Upon General Oglethorpe's raising the siege of St. Augustine, Governor Montiano writes to the governor of Cuba as follows, on the 28th of July, 1740:

"On the 20th, the enemy raised his camp, and went off in a precipitate and shameful flight; and I dispatched promptly an order to our sloops, that if they saw the coast clear, to make their voyage, entering by the bar of Matanzas, which they accomplished on the 25th, and have now finished discharging.

"I assure your lordship, that I cannot arrive at a comprehension of the conduct or the rules of this general; for I am informed by at least twelve deserters from him, that his camp was composed of 370 men of his regiment, 600 militia of Carolina, 130 Indians, and 200 sailors, armed, and encamped on the island of St. Anastatia, and as many more sailors for the management of the sloops, schooners, and launches. My wonder is inexpressible that this gentleman (caballero) should make his retreat with such precipitation, as to have abandoned four six-pounders on the battery of St. Mateo, one schooner, two kegs of powder, several muskets and fowling-pieces, set fire to a quantity of provisions, such as boxes of bacon, cheese, lard, dried beef, to a schooner, and an excellent mortar-carriage; besides many things that have profited the Indians and galleys, which have had the fortune to encounter several barrels of flour, and lard, and some pork.

"The formal siege has continued thirty-eight days, counting from the 13th of June to the 20th of July, and the fire of the batteries twenty-seven days, from the 24th of June to the said 20th of July. The batteries were three; one, the Poza on the island of St. Anastatia of four eighteen and one nine-pounder, another on the point of the hammock on said island, of two eighteen-pounders, and the other on Point St. Mateo of seven six-pounders, five of iron and two of brass. The mortars and small mortars were thirty-four; two of half-quintal and two of about a quintal; the thirty small mortars were what the deserters call cohorns, for throwing hand-grenades, and others for those of ten or twelve pounds.

"This would be the moment to exterminate General Oglethorpe, with his regiment, and force him to abandon Georgia, with a force but little stronger than I have here, for his troops are disgusted, and Carolina would afford but tardy succors, on account of the same displeasure, and for fear of their negroes."

Governor Montiano's return of troops, made to the governor of Cuba on the 25th of March, 1740, gives as his aggregate strength, 613 men, comprising―

In addition, he had 122 men afloat, to man the galleys.

The total population of St. Augustine, of all classes, at this period, was 2143.—MSS. of Governor Montiano, 1740.

CHAPTER IX.

NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 1841.

Lieutenant-Colonel Garland, 4th infantry, on special duty to expel the enemy east of Tallahassee, to the Suwanne river.-Preparations for a combined movement in the Big Cypress Swamp.-Major Belknap, 3d infantry, proceeds to the Carlosahatchee river to take command-Death of Midshipman Niles, U. S. N.-Yellow fever in camp.-Depot and camps established.-Instructions to the different commanders plan of co-operation.-Troops take the field under Major Belknap.-Major Childs, and Lieutenant McLaughlin in canoes.-Colonel Worth meets the different commanders at Waxe Hadjo's.Landing on the edge of the Everglades.-Operations of the troops in the Big Cypress Swamp, and Everglades.-Major Belknap's report.-Lieutenant McLaughlin's report.-Extracts from the journal of an officer of the army, kept from day to day in the swamp.-Lieutenant McLaughlin reports his passage up the Carlosahatchee river through Fish-eating Creek to Lake Okechobee.-Captain M. Burke's, 3d artillery, expedition in the Everglades.-Letters from Captain McClellan, topographical engineer, in reference to the Carlosahatchee river, and its head waters.-Lieutenant Marchand's report of an expedition in the Everglades.-Head-quarters re-established at Fort Brooke.-Success of Major Wade, 3d artillery.-Capture of sixty-three Indians.-His report.-The Florida squadron commanded by Lieutenant McLaughlin--Its depot-Strength and efficiency of officers and men.-Murder of two friendly messengers by the Creeks near Fort Fanning.-Cowardly spirit of Tigertail.-Declines acting himself, and deters others.-Lieutenant-Colonel Garland's correspondence.-Meeting of Nethlocke mathlar and the Creek chief, Octiarche, at the mouth of the Withlacoochee river.-The latter chief refuses to visit the steamboat.-He is unable to assemble his band: appoints the 12th of January for another meeting.-Embarrassing state of affairs.-Attack made upon the settlement of Mandarin, by Halleck-Tustenuggee.-His haunts found.-The breaking up of the confederacy in the Big Cypress Swamp.-Surrender of the sub-chief, Waxe Hadjo.-Reports that Bowlegs, Sam Jones, and the Prophet had fled for safety.-State of the army: number taken sick, died, and discharged during the months of November and December.-Successful establishment of settlers at exposed points.-Citizens armed and provisioned.

THE active and judicious measures adopted on the 1st of November, by the commander of the 3d infantry, in the neighborhood of Tallahassee, together with the authority conferred upon Lieutenant-Colonel Garland to negotiate with, or punish the enemy in that quarter, gave every assurance that the Indians would abstain from hostile acts, or if they did not, means would be at hand to pursue them into their hiding-places. Nethlockemathlar and Tigertail, at Fort Brooke, supported by Alligator and Holartooche, were holding communication with such of the Creeks as were disposed, when opportunity offered, to break through the laws imposed by others more hostile and vindictive.

Through these, and other Indians coming in daily, who had broken off from the various bands, from fatigue and dissatisfaction, it was believed Halleck-Tustenuggee could be found and induced to surrender. With the settlements as adequately protected as human skill or military means could devise, the remaining force of the army was directed towards the Southern Indians, who felt themselves secure, environed as they were by swamps, deep mud, mangrove-bushes, and a large expanse of Everglades. It was feared the necessary preparations in establishing depots on the Carlosahatchee river, would break up this confederacy of Indians, so long united in self-defence, and cause them to scatter

in small parties, and thus effectually elude the combined efforts of troops on land and water. Should this be the case, it would at least frustrate any farther combinations, and ultimately compel them to surrender; as they would thus find that the military could pursue them at all seasons, and with the aid of experienced guides, be enabled to penetrate the most secluded parts of the country.

On the 1st of November, Brevet Major W. L. Belknap, 3d infantry, was ordered to proceed to the Carlosahatchee river, assume the command of troops in that quarter, and establish depots preparatory to a combined movement by land and water upon the Big Cypress Swamp. Fort Harvie (named in memory of Lieutenant John H. Harvie, 8th infantry), eighteen miles above Punta Rossa, on the southern bank, and four from what may be called the mouth proper of the river, was made the principal depot. Thirty-seven miles up the river, on the south bank, was Fort Simmons. Still farther west, near Lake Okechobee, a tempory camp of dragoons was established.

Detachments from the 2d dragoons, the 4th infantry, 6th and 8th infantry-comprising 1040 rank and file, were present for duty. Of commissioned officers, there were present: of the medical corps, six; quartermasters, two; topographical engineers, two; 2d dragoons, five; 1st infantry, one; 3d infantry, one; 4th infantry, eight; 6th infantry, eight; 8th infantry, eighteenmaking a total of fifty-one commissioned officers. The health of the troops was generally good, and the prospect of striking an effectual blow upon the enemy imbued officers and men with spirit and resolution to overcome the difficulties known to exist in this strong-hold, to which the desperate characters of every tribe in Florida had resorted as the last and only retreat from the vigilance and perseverance of their pursuers. The sudden death of Midshipman Niles, U. S. navy, by yellow fever, belonging to the command of Lieutenant McLaughlin, then at Fort Simmons, en route to Lake Okechobee, caused serious apprehensions in regard to the troops assembled for the field. AssistantSurgeon Steiner, whose assiduous care of Mr. Niles had subjected him to the disease, was severely attacked, as also the attendant who assisted him; but by timely and judicious treatment they recovered, and the disease was stayed within the command. It was contemplated to move the force from this point simultaneously with the detachment of the 3d artillery, in canoes under Major Childs, from Fort Lauderdale, and with that of Lieutenant McLaughlin, U. S. navy, with one hundred and fifty sailors and marines from Fort Dallas, near Key Biscayne. The following memorandum for the guidance of the co-operating forces, was transmitted to each commander.

"Head-Quarters, Army of Florida, Tampa, Oct. 30th, 1845.

"Captain McLaughlin proposes to be at the lower (or Prophet's) landing, leaving his depot on the 25th, by the 30th; Major Childs leaving on the 25th, it is believed, at the utmost extent, he can be at the upper (or Bowlegs' or Waxey-Hadjo's) landing by the 1st or 2d. Should Captain McLaughlin arrive on the supposed day, it is understood that he will remain at the lower landing until he shall have ascertained the arrival of Major Childs's command at the upper landing. These two forces may take it for granted, that those approaching from the Carlosahatchee will be in position centering on Fort Keas, on or before the last-named day, and that each force, from both sides, will, by the 1st or 2d, enter the Cypress in pursuit of the enemy, and endeavor to open a communication with each other. It is deemed proper that the movement shall be so directed from each side, as to envelope the northeast portion of the Cypress, preventing the escape of the enemy in that direction, and pressing him towards. the Mangroves to the southwest.

By order of Colonel Worth.

(Signed) S. COOPER, Assistant Adjutant-General."

"Memorandum of questions propounded to an Indian captured in the Everglades.

"Question 1st. Can you guide direct from Miammi to the landing, without going to Chyraya's island?

"Answer 1st. I can go until I can get near Chyraya's island, and then strike across to the landing; or I can go up Little river, and then strike across to the landing.

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Question 2d. Can you guide from the landing through the Big Cypress to the Carlosahatchee?

"Answer 2d. I can guide from the landing through the Big Cypress as far up as there are any settlements of Indians. I have never gone to the Carlosahatchee that way.

"Question 3d. How many days will it take to go from the landing, in boats, through the Big Cypress, to the last settlements north?

"Answer 3d. The first Indian town we come to, after we leave the Cypress, is six days' march. The Indians have all moved off in the interior, from the Cypress and Everglades.

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Question 4th. How many settlements are there back of the Big Cypress, between the landing and the Carlosahatchee ?

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Answer 4th. I know of four towns, and a fifth as you approach the Okechobee.

ing.

"Question 5th. Are there any settlements below the landing? "Answer 5th. There is no town below or south of the land