Macon intelligencer., 1839-12-05
The Florida War.


The season for active operations having
returned, and the public mind, in the army
as well as out of it. being somewhat agitated
by the contradictory nature of the reports
in circulation we have made enquiry that
we might inform our readers what mea-
sures were contemplated in theapproaching
campaign.
Gen. Taylor, by the jealous and intelli-
gent discharge of his duties, having given
satisfaction to the Department, will Icontin-
ue in command.
The troops now in Florida are the third
regiment ofartillery, portion ofthe second
dragons, the first. second, sixth and seventh
regiments 0t InIamty IrU tuHd dtlIIIcIy
having been much reduced will be sent to
the north and be,relieved by the first ar
tillery, which has been recruited and is now
full. The companies of the second dra-
goons that arrived at New York IN the
spring, being now full also. will return to
Florida, and the regiments Of infantry now
there will remain.
1t is intended TO drive the enemy out Of
the settlements by occupying the country
within and north of a line drawn from Pi-
latka TO the mouth of the Withlacoochee,
including Fort King, thence along the
western coast, to the Appalachicola; and
by maintaining posts as low down as the
mouth ofthe Withlacoochee. The inhab-
itants will be armed, and the defence of
their 6resides and neighborhoods confded
to them, with such assistance from the reg
ulars as occasion may call for. The posts
on the Atlantic coast and at Tampa Bay
will be continued, with such others as the
Commanding General may find expedient.
Experience having mournfully proved
the impracticability of forcing the Indians
from their swamps and hammocks, so fa-
miliar to them but inaccessible to US, no
further attempts will at present be made
leavingto time and the gradual spread Of
the settlements the accomplishment of an
object unattainable by arms.
The report so extensively circulated, of
conferences between the Secretary of War
and Major Generals Macomb and Scott, are
entirely without foundation; no such con-
ferences have been held. Equally unfound-
ed is that of sending seven thousand troops
to Florida; if all our regulars now out of
the territory, were taken from their present
stations, they would not amount to the
number named The northern, north
western, and southwestern frontiers are
quite as much exposed, ,,and stand as much
in need of defence, as does the territory of
Florida There has been no design en-
tertained heretofore of sending the eighth
infantry into. Florida, its presence being
considered essential to the maintenance of
neutrality on the borders of Canada The
fourth artillery will be stationed between
Ohio. and Fort Gratiot; and the
second artillery will be divided between
Fort Niagara and Buffalo.
It's believed that some additional small
vessels will be built or purchased, and sent
% thecoast of Florida, to prevent depreda-
ions by the Indians upon wrecked vessels
and their crews.
Connected with the foregoing remarks,
retrospect of recent events in Florida will
lot be inappropriate. +
During the last session Of Congress an
,onropriation of $4,000 was made for {
he he nurpose of holding treaty with the
sem;noie Indians" In virtue of this ap-
0ronriation General Macomb was sent to {
FLORIDA: and being the General-in- Chief
ofthe army, it was thought that MS rank
!, .,,o,;1d u; have more weight and influence t
nth w the Indians than acivilian could have {
General Macomb held conferences with