The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-02-10

SMs FLoRIDA.
Correspondence Of The Charleston Courier.
s HARNEY AGAINST THE FIELD
3; sg.ss 66 INDIANS TAKEN.
Greathopes of fthe Termination OF the 9ars
Through the kindness Of an otleer re-
centiy from Fort King, [ am enabled to
furnish YOU the particulars Of an achieve.
ment performed by the I'd Infantry, that in
nv opinion is equal to any thing that has
occurred during the war7--a more perfect
exhibition OF GOODNESS and skill than has
before fallen under my observation, and
evincing lhattlear bought experience has
at last been put into requisition. Compe-
tent Judges amongst my military acquain-
tanccs are loud in their encomiums-hlgh-'
er praise (were l soldier would not de-
sire. About the 9th Instant Col. Riley left
Fort King and crossed the Ocklawaha, at
Fort Towle, with the intention of procee.
ding up its eastern bank in search of the
secret haunts of the enemy. Third day
he fell upon a small trail, and discov-
cred that it led into the Everglades OF
the Ocklawaha. Satisfied that Indians
were near him, he puthis command in mo-
ton, AMI for three days, continued his on
ward course through mud and water, fire.
ouentlv more than knee deep-blvouiack-
ing at night without fire, &c. In this eau
tious and truly Indian manner, he approa-
ched the enemy anSeen and unsusPccted.
On the morning of the third day the ad-
vanccd scout reported large Indian force
a short distance ahead-an intervening hill
lock enabled the Colonel to dispose of his
force in such manner as to preclude the
possibility of1he Indians escaping without
a fight. The mounted men under Lieut..
Anderson were ordered 10 the right-the
foot under Lieut. Dason passed to the left
and rear ofthe enemy. During these pre-
parations my informant says, every heart
bea, high with hope and the desire TO strike
a blow that would resound far and wide to
the credit Of our little army was visible
upon the countenances of all-no one ap-
reared to dread the combat, and the recol-
lection of poor Sherwood and Mrs. Mont
gomery's fatenerved every arm and arous-
ed the dormant energies of souls about to
mingle for the first time in deadly strife
with savage and in human foe. The
command, forward! rang clear and sharp,
and followed by cries and confusion in the
enemy's camp. AS The troops closed in,
few warriors sprang TO their arms, but
one look at the situation Of things salts
fed them of the folly Of fighting; far from
behind every tree and bush the "grim Wis
age" of musket presented itself, and the
first effort at resistance, would have but
tapped the bell that would have rung the
kneIl of their departing spirits. They
Welded without resistance. The sobs and
and lamentations Of the women and chill
dren, were only equalled by the fear and
trembling eviuced by the warriors. They
were SO badly frightened that they could
scarcely articulate-'tis ever thus with the
coward Upon counting noses the prison.
crs numbered one hundred; and before a
disposition was made of them, runner
who had but few hours previous joined
them made his appearance. with an order
signed by Gen. Armistead, directing that
no one should interfere with said Indians.
as they had promised to 60 in at Tampa.
The Colonel turned to his oficers-"gen-
tIemen. said h., would not have regard
ed white flag, but to an order in black and
aphite must succumb." Guide, (addres-
sing his negro) draw bee-line for home,
and see that you take us there by the
shortest possible route. In silent and the
most perfect disgust, the command wend-
ed their homeward path. My ignorance
Of the great Captains of hygone ages;
would render me cautious how presumed
to cavil at Gen. Amistad's course, but |
am sure that Dicky Riker would exclaim
were he here 'that this signing of papers
is geat evil and practiced to great ex-
tent in this community" Why not say
to the Indians, "ifyou are really desirous
to come in, make yonr appearance on the
open roads, carry white flag. and if you
meet with troops they will not modest you,
on the contrary, they will take charge of,
and escort you in" Such a course would
enable the troops operating in the ham
mocks, to reap the fruits of their labors,
and not subject them las in the instance
here related) to the modification of find
ing their enemies armed with paper in.
stead Of leaden bullets. Capt. Barnum
,p; h tho romn mna niea of tho Indians is one.