Holly Springs Gazette

SAVANNAH, October 18.

FROM FLORIDA.

By the arrival on Saturday of the U. S. steamer Gen. Taylor, Captain Gillan from Pilatka, we are in receipt of the subjoined letters from attentive correspondents.

Correspondence of the Savannah Republican.

PILATKA, (E. F.) October 9, 1841.

Gentlemen.—We often smile to read of the "prospects" which are held out of ending this interminable war. It was but the other day that we read an account headed "glorious news" wherein it was stated that the Florida war was nearly ended: at any events, that it would be so, (probably by order) in the course of two or three months. The very express which carried the "glorious news," if we remember rightly, was waylaid within eight miles of this place, the horse of the rider shot down and the U. S. Mail left all night to the mercy of the Indians. Now the circumstance of the mail rider being shot, to be sure was not much, nor the fact that he was fired upon some three days before near the same place; as it was no more than we have expected, and continue to expect. But is it not wrong, when the condition of the war in this vicinity is such, that a citizen would be thought mad to venture two miles into the interior without an escort of armed men, to represent, for the purpose of offering incense to a military idol, that the conflict of years is nearly over—all brought about by the skill and untiring energy of one accustomed to armies.—

No gentlemen, the statements to which we allude, are calculated to mislead the public in every respect. The war is not over—too many and too cruel are the proofs of recent date which have been exhibited to the contrary. The letter writers from Tampa Bay may tell of the Indians coming in easily, if they please; they may write that Tiger Tail, Sam Jones and Hospitaka are taken, but they have no right to assert upon any such data that the war is over.

The bands which I have mentioned have no connection whatever with the organized banditti, which for months past have infested the high roads leading from the St. Johns' to the interior, and which have been pursued day after day, and week after week, without avail, through fastnesses, where one would suppose the foot of the white man could never enter.

An hours' start on the part of the Indian marauder, and the white man follows him in vain. The thousand hammocks and islands of which the thick foliage is almost impervious to light, present convenient hiding places for the outlaw, who alone can point out the mysterious signs which afford him entrance and shut out pursuit.

Again, I repeat the war is not over—I speak of the war as it exists between the St. Johns' and the Suwannee. Within the last month, scarcely a day has passed but we have heard of attack, and the marching and counter marching of troops.

We ourselves scarcely dare take our accustomed ride beyond the suburbs of the depot. Not so much, perhaps, from a sense of actual danger as from fear of being laughed at for exhibiting some little fool hardiness. Such is the present aspect of the war East of the St. Johns'. Yours, &c.

B.

Correspondence of the Savannah Republican.

PILATKA, October 18, 1841.

Gentlemen: The 2d regiment of Dragoons have left this Depot under orders to rendezvous (six companies) at Mount Vernon Arsenal, preparatory to a move to the West. Capt. Fulton, the other day was attacked on the route from Pilatka to Fort White. The Indians attacked him after dark, twice the same evening, but the Captain was enabled to drive them off with only one of his men wounded. This attack of the Indians upon a company of regular troops, is only preceded, at this stage of the war by the daring attempt recently made to drive off the cattle belonging to Fort Russell, almost under the guns of a command of four companies. Troops from Fort Russell are laying on the road from the Fort to the interior on constant patrol.