The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-04-17

detained duty Oi the command When Win the lralnS
after leaving bare guard for the day and the com
mand joining at night. The various reports made
from time 10 time will sustain the memorandums,
his account being 1880 miles. II we add only one
fourth for the scouts, which is much too small that
part Of my comma Immediately with my presence,
since the 10Th December, eghty-two days, have
marched and countermarched 1850, or IL miles per
day, including rest days; built Two pickets, forts
Blker and Jennings, bridged Withlacoochee at fort
Clinch, WacaSasSa river, and numerous other small
streams, opened roads, &c. all of which show, |
hope that have not been idle
| have the honor Of being with very high consi-
deration and respect your obedient servant
Brig. General Commanding Volunteers.
FoRT LAvpEapALE, New River, e. F.)
March ~ 1888.
Having returned few days ago from one of the
most interesting, and, | may add taigung and i'm
portant expeditions OF this protracted war, avail
myself of the first leisure moments 10 communicate
for your satisfaction brief account Of it, The cam
paign season in this latitude is over, but fortunately
1t did not close before the contamination of an ex-
petition which cannot fail 10 have great moral Ell
feet upon the Indians that yet remain hostile. On
The 7lh inst. Col. Bankhead with Lieut.. Picknell left
Fort Jupiter for the Suwannee whittier the Colonel
was ordered to take command Of the troops and ope-
rationS IT, that quarter. Upon their arrival at Fort
Pierce, finding Col Pierce too much indisposed to
take command of the expedition that had been pre-
yousy ordered 10 Key BiScayne and New River
Col. Bankhead was placed in command of il, and he
proceeded to Fort Dallas, on the Miami, where he
arrived ON the 10Th inst. with the companies Of the
Isl regiment under Major Kirby, and two companies
of the ith regiment OF artillery, and in few days
AFTER, proceeded 10 this post, and Immediately made
the necessary arrangement for the successful prose-
cution OF the expedition. On the 22d the command
left Fort Lauderdale and assembled the south branch
of New River, with the foot, on board the steam
boat Isis, to The old Tallahassee village 5 miles
above, the ho,illa Of boats being under the command
Of Capt Powell, of the navy. The accommodating
party that had been sent out in the morning reached
the landing at the site OF the Indian village, and
ported that large trail discovered penetrating
the everglades, and in direction leading To Pine
Island, about IL or II miles from the margin Col.
Bankhead, although quite unwell, gave directions
and took command of the troops in pursuit early
the following morning The trail was followed
several miles on foot, and on horseback, and far
as practicable, with the horses. In anticipation
OF the impractcaby of penetrating the everglades
further with the mounted men, the hoa was di-
reced TO descend TO the forks and ascend the north
branch and join the main body, and then move to-
gether, following The trail to Pine Island what
ever point il might lead the whole force united
consisting Of about 400 men, and II boats AT 10
o'clock, A. M, on the 23d We embarked and divided
the men equally to each boat TO drag il along the
trail. The boats were in this manner drawn through
boz and mre waist deep TO the men, to Pine Island
and not unfrequently the bog was SO deep that as
sisance was required to extricae them from it,
When within three miles of The Island we discover
ed the smoke of Indian fires on the north end of it,
and the smoke OF others rising that seemed 10
have been kindled. Ii was therefore toerabiy Ger
tain that the Indians still remained upon it, and
complete and decSive victory was anticipated over
them. This Island situated, surrounded By
high grass, bog and water and several miles
from the Island west of it. that it could scarcely be
expected they could escape undiscovered or elude
pursuit.
The judicious disposition that was made of the
forces occupying positions the north the east and
west sides Of, and several hundred yards from the
island would etfectually have prevented their eS-
cape had we been able to have arrived several hours
sooner; but when our positions were akcn-and
which was done without the least loss of tme-it
was just sunset As i, was supposed, having heard
nothing 10 The contrary since left Fort Jupiter,
that the truce was YET existing at general head quar-
ters, Col. Bankhcad sent forward in advance
of the positions a white flag. Ii had not advanced
more than $50 yards when it was fired upon by In
dams, who were some of the high trees near
the north end of the island, and wounded one of the
guard slightly in the hand.
Immediately after they opened firing upon the
boats in position the west side of the island which
was returned by'a four FOUNDER mounted in the bow
OF one Of the boats.
1t being now 50 late, nothing could be done but
effect landing, and the forces ordered forward
Major Kirby, with his battalion, approached the
island in fine style on The east, and Lieut. PuwelS
command advanced III excellent order with The flo
tilla on the west, while the reserve moved forward
and landed Immediately after, near the Indian fires
The first shot that fired by the four FOUNDER
followed by the usual Indian yell, when they imme
diately after relreaed TO the south of the island eav
ing nearly all their efcc's, consisting of provisions
cattle hides hide boats, powder, lead bullet mouds
bIat ketS axes chiSelS, knives coonter coonergra-
tcrs wild potatoes, and nnumerabIe Indian trinkeis
all of which destroyed or took possession Of We
bivouackcd around the fires in the dense hammock
that had been occupied by the Indians.
On the following morning the troops were extend
ed across the island and secured every part to the
southern point of il, while the otilla moved in the
same direction parallel TO the western side TO aScer-
tain the trail OF the enemy leading 10 the innumera-
Bile small coosa plum islands, which checker the
everglades to the west as far the power of vision
can extend and to which it was supposed the Indians
under cover Of the night, rcreated About three
miles South of our landing We discovered scattered
trails leading to the islands, have indicated. The
exhausted condition Of the troops fltigued as they
were By having already performed a service of
almost incredible labor, and one beyond the ply
steal power of men 10 accomplish, unless stimulated
BY the strongest incentive which prompts The willing
and faithful soldier in the performance Of his duty
Having ascerained that the Indians had rercated
after sustaining serious loss by capturing important
personal effects and that nothing more could be done
Col. Blnkhead ordered return 10 this post, which
we reached after dusk on the evening OF the 9th
inst Thus Won will perceive that the boast OF Abb
AGA has no foundation in truth
This now leading spirit and chief of the war par
ties has no hopes Of being able TO retire 10 positions
inaccessible 10 the zeal, energy and pTompmcSS Of
the troops. Abiacl had determined, it is S1id, to
fight until resistance was Intellectual, and that he
would then retreat 10 the evergladeS-thc grassy
lake-where the "whc man could not com, -
Here he has been disappointed and am Of opinion
the rfrr n his expndi ion will go as far. ii no, far
Their in inducing The Indians that YET in attitude
of hostility 10 come 10 terms, than that OF the most
successful battle fought with them during the whole
war, but must close"