Republican Herald

INDIAN WAR

The Globe of May 3, contains despatches from Maj. Gen. Scott, dated at Tampa Bay, April 12, some extracts from which follow. The reports of the different commanders referred to, marked A B and C, are from Gen. Clinch, Gen. Eustis, and Col. Lindsay. Our limits utterly prevent our publishing them, at this time.

"I have the honor to report, for the information of the Secretary of War, and General-in-Chief, that I reached this place with the greater part of the right wing under Brigadier General Clinch on the 5th inst. Brigadier General Eustis came in with half of the left wing the same day, and Colonel Lindsay, who commands the centre, the day before. This approximation of the greater parts of the three columns was the result of no particular instructions. Each found itself compelled to come in for subsistence.

The reports of those principal commanders, under me, are herewith enclosed and marked respectively, A. B, and C.

It will be seen that although no general battle has been fought, many combats and sharp affairs have taken place.

The report states that, so far from the enemy having been beaten, and compelled to sue for peace, on the contrary, "the small parties which have been met with almost everywhere, have fiercely resisted until put in danger of the bayonet. The war, on our part, is, in fact, scarcely begun."

The report further states that the horse, draft pack, and saddle, were much reduced--many broke down on the march, owing to the bad state of the roads, hot weather, great loads and indifferent grazing. Sickness, (measles and mumps) had considerably reduced the effective force.

The General states that Colonel Smith, with his Louisiana regiment, was about to proceed to Charlotte's harbor and Peace creek. There he is to be joined by a naval officer, and proceeding up the creek, land on the left bank. On the 14th April, Colonel Goodwin's mounted South Carolina volunteers (five hundred strong) were to march from Tampa Bay for the upper part of Peace creek, followed by the foot of General Eustis's wing. The object of the combined movement is "to strike at the negroes, women, children, and warriors, who have settlements on the upper and lower part of the creek, and who are now in security, supposed to be engaged in planting, fishing, and hunting."

Colonel Lindsay, with a battalion of United States artillery, a company of Georgia mounted men, the Alabama regiment, and an independent company of Louisiana volunteers is, at the same time, to march northerly in pursuit of the Indians, as also, General Clinch with his command, both by different routes. Colonel Lindsay will enter the forks of the Withlacoochee, and thence penetrate, if practicable, as far as the head of the cove while General Clinch enters it below. Colonel Lindsay is to scour the country, and penetrate the cove farther than has heretofore been in the power of troops to do.

Farther operations, of course, will depend upon events not yet developed.

During the recent movement of the several columns, and the various operations of their troops, Thirteen were killed and twenty-six wounded. The number of Indians killed, is supposed to be 24,

The face of the country interspersed with hammocks, cypress swamps and marshes, almost impenetrable to the white man, presents serious obstacles in the prosecution of a campaign in Florida; and while these fastnesses constitute the natural defence of the wily Indians, they present difficulties almost insurmountable to their indefatigable pursuers.

Three hundred and ninety-nine (399) friendly Indians (one-third warriors) are reported to be on board the transports, for their destination in the west.