Part 2

27th.--Two non-commissioned officers of the Fort, assistant Commissary Sergeants, Turner and Sunderland, with two citizens, Messrs. Simmonds and Stewart rode out, after dinner on horseback. They had been but a short time gone, when we heard the reports of several rifles and two or three distinct yells. In a few minutes after we saw one of them, Mr. Turner, come in at full gallop, and a horse without his rider close behind. Mr. Turner informed he had been fired on by the Indians one mile from the Fort, and that the other three had been killed. He himself had received a bullet through his cap. A party was immediately formed, and marched towards the place of ambuscade; on the road they met Mr. Sunderland with his right arm broken and Mr. Simmonds shot through the back. Both their horses had been shot, but luckily carried their riders two hundred yards or more, Mr. Simmonds’ horse fell on him, but in the death plunge left him at liberty. Mr. Sunderland’s horse had fallen, thrown his rider and made for his stable, but dropped dead before he reached it. Mr. Stewart, the fourth of the party was found dead and scalped; some of his clothes had been stripped off, and his body and face were covered with wounds from bullets and knives. The savages had dragged him fifty yards from the road and left him beside a tree, but a faithful dog had remained close to him, and when the poor creature saw the troops, it ran out and conducted them to its unfortunate master. The body was carried into the Fort, a shocking spectacle. The bullet was extracted from Mr. Simmonds’ shoulder without doing any injury, but Mr. Sunderland lost his right arm. The operation was performed next day, at his own request; he bore it with the resolution of a man and a Soldier. Next day a scouting party marched out and scoured the adjacent hammocks, but we saw nothing except the tracks and fires of the Indians.

April 4th.--Colonel Lindsay and Major Reed, returned with their respective commands, much distressed for want of provisions. On their march from Fort Brooke, they had lost one private of Capt. H. S. Marks’ company, raised partly in New Orleans, partly in Mobile. He was killed and scalped six miles from the Fort. Capt. H. S. Marks who, by the by, has used his company scandalously, had been left to garrison Fort Alabama, and the Colonel proceeded in search of the enemy. At one day’s march from the Fort, he met them and skirmished for three or four days; he also burnt several villages and had a few men killed and wounded; some of his friendly Indians killed and scalped an old Chief named Kifixo:--He had on a coat pierced with fourteen bullet holes and nearly covered with old clotted blood. It was taken from one of Major Dade’s soldiers. The Colonel’s tardy motions by no means suited the bold disposition of Major Reed. The men too, accused the Colonel of avoiding the larger hammocks, where the enemy would naturally conceal themselves; whereas, the Major was for charging through them. Major Reed appears perfectly qualified for this species of warfare. He was constantly at the head of his men; and the first to face any danger. He was present at the battle of Ouithlacouchy, under Gen. Clinch where he was wounded in the hip and had his horse shot under him. Had all the officers been like him, the manes of Major Dades’ murdered Soldiers might have been long since satisfied. The report of Gen Scott’s cannon on the Ouithlacouchy were heard by Colonel Lindsay’s army, and Major Reed advised an immediate advance to his assistance, but the Colonel’s timidity or imbecility would not allow it, in consequence of which the gallant Major declared he would neither camp with him, march with him, nor follow him, and he kept his word.

Fort Alabama had been meanwhile attacked and gallantly defended by Capt. H. S. Marks’ Company. Capt. M. Costa second man here. The Indians kept up a fire with little intermission for more than two hours, some of them climbing the trees and thence pouring in their volleys, one of them in particular had sheltered himself behind a thick bough and was fired at repeatedly, at each unsuccessful shot he shook his leg at the Fort, and was heard to crow like a rooster. He was, however, brought down by a rifle; and fell about thirty feet. Another contrived to conceal himself behind a tree, within one hundred yards of the Fort, and fired a few shots, but he soon attracted the notice of all eyes, and whenever his arm or any part of his clothing appeared, more bullets whistled by him, than would have let out the lives of half his tribe. At length he made a tremendous bound and escaped. It was supposed that he was wounded, as he fell three times, but he appeared like the giant of old, to gain new vigour from each contact with the earth. The tree behind which he stood and the logs of which the fort was built, were completely covered with ball holes; after two hours firing, the Indians retired, carrying with them their dead and wounded.

April 4th.--Colonel Lindsay and Major Reed, returned to Fort Brook and camped, giving each other a wide berth. On the following day Gen. Eustace arrived with a large body of horse from Georgia and South Carolina. Gen. Scott also arrived with the army which had marched out under Gen. Gaines. He encamped on the other side the river, for the sake of water, and our friends soon gratified our curiosity, by giving us an account of their campaign. They had marched on the 13th Feb. from Tampa under command of Gen. Gaines. There were about seven hundred Volunteers from Louisiana, and four hundred Regulars, each man was supplied with ten days provisions; one half was carried in the knapsacks, the other on the pack-horses. There were no field pieces, no baggage waggons, and there were no means provided for carrying the sick or wounded. At some miles distance, they passed by the ruined plantations of Mr. Simmonds and others, who had either been murdered or had barely escaped with their lives to Fort Brooke. They encamped one night near the Alafaiah (yellow fire) river, where they received a boatload of provisions from Fort Brooke, sent back several of the sick. On the 17th, they forded the Hillsboro’ river, the bridge having been burnt down by the enemy, to prevent any communication with Fort King; this was the case with all the other bridges. The greatest credit is due to Colonel Twiggs and Major Montfort, for the very efficient personal assistance they rendered in the passage of the rivers. 18th.--They burned an Indian Village, having first obtained from it a large quantity of Corn, Rice and Cooking Utensils. They crossed the Ouithlacouchy, on the 19th, and spent the night round Major Dade’s last camp; on the morning of the 20th, they marched on, and soon reached the scene of his unfortunate massacre. Here a spectacle never to be forgotten, was presented to their eyes; the bodies of more than one hundred men lay within and around the breastwork, shot, most of them, through the head, many gashed and brutally mangled; they appeared not to have been disturbed since the battle, or rather the massacre; the oxen lay within the breastwork, still yoked together as they had been shot down, one soldier lay dead in the cart, the gun-carriage and horse waggon had been burned, and the piece itself carried off and concealed. The army halted and buried the whole command with the honours of war. On the persons of the dead were found several hundred dollars, which was handed over to the Commanding Officer to be conveyed to their widows and orphan children. The arms and ammunition had been carried off by the enemy. The field piece was afterwards discovered sunk in a pond a few hundred yards distant. It was raised and placed at the head of the Officer’s grave. After this melancholy duty, they crossed the Ouithlacouchy, and on the 23d, reached Camp King, much fatigued and in great want of provisions. Fort King was garrisoned by sixty Regulars, who had only heard of Major Dade’s massacre a few days before. Gen. Gaines encamped on a hill close to the Fort, and on the following morning despatched the pack horses and three companies of Regulars for provisions, to Fort Drane, twenty-four miles distant. They returned with scarce eight days provisions; these were issued, and orders given to prepare for a march.

27th--The army again moved on with one baggage waggon, one six pounder, and two carts. They marched ten miles and halted for the night. Next morning the bugles sounded forward, and at one o’clock, P. M., they again sounded for a halt. The army was now within three miles of the Ouithlacouchy, and close to General Clinch’s battle ground. The previous night had been very wet, and the halt was ordered for an inspection of arms. On their advance they burned a large village called Powelltown, formerly the head quarters of the nation, and a little farther on, halted at Clinch’s battle ground. While burying some of his dead who had been disinterred and abused by the savages, the left wing was attacked, the enemy firing from the other side of the river. Their fire was warmly answered for three quarters of an hour, when the bugles sounded a retreat from the banks of the river. One man was killed on our side and six wounded; the loss of the enemy is not known. A breastwork was thrown up, during the night, round that of General Clinch. Next morning the troops marched down the river, in search of a fording place, in order to cross over and come at close quarters, with the enemy. The advanced guard reached the bank and received an unexpected volley while attempting to sound the stream. Here fell Major Izard, the commander of the advance, an officer universally respected and esteemed; he was on horseback, a fair mark for the Indians, and received a bullet through his head. There was one man besides the Major killed, and there were several wounded; among the latter were Captain Saunders, chief of the friendly Indians, the main guide, and Captain Armstrong, of the United States schooner Motto. As it was impossible to ford the stream in the face of the enemy’s fire, independent of its depth, the General took measures for building a bridge. Some of the men were employed felling pine trees, others hollowing them canoe fashion, while a third party kept the Indians in play. Towards night all hands commenced a breastwork a few yards from the river, and lay, I shall not say, slept within them.

March 1st--A party of one hundred and fifty men was sent out to skirmish, while the main body was employed preparing the bridge. They crept silently down the river, keeping a sharp lookout, each man posted behind a tree or log. About eleven o’clock, A. M., an attack was commenced by the Indians from the other side of the river, and in a few minutes from all sides. They had crossed in two large bodies above and below the camping ground, and poured in a volley from all quarters. The fire was answered by the army, and the six pounder was used on the side the enemy appeared to me strongest. At one time they set the woods on fire to windward, expecting to burn down the breastwork, and conceal themselves behind the smoke, but they were disappointed, when the fire caught the breastwork, it was quickly extinguished by throwing water and sand on it, and the grape and canister from the field piece soon routed them from their lurking places; the wind too shifted suddenly and the smoke was driven back on themselves. After an engagement of two hours and three quarters they were forced to retreat. The loss in killed and wounded was considerable. General Gaines himself was wounded in the mouth.

On the previous night he had despatched ten men on horseback to Fort Drane, with an express to General Clinch, stating that the provisions were nearly exhausted, and requesting a reinforcement, as he found the Indians too numerous.

On the night of the 1st March, another express was forwarded to the same purpose, with a report of the killed and wounded; the breastworks were raised one log higher.

On the morning of the 2d March the enemy commenced a dropping fire from small parties, which obliged our men to keep within the breastwork, as the ammunition was nearly exhausted, and they could not afford to throw away a single shot. At night the Indians lit large fires around the camp and kept a strict look out. This game continued eight days. The troops were totally destitute of provisions, during the last four days, and were forced to subsist on horses, dogs and roots; the rations even of these, were so small, that some of the men cleaned the very guts and devoured them; the hind quarter of a dog sold for five dollars, and a single biscuit was purchased at the same price. A third express was dispatched to Fort Drane for provisions and reinforcements; all three arrived safe.

On the night of the 8th, a stentorian voice was heard outside the breastwork, stating that the Indians were tired of fighting, and were desirous of a treaty. The herald asked if a flag of truce would be respected, and on being answered in the affirmative, promised to return in the morning, with provisions and other necessaries for a “dog feast.” He returned in a half an hour saying that the chiefs would come in on the following morning, at nine o’clock, and requested the General to allow no work on that day.

9th--The chiefs, according to promise, came at the appointed time; Powell, Alligator, Jumper and the interpreter, who was also the herald of the preceding night, a very tall negro, rejoicing in the name of Dr. Johnston. The Indians, about five hundred in number, were paraded a short distance in rear of the camp; the chiefs approached within one hundred and fifty yards, and requested an equal number of our people to meet them for a talk. Adjutant Barron with the Interpreter and other officers went out and parleyed with them for an hour and a half. One of the chiefs asked the Adjutant if he was not hungry, and received an answer far from the truth, with this addition, that there was plenty of provisions within the breastwork. The chiefs rose and promised to return in the evening with a decisive answer, at the same time requesting General Gaines to give them some brandy and tobacco. He told them that the last of the brandy had been served out that morning, and, to save appearances, supplied them with some tobacco by levying a contribution on the army. At four o’clock, P. M., they again made their appearance and asked a longer time to deliberate, but General Gaines would not consent. They were still talking and about to come to terms, when General Clinch made his appearance with five hundred men. Jumper saw him arrive, and noticed it to our officers. He then ordered his men to retreat across the river immediately, and promised to return next morning. General Clinch, seeing the Indians retreat, and not knowing their object, fired on them with little effect, but our officers soon explained to him the state of affairs.

He brought with him two hundred horsemen, three hundred foot, one sixpounder, five or six carts, and better still, two days provisions, besides live stock. At night, the sable ambassador, Doctor Johnston again made his appearance, requesting a truce of three days, as Powell had gone away to see his wife and collect his warriors. General Gaines replied that if the enemy would not come in and surrender their arms on the following morning, he himself would cross the river and attack them. [_Exit, Dr. Johnston._]

10th--Ten o’clock came but no Indians. The troops remained a few days longer in this encampment, which was called Camp Izard, from the death of the Major, and subsequently Camp Misery, from the sufferings of the people. At the expiration of a few days they marched with Clinch’s command to Fort Drane where they halted several days, recruiting after their fatigues. The post occupied by the regulars was called Camp Twiggs, that held by the volunteers Camp Smith. The men complain heavily of the commissary who had the conscience to sell them their _own_ biscuit at the exhorbitant price of ten dollars per barrel. Previous to this, while Corporal Dyre of the Louisiana Greys, he had sold the provisions of the company, to Mr. Simmonds of Tampa Bay, to pay for his own board and that of a few friends; and the coffee and sugar belonging to the company, he had appropriated to himself and the commissioned officers, who neither drew nor bought provisions. He was afterwards obliged to refund the bread and pork. This is but a small specimen of the man: I need mention no more.

General Gaines left the army at Fort Drane, on account of some misunderstanding between him and Scott. Scott had been lying for some time at Picolata, and it was believed, might have materially assisted in preventing the sufferings of the troops; but, obeying the dictates of envy and jealousy, he said that as Gen. Gaines had got himself into his present difficulties, he might extricate himself from them. Such language, if true, cannot be too severely censured.

24th--The army marched from Fort Drane, under command of Gen. Scott, increased by the junction of his troops and those of General Clinch, to two thousand five hundred men.

On the night of the 26th, one of the carts which had dropped a few miles behind was attacked and robbed by the Indians, who killed one negro, and cut his throat from ear to ear. Another colored man brought in the news, barely escaping with his life. His horse was wounded, and a bullet had passed through the skirt of his coat.

28th.--They reached Camp Izard and fired the field piece, as a signal for Gen. Eustace and Colonel Lindsay: it was not answered by either, but was soon responded to by the Indians’ rifles from the opposite bank of the river, giving notice that their “voice was still for war.” An encampment was formed, and preparations made for constructing a bridge; the work was continued through the night. In the morning orders were issued for a march. The Ouithlacouchy, here thirty-five yards wide, was crossed, the troops and waggons passing over in two flat boats, built by Gen. Clinch for the purpose, at Fort Drane, and drawn to the river on wheels. The Louisiana Volunteers with a small party of Regulars, were the first to cross the river. A breastwork was constructed without any molestation from the Indians. In the evening they fired on the rear while crossing the river; but the two field pieces, which were placed on the banks to cover the passage, were quickly brought to bear on them, and soon sent them to the right about. They continued, however, to fire a few dropping shots from a considerable distance, which did no mischief. On the 30th, the army reached the Black Swamp, the great hiding place of the Savages, and no place could be better chosen for such a purpose. It is nearly twelve miles square, and is full of ponds, rivers and hammocks. A halt was ordered, and a detail of three hundred men, was left to guard the baggage. The main body advanced into the Swamp, in pursuit of the enemy, who had been already seen. They had not marched far, when they gave chase to two Indians, and pressed them so hard, that they were forced to throw away their packs, and escape with their rifles only. The troops marched six miles into the Swamp, carrying with them nothing except one day’s rations. They surrounded and scoured the hammocks on the way, and encamped towards evening. Soon after, several Indians were observed at a short distance from the camp, making signs for some of our people to go out and talk with them. The Interpreter and a few friendly Indians were sent for the purpose. The enemy begged a peace, requesting General Scott to remain quiet for a few days, until the return of Powell from the Gulf of Mexico. The General would not listen to the proposal, but marched the next morning (31st,) and attacked them in their hammock, whilst preparing breakfast. They fled precipitately, abandoning their provisions, which were speedily devoured by the almost starving troops. The pursuit was continued, firing occasionally as the Indians appeared crossing from one hammock to another, until at length after wading a pond three feet deep, the army came to a hammock thicker than the rest, where the enemy had halted, thinking themselves more secure, and from which they poured a well directed volley on our men. The fire was answered from the whole battalion. The regulars were ordered to charge into the hammock, hut evinced very little willingness to obey. The order was then given to the Louisiana Volunteers; they rushed in like so many wolves, disregarding every obstacle, and pursued the enemy to the banks of the river, following them by the blood which had flowed in streams. No Indians were seen on the banks, and the Volunteers returned to the main body, at the recall of the bugle. This skirmish cost them four men killed and many wounded. The enemy’s loss was not known, as they are very careful in carrying off their dead and wounded. The usual signal gun was fired by the baggage guard, and was answered by General Eustace and Colonel Lindsay, at a great distance. The main body returned to the baggage, carrying with them their dead and wounded. The dead were buried on the same day with the honours of war.

April 1st.--Provisions being nearly out, General Scott ordered a march towards Fort Brooke, along the borders of the Swamp, burning and destroying all the Villages on the way. On the morning of the 2d, they made an early start, and at 10 o’clock, left three hundred and fifty men, composed of the Georgia Volunteers, to build and garrison a Fort, called Fort Cooper. They were supplied with one six pounder, and nineteen days’ provisions. This post was afterwards attacked fifteen days successively, and sustained but little loss. The General made a forced march, and at night occupied the vacant breastwork built by Colonel Lindsay a few days before.

3d.--The advanced Guard, the Georgia Volunteer Cavalry, discovered some Indians in a prairie, and instead of attacking them, returned and applied for the assistance of the Louisiana Volunteers, which gave them (the Louisiana Volunteers) the trouble of charging through a large hammock, without the satisfaction of seeing a single Indian.