Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-01-28

The subjoined letter, from officer of the Army
wa. received by US day or two since. Il will be
read with interest, inasmuch as it goes into detail
Of the last deed1 Of The Indians.
FoRr RUSSELL, e. F.
Jan. 5th, l84l.
To The Editor Of the Gazette
DEAR SIR-We have received information of
on. Of the most horrible and tragic murders that
has taken place since the commencement of the
Florida Lieut.. Walter Sherwood, of the Tth
Infantry Mrs. Montgomery. wife Of 1t. A. Mont
gomery, and the Serg,. Major and three prvates
Of the same Regiment, were killed by the Indians
on the 28th ut., between the Posts of Mcanopy
and Wacahootee, about three and half miles from
the former. The detachmen, left Micanopy, mum.
bering ten mounted men, detailed to small
train. Mrs. Montgomery wishing to visit lady at
the Garrison at Wacahootee, took advantage Of the
opportunity TO her friend. Whilst the escort
and their charge we're advancing in security, the
keen eye of the willy savage marked them as his
prey. In the midst of dense hammock, through
which the road passes, the wild yell of the Semi
mole upon the air, followed by the report of f
ty rifles At the first fire the Sergeant shot to
the ground the second destroyed the Lieutenant
and three Puivates. The commissioned and nom
commissioned officers both dead, panic seized the
few soldiers left alive, and they took to fight. The
teamster states he fed, he came up to Mrs.
Montgomery, who endeavoring to effect her
escape along the road Micanopy-that he as
sisted and urged her along but impeded by her
long riding dress, aud the Indians gaining rapidly
upon them, he was compelled to leave her-that
soon after he heard one shrill shriek .hen yell
the tragedy was complete
As soon as the Commanding officer at Mcanopy
received intelligence Of the fact detachment was
marched to the ground, the bodies brought in ano
the Indians pursued, The above are the details,
as accurately a, they can be procured at this time.
Thus have fallen in tho spring-sime Of life, and
amid all the bright aniicpations of youth, the gal
liant and accomplished soldier-the refined and ee-
giant ady--a sacrifice at the shrine of savage
seancs, and savage cunning And will the Govern.
and citizens of our country listen with
soica Indifference this, and the many other ira
gic tales of horror, often enacted and repeat
cdly recountedl Shall the noble and gallant band,
whivh has for years expended It's strength amid a
hostile and inhospabie country, be suffered toll
on, without hope, and without aid, in this ngloriou.
war' Will not the Government awake from It's
lethargy, pour into the land masses Of armed men,
and fill every district, so that there can be
treat, no secure lurking place for these bandilti
l hope so. Then let them be driven like wild
beasts, from fastness fastness-let them be sunt
ed down and exterminated, that not trace Of
them be left to recall to memory deeds transacted
in darkness and sealed in blood.
On the same day teamster was killed by In
dams at the ne-mile hammock, between Palaika
and Fort Holmes. They were pursued by Lieut..
Anderson, Cd Infantry, with detachment of mount
ed men, but not overtaken.
Yesterday intelligence received that Col
Harvey, of the I'd Dragons, had captured,
Fort Dallas, Key Bscsyne, about forty Indians,
men, women and children. He recognized ten of
the warriors who we're engaged in the massacre at
tho Carloosahatchee, and after informing them that
he intended to treat them they had treated
him and his command" hung them, and left them
as terror to the remainder. One he saved as a
guide. Thus has retributve justice overtaken a
tinued, and the war will be ended in less thaH six
months.
There are upwards OF hundred Indians in a,
the different posts. that have surrende, ed since the
late armistice.
Respectfully yours, &c.