The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-05-27


volunteers under Gentry and Morgan's
spies formed the first line in extended OF
der They were instructed to enter the
hlmmock, and in the event of being a.
tackled and hard pressed, to fall back in the
rear.of the regular troops, out Of reach If
the enemy's fire. The second line was
composed of the 4th and 9Th Infantry, who
were instructed to sustain the volunteers.
The LIST infantry was held in reserve.
Orders were now given TO move in the
direction of the hammock After proceed
ing about quarter Of mile, the troops
reached the swamp which separated Them
from the enemy. it was three quarters OF
a mile in breadth, was totally impossible for
horses and nearly so for foot, and was COW
cred with thick growth of saw grass, FIVE
feet high, and with mud and water, about.
knee-deep, which extended to the left as
far as the eye could reach and to the right
to deep creek which ran through part Of
the swamp and hammock, over which the
Americans had just crossed. AT the edge
of the swamp the men were dismounted
and the horses and baggage left under a
suitable guard
Captain Allen was detached with the
two companies Of mounted Infantry to ex-
anime the swampand hammock to the right,
and in the event Of his not finding the enc
my in that direction, he was 10 return to
the baggage and to join Col. Taylor imme-
diately if he heard heavy firing. The ar
rangements being made, Colonel Taylor
crossed the swamp in The order stated.
On reaching The borders of the hammock
the volunteers and spies received a heavy
tire from the enemy, which was returned
by them for a short time, until their gallant
commander, Colonel Gentry, fell, MORALLY
wounded, when they mostly broke, and in
stead of forming in the rear Of the regulars
as they had been directed 10 do, they retired
across the swamp, to their baggage and
horses, nor could they be again brought
into action as body, although efforts were
made repeatedly by Colonel Taylor's staff
to induce them to return. The enemy, how
ever, was promptly checked and driven
back by the 4.h and 9th Infantry, which, in
truth, might be said to have been moving
battery. The weight Of the enemy's fire
was principally concentrated upon five COM
panies Of the 9th Infantry, which not only
stood firm, but continued to advance, until
their gallant commander, Lieutenant Colo
mel Thompson and his Adjutant, Lieuten-
ant Center, were killed, and every officer
Of those companies, with one exception, as
well as most Of the non-commissioned off
\ ---.-yJ 'rs. s1srlI5 tnO Drigrdnt Wa1or and tour
Of the orderly -sergeants, were killed and
wounded, when that portion of the Regi-
NM pf rnd ~ ~ ~. !
again formed--one Of these companies hav-
ing but four men left untouched
Lieutenant Colonel Foster, with 6 com
panles, amounting in all to 100 men, gained
the hammock in good order, where lie as
joined by Captain Noel with the two re-
manning companies Of the 9th Infantry and
Captain Gillian, Of Gentry's volunteers,
with few additional men, and continued
10 drive the enemy before him for con
siderable time, when, by change Of front,
he separated his line and continued to drive
them until he reached the great lake Okee-
Chobee, which was in the rear of their go
sltion and on which their encampment ex-
tended for more than a mile.
As soon as Colonel Taylor was informed
that Captain Allen was advancing, he or
dered the LIST Infantry to move 10 the left,
gain the enemy's right flank, and turn it !;
which order was executed in the promptest
manner possible. As soon as that regiment
got in position, the enemy gave one fire and
retreated, being pursued by the lst, 9TH,
and 9th, and some of the volunteers who
had joined them, until near night and
until the pursuers were nearly exhaust
ed-the enemy being driven in all direc-
tons The action was hot one, and
continued from half-past twelve O'Clock
until three in,the afternoon-a part Of the
time very close and severe.
The Americans suffered much, having 26
killed and IL wounded, among whom
were some Of their most valuable officers.
The hostiles probably suffered, all things
considered, equally with the Americans,
they having left 10 dead on the or, und,
besides, doubtless, carrying off more, as is
customary with them when practicable AS
soon as the enemy were completely broken,
Colonel Taylor turned his attention to
taking care Of the wounded, and to facilitate
their removal to the baggage, where he or
dered an encampment 10 be formed. He
directed Captain Taylor to cross over to the
spot where the baggage was left, and en-
ploy every individual whom he might
ind there, in constructing small foot way
over the swamp This, with great exer
tons, was completed in a short time after
dark, when all the dead and wounded were
carried over in filters made for the purpose
with one exception, private of the 4th In
fantry, who was killed and could not be
found.
10 bis official despatch, giving an account
Of this battle, Colonel Taylor says g And
here, trust, may be permiiied to say that
i o. narioncal aE LII cc,.,...