Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1848-07-01
LIFE AND CHARACTER OF
ZNCh0s'y TNvfOs'.

T0UfOs'.
The force Of the Indians amounted TO sew
eral hundred warriors, and they had so chos-
en- their defensive position as TO give the ut
most efficiency to their numbers. Their loss
was not ascertained. The loss of our troops
IN this severe and memorable battle, includ-
ed fourteen officers & one hundred s twenty
four men, killed & wounded, being one-htth Of
the whole number engaged. Upon the mer-
its OF a victory gained under such circum-
stances, and at such cost OF life and blood,
what comment can be made to enhance re-
spect for the daun,less spirits who won it,
We look upon the exh3usting march Of FIVE
DAYS from Fort GdrdDer, and the previous adj
vance OF five weeks to that station. attended
with bardships scarcely less appalling, and
we ssk in admiration, whence was the strength
whence the energy, whence the courage to
engage for three hours on ground which scarce
v admitted a ioothold, and defeat anl scatter
a foe whom nature had %entrenched and des-
p%eration animated? Can any answer be found
to the question, unless ii be in the ability. the
v%alour, the endurance, the iosfiring presence
Of the Chief himself? He had led them on
the long and arduous march, sharing all their
tolls and privations, and when they met the
enemy, be was seen where the battle strewed
the dead around him, calm amid its iron temp
est, and giving assurance BY bis thrilling
voice and flashing eye Of victory, which,
however long it may futter around bis stand
ard, never fails to rest at last upon it.
The contest over, the care Of the wounded
and the dead was the first thought of the com
mander.
The immediate consequence of the battle
OF Lake 0keechobee, was the surrender of a
number OF Indians. Col TAYLOR had penetra-
ted farther into their country than any other
commander, aud to a point beyond which it
was impossible TO proceed, had he even been
unincumbered by the care OF the Wounded
The nature of tie soil, as has been seen, for
babe the transportation OF supplies in the u
sual mode, and the enemy, il disposed, was
therefore at liberty TO remain in the depths OF
their native wilderness. This, as the subse-
quent history OF the wal unhappily shows,
continued to be the policy of a large number,
who, scattered in petty bands over a wide ex-
tent of barren aud swamp lands, were enabled
TO defy for years all the force which the fed
eral government deemed expedient to employ
auainS+ ,bo,,, If boura-or .b,lo,rl- l,,uL,
triumph of Taylor failed to reduce the whole
body of the Indians TO terms OF peace, it still
demanded the grateful recognition of the na-
ton and the government. The sentiments Of
the latter were expressed in the annexed Gen.
erai Order.
"Washingon, February 20, 1888.
The Secretary of War has received from
Col. Taylor, of the First Regiment of imam
try, a report OF the affair OF the 25th De-
cember last. with the Seminole Indians on the
eastern shore OF Lake Okeechobee, in Flori-
da, IN which the Indians, after a severe con
fllct, were beaten and driven at ali points.
The gallantry and the ~steadiness displayed
in the attack are highly creditable 10 the corps
engaged; and the conduct OF Col. TAYLOR, in
pursuing the enemy and bringing him TO ac-
ton, is deserving Of high commentator.
"fhe triumph OF success cannot lessen the
regret which must be felt by all for the loss OF
the many valuable lives, and the severe suffer
ing by wounds, which unayoidedly attend a
military achievement.
TO Col. Taylor aud the officers, non COM
missioned officers, and troops of the regular
army, the Secretary OF War tenders the thanks
Of the President of the United States, for the
discipline and bravery displayed by them on
the occasion; as likewise to the officers and
volunteers of Missouri, who shared in the
conflict, and who evinced so much zeal and
g%tllantry in bringing Oh the action.
by order of