Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-08-23
FLORIDA WAR.

II We have just received the subjoned let
ter from II mcriorious young officer, nov
stationed ut Fort Ileileman, East Florida
which contains later intelligence. from the
seat of war than any we have seen. The
writer is North Caroinian, and sketches
with graphic pen the hardships ond diff
culies which those undergo who nre enga.
ged in this "inglorious war."-Raleigh Reg
iSter.
FoRT IIrILEMAN, T.. +. July l5, 1898.
L Nou will perceive that | have advanced
rapidly in rank, and it seems to me that eve
ry thing has resumed prosperous hue since
| have been in the military line. Yet, mus,
say, that he who enters The service with the
belief that there is not much duty to perform
becomes wo,ully mistaken when he enters
upon his labors.
We have had severe time Of it. wadino
in morasscs aud swainps, and enconntcring
difficulties, and enduring, without a murnur,
hardships of which no one can conceive, who
is at a distance. Oar march from Fort Mel
lon to the southern portion of Florida, was
marked with much suffering and fatigue to
officers and soldiers, and great destruction
II
regiment suffered great loss, one that
fear will not be made up IN some time near
y the whole is now mounted, but upon in
different horses. We have all the scouting
to do at tins season OF the year, as it is too
warm for foot troops.
! IL assure you that this war il far from be-
ing at m end. The Mckasukics have now
about 800 warriors, and they can remain hero
,,,s al sI.nu 4,
say that we can perish them out is nonsense,
as the whole country is filed with fine beet,
the woods abound with deer and tnrkics, and
the streams and ponds have an abundance OF
fish. The enemy can Cludc us, at any mo-
ncnt, when we arc in pursuit, in the dense
h,mnocks, which afford safe shelter TO
them. In many hamlnocks, no troops can
operate bn, the enemy have small beaten
trails with which they arc iamiliorly acquaint-
ed. and pass out of our reach. ! often sec
il asked in many prints. why do the troops
not surround the hamnocks? ! can only
say that the hammocks are sometimes twenty
miles long and ten broad. There is another
great advantage to the enemy they can Il!
ways fight from their own position, and they
are warriors enough not TO take my position
which can be surrounded before they are
w tbtH o'nllIItIS, "I'''t huNt
always thrown ont from lhrir llanks. and yo,
are always ignorant of tho cnemy's being
near, until you hear the report of the rifle
and the savage yc'l
You have no conception Of the manner OF
oar living in the field; We scarcely have
transportation enough to carry the pork,
bread, and coffee, which alone compose our
bill of fare and the blanket which shields us
from the storm. Yet, amid all this, our
troops. often barcfoo,cd. and their pantaloons
cut off as high az the knee, with the saw pal.
mciio, press forward in tire defence of their
country. and in checking the depredations OF
the savage upon the inhabitants of this re.
gion, whose presses tccm with abuse upon
the army now serving in the territory. The
officers are nlicna,cd from home, kindred
and friends, and compelled to remain in this
inglorous war, defending n domain which
can never he denscly populated, and project.
ing some of its inhabitants who would suffer
much in comparison with tho savage.