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Chekika. Dr. Perrine and his family were among the unfortunate sufferers. He was killed after eluding the Indians for some time. Distinguished for high classic and literary attainment, he had devoted years of his life, with great enthusiasm, to the study of botany. The southern portion of Florida was a spot peculiarly adapted to carry out his designs. His notes, which he had been accumulating for years, were all destroyed. In him science lost a bright ornament, social life a friend and kind parent, and Florida, as well as our common country, a benefactor. The following narrative, by an officer of the army, of what transpired at Indian Key, is full of interest:

"On the morning of the 7th of August, between two and three o'clock, the inhabitants of Indian Key were awakened from their sleep by the Indian war-whoop and the discharge of guns. Alarmed by the breaking of the glass of their chamber-windows, Mrs. Perrine and her three children descended into a small room at the foot of the stairs, in which was a trap-door that led to the cellar, used for bathing, as the tide filled it twice a day. Dr. Perrine accompanied them as far as the door, and then said he would go back and see what he could do.

"Mrs. Perrine resisted the entreaties of her daughters to go down into the water, until they heard the Indians breaking into the house of Mr. Howe, which was opposite to theirs. They went down into the cellar, passed through the bathing-room into a small place, say three feet high and four feet by ten in length and breadth, walled up on each side, with rocks and thick planks over the top, then covered by marl and stone and thin planks again, to make it even with the wharf which extended beyond, and was separated from it by palmetto posts driven deep into the marl; under this wharf was a large turtle-crawl. Soon after they had secreted themselves in this place, Dr. Perrine was heard upon the upper piazza, in Spanish, telling them he was a physician, upon which they gave a shout and left the house. While the Indians were gone, Dr. Perrine came down and closed the trap-door, and drew a heavy chest of seeds that was in the room over it, thinking that he should be saved, and he would try to save his family. During this time the Indians were heard breaking into different houses, while the Doctor's was left untouched; but about daylight they returned, jumped into the piazza, and commenced battering away at the doors and windows; one of them was heard to say, 'Stop that,' and then they rushed up stairs; the same voice was again heard to say, 'They are all hid -the old man up stairs;' for Dr. Perrine had evidently retreated to the cupola, which was entered by a heavy trap-door. The Indians were heard pounding at that door with most horrid yells,

but from its strength it resisted for some time; when it gave way, their yells were like demons, and it was then that the massacre of Dr. Perrine was accomplished. They were soon heard breaking crockery, glass, doors, and indeed every thing they could lay their hands upon, while trunks, and chests of clothing, and all that they wished to carry off, were being dragged over the heads of the family that lay concealed, and loaded into boats. Indeed, while the family were in their place of retreat, there were two or three Indians most of the time sitting over their heads, talking and giving their commands; they even lifted the plank from the turtle-crawl and looked down; had they looked towards the end where the family were hid, they would certainly have been discovered.

"Soon after sunrise the smoke began to fill the cellar, but did not affect the Doctor's family much, till about an hour before they left, at which time the whole house fell into the cellar; it then became intolerable, and was so thick that though they were clasped in each other's arms they could not see each other. The planks that supported the rocks over them took fire: during this time they kept their faces towards the water's edge, plastered their heads with marl, and threw the water constantly over them to keep the air in motion so that they could breathe.

"When the planks took fire, they commenced throwing the marl upon them to stop the flames. The Doctor's son, Henry, soon began to scream, when his mother held his mouth with her hands, fearing that the Indians would hear him, and his sister held his arms, until he burst from them, declaring that he would rather be killed by the savages than be burned to death: he forced aside a palmetto-post, and passed through the turtle-crawl and got out, while the others waited in horrible suspense, thinking that he would be killed and their discovery inevitable; but hearing no noise, and knowing that they could live but a short time there, Mrs. Perrine dug down in the marl with her hands, until she could draw out the posts from the bottom. They then passed under the wharf, on which there were three cords of wood burning, and the floor burnt through, so that the coals fell upon their necks as they passed under. As they jumped out, they saw Henry standing in front of the store, looking about; they then discovered a large launch at Houseman's wharf, to which they waded, and beckoned to Henry to come to them. Henry and his sister dragged the launch into deep water, sprang in, and commenced poling and rowing with all their strength, until they were out of rifle-shot of the Key. They had one paddle, one oar, and two poles, and they went nearly a mile in this manner. Twice they got aground, but as Henry knew how to manage a boat, they soon succeeded in getting her off. They were taken

up by a boat from the schooner Medium. The boat in which the family escaped was one that the Indians were loading with plunder from the store; it had in it a barrel of flour, one box of tobacco, soap, brandy, and molasses, and part of a musquito-bar. When they reached the vessel they found it to be one o'clock in the afternoon. Mr. Howe, wife, and five children, Captain Houseman and wife, and Captain Otis, had reached the vessel before. Mrs. Perrine and children were immediately taken down into the cabin, and told to take any thing they could find to cover themselves with, having escaped from the house in their nightclothes. Mr. Howe afterwards found some dresses that the Indians had scattered, which were distributed. Friday and Saturday night they were on board the transport, where every service and attention that was in their power was rendered by the captain of the transport, and officers McCreery and Murray, of the United States navy.

"On Saturday night they were very much alarmed by hearing the report of two rifles, a signal which had been agreed upon, in case the Indians attacked Tea-Table Key, but it afterwards proved to have been a false alarm. Although there was a violent storm and a heavy sea, they begged to be permitted to get into an open boat and leave the vessel, thinking every moment the Indians would be upon them; but the captain kindly refused to permit them to leave the vessel in such a storm, and thus saved them from a watery grave. On Saturday the United States schooner Flirt arrived, and Captain McLaughlin, immediately on learning the situation of those on board the Medium, kindly offered the use of his private state-room, which was accepted. On Monday the Flirt proceeded to Cape Florida, where she waited until Saturday for the steamer Santee, in which Dr. Perrine's family took passage for St. Augustine.

"Gratefully will ever be recollected by the sufferers the manifold kindnesses and attention received at the hands of Captain McLaughlin and his officers, in their destitute situation."

CHAPTER IV.

FROM JUNE 1840, TO MAY 1841.

State of affairs in Florida.-General Z. Taylor relinquishes the command of the army to General Armistead. Strength of the army, regulars and militia.-Appropriations.-Attack of the Indians upon a detachment of the 7th infantry between Fort Micanopy and Watkahoota.-Murder of Mrs. Montgomery.-Death of Lieutenant W. M. Sherwood, commanding the party, and Sergeant-Major Caroll.Affair with Halleck Tustenugge and band at Orange Creek.-Resolute conduct of Lieutenant Alburtis, 2d infantry, and his men.-Troops take the field.-Colonel Worth's interview with Coacoochee or Wild Cat, at Camp Cummings.-Consents to assemble his band, and cease hostilities.-His appearance, and that of his followers, in coming into camp.-His talk. He goes out again and returns.-Proceeds to Fort Brooke to see General Armistead.-Entire failure of negotiations through friendly Indians.-Coacoochee promises to assemble his band at Fort Pierce-His supposed infidelity there-Orders transmitted for his seizure.-General Armistead, in compliance with orders from Washington, relinquishes the command of the army to Colonel W. J. Worth, 8th regiment of infantry.

On the 1st of January, 1841, the Florida war was no nearer a conclusion than the year previous. The difficulties which had obstructed the efforts of commanders still existed, without any apparent or possible means of attaining success. The Indians in their fastnesses were intractable, defying the exertions of troops, or the overtures of friendly messengers. Those who sought interviews with the whites, came to procure provisions, and practice the duplicity and cunning which had distinguished their conduct throughout this protracted war.

Brevet Brigadier-General W. R. Armistead, 3d artillery, U. S. A., relieved Brevet Brigadier-General Z. Taylor, 6th infantry, U. S. A., on the 6th of May, 1840, and established his head-quarters at St. Augustine, East Florida. Expeditions were dispatched in various quarters, which, as was reported, from the extreme heat of the season, the unknown haunts of the Indians, and sickness among the troops, frustrated the operations of the commanding general, who otherwise conducted the campaign with zeal and energy. These results, at this period, had caused, in the army and country, a general feeling of despair. All resources seemed to be exhausted; the troops lay in camp unoccupied, and the enemy roamed unmolested, striking a blow wherever and whenever his inclination or wants dictated. Peace and war, friendship and hostility, went hand in hand, so often alternated, that defeat and disappointment were the inevitable result. The strength of the army present for duty was 3403 non-commissioned officers and privates, and 241 commissioned officers; 564 comprised the number sick, together with seven commissioned officers. The aggregate of the army of Florida, present and absent, was 4941 men; this was composed of ten companies 2d

dragoons, nine companies 3d artillery, and the 1st, 2d, 3d, 6th, 7th, and 8th regiments of infantry. This force was posted at the numerous points throughout the territory, to prevent, if possible, the encroachments of the Indians upon the settlements, and occasionally make excursions, as circumstances required, without any organized system of co-operation. 1500 militia, 1000 mounted, and 500 foot, were being raised, to co-operate with the regular troops in protecting the border and subduing the enemy. Brigadier-General Leigh Reid, of Tallahassee, was placed in command; an officer of intelligence and merit. This fatal paralysis, neither peace nor war, prostrated every exertion, and crushed the ardent anticipations of officers and men. If Indians were found, they availed themselves of the truce, received kindness and attention, obtained subsistence and ammunition; improving the first opportunity to effect their escape, exulting among their companions at their own sagacity and the supineness of the white men. A party of twelve Seminoles and Mickasukies, from Arkansas, were operating in a friendly manner to obtain interviews with the hostiles. The sincerity of their acts and professions were often doubted; they, however, with difficulty could approach the enemy, either from cowardice or want of knowledge, in the almost impenetrable hammocks. Through their exertions, the commanding general obtained an interview with Halleck-Tustenuggee and Tigertail, two most crafty and notable chiefs, near Horse-Shoe Hammock, in the vicinity of Fort King, on the 10th of November, 1840. These chiefs came with forty warriors, artfully designing to strike a fatal blow, as inducement offered, or sagaciously improve the proffers of peace, and supply themselves with subsistence and ammunition. The general approached the hammock accompanied by several officers, when Halleck-Tustenuggee cautiously came out to meet him, bearing a white flag. His manner was humble and subdued; he talked calmly and feelingly upon the long and sanguinary continuance of hostilities, manifesting much interest that the contest should be closed. After earnest persuasion, he consented to return with the general to Fort King. His warriors, during the conversation, lay secreted in the hammock. At Fort King he remained four days, visited constantly by small parties of his band, who returned by sundown to their unknown camp, supplied with enough to eat and to drink. In this way they lingered about the camp, giving the most ardent assurances of peace and friendship, by repeated talks, until the morning of the 14th of November, when it was announced that the entire party had fled! headed by the chiefs who commanded it. Both the chiefs slept in camp that night, with twenty men. Their wants were supplied; their object was accomplished; farther intercourse with the whites consequently

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