was. Of this we have distinctly spoken in an earlier page, and must waive a further examination. On the 23 October, 29 "Indians, squaws, and negroes," were captured near Fort Peyton; and, on the 25th, a family of 5 more were taken. They were conveyed to St. Augustine, and imprisoned, where there now were 147 in all, in confinement. Great preparations had been made to pursue the Indians with vigor, and forces had come in from various quarters, so that by the first of December, there were at the various posts in Florida, 8,993 men, of whom 4,637 were regulars, 4,078 volunteers, 100 seamen, and 178 friendly Indians. Amid all these preparations and watchings, the noted chief Coacoochee (Wild Cat) made his escape from St. Augustine, with 17 warriors and two squaws. Thus the fellow whom Gen. Jesup looked upon with such distrust, had, somehow or other, outwitted his keepers, and joined Sam Jones in his unknown retreat. The next event which comes within the line of our design, was one of the most sanguinary which has happened since this war began, with the exception of that in which Maj. Dade and his command were cut off. This was the battle of Okeechobee Lake, between a large Indian force under Abiaca and Alligator, and Col. Z. Taylor at the head of about 600 men; the particulars of which are as follows: Col. Taylor marched from Fort Gardner on the 19 December, 1837, and, following the meanderings of the Kissimmee River, arrived on the third day at a point on its banks, 15 miles above its entrance into Lake Okeechobee, which name is said to mean Big Water. Here he learned from a prisoner, who had fallen into his hands, that Alligator, "with all the war spirits of the Seminoles, Sam Jones, and 175 Mikasaukies,” was encamped about 25 miles off, on the east side of Lake Kissimmee. Crossing the river, the colonel left Capt. Monroe, with his company, the pioneers, pontooneers, and a large portion of his Delaware warriors, who declined proceeding, from lameness, occasioned by their feet and legs being badly cut with the saw-palmetto. The next day, taking the captured Indian as a pilot, he moved on with the rest of his force. After passing several cypress swamps and dense hommocks, he reached the vicinity of the Indians' encampment, on the morning of the 25th. Here they were found in one of the strongest places, as well as most difficult of access, of any before known in Florida; but between 12 and 1 o'clock the conflict commenced. The main body of the Indians were posted in a hommock, from which they poured such a destructive fire upon the volunteers, that they were obliged to fall back. They formed in the rear of the infantry, who, coming now into action, "sustained one of the most destructive fires ever experienced from Indians." But they pressed forward, and gained the hommock; the struggle continuing more than an hour, which was sustained with difficulty on the part of the whites, the Indians at one time nearly breaking their line; they were, however, finally routed and driven at every point, leaving 10 of their dead on the field, and numerous traces of blood where others had been dragged away. It was reported afterwards, by the Indians themselves, that they lost 20 in all; and yet this story of blood is not half told. Col. Taylor had 28 killed, and 111 wounded! Every officer of four companies, with one exception, and every orderly sergeant of the same companies, were killed, and the sergeant major was mortally wounded. Col. A. R. Thompson, of the 6th U. S. infantry, received three mortal wounds nearly at the same time; Adjutant J. P. Center, Capt. Vanswearingen, and Lieut. F. J. Brooke, of the same corps, were killed outright; Col. Gentry, of the Missouri volunteers, was killed by a shot through the body, the same ball wounding his son in the arm. Such was the issue of the disastrous battle of Lake Okeechobee, which served two ends; one of which was to reduce the number of Indians in opposition, and to teach the survivors that the whites could and would fight. No prisoners were taken, but some 200 horses and cattle were found. Skirmishes on a smaller scale continued. Gen. Nelson, of the Georgia volunteers, fell in with a few Indians on the Suanee, on the 26 December, at a place called Wacusape, and we presume, judging from indirect information, came off second best. His horse was killed under him, and he lost his D 484 FIGHT AT JUPITER INLET. [Book IV. lieutenant, and three horses, and a man or two wounded. He took one Indian and a negro prisoners, and one Indian was reported to have been killed. About the same time, there was a fight at Charlotte Harbor, in which five Indians were killed, and nine taken. Lieut. Harding was dangerously wounded. And a day or two after, Capt. Winder, with 30 dragoons, surprised and took seven men and 23 women and children, about 40 miles south of Fort McLane, and near Fort McNiell; and 20 miles south-west of Fort Harney, he took 29 more, among whom was a sister of Coahajo. Such were the important operations in Florida, during the year 1837. 10000 CHAPTER XX. EMBRACING THE EVENTS OF 1838 AND 1839. BATTLE OF WACASA SWAMP-Defeat of Lieut. Powell-BATTLE OF LUCHA HATCHE-Gen. Jesup wounded-DEATH OF OSCEOLA-His character-Gen. Jesup desires to give up the war, and allow the Indians to live in Florida-Not allowed by the government-His talk with TOSKEGEE-Indians seized at Fort JupiterGen. Jesup leaves Florida-Death of PHILIP and JUMPER-Capt. Ellis's exploitIndians surprise Capt. Beall-Families murdered-Crews of vessels murdered— Death of MUSHALATUBEE-Camp Forbes attacked-Numerous murders-Capt. Russell and Maj. Noel killed-Capt. Rowell defeated-Gen. Macomb takes command in Florida-Endeavors to make a treaty-Lieut. Hulbert killed-Reward for Indians-Massacre at Colooshatchie-Indians surprised at Fort Mellon-Murders on the Waculla-Bloodhounds to be employed against the Seminoles-Depredations continue. NEW year has come, but not a "happy new year" to Florida; for its first day had only passed, when the sound of the rifle is heard in its desolate coasts, followed by the groans of the wounded and dying. Brig. Gen. Charles Nelson, with a brigade of Georgia volunteers, being charged with the defence of Middle Florida, was, on the 2 January, scouting in the vicinity of Wacasa Swamp, near Fort Fanning, when he discovered Indian signs leading to said swamp: following them up, he was fiercely attacked as he approached it, and immediately the fight became obstinate, and lasted near three hours. At 5 o'clock, P. M., the Indians dispersed, carrying off their killed and wounded. The whites suffered severely; but they claimed a large victory, having captured "15 men and children," and a chief named CHICKACHOO. Col. Foster, who commanded the left wing, was shot down, but his wound proved slight. Lieut. Jennings was killed. Among the wounded were Col. Ambrister, slightly; Serg. Maj. Jones, badly; Dr. Sheftall of Savannah, badly; with several privates. We now proceed with an account of a sharp action, near Jupiter Inlet, between a force of about 80 men under Lieut. L.M. Powell, of the navy, and a body of Indians under TOSKEGEE, in which the whites were defeated, and suffered severely in killed and wounded. The action commenced about 4 in the P. M., and continued till half past seven at night, of the 15 January. On proceeding upon a trail, after landing at Jupiter River, Lieut. Powell captured a squaw, whom he made pilot him to the Indian camp, which he reached after a march of about five miles. He found them prepared for him, and the war-whoop was immediately raised. The whites "charged them through a deep swamp," and the fire became general. Lieut. Harrison, of the navy, was soon shot down at the head of his men, who were left without an officer. Lieut. Fowler, of the artillery, was directed to penetrate the swamp to the right, while the remaining two companies, under Lieut. M'Arthur, of the navy, advanced in line. By these manoeuvres the Indians were driven, or retreated, to a large cypress swamp, 700 or 800 yards in the rear. Here they made a determined stand, and here Lieut. M'Arthur was badly wounded, and Dr. Leitner was killed while in the discharge of his duty as 484 FIGHT AT JUPITER INLET. lieutenant, and three horses, and a man or two wounded. [Book IV. He took one In swamp to the right, while the remaining two companies, under Lieut. M'Arthur, of the navy, advanced in line. By these manœuvres the Indians were driven, or retreated, to a large cypress swamp, 700 or 800 yards in the rear. Here they made a determined stand, and here Lieut. M'Arthur was badly wounded, and Dr. Leitner was killed while in the discharge of his duty as |