Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-07-03

Mr. G has prepared faithful record of these
interesting events; exposing 'ihe fraud, false
hood, treaehery, and other crimes of public
men, who have Porstiidtsd the powers of Gov
eminent to the preparation of murders, at the
contemplation of which humlnit ty reyOlts."
The second Seminole War was begun in 1886.
The number of E1iles in Florida was theR esti-
mated at twelve hundred, including women and
children. The slaves belonging to the Semi
noles numbered about two hundred. The
Spanish population called the EKiles 'MarOOns,"
after elass Of Free negroes in the mountains
of Cuba, Jamaica, &e.l and bold effort was
made by the people of Georgia aud the agents
Of the Government to reduce the Exiles to
slavery. oscEoLA appeared as the Seminole
leader, and we quote ~ seeount of his great
wrong and terrible revenge:
During the summer, the Indians committed
various depredations upon the white PeOple,sueh
as stealing horses and killing cattle; but the first
open hosiilities occurred Ga the twenty-eighth
Of December, when two important and bloody
tragedies took place, which left the country
no longer in doubt as to the actual existence Of
war.
a young and gailan: warrior, named 0seeolas
was the principal actor in one of these scenes.
He was the son OF an Indian trader, white man,
named Powell HIS mother was the daughter
of Seminole chief.
He had recently married woman said TO
have been beautiful. She was the daughter of
a chief who had married one of the Exiles; but
as all colored people by ElaveholdiDg laws are
said to follow the condition of the mother, she
IL 4 a1ar-a neeaola rarorA
of his ancestry. He hated slavery, and those
who practised the holding of slaves. with bit
terness that is but little understood by those
who have never witnessed its revolving crimes.
He visited Fort King, in company with his
wife and few friends, for the purpose of trad
ing. Mr.. Thompson, the Agent. was present,
and, while engaged in business, the wife Of 0s-
eeola was seized as a slave. Evidently having
negro blood in her veins, the law pronounced
her slave; and, as no other person could show
title to her, the pirate who had got possession of
her body, was supposed Of course 10 be her
owner
Osceola became frantic with rage, but was
instantly seized and placed in irons, while his
wife was hurried away to slaveholding pollution.
He remained six DAYS in irons, when, General
Thompson says, he became Penitent, and was
released.
From the moment when this outrage was
committed. the Florida War may be regarded
as commenced. Osceola swore vengeance up
on Thompson, and those who assisted IN the
perpetration of this indignity upon himself, as
well as upon bis wife, and upon our common
humanity.
The Exiles endeavorel to stimulate the In
dians to deeds of vslor. In general council,
they deereed that the first Seminole who should
make any movement preparatory to emigration,
should suffer death Charley Z. Mathler, re-
speeted chief soJn after tell victim to this de-
cree. Oseeola cJmmanded the party who slew
him. He had sold q portion OF his cattle TO the
whites for which he had received pay IN gold.
THIS money was found upon his person when
he fell. 0seeoia forbade any one touching the
the gold, sayingit was the price ofthe red mans
blood. and with his own hands he scattered it
in different directions as far as be was able to
throw it.
But his chief object appeared to have been
the death OF General Thompson. Other Indians
and Exiles were preparing for other important
operations; but OseeOla seemed intent, his
whole soul was absorbed, in deyisIng some plan
/ by which he could safely reach Mr. Thompson,
who was the object Of his vengeance. He, or
some Of his friends, kept constant watch on the
moevmeuts of Thompson, who was unconscious
of the danger to which he was exposed. Os-
ceola, steady to his purpose, refused to be di-
veTted from this favOrite object Thompson
was at Fort King, ami there were but few troops
to protect thai fortress. But Indians seldom
attempt an escalade, and 0sceOla soCght an OP-
pnrtunity to take it by surprise. With some
twenty followers, he lay secreted near the fort
for days and weeks, determined to find some
opportunity to enter by the open gate, when the
troops should be off their guard
Near the close of December a runner
brought him information that Major Dade, with
his command, was 10 leave Fort Brooke on the
twenty-fifth of that month, and that those who
intend TO share in the attack upon that regiment
must be at the great "WahOo Swamp" by the
evening of the twenty seventh This had no
effect whatever upon Osceola. Nocireumstance
could withdraw HIM from the bloody purpose
which filled his soul.
On the twenty-eighth, IN the afternoon, as he
and bis followers lay near the road leading from
the fort to the house of the sutler, which was
nearly mile distant, they saw Mr.. Thompson
and friend approaching. That gentleman and
cigars. be and Lieut. Smith Of the Second Ar
tilIery, had sailed forth for walk, and to en-
ioy conversation TO themselves.
At the signal given by 0seeola, the Indians
fred. Thomson fell, pierced By fourteen balls;
Smith received about as many. The shrill war
whoop followed the sound of the rifles, and
alarmed the people at the fort The Indians
/ Immediately scalped their victims, and then
hastened to the house, where Mr.. Rog, Is, the
sutler, and two clerks, were at dinner. These
three persons were instantly massacred and
sealped The Indians took as many valuable
goods as they could carry, aud set FIRE TO the
building. The smoke gave notice to those IN
the fort Of the fate that had befallen the sutler
and his clerks But the condition in which the
eommandant found his troops, forbade his send
ing out any considerable force to ascertain the
fate of Thompson and his companion. Near
nightfaIl, few daring spirits proceeded up the
road TO the hommoek, and brought the bodies
to the for:; but OsceOla and his followers had
FASTENED their fight not from fear Of the troops,
bot with the hope of joining their companions
at Wahoo in time to engage In scenes Of more
general interest