A correct and authentic narrative of the Indian war in Florida / with a description of Maj. Dade's massacre, and an account of the extreme suffering, for want of provision, of the army—having been obliged to eat horses' and dogs' flesh, &c, &c.

by Captain James Barr

After breakfast we again embarked and descended the river to the camping ground of the regiment. We had every reason to congratulate ourselves on our return in safety. The expedition might have proved as disastrous as that of Major Dade: a small body of the enemy might have cut us off on the river, which is in some places not twenty yards wide. They might have fired on us with perfect security to themselves.

The summer, indeed, is scarcely the fit time for attacking them; the leaves are then so numerous that it is impossible to see them, and the weather is so hot that it is as impossible to carry the knapsack, provisions and accoutrements. The expedition has answered one good purpose; it has given some knowledge of a very interesting and before unknown section of the territory. The land is excellent and the river may be made navigable for steamboats at a very trifling expense; it is besides adjacent to the Orleans market.

We embarked on the 24th, and reached Tampa Bay on the 27th. On the following morning Colonel Chisme returned to the Fort with a party composed of the fourth Regular Infantry, commanded by Colonel Foster, and the Alabama volunteers. Colonel Chisme had been despatched to bring in the garrison and military stores from Fort Alabama, which was considered untenable.

The Colonel carried off or destroyed the stores and placed a spring gun in the magazine, disposed in such a manner that on opening the door, the magazine itself should explode. The army had not marched more than a mile, when a tremendous explosion was heard, and there is little doubt that many of the red-skins were despatched to the hunting grounds of their great Manitto. On the same day (27th) fourteen miles from Fort Brooke, the army seven or eight hundred in number, was attacked by the Indians from a hammock. The regulars complain that the Alabama troops were not as willing to charge the hammocks as their old friends from Louisiana. Some of them acted like brave men, but the greater part hung back and lost the most favorable opportunity yet presented, of paying the Indians for old scores. The regulars charged the hammock and beat them off. The loss on our side was five killed and fourteen or fifteen wounded. Major Sandes had his horse shot under him. The horse of one of the Alabama volunteers was shot and fell on his rider: an Indian rushed from the hammock, intending to scalp him, but the gallant fellow though entangled beneath his horse, contrived to shoot the Indian, and reload his piece for a second enemy, but he was soon discovered, and relieved from his painful situation. If all his regiment had acted with the like resolution, the Indians would have had but little to boast of.

May 1st—General Scott had proceeded to the Ouithlacouchy, on his return to Fort Drane, and had left the following order:

Head Quarters of the Army of Florida, }
Tampa Bay, April 16th, 1836. }

ORDER—No. 37.

The Louisiana Regiment of Volunteers, under the gallant Colonel Persifor F. Smith, will on its return to this place, immediately proceed to New Orleans, in the best transports the Quarter Master’s department can supply. It will first turn into store the arms and other property of the United States, in its possession, and which may not be necessary to the comfort of the regiment on its passage home.

At New Orleans, Major Clarke or other United States officer, shall muster the regiment out of the service of the United States, and it will at the same time be paid by the paymaster of the army, stationed in that city.

What may be the result of the expedition to Charlotte’s harbor and Pees creek, in which the Regiment is at present engaged, cannot be known to the Commanding General in some weeks. Judging from the past, the result cannot fail to be highly honorable to the Colonel, the officers and men of that efficient corps, which is already entitled to the thanks of the country. Doctor Lawson, the senior Surgeon of the United States army, who under a commission from the state of Louisiana, has served as Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, and who has superadded the distinction of arms to his high medical reputation, will temporarily take charge of the general Hospital at this place. As soon as the great body of the sick shall have been restored and sent off to their respective States, Surgeon Lawson will return to his proper station.