The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-27

general features the as those of Chiito island
Dot The soil sandy. There are no villages on the
other Islands, but they have been cleared ia the
tire and planted with pumpkins, melons. and corn,
which were Of course destroyed. Our greatest an
noyance at this place, the immense number Of
heas coekroaches and mosquitoes; every thing you
touched even the ground was alive with the former
which, with the mosquitoes, attacked us, while the
reaches luxuiiated on our provisions. The whole
group Of islands, (callsd Army and Navy group) is
nearly mile and half in length, and upon careful
examination, presented no recent Indian signs
January 9th. At 8 A. M. passed over three miles
to the Pine Keys, and secured their whole e.
tent; returned at night. hungry and fatgued, 10
Sam Jones' camp January 7lh. Started early for
the Prophets island, which, according to Mico, is
"two suns" from here. At III A. M. stopped at
small island aud destroyed fourishng crop fyoung
corn. 3 p. M. came to another island Of small eI-
tent and uncleared; upon sending negro John up a
tree to look ouf he reported two Indians ia cnnoes
two miles of, coming toward US. Orders were ilnme-
datey given by Col III to lie close they were evil
IDENTIFY coming to the island In a few minutes John
reported that they had seen US and were going back
The Colonel gave chase, but finding there was not
water enough for his large canoe the guide
to Captain MLasghlins boat, and directed him TO
move on in Pursut-the light boas of the artillery TO
accompany the Captain and his command The Co
lonel with the large canoes, returned to the island
and sent up lookout who reported the Indians as
out OF sight, but boats still going at speed and
rapidly nearing small island about three miles of
confident
ne could md passage across without any guide,
started for the other island, and reached it Just as
some Of the advance boats flushed party consisting
Of four warriors five squaws and two children each
warrior had separate canoe, containing his family
and worldly possessions They Iet the boats to the
care Of the women and took the grass water load
ing and firing they ran; three ofihe warriors were
soon shot, three squaws and one child taken the
other child was drowned by its mother 10 prevent its
cries leading TO her detection. Night coming On, one
w fave hv he "A. -
capped Only one soldier slightly wounded in
this affair. Jan. 9Th. Early this morning Col III
sent out small force to follow the trail OF the other
warrior and endeavor, if possible 10 take him alive,
he had learnt from the squaws that il was CHA one
Of the best guides in the whole territory After fol-
lowing the trail five miles, they came up with squaw
(Chias wiie) and took hel few yards further on,
upon hearing rustling in the grass, several of the
men eaped into the water and OF the mariners, in
the act Of springing from the boat was shot by the
Indian IN the side who then ran few PAGES reload
ing his rfe, and Sergeant Searles Of Sd artillery
rushed toward him. he turned and fired at only FIVE
PAGES, wounding the Sergeant MORALLY, who, how
ever, kept on towards him. CHA then struck at him
with his rifiepoor Searles sank for instant under
the blow but blinded and faintng he was from loss
Of blood, he quickly rallied for last effort, and threw
himself upon the Indians neck crying, II have him !"
CHA then drew his knife and was about to stab his
,captor, when soldier arrested his murderous hand
After securing the captive, the Sergeant was lifted
into canoe and brought back to the island where his
wounds were examined and dressed by the Medical
officer. The ball was found to have passed through
the right arm, entered the right side, breaking rib
opening the right lung and passing into the liver
The marine was not much hurt, the ball having only
made flesh wound. Jan. 9th. We were compelled
to sleep in boats and, in addition to this discom
fort, II rained hard with cold south wind all last
night. CHA says, that Sam Jones' Immediately on
hearing Of Col. Harney's first expedition had sent
to the SeminoIes for powder and lead and said
that he would 60 into the Big Cypress, where, if he
pursued, he would fight to the death. CHA and
his party were going to join him, and he with gal
lows in perspective should he prove false promises TO
guide faithfully to him. In consequence of this in
formation, we returned to Sam Jones island, which
reached at noon.
Jan. 10Th The description given by CHA of Sam
Jones probable position, is such would intmdate
almost any except Col. FL from attempting TO dis
lodge him. At ) A. M we started for the head wa
tiers of New River, which we reached at shutdown,
and passed down the stream to Fort LauderJae,
where arrived at midnight.
Jan. 18th. Having disposed Of our wounded men
and the female prisoners, we left Lauderdale at sun
down and assembled the New River, entering the
glades by the right hand branch, hour before sun
rise. Jan. IL. After allowing the two hours
rest, we moved on to groupo Keys lying between
the expanse Of the Everglades and the edge of the
Big Cypress. II was here that CHA had expected to
find the main body Of the enemy; but upon examna-
ton of the signs he that they had gone on
to the O-kce-cho bee. With heart swelling with
disappointment, Col. HARVEY found his schemes
thwarted by the cowardice Of the Indians, who had
fed panc-sricken upon hearing of Cha kai KEGS fate,
and deserted their hitherto inaccessible retreats AT
noon the navy left u.s. taking with them Mico and ne
gro John guides the Everglades in the direc
ton taken by the first expedition. After hasty din
ner we bore away for Lauderdale and aided by the
swift current Of the New River reached our deslina-
ton al 8 p. M Jan. 18th. Col. Harvey, this morn
ing, started with twenty men, to search for reported
passage from the New River, into the Hsborough
inlet the low state of the proved insurmount
able obstacle, he returned at shutdown, and gave or
ders to be prepared to move homeward Tomorrow
JAM 18th. Passing down the New River 10 its
mouth, we coasted along the Shore until we reached
the Haul-over and encamped for the night Jan. 18th
At early dawn the canoes were hauled over from the
beach into the bay; and passing down to it, reach
ed Fort Dallas at noon.
The Pay -hai-o kee, grasswater or Everglades com
prises large portion of Southern Florida lying south
Of the twenty seventh degree of latitude, and separa
ted from the Atlantic and Gulph Of Mckee by a
Pine barren varying in width from to 20 or more
miles. There number of outlets on the eastern
atlantic coast, while the western or guph coast
there only one named after its first navigator
Harvey river The appearance presented upon enter
ing the Everglades is that of an immense prairie
stretching farther than the eye reach, covered
by thick grass rising feet above the surface OF
the water, which il conceals the monotony varied ny
numerous snakelike channels, and verdant islands
scattered few and far between; the average depth OF
the whole extent, is from to feet The
channels differ in width from to twenty feet, and
in rome places had to force our boats through the
waving sawgrass The larger islands about two
feet above the usual water level though doubt, IN
very occasionally overiiowed. The water
was clear and wholesome, and even where no current
was pcrcepuble, there was appearances Of stigma
ton.
The results Of this expedition, although apparently
not very bniint, have only been pass.d in useful
ness Ivy those OF the irst Eserglade expedition,
deriaken and prosecuted with snch UNITING energy
and eminent success by Col HARNEY. The know
ledge acquired OF the nature Of the country the local