The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-09-16


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witness the howlings OF the midnight storm, mid
ghtning's fash and heavens artillery; to stand
the chance of laying his bones in the everglades,
and Businesses OF Florida, victim OF the revenge
full Seminole.
But little time elapsed before we were paraded
under arms, and the usual ceremonies having been
gone through, we were divided into two detach-
ments, OF $50 each, and marched on board two
ships which were waiting to receive us. All things
being ready and the signal given, We weighed an
Choir, spread our sails to the breeze and were again
floating upon the deep, on the 25h Sept, 1877
Our vessels kept in sight OF each other for two
days, when separated for the rest of the voyage.
Our vessel continued for 40 hours under prosper
GUS breeze, when the wind subsidized, and we fell
into deep calm, which kept US fosting tor one
week, upon the surface of the water like an mani.
mate log, when we were again suddenly favored
with stiff northeaster, which compelled US TO put
10 sea, to avoid being driven upon quicksands and
shoals of the dangerous coasts. We were scudding
before the wind at 10 knots under close reefed top
sails, with bouyant hearts and sanguine hopes OF
speedy termination OF the voyage, when, horror
to relate, we were suddenly aroused, or rather pet
human beings, that the vessel was on fire which
was too evident 10 screen us from sense OF the
extreme danger OF our situation, and the fearful
probability Of either being devonred by the raging
terry grave. The fire had by some means commu-
nicated from the galley to some combustible mate
rials it, and with fearful rapdty assembled the
shrouds, which were completely enveloped in
flames, and for some time appeared to bid defiance
10 the utmost exertlons which were used to extin-
guish it. But, as It were, by miracle and the SELF
possession Of the officers and seamen, the matches
were closed-by the use OF buckets, the flames
were in measure subdued, and finally entirely
extnguished. After having repaired the rigging Of
the damage sustained by the fire, which occupied
one day, we were again under weigh, and after al
we were safely moored in Tampa bay, making It
voyage Of about thirty days. Notwithstanding our
delay and misforuues, we arrived about the time
the other vessel was landing her troops. We were
without delay, landed at the fort by government
steamboat
II isdifficut to describe the sensations Of mind
caused by 30 sudden a transition OF scene, and II
grandeur and, if may SO speak, Of artificial TO-
nance, than that presented to the view in the as
pect Of Tampa, at that time. In our rear lay the
placid bay, lunruffied by. single undulation, on
which were laying at anchor numerous vessels OF
various sizes: On our right 10 the extent OF half a
mile, stood the snow white tents and marques OF
the different regiments OF troops, which termina-
ted by the huge and lofty pquets, in which were
kept the Indian and negro prisoners, who were dis
covered through the interstices, under strong
guard of sentinels with bayo nets gistenng in the
sun-beams; on our left, to an equal extent, were
stretched the tents Of the swarthy volunteers, IN
termingled with which were innumerable cooking
fires, the smoke of which was curling among the
clouds. In the centre were marching and counter.
marching, filing. and defing, loading and firing,
the different regiments of troops who were destined
tor the approaching campaign On an adjacent
island were heard the sharp rifle of our Indian al
lies, Ohe Shawnees and Delawares, )lwho were
soon to embark against the relentless Semlnoles /;
which with The wild and warlike notes Of the In
fanrry bugles, the tramping ct dragons, and the
neighing of mules, conspired to create sensations
in my mind "a raw recrul), the extreme novelty.
romantic and melancholy associations OF which
time will never efface.
We, the recruits, were on the next day designa-
ted for, and Joined the different regiments. /,
with about $50 others, were selected for the
the different regiments of Infantry, the majority
Of whom were selected for the afterwards illfated
Sixth. But about weeks repOse, or rather pre-.
paraton, were allotted us previous to the opening Of
II being now the first of November, orders were
received for a speedy movement Of the troops
The First Artillery by detachments, were to take
Ferry Cor Black Creek,) and from thence to New
SMYRNA, (or Musketo,) near the eastern coast, and
were to scour the immediate sections Of country
The Infantry were 70 march for the interior or mid
die Florida. The Dragons, Volunteers, and In
dian allies all being mounted, were TO scour the
country from north to south. Our detachment Of
the Sixth Regiment, consisting OF three companies,
accordingly embarked in steamboats,, which were
to transport us across Tampa Bay to Fort White,
on the Sawanee River, from whence we were to
commence our march, or to make direct demon
STATIONS against the Indians.
udu now COIHIHcHCcu, OF was one OF Those WHO
were to participate in one of the mosl arduous
campaigns, against the most willy and rsvengetul
foe recorded in the annals Of American warfare
Certain 1t is that American troops, taking into con-
sderaton National Tor Executive policy the iuc-
tuating state Of public (or party opinion, the natu
raj disadvantages OF the country, and the nature Oi
the foe, never labored under such embarrassing
circumstances. And although the charge (Which
treachery, and all the various antithess Of honor,
bravery and chivary, have been profusely laylshed
upon the officers and troops engaged in that cam
paigu. | have no hesitation in affirming that
should the iron foot Of despotism dare again in
wade our shores, thereby causing proper incen.
tive to action, the latent energies OF patriotism and
true valor, which have laid dormant in the breasts
of American freemen, since the days OF '76, would
burst into an unextinguishable flame, and many a
brow among that small band would be encircled
with wreath Of impershabe glery.
Reader, was you ever afflicted with that species
Of somnambulism which, in your midnight slum-
bers, conjures to your afrghted Imagination the
beau ideal OF some frightful hydra-m with
jaws extended, ready TO devour you; or of being
placed in some perilous situation, such as on
the wreck of some old sinking vessel; or
on the frame of some old dilapidated build
ing, whose tnbers were breaking beneath
you, and you were just ready to fall headlong into
some awful chasm or pit-fall-known by the familiar
term of nightmare! II SO, you can ap preciate
my feelings on awaking at midnight Con the deck
Of that fttest emblem of the nightmare, a South
ern highpressure steamboat, at Fort White from
d trOuDle0 sleep, caused by 30 many cOn11lCtlng
associations, OF war and bloodshed glory and honor
romance and stern reality, which possessed my
mind, since / landed at Tampa. II is entirely
out OF my power to give you an adequate idea Of
the peculiar sensations Of my mind-I was in a per-
feet somnambulic state. l Involuntary placed my
hand upon my head, and in the act let fall my mus
ket, which, coming in contact with one of my feet
effectually aroused me 10 sense OF my Identity
The sky was overcast with clouds, and dense fog
hung upon our very deckI; neither the queen Of
night, nor a single twinkling star, shed ray Of
light upon the scene. Some Of my comrades were
ments, and others still, who were not yet aroused
from their slambers were lying in various grotesque
positions on the deck. We were lying Is feet
below an almost perpendicular bank !. and directly
pine fire, emitting black and seemingly unearhy
smoke, around which were gathered groups Of
volunteers, in bIackness, lankness, and demoniaca