Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-01-26
THE NEW FLORIDA WiH-A HORRIBLE
SPECTACLE.

The Florida papers come to US full Of In
dian troubles again, and in the Tampa Pen
insular" Of Jan. 9th, we find long account
of the late attack upon Lieut. Hartsuf and
party, by the Indians, from which We make
the following extract -
"On Sunday December 10th, Lieut., Hart
suf and party were halted about ten mil2s
from Fort Drum. On the morning Of the
Goth they were lying in pine grove. half u
mile in extent, and about A. NJ. were busy
getting ready to march, harncssing, &c when
the war whoop sounded and they received 4
yolley. This, OF course, was utterly uneXpec-
ted, and all was confusion. Some little firing
from the party ensued. but several were out
Of reach of their arms. Williams was sixty
yards distant from his rife, saddling his horse,
he made his escape. Those who could get
their pieces fred them, and the rest loaded
for the Lieutenant. who fought bravely until
he was wounded, when he exclaimed, L am
done for but. suddenly pulling out his pistol
cried out, No by heavens. the pistol has
saved my life, for the ball has struck it y
Hannah and Baker were wounded at this
time. The survivors then separated, and it
is presumed the plunder alone prevented the
savagoS from pnrsuing them
As soon as the news reached Fort Myers,
Col. Brown ordered companies L. and X. to
be in readiness at daybreak, with teams and
siN-pounder. They were ready, and de-
parted in full strength for the battle ground.
\ letter says:
Company & aud the citizens were left to
protect Fort Myers, cannon were planted,
delences erected, houses pierced for musketry.
and every precaution adopted TO prevented
surprise.
"On the arrival Of Col. Brown at the scene
Of conflict, scene met their view, Of de-
seription so horrible, that words cannot de-
scribe il; for the corpseS of the four unfor-
tunates were stiil above ground, although in
a revolving condition. They were scalped
and muiiated. Their death was. OF course,
caused by the large quantity o: balls which
had perforated their heads, chests &c. hut that
they were mutilated, while still living, is evil
dent from the signs of warfare around them.
such rs the tearing up Of grass and sod the
position, the bits OF clothes remaining in their
hands. Curran was a remarkably athletic
man; lie held . piece of an Indians shirt still
/ in his grasp They were all decently inferred
where they lay-at least what there was OF
them, for the turkey buzzards had taken toll
Of ofmortalhty, and left little but bones for the
sexton and worms. Many heart turned sick
rs they gazed on the work of demons, and
many u VOW was registered whose ful6llmeni
will bring sorrow and desolation into the ca
bins Of our foes. Nothing was seen of Indians
on the route, going or coming, though doubt
less the Indians saw them. Allhaye return
ed safe as they went, save and except thl
fatigues of Journey where the water was of
mid-deep, All the Fort Deynaud command
have returned safe to their post, and the same
at this place. lartsuif is located and ten
derly cared for. in an apartment Of Colo
mel Browns his wounds are healthy, but Tho
ball still remains uneXtracted.'