Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c.

covery of a hostile party too strong for his little band of warriors. McIntosh moved against them with his whole force. A small detachment of different companies of the Tennessee volunteers, under Colonels Dyer and Williamson, (they having joined the army on the evening of the 10th,) were left at our encampment to search for horses, and, on hearing the report of Major Kanard, formed themselves into a company under Captain Bell, who was with them, and moved to attack the enemy, whom they found near a large swamp, endeavoring to move off. A spirited engagement ensued, which resulted in the death of thirtyseven, and six men and ninety-eight women and children prisoners; and our loss, three killed and four wounded of the friendly Indians. The only woman out of seven whose life was spared at the massacre of Lieutenant Scott was here recaptured by Major Kanard. General McIntosh individually killed three of the enemy and captured one. The little band of Tennessee volunteers acted on this occasion as becomes their character. At the commencement of the action the army was halted, and a runner despatched to inform General McIntosh that any aid he might deem necessary would be afforded, and that the army would remain until his arrival, which was not until we encamped for the night. The enemy abandoned a number of horses, hogs, corn, and about six hundred head of cattle.

jor General E. P. Gaines, with a large command, was ordered to pass the lake or pond, and attack the other towns, but which he found abandoned by the enemy. The red pole was again found planted in the square of Fowltown, barbarously decorated with human scalps of both sexes, taken within the last six months from the heads of our unfortunate citizens. General McIntosh, who was with General Gaines, routed a small party of savages near Fowltown, killed one negro, and took three prisoners, on one of whom was found the coat of James Champion, of Captain Cummings's company, (4th regiment of infantry,) who was killed by the Indians on board one of our boats descending the river to the relief of Major Muhlenburg. This coat, with nearly all Captain Cummings's company's clothing, was lost on board of Lieutenant Scott's boat, when he and his party were massacred, on the 30th of November last. The pocket-book of Mr. Thomas Leigh, who was murdered at Cedar Creek on the 21st of January last, was found in Kinghajah's town, containing several letters addressed to the deceased, and one to General Glasscock. About one thousand head of cattle fell into our hands, many of which were recognised by the Georgia militia as the brands and marks of their citizens. Near three thousand bushels of corn were found, with other articles useful to the army. Upwards of three hundred houses were consumed, leaving a tract of fertile country in ruin, where these The army moved on the morning of the 13th, wretches might have lived in plenty, but for the and on the succeeding day our spies surprised a infernal machinations of foreign traders, if not camp consisting of two men, a woman, and two agents. The army remained at this point until children. One of the men was killed; the other, the morning of the 5th, when the march was with a small boy, slightly wounded; and the resumed for St. Marks, before which it arrived woman, unfortunately, not being distinguished in on the evening of the 6th, and, after communica- the swamp. received a wound of which she died. ting with the commanding officer, took possession At three o'clock, P. M. on the 16th, the army of that fortress on the following morning. Cap-arrived at a large pond within six miles of Bowtain McKeever, of the navy, having sailed for St. Marks with some vessels containing supplies for the army, was fortunate enough to entice on board his vessel, in the river, Francis, or Hillis Hadjo, and Homathlamicco, hostile chiefs of the Creek nation, and whose settled hostility has been severely felt by our citizens. The commanding General had them brought on shore, and ordered them to be huug, as an example to deter others from exciting these deluded wretches to future scenes of butchery. A man of the name of A. Arbuthnot was also taken on the arrival of the army, and placed in close confinement.

legs town, on Suwany river, where a few Indians well mounted discovered our advance. An attempt was made to overtake them, but the enfeebled state of our horses rendered it impracti cable. Under these circumstances, the General deemed it advisable to take the town by a forced march, not allowing the enemy time to cross the river and destroy their supplies. The manner of attack having been previously arranged, the army moved rapidly, until arriving near the large which flanks the towns, when the troops changed position, conformably to previous orders, and moved forward. The left flank, composed of The troops having again received eight days' Colonel Williamson's regiment of Tennessee volrations, and a garrison detached for Fort St. unteers, at the head of which was a force of InMarks, the army marched on the 9th of April, dian warriors under Major (now Colonel) Kadestined for Suwanee. On the morning of the Dard, soon came in contact, and warmly engaged 12th, the officer of the day reported that the sen- the Indians and negroes; whilst the right flank, tinels had heard the lowing of cattle and barking composed of Colonel Dyer's regiment of Tennesof dogs during the night; from which the General see volunteers, with a like force of warriors under was induced to send a runner to General McIn- General McIntosh, advanced near the river, to tosh, who was encamped a short distance in rear prevent the enemy from crossing. The centre of the army, with instructions to have the coun- advanced in excellent order, and under the extry below examined. In the mean time, the pectation of having to combat with the strength army moved slowly in advance. General Mc- of these towns and the fugitives from Mickasuky; Intosh despatched Major Kanard with a party, but, on reaching Bowlegs town, found it abanwho returned to him a runner reporting the dis-doned. The left flank, from the nature of the

Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c.

R. BUTLER, Adj. Gen.

Brig. Gen. Daniel Parker,
Adjutant and Inspector General.

HEADQ'RS, DIVISION OF THE SOUTH,

ground they had to traverse, and Colonel Kanard and we were agreeably surprised in finding Lieunot adhering entirely to the route designated, tenant Gadsden had arrived safely that evening drove the Indians and negroes (about three hun- from the mouth of Suwany. On the 26th a spedred) into the river, before the right flank could cial court was ordered for the trial of A. ArbuthOccupy the desired position. The reports give not and Robert C. Ambrister; which court, on eleven killed and three prisoners on the field, and the documents and evidence adduced, sentenced it is believed many were killed and drowned in the first to be hung, and the latter to be shot. swimming the river, it being nearly three hun- They were accordingly executed on the morning dred yards wide. Colonel Kanard had thirteen of the 29th. The army moved and encamped wounded, but one dangerously. About twenty-four miles from St. Marks on the evening of the seven hundred bushels of corn were obtained in 28th, and arrived at Fort Gadsden on the 2d inthe towns and neighboring swamps, near ninety stant; the General having previously detached a head of cattle, and a number of horses. Our sen- garrison of two hundred men, under the comtinels, on the night of the 17th, took prisoners mand of Brevet Major Fanning, to occupy Fort two white men (Ambrister and Cook) and one St. Marks. I have only to add, that this army negro, who had just returned from Arbuthnot's has borne hardships and privations to a great exvessel at the mouth of Suwany; from the latter tent, in a manner becoming soldiers and citizens we obtained a letter written by A. Arbuthnot to of a nation proud of their liberties. The assisthis son, in which he enumerates the army of the ant topographical engineer will furnish a topoUnited States under the General's command, and graphical report of the country through which requires him to inform his friend Bowlegs that the army operated; and I refer you to the enresistance would be fruitless against such an over- closed sketches for information of our order of whelming force, and to make over the river with movement, and have the honor to be, very reall despatch; admonishing his son, at the same spectfully, your obedient servant, time, to remove and secrete everything which could be moved. From Cook we learned that this letter was read to the negroes and Indians, when they immediately commenced crossing their families, and had just finished as we entered their towns. Upwards of three hundred houses were here consumed, the most of which were well built and somewhat regular, extending near three miles up the river. On the morning of the 18th General Gaines was ordered, with a select command, and a number of warriors under General McIntosh, to cross the Suwany river in pursuit of the enemy; but found, on advancing about six miles, that they had dispersed in every direction, from the numerous trails, and too far advanced to overtake them, his command being short of supplies. A detachment of the warriors, having advanced some distance, fell in with a small party of the enemy, killed three warriors, took some women and children and five negroes. On the same morning, Lieutenant James Gadsden, aid-de-camp to the commanding General, descended the Suwany river to its mouth, with Captain Dunlap's and a few of Captain Crittenden's companies of the life-guard, and a small detachment of regulars, and captured, without difficulty, the schooner of A. Arbuthnot, which had brought supplies of powder and lead to the Indians and negroes settled at Suwany. This vessel afforded the means of transporting our sick back to St. Marks. On the evening of the 20th, General Glasscock was ordered, at his request, to march his brigade by Mickasuky to Hartford, in Georgia, and Captain Bell ordered to muster them out of service; and the army moved about three-quarters of a mile preparatory to its return. On the 24th General McIntosh was ordered to proceed direct to Fort Scott, on Flint river, and an order furnished him to the commanding officer to muster his warriors out of service.

The army reached Fort St. Marks on the 25th, having marched twenty-eight miles on that day,

Fort Gadsden, March 25, 1818. SIR: I have ordered a supply of provisions to be sent from New Orleans, via Pensacola, to Fort Crawford, on the Caneucho. This route has been adopted as the most speedy one of provisioning one of my garrisons which must be maintained during the present conflict against our mutual enemies, the Seminole Indians, and I cannot but express a hope that no attempt will be made to interrupt the free passage of my transports to that post. I am not disposed to enter into any controversy with you on the rights which our Government may claim to the free navigation of such water-courses as head within her limits, but flow through the territory of His Catholic Majesty, preferring to leave these subjects to be settled by those legally authorized; but as it is necessary for me to make use of the Escambia river in passing up provisions to the garrison at Fort Crawford, I wish it to be distinctly understood, that any attempt to interrupt the passage of transports cannot be viewed in any other light than as a hostile act on your part. I will not permit myself for a moment to believe that you would commit an act so contrary to the interest of the King your master. His Catholic Majesty, as well as the Government of the United States, are alike interested in chastising a savage foe, who have too long warred with impunity against his subjects as well as the citizens of this Republic, and I feel persuaded that every aid which you can give, to promote this object, will be cheerfully tendered.

ANDREW JACKSON,
Major General commanding.
DON JOSE MAZOT, Governor of Pensacola.

Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c.

HEADQ'RS. DIVISION OF THE SOUTH,

Before St Marks, April 6, 1818. SIR: To chastise a savage foe, who, combined with a lawless band of negro brigands, have for some time past been carrying on a cruel and unprovoked war against the citizens of the United States, has compelled the President to direct me to march my army into Florida. I have penetrated to the Mickasuky towns, and reduced them to ashes. In these towns I found many indications of a hostile spirit. On a red pole in the centre of the council-houses of Kenhagas town, more than fifty fresh scalps, of all ages, from the infant to the aged matron, were found suspended. In addition to this, upwards of three hundred old scalps were found in the dwellings of the different chiefs settled on the Mickasuky pond. Those barbarians who escaped death have fled. From information communicated by the Governor of Pensacola to two of my captains, Gordon and Call, I was induced to believe they had fled to St. Marks for protection. The Governor stated that the Indians and negroes had demanded of you large supplies of munitions of war, with a threat, in the event of a refusal, of taking possession of your fortress. He further expressed an apprehension that, from your defenceless state, they were already in possession of St. Marks. The wife of Chenubby, a noted chief, now a prisoner in my camp, informed me that the hostile Indians and negroes obtained their supply of ammunition from St. Marks. To prevent the recurrence of so gross a violation of neutrality, and to exclude our savage enemies from so strong a hold as St. Marks, I deem it expedient to garrison that fortress with American troops, until the close of the present war. This measure is justifiable on the immutable principle of self-defence, and cannot but be satisfactory, under existing circumstances, to His Catholic Majesty, the King of Spain. Under existing treaties between our two Governments, His Catholic Majesty, the King of Spain, is bound to preserve in peace with the citizens of the United States not only his own subjects, but all Indian tribes residing within his territory. When called upon to fulfil that part of the treaty in relation to a savage tribe who have long depredated with impunity on the American frontier, incompetency is alleged, with an acknowledgment that the same tribe have acted in open hostility to the laws, and invaded the rights of His Catholic Majesty. As a mutual enemy, therefore, it is expected that every facility will be afforded by the agents of the King of Spain to chastise these lawless and inhuman savages. In this light is the possession of St. Marks by the American forces to be viewed. I come not as the enemy but as the friend of Spain. Spanish rights and property will be respected. The property and rights of Spanish subjects will be guarantied them. An inventory of all public property, munitions of war, &c., shall be made out and certified by an officer appointed by each of us, and a receipt given for the same, to be accounted for to His Catholic Majesty by the United States. The subject of my possession of the garrison of St.

Marks will be referred to our respective Governments, for amicable adjustment. Some armed vessels of the United States are in the bay of St. Marks, with whom I wish to communicate. You will, I trust, furnish me with a small vessel to convey a letter, as well as some sick and wounded that are with me. As our mutual savage enemies are concentrating their forces near or on the Suwaney, an early and prompt answer is requested to this letter, with an English translation, as neither myself nor staff are acquainted with the Spanish.

This will be handed to you by Aid-de-camp Lieutenant James Gadsden, by whom an answer is expected, I have, &c. ANDREW JACKSON, Major General commanding. The COMM'G OFFICER, St. Marks.

[blocks in formation]

MOST EXCELLENT SIR: Being made to understand, although with the greatest difficulty, the contents of a letter with which your excellency honored me yesterday evening, delivered to me by your aid-de-camp James Gadsden, I will declare to your excellency the satisfaction the knowledge of the result of your expedition against Mickasuky has afforded me. That such would be the event could not be doubted, on considering the superior talents and skilful conduct of your excellency; and to these must be attributed the success, on which I tender you my most cordial congratulation.

My chief, the Governor of Pensacola, had in truth reason to mention to your captains, Gordon and Call, what your excellency states to me, and to entertain fears for the fate of this fort, menaced by Indians and negroes for some months past, and particularly since they have been disappointed in their expectations of obtaining powder and balls, which they have so repeatedly solicited, and to which they thought themselves entitled, from the practice which subsisted of supplying them annually therewith. This proves how entirely unfounded is the assertion of the wife of the chief Chenubby, that the Indians have been supplied with munitions in this fort since I was advised and I determined to maintain the most perfect neutrality. No one can better remove from your excellency's mind any unfavorable opinion you may have formed on this subject than the bearer, William Hambly, as he has at various times interpreted to me the solicitations of the several Indian chiefs in my neighborhood; and he can also inform you of the advice I always gave them

to avoid the destruction which has overtaken them, and which I foresaw from the beginning.

This being realized, and there being now no motive to fear any insult to the fort from these barbarians and the negroes, I beg permission of your excellency to call your attention to the difficulty I should involve myself in with my Government, if I were presently to assent to what your excellency proposes to me, to garrison this

Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c.

fort with the troops of the United States, without first receiving its orders. Such I will solicit immediately an opportunity offers, and I do not for a moment doubt that they will be given to me; so zealous is my Government to comply with the stipulations between her and the United States. In the interim I hope your excellency will desist from your intention, and be firmly persuaded of the good faith and harmony which will reign between this garrison and whatever troops you may think fit to leave in this vicinity, who may assist me in the defence of this fort on any unforeseen event.

The sick your excellency sent in are lodged in the royal hospital, and I have afforded them every aid which circumstances admit. I hope your excellency will give me other opportunities of evincing the desire I have to satisfy you.

I trust your excellency will pardon my not answering you as soon as requested, for reasons which have been given you by your aid-de-camp. I do not accompany this with an English translation, as your excellency desires, because there is no one in the fort capable thereof; but the before named William Hambly proposes to translate it to your excellency in the best manner he can.

May our Lord preserve your excellency many
years. Such is my prayer.
Most excellent sir,
I kiss your excellency's hands, and am your most

obedient and devoted servant,

[blocks in formation]

Lieut. Simmons, of the Ordnance Department,
are appointed to act, with one or two officers
nominated on your part, to take an inventory of,
and inspect all public property in the fort of St.
Marks, for which receipts will be given in the
name of the American Government. Any dis-
position which you would wish made with the
private property of yourself, officers, and soldiers,
or any other arrangements gratifying to yourself,
will be settled by my aid-de-camps, Lieutenants
Gadsden and Glassell.
ANDREW JACKSON,
Major General commanding.

Don F. CASO LUENGO,

Commanding Fort St. Marks.

APPALACHIE, April 7, 1818. MOST EXCELLENT SIR: I shouid insist on what

I stated to your excellency in my letter of this morning, as to the necessity of awaiting orders from the Governor of Pensacola for the delivery of this fort under my command, were I not, in addition to what your excellency says in your answer, threatened by your aid-de-camp and the other officers appointed to negotiate on the subject; and had not so large a body of troops entered, without awaiting my permission, and taken possession of all the stores and posts, lowering the Spanish flag, and hoisting the American.

So manifest a violation of the territory of His Catholic Majesty obliges me to complain of it, and to protest against it; and I accordingly do protest against it, and beg of your excellency to provide me, as speedily as possible, the vessels necessary to transport me to Pensacola, together with the troops and those persons who are in the royal employ; and also to give orders that, in the interim, the private property and effects of every Spanish individual here be respected. With respect to the public property of His Catholic Majesty, I have nominated the subaltern officer of this detachment and commissary of the fort to make, with the three officers whom you name to

I repeat to your excellency my respects, and prayers to God to preserve your life many years. Most excellent sir, I kiss your excellency's hands. Your most obedient and devoted servant,

FR. CASO Y LUENGO.

Camp near St. Mark's, April 7, '18. SIR: I refer you to my communications of yesterday, for the motives which have compelled me to occupy the fort of St. Mark's. I again repeat that I have entered the territory of Spain as a friend, to chastise a mutual enemy of both nations, and whom His Catholic Majesty was bound, under the most sacred of treaties, to have punish-me, an inventory thereof. ed himself. Peculiar circumstances, however, have prevented, and it was therefore expected that every facility would have been given to the American arms, to have insured success to their operations. The occupation of St. Mark's is essential to the accomplishment of my campaign, and is peculiarly so at this period, when evidence is derived from every source of the designs of the negroes and Indians against that fortress. They are now concentrating with the intention HEADQ'RS, DIVISION OF THE SOUTH, of taking possession of St. Marks the moment my Camp, near St. Marks, April 7, 1818. army moves from its vicinity, the dislodging them SIR: I have received your protest against my from which will cost me more American blood proceedings. The occupancy of Fort St. Marks than I am disposed should be shed. Success to by my troops, previous to your assenting to the my operations requires despatch; you will ex-measure, became necessary from the difficulties cuse me, therefore, in refusing your request that thrown in the way of an amicable adjustment, a suspension should be granted until a permit is notwithstanding my assurances that every arobtained from your Government, and on insist-rangement should be made to your satisfaction, ing that Fort St. Marks should be immediately occupied by American troops.

Major Fanning, my inspector general, and

The Most Exc't A. JACKSON,
General U. S. troops before St. Marks.

and expressing a wish that my movements against our common enemy should not be retarded by a tedious negotiation. I again repeat what has

Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c.

been reiterated to you through my aid-de-camp,
Lieutenant Gadsden, that your personal rights and
private property shall be respected; that your sit-
uation shall be made as comfortable as practica-
ble while compelled to remain in Fort St. Marks;
and that transports shall be furnished, as soon as
they can be obtained, to convey yourself, family,
and command, to Pensacola. Idaily expect some
vessels from the bay of Appalachicola; as soon
as they arrive, the most suitable shall be selected
for said purpose.

ANDREW JACKSON,
Major General commanding.

Don. FR. CASO Y LUENGO,

Governor of St. Marks.

PENSACOLA, April 16, 1818. MOST EXCELLENT SIR: Your excellency's letter of the 25th of the last month has been delivered to me, and also that of the 26th, in answer to mine of the 16th of February last. I have the honor to advise your excellency of the receipt of both, and to answer the former.

duties, as that, being a subordinate officer, I am
bound to obey the superior on whom I depend, it
being my duty, until I receive instructions to the
contrary, to be governed on this head by the
treaties existing between the United States and
Spain; and in the last, of amity, limits, and nav-
igation, I do not see the before named river men-
tioned, but the sovereignty of the King, my mas-
ter, over all the territories, rivers, coasts, ports,
and harbors lying South of 31° North, solemnly
and explicitly recognised by the United States;
and, if extraordinary and existing circumstances
should require any further temporary concessions,
not explained in the said treaty, I request your
excellency to have the goodness to apply, in fu-
ture, for the obtaining of them, to the proper au-
thority, as I, for my part, possess no power what-
ever in relation thereto.

May God preserve your excellency many years.
JOSE MAZÓT.

His Ex'cy A. Jackson,

Major General, fc.

HEADQ'RS. DIVISION OF THE SOUTH.

Fort St. Mark's, April 27, 1818. SIR: After I left this port for St. Juan, to disperse and destroy the mutual enemy of Spain and the United States, a small schooner, with men and supplies, arrived from Pensacola, and was taken possession of and detained by my officer left in command. This vessel has been liberated with all her effects, excepting some clothing of the United States unaccompanied with any invoice, and which has been detained, as supposed to be a part of that taken on board the boats within the territory of this Republic, in which Lieutenant Scott, of the United States army, with his command, were so inhumanly massacred.

In the month of May, of the last year, from a spirit of conciliation I permitted a cargo of provisions, which the schooner Mobiterra had brought from New Orleans to this place, to pass up the Escambia to Fort Crawford. Influenced by the same sentiments, I made a similar concession to Captain Call, assenting to the transporting of the cargo brought by the schooner Italiana, in January last, to the said destination; and, more lately, in continuance of the same amicable and conciliatory spirit, I consented that Lieutenant Eddy, of the garrison of the before named fort, (commissioned by its commander, Major Young, for the purpose,) should procure sixty barrels of provisions in this place; and the cargo of the schooner Italiana (which is, or ought to be, deposited I regret being compelled to state to you, that, here) not being yet exported, I do not think the from the papers and proofs taken at San Juan's; further introduction of provisions, which your the quantity of American cattle found at St. excellency asks at present necessary; but, never- Marks, and purchased by me from the commistheless, as I infer from your excellency's letter ary of the post; and the intercourse kept up bethat these provisions are already on their passage, tween this post and the hostile Indians, there is in pursuance of the sufferance hitherto accorded, too much ground to believe that the Indians have and observing the restrictions and course estab- been encouraged, aided, and abetted by the offilished, that is, to consign them to a Spanish com-cers of Spain in this cruel war against the United mercial house, who will take care to forward them, and pay the royal duties of import and export, I will allow the same destination to be given to them as to the former, provided that the Government of the United States shall not set up, or derive any right, either now or hereafter, from these purely gratuitous concessions, as I make them from the obligation of existing circumstances, which do not admit of supplying the garrison of the before named Fort Crawford by any other

way.

In accordance with the declaration of your excellency, when you add it is not your intention to enter into a discussion with me in relation to the right which the United States may claim to the free navigation of the Escambia, so neither is it mine to discuss this subject with your excellency, as well because it does not fall within my

States. Proof positive exists that the Indians were supplied with ammunition by the late com. mandant of St. Marks. The United States clothing being found on board of a vessel in the employ of the Government of Spain, sailing from Pensacola direct for this port, compels me to call on you for a statement in what manner you came possessed of said clothing. The good understanding that so happily exists between His Catholic Majesty and the United States formed a just ground to believe that his agents would have discountenanced this cruel and savage war against the citizens of this Republic. Spain, too weak to comply with her treaties with the United States, or chastise her own savage subjects, waging war against a friendly nation, it was scarcely to be believed that her officers would have been detected in aiding and abetting the enemy, assisting

« AnteriorContinuar »