Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-07-29
AN AFFECTING MILITARY ADVENTURE
IN FLORIDA.

The following is the most minute sketch
Ofthe circumstances connected with the UNI
accountable neglect, and stay. and final res
cue OF the little, but brave band Of soldiers.
who were in the block house on the With.
lacoochec. There are many circumstances
narrated here and which we have not seen
before, that gives thrilling interest to the
whole narrative.
The mind of the little public here is much
occupied with Maj. Reads expedition to
the Wihlacooche. Both the Mai and the
Governor deserve grea, credit for relieving
forty unfortunate young men from very
perilous situation. You know that Maj
MLemore (now dcad) commended party
TO the Withacoochee for the purpose OF
establishing n depot, whichit was supposed
would be scrviceable to Gen. Scott's army.
A block house was built near lime sink
containing water, and communicating with
the river. Provisions were deposited. and
Cant, Holcman was lift with about forty
five men in command. The distance from
The block house 10 the river was about fif-
teen wards. By some unaccountable neg
lect the party was abandoned or overlooked
when the army retreated. and were often
nssailed by the Indians. M'Lemore, when
he left them. promised to return in ten
davs, but these passed away, and many
more and yet they were without news Of
the army or assistance from their friends.
The Indians attacked them nearly every
fifth day; sometimes they laughed at them,
iaunled them, rldlculed the army, babe
them come TO the river and wash their
feet;' and in directing their fire 10 the
block house, sometimes derId'nglv cried
out, eyes right. eyes left! port holes
shoot y On several occasions Saue, bullet,
were fred from the Indian rifles; and with
combustibles attached 10 arrows, they con
rived TO set the top of the block house or
FIRE. The beseiged threw off their roof
and then suffered much from exposure L
the weather. Yet happily there was M
sickness among them, and though the side
of the building were rddled by shot fron
,be enemy, none were killed or wounded
within. Poor Holeman became, it is said
deranped, or at least parI tally so his re-
sponsbiIty was felt too severely, and hi
mind was at times unsettled. He left ;h'
block house with few men, for the pur
nose of procuring some timber with wheel
10 IMPROVE MS o"o "~e "''S>
with several oihers, in a sudden and unex
pected attack from the savages. After hi
death the utmost harmony and good dlsc
pine prevailed. A simple military coz Goa;
was adopted by which every man was obi
ged TO perform his duty, and especially Il
Be vigilant. I,srgorous enforcement save
the party from So prise and death. One
the regulations required no muske's 10 o.
fred unless the object was within reach
and the aim sure. Many Indians wer
consequently killed, until at length laugh
bv experience, they maintained more eau
tious distance. Another Of their rules re
quircd a few persons to supervise thos
who were on guard, and to shoot DOW
without hesitation, him who did not strlcti
perform the duties Of his watch. Mino
punishments were prescribed, and it is sal
inflicted on all for lesser offences. Al lengt
the provisions were exhausted or spoiled
and the corn scarcely ct 10 cat They re