The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-12-14
Our Florida Correspondence

Our Florida Correspondence.
MOVEMENTS OF THE ARMY IN FLORIDA.
Descriptions Of the COMMUNICATING account of
the E~dra~s-Ihs sayi~gs awd dos~gs of the
famous Billy Bosclegs.
FORT MYKRs, near Tampa Bay,
East Florida, Nov. s, 1850.
i have been now about fourteen months in
Florida, and all that period living in the woods,
which, to gvea description of would be to describe
interminable pine forests quite level without the
least appearance of hill mountain, except an &C.
casiona change in the aspect of the country by the
thick woods of white oak, hickory, cedar, cypress,
and bearing wild orange trees, which invariably
line the banks of every stream and river in Florida
and which are called hammocks. These are the
great feature Of the country, for in them may be
found the few things which have rather unnecessar-
lily elevated this State above its sisters as the Gland
of Flowers" The claims she has to this title,
which are few, consists in the following the
wild morning glory, a pale, delicate, and inter-
estng flower, which blooms in the morning, and
after noon gathers up its leaves; the wild rose !;
the cactus; the princes feather, a gorgeous
flower, wanting only an odor to make it first on
the list In the hammocks also is found live oak,
the boosted production of this State, but from what
have travelled imagine it is rather scarce, par
ncu'arly this side OF the country, (the Gulf At
the Atlantic side small trade is carried on Ia the
article from 81. Augustine and Jacksonville, but
nothing OF any importance.
believe this State to be thepoorest in the Union
the revenue being only $60, 900 per annum while
there lie not one which has cost the general govern
ment more men and money. As TO the people,
look upon them to be the most illiterate, and al
can citizens Energy they are devoid of; courage
they have none, and their self reliance is fully
proved BY the fact that when we first came to this
country not house bur was deserted within 200
miles OF where the Indian outrages were committed.
The government, think, have determined to allow
the Indians TO remain az long they keep quiet, to
the chagrin OF the Crackers, who would be well
pleased at the idea of war. The reason of this is
obvious the government money would find its
way INTO Florida e G., into the pockets of sellers
of hiskey, beef, &c.
The principal productions of this State are sweet
potatoes, sugar, Indian corn and a small quantity
OF vegetables, just sufficient to support their
families, which resemble our Irish ones in being
very numerous, some having as many as fifteen
children, scarcely any less than seven while the
chase yields them plenty of deer, wild turkey,
rabbits, squirrels, possums, and hares, which re-
alize some pecuniary means for them. The soil is
poor, loose, fine sand, except in the hsmmocks
where The water makes II quite fertile Beside the
produce mentioned, they raise small quantity of
coffee. tobacco, and sweet oranges Altogether,
agriculture is in sckly, languid state using the
same farming implements the Spainards nigh! have
3
their inactivity is the Indians. These arc the draw.
back to the prosperity of the State, and, until the
government removes them, il can do no good.
believe thisto be the case, but the rub is how to re-
Money, though offered to large amount. they have
refused, and the only alternative left is force which
would only commence war which might last for
years, and end in nothing.
Nov. %, 1850.
Thinking you might be interested in what is
going on in this isolated portion OF the country,
where you will remember my last letter was dated
from, |. send you the following particulars This
place. called Carloosahatchee you will scarcely see
on map; II is situated about one hundred and nine
ty miles southeast Of Tampa, aud about one hun
dred from Key West. II has been re.estab lished
as military post within the last twelve months,
and takes its present name from Maj. My ers, head
OF the Q. M. d., in Florida. A river, navigable
for steamboats, drawing five feet Of water runs into
the Gulf, which is about ten miles from this place,
and abounds with all kinds Of fish. Mullet is ex-
ceedingly plenty, and forms considerable portion
Of the food Of the troops lying here. Okechobee
lake, where Gen. Taylor, Cat that time Col. Tay-
lor) fought the great battle Of the last Florida war;
10 situated about twenty miles from our post, and
according to the Indian accounts, resulted in his
defeat, leaving two hundred and fifty men on the
held, while their loss was only two, not including
one Niger, who had deserted from the American
force, few days before. This result may appear
strange, but when IL will be borne in mind that the
lpdisns fought under cover Of a hammock, a
thick and closely wooded piece OF ground, entirely
spread over with vines, which renders them mac
cessios TO any but Indians, il will make IL appear
different. For the result Of this fight, Tayior re-.
ceived hts brevet rank Of Brigadier General This
account OF the transaction, | have heard from
buy bowkgs own mouth, who boasts OF the
part he took that day His camp Is situated
IN ffnf kpre sat n l..
sure 81 his company ewr day, with great number
oi hs warriors, who, wi'h their sqgass and chtl-
dr,n, daily come here for the purpose OF trading
stins. v.nson. hsh eod turkeys. They appear TO |
DC hDe bOoy OF msn, dressed in a style intended
Hct- fot Us-apent than comfort, due respect |
tor modtsiy thougb suHe ct them are dressed in |
r'gulr civilized apparel Amongst the most ~. |
n.srksbs ct these l. Billy h,nis.ii who wears an
utcefs uniform coat, well s~t oil by pair ot fine |
uare iegs, End vest or under coat Of varegated |
cOiois. The character that has been gwen OF hun |
10 he Northern psptrs, ard believe generally De-
hsvrd a. hun there, would almost make him a |
nero, S'ern, unhen7nc, proud chief proud OF his
power aIo conscious ~ has strength lie il very |
different He u. am sorry 10 say.il an to crav.
lHg The smAlsst srncie or favor from you, (hOugh
Le elwbJs mUnspssto have none of hs warriors ~ |
p'pgtrs te-f fim hen be dots 20 add coBGpually
EMPLOY % Wh-e IN our camp,n I'm syiog emo iihu |
fottlte ~ whiSkey. (myUwa) which 10 served ont |
hon the government cumnns~ary store free Il |
charge, to any amount, 10 him aud his warriors, |
You nl1} be- sur he HVails himself ut this prisi- |
leee shd ct c4nI,r u y mot SURPRISING 20 sec hin
drunk uta'ly halt of biz time hete. He apeals |
tolerabJ gcod Engtsh, which he employs To very !,
little other psrpO~r than swearing haDit he has \
acquired aud indulg.s ~ to n larse extent. Tie ~
cCnunually running round sur camp DOw in the |
ofcers quarters, or with he acting Indian sgcut.
tLt. Wallbridge, 4lh ArtIliery,) making himself \
quite al home and, protesting the greatest friend.
chip for the whites, particularly the army next /
you will see him behind come stable or old build |
ing, ueatirg half dozen men out Of the contents |
Il bottle he carries IN HE pocket The greatest
freedom exists between him and every one. lie /
is republican, at least in his intercourse with US /
treating officers end socsrs all on the same foot
lag. As 10 any idea be hss at going 20 Arkansas,
u ~ oil moonshine; to use hIs own words. he says
"lou can neither or drive me ont ut Florida;"
he will live peacatle with the q liens end punish
any Of his warriors who offend them. Tie talks
feir enough, ana from bis scs, the government
will find I, hard to find even a cause to 20 to war
with him, &c lorg - he conducts himself he does
row. Billy BowleRs is good looking man,