Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-02-08

FROM TAMPA BAY.-EXtract OF a.
letter from a distinguished aeficer of
our Navy, dated TAMPA BAY, Jan. 3,
1897, TO a friend in Baltimore:
asFor the last two weeks we have
been engaged, and the prospect ahead
does not promise much leisure. For
the las. two weeks we have been en-
ployed in fitting out expeditions, and
preparing for our part in the Seminole
campaign; it is likley to prove a stirring
and difficult business. General JBsUP
visited our ship a few days since, and
had an interview with Commodore
DALLAS, when a plan of cooperation
was adopted. Our sailors are to gar
rison the different posts in this wild and
lonely country. Three parties have
| already left the ship for that purpose;
| fifty men under Lieutenant BELL, OF
the St. Louis, left this ship a few days
since, and are now in garrison at Fort
| Clinch, on the far-famed Wythlacoo-
chez; fifty marines and sailors, under
Lieutenant HUNTER, of the Navy. and
| Lieutenant WALDRoN, of the Marine
Corps, left at the same time in the
steamboat Major Dade, for Crystal
river, where a party of Indians are
said to be. We expect to hear from
them soon. One hundred and fifty
men, under Lieutenant ADAMS, have
charge OF Fort Brooke, and Lieuten-
ant LIEB, with about sixty men, pro-
tects Fort Foster, about twenty-five
miles from Fort Brooke, on the Hills
boro' river. So, you perceive, we are
scattering fast. We are, however, dali
ly expecting the St. Louis, the Wanda
liza, and the Natchez sloops of war
| then our force will amount to upwards
of one thousand men. 1t is thought
the Indians have fled from the Wythla-
coochee to the Everglades. The Com.
modore has planned a fortified boat for
the purpose of penetrating these formi'
dable f~astness; she is to carry forty
men, and all the materials for the ex-
| petition on board; will not draw more
than ten inches. Several of these
boats are now being constructed by
the carpenter of our ship; when all is
in readiness, a formidable expedition
will set out under the Commodore. /
expect TO 60 with it.
1.-THE squadron will, in all probabill-
ty rendezvous here for the winter.
General JEsUP took up his line of march
on Sunday, the LIST instant. In his ex-
petition to the Wythlacooche, about
three weeks since, he captured forty
negroes. The Indians are brave and
desperate, and the country highly IA.
vorable for their method of defence.
1t is the widest and most inaccessible
country | have v seen, in~terspersed
with innumerab!c swamps and ham,
mocks; in such positions they shelter
themselves, and shoot our men down as
they would deer. 1t is melancholy to
think how many gallant fellows have
fallen in Intellectual attempts to dislodge
them. For vnlor and skill have pro.
we'd abortive against enemies sheltered
by impregnable barriers of Natures
formation-who live in morasses hith-
erto tenanted alone by alligators.
They dwell amid
Tangled juniper. beds of reeds.
Aud many a fern where the serpent feeds,
And man ne'er trod before
"The 9th regiment OF infantry, from
New Orleans, passed up this morning
in transports, bound for Fort Brooke;
they are to participate in the glories of
the campaign There are laureB e.
nough in the country, but they have
hitherto, alas! been entwined with the
cypresSi"-BaAimore Patriot.