26 - Brouiard Legacy

WINDING DOWN THE

in SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

by Joe Knetsch

The summer of 1841 was hot and war and was under heavy pressure cause, absence ofmental & physi­ brutal. For the first time in the his­ to do so. He also felt that putting the cal excitement, heavy food in ex­ tory of the Second Seminole War troops in the field would lessen the cess, & greater facilities for (1835-1842), United States Army negative effects of garrison duty, as inordinate indulgence. forces under the command of Colo­ he noted to Adjutant General of the It would also have the benefit of nel William Jenkins Worth, had con­ Army, Roger Jones: placing the enemy on notice that no ducted a summer campaign against It stands thus then; there is season would be safe; that the Army an evasive Indian foe. All previous much & distressing sickness and would and could capture and kill at campaigns were conducted during deaths, (people die every where) any season. Carrying the war into the cooler, dryer periods between late but the burden of the afflictions the enemy's territory during the fall and late spring. No one, not even grows outofgarrison service: The "sickly" season would disorient the the intrepid United States Deputy Surveyors, ventured into the swamps of Florida during the "sickly" season, For most of their cumulative four-year history, the three succes­ when the tepid airs of the "miasma" sive military posts in the New River area, designated Fort Lauderdale, rose from the wet ground to kill and served as launching points for expeditions into the Everglades with the incapacitate those who ventured in­ expectation ofcapturing the elusive Seminoles. These expeditions, which land from the coasts. The insuffer­ began shortly after Major William Lauderdale arrived on New River in able summer of1841 was no different the springof1838, continued until the closing months ofthe war. In "Wind­ in that respect. ing Down the War in Southeast Florida," Joe Knetsch analyzes the final Colonel Worth was well aware of major campaign launched from Fort Lauderdale and other points along the effects of the weather upon his the lower east coast in the fall and winter of1841. In addition he provides troops. But, discounting prevailing a look at the background and personalities ofthe officers involved in the medical theories and the advice ofhis campaign. own medical corps, this protege of One ofBroward Legacy's mostprolific contributors, Dr. Joe Knetsch General Winfield Scott ordered his is a former Broward County Historical Commissioner currently living in troops into the fields. He did this be­ Tallahassee, where he serves as historian for the Florida Department of cause he felt it necessary to end the Environmental Protection. Spring / Summer 2000 - 27

the Corps of Artillery. After the war he remained in New York and re­ ceived his promotion to first lieuten­ ant in 1818. Eight years later, he was promoted to captain while on garri­ son duty at Fort Washington, Mary­ land. After an extended tour of duty on the Maine frontier, the Massachu­ setts-born captain was rushed to Florida in early 1836, in time to par­ ticipate in the defense of Fort Drane in northern Marion County. For this action he received the rank ofbrevet major. With the exception of a short tour in the recruiting service, he spent almost the entire period of the Second Seminole War in Florida's heat, swamps and wet prairies." Vinton had noted Childs' "good fortune" in hunting the Seminoles and their allies during the summer campaign, but his success was accom­ plished with great strain and persis­ tent pursuit. Under direct orders from General Walker Armistead, then commanding in Florida, Childs had been the officer responsible for the capture of Coacoochee, his brother, and the brother of King Philip, all under a flag of truce. For Colonel William Jenkins Worth (courtesy of U.S. Army). this act Childs received some con­ demnation in the national press, al­ Seminoles and add to the destruction fer some relaxation" in his usual zeal though most Floridians rejoiced at oftheir crops. It would, in the opin­ for campaigning. As he prepared to the news." Childs failed to capture ion of Colonel Worth, sh orten the move southward, in late fall of 1841, the rest of the band at that time, most war.' Ending the war was something he could only reflect that he had the fleeing into the adjacent Everglades. his more ill ustrious predecessors had good fortune to be serving under Bre­ The major then ordered portions of not been able to do. Therefore, the vet Major Thomas Childs, a man the Third Artillery, which he com­ health costs to the troops would be whose fortunes had enjoyed a favor­ manded in East Florida, in pursuit. minimal when compared to lives able turn during the summer cam­ On June 25, 1841, Captain Martin saved by ending the conflict, already paign." Burke received orders to lead his in its sixth year. Brevet Major Thomas Childs was fifty-three men, in boats, from Fort Not every officer stationed in another gritty veteran of the War of Dallas on a "search and destroy" mis­ Florida agreed with Worth. After 1812 who had served many years on sion to the islands ofthe Everglades. campaigning all summer in stifling the northern frontier before his long Burke's force failed to capture any of heat and humidity, and not finding a stint in Florida. He had entered the the enemy, but destroyed numerous single Indian, Captain John Rogers U. S. Military Academy in 1813 and, recently abandoned fields of crops. Vinton had his doubts, especially af­ with the immediate need for trained The mission also provided Worth and ter facing his "enormous sick lists."" officers during the War of 1812, was Childs information that the Semi­ Vinton, a strong-willed, pious veteran graduated after less than one year's noles and their allies were on the of the Florida campaigns, noted the classes. Promoted into the Army as move in the Everglades, in small, loss of troops, the frustrations of a third lieutenant on March 11, 1814, separated parties." For the remain­ camp life , the tensions of daily cam­ he was directly ordered to the der of the summer, troops under paigning and the lack of advance­ Niagara frontier, arriving in time to Childs, in conjunction with the na­ ment as reasons for doubting the participate in the capture of Fort val forces under Lieutenant John T. validity of hunting such an elusive Erie. He also played a role in the McLaughlin of the famous Mosquito enemy during the torrid Florida sum­ Battle of Niagara (July 25,1814) and Fleet, moved constantly across the mers. Service during the summer of was heavily involved in the defense Everglades from posts in southern 1841 had already caused him to "suf- of Fort Erie as a second lieutenant of Florida.' As Worth's aide-de-camp 28 - Broward Legacy

(and later son-in-law), Lieutenant John T. Sprague, noted: "The past, however, taught one thing not to be mistaken, though painful and revolt­ ing - that the Indian's ally was the summer season." This ally had to be overcome, along with the enemy's forces, if the war was to be brought to a conclusion. Hence, the need for the expeditions of Burke, McLaughlin and the others. The core of the Third Artillery was stationed with Childs at Fort Pierce as the fall campaign of 1841 began. Using a number of intelli­ gence sources, Childs formulated a plan of attack along the eastern coast south of his position. The major or­ dered Virginia-born Lieutenant Ed­ ward J . Steptoe south with fifty men in eight boats to explore the branches of the "Alleatsokee" River, going as Fanciful view of fighting in the Second Seminole War from John T. far up these forks as possible with the Sprague's book, The Florida War. boats." Within five miles of the head of the "right" branch, the lieutenant found General Eustis' trail, made [Lake Worth]. The southern outlet Captain Burke left Fort Dallas for during the Jesup campaign of 1837­ of this lake was covered in sawgrass Fort Lauderdale, assuming tempo­ 38. Just prior to Steptoe's return, the and impassable for the boats. He es­ rary command there. He reported captain of the steamboat Gaston in­ timated that this lake was fifteen leaving Fort Lauderdale on Septem­ formed Childs that he had observed miles from the actual Hillsboro La­ ber 3 with 119 men and six officers a vessel landing "two barrels of beef' goon as shown on his inaccurate map. in boat companies. Following New which was quickly retrieved by Using his field glasses he espied a River into the Everglades, this com­ twenty Indians on the beach. Cap­ number of small islands in the lake mand soon spotted a new boat trail tain Richard D. A. Wade, Third Ar­ which, upon examination, contained in the sawgrass leading to one of the tillery, had been assigned to scout only one occupation and a corn field. numerous small islands. The Indi­ this area, but he was still in the Ev­ However, on the sea coast side ofthe ans, Burke surmised, had spotted his erglades, near Lake Okeechobee, and lake, the major's force discovered, command and fled into the adjacent not expected to reach the beach "extensive fields of corn, pumpkins, swamp, leaving behind one rifle, two quickly enough to capture this band potatoes, the Indian pea, melons, to­ canoes, a small skiff, and most of of warriors.'? bacco, rice & sugar cane in the high­ their camp utensils, inclu ding nu­ Childs decided to take Steptoe's est state of cultivation." These the merous blankets. They also aban­ command and companies com­ major ordered destroyed. He de­ doned their tools for harvesting manded by Lieutenants Edward O. scribed the entire length of coast as coontie, which were destroyed by the C. Ord, Thomas W. Sherman and a continuous field broken by troops. Following a "squaw guide," George Taylor south in an attempt sawgrass and bushes, but all con­ the command continued toward Lake to seize this band ofthe enemy." The nected by a trail. There were no In­ Okeechobee. Noticing smoke in the total command, consisting of five of­ dians to be found; it was obvious that distance, Captain Burke assumed it ficers and eighty non-commissioned they had spotted his command com­ was a warning to other Indians of officers in thirteen boats, left Fort ing down the coast. The major's com­ I their presence. The guide told them Pierce on September 6,1841.12 mand spent five days on the lake that the smoke was a signal to gather Part of Childs' command entered destroying the "luxuriant fields," the women and children, but not a the Atlantic at Jupiter Inlet and fol­ which he estimated would yield over warning. Discounting this explana­ lowed the coast for twenty miles, with two thousand bushels of potatoes and tion, Burke ordered his troops further a parallel company on land to look several hundred bushels of corn. It into the glades toward the smoke. for the haulover into the took eighty men two full days to de­ Approaching the lake from its south­ "Hillsborough Lagoon." Much to the stroy these crops. Childs felt that this ern extremity, Burke's men soon major's surprise he found a fresh­ was a heavy blow to the Indian's sup­ spotted two Indians on the shore, water lake thirteen miles long and ply base." calling upon them to land. The cap­ one to two and a half miles wide Days before Childs' expedition, tain was suspicious of such a call and Spring I Summer 2000 - 29

told th e interpreter to ask them to marked that the last they knew he to sustain the troops. Less than four come forward under the assurance of had gone to the hunting grounds hours from the stockade their boats safe conduct. They came and told south of Fort Dallas, Burke's point of were hit by a quick moving storm Burke that they were the Indians departure." from across the lake, and the vessels who had abandoned the island the By the eighth of September, driven ashore. Luckily, none of the day before. They had recently come Burke's command, still scouting the provisions or men were lost in this from the Big Cypress, south of the southern shore of Lake Okeechobee, storm. On advice from the "squaw Caloosahatchee River, via Fisheating arrived at an old palmetto fortifica­ guide," Burke reasoned that they Creek , and had gone to all of the tion [Fort McRae] . After failing to were at least five days from Fort Dal­ usual places. Finding no food or other meet the two warriors who had las. Regrouping and judging the Indians, they stated they were will­ agreed to bring in their women and stores on hand at Fort McRae to last ing to leave Florida. When these children, Burke ordered a more in­ at least eight days, Burke proceeded "capt ives" were pressed for the tensive scout of the southern rim of south to find the outlet of "Incha­ whereabouts of Sam Jones, they re- the lake, taking three days provisions Hatchee" which reportedly led from the southern end of Lake Okeechobee into the Everglades. Failing to find this outlet, the command was forced to find another way back to Fort Dal­ las. Finding an easier route with fewer haulovers, the entire command spent the night of September 16 at Fort Lauderdale with all provisions exhausted. They returned the next day to Fort Dallas via the inland route through the Rio Ratones [Snake Creek]. Only one warrior re­ turned with Burke, but he was "will­ ing and anxious" to act as a guide for the troops." About the same time Burke was returning to Fort Dallas, a local wrecker reported to Captain Richard Wade, commanding at Fort Lauder­ dale, that he had seen two men, who looked like Indians, along the beach, south of New River Inlet. Captain Wade immediately sent a twenty­ five-man force in canoes under Lieu­ tenant Francis O. Wyse, to the scene." Wyse's men arrived too late to intercept the men, but found a fresh trail and followed it for several miles. Signs left by the two men in­ dicated to Wyse that they may return to the inlet, and he decided to stay the night near the inlet. In order to cut off all retreat, he sent a messen­ ger back to Fort Lauderdale, advis­ ing Wade to send troops to "Lake Tompkins."!" The troops dispatched by Wade to "Lake Tompkins" left Fort Lauderdale at three o'clock in the morning and arrived about sunrise. Examining the eastern shore of the lake produced no evidence or recent signs, but the southern end of the lake held more promise. Led by the intrepid Lieutenant George H. Tho­ Seminole War map of Lake Worth. mas, later famous to history as the 30 - Broward Legacy

u.s. forces operating in the Everglades (courtesy of the U.S. Navy).

"Rock of Chickamauga," the com­ were difficult to locate. Nine days Indian, whom I there discovered fish­ mand proceeded in its canoes, follow­ later the entire command arrived at ing on the Northern point of the in­ ing an old creek leading from the Punta Rassa, near the mouth of the let; I made the requisite dispo sitions southern extremity. After three to Caloosahatchee River. On Novem­ immediately to land, and succeeded four miles the mangroves crowded in ber 2, Burke's command was ordered in surprising him."22 Wade, "operat­ so as to block further passage. Tho­ to return to Fort Dallas via the ing on his hopes and fears," mas observed no recent signs of im­ Caloosahatchee River, Lake pursuaded the frightened man to provements in this secluded Okeechobee, the Loxahatchee River lead them to his encampment, which waterway and concluded his difficult and the coast. The only physical re­ was then surrounded and assaulted search when "the only axe we had" sult of the expedition was the de­ by the troops. The result was the was lost overboard. IS Meanwhile, struction of a large number ofIndian capture of twenty Indians and the Wyse waited in vain at the inlet for huts and corn fields. However, ac­ killing of eight attempting to escape. the two men to return. cording to John T. Sprague, this ex­ Following a small stream as far as Throughout the month of October pedition caused,"much apprehension possible, the command enca mped . 1841, troops under the command of in the Big Cypress Swamp," and On the following day, one of the pris­ Major Childs, now numbering eight showed the enemy that a large force oners, the noted guide, Chia-chee (of­ companies of the Third Artillery, was capable of reaching anywhere in ten referred to as simply ChD, led the were on the move in the Everglades." the Everglades at any time of the force to another village where an ad­ Captain Burke made one ofthe more year." The reason for the cross-pen­ ditional twenty-seven Seminoles memorable scouts of the war in south insula return, improbable as it may were captured and a "large quan­ Florida when he traversed the Ever­ seem, was to catch Sam Jones' group tity of provisions" destroyed. The glades. In cooperation with Naval by surprise. Like so many reports of soldiers continued north to Lake Lieutenant John T. McLaughlin, his whereabouts, this one proved Worth, "where [they] found and de­ Burke reached "Chikkos Island" on false. " stroyed a canoe, a field of pumkins, October 11. The combined force num­ By November Major Childs had and an old hut." One more Indian bered 260 men. This group arrived put into motion a large number of surrendered to Wade before he went at the "Lower Landing" on the 14th, scouts and had brought troops from back to Fort Lauderdale. Upon hi s later than they had anticipated. Re­ Fort New Smyrna, under Captain return, Wade allowed Chia-chee to turning to a point between Shark Vinton, to Fort Lauderdale. The return to the swamps and bring in River and a position supposed to be most successful of these scouts was six additional Indians. Wade's reca­ northeast of Fort Harrold, the troops led by Captain Richard Wade, who pitulation indicated a total of eight paddled and slogged their way up in­ left Fort Lauderdale and headed Indians killed, fifty-five captured and numerable inlets, lagoons and north with three officers and sixty many provisions and materials de­ sloughs, one taking three quarters of non-commissioned men, in twelve stroyed. The expedition's most im­ the day to traverse. They did not canoes. In his report, Captain Wade portant gain, however, was the reach the Everglades proper until the noted, "We proceeded by the inland acquisition of a reliable guide, who nineteenth, when they sighted their passage to the northward, coming out continued in service throughout the first enemy and gave chase, captur­ in the bay at the Hillsborough Inlet, remainder of the war.F' ing only one canoe. The entire coun­ and in such manner that our canoes Major Childs was pleased with try was covered with water, and trails were concealed from the view of an the results of Wade's actions and Spring / Summer 2000 - 31 noted that he was assisted by Lieu­ schooner Francis that he had seen Given the activities ofthe Army dur­ tenants Thomas and Ord and Assis­ two Indians near the mouth of the ing the campaigns of 1837, 1838 and tant Surgeon Ernerson.> Not Hillsboro, apparently gesturing to 1839, this fact is surprising. Wyse's everyone had such a glowing opinion the schooner to come ashore. Vinton scout produced no prisoners or enemy of the operation. Captain John quickly dispatched Lieutenant Will­ casualties, only the destruction of an Rogers Vinton emphasized the role iam Harvey Churchill to the scene." isolated field." of luck and good fortune more than After marching twelve to fourteen Major Thomas Childs, like many the abilities of those involved. Wade, miles to the place described by Cap­ of his fellow commanders, had only he believed, owed his "good fortune" tain Cooper, Churchill found evi­ one real goal for his 1841 campaigns, to outside aid more than personal at­ dence of three Indians on the beach, the capture of the elusive Sam Jones tributes, zeal or military ability. "The two large and one small, possibly a and his followers. Almost every ma­ public prints," he noted, had praised child. He followed their tracks in the jor move of the Third Artillery was the success of Colonel Worth's entire not so romantic moonlight until they dictated by the supposed or rumored operation and, in the usual fashion, terminated on the south shore of whereabouts ofthis Native American failed to see his faults. In this treat­ Hillsboro Inlet. Having no means of master of guerrilla warfare. The cap­ ment, the press was repeating what crossing the inlet, and knowing that ture or destruction of Sam Jones be­ it had done with every new leader Wade's forces were in the area, came an obsession. Almost every who commanded in the swamps of Churchill returned to Fort Lauder­ piece of correspondence from Childs Florida. Stating that he believed dale. No speculation explains why notes this. Concerning the destruc­ Worth a man deserving of success for these Indians risked capture on a tion of the fields at Lake Worth, his zeal and spirit, Vinton warned of beach near an active military post." Childs wrote, "My opinion is that the fates of others before him. He While Vinton, Churchill and these fields belonged to Sam Jones concluded by declaring that the war Wade were occupied with their en­ & his party & that Indians were sent "is but a hunt after all," and that ac­ deavors, Lieutenant Francis O. Wyse from Okeechobee to tend them."29 cident had as much to do with suc­ returned to Lake Worth to destroy Burke's expedition into the Ever­ cess as thorough planning and more fields on the western shore. The glades included the capture of an In­ execution." large number of fields, especially on dian who, "I think will be invaluable By the time Vinton arrived at the eastern margins of the lake, in­ if an expedition goes again to the Fort Lauderdale on November 5, dicates the fertility ofthe area which, Everglades for Sam Jones."30 When 1841, Wade had already left the fort in later years, attracted pioneers to Chia-chee, or "George" as the major and headed north on the scout re­ south Florida. It also shows the lack referred to him, was brought in, the ported above. Immediately, Vinton of accurate geographic knowledge the determined Childs rewarded him was advised by Captain Cooper ofthe Army possessed about this vicinity. with a bag containing one hundred dollars, to guarantee his faithfulness to the Army, even though "George," the major reported, "cannot say were Sam [Jones] is, but some where in the Everglades." His interviews with the others captured with Chia-chee proved equally fruitless. "Thus far," he recorded, "I have not been able to gather any information as to Sam J ones' where abouts. They say they have not seen him for a long time." But, he continued, "I am trying to in­ gratiate myselfinto their confidence & in a few days I hope to find out how much they know. I would not advise these Indians to be removed from this so long as there is any hope of bring­ ing in others.'?' This tactic, like all others for gaining access to Sam Jones, ended in failure. Captain Vinton had informed Childsjust two days prior to the above letter that this group of Indians had reported that Captain John Rogers Vinton's drawing of Lake Monroe in cen­ Sam Jones and forty-five warriors tral Florida, 1837 (courtesy ofOtto Richter Library Special Col­ were on an island in the Everglades. lections, University ofMiami). However, Childs did not take heed of 32 Broward Legacy .. A

0

:.. ". r ' 6 "

t:1 0

' ,",

Statue at Broward County's Tree Tops Park of Sam Jones leading a Seminole mother and child to safety.

of John Lee Williams (1837), does not show Lake Okeechobee. As the ac­ counts of Childs' September expedi­ Detail of John Lee Williams' 1837 map of Florida tion demonstrate, Lake Worth was showing the absence of Lake Okeechobee. not on his charts. This virtual store­ house of agricultural supplies for the Seminoles and their allies was unre­ this advice and vowed "to make a peditions under Captains Vinton and corded on any map of the time, even dash at Sam Jones wherever I may Burke had covered portions of this though a major battle had been find him with as gallant a set of of­ ground, the speculat ion was that fought under General Thomas Jesup ficers & soldiers as ever invaded the J ones had fled to the prairies of the on the banks of the n earby Everglades." Childs had one fear­ Kissimmee or toward Fisheating Loxahatchee River three years ear­ that Wade's successful capture ofthe Creek. As Childs proffered again: "I lier. Clearly this important area was fifty-five would induce Sam Jones to think itimportant that troops be sent ignored and unscouted by the Army move further into the Everglades." to the Kissimmee, to which place Sam prior to the arrival of the Third Ar­ The compulsion to bring in the Jones will probably go if routed out tillery in 1841. These examples re­ evasive leader and his followers gave of the Locha-Hatchee."33 The evasive peat in nearly every region of Florida, rise to interesting, continual specu­ tactics used by Jones, following the including the vicinity west of Talla­ lation. Whether reading the papers pattern set by Coacoochee, Osceola, hassee, where the last of the "ren­ of Captain Vinton, the narrative of Tiger-Tail, Alligator, King Philip, egade Creeks" under Pascoffer John T. Sprague or the letters ofthe Octiarche and others during this war surrendered to Captain Ethan Allen commanders found in the Letters Re­ in the midst of Florida's uncharted Hitchcock in January of 1843 , nearly ceived by the Office of the Adjutant wilderness was too much for officers five months after the conclusion of General, it is hard to escape the con­ trained in set-piece military theory. the war.34 This lack of specific geo­ clusion that this wily leader had his To their credit, the campaigns of graphical knowledge greatly affected enemies totally confused and baffled. Worth and Childs were relatively ap­ the Army's attempts to capture and Following reports of Jones being in propriate adjustments to these tac­ deport the elusive Seminoles and the vicinity of the Loxahatchee River, tics. their allies from the swamps of troops of the Third Artillery were An additional point does need Florida. poured into the area. News that he emphasis here - offensively, the Aware of this weakness, the was headed for or in the Big Cypress Army was heavily handicapped by Army made efforts to co-opt captives led Colonel Worth to order troops un­ lack of accurate geographical knowl­ at every opportunity. In the case of der Major William Belknap, Captain edge. This woeful weakness should Chia-chee, he was given one hundred McLaughlin and Major Childs to con­ not surprise us when we reflect that dollars to remain loyal and lead the verge on that region. When the ex- the best known map of the era, that troops into the unknown Everglades Spring / Summer 2000 - 33

Wade could not control the unfavor­ able December weather, and the two forces essentially operated indepen­ dently of each other. This created a gap through which, if needed, Sam Jones and his band could easily have escaped detection." John Rogers Vinton was elated to have a chance to pursue Sam Jones. Writing from Fort Lauderdale on November 29, 1841, Vinton in­ formed his mother of his most recent illness and incapacity, noting that it had prevented his partaking of the most recent movements by Major Childs. Yet he was excited to be in all the "bustle & enterprise of an ac­ tive campaign." His long duty at Fort New Smyrna was less active than posts like Fort Lauderdale. Vinton felt that the upcoming campaign was vital for the Third Artillery because unless the Seminoles were captured and removed, the regiment would be stuckin Florida indefinitely." By De­ cember 15, Vinton was writing home to inform his family that he was leav­ ing Fort Lauderdale and that his command numbered 120 men in nineteen boats. The goal was again the capture of "the old fox" Sam Jones.40 Once again, Captain Vinton was to be disappointed, noting: "it has not been my good fortune to meet & Dispatchfrom M~orThomas Childs at Fort Lauderdale to Cap­ capture Sam Jones." The dejected tain Vinton directing Vinton to report to Fort Pierce shortly captain could only speculate as to his before leaving south Florida. time of departure from Florida and complain about the sameness of the Florida landscape." However, for in pursuit of Sam Jones. Immedi­ had proven himself to Worth and John Rogers Vinton, his active cam­ ately after his capture, this reliable Childs. paigning in Florida was over. He guide led Lieutenant Wyse to plant­ Other sources of intelligence soon shipped to Georgia and points ing grounds and villages on the west­ were also taken seriously. When such further north. ern shore of Lake Worth." When the information came that Sam Jones Vinton's route was up the west­ Prophet was rumored to be leaving was definitely on the Loxahatchee, ern side of Lake Worth to the the Big Cypress for a lake guarded troops from Fort Lauderdale under Loxahatchee River, where he was by mangroves near Key Biscayne, Captain Wade were dispatched to the scheduled to meet Captain Wade, and Chia-chee was officially cited by Colo­ vicinity. Wade's assignment was to thence west over the wet prairies of nel Worth as the most reliable source scour the area along the coast, past the "Halpatioka" swamp, west of Fort to explain how to attack that posi­ Lake Worth and toward the headwa­ Pierce. Guided by "old Georgy" and tion." At the time, Chia-chee had ters of the Loxahatchee River. He Johnny Tigertail, with Negro John as been assigned as guide to the Mos­ was then to descend the river and his interpreter, Vinton felt sure he quito Fleet under Captain John T. scout along the way to Fort Jupiter, would meet with success. But as the McLaughlin. Worth also relied upon before heading back to Fort Lauder­ days wore on and the waters of the Chia-chee's advice to inform Major dale. Wade's movements were to be swamps grew cooler, Vinton's com­ Belknap of the most likely locations timed to coincide with a more west­ mand was forced to find whatever to find the Prophet in the Big Cy­ erly route taken by troops under the signs they could and follow them to press." Although this reliance upon command of Captain Vinton. Even their conclusions. Their only "cap­ one guide was unusual, Chia-chee with the aid of "two good guides," ture" was the Indian known as Katsa 34 - Broward Legacy

Micco, "a wild & eccentric Character, fared no better.v' The last major say if they know where he was they associated with no party-though an scouts from Fort Lauderdale had con­ would not dare to go, as he would kill actual relative of Sam Jones himself." cluded without results. them, this in view of a bag of dollars West of Fort Pierce, the command did Neither Childs, Worth, Vinton, I exhibited belonging to the find some villages, abandoned but re­ Wade nor McLaughlin ever found or Q'master."44 In spite of inducements, cently farmed. Some islands in this captured the elusive Sam Jones. As the guides failed to take the Army to swamp contained old camp sites, the war wound down and eastern Sam Jones. With inaccurate maps, with canoes and some more or less posts like Fort Lauderdale were reluctant guides, Congress eager to wild crops still producing - all of abandoned, no word surfaced of his end a political nightmare and thou­ which were destroyed. Thus, capture or whereabouts. Without ac­ sands of troops dead, wounded or ill, Vinton's last campaign in Florida curate maps, Indian guides provided the result was the continued freedom uncovered only old camps, worn out advice, but failed to lead the Army to of a small number of Seminoles, tools, and one, semi-exiled Indian;" its goal. As Childs informed Worth, Miccosukees, escaped African-Ameri­ Held up by winds, rising water, nu­ communication with Sam Jones was cans and other "remnants" left in the merous cypress swamps and low effectively precluded, "All the Indi­ vast uncharted lands of South marshes, Captain Richard Wade ans refuse to go to Sam Jones they Florida. Notes

1 Letters Received by the Office of the Adju­ 4 Cullum, Biographical Register, 115-116. Second Seminole War Navy and Their Ex­ tant General (Main Series) 1822-1860, Cullum also includes a short biographical ploits in Southeast Florida, Part II," Record Group 94, Roll 244, W 434-Z, 1841 sketch of this remarkable man. After leav­ Broward Legacy, vol. 12 (Winter/Spring (Washington: National Archives and ing Florida in 1842, he served at a number 1989), 32-33. Records Service, 1964), Microcopy No. 567. of posts on garrison duty, before being trans­ Sprague, Florida War, 273. Letter of July 24, 1841, Worth to Jones. ferred to the Texas frontier. During the Edward J. Steptoe was a member of the Hereafter, LRAG, date of letter and corre­ Mexican War, Childs saw extended action West Point Class of 1837. Like many oth­ spondents. All letters quoted from this in the battles of Resaca-de-Ia-Palma, ers of his class, he was immediately sent to source are from Roll Number 244, except Monterrey, Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo and in Florida upon graduation. In recognition of endnotes 42 and 43. the defense of Puebla. For his services in his service, he was promoted to first lieu­ Vinton Papers, Manuscript Department, Mexico he was promoted to brevet colonel, tenant on July 9, 1838. After the war, he William R. Perkins Library, Duke Univer­ major (full service rank) and brevet briga­ served as instructor of infantry tactics at sity, Durham, North Carolina. Letter of dier general for his "gallant and meritori­ the Academy and on garrison duty. His October 31,1841,Vinton to "Friend." A mi­ ous service in the defense ofPuebla." After service in the Mexican War included the crofilm copy of these papers related to his this war, he continued to command in vari­ battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo (receiv­ Florida service is available at the Broward ous capacities, including the garrison at ing a brevet major's rank for gallantry) and County Historical Commission, which the Fort McHenry, Maryland. Transferred to the seige and capture of Mexico City. He author wishes to thank for making them Florida in early 1852, he was charged with returned to Florida during the Indian Scare accessible for this article. the command of all East Florida. However, of 1849-50. After duties in the East, he was Vinton was a graduate of the United States while at Fort Brooke (Tampa), he contracted transferred to the Washington Territory MilitaryAcademy atWest Point, New York, the dreaded yellow fever and died there (after refusing a governorship of the Utah Class of 1817. Appointed from Rhode Is­ October 8, 1853. Territory). Steptoe saw extensive action land, he was assigned as "Third Lieuten­ 5 John T. Sprague, The Origins, Progress, and against the Indians of Washington. For his ant" in the Corps of Artillery. Rising to sec­ Conclusion of the Florida War (New York: service in the Northwest, he was promoted ond lieutenant in late 1817, he spent many D. Appleton & Company, 1848),277-78. to lieutenant colonel in 1863. Because of of his early years on garrison duty in the 6 Sprague, Florida War, 280. Cullum reports ill health, he was forced to resign his posi­ South, particularly Charleston, South Caro­ that the New York- born Burke was a tion in November 1861 and died at his home lina. He transferred to the Third Artillery graduate of the Academy in the Class of near Lynchburg, Virginia, April 1, 1865. in late 1821 and remained with this unit 1836. Upon graduation he was immediately Cullum, Biographical Register, 689. until his death, at the seige of Vera Cruz, sent to Florida as a brevet second lieuten­ 10 Richard Dean Arden Wade was appointed Mexico, March 22,1847. Although he had ant in the First Artillery. During his ser­ to the Corps of Artillery on October 27, served as aide-de-camp to Major General vice in Florida, he saw action in the Battle 1820. The New York-born lieutenant trans­ Jacob Brown, his fortunes did not rise un­ of the Wahoo Swamp and other skirmishes. ferred to the Third Artillery in 1822 and til he was made captain in December of When he transferred to the Third Artillery received his promotion to first lieutenant 1835. Transferred with his regiment to is uncertain, as Cullum, uncharacteristi­ in 1828. Wade was promoted to captain on Florida, he served here throughout the en­ cally, has him terminating his Florida ser­ December 26, 1840, and was awarded a pro­ tire Seminole War, much of the time as com­ vice in 1836-37, with no return. This is in motion to brevet major for his gallant ser­ mander at Fort New Smyrna. His service error, as Burke's numerous signatures ap­ vices during the war against the Florida during the Mexican War, prior to his death, pear on much of the correspondence of this Indians. During the Mexican War, he re­ was rewarded with the rank of brevet ma­ 1841 campaign out of Fort Dallas (Miami). ceived a promotion to lieutenant colonel for jor for his gallant conduct during the Battle Burke served in the Mexican War and re­ his gallant and meritorious service at the of Monterrey, in September 1846. [See ceived a promotion to captain in March Battle of Molino del Rey in 1847. He did George W. Cullum, Biographical Register 1847. Unfortunately, he was killed in ac­ not live long after his promotion, passing of the Officers and Graduates of the U S. tion during the Battle of Churubusco, Au­ away on February 13, 1850. Francis B. Military Academy at West Point, N Y:, Vol­ gust 20, 1847. Cullum, Biographical Regis­ Heitman, Historical Register and Dictio­ ume 1 (Boston: Houghton, Miffiin and Com­ ter, 649. nary of the United States Army~ Volume 1 pany, 1891), 159-60. Sprague, Florida War, 298. Also see, Ken­ (Washington: Government Printing Office, 3 Ibid. [Vinton Papers]. neth J. Hughes,"Warriors from the Sea, the 1903),991. Spring / Summer 2000 - 35

I I Edward Otho Cresap Ord of Maryland Delaware when a violent storm raked the Christopher Q. Tompkins) was renamed graduated from the Academy in the Class steamer San Francisco on December 24, Lake Mabel in 1883 by early surveyor and of 1835 and was promoted to first lieuten­ 1853. He was thirty-seven years old at the property owner Arthur 1'.Williams. Today ant in July 1841. He received his promo­ time of his death. Cullum, Biographical it forms the turning basin of Port Ever­ tion to captain in 1850. Ord's career in the Register, 679-80 . glades. service found him extensively involved in 12 LRAG, letter of September 18, 1841, Childs 16 LRAG, letter of September 19, 1841, Tho­ the War Between the States, being mus­ to Samuel Cooper. Cooper was the acting mas to Wade. tered out ofvolunteer service with the rank adjutant to Colonel Worth. 19 LRAG, letter of October 9, 1841, Worth to of major general. He received much recog­ 13 Ibid. Jones. nition for his gallantry and leadership dur­ 14 LRAG, letter of September 19,1841, Burke 20 Sprague, Florida War, 333-35. ing that bitter conflict . Returning to the to Ord . 21 LRAG, letter of October 30, 1841, Cooper service after the war, he was promoted to 15 Ibid. to Childs. This letter was the order given brigadier general in 1866 and retired from 16 Maryland-born Francis O. Wyse was an­ for the return trip. active service with the rank of Major Gen­ other member of the Class of 1837 who was 22 LRAG, letter of November 13, 1841, Wade eral of the United States Army in January sent, almost immediately after graduation, to Childs. Also see Sprague, Florida War, 1881. He died two years later on July 22, into the heat and discomfort of Florida. 392-93. 1883. Heitman, Historical Register, 759 . Like others, he rose in the ranks to first 23 Ibid. Thomas W. Sherman graduated from lieutenant, on July 31, 1838. After his 24 LRAG, letter of November 15, 1841, Childs the Academy in 1836, having been ap­ Florida service, he spent much time on gar­ to Cooper. pointed from his native Rhode Island in rison duty until the outbreak of the Mexi­ 25 Vinton Papers, letter of January 27, 1842, 183? Like many of his class, he spent much can War. After a promotion to Captain of Vinton to his mother. of the time from graduation until the end the ThirdArtillery in March 1847, Wyse saw 26 William Hunter Churchill, a native of New of the Seminole War in active service in action in the affair at Calabaza River, for York, was a member of the Military Acad­ Florida. During 1838, he received his pro­ which he received a brevet major rank. He emy Class of 1840 and earned the rank of motion to first lieutenant. At the begin­ spent much of the time between this war Second Lieutenant of the Third Artillery ning of the Mexican War, he was promoted and the War Between the States in garri­ on July 1, 1840. After his service in Florida, to Captain of the Third Artillery. He served son duty along the Northwest coast and he remained with the regiment and rose to with distinction and commanded a battery participated in the Spokane expedition of first lieutenant in 1843. He saw a quan­ during the Battle of Buena Vista, for which 1858. On the eve of the Civil War, he was tity of action during the Mexican War and he received a brevet major promotion. Af­ promoted to Major, Fourth Artillery. By the was breveted captain in 1846 for his actions ter this war, he was assigned to the west­ end of the year, he had been further pro­ during the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca­ ern frontier, spending much time in Kan­ moted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. de-la-Palma. He died while on service in sas, where he played a role in quelling some During the first two years of the war, he Mexico, on October 10, 1847. Heitman, His­ of the outbursts in that area prior to the served on recruiting duty and was the dis­ torical Register, 301. Civil War. During the War Between the bursing officer in Baltimore. He resigned 27 Vinton Papers, letter of November 6,1841, States, Sherman served in the Maryland his commission on July 25, 1863. Wyse was Vinton to Childs. and Capitol areas helping to shore up later reinstated as an additional Lieuten­ 28 LRAG, letter of November 15, 1841, Childs Washington's defenses and keeping open ant Colonel, Fourth Artillery, on February to Cooper. the lines of communication. He organized 19, 1879 and officially retired by an act of 29 LRAG, letter of September 18, 1841, Childs part of the expedition which seized Congress on February 28, 1879 as a result to Cooper. Fernandina, Florida, and commanded a di­ of government reduction in the Army and 30 LRAG, letter of September 29,1841, Childs vision in th e siege of Port Royal, South clearing of the rolls . He spent the remain­ to Cooper. Carolina. Transferred to the Army of the der of his life on his farm near Pikesville, 3 1 LRAG, letter of November 15, 1841, Childs Tennessee, he saw almost continuous ac­ Maryland. Cullum, Biographical Register, to Cooper. tion on that front until sent to the Depart­ 693-94 . For Wade's report of the dispatch 32 LRAG, letter of November 13, 1841, Childs ment of the Gulfin late 1862. In May 1863, of Wyse's command, see LRAG, letter of to Cooper. he led a division in the expedition to Port September 27,1841, Wade to Childs. 33 LRAG, letter of December 4, 1841, Childs Hudson, Louisiana, where, on May 27, he 17 LRAG, letter of September 19, 1841, Wyse to Worth . lost his right leg leading an assault on the to Wade. "Lake Tompkins" (named for 34 Sprague, Florida War, 501. town . For his services during the war, he former commander of Fort Lauderdale 35 Vinton Papers, letter of November 14, 1841, received a brevet major generalship. Re­ Vinton to Childs. turning to active service after the war, he 36 LRAG, letter of December 8, 1841, Worth saw little but garrison duty, ending his last to J. 1'. McLaughlin. assignment, Key West, Florida, in 1870. He 37 LRAG, letter of December 9, 1841, Worth retired from active service on December 31, to Belknap. 1870, and died nine years later at Newport, 38 LRAG, letter of December 19, 1841, Childs Rhode Island. Cullum, Biographical Regis­ to Cooper. ter, 642-43. 39 Vinton Papers, letter of November 29,1841, Georgia -born George Taylor was a mem­ Vinton to Mother. ber of the Academy Class of 1837. He was 40 Vinton Papers, letter of December 15, 1841, promoted to first lieutenant on July 7,1838, Vinton to Mother. in recognition of his service in Florida. Fur­ 4 1 Vinton Papers, letter of January 27, 1842, ther service, like that detailed in this ar­ Vinton to Mother. ticle, earned him a promotion to brevet cap­ 42 LRAG, Roll 260, letter of January 2, 1842, tain in 1842. After a stint as Assistant Pro­ Vinton to Childs. fessor of Mathematics at the Academy, he 43 LRAG, Roll 260, letter of January 7, 1842, saw extensive service in the Mexican War. Wade to Childs. Taylor was involved in the battles of 44 LRAG, letter of December 19, 1841, Childs Resaca-de-la-Palma, Monterrey, Palo Alto, to Worth . Cerro Gordo, Huamantla and Atlixo. For his bravery and meritorious conduct he was promoted to brevet major. George Taylor, along with his wife and 180 others, met a tragic end, drowning off the Capes of the