The Florida PeninsularJune 21,

The Florida Peninsular
June 21, 1856
Section 2, Page 2

(From Microfilm Copy in Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library, Tampa, Florida)

Latest Indian News!!

Five Men Killed by Indians on Peas Creek!!

A Desperate Conflict!!

Sixteen Indians Killed!!

We stop the press now to insert the following official report of the battles of Saturday and Monday, the 14th and 16th instants, which we have been kindly furnished by Gen'l Carter. The report is terse in composition and condensed in detail:-

Fort Frazier, Florida
10 a.m., June the 14th, 1856

GEN'L CARTER - Sir: - I have just received intelligence of an attack by a party of Indians, on the house of Willoughby Tillis, at sunrise this morning. Lieut. Carlton, who happened to be at Ft. Meade, on a visit to his family, heard the report of the guns, and, in company with six others, went to the relief of Tillis and his family. On the approach of those men, the Indians fled to a thicket near by. Lieut. Carlton, with his little band of brave men, charged them, and a desperate engagement ensued. Liet. Carlton and Lott Whidden, of my Company, were killed, and Daniel Carlton wound. William Parker, of Capt. Hooker's Company was also killed and J. H. Hollingsworth wounded.- There were three Indians killed, and several wounded.

I immediately dispatched Searg'ts Boggess and Durrance, with fifteen men to the relief of Tillis, who had maintained his position so far; they arrived at Tillis' ? after 12 o'clock; found the family safe; they proceeded to the battle-ground; found the trail--pursued it that evening; discovered that the Indians had re-inforced considerably, they then came in to Ft. Meade for provisions-they were on the trail, early next morning, and were re-inforced by a few men from Capt. Hooker, and a few from Capt. Leslie's Companies. The Indians had taken the Creek Swamp, and remained in it. The men pursued them until late that evening; came out of the Swamp and encamped for the night.

June 16.- As a small guard was left with the horses, the force was now reduced to 19 men, who were early in the swamp in search of the enemy. At about 10 o'clock, a camp was discovered; a charge was ordered, and as well contested battle fought. Our little band stood to their arms, manfully, charging the Indians where they were concealed under the river bank, and shooting them not more than 8 or 10 feet from the muzzles of their guns.

(Could not read first name) _________ and George Howell killed, and James Whidden, Wm. P. Brooker, and John L. Skipper, wounded, and from the best calculation that can be made, they were sixteen or seventeen Indians killed, and several wounded.

Our forces consisted of Lieut. Parker, of Captain Leslie's Company, Sergeants Boggess and Durrance, with twelve men, from my Company, three men from Capt. Hooker's and one from Capt. Sparkman's Companies. My men spoke in high terms of Lieut. Parker, as a brave and good soldier.

Some of the articles taken from the wagons at Simmons' Hammock were found on the battle-ground. Capt. Hooker, with 23 men, Lieut. Kendrick, with 25 men, Lieut. Sparkman, with 14 men, and Lieut. Parker, with a small detachment from Capt. Leslie's Company, are now in pursuit of the band of savages. I am in hopes they will be able to give a good account when they return.

I am, your respt'y,

F.M. Durrance
Capt. Comd'g Co. M. V.

GEN'L JESSE CARTER, Special Agent
State of Florida.

P.S. – This band was supposed to consist of at least forty Indians.

F.M.D.

On Thursday last, when the confirmation of the first report reached this place, Col. Monroe sent an expressman to Capt. Sparkman, ordering him to repair to the battle-ground. It will be remembered that Capt. Sparkman, with a small detachment of his Company, accompanied Gen'l Carter, with twenty men, of Capt. Leslie's Company, to HERNANDO COUNTY. We don't wish to be understood as censuring the Captain's, they acted in accordance with orders; let the censure rest where it may fall. The troops, under Maj. Arnold, operating in the Big Cypress, were withdrawn some weeks ago; the forces, under Capt. Pratt, operating near Marco, were also withdrawn; indeed, the Indians were feed from all fear of molestation in their own territory. This was done because of the inability of soldiers to perform service while the country they occupied was submerged. The natural conclusion of every rational man was "now that our troops cannot operate in the Everglades, the Indians will, of course, commence aggressive movements on a larger scale than heretofore pursued." It was also expected, and openly arerred, that the policy of governmental officials would be changed; that, during the "rainy-season," when no duty could be performed, south of Peas Creek, the regulars (save such numbers as might be required to protect and keep in repair the posts now established) would be stationed on the frontier, to protect the women and children, and the volunteers returned to their legitimate posts-- This arrangement, it was supposed, would secure the country from the imminent danger which threatened it. That is to say: Let the frontier posts be well guarded, by regulars, and here the volunteer forces stationed at the most accessible points, ready, at a moment's warning, to start in pursuit of the enemy, and keep up regular scouts, spanning the entire extent of frontier (which could be done by disposing of the troops properly,) and the country would, in an eminent degree, compared with its present and past condition, be protected.

These were our expectations and the expectations of the people; but alas! For the short-sightedness of practical common-sense views when brought in contact with pseudo-protections! A portion of the volunteers have been again taken off the frontier proper, to make examination of a place where Indian signs were discovered a FEW WEEKS PREVIOUSLY! This is a very good policy, no doubt, for those who wish to distinguish themselves (over the left, ) and, we would, with diffidence, suggest that as soon as the scout returns from Hernando County, a company be organized to explore the country in the vicinity of Bull-Frog Creek, as two or three guns were heard to fire in that direction about a month ago, and there is not the least doubt that the Indians (if they were fired by Indians,) are there still!

The fruits of the present policy are being reaped daily. Our citizens are leaving the county as fast as they can. Five good men, worthy citizens, and exemplar members of society, have been victimized within a few days, and "the end is not yet."

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