The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-16
From the Savannah Georgian.
FROM FLORIDA.


duty are encountering the pryations Of an arduous
service the impenetrableswa Of territory where
the ambushed foe turks in temporary security soon
dispelled by the firm hearts ard steady hands Of
American troops, many Of whom have, with the de-
yotion OF Dade and his gallant band Of an lizard
Mellon, McNiel, and other heroic predecessors
eyinced in their unmely deaths, American intrepi-
dily-and, in the success Of their brave survivors
confirmed American invncibility.
Americans owe debt Of gratitude TO these mar
yrs IN the cause Of our common country, which can
not IN all time be repaid. Let Congress eyince
nations grateful recoecionS by some tribute of res
pect some provision for the families pnd relations Of
the gallant and heroic dead
We now turn from this disastrous battle TO record
from the best sources Of information the progress of
the detachmens Of our army on their march 10 drive
from their Businesses the ruthless Semnoles and
terminate them as race unworthy from their afro
cities, OF the sympathies Of any true American.
One letter, dated Fort Dearborn, Dec %, 1887,
states" We now at Lake Harvey. General
Hernandez with the TennesSeeans, on the east side
OF the ST. Johns and Cen Euss with the I'd dra-
goons and the Sd and 4th artillery, on the west
side We have passed good many indian villages,
but they have all been deserted and the Indians have
doubtless gone farther south.
We are TO go after them in day or two, that is
to say, Gen. Jesup with the mounted force will first
proceed forward 10 join Col Taylor on The hissim-
NEE.
Another letter, from the same writer, dated Fort
McNiel. on the ChieL-sa-haichee, (Dec 20, 1877
says" We have proceeded so far.-The Chick-sa-
St Johns, south OF Lake Harvey, and also very
siderably south of Fowl Creek.
No prospect Of finishing the war this winter un-
less by an accident
Fort Christmas is at an old town Of Powelps, be-
tween Fort Drane and Fort McNiel.
Another writer, from camp, 81 miles south Of the
lower crossing of the Ercon-lak- hachee East Flo
rida, (22d Dec. 1887 says: The army is encamp-
ed, as you perceive about seven miles south of Lake
Harvey. The construction Of the bridges and the
road will occupy several days. but it is probable that
as soon as our troops can reach the E-con-laik-
hatchee, will proceed there until il is ascertaned
whether fat boats with provisions forage &c. can be
brought up TO that point Of the creek
My impression is that il can be brought in boats 10
the crossing where the bridge is now building This
will save much trouble and labor in crosswaying the
strip Of savannah that nIervenes between the mar
gin Of the lake and the pine woods. II is in contem
plaon 10 establish block house about miles south
of this Jimstown and to keep il supplied with pro-
visions, forage and ammunition, by the wagon tram
from the lake.
From the block house the army will operate with
out the train Of wagons, and fall back upon 1t
wherever il may be necessary to obtain fresh sup
ply.
The scouting parties returned this afternoon and
report that innumerable trails are seen all going
south and supposed 10 big cypress swamp about ~
miles south OF this point
Beyond that the Indian guides with us say thatthe
enemy cannot live in consequence OF the wet charac-
ter of the country. ..~.@
The Indians are you will find by a reference to
judicious arrangement ofthe army now on the march
from different points will prevent, think, the posi-
billy of their GLIDING US entirely
They cannot go To the west oil the hisSlmmes, as
Col Taylor's force will interrupt them.
They cannot geto the east Of the ST. Johns, by the
two crossings Of the river one near Lake Pickell
(named after Lieut.. Picke who discovered the
same) and the other about 10 miles farther up, as
General Hernandez's force will prevent such move
ment and they cannot go west, as We will intercept
them
Thus YOU find they are nearly cornered Two
weeks WILL Think determine the result OF The cam
paign.
We are surrounded with Indian villages that were,
presume abandoned Immediately after our first
expedition under Colonel Bankhead TO Lake Har-
ney. IL.
is expected here from Lake Harvey tomorrow
We are now where white man never was before,
and of course every thing is more or less interesting
to
But il is late, and am fatigued, therefore must
bd-good night"
letter from Camp, miles S. w. from Fort
L ane dec %, 1879 says" We arrived here day
before Yesterday Our stay here now is to make
good road from this point TO Fort Lane, so that sup
Plies may be carried from the latter place to point
about miles S. w. of this, where depot is to be
established We have passed by several Indian
lodges-of course, all deserted
The Indian signs about here are several days, II
not week old. Two Indian ponies have been
caught - came into camp this morning from
ney to the mouth of the Observation-Disclosures river
thence up the river point OF it about mile from
this camp. .
He brought with him 100 sacks of corn. So you
see what supplies can be pushed up both BY water
COL Coffee. with his battalion of Alabama volun-
teerS has Joined us. oo
General Eustiss command in camp is about 1900
strong, the number OF wagons about y" =.
Another letter dated Fort Lane (E F. Dec. 70,
1887. saws" We have succeeded in establishing
depot and fort on the lake designated as Lake Har-
ney, and the same has been called Fort Lane
A depot will probably be established on the Cos
likehatchee, creek which emphes INTO the o''
Johns above this place.
The regular forces moving south Cen Her
nandez has re-crossed the ST. Johns and is now re-
tracing his steps east The Indians appear 70 be
making as their trails indicate, toward The Cole
wagas Cha" or big cypress, in the everglades. No
hope think is at present. entertained by the most
sangune of finishing the war Immediately.
Another letter from Fort Lane, Lake Harvey,
Tee "a 1887 -" Major Tomas with two compa-
MES Of 81 Regiment Dragons, and battalion of
Ain artillery left Fort Mellon eight days ago, 10 pre-
mare the way for the main army and proceeded about
25 miles to the Cosikehatchee, having made several
bridges, cut through hammocks made causeways'
O We were overtaken by the main army on the
fourth day and have progressed but slowly, being
greatly retarded by the wagons at the first crossing
of the above named stream
We were foretold we would be attacked II the
enemy intended to give battle at ALL but there were
no symptoms of them, nor have we discovered any
signs whatever, nor any cattle
q Jimstown has been visited by part OF our com
mand--here are some substantial houses laley DULL
and being built, but they suddenly left of Work,
and have gone somewhere south even sam 'ones
who boasted that his bones should tchtcn al ms own
town. has am informed by an officer OF Gen her
nandezs command who left bis place le" o'1'
ago disappeared and left no fresh trails 80.
& Iasp Hprn