CHAPTER XIV.

FROM AUGUST 17, TO OCTOBER 31, 1842.

Colonel Vose in command of the 9th military department.-The Indians annoyed by encroachments and aggressions of the whites.-Southern Indians within the boundary: none but Creeks without--Appre hensions of Tiger Tail and Octiarche realized.-Attack upon settlements.-Citizens killed.-Pursuit by Colonel Bailey, and citizens.-Indians overtaken and punished.-Complaints among citizens.-Facts not known or understood.--Arrival of Tiger-Tail and Octiarche.-Excitement in the country.-Complaints of citizens to the governor of the territory, and to the authorities at Washington City,-Orders received by Colonel Vose to take the field.-Colonel Vose postpones the execution.-His reasons.-The Indians' camps plundered Officers of the army sent to the camps.-The Indians doubt the sincerity of the commander and his officers.-Delay and debauchery of the Indians.-Large demands for liquor. -Embarkation of the six companies 4th infantry.-The effect upon the Indians.-The gale at Cedar Key. Indians refuse again to visit the island.-Agree upon Fort Brooke as the future place of meeting-Effects and continuance of the gale at Cedar Key.-Less of public and private property.-A council of Indians to be held at Fort Brooke, on the 1st of November.

THE Command in Florida, now designated as the 9th military department, devolved upon Colonel J. H. Vose, by recent promotion the colonel of the 4th infantry.

Thirty years' faithful service in the army guarantied a judicious administration of affairs. His experience among the Indian tribes on the western frontier, peculiarly fitted him for the delicate and responsible duties intrusted to his charge. The Indians were to be carefully watched and prevented by military vigilance and skill from violating their obligations, and at the same time dealt with in justice and humanity; keeping in view the main object-peace, and the security of the inhabitants of the territory. The Indians, naturally stubborn and dilatory in their movements, were greatly embarrassed in their efforts to move in a body south, from fear of the citizens, who improved every opportunity to intimidate and annoy them. The military was looked to for protection, in the belief that they were vested with full power to control; while the inhabitants, actuated by retaliatory and malignant feelings, and disbelieving their promises to keep peace, sought opportunities to harass, plunder, and threaten small and detached families preparing to join the main body on the route to the prescribed boundary. The Creeks were the only Indians remaining. The few Seminoles and Mickasukies, under HolatterMicco or Bowlegs, were already within their limits, dispatching messengers to others without the line to hasten their movements, fearful that delay or some imprudent act might be committed by the younger portion which would cause a withdrawal of the terms to which they had acceded. The apprehensions of Octiarche and Tiger-Tail, in regard to the reckless conduct of warriors who had not received the talk, was too truly and painfully realized. On the 11th of August, the day when the chiefs were negotiating

at Cedar Key, a war party of ten attacked the settlements in the neighborhood of San Petro, killing two citizens. Pursuit was immediately and most gallantly given by twenty men, volunteers, commanded by Colonel Bailey, who, overtaking the party in a hammock, killed two and wounded five of the number. The orders of Colonel Worth, of the 14th instant, "announcing that hostilities had ceased," reached this section of country and Tallahassee on the 16th, causing much dissatisfaction and reproach. Such open defiance on the part of the enemy, and injudicious assumption of power (as was thought in ignorance of the facts) in the recent and now absent commander, was calculated to exasperate the people; and occasioned them to doubt, for the first time, the forecast and ability of the officer, who, in so short a space of time, had rid the country of its most numerous and formidable foes. The details of the negotiation at Cedar Key were not known, nor could the numerous and perplexing difficulties in controlling a race so illiterate and savage, be understood or explained, so that justice might be awarded to those whose acts were unsatisfactory.

The inroads of these roaming bands were apprehended, and every means was adopted that the military and Indian chiefs could devise to avert them. The intelligence reached Colonel Vose at Cedar Key, on the 22d. Tiger-Tail and Octiarche came in without delay, to ascertain if it was known, as the party had arrived at their camp giving a confused and unsatisfactory account of what had transpired. They solicited that it might not interrupt the harmony existing, as those who had committed the act, were ignorant that hostilities had ceased. The necessity of moving south, was apparent. Scouting parties of citizens, were sweeping the country to the Suwannee river. The renewal of barbarities in so populous a part of the territory as Middle Florida, created excitement, and induced loud appeals to be made to the governor for protection.

These, sustained by the clamor of those who saw the conflict drawing to a close, and by others inimical to the military, caused in Washington City corresponding feelings; creating a doubt whether the instructions of the president of the United States, as made known in his message, might not have been injudicious and ill-timed. The trials surrounding a commanding officer, in governing a class of men by nature treacherous and vindictive, who for years had been participating in bloody deeds, could not be understood or explained to higher authority so remote from the scene of action. Orders were accordingly received by Colonel Vose, on the 22d of September, to take the field, muster into service a militia force, and push vigorously such operations as would punish and capture the enemy.

These instructions, if carried out, were calculated to defeat, beyond redemption, all hopes of peace, and to aggravate the Indians by apparent duplicity, and thus render them no longer manageable by military means or by negotiation. This state of affairs was unfortunate, as the Indians were assembling in good faith, preparatory to going within the boundary prescribed. Colonel Vose, guided by his own good judgment, and accurate knowledge of the chiefs and their followers, postponed the execution of his orders, first giving to the war department his reasons for so doing. Though temporarily relieved from this embarrassment, difficulties accumulated in all quarters through the dilatory movements of the Indians, and the interference of whites, who molested and plundered their camps, when left exposed, or protected only by women and children. Confiding in the assurance of peace, they disregarded those precautions which had heretofore relieved them from insult and aggression. Officers of the army were dispatched to the various camps, to allay excited feelings, which had become rife among the head men, who had been outraged in the midst of assurances of friendship, protection, and peace. The forbearance manifested under these provocations, gave the strongest evidence of their good faith and integrity, and determination to adhere to their arrangements.

Such a state of things, however, could not long exist. Doubts were entertained of the sincerity of the commander and his officers. Their assurances and exertions, which had assuaged the vindictiveness of the most incredulous, was fast losing its effect. Officers of the army, when visiting the camps, were upbraided for duplicity, in thus holding out protection, when the whites insulted and threatened them in the execution of the terms of peace. From these causes, towards the end of the month of September, the visitors at Cedar Key began to diminish; whisky was eagerly asked for, and when obtained, only caused murmurings and dissatisfaction that a larger quantity was not given. Scenes of debauchery stupified their faculties, and weeks were passed in drunken revels. When the liquor was exhausted, a party was dispatched for more, instructed in what manner to deceive the commanding officer, who, annoyed at their procrastination, urged and besought them, for their own safety, to hasten within the designated boundary, as the scouting parties of citizens were in active pursuit. Their demands became so exorbitant, that further supplies were refused; as the abundance with which they had been supplied, had caused slothfulness and indifference to a prompt execution of promises. The six remaining companies of the 4th infantry, stationed at Cedar Key, embarked for New-Orleans, thence to Jefferson Barracks, on the 30th of September. Their departure satisfied the Indians that farther pursuit by soldiers was

at an end. This quieted their fears, and renewed, in a measure, the assurances of peace. The violent gale at Cedar Key, on the 4th and 5th of October, deterred them from again visiting that post, as they superstitiously regarded it as an expression of anger by the Great Spirit, and an omen of misfortune.

Fort Brooke, Tampa Bay, was agreed upon as the future place. of rendezvous, at which point a council was to be held on the 1st of November. Cedar Key, from the disastrous effects of the gale, was abandoned. The loss sustained, both public and private, was large. The wind commenced blowing, on the afternoon of the 4th, from the south, and continued and increased in violence, until midnight of the 5th. The water rose twenty-seven feet, carrying every thing before it, and driving the occupants of the island to a small spot in the centre, upon which stood the hospital, which was blown from its foundation. Two steamboats and a sloop broke loose from their moorings, and were driven ashore upon the opposite key, total wrecks, and were followed by the wharf, three hundred feet long, which was shivered to atoms.

sea.

The quartermaster and commissary store-houses, in which were deposited large supplies, were torn to pieces; the waves making a breach through the buildings, carried the contents to The sutler's store, and four dwellings, shared the same fate. Ropes were extended from tree to tree, to enable those who were endeavoring to secure the property, to keep their feet. At sundown on the 5th, the wind increased with the rising tide, when those inhabiting the island were grouped at midnight on the last dry spot, watching with intense anxiety the raging sea around them, threatening inevitable destruction. Inch by inch the waters encroached upon the last foothold, as ascertained by numerous sticks, arranged by the anxious spectators, until one o'clock, when the tide ceased flowing, and the wind abated. Tierces of clothing, barrels of pork and flour, were afterwards picked up five miles in the interior of the country. It was not within the knowledge of the oldest fisherman upon the coast, that this key had been inundated; though the deposits in the centre bear strong indications of it, which caused much doubt when it was chosen as a depot, and a suitable spot for the general hospital, as to the judiciousness of the selection. Horse Key, three miles distant, to the south, seaward, the outmost of the cluster, was exempt from inundation. In a military point of view, this key is an important position, commanding as it does the Suwannee Bay, and accessible for vessels drawing twelve feet water.

CHAPTER XV.

FROM NOVEMBER 1, 1842, TO DECEMBER 31, 1845.

Brevet Brigadier-General Worth resumes the command of the 9th military department-Colonel Vose, st Fort Brooke, to meet Octiarche and band.-Objects attained during his temporary command.-Fears of Octiarche, and the threats of the Seminoles.--Major Seawell, 7th infantry, ordered to seize the band of Octiarche, at Fort Brooke.-His success.-The reasons for such a step.-Tiger-Tail at Cedar Key. His conduct and infidelity.-Officers sent to reconnoitre his camp.-Position of his camp, and his condition.-Instructions to Captain J. M. Hill, to secure Tiger-Tail-His success.-Lieutenant Jordan, 3d infantry, dispatched to surprise the camp.-Brings Tiger-Tail into Cedar Key on a litter.-He confined to Horse Key.-Instructions to Lieutenant-Colonel Hitchcock, commanding 3d infantry, to take the field. His operations.-Surrender of Pascoffer and band.-The doubts and fears of the Indians, and quiet of the country.-Embarkation of Octiarche and Tiger-Tail with their followers, for New Orleans, in charge of Lieutenant Britton, 7th infantry.-Departure of Pascoffer and band, in command of Lieutenant W. S. Henry, 3d infantry.-Creeks, Seminoles, Mickasukies, and Uchees, leave Fort Brooke for New-Orleans.-The character, feeling, and condition, of the Indians assembled at the New-Orleans Barracks.-Death of Tiger-Tail at the Barracks, New-Orleans.-His last words.His birth, character, and intercourse with Colonel Gamble's family, in Florida.-His intelligence, influence, and infidelity.-Octiarche.-His birth, and character in battle and in council.-General Worth's report, in regard to the number of Indians in Florida, of November 17th, 1843.-Captain Sprague's letter to the citizens of Florida, in reference to the relation of the Indians towards the whites.-The number of Indians in Florida, December 31st, 1845: their condition and feelings.-The character of the chief and sub-chief, and future prospect of emigration to Arkansas.

On the 1st of November, Colonel Worth (now brigadier-general by brevet) resumed command of the 9th military department. He met Colonel Vose at Fort Brooke, at which place he was awaiting the arrival of Octiarche and other Indians, en route to the section of country temporarily assigned them as hunting and planting grounds.

The great object of the policy pursued during the command of Colonel Vose, had been accomplished. The Indians had been pacificated, their numbers and location accurately ascertained, and the prevailing disposition in reference to emigration well understood. With this information, a commander could make arrangements to act offensively or defensively, as circumstances might render most prudent or effectual. Octiarche came to Fort Brooke on the 10th of November, with a few men, dissatisfied with the conduct of the Seminoles, who, still cherishing the feud (which years past had caused a separation of the tribe), had threatened to put him and his followers to death, as soon as they came within the Indian boundary. Holatter Micco, or Bowlegs, the chief of the Seminoles, was asserting his right to control the Creeks, as the Seminoles were the owners of the land, and now more respectable in numbers and character. It was evident opinions and prejudices of this kind would soon terminate in bloodshed. Efforts to allay these contending passions, only tended to make each party more open and vindictive in their threats and actions. Il feelings, thus created and fostered, no confidence could be placed in the assurances of peace, as their dissensions