صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني
[blocks in formation]

HEADQUARTERS NINTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
Santa Fe, New Mexico, September 27, 1849.

SIR: I have the honor to enclose a report from Brevet Captain Judd, giving the particulars of an affair which occurred on the night of the 8th instant between a portion of Captain Papin's company of Mexican volunteers and a band of marauding Apaches in the neighborhood of Las Vagas. For their activity and gallantry in the pursuit and attack of the Indians these troops deserve great credit, and give an earnest of what services may be expected from the natives of New Mexico in case of need. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. M. WASHINGTON,

Brevet Licut. Colonel U. S. Army, commanding.

Major General JONES,
Adjutant General, Washington, D. C.

No. 3.

OPERATIONS IN FLORIDA

FORT BROOKE, FLORIDA,
July 23, 1849,

GENERAL: On June 25th I reported that I should, as early as possible, make another attempt to open communications with the Indian chiefs; and I now have the honor to report the result. I left for the south in a small sloop on June 30, and returned on July 21, having visited Sarasota, Charlotte Harbor, the mouth of Pea river, and ascended the Caloosa Hatchee some 20 miles, or as high as navigable by sail vessels.

Near the mouth of Pea river I found, on July 6th, a party of the Marco Indians, consisting of their chief, Ishmatee, four men, eight women, and a number of children. They were friendly and cordial. When I offered them some presents they hesitated, saying it was against their laws to accept anything (except tobacco and whiskey, I believe) from our government, and that Sam Jones would kill them if he heard of it. Before I left, however, they took one or two pieces of calico for the women and children. I failed to get a message to the chief, Bowlegs, my messenger (Simon, a negro belonging to Bowlegs) having undoubtedly played false. I sailed up and down the Caloosa Hatchee from the 9th to the 18th, landing frequently to look for trails, to make signal fires, &c.; but I saw no Indians there. The most recent camp I found was a week old.

Since my return here I have heard of the murders on Indian river on July 12, and on Pea river on July 17th; and I allude to them only to remark that, on July 6th, I found the party of Marco Indians (Seminoles) encamped on the beach, near the mouth of Pea river, and friendly in their

inanner.

I hope the late outrages have been done by a small band of outlaws, and, at the worst, I hope the hostilities are confined to the Istokpoga Indians, (Mikkasookies, Tallahassees, and Creeks;) under Sam Jones.

If my health will permit, I shall make another attempt to communicate with King Bowlegs and the Seminoles proper.

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

General R. JONES,
Adjutant General U. S. A.

JOHN C. CASEY,

Captain U. S. 4.

FORT BROOKE, FLORIDA,
August 20, 1849.

GENERAL: I have heretofore (July 23d) reported the result of my attempt to open communications with the Seminoles by visiting Caloosa river, &c. During that visit I left, at various points, packages which,

if seen by the chief, would be known to him as friendly invitations from

me.

A few days ago my guide found at Sarasota, on an elevated point, an Indian peace-token, (a white flag made of feathers, with tobacco and white beads,) which he supposed to be in reply to those I had left. He left a sign that it would be answered at full moon, and at once brought the flag to me.

I shall attend at the time and place, and, if successful, hope to get authentic information of the feelings and designs of the Seminoles. Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

General R. JONES,

Adjutant General U. S. A.

JOHN C. CASEY, Captain, on Indian duty.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, August 21, 1849.

SIR: As heretofore advised, the military force that is already assembled and to be concentrated in Florida is intended to defend the frontier settlements in the peninsula of that State. A change in the temper of the Indians, evinced by a general desire and purpose of renewing hostilities, may require an immediate modification of this instruction, so as to require a change in your movements. The end which the government has in view is the subjugation of the Indians, if necessary, and their removal to the west.

So far, a hostile purpose seems not to be general, but that the acts of violence and outrage committed on two occasions are confined to a few warriors who are represented as outlaws with their tribes. Under these circumstances, it would be cruel to involve the whole tribe in the guilt of a few, and punish accordingly.

Moreover, any act of apparent or actual injustice on the part of the government would tend to thwart the plan of their peaceable removal, which is an object of great solicitude to the President.

On the reasonable presumption that the whole tribe, or rather remnants of tribes, are unwilling for war, and that owing to the inefficiency of their government to control the conduct of their young chiefs, or, what is still more probable, the conceded inaptitude of the white and red men to live harmoniously in close neighborhood, it has been concluded, in the present aspect of things, that before any forcible means are resorted to for their removal, to try others which are gentler and more congenial to the feelings of those who are not hostile. The influence of their brethren who have emigrated west will be exerted over them. Accordingly, a delegation, accepted on their voluntary application, and composed of a few chiefs who, in former days, exercised an acknowledged control over the nation whilst united, may be expected to reach Florida about the first of October.

The outlines of the plan are to pay a specific sum-say $100-for the removal and transportation of each Florida Indian, or negro belonging to the Indian tribes, irrespective of age or sex, and their subsistence for a year after reaching their new homes in the west.

It is believed, from the information in the department, that this is, to some extent, practicable. At least it is commended by its justice and humanity-just to the friendly and humane to the hostile Indians.

In respect to the military operations, it is not perceived that the delay will result in any disadvantage, when we consider the season of the year and the peculiar character of the country in which the force under your command may be employed.

In the full confidence which the department reposes in your judgment and discretion, it is respectfully submitted whether, in the distressed condition to which the frontier settlers are represented to be reduced, you may not safely make the foregoing propositions on proper occasions and directly to the Indians. If you should conclude to do so, after full con-sideration of the subject, aided by consultation with others who know well the Indian character, the sub-Indian agent, Mr. Spencer, I am authorized to say, will co-operate with you. But it may be proper to remark, in this connexion, that no act should be performed which in any degree, impair the influence of the delegation from the west. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

[blocks in formation]

GEO. W. CRAWFORD,
Secretary of War..

HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DIVISION AND FLORIDA,

Tampa Bay, August 25, 1849..

SIR: I have the honor to report that I reached this place yesterday, and' as soon as I have time will make the investigations and report called for by my instructions. From all I have heard since my arrival, I am disposed to coincide in the opinion expressed by Major Morris in his report.

I will call out no volunteers at present, and am afraid those now out, under the orders of the governor, may be of more injury than service. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

D. E. TWIGGS,
Brevet Major General, commanding.

Lieut. Colonel FREEMAN,
Assistant Adjutant General,

Headquarters Army, West Point, N. Y.

HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DIVISION AND FLORIDA,

Tampa Bay, Florida, August 27, 1849..

SIR: I have the honor to report that I have thus far been unable, with all my efforts, to "gain reliable intelligence on the subject of the recent murders and outrages committed by the Indians," or to "ascertain their present disposition and temper."

After the passage of the law of the State of Florida, restricting the Indians to the limits prescribed by treaty, they became dissatisfied, but it cannot as yet be certainly known whether the recent acts of violence were

national or perpetrated by a few outlaws. Since their commission there is no evidence of Indians having crossed the boundary, east or west. cannot hear of any personal outrage done to any of the Indians.

Having seen the report of Major Morris, from all the information yet before me, 1 concur in the opinions expressed by that officer.

Some days previous to my arrival a white flag was found at Sarasota, as has already been reported to the department by Captain Casey. Yesterday I sent a company to the Manitu river. On reaching the district bordering on the river, from which the inhabitants fled, two white flags were found at Mr. Addinson's, at the head of the river, and signs of the tracks of two ponies. Nothing had been injured on the premises, and nothing but some few pounds of flour taken from the house; indications from which something favorable may be hoped, in the expected meeting of Captain Casey and the chiefs.

The seventh infantry has not arrived, and some embarrassment in moving companies to the interior has arisen from want of transportation. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. E. TWIGGS,

Lieut. Col. W. G. FREEMAN,

Assistant Adjutant General,

Brevet Major General, U. S. A.

Headquarters Army, West Point, N. Y.

HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DIVISION AND FLORIDA,
Tampa Bay, Florida, September 1, 1849.

SIR: Since my last report nothing has been heard of the Indians, nor seen, except tracks of runners; nor can I ascertain that they have crossed the line since the outrages which drew the troops to this place. At all events, since that time they have not injured persons or property.

The panic is not less complete among the inhabitants;; all industrial pursuits have ceased. The settlers, flying from their farms, are on this coast and East Florida, forted as far north as Fort King; and from a report of Colonel Smith, received on the 31st ultimo, there remains but one single person south of New Smyrna, on the eastern shore. There seems a general determination not to return until the Indians are removed. The opinion is as general that the outrages were perpetrated by the Indian nation; and I am disposed, after full and free conversations with agents, the citizens, and most intelligent traders, to coincide in this opinion. These people have purchased 120 rifles since the peace; have largely supplied themselves with clothes, ammunition, and everything necessary for carrying on hostilities. When in addition to these preparations it is considered that this outbreak occurred immediately after the annual national council or green corn dance, the impression of its nationality is strengthened. Be this as may, so strong is the impression that such is the case, that the settlers will never venture to re-occupy until the Indians are removed or securely confined by troops to their lines.

it

Three hundred warriors may be stated as an approximation to their force. Should the general government decide on removal, the general-inchief and the President, both acquainted with the country and the na-

« السابقةمتابعة »