Newspaper Page Text
DOMESTIC.
[Cnrrtspnndsnct of lit Baltimore Patriot.)
FREDERICK, Jan 10.
At th« ununl hour, th. Court »M*«nbl«d, when the
Judge Advm.t. Mated dial Lirut. Morris desired to
have a .light alteration effected in the testimony giv
en liy him before the Court some days since, winch
was acquiesced in by Uen. Scott, and accordingly
done.
A letter we* else reed beiore the Court by the
Judge Advocate, which we* written by Major Clark,
en Assistant Quarter Metieret New Orleans, direct
ed to the Acting Quarter Me»ter General at Wash
ington. In thie, the Major contradict* (he assertion
that any newnpnjvr publication or letters had pre
vented the Commissary from complying with the or
der* of General 8cott. On the contrary, lie states
that supplies were shipped and arrived at Tampa
Bey on tire 6th of April, and the army of Gen. Scott
arrived respectively on Hie 3d, 4th nod bib of April,
at that place, fie also states that General Gaines
had recommended him to comply with the order of
General Scott, as provision* would be required at
that post.
General Scott arose nnd referred to the summons
which had been waned by the Judge Advocate to
Capt. Morrison, the Assistant Commissary at New
Orient.*, and hi* answer thereto. He deemed the
evidence of Capt. Morrison on this subject very es
sential. and lie Imped still to avail himself of it; hut
if the Court thought proper to order tlm letter of
Major Clark on record, lie had no objection. The
Court *aid. that ns it en
reg
tilnr course, und
uld direct it to
from the War Department, they w
be filed.
A letter of General Scott, dated at Columhtte,
Georgia, addressed to the. Secretary of War, in
speaking of the (then) contemplated rummer cam
paign of General Call, any* he wislmf him the most
hearty success, hut fear* that sicknemand disease,
together with the absence of the proper supplies,
will prevent him operating with effect. The 8etni-
noles are not formidable in number; Ido not believe
the whole force in the nation, iurlmiitg Indian* nnd
•*#•*«**«• osooeils IfiOO and I do not think that more
than 500 have been embodied at any one time. ||o Wll „ nn wtianm w ,i TO ,
snvs that the strength of the nation lies in the extent the arms. &c nt that place,
and frightful character of their country, which
transferred the command at Camp Igard to General
Clinch and returned to Fort Drane. Correspond
ent] was to rc-inforce or rescue the forces of Gener
als Gaines and Clinrli on the Oiritldarnochee. The
subsistence sent by that train was intended for those
troops.
Gen. Scott he-** referred to an impression which
had gone abroad that Captain Van Ifuren was per
sonally inimical to him, or that a misunderstanding
had occurred between tlicm, end be therefore would
suggest to the court that they were at liberty to put
any question to the witness which might tend to eli
cit from him. tlm charge of misconduct on bis (S'#)
part during the Seminole campaign.
Lieut. Belts, of the artillery, was then sworn.
Trior to interiogating this gentleman Gen. Scott
said he had a question to propose to Col. Depryater
(bite annul to Gen. En»tis,)iti reference to the storm
which occurred about Picolata, shortly after bis ar
rival. Col. Depeyster stated that it w as an exceed
ingly severe one—that lie crossed twice during its
continuance, and that it Inffted six or seven days.
Question to Lieut. Detts.—In vvlint capacity did the
vviiuess serve in the Creek Campaign under Gen.
Scott?
Answer-*At the request of Gen. Scott I joined
him at Columbus about the 2d of June, IS'.Hi, nnd
acted as nid-de-camp to that General until about 20th
June, when l was placed in orders in nil hi* opera
tion* against the Creek Indians until the 0th of Ju
ly, when lie was recalled.
Question.—What was the conversation that hap
pened nt Head Quarter* when the report of an ac
cident which bcfel a steam boat laden with public
stores, reached Gen. Scott?
Answer—It was reported at Head Quarter* of
Gen. Scott, nt Colinubiis, that n steam boat loaded
with army ammunition and supplies, lind Unrated Iter
boiler in the month of June, on the Onniilgec river,
between Darien and Hawkitt*ville. Inconsequence
of this, the news bad to reach Jlawkinsvillc first,
before the Assistant Quarter Master could prepare
other means for transporting the articles, lie was
obliged to hire another boat w hich had been laid up
for tlm summer—fit her up, and despatch her down
the river for said supplies. Much delay was occa
sioned in the arrival of the arm* by this disaster. It
was reported that another boat similarly loaded, had
met with nn accident which delayed the urrival of
•evernl companies occasionally on the river en
gaged with the enemy*prior to the 6th of
March?”
A neuter.—'“There wan oue company out of
the limits of the breast work on the 29th of Fe
bruary, and several companies were engaged in
firing at the Indians across the river prior to the
6th of March."
Gen. Gaines preceded the next question with
a few remarks in reference to the opportunities
which had liccn cninvcd hv flanl. Mel ’all dll .dllir
abound* with hammock* and swamp* that are pre
occupied hy the enemy, from whence they opernl< ,
much to our disadvantage. Not Wayne, nor any ;
other of the greatest Indian fighters that ever lived j
in our country, could undertake to say that he would ,
conquer those Indians in a single season.
The General say* that every soldier who goes in- I
fa Flnridn should he entitled to at least 1G0 ncrcs-ol
land. (“ not Florida lauds, for that would he a I
frond !") and each (oncer to nt (east three months'
pay in advance, gratuitous; ns there i* but little]
honor or glory to Tin gained by sacrificing health,1
comfort. Ac. in a wilderness like that of Florida.
Two letter* from the Secretary of War to Gen.
Scott, in referenee to the Seminole war, wore read :
nnd one from Capt. Harding to Governor Clay, in
referenee to the arms, Sir. in the nrseual nl Mount
Vernon, AU. stating that there were 10,000 first rate
muskets, i%. 10 pieces of ordnance complete, which,
enid General Scott, “will show how the Alabama
troops were supplied with anus and accoutrements,
end ready for the field by the (till of June.'*
The deposition of Governor Schley, of Georgia,
was then tend. Tin* Governor remarks upon the
coincidence of General Scott nt Savannah, Jesup at
Augusta, and himself at Milledgevillc—having no
previous communication on the subject, in suggest
ing the name plan of cntnpnigti. Hi* views of Gen.
Jestin'* treatment towards General Scott are clear
ly defined. and jdace the conduct of tlm Quarter
Master General in a very unenviable light. Gov
ernor Schley is of opinion that fewer murders would
have been committed, and a lesser number of the
hostile Creek* escaped into Florida, had Jesup ml-
Itered to the original plan of campaign, hy which
both Grnernt* were 1o operate simultaneously ; hut
Jcflttp was restless, lest all the honor of closing the
war would be General Scott's, atnl ns he (Jesup)
had tlm Indian* in his immediate neighborhood, he
thought hy striking nn immediate blow nt them, lie
could run away with the honor himself. He did
act; the friendly Creek Indians enpfared the must
formidable baud of the hostile*, nnd the war was
closed. General Scott was recalled tontone for Ida
delay in operating earlier, mid Mr. Quarter Master
General, T. 8. Jesup, commander of the Southern
army, is * • •
A letter from Gen. Jesup to Governor Schley wns
then resd in the Court. This letter c.nmplt *ued of
Govornor Schley's having written to tin* President
of the II. States, inconsequence of his (Schley)
not hearing from Jesup in reply to a letter addressed
by the Governor to him, asking for certain informa
tion. The President directs a communication to Je
sup upon the subject—whereat Jesup take* fire—
looks at his file, am! h»! there beholds the letter
which he forgot to send in reply to Gov. Schley’s,
and which was enclosed in another, and then, when
it could he of no use, sends it to him !
General Scott said that he should argue, at tlm
proper lime, this peculiar failing of Gen. Jesup, and
would prove that lie islialdtuated to writing letter*,
end placing them on file, as though copies had actu
ally been sent to those for whom they were intend
ed.
The Judge Advocate continued the reading of the
deposition, and when finished, General ffontt pre
sented a letter from General Woodward, which con
tained evidence of the determination of Gen. Jesup
to disregard the pledge to co-operate with Genera!
8<mtt, and of his having acted in disobedience of or
ders.
A letter from the Ifon. W. C. Dawson, M. C. who
commanded a detachment of volunteers mid infan
try on hoard of the steam hunt which was stationed
««n the Chattaho«tehee, enclosing his deposition,
was read. His answer* are roufirmatoi^v of wlu»t
has preceded, vi*; the exoneration of General Scott
from iitineressnry delay in preparing to operate
against the Creek Indians, and which the public
will remember was tlm only charge against Gen.
8c.ll, in connexion with the*Crack matter.
Gen. Scott than offered the Court another paper,
signed hy Cohoml Lane, (then Lieutenant) former
ly, nnd at that time an aid to General Jesup, which
was evidently the handy work of both, pretending
to be an abstract <4* the correspondence between
General Jesup and others, in reference to the Creek
war. General Scott said lie would offer it in evi
dence, nnd at the proper time, lie “would visit it wiili
the full measure of hi* severity, with as little allu
sion to the deceased, (Col. Lniie,)ns was practica
ble." Said Gen. Scott, '• I have no wish to distuih
the nslies of the dead—my business is with the lit*
ing."
Mr. Ulnir's letter to the Judge Advorate was rend,
in whieli lie excuses himself from attendance upon
the Court, in consequence of his duties ns an officer
ol the House of Representatives; says he will no* |
ewer General Scott's questions, if reduced to writ- !
ing. and refers tlm Court to tlm Globe. Ccnrrnl
Scott here made some remarks about his not having
had any agency in any publication for a year past.
CXCeping his letter* to Capt. Robinson, of Georgia, I
and the editor of the Richmond Enquirer, lie said l
bis object in obtaining filair’s testimony, wns to show (
that General Jesup hail sent to the Globe office, pnrt t
only of the correspondence between him nnd (ion.
Scott, with his own notes nnd comments upon them
suppressing the letter of General Scou. dated the
16tli of Juim. ;
Captain Van Buren was then sworn, and interro
gated by General Scott, in reference to the Semiuoh
Cm npnigu.
truestw».-What docs witness recollect of the nr
rival of the fir«t train of wagons at Picolata Iron
Fort Drane. after Gen. Scott's at rival nt that place »
■daurrr.—The first arrival of wngntis from For:
Drane was about the 1st or 2d of March, opposite t<
Picolata, on the St. John's.
Question—Wlint officer was charged with tin
loading of that train with provisions, and rlutrgci 1
with the transportation of wagons and horses ncros-
the St. John's.
dwiffr.—Tlie officer charged with the loading of
the wagon* was Capt. Shannon, the senior Quartn
Master in Florida, and he had much difficulty ii
getting the wagons and horsea over the river, although ,
the exertions were very great.
tycofUM.—What does the witness recollect of the
had ataie^of the roads, the weather. Ac. about the
lima of Gen. Scott's arrival at Picolata. and of the j
difficulty in getting the supplies across the St.
John's? \
Answer.—The weather was very bad. An it mi- |
suallv heavy rain storm occurred about that time
Question.—What does witness recollect of being
ordered l»y Gen. Scott on hearing of tlm disaster, to
proceed in the direction of Hawkiusvillc, nnd wlint
prevented his going to that place ?
Answer.—In consequence of the unexpected de
lay in the arrival of the arms nt linwkinsviUe. Gan.
Scott told me to go hy day and night towards flint
place, until I should meet the train of wagons for
Columbus, nnd hasten their arrival by every possi
ble means. I had mounted my horse to execute that
order, when Major Heard arrived in n public stage
from Hawkiiisville, and he assured Gen. Scott and
myself that lie had the greatest confidence in the
gen I and activity of the conductor, and their arrival
could not he expedited hy my trip, and that they
would certainly be there in two or three days. They
did not, however, arrive until about a week from
this time.
Question.—What other cireumstancat occurred lo
prevent the arrival of those arms?
Answer.—I stated in my answer to the preceding
question, that the arms did not arrive until 3 or 4
(lays after they were expected. The cause of which
ns reported on the nrrivnl of the trnin wns n letter,
written by Major General Irwin, of the Alabama
Militia, to Brig. Gen. Wilcox, of Georgia, who bad
been charged with the protection of the district of
country on the route of the enemy to Florida. This
letter stated that 2000 hostile Creek Indians bad
crossed the Chattahoochee, and were laying waste
the lower counties of Georgia, murdering in their
progress, men, women and children, indiscriminate
ly. On the appearance of this letter in the public
journals, the inhabitant* of that portion of country
find for protection to the interior. The conductor of
the train was seized with the same panic, and chang
ed his direction so as to pass above the sojipnsed en
emy. Thereby delaying the arrival of the arms
some three or tour days.
Question—Wlint does the witness recollect of Ma
jor Gen. Scott's sending for Lieutenant McCrnhb
and Capt. Waite, after having received a letter from
Gen. JoHiip on the 17tli of June, and the conversa
tion which passed 1
Answer.—On receiptof a letter from Gen. Jesup
on the lTffla of June, Gen. Scott sent for Lieut. Me-
Crnhb, Assistant Commissary, and Capt. Waite,
Assistant Quarter Master, at Columbus, and ques
tioned them in reference to tlm supplies of forage
and provisions on hand, and what amount they could
prohabtv furnish tlm command of Gen. Jesup. To
which Lieut. McCrahh replied that lie hud hut a
small supply of provisions nn hand, and that lie had
nearly exhausted the market in furnishing tlm troop*
at Fort Mitchell, and those stationed above nod be
low nn the river. Gen. Scott directed him in the
strongest terms to use every exertion to supply the
troops under Jesup, and if necessary for this pur
pose to place the Georgia troops mi half or quarter
rations.
Question.—What does witness recollect of the
state of the roads nml bridges between Augusta and
Columbus, and between Hawkiiisville and Colum
bus, in June last ?
Answer.-*I recollect distinctly that ititicli rain fell
in June, and know from personal observation that
the road between Augusta nml Columbus, was in
very had condition.
General Scott announced to the Court that lie
would boro rest Itis Creek case, reserving to himself
the right of examining Gen. Woodward, should lie
arrive in the mean lime, and that lie would he pleas
ed if tlm Court could assign him Thursday next t:»
commence his defence upon that question, in which
the Court acquiesced—The President then adjoin li
ed the Court until to-morrow inoruipg. nt II o’clock,
when the case of Mnj. Gen. Gaines will he resum
ed.
Correspondence of the Baltimore Patriot.
FRKPKittcx, Mn. Jan. 17th, 1837.
Continuation of the Proceedings in relation to the
failure of the Seminole and Creek Campaigns,
conducted by Generals Gaines and Scott; and
the dtluy of prosecuting the Creek Campaign
of General Scott.
Capt. McCai.Cs Testimony continued.
Question of the. Court" What was the num
ber of Indians that invested Camp Izard on the
2Dth of February, and how litany attacks were
made on said Camp?”
Ansuxr.—“The number on the morning of the
2l)tli, was in my opinion between 1200 and 1500,
including negroes judging from the extent of
ground covered—their fire ami war whoop. On
the morning of the 3d, their number although
apparently not so numerous ns on the 20th, were
greater than air. subsequent period. The Indi
ans made 5 or 6 attacks and occasionally, both
during day and night, a few shots were fired in
to the camp hy stragglers.”
By the Court.—“No sortie was made upon
the enemy ; what reason did Gen. Gaines assign
for not making a sortie.”
Answer.— “ lie did not explain to mo his rea
sons, hut my impression is that it would not have
resulted in auy important advantage to our
side ?”
By the Court.—" Did no officer during the
siege suggest the propriety of a sortie f"
.insurer,—“ I did not hear any officer suggest
a sortie; nor did I know that auy officer differed
with the Genera) upon that point.”
By the Court.—“ What is your opinion of the
forces being able to drive the Indians if a sortie
had been made ?”
A asterr.—“ I have not the smallest doubt they
could have driven them off, hut the nature of
the ground was such—the hammocks being very
dense and extremely difficult of access to troops,
the Indians who were lying concealed would
have hern enabled to deliver their fire, and ow
ing to their superior celerity nnd know ledge of
the ground, passed through tho hammock and
crossed the river before our troojis could have
come up w ith them. Their facilities for crosottig
being great, and the troops without the mcausof
following them.
Gen. Gaines here arose and said that he v
submit a question in reference to a subject which
- -- <—- - had been agitated in the public journal, tltrough-
wbmh rendered the passage across the river very I out the North, aud he thought it wns due to him-
1,h - °'« of '!*.• *** ^ .elf, «i ihi. lime la nllu.lo lo it. He .ai.l he hn.l
■Mil 4c.m boot, the Emmv<>ii, w» 'lien u.efl for
th. (Mirpuwi, but .oo.ul.rnMr d.lnv occurred in itn>
..tniriing, in consequence of no' being able to get
Marlnilis op|Hi«i'«.hnre. Th. balt.lionofAriillrry,
uinlnr Major tide,. » n. ntven or eight d.jr. in |i,i.>.
Ing from 8rv.iiii.Ii In I'icol.u, a. I wiu infunnrd
»J *“jnr li.tr. Inmutlf.
, ®*f***— ~Wban did thm train le.v. th. Hi.
John■ »j »nd whet did (im.r.1 Hentt any lit. nhjwt
wa.tnle.viiig l‘i<'i>lnt. on Ui. Oih of March, with a
II daUclimoni I
hern ehnrjteil with meeting the enemy only ha-
hind hrenat work., and hy ihi. w into he would
•hew that he had fuught them for two day. u|>-
oit the river hank, nnd compelled them to retire
from the ronltiet. Me .aid that auHieient evi
dence had already heeu adduced to the Court
in pruve the impropriely of hi. making a aortic
from Camp laard after the pledge he had made
lo General Clinch, or the commanding officeral
which had lieen enjoyed hy Capt. McCalldu'iug
a long r -aidence in the Ittdian countries, in mak
ing him.elf acquainted w ith the topography of
thn.e part., and the habit, and cu.tom. of the
Indian, while engaged in travel, or with nn ene
my. He .aid that the officer who wa. deputed
tn relieve him in the command in Florida, had
atated in an official communication that he did
not believe that more than 500 Indian, had been
embodied since the opening of the war. That
officer acknowledge, that hr. hail met no parties
constating of more than SO or00, nnd he pre
tend, tn judge of the number who attacked the
command.at Cnmp Izard from the appearance
of the neighbouring ground. Gen. Game, .aid
that it was well known to some of the member,
of the Court that large bodies of ludian. have
travelled in time, of war, from one post to an
other, without leaving any evidence of their
’ 1 strength—thi* he .aid was done hy the Indians
hy treading in the print tnnde hy their leader,
and the only way the enemy could judge of the
opposing force, wa. by the depth of the print.
J3y Cm. Guinea.—“ What i, your opinion a.
to the practicability of a.cortainoig a week nr
two week, after n battle, the number of Indians
engaged in it; or the number encamped nt any
one point; and do the Indian, leaven, much
evidence of their number in Camp n. the
white. T"
.(natrrr.—“ I think it would he impossible a
week nr two week, after a battle to ascertain hy
the signs commonly left hy Indians, whamundiei
had been on tho battle ground. Tho principal
object of the Indians encamping in times of Avar,
being to concetti their numbers; it would lie ex
tremely difficult, perhaps impossible, to make
even a tolerable guc». of their number, which
orcupied nn encampment, nnlcs. they had occu
pied it fur a great length of time. After leav
ing nn encampment, tho Indians do not icavo
any thing like its much evidence of their num
bers as the whites usually leave."
Gen. Gaines here referred to a portion of the
testimony of Capt. Thistle. It will he remem
bered hy ottr readers, that the Captain stated to
the Court he hail never heard of General Guinn
until ho saw him in Florida ; nod never knew of
any dissatisfaction expressed hy the Volunteers
when it was rendered uncertain whether Gen.
Gaines cntild accompany them tn tho scene in
Florida. The Gen. said that he was in hopes
that Cnpt. Thistle for hit own sake would reflect
again upon the subject nnd correct that part of
Itis testimony, inasmuch ns the Capt. had /gone to
Florida from New Orleans in the tame Steam
/{oat, nnd on the passage thither had frequently
converted with the tame Gen. Gainet, of whom
hv had never heard until lie saw him in Flori
da." In ordered however, to settle the matter,
Gen. Gaines said, he would propose a question
to Captain McCall, which would he satisfactory
to tho Court upon that point.
Hy Gen. Gainet.—What were the sentiments
and feelings of the Louisiana Volunteers, ns ex
pressed hy them on hoard the steamer M atch- 1
man at Pensacola, relative to Gen. Gaines con
tinuing in command 1
Ansioer.—On the arrival of the steam boat
Watchman at Pensacola on the (ith February it
was ascertained that the steamer Merchant, with
a battalion of Louisiana Volunteers, under the
iimnediiitc command of Col. Smith, had sailed
tho dny hofore for Tampa liny. On landing at;
Pensacola. General Gainos receivetl the letter |
of the Adjutant Gcueral notifying him that Gc- ■
ncrnl Scott had been ordered to Florida, and J
directing Gelt. G. to await for further orders nt'
New Orlenns. On receiving this letter, Getter-1
nl Gaines remarked to me that he would go ]
with great readiness wherever his services might
he most useful to his country, and said he'
thought he \hould return to New Orleans. I 1
left him immediately, tn attend to some duties, j
When tho troops learned the purport of the let
ter, trinity of the volunteers collected around me,
and inquired whether the General intended to
proceed or return. I replied thut I believed he
would return. They expressed in strong terms
their regret ut this information, and the gencrnl
opinion, us far us I learned, was flint he should
proceed. After this, the commanding officer of
the biittnlion on hoard of the Watchman, Lieut.
Colonel Law.nti, came to mo and made the !
tame inquiry: I replietl as before. He snid '
that General Gaines wa. bound to proceed to i
Tampa Hay, and he would he severefy censured {
if ho relinquished the command. At the same |
time, he asked me to urge him to proceed.
Col. Lawson spoke of the confusion that
would ensue, if he gave up the command. Col.
Smith, next in rank to Gen. Gainos, was will
ing, through personal regard to Col. Twiggs, to
waive rank with that officer, for the purposo of
giving him tho command of tho hrignde; hut if
General Gaines relinquished the command of
the expedition, Mnj. Foster, of the 4th Infantry,
ami Iueut. Colonel hy brevet, would assert hi.
right to command the brigade, in virtue of his
brevet commission, w hich was senior to Colonel
Twiggs commission in the line; nnd contention
for the command would have arisen, which
might cause the seperatiuu of the troops, and in
that way endangered the success of the expedi
tion. I saw General Games soon after nod lie
told mo he had determined to proceed nt least
to Tampa Hay, and that he would ho governed i
hy circumstances in hi. future movements. On I
hi. way, he showed mo the skeleton of a letter \
to Gen. Scott, shonld lie find him in tho (Htl.—
Thai letter announced his arrival with the troops
tinder his command, nml proposed a co-opera
tion with Gen. Scou. Ilo at the same time re
marked tn me, that if Gen. Scott preferred to
take the sole conduct of li e war, he would
without hesitation turn ovi+tlio coinnand to
him.
Hy General Gaines.—Wlint occurred at Dade*. !
Rattle Ground lo determine Gcueral Gallics to !
go lo Fort King ? ]
Antivtr.—While the party who hnd been de- 1
tailed for tho purpose were collecting the bodies .
for burial, General Gaines expressed to me bis
anxiety to know where the enemy wns, not ha- |
ving met him, as we expected, on ottr march to :
that point, and his desire to know of the situa
tion of General Clinch. He stated to me that
the surest means of ncquiruig this information !
wns to proceed to Fort King, but he expressed
an unwillingness to draw any supplies fiom that
post, which perhaps might he slender. I then
remarked that I was iufurined that moriiing hy
the senior Uunrtcr Master, Capt. Shannon, he
hnd hern notified thnt Inrgo supplies had been
ordered tn Fort King. The General expressed
satisfaction at this, and immediately sent for
the Quarter Master, who produced a letter from
the Quarter Master General's office, dated 10th
January, stating that Inrgc snppliesof provisions
had been ordered from New York to Fort King,
and 30,000 rations to St. Augustine. On recei
ving this information, Gen. Gaines expressed
his determination to proceed forthn ith to Fort
King, ami the order of a march was given the
moment the funeral rites were concluded.
Hy Grn. Gainet.—On his arrival at Fort King,
not finding (he provisions mid troops he expect
ed, whnt plan of operations did Gen. Gaines
adopt !
Ansurr.—On arriving nt Fort King, and fin
ding the garrison consisted of only one roin-
pnny of Artillery, and a small supply of provis
ions, which would only afford him two davs ra
tions. he told me in the course of conversation
that it wo* his determination to return to Fort
Rronke, w here he had supplies, nml should he
not find tbo edruiy on the route thither, he would
then operate in the direction of Tolopclmpko. on
Prase's Creek. In iulerrrpl the retreat of tho In-
Hy Gen. Gainet.—Was it the intention nfGen.
Gaines tn make a sortie in the event of hearing
Gen. Clinch's or Col. Lindsay’s guns ?
,( nsirer.—The General observed several times
nt Camp Izard that he should not he surprised
to hear Col. Limlsny's guns from the other side
of the river ; and if he did, lie would cross the
river and march to his aid—or, if the Indians en
gaged General Clinch on his advance, ho would
march out and support him.
The testimony of Capt. McCall here closed,
when Capt. Thistle svas called and sworn, hut
his recital of the scenes which he personally wit
nessed, heiiig a cxtremely uninteresting and te
dious, • have concluded tn omit taking notes of
it. The Court adjourned at t) n'cluck, for the
purpose of waiting on Gelt Santa Alma.
Fmcdkrick, mb. jah. 18, 1837.
The Court went into session at the usual hour,
nml rontinitcd for a length of time this morning
in taking down tile testimony of Cnpt. Thistle ;
in the course of which he staled that he never
thought the Indians were sincere in their pro
position for pence. Gen. Gaines then submitted
the following question :
The witness has stated that he did not believe
that the Indians w ere sincere in their professions
nn the 5th and (ith of March, 183C, in sueing for
peace, and vet, after the conference lie asked,
and obtained permission to go out of tho camp
with six of his men ; the witnoss will now state
whether he would have considered it prudent or
safe in going from the Camp with six men mi
less he had placed confidence in the sincerity of
the Indian's overtures.
It appears that these negroes bad adopted the
plan of making cartriges for’their rifles. A num
ber of these description were found in their
pouches, prepared from musket powder grouud
fine. About a pound of good rifle powder, was
found which hnd evidcully been recently pur
chased in town.
Several free persons of color have been taken
up charged with holding intercourse with this
gang of marauders aud supplying them w ith am
munition. They have been committed for ex
amination.
This occurrence and these discoveries should
call forth the exercise of more caution and vi-
gilenceun the part of all our citizens. A plot
perhaps, has been broken up, the consequences
of which, had it been permitted to ripau, we well
may shudder ut.
Capt. Il’s party have done themselves honor.
Wc are decidedly of opinion that these Marion
incursions into the enemy’s strong holds, or
places of retreat serve to strike more lerioriu
their midst, than all the mnrehes and counter
marches of disciplined armies, however able
and praiseworthy the motives ol their distin
guished commanders.
The destruction of the hont in the Ouithla-
ennehy, when 10 hostile* were killed and 20
wounded (as noticed in Thursday's Georgian)
was, it seems, effected “ hy the division of the
army under command of Lt. Col. Pif.rcc whilst
moving on the South side of that river."
The following is a copy of Capt. Hanlon's
report.
Sir .'—In obedience to the order of Colonel
Antwe.r.-" I am ready to answer that. I did Crnn0 ’ commanding, I proceeded to trace the
consider it safe. I consider myself a first-rate I "ho fired upon the Seiiund at my plan-
woodsman ; and 1 have spent much time with I!»“«"' ° 1 n !"6 ,,lof 110 6lh - On the morn-
the Indians; nnd 1 have done a great deal of , «ng of the 18 th, wc took their trad at Mmdtrie.
■ ■■ -• ■■ leading southwardly, keeping the Kings Koad
a swamp,
short dis-
This movement
trading with them ; nnd know them as well as,,
any man ; and I think I am capable of keeping for 10 m.lca, and thence striking into a
myself concealed, if 1 did not wish to come in l,n " 1 ‘hey re-appeared on the road, ash
contact with them." • ,a " co f,om Fell,ce ■ Creek ' "
i
Fort Drane that he would not do so.
Hy Gen. Gainet—“What part of the force diant l«ward the Kvergla'dcs, should he he driv
.(aswsr Tlw train ltd the 8t. John’. „„ the fkh of
March: the ohieeta. «nd.r.u«t from Gao. tfcntt. . , „ , , . „ , - -
ta Msirhiaf with aamall dcMr.hnwnt fnmi PiroUia of General Gamas was outuf thabinilsnf Camp rn m that dtrtcUuu by the Iruopi operating a-
ea the Ifch of March [Note. This day Ucu. Games Izard oo the 2lHh of February, and war. net hove.
Gen, Gaines observed that ho was perfectly
satisfied with the answer of the witness, nnd
had no further interrogatories lo suggest to him.
The Court adjournod at ono o’clock, haring di
rected the Judge Advocate to furnish replies to
certain interrogatories propounded hy Gen.
Gaines which would supercede the necessity of
the General's searching the chaotie mass of evi
dence for accusations, which, he said, was“ like
looking for the tiniest insect in a hay stack."
Some of the letters arc so oxtrcmely long—-I
wont say they are as long as from here to Mich-
ilimackiimw—hut 1 should think them entirely
ton lung for any officer to write, who wns so ex
tremely anxious to hasten to the theatre of hos
tilities without losing a moment.
The General said that lie would show to the
Court from the evidonce placed before them hy
Gen. .Scott himself, that his plans and mode of
operation in Florida, were pro cisely like his
own, until Ito (Gen. Scutt) discovered that an
other officer to whom he was henring the most
violent personal hatred, was iu the field, nnd
then he cried aloud to tho department that his
plans were all upset, nnd his operations much
retnrdcd. I shall also convince the Court that
if my movement, did at all, embarrass or delay
Gen. Srotl's it was nut more than two days.
The President answered to Gen. Gaines, thnt
his case would he laid aside until Monday next,
in order to nfford Gen. Scott an opportunity to
read his defence, which he proposed to com
mence to deliver to-morrow, hut being somewhat
enfeebled, he has deferred it until Friday. I
hear thnt it comprises about 120 pages,
quaito.
FROM FLORIDA.
Tho St. Augustine Herald of lhe21st •list,
received hy the Inst mail from thnt suffering
Territory, furnishes us some details of anticipa
ted operations by the army under Gen. Jcsup’s
command, ns also further particulars of events
heretofore registered. Our aim being to he n
faithful chronicler of events, so interesting
though so discouraging to the American Reader,
wc insert (apparently) at times the same intelli
gence already noticed, hut, if our readers will
examine for themselves, they will find that our
extracts, being necessarily made from more than
otia paper in tho Territory, convey intelligence,
not before fully developed.
In addition to the extracts, which we subjoin
from the Herald, the ’following report in the
same paper, will excilo all the sympathetic feel
ings of our nature, aud make us envy those brave
volunteers and regulars, who have respectively
quit the endearmeuta of home, aud adhered to
their country’s service, however discouraging nt
present that service, rather than let the blood
thirsty savage stalk, unsubdued, o’er tho fair
fields of Florida, stained hy the heart’s blood of
helpless women and children. M'hile penning
these few reflections, protected as we „re, from
the inclemency of tho season hy a warm hearth
mid enjoying a peaceful home, our thoughts wan
der to the hanks of the Ouithlaeoochy, or are ar
rested Ity the war whoop of tho savage, heard,
in imagination, echoing through the VVnhoo
Swamp, while our gallant forces are wading
shoulder deep in defiance of their rifles, to their
very lair.
Will no wreath await the brows of those men.
who, tn sustain the honor of thcircouutry, have
not only exposed their untried constitutions to
hard-ships too often of a fatal character, hut
lias braved the Lion in. his Den. Inacivilized
warfare, the (eats which hav,- been performed
hy n Fierce, a Herbert, an Ashby, aud other
gallant men, would tint nuly have elicited, (as
have been done,) the favorable notice of the
F.xccntivc, as Comiminder-in-Chief, hut swords
would ho voted by the Representatives of their
grateful countrymen, as a badge to distinguish
them through life—a legacy, in death, to their
children, and children's children. The wounds
of tho Grahams—of Ridgely, nnd other heroic
spirits would “ plead trunipet-tongued” to their
countrymen (through their ollicial organs) fur
the highest honors of the Republic. For these
arc the men who, with the Hhcltous, the Hris-
haines, and others, of South Carolina,—the Jcr-
uigniis mid tho Robertsons, tho M atsons, the
Rakers, und others, of Georgia, and the no less
gallant Louisianians, Alabamians and Tennes
seeans, have braved the perils of n Florida or
Georgia hammock, the hugs of theirswamps. to
track the Seminole and the Creek to their hiding
places and teach them thnt their cruelties shall
nut pass unavenged.
The nex; intelligence may be that the Indian
lomnhnwk has pierced the brain of another de
fenceless woman. Think youqGcorgians—think
yen Americans, that such scenes would he cn-
ncted before high Heaven, could :hc spirits of till
Izard, ii Dadr, r Hasinufr, ho ever present tn
shield the defenceless—to direct the energies of
the American soldiery.
If those spirits have departed, n Pierce, a
Warren, a Herbert, a Mills, el multi alii, still
live, and will we trust soon he found nt the heel*
of these savage blood hounds [itnr. Geo.
From the Herald.
It is reported ntKIuck Creek, that the mail
stage from Tallahassee had been attacked hy a
party of Indians, mid that one passenger a Mrs.
Kendrick, had been takcu; the driver nnd one
passenger had escaped.
M’e published on Thursday last the notice of
the alarm at Hanson's plantation, and of the
subsequent pursuit hy Capt. Hanson's detach
ment. Ilis oflicinl report follows. Of the In
dian negroes killed by Capt. II'* parly at Col.
James Williams’ plantation, the Herald remarks.
’1 wo of them were Inditm negroes remarka
bly large nml well proportioned, one, who, front
the description given i* supposed tube the no
torious dona Catar, a negro of great influence
among the Indians, lie artod a conspicuous pari
burning the plantations at Tomuka aud Mosquito
about a year since. He was a bold and daring
fellow, and if he has been killed, the Indian*
have lost a masterspirit. There seems to be no
doubt ill the minds of those nho knew him, that
he ha* hern killed.
John Osar t* us engaged in the battle of Dun.
Ian ton, on the IHth of January lt*3ll aud it is a
wns evidently made in order to deceive ns to
their route, whieh impression was confirmed on
reaching the bridge, from its partial distructinn
Repairing the liriilge in order to its passage,
wo advauced and found Hewlett's House on
fire, with signs numerous and fresh, all tending
lo the South. Following the trail, which wns
circuitous, and very intricate, by the advice of
Mr. A. Pellice, whose knowledge of tho coun
try enabled him to form a correct estimate of
the probable move of tho enemy, we came uear
them before night, when it was thought advisa
ble to delay our attack until they should have
encamped. Awaiting at Long's two hours we
proceeded onward to Williams’, when a fire, dis
covered in an adjoining swamp indicated their
camp. Proceeding to withiu a short distance
of their camp, we halted, dismounting 16 men,
with Lieut Fereira. I proceeded to within a
short distance of their fire, nnd fired upon them
They dispersed immediately, leaving three
dead, abandoning every thing, so that we took
six muskets, two rifles, all their camp equipage,
aud several other articles, as tobacco, calico,
thread, needles, &c. It then being ten o'clock,
it was deemed prudent to await until morning
when we resumed our march to this point. A-
tnottg the slain two were Indian negroes and a
free colored person named Merritt, of this place
whose supposed loss hy drowning, some time
Itnck, called forth the sympathies of the people
here much in his favor.
Tito possession of the articles enumerated n-
Itove, can lead to hut one or ttvo conclusions, of
that cither these negroes have been in the habit
of entering the town themselves, or wereitt direct
communication with one of its residents, either
of whieh is, attended with great danger to our
common safety, and seems to require the prompt
and efficient interference of the civil arm to re
press such communication. The articles were
of recent purchase, as their newness indicated,
and when we consider the fact that this very par
ty had (he temerity to fire upon tho sentinel nt
my plantation, there ran be no doubt that their
design was known, if nut aided by those front
whom they received their supplies. The arms
taken were iu good condition, as well as their
araunition, and to the unexpected nature of the
attack, aro we alone indebted in escaping with
out injury. 1 take great pleasure in reporting
theefficicnt and zealous aid, whiclt was afforded
hy every mau under my command.
1 am, sir, respectfully,
Your oh’t serxnnt,
J.M. HANSON, Capt. F. M.
To Col. Jos. S. Sanchez.
Extract of n letter from an officer at Camp
Dade, dated
14th January. We Itnve captured from 50 to
60 negroes more, and among them are three of
Col. Humphreys.
In marching through the Wnhoo Swamp, we
discovered 10 Indian villages within a distance
of 10 miles containing 200 houses, which we
Itnve burnt. Pntvell is said still tn he in the
swamp and we are making arrangements to
surround hint, to prevent his esenge, which it is
apprehended he will attempt, and make his way
to join Micanopy, Jumper and Abram, who are
snid to heat Topekeuka or Annpopkn. Gen.
Jessup is operating at present to theNorthin the
direction of Camp King.
Gen. Jessup has now a fine army, chiefly ol
rcguli.rs. The 6th regiment of Infantry are at
Tampa Hay, and the 4th regiment of Infantry
arc on the Withlacnochce : 300 Dragoons and 2
companies of Artillery have arrived at Black
Creek, and others are daily expected. The fa
cilities Tor procuring supplies have heeu greatly
increased.
It is reported that all of Powell's adherents
hnve left him, and that several small tribes are
anxious to surrender. The loss of so mn-
uy of their negroes must tend to dispirit
them.
Orders have been received from Major Gen.
Jessup, dated 10th January, ofwhich thefolluw-
ing is the substance :
Lt. Spalding of the 2d Dragoons, lias been or
dered to report to the commanding officer
nt Fort Drane, with his detachment frr
duty.
Lt, Col. Crane is charged with the command
of the Frontier extending from Black Creek to
the Suwannee, in addition to his present com
mand. and will establish his Head Quarters at
Gatcy’s Ferry.
Lt. Col. Fanning, on his arrival will pro
ceed with tho companies commanded hy Cap
tains Mellon and Vinton to Volusia. One or
moro steamboats of sufficiently light draft will he
at his command to aseend the’St. Johns River,
into Lake Monroe, and to tow barges, so liarri
ended as to protect them from tho fire of
the enemy, and armed with a field piece, nnd
will hold himself iu readiness to co-operate
with the army, should it operate on the St.
Johns.
The Ratalion of Militia on its arrival from
South Carolina will he mustered iota theservice
of the I’nited States, and ouetompany will he
seut to Volusia, and the others to be station
ed at such points as in the judgement of Lt.Cnl.
Crane, may best promote the interests of the
service.
The Dragoons, until further orders, are assign-
ed to the duty of operating nn the line from
Black Cteck to Fort Drane nml theneo to the
Suwannee. They will scour the cuuntry nnd
clear it of the straggling parties of Indians
thnt now infest it, and their attention is
particularly directed to the loiter purt of the
Ockliwnha, where Alligator nnd his gang are
taitl to he.
Lieut. Col. Crane left this city this morning
for Carey's ferry.
From the t.ilitr liork Gazette.
Pont Tim son. Dee. 27, 16311.
I.ieut Jamison, let! Kurt Tmvsnii this ninriiiiig,
(in Kurt Gibson, nml bml under Itis command all tlm
volunteer* except the sick.
Tbe sipnnlrnn of Drsgmins tinder Cnptain Trennr,
arrived xesterday fimn Narocdnehee, nml Irate to-
trim, for Kurt Gibson. Colonel Whistler, with
I companies nf Infantry, i*rs|wrtrd to arrive in
leers, lots just nl rived from Nacogdoches, u. ,
been nn duty n» nn escort party, with n train „/•
gnns sent from Fort Gibson, tn that place with *t"'
thing fur the Dragoons nnd 7th In fun try.’ J j|( c “'
not Diigley sets off to-morrow, with n party
I cor lose n ropy of n letter received a few I
since, by Lieut. Ct|l. Vose.cntmnnnding at ibis” 0 '*
from Mnjor Israel Folsom, no intelligent linlf J'"'’
Ohnetair, residing nil the Mountain Fork of I**?
River. Nothing further Ims been henrd urn,,, !i
subject. «bx 1
tofl*™*, Choctaw ,
December 23,1636 ’ /
Dear Sir:—On Monday Inst, on. „f lfly i >
arrived here, from Cross Timbers, who inf '
me, ns a fart, that lie was told hv tbe Carhie.Tl,'' 1
n party of the Cimianehes killed and scalped n wl’
man, in the prairies near the Cross Timbers »
limiting party of the Clmcinwa received further ■
formation from the same Itnuil of the Caebl. '
all tbe different tribes of Indians in ike W«, w
uniting with n view to declare, war against tin, 17
ted States. The war against Texas xvas>lr a ..i
clnred. The Cncliinsstated, also, that the .Mero."'
were their close friends nml would act in their x"*
half: nnd farther stated, thatjl.e,, ,|| the chief, f
different nations xvere busy in holding councils ,
effect a union of all the different tribes in the tv 1
Tl.e Cacbie, gave strung bints ,0 the Choctaw. 6 ’/’
join them. * 10
■* I give you this brief account. j 1M ,
to me, thinking it is fur the interest of our counts,
nffl to give you information of the plana ml.mted
tlift wild Iuiitnn* Hgniu*t our pence. I tliankYr
Mexican* nt* at the hend of it. The nhn nf J .7 •
of aM the different tribes, is a policy loo deen n fo' , ,
wild Indians to study nut and adopt." " or
Ne-nh-mi-co. n distinguished Chief and w.,.;.
Of the Creek Nation, died two or three weak! W
near Fort Gibson. Ife wns one of the Chief, wlm
commuted the late massacre, in Alabama and w.
among the first party of emigrants who were .. .
through this Stale last full, to their new country. '
„ [Arkaniut Gouttr
M e forgot to mention, at the proper lime, the , r
rival a week or two since, of Mnj. Lee U 8 A i
whom lias been confided, by the Secretary' of W, "
the duty nl selecting n site for the erection of»
Arsenal, nt or nenr this place. "
Captain M. W. Bateman, U. 8. A., arrived
this place, n dny or two ago, on his return from is
pcrmteiiding the removal of one nf the large parti/'
of emigrating Creek Indinns, who passed tlironsl!
this State, a few weeks since, for their new hoc/,
in tbe West. *
rain a liable coincidence that he met with hi- j KnoGd^a. < * X '' * MI “*
*.lb o« (be anniversary of U», I ,, llll(lial|| u>glfyi wiU| . duMcllln(n| v{
To the Editor, of the IVntiounl Inletligeneer :
GKNTt.SMr.sThe accompanying meniorlfll was
this morning enclosed to the Hon. Thomas Mnrrii
nnd delivered to him in his sent in the United States
Senate, with a note from myself, desiring him ns >
friend, and demanding, ns one of his constituent,
that lie should present it to the Senate. This lie re
fused tn do, and returned me the paper without n re.
ply. From the honorable stand taken by Mr. Mur!
rii nn the night nf my seizure, in making nil almost
unaided cflbrt to rescue a ciliz.en from injustice and
oppression, I was led to believe that 1 might rclv on
him lo procure the means of being heard, nnd nfde-
nviiig the charges and abuse heaped upon me by
Mr. Senator Benton.
I might procure the presentation of the memorial
through other members of thnt body, who aro my
friends, hut ns nn one of them took part or lot in the
matter, 1 do not think it proper lo trouble those gen-
tlenien with it. "
A proper sense of self-respect, nnd a due regard
to mv own dignity, will not permit me again to nsk
nny favor or right from those members who have
shown such nn entire disregard tn individtanl justice,
nnd the rights of " that Pco/lt" whose servants they
are. '
Nothing then is left to ntc hut tn Iny the mntter be
fore the country hy the snme means which have «|.
ready made n pnrt of the transaction known lo the
world—the public papers.
The late hour prohibits my entering further into
the mntter nt present.
Respectfully yours, &e.
M’M. b. LLOYD.
Washington. Jan. 19.
To the honorable Senate of the Vailed Stater:
The nioimirinl of Wm. U. Lloyd, n citizen of the
Slnto of Ohio, respectfully represents: Thnt mi
Monday, the 16th of January a late hoar of the
night, your memorialist was present, with a hires
number of citizens, (all nf whom to him were en
tire strangers,) in the gallery of the Senate.
That, while the Clerk of the Senate was di.clmrg.
ing the office imposed upon hint of " expunging" a
certain resolution from the journals of your body, a
loud, sudden, nnd continued hist proceeded from the
people in various pnrt. of the gnlleries, apparently
at the «nme instant.
That your memorialist henrd nn order issued by
the presiding officer, to cleor the galleries, which or
der your memorialist wns ready and willing to obey.
But immediately after the issuing nf that order, nod
before it wns carried into effect, he heard the ilnnr.
ordered to be closed. And your memorialist then
heard nn individual Senator, in a tone of command,
say, in substance, nnd as nearly ns your memoti.l-
ist can recollect, in tho words that follow :
“ Get the hired ruffians of the Bank, who are litre, as
when the Bank was in power, armed to the teeth, attempt
ing to overuwt the. proceedings »f this Senate, not ci-
cape. Let themhc seized! Seize the ruffians! There!—
there is one who can be easily recognized. Seize him
Your memorialist xvns then arrested by the Ser-
geant-iit-arms. and imprisoned in one of the rooms
of the Capitol until conducted into the presence of
'the Senate, where he was also detained in close ms-
tody, until, after being declared hy an individual
Senator tn have been ** sufficiently punished,"
your memorialist wns ordered hy the presiding offi
cer to be discharged.
Your memorialist heard noclinrge preferred against
him, except ns implied in the conversation nf Sena
tors during the time lie wflis in custody, and from the
language of tho individual Senator before referred
to. 11 e *n\v no written procenK, nor doe* lie know
or believe that any warrant or legal authority exist*
ed far bis arrest.
Nor were nny interrogatories addressed to him.
And when your memorialist, in a re*peetftil manner,
anked the pre*iding officer “it* lie might be permit
ted to speak a word in bis own behalf,” the privilejis
of speech and defence was denied him—hi* voics
wa* attempted to he drowned by cries of “ remove
him"—“remove him;” nnd, by order of the presid
ing officer, be was thrust ignoinimutitdy from tli*
door of the Senate.
Your memorialist believe* that be wa* thus depri
ved of those rights nnd privileges which are guaran
tied tn him hy the letter and spirit of the Constitu
tion—of those rights which the people of England
so long struggled to secure—which our forefather*
deemed of so high importance that they hnve indi
vidually specified them in our own sacred charter.
and one of which was Tt-ujfirintd hy your body in the
eighth sentence of the preamble of the. expunging reso
lutions which were passed a feu> minutes precious to
thes arrest of your memorialist, in the following words:
" And wherercwH the said resolve was not warrant
ed hy the Constitution, and wns irregularly and ille
gally adopted hy the Senate ist violation or the
BIGHTS OF DEFENCE WHICH BELONG TO KVERV INPl*
vii>uai. citizen," &<*. And, also, of thedeclnratioa
contained iu the JOdi sentence of the same pream
ble.
Your memorialist ha* heretofore, from Ii»h earliest
youth, entertained the most exnlted feeling of respect
for the Senate of the United State*, a* a constituted
branch of the Government. He Ims ever regarded
it* member* as the guardinns o( the sacred liberties
of the People, a* well as of the dignity of the nation,
and he has ever considered it hi* duty a* well ns hi*
high privilege, in that capacity, to honor mid respect
them. That belief nml those feeling* ho wish?*
ever to he able to maintain.
Your memorialist, therefore, confidently nnd re
spectfully asks of the Semite thnt his denial of the
troth nml propriety of the degrading epithets appli
ed to him on the floor of the Senate, and thnt this
his statement nnd protestation against the course
pursued in thus prejudging and punishing him with
out a hearing, may be read and received hy the S.*-
little.
Your memorialist denies that lie is.- “ruffian."—
Ami so far from being, ns charged and convicted.
“hired hy the hank," he i* not even acquainted with
any of it* officers, nor doe* he know that he ho*
seen any one of them within the last ten venr*.—
Nor has your memorinli*t nt any time been indebted
in any sum of money* or in any amount of ner'ice,
to that bank, nor has he nny amount of interest or
concern in thnt or any bank whatever.
Your memorialist, with all doe rea|»ect to your
constituted httdy, cannot allow hi* own private cha
racter to bo considered of less importance limn that
of nny other limn living; nor can he. for a moment
believe that his own conscious rectitude of intfMtmn
i* tint equally well founded with that of any member
of your honorable body.
Asa freeborn Amriicnu citizen, entitled to the
full and free enjoyment of all those light*, ami t«
that protection which the Cmudilntinu nml law* "I
nnr country piomme to the humblest a* well
thfllnghcMt individual,your memorialist re*pm‘tt*”v
demands the only redress whu it can now he cxictsi-
ed In bun—the rending amt reception of this hi#
eiun declaration aud protest.
Washington, January id, !£!?•
