Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-09
DDFs ES'EsC.
(From the y. Y. Star.)


ST. AUGUSTINE, 10th Dec. 1887.
81 wish | could give you Correct information In reia-
lion To The position and force uf our army, the prospects
OF terminating he war by negotiating with the enemy;
but although IN daily conversation with officers best ac-
quain,ed with The Indians and the country, | am almost
as ignorant Of those matters US an abolIllOnlsl is OF Tile
real condition OF the Southern slaves.
You may, however, consider II as Certain, that The In.
dams will not submit on the only condition which can
he held out To them, viz: emigralion-they will not leave
the country until compelled so TO do. do not believe
they ever intended I" emigtaie- they Away hoped, and
now hope to be permitted To remain. They would with.
GU, doubt accept of the everglades, or even a part OF lae
country so called aud abandon the rest, could they have
permission 10 remain; but ! am confident there Is u
large force with at least two chiefs (wild Cat and Sam
Jones, boil, bold, the latter a cunning old fisherman who
knows a great deal of white men and hates them ally
who will fight 10 The lust, nor will it be an easy task 10
subdue even a small force OF determined Sem'noles.
With an army of over SnG0 men, well mounted aud pro.
visioned, you might suppose Gen. lesup could end the
war in a nonth-nor is il easy ~ conceive the nature Of
The difficulties to be encountered by an army in opera.
ting in u country such as Florida: Inc hiding places or
hamnocks in which the Indians are found, and where
they fight, are composed Of all kinds Of brars, with an.
derbrush and low palnettos, that an Indian cnuld desire,
TO form an impenelrable barrier 10 the march Of q soldier.
An Indian ne ever ventures 10 fight only when in one Of
these swamps, which he enters by crawling like a snake.
Some of these hummocks are miles in extent-How
then is an army 10 follow them or drive them out? The
palme,tos, which grow in every hammock, furnish the
Indians the means Of lving-each palmetto contains a
portion OF nutritious cabbage, so the hammock secures
the Indian from the sight Of The soldier, and also iron
the danger Of starvation. The task of General Jrsup
is very lar from being pleasant. If the war is brought
To a close this cumpaign, he will have gained little cred.
il for military tact, and none for economy If the war is
not closed, he will hardly be able TO retain The command
another year. His desire TO close the campaign by
treaties, negotiations, &c. mas not succeeded The lndl.
ans have cheated him the .e0rst 1say. The Indians con.
fined in fort at this place are sickly, dying fast, and ought
to be sent to some place where they could stalk about IN
the open air.
believe the General will commence his active ope-
ra,ions this day. or Monday al farlh: st:-lhe time hav-
ing expired when the Indians promised to surrender.
Their object was 10 gain lime, not To be better prepared
to fight, but in hopes thut government will, in the end,
permit them 10 remain in the country somehow or
other, some where or other. Jesup's plan will probably
be to divide his forces into four or more separate bodies
and have stores and provisions placed in such positions,
as will enable each detachment 10 prosecute come gene
raj plan Of occurring the country, las hunters say y.
Some thing must be done soon; the time OF service of
one Of, two thousand Of his men will soon expire, cay in
a few days. Government will soon get tired Of the war.
Every Indian caught or killed has cost a very large sum,
perhaps 500, 900.
8 This is loo much-ina few days | will write you again.
and give you The detail of an expedition sent to explore
the Everglades; it consists of two hundred men, with
three schooners aud a steamboat. The whole winter
may he required 10 complete this service; the vessel0 iea