The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-27
WRITERS WHO ACCOMPANIED
 DESOTO WERE NOT ACCURATE

read it. You will see from what I write, and from what may write hereafter, that I differ from Col. Pickett. and what l write is not in- tended, nor can it detract in the least from Col. Pickett, as an author, a gentleman, or a scholar. I am not vain enough to think that l could write anything like a history of any county (even fall should write were true) that would be interesting. while Col. Pickett is very capable of doing it; he has not only the advantages of a classical education, but was raised by one of the most intelligent fathers In Alabama; and as to his mother. she has had her equals no doubt, but there is no one living that can boast of a mother that was her superior. As to my parents, I can say nothing more than recollect to have seen them and the only brother I ever had, laid In their last resting place. within six miles of where Savannah river takes it's name,
 My father died In Franklin County. Georgia. near sixty years back: nay brother about fifty-six years my mother about ffty-three years back--leawlng an only sister and, myself, upon the charity of the best world that 1 have seen. Of any one else, If they will take it right Now, sir. my whole history through life (though passing through some pretty rough scenes by- the-by1 would not be as interesting as the lives of Washington and Marion. by Old Parson Weems; so will close ny own biography and commence with De Sotos march through Florida. THE ARMY THAT DEs0TO
 LED THROUGH ALABAMA.
 Tampa Bay Is the point. admitted by kli. where Soto (as I shall call hifn) debarked his men. His army. com posed Of one thousand men. some on horse hack and some on foot, grey. hounds as feet as the wind. blood. hounds large and feroeious and in addition to all these. were lots of Catholic priests, clergymen and monks. This was certainly very imposing show. and was show very well eal- cuiated and no doubt did impose upon the unoffendins natives. and the tons of iron, handeuffs. chains. neekcollars and the like, were things well caieu. lated to inspire the natives with very exalted notions of the Christianity they were soon to be taught. No doubt but that portion of the narrative is in q great measure true; so far IS regards the true motives of those that set the expedition on foot
 The object was gold or other piunder. and to diffuse among the natives q religion Gas then understood and praetlced by those who were to pro. pogate it1 that even he'd more Iaudabie means been used to establish it, would have benefited the Iudians very little more, if as much, as the pagan idoia- try. And 1t is equally as shameful as true. that other Christian nations have followed the example of Spain with the natives of this and other countries: wherever the Bible (which was seldom applied right) failed. the muslxet and bayonet were resorted to. The hogs and cattle are next; the introduction of these animals was the only phiian- thropie movement during, or that att tended the expedition. These animals were landed as 1t appears. as early as May, i5as. and Soto died between the last Of May 1542 and the second of July, 1545. No date is given Of their leaders death, unless we. infer from the date given in the narrative that he died between the last of May, 1542 at which time he commenced the build ing of the bEigantine, and the first of June, 1542 which was the time his successor commenced his march again in the wilderness, which was one day only for commencing the work, for soto to die, to be put in the water. and his successor to march with the remainder of the soldiers. The portion of the history have just alluded to, you will find on pages fifty and fifty-one, first volume.
 Now had Colonel Pickett made a lit- tie blunder like this, should not have