New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-05-19
Later from Florida.
sKrRMrsHEs WITH THE INDIANS.

From the Tampa Peninsuar of the 9th inst, we ex-
tract the following particulars Of recent skirmshes
with the Indians in southern Florida
Two detachments, numbering in all about twenty
men, from companies and e, 5th Infantry, under
command Of non commissioned officer were left N
charge of boats stores etc.. at Palm Grove, while the
main body of the troops that had been operating IN
that quarter were Withdrawn.
The nearest point from which water could be OBJ
tanned being about three quarters OF mile the men
compelled to convey it in barrels 1t had been
customary for four to carry the barrel while six
others accompanied them as guard.
On the 22d ult., while approaching the well, they
were cut off from the camp and fired on by consid-
cradle number OF Indians. Priyates Siler, company
B, and Springer, company E, were killed prIVates
Hauer, company E severely, and Wolf, company b,
slightly wounded. Three of the remainder threw away
their arms, while the rest made good retreat The
camp then fortified by breastwork constructed
Of barrels While this work was going on, the Indians
showed themselves, and dared the soldiers TO fair
to hammock. The savages were led by negro, who
dressed in the full costume of chief be andsey-
eral others could speak very good English and were
not very choice in the epthets they applied to the
/ whites. ! a'.7-- asFS
Sixteen Indians were counted, and from the signs,
| it was supposed there were as many more. They
whooped around the camp during the entire night,
and retired in the morning Of the 24th, discovering
| the approach Of Lieut.. Hill with detachment
The bodies Of siler and Springer were found and
buried by Lieut. Hill They were scalped, whipped
duu luueeeHtly 1nutltated- ef9
In accordance with his instructions, Lieut.. II. re-
moved the boats and stores and delivered them to the
Quartermaster at Pavilion Key
On the lst inst, Lieut. Johnson, with six men, met
and attacked about twenty-five Indians. After sus-
! tanning the loss Of one man, he withdrew. Il aa3
r 1t is rumored that Michael Swicord was the name
of the man killed. and that the Indians secured his
gun and about five hundred rounds Of ammunition.
Swicords horse being the strongest in the party he
was assigned the duty of carrying the ammunition
which was being conveyed to the company. ~
Capts. E. T. & w. a. Kendrick are in pursuit OF the
trail also. Company l., 4th Artillery, in boats, I'M
der command Of Major Williams.
Capt. A. D. johnson, who, in consequence Of i'm
paired health had obtained short leave, and antici-
pated visiting his family, heard the above report at
this place and Immediately repaired to the Of
action. We have great hopes that the combined ct
forts to overhaul the sayages will be crowned with
success. s -;
| Major W. W. Norris 4th Artillery, now directing
the repair OF the causeway opposite Fort Kssmmee
has been ordered to take post at Fort Capron. Com
panes Il, LIST Artillery, q, E and D, 4th Artillery
and Durance and McNeill's companies of mounted
e volunteers constitute his command.
Capt Lesly's company of mounted volunteers, aftel
scout of twenty days in the country bordering the
Manaees, the Gulf coast ETC., is ordered to move in
+; the direction of the West side of Istopoga Lake
thoroughly to scout its borders and all the small lake
lying to the west and northwest of the above namet
lake 1t is thought that the Indians routed by Capt
D. Sparkman may endeavor to pass into the countr
above mentioned. .f=a s35 7f-i