Lt. Joseph M Pearce Reports To Capt. William B. Hooker



Transcribed by Spessard Stone from Microcopy No. M-1084, Roll No. 5, RG393 Letters Sent, Register of Letters Received, and Letters Received by Headquarters, Troops in Florida, and Headquarters, Dept. of Florida, 1850-1858. The writing on microfilm was in places indecipherable.

Joseph M. Pearce, son of James Cain and Frances “Fannie” (Mizell) Pearce, was born ca. 1830. On July 18, 1852 in Hillsborough County, Florida, he married Martha E. Moody, daughter of Benjamin Moody and Nancy (Hooker) Moody. He died October 29, 1857.



Fort Hartsuff March the 5th 1856

Colonel Munroe Commanding Headquarters
Fort Brook

Sir I take the Liberty of informing you that by Order of Captain Hooke[r] No. 3 I was ordered to this place with (22) men in number and am in a Suffering Condition. I have not had but two days rations for the men and that the men halled with their horse from Ft Mead. Captain Hooker visited this place on the 1st inst finding the men without provisions promising me he would make immediate arrangements for the Supplying of this place with provisions and the last I heard of him, he was driving Beef cattle towards Tampa without making any arrangements for my supplies. I insist to Knough of you if it is the pollicy of government to place men in sitch a condition if So I can but indure. this place is So far out on the frontier that it is impossible to imploy teams to hall provisions or to by any where near. the Familys at this place is nearly without Subsistence. Sir in number being nine miles South of all other people. I reques of you to Send at leas thirty men for a Sanging[?] guard, this place being most exposed to the Savag or conslidate[?] the country elswhere Wherever your majesty sees proper this is a true statement of my condition
your obt Serv
2nd Lt. Joseph M Pearce Comdg
Fla. Mounted Volunteers