The Camden Journal

St. Augustine, Feb.

The War.—As a relief from our weekly task of recording the blunders of what we have long been, and we fear shall continue to be, the victims, we feel pleasure in dwelling on events of a more agreeable character. This contest has not been barren of incidents of personal daring and courage, which reflect high credit on the actors. The pursuit and destruction of Chittiko in the Everglades by private Hall, of the 2d Dragoons, in which we alluded before ought not to be forgotten.— But even this achievement is surpassed by a deed of daring by an Irish Sergeant in the 3d Artillery, at the late capture of the Indians under Maj. Childs at the Haulover. We received the particulars from an authentic source. When the Indians were surprised in their fishing operations by the troops, those who escaped immediate capture or death, made off in different directions in their boats. Most of them were taken in the pursuit by the troops.— One yawl boat containing three warriors, four squaws and two children, was chased by Lieut. Taylor, two privates and the Sergeant. When they had got in rifle shot of the Indians, their boat got aground.— They all jumped out, to pull the boat into deep water, and in so doing, got so suddenly beyond their depth—that they were completely immersed—arms and all. The Sergeant was the only one who escaped immersion. The Indians now fired upon them from their boat, but without effect. The Sergeant returned it, and one of the warriors was seen to fall back in the boat. He then threw down his rifle, and, armed with a bowie knife, he started alone in pursuit of the Indian boat! He ran and swam, and waded, as circumstances demanded, till he got his hand on the enemy's boat. A desperate struggle now ensued between the Indian and the Irishman. They were both powerful men, and were not interrupted in their duel; for one of the other two warriors jumped out of the boat and made his escape as soon as the Sergeant approached, and the other was too badly wounded to fight. The squaws remained passive spectators of the battle— It was short and decisive. The Indian had no weapon but his rifle, and that was of no great use at short quarters: this object at first was to beat out his adversary's brains, but finding that impracticable, his next aim was to prevent the enemy from boarding him, in which he succeeded for a short time. But as soon as the white man got a footing in the boat his bowie knife soon ended the struggle. It passed three times in rapid succession into the breast of the savage! The brave Sergeant having now scalped the Indian, called out to the officer at the top of his voice: "Lieutenant, will I scalp the rest of 'em?" meaning the wounded warrior and the squaws. On receiving a negative reply, he paddled up to his admiring comrades with his prize.—News.