The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-08

M they had Just slaughtered number OF cattle and
were ei,iiaoysd ~ oying and jerking the same They
also informed me that the Mckasukies, headed BY
Awake, (Sam JoDes) some ten or twelve miles
distant, eneamPed IN swamp, and were prepared 70
fight
Although placed bnt little confidence in their pro-
LESSONS OF friendship, their intentions Of coming IN
yet had no lime 10 look up their women and children
who had fed and concealed themselves in the swamp or
to have encountered myself with them in the situation
IN which then was.
Accordingly, released the old man, who promised
that he would collect all the women and children and
take them into Captain Munroe al the ksslmmee, the
next day. also Dismissed the old man who had acted
as guide TINS far supplying his place with the four able
"sIIiors who had been captured that morning.
These arrangements being made, moved under their
guidance ior the camp Of the Mckasukies. Between
and p. m we reached a very dense cypress swamp,
through which were compelled 10 pass and in which
our guides informed us we might be attacked After
making the necessary dispositions for battle il
certaned that there WAS no enemy 10 oppose Us. The
army crossed over and encamped for the night being
late During the passage Of the rear Captain Parks,
who was in the advance with a few friendly Indians.
fell in with two Of the enemys spes between two or
three miles Of our eamp-one on horseback, the other
on ioo--and succeeded in capturing the latter. He
was an active young warrior, armed with excellent
rifle fifty balls in his pouch, and adequate proper
ton OF powder, This Indian confirmed the iniorma-
ton which had previously been received from the other
Indians, snd addition stated that large body Of the
Seminoes, headed by John Cohua, Coa-coo-chee, and
no doubt, Alligator with other chiefs were encanped
hve or six miles from the Mckasukies, with
cypress swamp and dense hammock between them and
the latter
The army moved forward at daylight the next
morning, and, after marching FIVE or six miles,
reached the camp Of the SeminoeS The borders of
another cypress swamp, which must have contained
several hundred, and bore evident traces Of having
been abandoned in great hurry, as the fires were
still burning and quantities OF beef lying on the
ground unconsumed.
Here the troops were again disposed of in order Of
battle, but we found no enemy to oppose us, and the
command was crossed over about II, a. m. when we
entered large prairie in our front, which twoor
three hundred head of cattle were grazing, and a
number of Indian ponies Here another young In
dian warrior was captured, armed and equipped as
the former. He pointed out dense hammock on
our right about mile distant, in which he said
the hosiles were situated and waiting TO give us
battle.
AT this place The final disposition was made TO at
tack them which was in two lines; the volunteers
under Gentry and MorgaRs Spies, to torn the first
line in extended order, who were instructed to enter
the hammock, and in the event OF being attacked and
hard pressed were TO fan back in rear OF the regular
troops of the reach Of the enemys fire, the second
line was composed ofthe Fourth and Sixth Infantry,
who were instructed 10 sustain the volunteers, the
First Infantry being heldin reserve.
Moving on in the direction Of the hammock, after
proceeding about quarter Of mile, we reached the
swamp which separated us from the enemy three
quarters OF mile IN DTeaun, pelHB lHpdsod-
Bile for horse and nearly for foot, covered with
thick growth OF saw-grass five feet high, and about
knee deep in mud and water, which extended TO the
left as far as the eye could reach and TO the right TO
part of the swamp and hammock We had lust eros
sed, through which ran deep creek. Atthe edge OIL
the swamp all the men were dismounted, ana the
horses and baggage left under suitable guard.
Captain Allen was detached with the two companies
of mounted infantry TO examine the swamp ana nam
mock to the right; and in he should not hndthe
enemy in that direction TO return tothe baggage,
and in the event cf his hearing heavy firing, was
Immediately to join me.
After making these arrangements, crossed the
swamp in the order stated. On reaching the border
of the hammock the Volunteers and Spies received
heavy fire from the enemy, which was returned by
them for short time, when iheir gallant command
err Colonel Gentry, fell, mortally wounded. They
mostly broke and instead of forming in rear of the
regulars had been directed they retired across the
swamp to their baggage and horses, nor could they
be again brought into action as body, although ef-
forts made repeatedly by my stan 10 induce
them TO do 80.
The enemy, however, were promptly checked and
driven back BY the Fourth and Sixth Infantry, which
in truth might be said TO be moving battery. The
weight Of the enemys fire was principally concen-
raed on FIVE companies OF the Sixth Infantry, which
not only stood firm, but continued to advance until
their gallant commander, Lieut. Colonel Thompson,
and his adJutant, Lieutenant Center were killed;
and every officer with one exception, as well as most
of the non-commssioned officers, including the SER
gean major and four ofthe orderly sergeans, killed
and wounded of those companies; when that portion
of the regiment retired short distance and were
again formed one oftheSe companies having but four
men eft untouched. .
Lieut.. Col Foster, with six companies, amounting
in all 10 hundred and sixty men, gained the ham
mock in good order, where he was joined by Captain
Noel, with the two remaining companies of the Sixth
Infantry, and Capt Gillian of Gentry's volunteers,
with few additional men, ard continued TO drive
the enemy for a considerable time, and by change
of front, separated his line, and continued to drive
NhaI tho nkn lEna.
which was in the rear of the enemys position, and
on which their encampment extended for more than
a mile, As soon as Twas informed that Capt Allen
was advancing ordered the First Infantry to move
to the left gain the enemys right flank and turn II,
which was executed in the promptest manner posi-
Bile; and as as halTegimen got in position the
enemy gave one fire and rereated, being pursued oy
the First, Fourth, and Sixth and some OF the voun-
teers who had Joined them, until near night, and un-
til these troops were nearly exhausted, and The enemy
driven in all directions.
The action was a severe one, and continued from
halfpast twelve until after three, p m. part OF the
time very close and severe. We suffered much,
having twenty-six killed and one hundred and
twelve wounded among whom are some OF our
most valuable officers. The hoSiiles probably SUI
fered all things considered, equally with ourselves,
they having left ten dead on the ground, besides
doubtless, carrying off many more, as is customary
with them, when practicable.
As soon as the enemy were completely broken,
turned my attention 10 taking care OF The wounded,
10 lacilllale their removal 10 my DdSSaSei nneio
had ordered an encampment TO be formed, directed
Captain TAYLOR TO cross over TO the spot, and employ
every individual whom he might find there, in con-.
structing small footway across the swamp; this,
with great exerions was completed in short time
after dark, when all the dead and wounded were
carried over in itters made for that purpose with
one exception, private OF the Fourth Infantry, who
was killed, and could not be found.
And here, | trust, may be permitted TO say that
| experienced one Of the most trying scenes OF my
life, and he who could have looked on IT with in
difference his nerves must have been very different