JOSS MARIO HERNANDEZ
7
haiwüook fronting then was impassable to horsos. Taking on* hundred non on
foot, tha expedition proceeded, leaving the rest to guard the horses. In
this order the marsh resumed at about 4 o'olook in the afternoon. They
entered the deep hammock at sunset and pi shed forward as fast as possible,
foraoka John soon oheoaed the rapid paoe, intimating there might be some out¬
lying Indians and tne utmost eaution must be used to aooomplish the surprise.
The darkness of the night soon enveloped the men but still they ad-
vanoed with oaution,orawling through the hogoook lime so many Hebuahadnezzers,
until midnight when the Indian suddenly paused and whispered to the General
who was leading, that they were near the spot. Tomoka John then oropt forward,
returning snortly, and informed the General to get ready for the attack. He
warned the troops that they must be prepared for a real fight, for the Uohees
were among the most desperate in Florida and would put up a strong resistance.
The foroe was divided into two oolunns fifty men eaoh, Lieutenant woNeil in
oosuaud of one and Lieutenant Leyton with Lieutenant may taking command of
tho other. The oolumns wer- directed to oreep directly to the creek to the
right and left of this oarnp, the men in single file and ten panes apart, so
as to iora a circle around the Seminóles, as soon as In position the sol¬
diers were to orawl within a hundred yards of the outer fires and there lie
prostrate oonoealed by palmetto, until the signal should be given at dawn to
rise simultaneously and oharge the eump. Instructions were to oapture and
not kill.
Ine soldiers succeeded in attaining their assignod position without
alarming the enemy.* after scratching themselves, throwing a few more stloks
on the fire, and giving themselves a shake or two, the Indians went to sleep.
From the barking of their dogs andthe oiraumstanees of their fires being put