The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1883-09-11

Editor Faorsdidn In lssO drst visited a ~
IN company With Gen. James Csadsden wh. III
accompanied me through the old Spanish fort. ~
related many interesting incidents which ocs.s .ae
daring General Jackson's march through thu Iec
| oil Florids. p%t
| will endcavor to give you description ~ =.
."'' At that time In good state of Preservaisas'
The fort was situated II the confluence of IN -
Marks aud Wakulla rivers, with deep wide ~ 81
gu che north side. extending from one river 4, ~
0hcr. with drawbridge opposite the gate n, s sae
cnits leading Into the fort; at the east end P..t
h"il5-proof large and massive structure Win ~
aYart nents,very elaborate and built with gre.s ..,
teetnral skill each apartment being besptissslI
aTchcd inside, and measuring some twenty Az ~
in height. and constructed of large blocks Of ~
tJfe stone for the construction OF this fors -.
q'Arriet on he west bank of the Apalachee ba, -,
n.ses south Of the fort where . few eabbscn ~
n,ettocs are now seen standipg) The shutter -. y.
two heavy, massive doors Of iren to each rom. Ne
The top or roof was fiat, thickiy and s,rougis :
mented. with Il parapet wall surrounding 4 M
na@crous embrasnres, NJ which guns were rou.,.s
daring its occupation By the Spauiards. B~tvsse
proof was the Spanish coat-ofarms and on Uhi.s
II given The following inscription
REIN DO EEEsPANAN
CAIoI ICO MoNARCA
Ell SoR DIS FERN Do VI
YsIESDO Cow CABES
DEL PKEO DE On ASIDE
LAIloK'Ysvs PICvAs
F. BRIa n LACAs EERN d.
TALACOsE HIZo
ESTA TORE PoR DIRFCSION
DEEL-Y-ESsDSrvASD
COT LA COMTEDESR
-lCoE APALACHE
tNO d 1859
Many of the letters are so deiaced that ii s din.
cult la dccipher them, aud To conclude whether H.
closing date s 1859 or 1889 The coal.ofarm. =
noa in the possession OF Mrs. T.. G. Long al Tan.
hassec.
West OF the bomb proof was the magazine. A.
a,e.tRR frrf alfArf
occupied by the Chief of Ordinance. Some ihIr,,
or ef0ry feet further west came n very ur,s
frame building, It's northern end resting on The n.
nek walls of the fort and supported the south ens
by strong posts OF cedar, with basement or room
used IA a sleeping apartment. There were two
rosms above, divided by plastcred wall, with sut
ahe: entrances, hut no door leading from one room
Ia the other. The room to the the one o.
t.upied by Arbutlnnt al the time of his capture nv
order nf General Jackson.
There were several other small buildings around
the inner WALL of the font, very similar 10 hoss
above described also At each angle nf the f0rt
booth or sentry box.
Near the centre ol the were The onacers'
quarters. 4 large frame building stone basement,
vith six rooms above and tour 10 the basement,
ans If which was n-ed n kitchen and one az
si"," room; the other two. dark and gloomy LOOKING
d"nlon.. with thick stone walls lined with Iron
net work. The floors OF huge blocks OF stons
strongly cemeutei, with two shutters TO each daor
one Of iron bars, the other of sheet iron
hav" often heard that in of these rooms
lhedLelctons of two human beings were found with
ltuS4 1hackles encircling the bones Of their arm.
ahd irgs, when first occupied by the Americana
i ~ above described honse had beam proieftiby
it".H the gable end on the north, extending over
weii--ihe well beautifully curhed with stoee Al
rhe md OF this be'm was ring bolt, with block
and tackle attached. door from the upper story
"psnrd Immediately over the well. South OF the
f;r:, an the extreme point between the rivers.
beautiful vegetable garden, with liz and other fruit
treas Of lnXuriant growth.
inf bp A. n, n.
ter was arrested IN the Suwannec river and Ar
hhthuot at the Fort al ST. Marks.
''eueral jackson. when At 81. Marks, eneamped
III The pines just in sight OF he fort, and having
learned that Arbuhnot was Al the fort sent General
;adsden in with Instructions arrest him and bring
him into camp.
on arriving AT the fort he found Arbuthnot scaled
4nFfiy III of the rooms ot the double office
ADORE described, with legs crossed and arms folded
never changing his position when addressed by
General Gadsdtn, telling him he was his prisoner
Arhphn0t very calmly replied, 4" No, sir will not
subi1.,t Ia arrest" General Gadsden returned 10
camp aud reported 10 his Commanderin Chief The
determination ofArbuthnOt. He was ordered to re.
turn and bring him dead or alive. He was soon
hrosxht headquarters, a-cOurt martial ordered
aud Ambrister and ArbuthnOt both tried, found
guilty Of :be charges against them, FURNISHING sup
pile. &c, 10 the Indians and sentenced to death
They were taken 10 the fort, where Ambrister was
eXrr,stcd by hanging He conducted 10 the
upper story of the officers quarters, rope made
fast l., The beam over the we'll. and plank passed
fro IA tho door. on which he was made 10 walk
whtD the fatal Moose adjusted about his neck,
The ldank tipped and he was launched into eternity.
Mary stories have been told with regard 10 his
having cen hung on the river. There is scarcely
cypress, with limb projecting over the ST. Marks
river that has not been pointed out Is the place Of
his execution. Arbuthnot was led without the fort,
across the moat on the bank of which he was shot
to death. Where he fell both he and Ambrisler
were INFERRED.
TIME ha- brought about many changes since then.
There remains but little 10 show that there ever eT
et-d ~ forinidablea fort, and such architectural
skill! then TO be at the confluence Of the
s. NGrk, and Wakulla rivers Essxx