be advantageously varied according to circumstances, without increasing the aggregate of both. The preceeding estimates do not embrace the expence incident to the preposed increase of the navy, nor any other expenditure not yet authorised by law. In order to meet any new expences which may thus be authorised by congress, it will therefore be neces sary to increase the loan to a corresponding amount. The sums received or to be received on loan during the calendar year 1812 have been stated at The payments on account of the principal of the debt during the same year, though not yet precisely ascertained,may be estimated (so far as ascertained on the 1st of December, at the treasury) at Making the actual increase of debt during that year $12,950,200 ponents of the war. Vermont, we think, is certain. In N. York a greater number of "republicans” will be chosen than are put down; but, perhaps, not more than 13 of her members will give a decided support to the war. In New-Jersey, as districted by the "federalists," each party counts upon obtaining 4 of the 6 members the state is entitled to. we therefore neutralize it. Virginia will, at leas', maintain her ground; it is more than probable she will have bu: 5 anti-war members-we have said 6. In North-Carolina there will assuredly he 8 supporters of the war-very possibly 10. Al the rest of the states are undoubted results. 2,350,200 STATES. $10,600,000 New-Hampshire, Vermont, It appears, according to the preceding estimate, Massachusetts, that the whole sum to be borrowed during the year Connecticut, 1813, will amount to about twenty millions of dol-Rhode Island, lars; and that the payments on account of the prin- New-York, cipal of the public debt will exceed five millions;-New-Jersey making the actual increase of debt during that year Delaware, fifteen millions of dollars. Pennsylvania, Maryland, Georgia, 22 16 613 523 17 6 S 9 0 6 10 10 3 0 1 2 96 36 3 9 19 1 10 142/10636 79:4918211468] Dirto General ticket. By districts. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. General ticket. By districts. General ticket. By districts. General ticket. Of the revenue which will accrue during the year 1813, and on which the receipts of the year 1814 will principally depend, it is not practicable at this moment to form a correct estimate. So far as may be inferred from the experience of the short period which has el. psed since the declaration of war, it is not probable that the revenue derived from customs will exceed the amount of $5,500,000, at which it had been estimated in a former communication. The In this table we remark that though the "repub. duties accrued, or which will accrue, during the last lican" majority in the twelfth congress was seventy, six months of this year, after deducting drawbacks the war bill obtained only by a majority of thirty, 108 an t expences of collection,are estimated at less than members being present: all the "federalists" and ne millions of dollars, which, deducting about five many "republicans" voting against it. millions five hundred thousand dollars on account By the new census the house will consist of 182 of duties on the late importations from Great Bri-members of whom 114 will be "republicans,” or tain, and one million of dollars for the duties on "war men"-and 68 "federalists," or anti-war-meninportations from Calcutta and China, would not POSITIVE WAR MAJORITY, FORTY-SIX. For, it must leave more than $2,500,000 for the ordinary revenue be observed, that ALL the "republicans" chosen, are on those branches of commerce which are permitted chosen as supporters of the war, unless the terus by law, and from which the United States will not proposed by our government are acceded to by the be nearly excluded by the law. All which is respectfully submitted. ALBERT GALLATIN. Treasury Department, Dec. 1, 1812. Interesting Political Table. enemy. In the senate, the war majority is considerably strengthened, and will be further increased. The considerations naturally arising from the facts here presented, should lead us to a vigorous prosecution of the war, as the only way to obtain a safe and speedy peace, the ostensible object of all parties. The majority must, and will govern; and position, an improper opposition-will only lead to the duration of the war, the disgrace of our coun try and the triumph of the foe. vents of the War. MILITARY. FROM THE ARMES-Of the Northern army our ac To shew the general spirit that prevails amongst the people of the United States on a question of the first importance, viz.the prosecution of the war against Great Britain, we have formed the following table, giving at one view many interesting facts. In the first department, we have the state of parties in the House of Representatives of the United States, at the time of the declaration of war;-in the second, the vote on declaring that war existed be.ween the U. States and Great Britain;-in the third, we give the result of the late elections in the several state counts are contradictory and uncertain. It is stated so far as they are known, with conjectures as to the that on the 19th ult. col. Pike with his regiment peresult in others. The latter are marked thus.* The netrated about 7 miles into the enemy's country, Jast column shews the manner in which the members and had a slight brush with the British and Indians, are chosen, who retired, after sustaining some loss. Nor-Elections have not yet been held in Vermont, men wounded. On the 22d, it is further said, the New-York, New-Jersey, Virginia and North-Cur whole army retrograded to the southward, to go inAna-but the reader who is tolerably acquainted to winter quarters. This is denied by others--and with the feelings of the people of those states, as we are pleased to observe that the designs of the ge lately expressed, will admit, that if our calculanerai, be they what they may, are so completely ob jods are erroneous they are so in favor of the op-scured, as it shows system and discipline, We had 5 Of the army of the centre, we have no important Niagara river; the possession of which will give particulars since gen. Smyth's second proclamation, him the command of the upper province. Humanity, except that many volunteers were joining him, to be however, suggests that this conquest should be under the command of gen. P. B. Porter. The ar- achieved with the least possible sacrifice; it is for mistice terminated on the 22d ult. by notice from the purpose of obtaining a force that will over-awe gen. Smyth; on which the British commenced a can- opposition, and save the effusion of blood, that he nonade. This army appears "like greyhounds in the now asks your aid and co-operation." slips, straining for the start;" and we expect every The crisis is an all important one to us and demoment to hear that it has crossed into Canada. mands our best exertions. I shall accompany geneCom. Chauncey had sailed up the lake to co-operate ral Smyth to Canada, and will you not join your forwith gen. Smyth, in his attack on the enemy's lines. tunes to mine and join him? Come on, then, and From the North Western army we have not a parti-bring with you all the volunteers you can collect, Let them provide themselves with warm clothing cle of news, since our last. The bill to increase the pay of the army of the and blankets. They shall be supplied with arms and ammunition on their arrival at this place. United States has become a Law. Gov. Blount of Tennessee, announces the receipt of orders to detach 1500 men, to proceed immediately to New Orleans. The nominations by the President, of Harrison, Chandler and Boyd, to be brigadier-generals in the army of the United States, have been ratified by the senate. The following gentlemen have been chosen for field officers in the First Regiment of New-Hampshire Volunteers, by the company officers: Aquilla Davis, of Warner, colonel; John Carter, of Bow, lieutenant-colonel; Wm. Bradford, of Mount Vernon, 1st major; Jabez Smith, of Sallisbury, 2d major; Joseph Low, Amherst, adjutant. A vigorous camgaign of one month will relieve your brethren on this frontier from the sufferings, which always fail so heavily on those who have the misfortune to be placed at the scat of war. It will Palsy the savage hand that is now wielding the scalping knife, restore peace to the whole of this section of the country, and redeem the tarnished reputation of the nation. Can the independent and main idle spectators of events so interesting to our high minded yeomanry of Genesce and Ontario rebeloved country? Yours, very respectfully, PETER B. PORTER. [The foregoing refers to the second proclamation of general Smyth inserted in our last number, page 216.] ALBANY, December 1. Copy of a letter from Champlain to the editor, dated Champlain, Nov. 19.-" Yesterday general Dearborn CANANDAIGUA, November 24. arrived at this post, and to-day has issued the followVolunteering. Since the publication of general ing order. To-morrow we expect orders to march: Smyth's proclamation for volunteers, a considerabie our advanced-guard is already over the lines; indeed, number of citizens in the different towns in this a scouting party last evening passed the river Lacole, county have assembled and subscribed volunteer routed a body of Indians, and fired their encamp-enrollments for a short tour across the Niagara. ment. We had one man killed, and several slightly wounded, among whom is captain Biddle." GENERAL ORDERS. Several companies have already marched, and others we hear will march immediately. We calculate on from seven hundred to one thousand men from this county. We are informed that twelve or thirteen hundred have already volunteered and enrolled themselves in the county of Genesee. We think Niagara will furnish an equal number. HeadQuarters, Champlain, Nov. 19, 1812. The indisposition of brigadier-general Bloomfield renders it expedient for major-general Dearborn to take the immediate command of the troops on Lake Champlain and its vicinity, and the general embraces the earliest opportunity to express his confidence in We hear also, that the little county of Seneca, the troops composing the army of the north. Their although it has a considerable number of men al bravery and patiotism will supply any deficiency in ready on the frontiers, will yet furnish many more. military discipline and tactics, which time and ex- -That Cayuga will furnish a large number. We perience will render perfect. In any movement to-calculate on one thousand men from these two wards the enemy, the most rigid attention to orders counties. will be required, as well as a fixed determination in The aggregate number of volunteers which will every individual of the army not to retreat or give turn out on this occasion, it is supposed, will be ground before the enemy. Should any one be so lost at least three thousand five hundred, and probably to a sense of honor and military duty, and the pride four thousand. Messenger. of the American character, as to be guilty of disorderly conduct in time of action, he must expect Gentlemen-I transmit you for publication the enno relaxation in the law martial. Every species of closed letter politely and without solicitation adplunder or abuse of the inhabitants within the ter-dressed to me by Mr. Rush. ritory of the United States, or in Canada, is forbid- So far as respects myself personally, the tale den on pain of death. By order, THOS. BIDDLE, captain 2d U. States FROM THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER. refutes merits no consideration and would meet no attention. Whether I am incompetent to the task of relating plain facts, many of which I saw and on all of which I had the feelings and information of hundreds To the men of the counties of Ontario and Gennesee. to guide me, is a question of no importance to the FELLOW-CITIZEN-I transmit you the appeal of public, and of no interest to the editors of those papers general Smyth, an able and experienced officer, to who have asserted or insinuated it. But it is deeply the patriotism of the state of New-York. It speaks interesting to their passions and pursuits, that every to the heart of every man who is not lost to the honor account which tends to exonerate the government and interests of his country. from all participation in the event of an expedition He has at this place a powerful army, under strict feebly conducted, and in a capitulation dishonorably disc pline, in high spirits and eager for the contest. concluded, should be assailed openly and covertly. With this army he can and will, in the course of aI was aware, that every man, who should attempt, few days, occupy all the British fortresses on the by a disclosure of the truth to communicate correct information, must expect to have his motives im- tions, to which this communication has given birth. pugned and his character assailed all the rancor of Meagre indeed would be every similar statement,were malignity and eagerness of party. As I felt no dis-such a principle correct in theory or supported by position to court, so I trust there was no necessity practice. In a complicated transaction, it would for avoiding an investigation like that. I had witness-present but a skeleton of a report, omitting many ed the irritation of feeling and the latitude of obser-interesting details essential to a correct view of the vation in many papers in the country. The terms subject, and necessary in the succession of facts, conscripts," "a little still-born army," and every which connect causes with their consequences. It injurious and opprobrious epithet, which party zeal would require almost as many reports as there were could lavish upon western patriotism and enterprize, actors, and instead of a faithful sketch by a single, I had observed with regret, but without surprize. hand, a motley and discordant group of objects would But I had to learn, that the editor of a newspaper meet the eye, exciting little interest and conveying upon his own responsibility would propagate a tale little information. But, independent of any specu so false and unqualified, as that in the United States lative view, which may be taken of the subject, it Gazette of October last. The letter transmitted is sufficient to refer every candid and dispassionate will shew what credit is due to the assertion of men, observer to the reports of military transactions, which who can discover little to condemn in an enemy's daily appear in our own and in other countries. The government, less to approve in their own. futility of the objection will be at once exposed, for I cannot resist the present opportunity of placing it will be found that a report is seldom if ever made in its proper point of view, a transaction misrepre- without violating this rule, for the first time applied sented with all the virulence of faction. The capi-as a standard to the statement of an officer of the tulation for the surrender of Detroit, contained no most important military event, which had occurred stipulation allowing the commanding officer to for many years in the history of his country. forward to his government an account of the The propriety of publishing such a report remains causes which produced, and of the circumstances only to be investigated. In a government founded which attended so unexpected an event. The com- on the power and supported by the confidence of the manding officer himself became an unconditional people, the right of the public to receive informaprisoner of war. His liberation or the intelligence tion on all national transactions is too clear to rehe might communicate to his own government de-quire support or to fear denial. Whether a battle pended on the interest or caprice of the enemy. In be won or lost, whether the event be brilliant or dis this situation, on the arrival of col. M'Arthur within jastrous, the duty of communicating and the right .the jurisdiction of the United States, he became the of claiming information remain still the same. Four senior officer of those troops, which by the capitula-weeks after the surrender of an important post, while tion were permitted to return home, and as such it the public mind is agitated and public expectation became a matter of duty to report himself to the go-alive, the government receive from an officer disvernment, and of propriety to communicate to them patched by the senior officer within their jurisdic all the intelligence in his power. For this purpose tion and subject to their control, a statement of the the second officer in command present was ordered circumstances, which preceded and accompanied to repair to the seat of government. On his arrival the transaction. Two weeks would have been suffi be found the rumor of the disaster had preceded him, cient for the commanding officer to have forwarded and that information was anxiously and impatiently his dispatches, had the capitulation conferred on him expected. Public report had informed the govern- the right or the enemy the favor of doing it, imme ment, that they had lost a fort, an army and a terri-diately subsequent to the surrender. The govern tory, but of the remote or direct causes, which occa-ment had a right to conclude the privilege was refus sioned it, of the situation of their own troops, or of ed by them or the duty omitted by him. That por the designs of the enemy, they were profoundly ig-tion of the troops, which by the capitulation was to norant. Were they in this situation fastidiously to be conveyed to the United States, afforded a secure reject proffered information, and continue wilfully opportunity for this purpose. This having failed, it ignorant of a transaction so striking in its features became uncertain at what period his communication and so important in its consequences to the peace would be received. Were the government then to and character of the nation? Or were they not com-withhold the information they possessed, because pelled by duty to seek every means of information, that information attributed the failure of the expein order with promptitude to repair the evil, and dition to its commanding officer? The character of with vigilance prevent the repetition of a similar the nation, the reputation of the government, and of one? Their duty surely cannot be mistaken by the every individual embarked in that expedition, were most bigotted zealot of party. The act then of com- involved in its issue. Was it of no importance, by municating intelligence and that of receiving it, was a correct disclosure of facts to redeem the public not merely neutral but commendable. Whether the character and feelings? Was it of no importance, officer upon whom this task devolved, executed it by placing in its proper point of view the features of well or ill, must be left for an enlightened communi. the transaction, to shew, that the boasts of the ene ty to determine. It was a duty over which the go-my were as vain as their conquest was bloodlessComment had no control. As he gave it they must To prove to our country, that her sons might yet be receive it, neither accountable for the mamer nor led on to battle and perhaps to victory? The govern the accivary of his relation. ment too bad a reputation to lose. That reputation The question which is been so ably discussed, was eagerly assailed. The failure of the expedition whether this statement is feci, in itself a very clear was attributed to the want of preparation, and the ow, will become important and interesting, when measures resper ing it were characterised as imbe deputa; about words shall again agitate the feelings eile and ignorant. The forbearance demanded was tod divide the opinions of the world. Until then, far from being granted. So far as respects the comit is cheerfully relinquished to those who have so mading officer, the details of an unfortunate excamedly investigated it. pedicion must be shrouded in Delphic obscurity, and That an officer, in his report must confine himself the public await in dubious suspense the tedious proso those fucts, which passed within his own observa-cess of military investigation. But every little name tion, and to which he could testify in a court of jus-less paper is at liberty to display its brilliant wit and tife, is among the novel and extraordinary preten. sarcastic remarks at the expence of those who plan* bed and ordered the expedition. Their reputation,ceived at this department from colonel Daniel New awaits the result of no trial. They must be offered nan, which contains all the official information I posIt is proper to remark that, as far as my up an expiatory sacrifice upon the altar of public in-sess. dignation. The contemplated investigation, which knowledge extends, the expedition referred to was a is ultimately to determine the respective measure of voluntary act of the officers and men who were enD. B. MITCHELL. merit and of blame, here becomes unnecessary. Its gaged in it. New-Hape, St. John's, Oct. 19, 1812. result is anticipated with that confidence which DEAR SIR-I have now the honor of transmitting ought only to be inspired by an accurate know. ledge of the attendant circumstances. To require to your excellency an account of the several engagein such a situation a studious concealment of those ments which have taken place between the Lotchafacts which would enable the public correctly to ap-way and Alligator Indians, and the detachment of preciate the conduct of all, is to require a species Georgia volunteers under my command. As the obof forbearance as little suited to the practice as to ject of this expedition, and the views of the persons engaged in it, have been misconstrued, and misthe duties of life. fam aware, that nothing which can be said upon statements, relative to its protraction circulated, I this subject, will with many carry conviction, or ask the indulgence of your excellency to detail every produce acknowledgment. The most obvious consi-transaction from its commencement to its terminaderations of reason and of justice will be overlook-tion. I arrived upon St. John's, in obedience to your ored. Such, in the conflicts of opinion and the collisions of party, has always been the case. But truth ders, about the 15th of August, with the whole of will ultimately prevail, and the public will eventu-my detachment, consisting [including officers] of ally be enabled correctly to estimate the conduct of about 250 men, and with few on the sick report. I all who have had any agency in a transaction so deep-immediately waited or col. Smith, before Augustine, and received orders dated the 21st of August, to proly interesting to their character and feelings. November 20, 1812. LEWIS CASS. ceed immediately against the hostile Indians within Washington, Nv. 3, 1812. the province of Fast Florida, and destroy their DEAR SIR-It was not until after I last had the towns, provisions and settlements. I then returned pleasure to see you, and for some time after you to the detachment upon the St. John's, and made Jeft Washington, that the foolish insinuation, which every preparation to comply with my orders, by dishas appeared in some of the newspapers, of my patching parties to procure horses from the few inhaving been concerned in writing the letter you ad-habitants that had not fled from the province, in predressed to the secretary of war, first came to my paring packs and provisions, and taking every step ears; nor have I, to this day, seen the insinuation in which I deemed necessary to insure success to the print. I would have contradicted it at once but that enterprize. In consequence of the sickness of myself it seemed to me quite superfluous, and that it would and nearly one half of the detachment, the period of be to confer a notice upon it which its idle charac-our marching was delayed until the 24th of Septemter did not deserve. In what so strange an untruth ber; and when just upon the eve of departing, an could have originated, I am sure I know not; uci-express arrived from col. Smith informing me that ther can I divest myself of embarrassment in thus his provision waggons and the escort was attacked troubling you with a line about it. I have not yet by a body of Negroes and Indians, and ordering me to heard it said that I wrote the address you delivered join him immediately with 90 men, and bring all the to the volunteers of Ohio in the spring, before I horses and carriages I could command, for the remoever had the pleasure to see or to know you; and val of his baggage, field-pieces, and sick, he having yet, it is certain, that I wrote as much of that as 1only 70 men fit for duty. I marched to the relief of the colonel with 130 men and 25 horses, and assisted did of your letter to the secretary of war. Believe me, dear sir, with great respect and esteem, your obedient servant, Colonel Cass. RICHARD RUSH. I sincerely hope your health has been re-establish-him in removing to the Block-house upon Davis's ed since you left Washington, and that to other creek. This service delayed for a few days our excauses of regret connected with your march to De-pedition to the nation; and when the detachment troit, there will not be added that of any permanent again assembled upon the St. John's, and were about to commence their march, the men had but six or injury to your constitution. About this time I received a seven days to serve. letter from col. Smith, advising me to propose to the detachment an extension of their service for 15 or 20 days longer, as the time for which they were engaged was deemed insufficient to accomplish any object of the expedition. This measure I had contemplated, and its sanction by the colonel met with my most hearty approbation; for I was unwilling to proceed to an enemy's country with a single man, who would Thursday, 5th Nov. 1812.-On motion, declare, that, in any event, he would not serve a day Resolved, that his excellency the governor be re-longer than the time for which he had originally voquested to lay before this house any information, lunteered. I accordingly assembled the detachment, which may be in his possession, relative to an ex- and after stating the necessity of a tender of further pedition lately conducted by the adjutant-general of service, proposed that the men should volunteer for this state, against the Seminolie Indians in East three weeks longer; when 84 men, including officers, Florida. Read and agreed to. NEWNAN'S EXPEDITION. Detailed account of colonel Neronan's late expedition against the Florida Indians. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF GEORGIA. .Attest, HINES HOLT, Clerk. stepped out and were enrolled, which, with the addition of 23 volunteer militia sent to my aid by col. Smith, and 9 patriots under the command of capt. Cone, made my whole force amount to 117. With this small body, provided with four days provisions Mr. Speaker, and gentlemen of the house of representatives! In compliance with your resolation of the 4th inst. and 12 horses, I was determined to proceed to the calling for information relative to an expedition late-nation and give those merciless savages at least one ly conducted by the adjutant-general of this state, battle; and I was emboldened in this determination against the Seminole Indians in East Florida, you by the strong expectation of being succored by a bo will herewith receive a copy of a letter recently re-dy of cavalry from St. Mary's, and which it has since appeared did assemble at Colerain, but proceeded no comrades, it being a principle among the savages to farther. On the evening of the 24th of September, carry off their dead at the risk of their lives. We we left the St. John's marching in Indian file, capt. remained on the battle ground watching the move. Humphrey's company of riflemen in front, capt. ments of the Indians, who were near the swamp Fort's company, under the command of licut. Fannin, painting themselves, and appeared to be in consultain the centre, and capt. Coleman's company, with tion, all of which indicated an intention to rerew Cone's detachment, under the command of lieut.the combat. Accordingly a half an hour before sunBroadnax, in the rear. A small party marched in set, having obtained a considerable reinforcement of front of the main body, and another in the rear, the negroes and Indians, from their towns, they com openness of the country (except in particular places)mmenced the most horrid yells imaginable, imitating rendered it unnecessary to employ men upon the the cries and noise of almost every animal of the foright and left. Our encampment of nights (there rest, their chiefs advancing in front in a stooping being three companies) was in the form of a trian-serpentine manner, and making the most wild and gle, with the baggage in the centre, the men with frantic gestures, until they approached within two their clothes on, lying with their feet pointing out-hundred yards of us, when they halted and comwards, and their firelocks in their arms. In case of menced fring. Our men were not to be alarmed by an attack, the officers were instructed to bring up their noise and yells, but as instructed, remained their companies upon the right and left of the com- perfectly still and steady behind logs and trees until pany fronting the enemy, and attend to the Indian the enemy by this forbearance had approached somemode of fighting until ordered to charge. In case what nearer, when a brisk and well directed fire from of meeting the enemy upon our march, Humphrey's our line soon drove them back to their original company was instructed to file off to the right, Fort's ground. I would now have ordered the charge, but company to advance and form to the front in single being under the necessity, from the extension of the rank, and Coleman's company to file off to the left; enemy's line, of detaching nearly one-half of my the whole then to advance in the form of a crescent, force to protect our camp and wounded (the assailand endeavor to encircle the enemy. On the morning of which is a great object with Indians) I was ing of the fourth day of our march, when within six left to contend with a force three times as numerous or seven miles of the Lotchaway towns, our advance as my own. The action lasted until eight o'clock, party discovered a body of Indians marching along when the enemy were completely repulsed in every the path meeting us, and at the same moment they attempt whether made upon our centre or flanks. appeared to have discovered us. As soon as I was in- We had two men killed and one wounded; the ene Formed of it, I lost no time in giving the necessary my carried off several of their men before it was dark directions for the companies to advance, and obey after which all firing (of course random) was at the instructions which had been previously given to the spot from whence the flash arose. After fighting them, and which appeared exactly suited to the si-and fasting the whole day, we had to work throughtuation in which we found the enemy. As soon as out the night, and at day light had a tolerable breast Fort's company (at the head of which I had placed work of logs and earth, with port holes on the ground myself) had advanced to its proper ground, I disco- on which the battle was fought. We were reduced vered the Indians falling back, and making every to this necessity, for in dispatching capt. Whitaker preparation for battle, by unslinging their packs, about dark to St. John's for a reinforcement, six more trimming their rifles, and each man taking his place. men took the liberty to accompany him, taking with We continued to advance, taking advantage of the them our best horses: our pilot and surgeon (who trees in our progress, until we were within 130 yards was sick) was among the number. The two days of the Indians, when many of them fired, and I in-suceceding the battle, we neither saw nor heard any stantly ordered the charge, which drove them from thing of the enemy, but on the evening of the third behind the trees, and caused them to retire with the day they commenced firing at our work at a long disgreatest precipitation; our men all the while firing tance, and renewed it every day for five or six days, at them, slew several, and by repeated charges, drove but without killing or wounding any of our men.them half a mile, when they took shelter in the swamp. After killing two or three of them through our port It unfortunately happened (I presume through inad-holes they seldom came within gun-shot. Seven or vertence) that Humphrey's company in filing to the eight days had now elapsed since our express had left right took too great a circuit, got a small swampus, hunger was staring us in the face, and we were between them and the enemy, and thereby rendered now reduced to the necessity of eating one of our the victory less decisive than it would have been, had horses; we had no surgeon to dress the wounded, the whole charged together, and before the Indians and apprehensions were entertained that the enemy had dispersed themselves, and extended their force would receive reinforcements from Augustine or the (which they soon did) near half a mile up and down Makasukie Indians. Expecting relief every hour, I the swamp. The company, however, was of service was unwilling to leave our breast works while we afterwards in preventing the enemy, after their dis-had a horse left to eat, but I understood from some persion, from entering our camp, retaking their bag-of my officers that a certain captain was determined gage and provision (all of which fell into our hands) to leave us with his company, and that many of the or falling upon the wounded, that had been sent to men giving up all hopes of relief, talked of desertthe rear. The action, including the skirmishing uponing in the night rather than perish, or fall a sacrifice the flanks, lasted two hours and a half, the Indians to the merciless negroes and Indians, whom they frequently attempting to outflank us and get in our were taught to believe would surround us in great rear, but were repulsed by the companies extending numbers in a few days. In this trying situation, to the right and left. We had one man killed and when our few remaining horses were shot down by nine wounded, two of which have since died of their them, and the number of our sick daily increasing, wounds. The loss of the enemy must have been con-I reluctantly assented to leave our works that night, siderable. I saw seven fall to the ground with my and directed the litters to be prepared to carry the own eyes, among whom was their king, Payne, two wounded. About nine o'clock we commenced our of them fell near the swamp, the rest our men had distressing march, carrying five wounded men in the curiosity to scalp. The rifle company on the litters and supporting two or three more. We had right and Broadnax's on the left, speak of killing not proceeded more than eight miles, when the men several near the swamp, who were borne off by their became perfectly exhausted from hunger and fatigue |