Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-05-01
LATEST NEWS FROM FLORIDA.

LATEST NEWS FROM FLORIDA.
The mails bring us item after item of intclli
gence from Florida, communicating the par
riculars of repeated outrages by the Seminoles up
on the white settlements on the border 1t is higf
time that the authorities at Washington would tak'
energetic steps towards the removal or extinction
of this miserable remnant of the tribe. Certainly
queer thing it is that handful Of sayages should
be permitted thus to hold a government at bay
Where is the army? The latest news by the
steamship florida, is as follows:--
At Manatee, q small settlement situated five
miles from the mouth of the river of that name,
the house of DR.. Beaden, a sugar planter, was at,
tackled the evening of Slst ult., by small party
of Seminoles. DR.. Beaden was fortunately armed
and returned their random fire with such vlGor
that they quickly retreated: but passing by the
negro quarters, they took seven OF his slaves
prisoners and made their escape with them and
three mules towards the everglades. Great ex-
citement prevailed in the settlement; scouting par
ties were sent in pursuit, but it is feared with the
usual want of success.
The Florida touched at Punta Rosa, Charlotte s
Harbor, and there was informed by the officer in
command, that on the Goth ult., while fatigue
party from Capt. Pratt's command were engaged
procuring water from an island near Cape Roman,
distant II miles from the camp, they fell into an
ambuscade of Indians, and two Of their number
were killed and two wounded. The party were
in two boats and were approaching the beach
when the shots were fired They at once fired q
yolley in the direction Of the smoke but being too
small force TO follow up in pursuit they return
ed with their killed and wounded 70 camp.
A strong party Immediately visited the spot
and discovered marks Of blood, but the Indians
had all escaped to the main land. The Indians
numbered fourteen, as that number Of forked
sticks planted in the ground indicated that four
teen rifles had rested upon them, to make sure
their deadly aim upon the boats. Corporal o.
Rook, Company E, I'd Artillery, and one private,
name not given, were killed.
Since the above was put in type, the following
stirring account of battle has come to hand. 1t
10 from the Tampa Peniusular, April IL, and COM
piled from the report of Maj Arnold: Whilst
scouting in the Big Cypress, with the available
force of his command, composed of Capt. Dawson,
I'd Lieuts Langdon and Gardner, Asst, Surgeon
Moore, and 108 enlisted men, Maj. Arnold was at
tackled, on the Sth, by Indians, estimated from 30
to 100 men, who were lying in wait, in thick
Cypress swamp, (water two feet deep, about half
8 mile from "Billy's town." The first indication
Of their presence was fire from them on the adj
vanced guard, which was soon followed by full
volley on the column. Company c., commanded
by Lieut.. Gardner, leading of, which at that time,
was not far in rear of the advance guard.
After exchanging some three hundred shots on
both sides, charge in front was ordered. At last
54 Indians ran towards "Billys town." and
number took to q dense Cypress in the right. The
Cypress was charged, but no Indians were dis
covered, although they were seen to go into it.
Those who had retreated to the Hammock, to-
wards Billy's town, were then attacked. When
within short distance of the town, a large num-
Der Of Indians were seen running East, towards an
abandoned village surrounded on all sides by o
very dense hammock, excepting in front, where
was very large pond or swamp covered with
tall grass and about two feet of water.
As this hammock was approached, the Indians
fired volley, which was returnedby. the advanced
guard, under Lieut.. Langdon. The enemy then
ran to another hammock, half mile to the north;
the troops followed; the Indians there fred again,
which was returned; charge was then made, be-
fore which the Indians retreated, and were pursu-
ed until all traces of them were lost. The fight
and pursuit occupied six hours.
The loss was Private John Simms, Co. L, I'd
Art'y, mortally wounded Survived about fifteen
minutes;) Corpl Joseph Carson, Private John
Muller, John Strobell, Co. c, I'd Arty and Thomas
Newton, Co. L. 1st Arty, severely wounded, and
Privates Silas NJ. Watkins and William Abbott,
Co. c, I'd Art'y, slightly wounded Several re-
ceved shots in their clothing and haversacks.-
What loss or injury the Indians sustained is not
known, further than that blood was discovered on
the bushes through which they retreated.
The following is taken from the same paper:
On Saturday night last, the 18th inst, squad
Of Indians supposed to be six or seven in number,
fred the house of Asa J. Goddard, located near
the head waters Of Manatee and within two miles
of Capt. Andison's Fort. The house had been
previously abandoned by Mr.. Goddard and family
but contained nearly all his effects, which were
consumed in the conhagration. From the signs
discovered, it would appear that the Indians en-
circled the house, which was SMALL and had n
regular 'corn-husking frolic," over their fendish
deed.
After the complete desolation of Mr.. Goddard's
place, the Indians went TO the house of John
Craig, within half q mile Of the above mentioned
Fort and pundered it Of every thing it contained.
This house was also untenanted.
A detachment from Capt. Addisons Company,
under Lieut.. II. v. Smell, and also detachment
from Capt Leslie's Company started on the trail
Of the marauders Monday morning. We expect
to have good report from them.
From the Ocala Companion, April II, we have
also the following: ':We have just received infor-
nation from Levy county, by F. NJ. Ptman Esq,
direct from the place of attack, that on Tuesday,
the sth inst, Mr.. Enoch Daniels citizen Of that
county, left his home, some nine miles South Of
Levy c. H., in search of Hogs, and after proceed
ing about three miles, his dog, which was running
ahead, stopped at clump of palmettos, barked
few times and ran hack considerably frightened
At that moment Mr.. Daniels saw an Indian rise
up from the palmettos to fire upon him. and as the
Indian fired he turned his horse towards home
Just then, nine Indians sprang from their hiding
place, and uttering the most horrid yells, fired
and rushed upon him. His coat was pierced by
bullets, and the stock of his gun considerably shat
tered, but he was unhurt.
After he had gone three or four hundred yards,
he turned and saw two Indians very near him.
One Of them lodged to small tree, and commen-
ced loading. Believing that all their guns were
empty, Mr.. Daniels fired upon the Indian, who
fell, and the survivor going to the assistance Of
the one who was shot, the chase was given over
The next morning scouting party, twenty in
number, among whom was our informer, started
in pursuit They found the spot as described by
Mr.. Daniels, pool Of blood by the tree where the
Indian was shot, and saw blood long distance on
their trail The party followed several miles !;
but upon going some distance into the Gulf Ham,
mock, whittier they had traced the Indians, they
were compelled to turn back. Those ACQUAINTED