LS signed “Z. Taylor Bt. B. General, U.S.A. Comd,” two pages both sides, 8 x 9.75, February 10, 1839. Letter to General R. Jones in Washington. In part: “Col. Davenport engaged in assisting…scouring and examining the country on the head waters of the Withlacoochee, Pease Creek…Kissimmee…forming a cordon of four posts including Fort Maitland…I have no doubt they will be found highly important in keeping the Indians to the South and preventing their passing up in the direction of the settlements…not having succeeded in coming up with any portion of the Enemy.” Taylor goes on to discuss strategies, deployment of troops in the direction of the Miami and New rivers, and units under his command: “These several movements were predicated upon information learned from the Indian guides who state the hostiles to be in considerable force on two Islands in the Everglades…deeming it of the highest importance that this plan should be carried into immediate execution in order to afford protection to the inhabitants which had left their homes, and who wished to return and cultivate their lands…I at once abandoned my contemplated expedition south…Every days [sic] experience convinces me that this plan is the only effectual means of giving protection to our citizens and ultimately terminating this war…Some runaway Negroes together with a few Indians have of late infested the neighbourhood of Forts Kings and Micanopy…two men recently killed near these posts…two Militiamen were fired at and severely wounded…Capt. Winder…succeeded in capturing another party of Indians (18) among whom 7 are warriors…much credit is due Capt. Winder and his command for their untiring perseverance in pursuing these Indians, as this is the 2nd party this Officer has caught within a short time making in all 33 of whom 11 are warriors…Col. Twiiggs…states that the Indians have abandoned the Okefenoke Swamp…likewise that the soldier of Capt. Monroe’s company was murdered by runaway Negroes who left the Okefenoke with the hostiles.” In fine condition, with a mild overall shade of toning, a bit heavier to folds.
Taylor sent the present communication in the midst of the Second Seminole War (1835–1842). Since the second decade of the century, when the federal government began to lay aggressive claim to parts of Florida under the terms of the Louisiana Purchase, the forced relocation of the Seminole Indians—who had been allied with Great Britain during the Revolution—had become an ever-intensifying “problem.” The war also marked the height of tension between the U. S. and the Black Seminoles and also the historical peak of the African-Seminole alliance. This second of the three protracted conflicts between the United States and the Seminoles (which, in total, extended nearly half a century, from 1817 to 1858) was the longest and most expensive of the Indian Wars.
Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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