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Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c.

of them. Some companies were mustered into service at several other places, which were more convenient for the purpose, owing to the local situation of the Indians. The first organization was that of a regiment; but, on getting into the field, they were recognised by General Jackson as a brigade. All these proceedings were communicated to the War Department from time to time, to some of which answers were received, and some not. The rolls made out on mustering the brigade out of service are in the office of the Paymaster General, or, at least, were sent to that office by me. The staff of the brigade consisted of one brigadier general, two colonels, two lieutenant colonels, two majors, one assistant adjutant general, four assistant commissaries of purchases, and one aid-de-camp, who was omitted in the muster roll. The force of the brigade about fifteen hundred strong.

The third question put by the committee, is,

"The force of the hostile Seminole Indians."

From the accounts I have been able to receive, from Indians and others, I have never estimated the number of the Seminoles at more than seven hundred warriors, and I doubt whether they have that number, exclusive of those towns on the Chatahoochee who were considered hostile during that war. The negroes have been estimated at two hundred and fifty or three hundred effectives.

by McIntosh, I answer, they were generally sent
into the nation, and are now there.
D. B. MITCHELL.
Sworn and subscribed, 23d February, 1819.

No. 2.

FORT SCOTT, August 4, 1817. SIR: Some of the chiefs of the lower towns on

the Chatahoochee met at this place to-day. The chiefs of three towns were present, who had not been to Fort Hawkins at the time the stipend was delivered to them. They requested me to forward their names, and the names of their towns, to you, and inform you that the talk given to the Indians at that place they would agree to. With respect, your obedient servant,

D. E. TWIGGS, Major Com'g.

I certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the
original, now in my possession, 22d February, 1819.
D. B. MITCHELL,
Agent for Indian Affairs.

Towns.

Con-chatee,

Choco-nuklee,

Oche-see,

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Holoth Emauthlau.

I certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the original memorandum enclosed to me in the foregoing letter, by Major Twiggs, 22d February,

1819.

D. B. MITCHELL,

Agent for Indian Affairs. No. 17.

When General McIntosh and his warriors were mustered at Fort Mitchell, he divided his force, and, with that part which he retained under his own command, he descended the Chatahoochee on the western bank, and, on reaching the town called Red Ground, encountered their chief and warriors. In this affair he took fifty-three warriors, and one hundred and thirty women and children. The chief made his escape with a few warriors. Colonel Lovett, with the rest of the ROBERT BUTLER, Adjutant General of the warriors mustered at Fort Mitchell, descended the southern division of the Army of the United States, Chatahoochee on the eastern bank, and, General being duly sworn, testifies, that, in the Summer McIntosh crossing the river below the fork, the of 1817, Mr. John Donnelson, of the neighborhood two detachments united on their march to Mick- of Nashville, went to Pensacola and purchased asukey, where they all joined General Jackson. lots of land there, with the approbation of the At Mickasukey, the Indians had generally fled, Governor. That the deponent has heard that and but few were found at the town. On the Mr. James Jackson of Nashville was concerned march to Suwanee, McIntosh, with his warriors, with him, and was the only person concerned. encountered about two hundred of the hostile He also understood that Donnelson's first view party, under Peter McQueen, of whom he killed in going to Pensacola, was for the benefit of his thirty-seven, and made six warriors and one hun-health.~ That Mr. Donnelson is nephew of Gendred and six women and children prisoners. The next enemy engaged were the negroes at Suwanee, amounting to about two hundred and fifty, of whom eleven or twelve were killed, and three made prisoners. The Indians of this part of the country fled before the army, and here ended the Seminole campaign, as far as the Indians were concerned. I will here observe that the Mickasukey Indians are not considered by the Creek nation as Seminoles. Those Indians under Bowlegs, are the only ones considered by them as Seminoles, although, in speaking generally of the Seminoles, in relation to the Seminole war, I include all the Indians who had a share in that war.

Being asked what became of the prisoners taken

eral Jackson's wife. That he does not know the amount of Donnelson's purchase. That he does not know, nor does he believe, that General Jackson had, or expected to have, any interest in said purchase; nor did he ever hear it suggested.

The deponent further saith, that there were two regiments of mounted gun-men, volunteers, raised by General Jackson in January, 1818. That General Jackson appointed the colonels, and most or all of the field officers. That Colonel Haynes appointed the platoon and staff officers. That there were also two companies of volunteers, called life guards, who appointed their own officers, and tendered their services to the General, by whom they were accepted. Tha

Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c.

according to the best of the deponent's recollection, the Governor of Tennessee was at Nashville at the time the officers of the gun-men were appointed.

That General Jackson's first determination to go to Pensacola was made at Fort Gadsden, after his return from Suwany, and was made in consequence of information that there were, on or about the 15th of April, five hundred hostile Indians at Pensacola, who received ammunition and provisions from the Governor; and, also, information of several murders having been committed on the Federal road. That, on the march to Pensacola, General Jackson told the deponent, that if, on his arrival, he found the information true he would demand the surrender of the place, That, at Fort Gadsden, General Jackson saw a letter, which deponent thinks was from Innerarity, one of the house of Forbes, Leslie, & Co. at Pensacola, to Doyle, a trader, then at Fort Gadsden, giving information as to the number of Indians at Pensacola. That the letter also stated, that the property of the people of Pensacola was every day depredated on by the Indians. That, when General Jackson formed the determination to go to Pensacola, he ordered Lieutenant Sands to Mobile, to prepare artillery, to meet him after he should have crossed the Escambia, on his march to Pensacola, which order was executed.

That, at the time the army attacked Mickasukey, there were not more than five hundred Indian warriors imbodied; nor does the deponent believe there were, at any time during the war, more than five or six hundred imbodied at any one place. That, from the nature of the subject, this statement must be conjectural. That the enemy's warriors were in general well armed. That deponent was told there were about thirteen hundred souls at Suwanee, of which two hundred and fifty or three hundred were fighting men. That our army had one man killed and four wounded, in actions with the Indians, during the campaign, and two killed at the Barancas.

stores. That he joined the General at Fort Gadsden, on the 25th of March. That the General then placed him in command of the post, with orders to send stores round to Fort St. Mark's, which was done. That, in April, Major Hogan, paymaster, joined the army. He brought information of the murders committed in Alabama, and on the Sapolgus, a branch of the Conecuh, by the Indians. About the same time information was brought by the sloop Hector to Fort Gadsden, from Mobile, that a large number of Indians were in Pensacola. This was confirmed by Captain Rogers, of the Peacock, from Mobile. In consequence of this information, the deponent held the transport in readiness, and sent thirtythree thousand rations to Fort Scott, believing, from the information he had, that the army would move to the West. On the arrival of General Jackson the deponent gave him the above-mentioned information, and a number of letters on the subject of the Indian war to the westward of the Appalachicola. That, on the 6th of May, the General ordered the deponent to Mobile, by water, with instructions to send artillery and ammunition to Fort Montgomery, and to be there ready himself to meet him with artillery, forage, and provisions. The General was to advise the deponent by express of the point at which he was to meet him. That the deponent accordingly received an express, and met the General twelve miles from Pensacola. The deponent further says, that he thinks it probable, that news of the assemblage of Indians at Pensacola reached Genwhich went from Pensacola, and was sent by Ineral Jackson at or near St. Mark's by a schooner nerarity, and was a trading schooner loaded with sutler's stores. That she arrived at Fort Gadsden, after leaving St. Mark's, between the 1st and 4th of May. That Lieutenant Sands was sent from St. Mark's to Mobile for ammunition and artillery, as deponent understood and believes, and conducted it to an artillery officer. That the army entered Pensacola on the day after the deponent joined, viz: on the twenty-third day of May.

That the deponent was at New Orleans at the time Captain Call was sent to Pensacola in February. That the schooner Italiana arrived at from the contractor, which were landed at PensaPensacola in January with a load of provisions cola, and the duties paid by Innerarity, that a

Deponent further says, that General Jackson received from a private source, a plan of the fortress of St. Augustine; and, as the deponent believes, it was sent to the General, at St. Marks, or Fort Gadsden, after his return from Suwanee. That General Jackson had under his command, in Florida, about eighteen hundred militia, volunteers, and regulars, and fifteen hundred Indians few months before this the contractor had been under McIntosh. That these Indians were re-refused permission to send provisions up the ceived into the service while General Gaines commanded, and were regularly mustered, in and out of service, by the United States officers.

No. 18.

Escambia, and had been obliged to carry them by land from Fort Montgomery to Fort Crawford. That, in the opinion of the deponent, it was impracticable to supply Fort Crawford in the Winter by land, and as that place was in a Colonel GEORGE GIBSON, of the United States suffering condition for want of provisions, the Army, being duly sworn, testifie and says, that he attempt was renewed by water. That it is about acted as quartermaster general in General Jack-sixty miles from Fort Montgomery to Fort son's campaign against the Seminoles. That, on the 29th day of January, 1818, at New Orleans, he received an order from General Jackson to procure, and bring to Fort Scott a supply of rations, ordnance, and quartermaster's and hospital

Crawford. That Arbuthnot's schooner, as deponent understood, was given by him to Colonel Brady, who assisted him in his trial, and was sold, as he heard, for about three or four hundred dollars.

of war.

No. 19.

Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c.

Statement of Doctor Bronaugh. I was attached to General Jackson's staff during the whole Seminole campaign. At St. Mark's the General received information, by a vessel from Pensacola, of a large number of Indians having collected there; where they were furnished with provisions, arms, and munitions Believe that Captain Sands was sent from St. Mark's for Mobile, in quest of a train of artillery, to have it at Fort Montgomery, subject to the General's orders. I understood from the General that he would have all his arrangements made and entered into, that everything might be in complete readiness, provided he should ultimately come to the conclusion to visit Pensacola. I am impressed with the belief that an actual determination to occupy this place, and the Barancas, was never formed until the protest of Governor Mazot was received on the line of March.

J. C. BRONAUGH, U. S. Army.

No. 20.

RICHARD K. CALL, captain United States 1st infantry, acting as an aid to General Jackson, being duly sworn, testifies and says, that, in the campaign against the Seminoles, he first joined General Jackson at Fort Gadsden, and afterwards, on the arrival of the Tennessee volunteers, he joined him again near St. Mark's; that he understood that General Jackson determined upon going to Pensacola, on hearing that the Governor of that place had protested against the passage of supplies up the Escambia river, and in consequence of subsequent information relative to the assemblage of Indians at Pensacola; that the deponent had been at Pensacola by orders of Colonel Trimble, commanding at New Orleans; that he arrived there on the 21st of February, 1818, and remained there until the 26th; that his orders were to obtain a passage for supplies up the Escambia to Fort Crawford; that the Governor of Pensacola stated to the deponent, that he considered it unsafe for him to give the privilege asked for, as he was under great apprehensions, if he did so, the Indians would take possession of St. Mark's, or give the Spaniards in that place great annoyance; that deponent made report of the above to Colonel Trimble, and also gave information of this protest or objection of the Governor to General Jackson; that, on the return of the army from Suwany, Lieutenant Sands was sent from St. Mark's to Mobile for cannon; that, at Fort Gadsden or St. Marks, deponent heard that General Jackson had a letter from Innerarity to Doyle or Hambly, informing that there were a number of hostile Indians at Pensacola; the number he thinks was said to be five hundred.

Deponent further says, that Arbuthnot's schooner was given by him to Colonel William Brady, who, as the deponent understood, defended him before the court-martial; that he does not know what became of the property on board of the

schooner, consisting of skins and some wearing apparel, among which was Ambrister's uniform; that the property taken at Suwany consisted principally of horses and cattle; that the army subsisted on the cattle, and that the other property was given to the friendly Indians; that the negroes taken were given to the Indians; that, as he understood, Colonel Arbuckle gave fifty dollars a head to the Indians for every negro delivered to him at Fort Gadsden, intending to deliver them to their owners when called for. Deponent further says, that General Starks, from Georgia, purchased some of the surrendered property.

No. 21.

Statement of John H. Eaton.

Some time in the Fall of 1817, I proposed to Mr. James Jackson, of Nashville, to join with me in the purchase of lots in Pensacola, and lands in and about there: he united with me; and six other gentlemen were afterwards associated. We employed John Donnelson (who became also concerned) to proceed to Pensacola and make the purchases, taking care not to extend them beyond sixteen thousand dollars. My inducement to making this adventure was, that I believed the country would ultimately belong to the United States, and I was impressed with the belief that it would be at no distant period; this, however, was a mere impression, and founded on information derived from no source except my own opinions.

I proposed asking a letter of introduction from General Jackson to the Governor of Pensacola, which the General gave; this was thought by us necessary from a knowledge that the Indians frequently interrupted American citizens while in that city; and this danger we believed would be avoided by having the protection of the Governor, which we supposed could and would be attained by introductory letters from respectable sources. I think it was some time in November that Mr. Donnelson proceeded on his mission from Nashville, in company with a Mr. Gordon, who we employed to go with him.

The purchases were made, consisting of a number of unimproved lots in Pensacola, sixty acres of ground adjoining the town, on the lower side, and about two thousand acres on the bay two or three miles out. The deeds I have seen, and are now at Nashville, written in the Spanish language, made to Mr. Donnelson, and by him since conveyed to the eight gentlemen interested originally. Mr. Donnelson stated to me that his first purchase was refused to be acquiesced in by the Governor of Pensacola, alleging that American citizens should not buy lands there; his objection, however, was withdrawn afterwards, and Mr. Donnelson was permited to go on and complete his purchases.

I aver that General Jackson is not, nor ever was, in any manner concerned with this company; nor was it entered into from any conversation, hint, or opinion ever given by General

Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c.

Jackson, but arose entirely from the circumstances first stated in this affidavit-the belief that the country would, ere long, belong to this Government; and that, if so, the speculation would prove a beneficial one.

The eight gentlemen concerned are as follows:
James Jackson, sen.,
James Jackson, jr.,
John H. Eaton,

John McCray, John Jackson, Thos. Childress,

The rangers being very much fatigued, I shall permit them to rest a few days. I hope Captain Boyles will be sufficiently recovered to resume his command. I shall then once more order him to the Choctawhatchy, where he is of opinion a party is concealed, of from forty to fifty warriors, who have resolved never to surrender, confiding in the expected return of the Spaniards, when they are sure of protection and supplies, and will again commence their depredations on our settlements. This expedition, I flatter myself, of Captain Boyles's will disappoint and render themi harmless, before the province is evacuated.

John C. McLemore, John Donnelson., The above gentlemen bearing the same name are in nowise connected or related to General Jackson; the General, in fact, has no relatives; all his family having perished during the RevoI cannot close this communication without lutionary war, in this country, as I have ever unagain calling your attention to the meritorious derstood. Mr. Donnelson is nephew to Mrs. Jack-conduct of Captain Boyles. In zeal, activity, son, the wife of General Jackson. and perseverance, he is surpassed by no partisan I have ever known. W. KING, Col. 4th regiment. Major Gen. A. JACKSON, Com. Division of the South.

Question. Did you have any conversation with General Jackson before or after getting his orders to go to the Seminole war?

Answer. After getting his orders I did not; shortly after our association was formed I saw General Jackson, and named to him what had

been done; and his remark was, that he had no Major Fanning, commanding St. Mark's, to Major

doubt but that our project would turn out advantageously, or in words to this effect; but General Jackson's opinion rested on no better foundation than our own, a belief prevailing through the country at that time that the country was about to be ceded. Many purchases were made in Pensacola last Fall, I have understood, founded, no doubt, on this general public impression.

Sworn to:

JNO. H. EATON.

No. 22.

Colonel King to Major General Jackson.

PENSACOLA, October 15, 1818. SIR: Captain Boyles returned to this place on the 13th, having been wounded in an affair with a party of hostile Indians near the Choctawhatchy. He reports, that, on the 6th instant, he left his boats in Yellow Water, and, with a detachment of twenty-two men on foot, pursued a party of Indians whose track he had discovered. He overtook them on the 8th, about twenty-five in number, attacked and defeated them, killing four, wounding many, and making some prisoners. A large quantity of ammunition, and all their plunder, fell into his hands.

The following morning, just before day, the party defeated the day before, supposed to have been reinforced, attacked him in his camp; but he succeeded in repulsing them with loss, notwithstanding one-half of his men fled at the first onset, and were never again brought into action. In this affair, the captain himself received a musket ball in the side, and had one of his men dangerously wounded; this, together with the want of provisions, compelled him to return to Pensacola, bringing with him sixteen prisoners. He reports to have made seven scalps during the expedition.

General Gaines.

FORT ST. MARK'S, EAST FLORIDA,
November 27, 1818.

SIR: From an Indian family arrived here yesterday, from Tampa Bay, I learn that the Seminoles have received from St. Augustine ten pack-horse loads of ammunition, and that it, was distributed among them sixteen days ago. That an English trading vessel was at Tampa a month since. Some provisions and ammunition were procured from her by the enemy. That, ten days past, two English trading vessels were at Snake island, not far from the mouth of Sukaney river.

Thus, there can be but little doubt of the Seminoles being now well supplied with ammunition and provisions.

The Spaniards recommended to the enemy united and vigorous operations against us, telling them that they themselves were going to take St. Marks, which they expected to do without fighting, in the same manner it was taken from them. That from St. Mark's they would go to Fort Gadsden, where they expected some little resistance, and finally to Pensacola.

These circumstances have put new life among the Sukaney Indians, but Kinhijah says he has heard such talks too long, and that he will collect his people and go back to his old situation, and be on friendly terms with the United States. The other Indians who left their towns and went to Sukaney, during our last campaign, are moving, or about to move, back again, and wish to have nothing further to do with the war.

There is too much appearance of truth in this relation, not to deserve attention; and, in conformity to the spirit of the general order of the 16th September, I shall not give up this post to the Spaniards, should they arrive, until I may be convinced of the falsehood of the report respect

Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c.

ing their conduct, or until I may receive orders
so to do from superior authority.

I have the honor to be, yours, &c.
A. C. W. FANNING,
Commanding St. Mark's.

Major General E. P. GAINES.
Certified:

DANIEL E. BURCH, A. D. C.

gether with a force, say one hundred and fifty or two hundred men, adequate to the maintaining of the work to be constructed at that point. Simultaneous with this movement, to push a force of five or six hundred men up to the St. John's, and Occupy a position at or near the old Indian town Pecolota. This force, as soon as strongly fortified, to be actively employed in scouring the country as far west as Suwany, forcing to, or receiving the, submission of the hostile Indians, who will be sent into the interior of the Creek

Extract of a letter from General Jackson to the Sec- nation. The troops detached to the bay of Tampa retary of War, dated

HEADQ'RS, DIVISION OF THE SOUTH,

Nashville, November 28, 1818.

tion I can collect, the march from Tampa to the point proposed on the St. John's would not exceed seven days. Each man, from my own experience, can march with eight days' rations on his back, which, with due economy, will last twelve-time sufficient to perform the operation intended. The expense of the expedition would be trifling, as it is proposed that none but regulars should be employed, and the advantage to the nation incalculable, as finally crushing savage hostilities in the South, and affording active service to some of our regiments who have grown sluggish from the inactivity of garrison duties.

Major General Gaines to Governor Coppinger.
HEADQ'RS, AMELIA ISLAND,

having constructed and garrisoned a suitable work, having reconnoitered the neighboring country, and destroyed Woodbine's negro establishment, to march to the position occupied on the I enclose you a copy of a letter from Colonel St. John's, deviating only where Indian villages King, detailing a conflict between Capt. Boyles, or settlements (if there are any in the country) of the Rangers, and a detachment of hostile war-invite their attention. From the best informariors. The conduct of the captain, in this affair, was meritorious, and I trust, ere this, he has recovered from his wound, and disappointed the hopes of the warriors of the Choctawhatchy. A short time since every mail from the South reported the pleasing intelligence of the general submission of the Seminoles; the cause of the reassumption of hostilities is stated in the Colonel's communication. The fact that the news of the restoration of Pensacola to Spain had revived their hopes, and again excited them to war, is an additional evidence of the propriety of my operations in the Floridas, and has confirmed me in my unalterable opinion, that the Seminole conflict could not have been terminated by any other means than those adopted. My only apprehensions are, that my operations were not sufficiently extensive to insure permanent tranquillity in the South. St. Augustine is still in possession of the Spaniards, and the whole peninsula is beyond the control of our garrisons. The situation of Florida, in relation to our country, is peculiar, and demands the early attention of our Government. Bordering almost on the Creek nation, and within the vicinity of the four south-a ern tribes of Indians, her territory will always prove an asylum to the disaffected and restless savage, as well as to a more dangerous popula- It is likewise reported, that two citizens of the tion, unless some energetic Government can be United States were by the same party fired on, established to control or exclude these inter- wounded, and imprisoned; and that the perpelopers. The savages and negroes who have not trators of this outrage, with a view to shelter submitted to our authority have fled east of the their conduct under the veil of Spanish authoriSuwany river, and whether settled in the Alotch-ty, took the sergeant and citizen by force towards away plains, near St. Augustine, or more southwardly, we have yet to learn. Their force, no doubt, is too inconsiderable to create any serious disturbances with this country; but, if unmolested, they may acquire confidence with their strength, and prove a destructive enemy to our frontier settlers. They should be pursued before they recover from the panic of our last ope

rations.

I submit to your consideration military operations for this Spring, connected with the occupancy of the bay of Tampa. The plan proposed is to embark, from Fort Gadsden or Pensacola, five hundred regulars, for the bay of Tampa, to

December 28, 1818.

SIR: I have received information that Augustus Santee, a sergeant of the United States artillery, who had obtained from his commanding officer a temporary leave of absence, was a few days since fired on, arrested, and imprisoned, by party of armed men at St. John's, headed by a person assuming the rank and character of a Spanish officer.

St. Augustine, whither it was understood they were to be carried, under a pretext that they would there be arraigned and tried as offenders.

Presuming that the information given me upon this subject is correct, I hasten to demand of you the immediate liberation of the sergeant and citizens thus arrested, wounded, and imprisoned, within your government.

Major James M. Glassell, of the general staff of the army of the United States, is instructed to hand you this letter, and to take charge of, and order to this place, the persons confined; and, by this officer, I shall expect to receive from you a proper explanation, with the assurance that the

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