Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-08-29
From Abe Philadelphia National Gazette.
GARLY's FERRY. +. Florida,
August 9Th, 1899.

August 9Th, 1880.
The late massacre at the Caloosa hatchec
has spread gloom over the people here that
would astound one to discover upon those
who had so long been used to talk Of blood
and carnage. For The past two months they
have felt AS perfectly secure under the pa
rade of General Macomb's treaty proclama.
tion, that it seemed as though nothing could
dispossess them Of the confidence which u
Major Generals declaration ought to com
mand. Conviction has at last been dearly
bought. The melancholy tale is told in tho
following extract from letter from distin.
guished friend in the south, who obtaiped his
information from some Of the survivors.
"Shortly after dark on the 2S,h of July
four Dragons, two wounded, arrived here in
a fishing smack from the Caloosahatchee, and
reported the massacre of the largest portion
of Col. Harney's command at 9th dragons
that went about four weeks since to establish
n trading house. in conformity with Macolnb's
treaty. The circumstances Of this cold.
blooded and unprovoked act Of hostility, are
thus related by the men. The Indians had
tor some time manifested the most friendly
disposition they daily visited Col. Harney's
camp, and traded with Mr.. Dallam, the sutlcr
So completely had the Indians lulled them
into security, that Colonel Harney did not
erect the least defence, nor take means 10
guard against surprise or treacheTy. The
drngoons were encamped in The open pine
woods on the margin of the river. AT the
dawn Of day Of the Odd July, the enemy made
a simultaneous attack on the encampment
and the trading house, 300 yards distant
which was guarded by five more persons be.
longing to The establishment. Those who
escaped the first discharge fled to the river,
naked. and by woding and swimming sue
cocded IN reaching some fishing smacks that
were anchored near its mouth. Col. Harncy
being aroused by the firing and yelling,
opened bis tent and found himself surrounded
by the Indians, and some of his men in the
river lie Immediately sought a small canoe
which laid short distance up the river, in
winch Ee aud one man escaped.
The sergeant and four others while swim
ming down the river, were called to the shore
by an Indian known "a Billy Bowlegs, "a son
OF old Bowlegs, who was the military chief
Of the Seminolcs in 1918, and grandson of
Cowkeopcr, n distinguished chiefin the nation
prior to 1857 who speaks English perfectly,
ana invited 10 the shore under the assurance
they should not be harmed: they complied,
and were instantly butchercd. IN the alter
noon, Col. iiarncy was joined by another
man, aud they cautiously approached the
scene OF slaughter in hopes OF finding that
some of the party had escaped by conceal
mcnt. Eleven bodies were found, horribly
mulllatcd, ard the Indians were distinctly
heard dancing and whooping on the opposite
side OF the river, where they had been en-
mped--nunbering about go. The fate of
Mcssrs. Dalam and Morgan, the sullers) is
not positively known, but no doubt exists that
they were both murdered, as they were sleep.
ing under shed or porch in the rear of their
slorcbousc. Eighteen were killed; thirteen
of whom were Of the Second Dragons, and
the choicest mcn of that corps. They were
selec ed by Col. IIarncy for this
service on account of their cxpertness with
Colts patent many -chambcred rife, with
which they were armed.
"Thus has ended that precious and great |
est of all humbugs-,he 'Macomb Treaty.
entered into with a few vngabond Indians,
,nd chief of whom nobody every heard be-
FORE" "lf the same powers with which
General Macomb cainc clothed, had, in the
month of March last, previous To the cmigra-
ton of many influential chiefs aud braves,
been conidcd to General Tay y!or,-who, after
D third of ccniury's service among The IN.
dinns, must be supposed to know something
of Indian diplomacy is not doubt
tha, treaty Of peace, such as the govern
mcnt so anXiously desires, might have been
entirely successful. Oar operations will of
conrsc he resumed, and the best authority in
this country estimates the force that will be
required at twenty thousand men.
"Morc murders have occurred since Gen.
Macomb's arrangement at Fort King, than
At any time, within the same period, during
The war"