placed a spring gun in the magazine, disposed in such a manner that on opening the door, the magazine itself should explode. The army had not marched more than a mile, when a tremendous explosion was heard, and there is little doubt that many of the red-skins were despatched to the hunting grounds of their great Manitto. On the same day (27th) fourteen miles from Fort Brooke, the army seven or eight hundred in number, was attacked by the Indians from a hammock. The regulars complain that the Alabama troops were not as willing to charge the hammocks as their old friends from Louisiana. Some of them acted like brave men, but the greater part hung back and lost the most favorable opportunity yet presented, of paying the Indians for old scores. The regulars charged the hammock and beat them off. The loss on our side was five killed and fourteen or fifteen wounded. Major Sandes had his horse shot under him. The horse of one of the Alabama volunteers was shot and fell on his rider: an Indian rushed from the hammock, intending to scalp him, but the gallant fellow though entangled beneath his horse, contrived to shoot the Indian, and reload his piece for a second enemy, but he was soon discovered, and relieved from his painful situation. If all his regiment had acted with the like resolution, the Indians would have had but little to boast of.

May 1st—General Scott had proceeded to the Ouithlacouchy, on his return to Fort Drane, and had left the following order:

Head Quarters of the Army of Florida, }
Tampa Bay, April 16th, 1836. }

ORDER—No. 37.

The Louisiana Regiment of Volunteers, under the gallant Colonel Persifor F. Smith, will on its return to this place, immediately proceed to New Orleans, in the best transports the Quarter Master’s department can supply. It will first turn into store the arms and other property of the United States, in its possession, and which may not be necessary to the comfort of the regiment on its passage home.

At New Orleans, Major Clarke or other United States officer, shall muster the regiment out of the service of the United States, and it will at the same time be paid by the paymaster of the army, stationed in that city.

What may be the result of the expedition to Charlotte’s harbor and Pees creek, in which the Regiment is at present engaged, cannot be known to the Commanding General in some weeks. Judging from the past, the result cannot fail to be highly honorable to the Colonel, the officers and men of that efficient corps, which is already entitled to the thanks of the country. Doctor Lawson, the senior Surgeon of the United States army, who under a commission from the state of Louisiana, has served as Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, and who has superadded the distinction of arms to his high medical reputation, will temporarily take charge of the general Hospital at this place. As soon as the great body of the sick shall have been restored and sent off to their respective States, Surgeon Lawson will return to his proper station.

(Signed) WINFIELD SCOTT.

By command of Major General Scott,

K. JOHNSTON,

Aid de Camp and Act’g Ass’t Adj’t General.

The following order was issued by General Smith:

Camp Georgia, April 28th, 1836. }
Head Quarters, Louisiana Volunteers. }

ORDER—No. 18

The Regiment having completed the duties assigned to it by the Commanding General, he has ordered it to be transported to New Orleans, and there honorably discharged: the arms and accoutrements being deposited here.

The transports furnished are the schooners Emeline and Cumberland, the brigs Calvin, Martha and Caroline, and a steamboat. The troops are assigned to these transports as follows:

Major Marks and Dr. Cushman will embark in the schooner Cumberland; Adjutant Barron, and Serg’t Major Hand, in the Emeline; Surgeon Harrall and the Quarter Master Sergeant in the brig Calvin, and Lieut. Colonel Lawson with Lieuts. Balls and Dyer in the steamboat.

Fifteen days provisions will embark with each detachment.

As each transport arrives in New Orleans, the senior officer on board will require of the Quarter Master and Assistant Commissary the necessary quarters and provisions, until the troops are mustered out of the service.

By order of
Colonel PERSIFOR F. SMITH.

Colonel Smith left Tampa Bay on 30th April in the cutter Dallas to meet General Scott at St. Marks, by order of the General.

May 1st—My company and that of Captain Lee received fifteen days rations and embarked in the schooner Martha, Captain Baker: the brig Calvin and schooners Emeline and Cumberland had sailed before us. We put to sea on the second, and soon bid adieu to the shores of fair Florida, with every prospect of soon exchanging the soldier’s bed of sand for the citizen’s couch of down, without the laborious precaution of erecting a breastwork, and of enjoying the luxury of lounging through the streets without an ass load of provisions on our backs.

The following are among the orders issued after our arrival at Fort Brooke:

Head Quarters, Western Department, }
Fort Brooke, 10th Feb., 1836. }

ORDER—No. 4.

I.—Captain E. A. Hitchcock, of the first Regiment United States Infantry, is hereby appointed to act as Assistant Inspector General of the Department.

II.—The troops of this post, consisting of A. B. G. and H. companies of the second Regiment of Artillery, and A. B. E. G. H. I. and K. companies of the fourth Infantry, with the Louisiana volunteers under Adj’t General Smith, will constitute a brigade, to be designated the Light Brigade, and shall be commanded by Lieut. Colonel D. E. Twiggs of the fourth Infantry.

III.—Lieut. I. Izard of the Dragoons, will perform the duties of Brigade Major and will report to Colonel Twiggs accordingly.

By order of Major General Gaines,
GEORGE A. M’CALL, Aid de Camp,
Acting Assistant Adjutant.

Head Quarters, Western Department, }
Fort Brooke, Feb. 11th, 1836. }

SPECIAL ORDER—No. 10.

The Quarter Master, Captain Shannon, will furnish Howersacks or materials for making them, together with such camp equipage as may be necessary for the troops under command of Lieutenant Colonel Twiggs, proper requisitions being made for the same.

By order of Major General Gaines,
G. A. M’CALL, A. D. C.,
Acting Assistant Adjutant.

Head Quarters, Light Brigade, }
Fort Brooke, Florida, Feb. 10th, 1836. }

ORDER—No. 1.