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

but the soil sandy. There are no VILLAGES on The
other islands, but they have been cleared IN the cen
ire and planted with pumpkins, melons, and corn,
wnlch were OF course destroyed. Our greatest
noyance at this place, was the immense number of
neas cockroaches and musquiloes every thing YOU
touched, even the ground alive with the former
"hieh, WIN the mosquitoes attacked US, while the
roaches iuAuiiated on our provisions. The whole
group o. Islands, (ealled Army and Navy group) is
nearly mile and half in length and upon careful
examination, presented recent Indian signs
January 9th. AT A. M. passed over three miles
to the Pine Keys, and secured their whole ex-
tent returned at night, hungry and fatigued TO
Sam Jones camp January 7lh. Started early for
the Prophets island, which, according TO Mico, is
"two suns" from here. At III A M STONED at
small island and destroyed hourishing crop ofyoung
corn "A 4 M came 10 another island of small ex
tent and uncleared; upon sending negro John up
tree to look out, he reported two Indians in canoes
two miles OF, coming toward u.s. Orders were imme-
diatey given by Col III. to lie close as they were evil
IDENTIFY coming 10 the island. In a few minutes John
reported that they had US and were going back
The Colonel gave chase, but finding there was not
water enough for his large canoe transferred the guide
TO Captain M Laughlin's boat and directed him TO
move on In pnrsuitthe light boats of the artillery to
accompany the Captain and his command The Co
lionel, 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 Off
Col IL; becoming impatient, and feeling confident that
started for the other island and reached il lust 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 left the boats to the
care OF the women and took 10 the grass-water load
ing and hiring as they ran; three the warriors
soon shot, three squaws and one child taken; the
other child was drowned by its mother TO prevent its
cries leading to her detection Night coming on, one
warrior and two squaws, favored by the darkness
capped Only one soldier was slightly wounded in
this affair. JAN 9Th. Early this morning Col II.
sent out small force to follow the trail of the other
warrior and endeavor if possible TO take him alive,
he had learnt from the squaws that IL CHA,
of the best guides in the whole territory. After fol-
lowing the trail five miles they came up with squaw
(Cha's wife) and took hei few yards further on,
upon hearing rusting In the grass, several of the
men leaped into the water and one of the mariners
the act of sprnging from the boat was shot by the
Indian in the side, who then few PAGES reload
ing his rifle, 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 towards him; CHA then struck at him
with his rifepoor Seares sank for an instant under
the blow but blinded and ainting he was from loss
of blood he quickly rallied for last effort and threw
himself upon the Indians neck crying, 81 have him y
CHA then drew his knife and about to stab his
captor, when soldier arrested his murderous hand.
After securing the captive the Sergeant was lifted
into and brought back TO the island where his
wounds were examined and dressed by the Medical
Il
the right arm, entered the right side, breaking rib
opening the right lung and passing into the liver
The marine not much hurt, the ball having only
made flesh wound Jan. 9th. We were compelled
to sleep in our boats and in addition 10 this discom-
fort, II ralned hard with cold south wind all last
night. CHA says, that Sam Jones' Immediately on
hearing of Col. Harney's first expedition had sent
over TO the Seminoes 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
wpre m inin md he witt raj
lows in perspective should he prove false promises
guide us faithfully to him. In consequence of this in
| formation, we returned to Sam Jones island, which
we reached at noon.
Jan. 10Th. The description given by CHA of Sam
Jones probable position, is such would intmidate
almost any except Col. Fl. from attempting to dis
lodge him. At A. NJ we started for the head wa
tiers of New River, which reached at shutdown,
and passed down the stream TO Fort Lauderdae,
where we arrived at midnight.
Jan. 18th. Having disposed of our wounded men
and the female prisoners, left Lauderdale at
down and assembled the New River, entering the
gades by the right hand branch hour before
rise. Jan IL After allowing the two hours
rest, we moved on to group of Keys, lying between
the expanse of the Everglades and the edge of the
Big Cypress. 1t here that CHA had expected to
find the main body of the enemy; but upon examina-
ton of the signs he pronounced 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 panic stricken upon hearing of Cha kai KEGS fate
and deserted their hitherto inaccessible retreats At
noon the navy LETT us, taking with them Mico and ne
gre John guides the Everglades in the drec-
ton taken by the first expedition. After hasty din
ner, we bore away for Lauderdale and aided by the
swift of the New River reached our destina-
| ton at p. M Jan. 18th. Col Harvey, this morn
ing, started with twenty men, to search for reported
passage from the New River into the HiI!sborouCh
inlet, the low state of the water proved insurmoun
able obstacle he returned at SHUTDOWN and gave or
n tn mn hon,a
Jan. 9TH. Passing down the New River 10 its
mouth, we coasted along the Shore until we reached
the Hauover and encamped for the night. JAN 18th.
AT early dawn the canoes hauled over from the
beach into the bay and passing down to IT, we 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 Mexico, by a
Pine barren varying in width from to 20 or more
miles. There are number Of outlets on the eastern
or atlantic coast while the western or guph coast
there only one, named after lis first navigator
Harney river. The appearance presented upon enter
ing the Everglades is that of an immense prairie,
stretching out farther than the eye reach covered
by thick grass rising feet above the surface of
the water which ii conceals, the monoony varied by
numerous snakelike channels and verdant islands
scattered few and far between the average depth Of
water over the whole extent is from 2to feet. The
channels differ in width from ten to twenty feet and
in some places had to force boats through the
waving sawgrass. The larger islands are about two
feet above the usual water level though doubt in
very wet seasons occasionally overlooked. The water
was clear and wholesome, and even where current
was percepdble, there was appearance of stagna-
ton.
The results of this expedition, although apparently
not very brilliant have only been surpassed in useful
ness, by those of the first Everglade expedition,
dertaken and prosecuted with such untiring energy
and eminent success by Col. HARVEY. The know
ledge acquired of the nature of the country the local
itles of the islands, and the strength of the positions
occupied by two of the most formidable chiefs, is of
itself ample reward for the suffering and prvations
necessarily encountered during movement in open
boats, with tents, limited supply of blankets and
provisions, exposed to the by day, and the dew
by night, 20 the drenching rain and biting blast but
rarely allowed the luxury of fire, and living upon