Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-02-22

war against the Florida Indians, and beg TO assure you
that it will afford great pleasure to give you all the
Information on this subject in possession OF the Depart
ment.
From the time first entered upon the duties of the
War Department, continued to receive letters from
officers commanding in Florida, rs wei! as from the
most ghtened citizens of that Territory, urging the
employment of WOodhouads the most efficient means
of terminating the atrocities daily pcrpetrated by the
Indians the settlers in that Territory. To these
proposals no answer was given, until, in the month OF
August, 1888, while at the Virginia Springs, there was
referred to from the Department letter addressed
to the Adjutant General, by the officer commanding
the forces in Florida, General Taylor the following
effect:
HEAD QUARTERS, ARMY OF THE South, !,
Fort Brooke, July %, 1888. :
Sir: have the honor to enclose YOU . communlca-
on this moment received the subject of procuring
bloodhounds from the island of Cuba to aid the army
in its operations against the hoses in Florida
am decidedly in favor Of the measure, and beg
leave again to urge it the only of Riding the
country of the Indians who are broken up into small
parties that take shelter in swamps and hammocks
the army approaches, making it impossible for us to
follow overtake them without the aid of such
aries.
Should this measure meet the appreciation of the De-
partmcnt and the necessary authority be granted,
will open a correspondence on the subject with Mr..
Everson, through Major Hunt, Assistant Quartermas-
ter at Savannah and will authorize him if it be
done reasonable terms, to employ few dogs, with
persons who understand their management.
wish it distinctly understood, that my object in en-
blowing dogs only TO ascertain where the Indians
be found, not to worry them.
have the honor to be, sir, your obedent serv't.
Z. TAYLOR,
Bt Br Gen. U. s. A. Commanding.
To GEN. R. JoSEs, Washington, ID. G..
On this letter endorsed the following decision, which
was communicated TO Gen. Taylor: 81 have always
been of opinion that dogs ought TO be employed in this
warfare to protect the army from surprises and ambus
cades and to track the Indian to his lurking place. but
supposed if the General believed them to be necessary
he would not hesitate TO take to procure them
The cold blooded and inhuman murders lately perpe
trated upon helpless and children by these ruth
less savages render it expedent that every possible
should be resorted to in order to protect the peo
pie of Florida, and to enable the United States forces
to follow and capture destroy, the savage and
lentng foe. Gen Taylor is therefore authorized to pro-
such number of dogs he may judge necessary,
it being expressly understood that they to be en-
poyed track and discover the Indians, not TO worry
or destroy them"
This is the only action correspondence the part
Of the Department that has taken place in relation
to the matter The General took measures TO car
ry into effect his recommendation and this De-
parmcnt has since rene wed the subject | con-
tnue, however, to entertain the opinion expressed in
the above decision. do not believe that description
of dog called the bloodhound, necessary to prevent
surprise or track the Indian murderer but still think
that every cabin, every military post, and every de-
tachment, should be attended by dogs. That precau
ton might have saved Dade's command from massa-
ere, and by giving timely warning, have prevented
many of the cruel murders which have been commit
ted by the Indians in Middle Florida. The only sue
cessfu pursuit of Indian murderers that | know of,
was on late OCCASION when the pursucrs were aided
by the sagacity Of their dogs. These savages had
approached cabin ef Ps"osi "i and industrious set
tiers stcalthy, that the first notice of their pre-
scnce was given by volley from their rifles thrust
between the logs of the house; and the work Of
death was finished by tomahawking the women,
after tearing from them their infant children, and
dashing their brains out against the door posts Are
these ruthless savages TO escape and repeat such scenes
of blood because they can elude citizens in
Florida, and regular soldiers, and battle their
aided efforts to overtake or discover them: On late
occasion, three estimable citizens killed in the
immediate ncghborhood of st. Augustine, and one Off
of distinguished merit morally wounded. Iii in
evidence that these murders were committed by two
Indians who after shooting down the father and beat
ing the sons brains with the butts of their rifles,
upon hearing the approach of the volunteers retired
few yards into the woods and secretcd themselves until
the troops returned to town with the dead bodies OF
those who had been thus inhumanly and wantony
butchcrcd 1t be regretted that this corps had
not been accompanied with or two hunters, who,
with their dogs, mig have tracked the bloodsaincd
footsteps Of these Indians have restored liberty the
captive they were dragging away with them, and have
prevented them from again repeating such afro
low citizens in Florida resorting to such in
order protect the lives of their women and children.
Very respectfully,
Your most obcdient servant,
J. R. POINSETT.
Hon. HENRY A. WISE, House of Representatives.
WAR DEPARTMENT, }
January 70, 1910.
Sir: II is understood by the Department. although
not officially informed of The fact, that the authorities
or ,Io ,fE have cd of
bloodhounds from the Island Of Cuba and think it
proper to direct, in the event Of those dogs being
ployed by any officer Of officers under your command,
that their be confined, altogether to tracking the
Indians; and in order TO ensure this, and to prevent
the possibility of their nurng any person whatsoever
that they be muzzled when in the field and held with
a leash while following the track of the enemy
Very respectfully, your most obt servt,
J. R. POINSETT.
Brig. Gen. z. TAYLOR,
Commanding Army of the South, Florida.
THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The CHAIR announced that the unfinished bust
ness of Friday could now be taken up; which the
motion of Mr. Benton, from the Committee on Finance,
that certain documents the Salt business should be
printed.
Mr.. LUMPKIN suggested whether before they pro-
ceedcd in any further argument on this subject, would
not be better to have copy of the work each Sena-
tors desk, and then they might vote undersandingy
on the question of printing extra number.
The CHAIR stated that the question before the Sc
nate only for printing the usual number for the
use of the Senate.
Mr.. CLAY of Kentucky and Mr.. DAVIS stated that
they had objection to printing the usual number;
and the printing was ordered.
Mr.. DAVIS submitted the following resolution,
which was considered and adopted:
Resoired, That the President of the United States
be requested to transmit to the Senate such iniorma-
ton he may possess, showing the necessity of fur
ther legislation in regard to the papers OF vessels bound
on foreign voyages.
SPECIAL ORDER.
The resolutions connected with the report OF the Sc
lect Committee on the assumption of the State debts
were taken up, as follows
l. Resolred That the assumption, directly or ndl-
rectly by the General Government of the debts which
have been, may be, contracted by the States Tor To-
cal objects State purposes, would be UNJUST both TO
the States ind to the people.
9. RfS0lccd, That such assumption would be highly
nexpedient and dangerous to the Union OF the States
g. Rcsoiued, That such assumption would be wholly
unauthorized by and in violation of the Constitution Of
the United States and utterly repugnun to all the OBJ