Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-03-20

Your suggestions with regard to the useuness fFpy
companies meet the appreciation Of the Department. ana
has already been acted upon Measures have been tskeh
engage the class Of people designated and on your
part you may adopt such you think proper to ncreaSe
this description Of force.
Measures being adopted for establishing rapid an9
certain communication, between this Department utu
tho seat of war. line OF steam packets Is ateauy "
successful operation between Washington and ShditS
ton, leaving this place Friday and reaching oai,eo
ton on The following Monday; when sea steamer may
be despatched TO The St. johns and return 10 'e 'o
the departure Of the packet the following
This vessel reaches Washington asaln on hlonoay 90
that ten days will suffice 10 communicate VIVA
under your command. IL is proposed TO make JACKSON
vile the principal depot for the operations on he Eosl
ern side OF the peninsula and you will give
ders for the erection Of sufficient sorehouses or thal
purpose, sending competent otncei 10 hahe
the river bank so as 10 avoid the expense and delay OF
land transportation From this point, forage, provisions
and all things required for the use ol the army can D
conveyed by steamers 10 any place on TIE 81 Jon"
where they may be wanted TO the nearest and most
commodious point whence 10 commence land carnage:
In order 10 ensure the success OF these operations VIII
be necessary TO engage the requisite numoer OF s'ea
boats for this services and the Department desires 10 oe
fully informed thai subject, in order that IL may oe
eide whether 10 continue the contract or TO purchase
boats And here it be we'll 10 remark that sea 'es
sells ought be employed for transportation between
New Orleans and Tampa, and between the Eastern p9ss
the rivers 1t will be we'll to have on The Eastern and
Western rivers in addition TO the barges when you al
ready have number Of atbottomed boats 10 push up
the shallow streams and TO serve for lighters IN the
event of the steamers grounding.
Whatever land transportation you may require VIII pc
furnished by the proper department. Light TWO morse
wagons drawn by mules, the best And here let me
advise YOU 10 burden yourself with loo many horses,
either for cavalry transportaon; it is extremity dim
cult to subsis them in the country are TO operate I'M
and when too numerous, instead OF facilitating, they
retard the movements Of an army observe In the plan
of campaign submitted to the Department. IN your lei
Of 18th June, you call for nine hundred ana hity
cavalry this appears 10 be too great number 10 snoss'
in Florida, but, they deemed essentially necessary,
they shall be furnished OF regulars. The immense loss
of horses by the militia and the enormous expense IN
CURED by the employment OF that description OF oos'
have determined the Department rather to bring into the
field The whole disposabe force OF the regular cavalry,
than TO make any draughis for mounted volunteers
In the entire absence Of Typographical knowledge OF
the country which is the theatre OF your operations,
cannot give an opinion Of the plan of campaign you pro-
pose 10 follow II has appeared 10 me tha hitherto The
base Of your opera has been confined too much 70
line parallel the coast, and that IT the nature OF Inc
country would permit, il might be better 10 establish IL
across The peninsula; but oi this will defer positive
opinion until receive copies OF the results OF the seVe
raj you have caused lately to be made
| beg that you will communicate frequently with the
Department. and as much possible in detail, so that
there may be defect tardness in sending forward
with you in making the necessary arrangements ana
preparations for vigorous prosecution OF the campaign,
as the will permit it 10 be commenced
without risk 10 the troops.
The period ought TO be determined by experience oil
the climate In all Southern countries with which
am acquainted, the Fall Of the year is the most slcky
and active operations in the lower parts Of
Carolina Georga before the list November, unless
there should be frost earlier in the SEASON. would be
attended with certain disease aud occasion the deslruc
ton of half Of the army. IL the traps are nssem.
bed u October appears time enough; but will
be glad 10 hear further fson you ON that snbjrct
J. r. POlNsETT.
To Major. Gen. THOMAS S. JEsrP,
Commanding az Florida
Copy Of letter o Tie Secretary of liar to Hcj. Gen..
DEPARTMENT OF WAR,
March l. 1888.
Sir- have the honor 10 acknowledge the receip Of
your communication of the ll,h OF February, which
was delivered by your aidde camp, Lieutenant
Linnard The subject Of it is of deep interest, and
have given it the most diligent aud respectful con-
sideration.
In the present Stage Of relations with the Indians
residing within the States End Territories east OF the
Mississippi, including the Semnoles it is useless to re.
cur 10 the principles and motives which induced the
Government 10 determine their removal 10 the West
The acts of the Executive, and the laws OF Congress,
evince determination carry out The measure and 1t
is be regarded the settled policy of the country In
pursuance of this policy, the treaty of Paynes Landing
made with the Seninoes, and line character oil the
officer employed The part of the Government is
guaranty of the perfectly fair manner in which that ne
collation. was conducted ard concluded. Whether the
Government ought not 10 have waited until the SEMI.
noles pressed upon by the white population, and
their lands become necessary 10 the agricultural wants
of tue community, is not question tor the Executive
now 10 consdei The treaty has been ratified, and Is
the law Of the land, and the constitutional duty of ,ha
President requires that he should cause TO be executed
cannot therefore, authorize any arrangement with The
bv wi
assign them any portion Of the Territory of Florida as
their future residence.
The Department INDUCED the hope, that with the ex
ensive placed at your disposal, the war, by VI
gorous effort might be brought 10 close this campaign
IT. however YOU are of opinion that, from the nature OF
the country and the character of the enemy, such re.
suit is impractcab!e and that it is advisable 10 make
temporary arrangement with the Semnoles, oy which
the safety OF the settlements and the posts will he Sc
cured throughout the summer, you at liberty 10 do
SO. In that event you will establish posts at Tampa, aud
The Eastern Shore and wherever else they arc, IN
your opinion, necessary preserve the peace Of the
country; and would suggest The propreiy OF leaving
Colonel Zadock Taylor, Of The First Infantry in com.
mand Of them In moving North with your forces, you
may make similar arrangements with The other bands.
deem it, however of great Importance that every tx.
should be made to chastse the maraudng Indians,
who have committed 6epredaions upon the Inhabitants
Of the people Of Middle florida. beg you will address
yourself 10 Col james Gadsden for information this
subject; and you may, you think proper, yield 10 his
suggestion Of leaving battalion for the protection Of the
people in that neighborhood 1t is hoped however, that
you will be able put out of The power of these In.
dams to do any further mischief They ought be cap
tured destroyed AS as in your opinion, il can
be done with safety you will reduce your force of mount
ed men from Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee.
Very respectfully,
Your most obedent servant,
J. R. POiNSETT.
Maj Gen THos S. JEsUP.
Comdg .1rmy Of the South, Fort Jupiter, Florida.
Extract Of letter rceered III this City from officer
Of The army, dated
"FoRT MELLON, E. F., Feb, 10, 1888.
"Report says, that Cooacoochee wild CaD is on