Major W. W. Morris' Reports On Kennedy-Darling Trading Post Attack Of July 1849

Transcribed by Spessard Stone from Senate Executive Document, No. 49, 31st Congress, 1st Session, Washington, May 1850


Fort Brooke, E. F. July 21, 1849

     Sir: I received on yesterday, 20th instant, information that a party of Indians, four in number, had made their appearance at Mr. Wheedon's settler near Pease creek, fired at him and son, slightly wounding the latter.

     I despatched forthwith Liut. J. Gibbon, who in obedience to the order, copy enclosed, proceeded twenty-five miles on his way to Guy's, where he was met at Mr. Jockey Wheedon's by Mr. M'Culloch, who with his wife and child, had escaped from the trading-house of Messrs. Kennedy & Darling, at Pease creek.

     M'Culloch stated that a party answering in number of, four, to that which had fired on Wheedon, after spending most of the day, Tuesday, 17th inst., in the neighborhood of the store, trading-house, entered a room adjoining the store, and after some parley, fired upon the family asssembled at supper. M'Culloch and his wife and child ran, pursued by the Indians, leaving Payne and Wheedon shot, as they supposed, dead in the house.

     Lieut. Gibbon left his party at Wheedon's, that his movements might not be retarded, and to allay the fears of the settlements, and returned alone to his post, to report and receive further instructions.

     I shall send out immediately a party of twenty-five men under the charge of Lieut. Garland, as far as Pease creek, to ascertain the exact circumstances as far as practicable, and disposition of the Indians generally.

     As soon as I receive his report, it will be forwarded either by express to Pilatka, or by mail, as the nature of the case may require.

     One of the Indians was recognized as belonging to Sam Jones' band, and I am disposed to think the whole a marauding party of the same tribe who reside near the trading-house, and may have been invited by the prospect of plunder.

     On the 7th instant, I reported to you the fact of white settlers having encroached on the strip of land bordering on the Indian territory. Wheedon, being one of them, may have given cause for some complaint--all of which may be duly investigated.

     I would further report, that on the 30th of June, I sent a party to Charlotte Harbor, in the hope of meeting Billy Bowlegs who was understood to near the old trading establishment. Captain Casey had charge of this party, and I am daily expecting his return.


     I have the honor to be,
     Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
     W. W. Morris,
     Major U. S. A., Commanding Post

     Major-General R. Jones, Adj. Gen., U. S. A., Since writing the above, Captain Casey has arrived, reports all quiet below, but no appearance of Hollatee Micco, Bowlegs.




Fort Brooke, E. F.
July 25, 1849

     Sir: Lieut. J. S. Garland has just reported to me on his return from Peas Creek. He saw no Indians.

     The trading-house, with its out-buildings, were found burned to the ground and a small bridge near by partially destroyed.

     The bones of Paine and Wheeden, found on the spot where they had fallen, were collected and buried.

     A barrel of whiskey was found near the house untouched; from this circumstance and from the fact of there being no sign of anything else which had been left in the store, there is yet ground for hope that it may have been a party for the purpose of plunder. Tracks were seen going to and from the store to the river, as if the Indians had engaged in bearing off the goods.

     Wheeden's camp, near five miles off, was left undisturbed, with the exception of a small sum of money taken.

     Foot-prints were seen both in going to the trading houses and in returning, and the Indians who were doubtless aware of the movement of the troops, had they been in force, and disposed, might have had much advantage in an attack on them.

     Lieut. Garland performed his duty in a rapid and soldierlike manner.

     Lieut. Gibbon, who is equally prompt and energetic, I have sent to Manatee with arms and ammunition, at the request of the settlement for protection and assistance.

     I am very respectfully your obedient servant,

     W. W. Morris,
     Major U. S. A., Commanding Post


     Major-General R. Jones,
     Adj. Gen., U. S. A.
     Washington City.
     I omitted to state in the body of my report that from the testimony of the persons who escaped from the trading house and Wheeden's, the Indians are believed to have been perfectly sober on both occasions.

     W. W. M.


     November 28, 2001 & midi = "Ben Bolt" (1848), arranged by Lesley Nelson-Burns.