Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-05-19
Fro" the National inseiiigeneer.
OPERATION IN FLORIDA.
HKApouARrERs, ARMY OF FLORIDA,


fALAKLAKAHA, April 81, 1912.
SIR In following GU, the movements
BY detachmenss. upon several points or
the Withlacoochee, indicated in foimeI
repor, to take place on the 18th inst, the
enemy was finally brought to action 10 O
strong position, on the the morning Of the
10Th, situated southeast from this, in the
direction of Ahapopka lake; and, after q
spirited attack and well-sustained defence
thoroughly routed and dispersed. .Oul
loss is, one private killed, one sergeant
and two privates wounded, Of ker's COM
pany I'd dragons, and one private Of Z
company I'd infantry wounded; the enc.
my, one killed, two wounded, and one
prisoner. The latter have used to open
a communication with the Chief Halleck,
who commanded the party encountered,
from which favorable results are antici-
pated.
Ii is due to the officers and soldiers that
at moment of leisure mako more de-
tailed report.
Very respectfully, have the honor to
be, your obedent servant.
W.. WORTH.
Colonel Conmandinx.
The ApJurAsI GErERAL u s. Army.
Headquarters, Washington.
HEApouaRIKRs. ARMY OF FLORIDA,
CAMP WASDELL, WARM SrRtEo,
April 23, I342. \
SIR: have the honor, in further de-
tail, to report that, in obedience to nstruc-
tons Of the 2Sth ultimo, on the morning
Of the 18th ult., each detachment was at
its appointed station with admirable pre-
cision. AL the points on which this move.
ment was directed were most thoroughly
examined, without discovering any thing
exhibiting the recent presence Of Indians.
The boat detachment, under Major Bel
KNAPP, composed OF and K companies
Montgomery's and Gates Of the 9th,
much reduced in numbers, were ordered,
after entering and thoroughly examining
Parnsuffkee lake, to decend the Wi,hla-
coochee as low as Camp lizard, thence
pass the boats into the waters Of Chala-
a-popka detachmsn,s Of the 4th, under
Captain Buchanan and Lieutenant AL
vord, Companies B and to pass around
the west side, examining all the swamPs,
&c., on the border of the lake; de,ach.
ments Of the ID, (Casey's, Long's, and
LovelI's,) under Major Plymp,on, to do
the same on the south side !; the remain
ing force, Graham's and McCall's compa.
MES Of the 4th, under Lieutenant Colonel
Garland, and Reeves company (b) Of tho
s.h, to move directly on this point, rem
devious common to all. A. the same
time, friendly Indians were sent to the
southeast to search for signs; they rejoin-
ed me in the evening, reporting solitary
track in the direction of Akapopka; where
upon the detachments were advanced a.
bout fifteen miles on the evening Of the
18Th, and, as soon as there was sufficient
light on the morning Of the 10th to detect
signs, this track was recovered and pur.
sued throughout several inferior ham
mocks, in each Of which planted fields
were discovered, until it lead TO the primo
cipal hammocks, where the enemy was
found in force, in q well. constructed town.
The enemy was as speedily overcome MS
the difficulties Of the ground permitted the
troops to close in upon him; every trail
made in the flight was taken and pursued
until dark, and the whole Of the next day
the attachments marching on each day
some twenty, some thirty miles. On the
next morning il was discovered that the
general tendency of the trails, although
often doubling, was in the direction of the
great Okeehampkee swamp, lying about
nine miles northeast Of this position
With a view to refresh the troops, but
more especially from information receiv.
ed, by person coming from the enemy,
Of disposition to submit, the detachulents
were directed upon this point, the value OF
which has been stated.
In respect to the affair, have already
made brief but sufficient report that Of.
ficers and soldiers evinced the highest
spirit and gallantry in the presence Of ON
enemy is matter of course; but all ex.
hibited, under every circumstance Of con-
tinued fatigue and Of privation Of food, the
higher excellence Of patient and unro-
pining endurance.
am much indebted 10 the jealous sup.
port and exertions of Lieut.. Col. Garland,
Of the 4th. Major Plympton, Of the I'd,
Major Belknap, of the 9Th and Capt Ker,
Of the ID dragons the two first and the
last gave fine example in presence Of
the enemy the third, as before stated,
had been detached in a different direc-
ton.
On this as on all other occasions have
received the Jealous and intelligent sup.
port oil Major Cooper, Assistant Adjutant
General, and Lieutenant Sprague, Aid de
Camp TO the command.
submit herewith list Of killed and
wounded, and, in connection, would add
tina, Assistant Surgeon Simmons, present
with the troops, has evinced high aud in
telligent activity in the field, and given
prompt professional attendance.
Very respectfully, your obedieni ser
want. w. j. WOkIH.
The ApJvrASI GEsERBL, U 8. Army
Heddquarters, IPoshtngtoh.