The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-06-12

among his compa,riots could boas, like in,muni-
~. This anecdote indicates that Oceola was sus.
cePtble to the finest fcengs-and at the same
time shows what powerful asceudancy he had ac-
quircd over his men, when word was sufficient
TO check the wild fury Of savage passion even amid
the excitement Of battle.
The result OF this battle was far from discoura-
gig the Indians. Though forced TO retire, they
knew that their enemy had bought his victory
dearly Gen. Clinch was still in the greatest dam
ger. Surrounded by tho adheren,s of Oceoa,
every channel Of communication from post to post
| was out oil, and starvation seemed ut hand.
Charley 0maltha, native chieftan devoted to the
whites, with his band of friendly Indians, was next
attacked by Oceola, and all murdered. Before
this time these Indians had been employed rs run
ncrs to carry information from post to post, and by
this stroke the last hope of the white men was cut
of, aud nothing was left them bu, despair. About
month after, however, Gen. Scott arrived with
assistance. He landed on the 7th of February at
St. Augustine, aud was on his way to Fort Dranc,
when he received information that Gen. Gaines
had landed at a point nearer to Gen. Cnch with
sufficient reinforcement. Scott then CHANGED
his course, and following his order, proceeded
against the Greeks TO quen the disturbances there
meanwhile Gaines had engaged the Indians upon
the banks of the Wiihlacooche and gained victory
which released Clinch from his critical position
but he did not fancy the Iudian warfare well enough
to follow up his victory, for he immediately re-
J turned to his former quarters at New Orleans
Clinch also was satisfied with his laurels Having
resigned his commission, he retired from the SER
vice, aud was succeeded in command by General
CALL the governor of the territory. He, too, was
soon after superseded by Gen. Jesup
| On the Sth of February, 1886, the battle OF
Lake Munroe occurred, the Indians being the at
,ackng party, who after very severe engage.
ment were rePulscd. Following up this and other
victories a, sort OF capiiuation was secured lrom
the Indians; aud their chiefs and warriors, with
| their families, were comfortably housed in the dif.
! ierent forts, seemingly willing 20 remove To the
| West for which preparations now being made.
| Soon after, however, the sickly came on.
aud the unacclima ed soldiers began fall beneath
the efiycis Of disease. This time had been awaited
with anxiaus expectation by the Indians They
had no notion OF going TO the West, and had adopt
ed this cunning straag"m tn impose upon the white
men. So, after having been well clothed and fed
IN the diercn, garrisons Tor about three months be-
ssdes RECEIVING many compliments Tor their sub.
nissivc and dutiful spht these savagcs unconauer-
| cd rs ever, took occasion morning in QUIZ
ct and unobirusive manner, la dccmp back TO their
native woods aud swamps again. This was another
| ol the masteIly movements oi Occoln aud for cum
| ming aud sasacity might challenge history for its
equal
The Indians soon after broke out again with MS
! much violence as ever, aud many skr,nsbcs en-
/ sued The next important action the battle OF
| Mosquito, fought in August 1897. in which two
distinguished cieis were taken prisoners. Ocecla,
| notwithstanding these rcverscs continued by his
clequence 10 keep up the spirits oi his followers;
but his career was approaching its end. On the
22d OF October, 1887, with about eighty of his most
! distinguished followers Occola was seated al the
council fire, when large body oi tragoons under
| Gen. Hernandez and Major Plimpton appeared
from every quarter around them. aud without a
word seized upon their weapons. This movemc ut
was so sudden aud unexpected, 80 " ell precocert-
ed, that there WAS no possibility of resistance. BY
| order oi Gen. Jcsup the captu cd cleftaIus were
| Immediately conveyed on board such vessels rs
could be procured, ana conveyed 10 Charleston
| harbor, and for safe keeping confined within the
| precincts oi Fort Mcultte. Here TIE chieItain
| pned As did Napoleon at St. Helena. The free
air and the wild luxnriancc OF hs native forest
| were i'll exchanged for the damp, unw holesomc
| atmosphere and barren beach, aud sickness soon
made more ravages with his frame than had long
4 years o active warfare. few months after their
arrival Oceola died, in The month Of February 1888
His disease was inflammation of The throat rescm-
bling quinzy. lie was proud and unyclding 20 the
ST, aud IL is said that his death was hastened by
his stubboFnly neglecting all proper medical treat
ment for the mnmmerics oi his own medicine
man or pr phet He was buried immediately in
front and Ia the right OF the arcway leading into
the fort, and over his grave MAJ bic slab was erect
ed bearing the simple name
o ~
! The grave formerly shaded by n l. ,riant
tree, which was year cs 50 ago blown down in a
storm.
Oceola was possessed of many ofthc finest Qualities
"f mind, which had they been rightly directed and
trainci, would have made him grea, anywhere and
under any circumstances. HIS bravery, elnqucncc
and devotion worthy Of "a better cause, than
! that OF mere vengeance. which, in the latter part
oi his life seemed to have swallowed up every other
/ sentiment aud feeling No better picture OF his
mind AT this period can b. conceived than .ha, ex-
| pressied by the following lines Of Patten:
"BlNze with your scrricl columns!
will not bend The knee:
The shackes pe'cr again shall bind
The arm that is free.
I've mailed il with the thunder,
When the tempest mutiered low;
And when it falls ye well may dread
| The lightning of its blow.
I've scared ye in the city,
I've scalped ye on the plain;
Go count your chosen where they fcl
/ Ecneath my cadcn rain
scorn your proflered treaty,
| The palr-iaee defy:
| Revenge is stamped upon my spear,
And blood" my batte-cryl
Some strike for hope Of booty,
Some to defend their ALT
battle for the joy have
| To see the white man ia
love among him wounded
To hear his dying moan,
And catch, while chanting by his side,
The music OF his groan.
! fo've trailed me through the forest,
! Ye've tracked me DER the stream;
And struggling through the evergladc,
Your brstling bayonets CLEAN;
But stand as should the warrior,
With his rifle and his spear;
lhe scalp OF vengeance still is red