Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-04-14

Extract of letter from an officer in the
southern Army to his correspondent in,this
village, dated
FoRr ARMSTRONG, March 10, 1887.
Since the 18th of February, the army has
been encamped at Fort Dade waiting the
movements ofthe Chiefs, and giving them a
council whenever number of sufficient i'm.
portance have collected for the purpose
The Ministers-Jumper and Alligator
(Otemathla and Halabudja) had subscribed
to articles of capitulation, and yesterday,
Micanope-the King-appeared in council
TO give them the necessary ratification. He
sat, neatly dressed, feshy old sensualist
with great deal Of benevolence and good
humor, Immediately in front of the General,
holding with both hands. one leg upon the
other Forming perfect contrast with him,
the genteel and intellectual Alligator
sat upon his left. There was that intelli-
gence and subdued expression in his coun-
tenance which one would expect to find on
" in the likeness OF some ancient philoso-
pher Many Of the Creek Chiefs were
splendidly dressed; and believing that the &C.
casion was an important one, their feelings
were elevated, and evolved in such ndica-
lions as gestures, flashes of the eye. &C.
Such a collection OF warrior Chiefs, | had
lancied. existed only in the Imagination o!
the poet or novelist; but there they were,
tangible beings, gratifying. no doubt the ro-
mantle feelings OF the General. Jim Boy,
the gigantic Jim Boy, or as the Indians call
him. Tusmugge Yemathla (the chief unex-
celled) shone preeminent He delights in
holding forth as much as some white people
do. In virtue OF one of his parents having
been of the African race, he has pair OF
mustaches, which add not little TO his ap.
pearance, and tend TO the consummaiion OF
ones beau ideal ofan Othello. think from
what | have SEEN that the persons Of such
extraction are intellectually superior to their
parents: the good qualities Of both appear TO
have been preserved 10 the exclusion Of 9th
ers. He says he could have maintained as
long war as the Seminole has DONE but
knowing from the resources of the whites
that they would eventually accomplish their
purpose, he thought il prudent to surrender.
II might be thought that the Seminoles
have resorted TO arms in an entire ignorance
Of our power; but it is not So Many Of
their Chiefs have been in our southern cit.
les, and Abraham has visited all those upon
the seabord from ST. Augustine TO New York
Al the same time be called upon the Presi.
dent at the capital, with the view, undoubt
eddy, OF ascertaining from the head source.
whether the Americans were really so un.
just as to wish the expulsion Of people from
their lands which are so valuable 10 them,
and comparatively so valueless 10 others. Ii
appears by the mode Of warfare pursued by
the Semlnoles, from the use they have made
OF the innumerable hammocks of their coun-
try as a means OF defence, and from the sup
plies they had on hand at the commence.
ment- OF hostilties, that they have not rashly
engaged in the past war. and that their cal.
culations were not far from correct. Some
conceptions Of the desperation with which
they have Tough can be had from their CON
lending against such odds as three thous
and. the greater part Of which were Indians
and horsemen. However, a citizen soldier
they despise, and they appear to think that
in Staying one, they not only deprive us of
a warrior, but ridthemselves Of great scoun.
1rel.
AT the last council they gave numerous
instances OF their being cheated, maltrea;ed.
and even OF having been shot atby their citizen
agents, and they prayed the General to give
hem one from the army. The General i'm
ndiately presented them one in the per
ION Of Maj. Graham, an old friend of theirs
Ind Micanope advised him to shave. Said
he, spring is coming forth, we have new
reaty-are going TO new country, and we
'ught to have new faces. Most Of the off. |
, ers have allowed their boards to grow
they joke upon the occurrences Of the war
great deal of good humor. The General
mentioned something respecting the number
i cattle he had taken from them. Oh, re.
lied Alligator, you took few old COW skins
they were not much else) but, continued
dicanope, you came pretty near the fat ones.
They do not exhibit the meanness of a
aught fox. but look like men who, having
one the best for their country, now surren.
er upon the most favorable terms that they
an obtain.