Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-22
The New FLORIDA war.

The Florida papers come to US full of Indian
troubles again-and in the Tampa Peninsatdr
of January 5th, we find along account of the
late attack upon Lieutenant Hartsuff and party,
by the Indians, from which we make the fol.
lowing extract:
"On Sunday December 10th, Lieut. Hart.
suff and party were halted about ten miles from
| Fort Drum. On the morning of the 10th we
were lying in pine grove half mile in ex-
| tent, and about five a. m. were busy getting
ready to march, Harvesting, &c, when the war
| whoop sounded, and they received a voley.
This, of course, was utterly unexpected, 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 fired
them, and the rest loaded for the Lieutenant,
who fought bravely until he was wounded,
when he exclaimed, i am done for but sud
denly pulling out his pistol, cried out, No, by
heavens, the pistol has saved my life for the
ball has struck it Hannah and Baker were
wounded at this time The survivors then sep
arated, and it is presumed the plumber alone
prevented the savages from pursuing them
AS soon as the news reached Fort Myers
Colonel Brown ordered companies and X to
be in readiness at daybreak, with teams and
six-pounder. They were ready and departed
in full strength for the battle-ground. A letter
says
Company G and the citizens were left to
protect Fort Myers cannon were planted, de-
fences erected, houses pierced for musketry,
and every precaution adopted to prevent sur
prise. Large fires were noticed by the Puta
Rassa force along the coast, and they have
been ordered to keep to the block-house, as it
is supposed these signals were to apprse the
whole nation Of the recent events, and that other
hostile demonstrations might reasonably be ex-
pected.
On the arrival of Colonel Brown
at the scene of conflict a scene met their view,
of a description SO horrible, that words cannot
describe it.; for the eorpses of the four unfor-
tunates were still above ground, although in a
revolving condition. They were scalped and
indecently mutilated. Their death was, of
course, caused by the large quantity of balls
which had perforated heads, chests, d., but
that they we're mutilated, while still living, is
evident from the signs Of warfare around them,
such as the tearing mp of grass and sod the
position, the bits of clothes remaining in their
hands. Curran remarkably athletic man;
he held piece of an Indian shirt still in his
grasp. They were all decenny inferred where
they lay, at least what there was of them, for
the turkey buzzards had taken toll of NOR
tality and left little but bones for the sections
and worms. Their mourners fired salvo of
artillery into the adjoining thicket but no war
whoop Of the foe was blended with the echoes
that answered. Their names were Horth, &c, =
American; Foster, "E," Curran and Murtaugh,
Ak" Irish. / believe two rifles have been re-
covered. and one mule, shot in four places, re-
taken; horses found dead and I missing
wagons, &c. were burnt, and mules shot in
their harness. Many heart turned sick as
they gazed on the work of demons, and many
vow was registered whose fulfllment will
bring sorrow and desolations into the cabins of
our foes. Nothing was seen of Indians on the |
route going or coming, though, doubtless the
Indians saw them. All have returned safe as
they went, save and except the fatigues of
journey where the water was oft middeep. All |
the Fort Deynaud command have returned |
safe to their post and the same at this place.
Harstuff is located ard tenderly cared for, in
an apartment of Col. Browns; his wounds are
healthy but the ball still remains unextricated |
RICHMOND ToBAcoo MAKKET.-During the
first three weeks of December the receipts were
light, while competition was animated, and
prices gradually advanced. During the latter
portion of the month the business was sus-
pended, owing alone to the absence of supplies.
The stock of old now remaining is so trihing
that dealers find but little inducement to oper-