The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-10-20
From The Boston Post
AN ADVENTURE In FLORIDA

In September, 1910, was attached to the % reg,.
ment u. s. Dragons, stationed at Palatka O1e
morning, at five O'Clock, scout in with the M
telligence that party Of Indians had just DESTROYED
the house Of Major Williams, murdered his wife and
carried away captive his two young daughters Al
this time there in the fort three leutenan,.
each with a band of thirty men. 1t was decid hy
lot that the band to which belonged should pursue
the Indians and rescue their interesting prisoner.
We proceeded three miles to the smoking ruins 81
Williams's house, and searching found tracks of
the horses which the Indians had taken away with
them These tracks we followed TIL we reached 4,
ridge, which stretches along the light bank of a
small river, the Anabura, think, but you may see il
near Palatka, by consulting the map The trail he'd
along this ridge for half mile, and as no farther
trace appeared, We concluded that the Indians had
crossed the river and entered hammock ON the Other
side. Our little band, the better TO avoid falling into
ambuscade, was divided into two padies. one of
which was to lead the other at a considerable dis
lance, but to keep up communication by scouts Re-
ing second lieutenant, remained with the rear party
Some difficulty now occurred IN regard to scout H.
be lett behind considered it important that one
should follow at the distance of about eighty wards
The post was considered a dangerous one the men
hesitated-lor although they were willing to face an
enemy, they did not very well like to be placed
where they might be shot down by an invisible foe
gave the command to sergeant and determined To
act As scout myself
This might be ,nmilitary, but l considered it the
Dcst dy W dCCOHiPllsn OBJECT oil expedition
and wouldn't you have done so, Colonel Greene
when you wished to rescue two young ladies of IL
teen and seventeen from band of Seminoes, I'VE
need not answer this question all who are acouaint
ed with us know very well what we would have ne
Ed Post But to return to my story Soon after
my party had gone on, reached a huge cotton tree
PROSTATE in the hammock My horse refused to
jump; dismounted and led him over the trunk
when, just was reseated in the sadded am Indian
on foot started up before me. "Ugh" was bis sa-
lutte, which | did not understand as the blow which
at the same time he aimed at my sword hand Nv
assailant was young, tall, stout we-made Indian.
A tomahawk and rusty bowie knife were stuck
In his wampuin girdlc; The weapon with which be
struck at me was cutass, fastened to piece Of
wood three feet long. My first thought was to alarm
the party. tined 10 get a sto from the holster
which might shoot my opponent and give the alarm
at the same time This, however, soon found TO be
out OF he ques ion; for il required my undivided at.
ention to parry he vigorous blows Of the savage
which he followed up without inter mission his longer
weapon giving him advantage. As often as | al
tempted 10 get pistol he would aim furious b ow at
my left hand This play continued until was ncsr
ly exhausted with the fort Of pariying his blows
AT length he struck iuriously al my sword arm |
diverted his cutlass from the intended direction bu,
alghted upon my head with much free as 10 de-
prive me momentarsly of sense. Whether / fell or
whether was dragged fom my horse, could not
tell but when came TO myself was lying on nv
back on the ground The savage had planted one
Knee on u y breast, anu was exutlng over me with
fendish laugh, as If assured Of my destruction What
was worse than ALL my right hand in a manner
pnoned TO the ground, for my sword which was la.-
tened TO my wrist with deerskin thongs had fallen un
der me, where it was retained by my weight and that
of my foe the Indian had drawn from his belt the bowie
knife and as saw it about to descend into my yltas
my strength, which had deserted me since the blow
on the head, came back with more than its natural
fullness. Three times he struck at me. Twice |
received the old knife in my right arm, and the third
time itgashed the fingers of my left hand Still my
right was hel down, and my fate seemed ncyi-
table and to die in such a way murdered with a
rusty old bowie knife,-dying no one would know
how where, | became almost frantic with rage
and desperation, and renewed my struggles with 50
much violence that the thongs which bound my wrist
were severed on the edge of the sword, thus setting
my right hand free. Richard was himself again -
Instantly thrust my left hand fingers into his mouth
and held him firmly by the cheek at the same time
took pistol from my belt and discharged it in his
ear He fell upon his side but did not relax my
hold upon his check until certain that he was dead
The report of my pistol alarmed the rear pry, who
found me faint from loss of blood and violent excr
ton. When came to my elf, l found ! was in the
fort at Palatka my head bandaged, and my arm
sling learned that our band succeeded in rescung
the young ladies, who were more scared than hurt
and that the Indian whom | had slain was the rear
scout of party which had logged US from the time
crossed the river.
LII. c. II. $