484 FIGHT AT JUPITER INLET. [BOOK IV. lieutenant, and three horses, and a man or two wounded. He took one Indian and a negro prisoners, and one Indian was reported to have been killed. About the same time, there was a fight at Charlotte Harbor, in which five Indians were killed, and nine taken. Lieut. Harding was dangerously wounded. And a day or two after, Capt. Winder, with 30 dragoons, surprised and took seven men and 23 women and children, about 40 miles south of Fort McLane, and near Fort McNiell; and 20 miles south-west of Fort Harney, he took 29 more, among whom was a sister of Coahajo. Such were the important operations in Florida, during the year 1837. CHAPTER XX. EMBRACING THE EVENTS OF 1838 AND 1839. BATTLE OF WACASA SWAMP-Defeat of Lieut. Powell-BATTLE OF LUCHA HATCHE-Gen. Jesup wounded-DEATH OF OSCEOLA-His character-Gen. Jesup desires to give up the war, and allow the Indians to live in Florida-Not allowed by the government-His talk with TOSKEGEE-Indians seized at Fort JupiterGen. Jesup leaves Florida-Death of PHILIP and JUMPER-Capt. Ellis's exploitIndians surprise Capt. Beall-Families murdered-Crews of vessels murdered— Death of MUSHALATUBEE-Camp Forbes attacked-Numerous murders-Capt. Russell and Maj. Noel killed-Capt. Rowell defeated-Gen. Macomb takes command in Florida-Endeavors to make a treaty-Lieut. Hulbert killed-Reward for Indians-Massacre at Colooshatchie-Indians surprised at Fort Mellon-Merders on the Waculla-Bloodhounds to be employed against the Seminoles-Depredations continue. NEW year has come, but not a "happy new year" to Florida; for its first day had only passed, when the sound of the rifle is heard in its desolate coasts, followed by the groans of the wounded and dying. Brig. Gen. Charles Nelson, with a brigade of Georgia volunteers, being charged with the defence of Middle Florida, was, on the 2 January, scouting in the vicinity of Wacasa Swamp, near Fort Fanning, when he discovered Indian signs leading to said swamp: following them up, he was fiercely attacked as he approached it, and immediately the fight became obstinate, and lasted near three hours. At 5 o'clock, P. M., the Indians dispersed, carrying off their killed and wounded. The whites suffered severely; but they claimed a large victory, having captured "15 men and children," and a chief named CHICKACHO0. Col. Foster, who commanded the left wing, was shot down, but his wound proved slight. Lieut. Jennings was killed. Among the wounded were Col. Ambrister, slightly; Serg. Maj. Jones, badly; Dr. Sheftall of Savannah, badly; with several privates. We now proceed with an account of a sharp action, near Jupiter Inlet, between a force of about 80 men under Lieut. L. M. Powell, of the navy, and a body of Indians under TOSKEGEE, in which the whites were defeated, and suffered severely in killed and wounded. The action commenced about 4 in the P. M., and continued till half past seven at night, of the 15 January. On proceeding upon a trail, after landing at Jupiter River, Lieut. Powell captured a squaw, whom he made pilot him to the Indian camp, which he reached after a march of about five miles. He found them prepared for him, and the war-whoop was immediately raised. The whites "charged them through a deep swamp," and the fire became general. Lieut. Harrison, of the navy, was soon shot down at the head of his men, who were left without an officer. Lieut. Fowler, of the artillery, was directed to penetrate the swamp to the right, while the remaining two companies, under Lieut. M'Arthur, of the navy, advanced in line. By these manoeuvres the Indians were driven, or retreated, to a large cypress swamp, 700 or 800 yards in the rear. Here they made a determined stand, and here Lieut. M'Arthur was badly wounded, and Dr. Leitner was killed while in the discharge of his duty as |