The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-11-22

officer on the spot, furnishes the partcu-
lars of the capture of Oceola:
FoRT MAHoN, Oct. 81, 1887.
] have the qualification to inform you
that ASSN Yohola, (Powell,) with nearly
dozen war chiefs and seventy warriors, are
our prisoners, and that | have them now
safely under lock and key in the Fort.
You have, doubtless, seen by the papers
that Coacoochee came in some days ago to
see his father, (Philip,) now a'prisoner. He
is a young enterprising chief--the General
thinks the Napoleon of the Semnoles. He
returned two or three days ago, and said
Powell would be in to-day, and brought
with HIM about seventy plantation negroes.
Last night two ambassadors arrived from
Powell to sec Gen. Hernandez-(Gen. Jes-
up would not see any of them, ,)-and said
Powell would be at Fort Peyton, seven
miles from here to-day. Gen. ii. accor-
dingly proceeded there with about 900
horse, dragoons, and Florida volunteers.
Shortly after Gen. Jesup proceeded there
alone. Gen. ii. met Oceola, and they
formed ring aid sat down to talk, when
Gen. J. sent him directions to surround and
take them prisoners. There were about
eighty of them, and every one with his rifle
by his side, IA strong evidence of their hos
tile ntentions.) Gen. Hernandez ascer-
tanned that they had no intention of surren-
derng, when he gave signal and they
were so instantly surrounded by our horse
| about 200 in number, that they had no
time to raise rifle. Powell had evinced n
good deal of uneasiness, kept his eyes con-
stantly and quickly wandering about but
the momen, he found himself prisoner, he
was perfectly quiet and calm, and not the
slightest symptom of emotion could be seen
in his countenance, or indeed in that of any
Of his warriors.
They got to town after night, and have
Just had short talk with them by order of
the General, and told them why they were
made prisoners, reminding them of our
long forbearance, and their frequent and
base violations of our several treaties, that
they had even killed one of our citizens
within a fortnight; aud had, contrary to
their pledged faith, stole our cattle and Iors-
es, and destroyed our forts, &C. &c. Pow
ell discaimed having done any of these
things himself, but said he thought the road
between his town and this was white and
straight; that he intended to come and see
what the General had to say to him, and
that then they would bring in their ne
groes and ponies, &c. &c. They look u
good deal depressed, and seem to feel that
they have fallen in a trap of their OWN set
ting. | have but little doubt myself that
their real intentions were to rescue Philip,
if thev should find US weak and unprepared,
and also to make an attack on the town
hoping probably that the negroes would as
sst them. We have with Powell all the
war chiefs, all the instigators of the war,
except three, SamJones, Alligator, aud one
other, whose name forget. A runner will
be sent to Micanopy and Jumper, aud |
doubt not they will Immediately come in.
We shall then have only the Micasukees
and the Seninoles without head to con-
tend With, and think we may look for
ward with reasonable hope to speedy
termination of the war.
II is said that all the warriors taken are
! Micasukees of this have not been able
to assure myself, as it was late when they
came in. IL it be so, there is then no doubt
that Powell had some hostile intention, and
then too is our capture doubly important.
". Y. AMERICAN.