The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-27
SECOND EXPEDITION OF COL. HARVEY
IN THE EVERGLADES, FLORIDA.

'
The following letter, from gentleman in Florida,
to his friends in this city, dated Tampa Bay, March
TO- comprises journal of Col. HARNEY's latest expe-
dtion to the Everglades in pursuit Of SAM JONES, and
is furnished by an officer, who accompanied Col H
Il will show the great enterprise and endurance that
requisite the part of those who exert themselves
in the potracted and extraordinary contest with the
savages of Florida Charleston Courier
On the lst Of January, ls4l, Lieut.. Col. w. s..
Harvey started second time Tor the Everglades with
force Of 70 Dragons, 10 3D. artillery with four Off
of the line, and lao marines and sailors under the
command of Capt. MLAUGHLlN and the officers of
the Fliri Ware, and Oisego,U. s. Schooners With
the exception OF foul five large canoes carrying
from to ten EACH the force was distributed in
small canoes made expressly for the purpose, and car
rying five men each. The orders Of the day directed
that each man should be provided with twenty days
rations sixty rounds Of ball cartridge and the neces
sary blankets &c The most perfect silence to be pre-
served by every one; orders 10 be communicated by
signal whistles with which the officers were supplied
the boats when moving single file open order to be
kept twenty PAGES apart and every man ready 10 drop
his paddle and seize his musket moments notice
The dragons were armed with CoLT repeating rife
and, being under the command of Col. H., formed
well tried band of experienced Indian fighters Half
an hour after sunset and during shower Of rain the
command left Fort Dallas whch is situated on the Bay
at the mouth OF the Indian river, eight miles above
Key Biscayne; Col ii. in advance, with Mico as
guide, and negro John interpreter, the army next
and the navy III the rear. After passing up the Bay
seven miles, we entered the mouth Of Little river,
tortuous and extremely rapid outlet from the Ever
gades, and struggled against the current until after
midnight, when we reached first resting place the
site OF an old plantation, and landed. January ID
The guide says that by starting from here until
towards evening" will reach Chitto-tustenuu gee s
island an hour or two before daybrcak tomorrow
therefore renamed as we were, as much as possible
concealed in the grass and ihickets until four p M
when we again started, but in reversed order the Col
in advance the navy next and the army in tie rear
1t may be well to mention here that lhroughou the
expedition the army and navy alternaed in order of
precedence the Col however, ALWAYS at the head of
the column. After passing up a few miles of very
swift rapids entered the everga of sunset and
skirtng along projecting elbow Of the Pine Barren
for two miles, lay concealed behind the point of tun-
ill il was quite dark. We then moved forward swiftly
and noiseessly at one time following the course OF
serpentine channels, opening out occasionally into
beautiful lagoons, at another forcing our way through
barriers of tall grass. Alter several hours hard
padding, we came in sight Of Chitio's island and the
signal passed " to close up" Approaching cauli-
ousy, took positions around the island and lay
in anxious expectation Of the signal move up and et
feet landing" An advance guard having been sent
reconn6lre after reported tina. the enc
my had left The Island, and in of bitter dlsap-
pointent, the Colonel gave the word :" move up and
land, the Indians have escaped"
January 3D. lto-tuslenuggee's or Snake War
riofs island is most beautiful spot containing from
10 to ~ acres the soil is extremely rich and about
two feet deep lying OH rotten lime stone. The cen
tire is cleared, but the circumference i well proec ell
by immense 1--we pnk and wild fg trees and an almost
impenetrable thicket of nangroves. There are two
towns, two dancing grounds and one council lodge,
on this Island; with The exception of the dancing
ground and small patch of fine Cuba tobacco, the
whole clearing Is overrun with pumpkin squash and
melon wines, with occasionally Lima beans in great
uxnriance and OF most excellent qualify The In.
dans have been gone at least two weeks and have
eft behind them all useless articles such as war dance
masks, supernumcrary baskets kettles fishing spears,
bows, &c. AT Ill A, M. the Colonel despatched
small fufce 10 rcconnoitre Tuscone-s island which
hes about three miles west OF us they returned
z M, and reported signs Of a man. woman
and child. The only trophies they had obtained
were some years OF green and few stalks Of
gar cane
January 4th. Started, at Q A. NJ, for Sam Jones
island de Is said to have 10 warriors with him, and
10 hold strong position; the only fear however,
tertalned either by the officers or men, il that he
may have fit to desert his island and betake him
self to the Big Cypress. After padding until p
M. we reached small cluster oftrees, from the tops
OF which the guide said that Sans camp visible
he was accordingly sent up alot to make obserya-
ton, and soon pronounced the place deserted.
nus information altered the Colonel's plans, and
instead OF waiting until night should conceal his
movements, he advanced Immediately towards the
islandi at the same time, however not emitting the
Precautlon Of sending of thanking parties, and adj
vance guard to reconnotre. Before sunset had all
landed, and were enjoying our bacon and biscuit in
the midst Of an Indian village. January 9Th. Sam
Jones possess consist Of group Of several
islands differing in size, and separated by narrow
sluices Upon the largest Of these, which is about
hundred and fifty yards in width and half mile in