war, I return you my sincere thanks; and from the energy with which your operations have been commenced, I doubt not you will be successful. A few months of active pursuit, harassing the enemy and destroying their crops, will effect more towards bringing this disastrous war to a close, than years of negotiation. The Indian must be taught to feel our power and to dread our punishment."

In reply, he was assured that no means should be left undone to give adequate security, and that the 3d infantry, augmented by two companies from the 6th and 8th, guided by the zeal and enterprise of the officers of each, would be sufficient to prevent and punish the inroads of the enemy. "In addition," writes the commander of the army, "Major Wilcox, on special duty, is adopting measures to urge the settlers to return to their homes. The history of our country shows, that a few cabins, tenanted with stout hearts, exert a greater influence in causing the Indians permanently to abandon their resistance, than the bayonets of troops. The latter they regard as transient, the former as indisputable evidence of determined occupancy. Authority has been asked, to make the issue of rations conditioned upon occupancy; next, to furnish arms and soldier's pay to such as will comply with these conditions: in this I have great confidence.”

Authority had already been given by the president of the United States, for the "issuing of rations to those who would penetrate the country during the necessary preparations for raising the means of subsistence at their selected homes." Major D. L. Wilcox, 5th infantry, assisted by Lieutenant M. R. Patrick, 2d infantry, were industriously engaged in inducing citizens to take advantage of this offer. This step, though to the timid jeopardizing property and lives, bade fair to accomplish much good. An industrious population thus introduced, added a powerful auxiliary force to the other measures of the government. It allayed the panic which had taken possession of the inhabitants, and was calculated to intimidate the enemy, who heretofore had roamed at large, redoubled in boldness and strength by the rapid flight of all who intercepted their path. The log-cabin and the woodman's axe are deadly foes to the red man. Timidity, to them, is an incentive to cruel and barbarous acts.

The medical director's consolidated report, for the month of June was considerably augmented. This, of course, was expected. 1014 men nd 15 officers were unfit for duty on the first day of June. On the 30th of June he reports 2193 as having been taken sick. Out of the number sick on the 1st of June, a u those taken sick durin → month, making a total of 3107, 1935 were returned to duty the expiration of the month; 22 died; 34, from disability, di... rged; making 1991, which, deducted

from the total, 3107, left 1116 unfit for duty at the expiration of the month of June. Those once attacked with the prevailing disease, seldom after were fit for any duty whatever, unless sent to the north, where the cool bracing climate destroyed the enervating influences of the south.

The peculiar service devolving upon the officer in the scouts through the country, was quite as debilitating in professional exertions as the effects of the climate upon his constitution. His duties were divested of all the attributes of a soldier; but he went resolutely to work with one incentive-" To do his duty.” The officer with his command of thirty or forty men, resembled more a banditti than a body of soldiers in the service of their country. He, at the head of his little band, without shoes or stockings, his pantaloons sustained by a belt, in which were thrust a brace of pistols, without vest or coat, his cap with a leathern flap behind, to divert the rain from coursing down his back; in this manner he led his detachment through bog and water, day after day; dependent for food upon the contents of his haversack strapped to his back. The only stars over his head were the stars of heaven, the only stripes were lacerated feet, by wading swamps and hammocks, and the only sound to welcome him after his toils, was the vulgar abuse of the inexperienced and vindictive.

CHAPTER VI.

JULY AND AUGUST, 1841.

Coacooche and warriors arrived at Tampa Bay in irons.-Interview between the commander of the army and these warriors, on the 4th of July, on board the transport in the harbor.-Coacooche's talk.-He directed to bring in his band or suffer death.-Five messengers appointed to proceed to the interior of the country, to communicate with his band.-His last words to his followers.-Anxiety of Coacooche for the return of the messengers.-Forty days allowed them.-Arrival of the band, with old Micco.Irons taken off Coacooche, and he permitted to go on shore to receive his warriors.-His reception.— His dress and conduct.-His speech to them.-A messenger sent to Holatter Micco and Sam Jones.Coacooche's last words to his brother Otulka.-Departure of the messenger at midnight from the prison-ship.-General operations of the army.-Embarkation of the 1st infantry for New-Orleans.The service of the regiment, its loss from disease, &c.-Death of Second-Lieutenant Lancaster, 1st infantry. Arrival of Otulka.-Coacooche proceeds to Pease Creek.-Colonel Worth at Camp Ogden. -Coacooche proceeds to Hospetarke's camp.-Returns with him and eighteen warriors.-Capture of Hospetarke and warriors.-Taken to Fort Brooke, and confined to the prison-ship. Their designs when visiting the camp.-Coacooche's tact and sagacity. The warriors of Coacooche in irons.Liberated and put on shore.-Reports of scouts made by officers of the army, during the months of July and August.-Sent to Washington.-Strength of the army.-Sick, &c.-Retrenchment, &c., &c.-Negroes permitted to accompany Indians to Arkansas.-The policy.-Florida, its position and importance.

THE result of operations during the month of June, gave a new and favorable aspect to the Florida war.

The colonel commanding arrived at Fort Brooke, Tampa Bay, on the 3d of July, and had an interview with Coacooche and his warriors on the 4th; who were in irons, on board the transport in the harbor. The associations of the day, and the personages participating, gave a high degree of interest to the arrival, independent of the successful results anticipated by many, and the defeat predicted by others.

Colonel Worth, his staff, with a number of officers, together with intelligent interpreters, proceeded on board at 10 A. M. Coacooche, pale and haggard, received all with marked dignity and coolness. He and his companions, fifteen hardy young men, were closely ironed, surrounded by a guard of thirty soldiers. His present interview contrasted strongly with his first, at Fort Cummings, in March. Then, he had a bold, dashing demeanor; now, he was calm, quiet, and subdued. Those limbs which trod the soil, now forbidden ground, but again spreading out before him, with as much freedom as the aspirations of his mind, were degraded by shackles, the clank of which is never effaced in the recollection of an Indian. Around him were his well-tried and savage companions, who followed him in his war-path, and had been governed by his counsels.

To those who are not engaged, and are removed from the immediate participations in incidents of this kind, there is much