Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-02-01
TIE BATTLE ON THE kiSSlMMEE.
OFEI(IAJ, ACCOUNT
HEAD QuAErERs, FlEsr BRIGADE:

HEAD QUAETERs, FIRST BRIGADE:
ARMY Surru OF TIE WITnLACoUCnEE,
Camp abom ten miles East IF The kissimmfr
Ei.ht p m 2Gih December, 1881.
GENERAL: part Of nIy force rit Fort Gardner on
the 18th inst and left with he balance, (e%cepiing n
small force 10 protect the supplies al that fort On the
following mnrlllrr and after rapid march down the
kissimnrc, g! which movement ADVISED you IN my
letter of The 9h reataed lis banks ngan on III, even
ing Of the THIRD day, about fifteen miles lbnve It's en-.
trance into Lake k.echoRec and Earning from prl'
sonpr captured that day that Allisa,or. with all The
war spirits Of Tie Semnurs, with Sam Jones and one
hundred aud sercniy.ivc Micasukies, were encamped
about twenty. five miles distant, The east side ot
the Eiss;nuire crossed The kiISImmec (@here |
left Captain hlunrOe with his cnmpany the pioneers,
ponnnecrs and large portion o: thu Delaware ncians,
who decmrd going Alleging tina. their ieet and legs
badly cut by the pa!rnetio that they could
march urhcr} the day taking the captured In
dian with guide who wrai very reluctantly, in
pursuit u the enemy; and after passing several cypress
swamps aud dense hanmocks, reached the vicinity Of
the enemys cncampment on The morning Of the 25;h ;
ard although occupying one OF the strongest and most
Difficult, placrs 10 approach and enter in Foridl, which,
no doubt had bacn selected CIR the purpose giving me
battle there informed by prisoner took the
evening previous but yng the valOr OF the officers
and soldiers of my command, well Us on the skill OF
the former. did hesitate moment in bringing them
action. After making the necessary arrangements,
entered swamp ncnIy mile in width, impossible for
horse, und almost for foot coached the hammock in
which they were stationed between twelve and P.
nj when the action commenced; the enemy opening a
warm fire the volunteers who composed the first lue,
rrca, portion Of whom fell back in rear of The fourth
and sixth infantry which corps under one of the warm
est and most destructive Tires experienced from In.
dams, particularly the sixth, pressed forward, gained the
hammock, and after 4 struggle for than
hour after being j"inrd by the Isl infantry, which
held in reserve, and two companies OF the ith that had
been detached to the right, who Joined short time be-
fore the close of the battle, the enemy completely
routed and driven in every direction and pursued
BY the troops until near night, and until they
pietply exhausted.
The victory was dearly purchased; bat aarr ysrlf
that the result will be equivalent TO the sacrifice made.
The enemy made his greatest efforts TO break the centre
of the 9th. killing and wcunding every officer of four
companies, with exception and every orderly sergeant
Of these companies; killing lis gallant commander and
aduant who fell where they inught: in the hottest of
The action and moraily woundirg the sergeant major,
who is since dead The next day employed in the
sad Offices of nterring the DEAD and taking of The
wounded, all of whom were brought back across the
>morass to canp that evening. with exception
being able 10 find The body and in constructing ters TO
convey the wounded 10 the place where left my wagons
am thus far my way 10 that point, and shall reach
there to morrow when shall lake good of the
wounded as pussble and also recruit my men and hor-
SEES at my several advanced drpos particularly the latter
before can again take the field.
The enemy, oil things considered probably suffered
equally with ourselves They left ten bodies the
field besides carrying many off, without doubt, rs theIe
were traces of blood 10 the banks Of the Okee chokee
lake, on the borders OF which the battle was fought.
Wishing you health and happiness, remain. General,
your obedient servant, z TAYLOR,
Colonel Commanding.
Maj. Gen. T. S. JEsuP,
Commanding qrmy Of tia Scuh, Florida.
P S. As soon as can do go, will mail you more
full repor, Of The battle and my operations am now
writing without candle, with pine.knos subs
tule in cabbage.trre hammock in the centre of large
prairie, on very dirty sheet Of paper, which is the on
ly one in camp
4dstract from The Report Of the killed and counded in the
affair of Tie 25.h IF December 1887.
REeuLARs--lss Infantry, Lieut. Col Davenport, -four
men wounded