LS signed “Z. Taylor, Bt. Br. Genl, U. S. Army Comdg,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.75 x 9.75, June 25, 1838. Letter to General R. Jones giving a detailed description of the forces under his command. In part, “I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 5th inst., asking for a list of the posts in Florida, intended to be occupied during the Summer, with the strength of the garrisons of each. The assignments have not yet all been made & as I am compelled to change them frequently, I am unable at present to give you a very correct list. The force under my command, however, will probably be distributed as follows:…2d Regiment of Dragoons, Fort Heilman ‘A’ & ‘G’ Capts. Bryant & Bullock. Fort King ‘G’ & “B’, Capt. Thomkins and Fulton…I have just seen in anewspaper, a letter from the Secretary of War, dated the 16th of June to his Excellency the Governor of Georgia, relative to Indians said to be in the Okefenokee Swamp. The Secretary informs the Governor that ‘the Commanding Officer in Florida has been instructed to send a force to that section for the purpose of affording proper protection to the inhabitants.’ Although I have not yet received the instructions referred to, I shall nevertheless take measures to ascertain the correctness of the report, and if true shall proceed against them without delay.” The postscript reads, “Since writing the above, I have received the instructions of the Secretary of War, in relation to the Indians in the Okefenokee Swamp, which will be carried into execution as soon as practiceable.”Taylor also signs “Z. T.,” under the short postscript written in the same hand. Taylor served in the Black Hawk War and the Second Seminole War. During the Seminole War, Taylor fought at the Battle of Lake Okeechobee and received a brevet promotion to brigadier general in January 1838. It was here he gained his nickname ‘Old Rough and Ready’ for his rumpled clothes and wide-brimmed straw hat. On May 15, 1838, Taylor was promoted commanding general of all U.S. forces in Florida. In fine condition, with archival reinforcement to mailing folds and light show through from text on reverse. Excellent example from the height of Taylor’s military career. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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