1t consists OF IL siockads, mol capable vi con-
tanning more than two or three hundred men, To-
Gated on a projection of land in Ilillsboro' bay.
The depot OF provisions is situated half a mile
from ii, the river running into the head Of tho
bay.
The volunteers now cmbafking, which will
reduce tho force To between Two and three hun
drcd regular troops force, in my opinion, mad
cluaio to the defence of the place. The Indians
are assembling III all directions, with de,erml-
nation, AS they threaten, to destroy the fisheries in
the bay, and 10 burn the transports at anchor III
llllsboro harbor, or such of them II, may remain
after the departure OF the volunteers.
A force OF about seven hundred men, regular
troops and volunteers, were sem ou ON tho 9Th
inst, under the command of Col. Foster Of the T..
5, army, for the purpose Of drawing in the troops
At Fort Alabama. They met with little Interrupt
ton on their way out from the Indians, and lost but
one man. They constructed "A mine within the fort,
10 arranged AS To blow all up on thu opening of II
door to one of the houses and when on their rn-
urn march, within mile of il, the fort did blow
up with ii tremendous explosion, aud IL is suppo-
scd that many Indians killed by ii, as tho fort
was surrounded by them in large numbers and 1t
hprcsumcd also that they rushed into II as soon as
ii abandoned. Soon after this, the detacli-
mcn,, while on thcr return to Fort Brooke had IA
smart engagement with another patty Of Indians,
about four hundred strong, IN which they lost I've
killed and eighteen wounded The enemy suffer-
ed great deal and wore seen to carry of their XII
led and wounded. They fought most desperately,
and advanced upon our troops 10 within 80 PAGES,
under o the bushes. bu, were dslodged bya
piece Of artillery under the direction Of the COM
handing officer OF artillery.
Under all these circumstances, aud the state Vi
anxiety which exists rs to the future intentions Of
The enemy the commanding General has request
ed that the Concord may remain here and for
the same reason, the marines also, under Lieut..
WdIlron-i think, however, that they will not be
long detained, as do not believe the stockade 10
nahc against the immense force which tho enemy
will undoubtedly bring against II.
The troops have been Withdrawn from Charlotte
horbor, and the fishermen and inhabitants, about
ono hundred in number, are on their way To Espi-
ru Sanlo bay, for the purpose OF fixing themselves
on one Of the islands al the entrance of the bay.
Tho Indians, i, is saf will send their pcrioel'es
from Charlotte harbof cWith the intention Of de-
slrovinr tho Rancho and fishery belonging to Cap
tain Buncc, and also any inhabitants they may find
ON oi,hcr Of the other islands, which they can
probably easily accomplish, as We are about thirty
miles distant. shall, however, occasionally send
II
panied by one of The other boats, for their protcc-
ion.
am happy 10 inform You that the officers and
crew of this ship continue in good health, the num-
Der of our sick list being but three.
! have the honor to be, with great respect, your
obedcnt servant, NJ. Z. MIX C.
Com. ALEXANDER J. DALLAS.