Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-02-11
INTERESTING FROM FLORIDA,

INTERESTING FROM FLORIDA.
BY tho Steamer Ner5ers, captain McNulty
the Savannah Georgian has lcciyed tho foowins
letter:
FLORIDA, January IS, l84i.
Harvey ngdin.i the feld--6e Indians Ia
ken--G.eat hopes Of the termination o.
the Florida uar.
Through the kindness Of an officer recently from
Fort King, am enabled to furnish you the particu-
lars Of an Achievements performed by the 2t lnian-
tfys that, in my opinion, equal to any thing that
has occurred during the war-a more perfect eshi-
btion Of GOODNESS and skill than has before fallen
ondcr my observation, and egiueing aat deer boush
experience has at last been put INTO reqsisition.
Competent judges among my military acqiain,-
sAce loud and in their encor.iums. Higher
praise (were a soldier) woul1 not desire.
About the 9th mat. Col. Riley left Fort King and
crossed the Ocklawaha at FORT Fowie with the in
ten,ion OF proceeding W. it's Eastern bank in search
Of the secret hauuts I'll the enemy. Third day out,
hs fell upon sp.li trail, and upon examination
discovered that it led into the evere laaes Of the
Ocklawaha. Satisfied that Indians near him,
be put h's command in motion and, iof three dsj
continued his onward course through mud and wa
ter. frequently mote than kneedcep. bivouacing at
night, without fires, &c.
In this cautious and truly Iadian manner, he APP
proached the enemy, unseen aud nhsasPscfed On
the morning of the third day. the advanced scout
reported large Indian force short distance aheaJ.
An intervening hillock enabled the Colonel TO dis
pose Of his force in such manner as to preclude
the possibility Of the Indians escaping without a
fight.
Tho mounted men under Lieut.. Anderson, were
ordered TO the fight-the foot, under Lieut. David.
son. passed to the left ard rear of the enemy.
Daring these preparations, my Informant says,
every heart beat high with hope. and the desire to
strike blow that would rssound FAR and wide, TO
the credit Of our little army, visible upon the
countenances of all. No appeared to fear a
combat. and The recollection of POOR Sherwood and
Mira Montgomery fate nefved essry arm, and
aroused the dor OF souls about 10 min
gle for the first lime in deadly strfs with q savage
and inhuman foe.
The command Forward. rang clear md sharp.
and was foo.ed by cries and confusion in the enc
my's camp. AS the troops closed in few warii-
ors sprang their arms, but one look at the si;ua
ton Of things satisfied them Of the folly Of fighting
for from behind every tree aud bush the grim
vsnge" Of a musket presented itself. and the first
ehort at resistance would have TAPPED the bell that
would have rung the kneli of their departing spirits
They Welded without striking blow. The sobs
and Ianentai atoms of the women and children were
only eqnaIled by The fear, and trembling evinced by
the trarriors. They badly frightened that
they could scarcely ar,iculaie. lis thus with
cowards!
Upon counting noses, the prisoners numbered
100! and before disposition was made of tbem
runner who bad bur few hours previous joined
their camp. made his appearance with an order
signed by Gen. Armistead. directing that no one
should interfere with said Indians, Us they bad
promised to go in al Tampa The Colonel turned
TO his ofIicers--" Gentlemen." said he, g" would
not have REGARDED White Fag bu, TO an orlet
in biack and rhRe, | must submit . Gudsi"
addressing his Negro) draw a bee-linc for home,
and soc that you take there by the shortest pos
sible rnute.
Ia silent and most perfect disgust. The command
wenied their homeaard path.
Ny ignorance Of the great Captains of the by
gone ages, would render cautious how | pre-
sunsd to cavil at Gen Armstead's course but !
an, sure Dicky Riker would exclaim, we're he here
- that signing OF papers is great evil, and prac-
,ised to great extent in this community
Why not say to the Indians, If you are really
DESTROYS come in. make your appearance on the
open roads, carry white nig, and If you nee, with
troops. they will no, moest you-o The contrary
they will take charge Of and escort you 10.
Such a course would ensbe the troops operating
Ia the hammocks 10 reap the fruit of their labors
and subject them Us in the instance herein re-
lated) TO the modification of finding their enemies
armed with paper instead of leaden bullets.
Capt. Barnum, with three companies of the 2d,
Is operating in the eighbnrhood Of Lake Churchill
The command AZ Fort Holmes, under Capt Smith
and Lieut.. McKinstry, have been operating in the
islands at The mouth ofthe O:klawshs. during which
time they subsis,ed upon preparatory at psrched
corn aud sugar.
p. S.-since writing the above, glorious news
from tho Everglades has reached US.
Col Harney's second expedition has resulted in
hi, capture and killing Is warriors. Maj. Childs
has taken Al men. women and children. Lieut..
Step,oe ha. also killed and captured six warriors,
making total OF Co.
We arc all looking for speedy termination OF
the war the news from the Gulf posts, tending.
II does, toward. such contamination OF our wishes
JAsuARY o7.-Cap, Barnum ha. returned TO
Fort Russell; The camp Of Haleck-tus-ic-uuggo was
discovered within seven miles OF For; Russell. lie
got wind Of the troops and escaped Capt. 2 cap
,ured squaws, one child, and ponies.