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A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 48/340

The Second Seminole War

the Indians received first priority. Men who were in territorial
service and their families were in the next category, while those
who had slaves to support them received none.36
The corn undoubtedly helped destitute settlers unable to work
their farms, but the summer of 1838 brought little relief from
Indian attacks. In late June one regular army soldier was killed
and five others wounded in a fight near Newnansville.37 General
Zachary Taylor made preparations to send four infantry and two
dragoon companies to the area of Mineral Springs on the Suwan­
nee, but on July 21, Colonel Brown reported to The Floridian that
“the citizens of Columbia County have generally left their homes
and plantations in consequence of the frequent appearances of
Indians.” Brown believed that the Indians were feeling the pres­
sure of military operations in their old areas and were making
their way north to the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia.38 Captain
Cason’s militia company was again called into service on July 22,
and again no provisions were made for its pay.39 In mid-August
Niles Register reported that the war had assumed the character of
guerilla warfare, and that the whole Florida frontier was in a
precarious state.40
On August 19, the Baker family living near the Aucilla River
in Madison County was attacked while eating supper. Baker’s wife
was killed by the first shots. Baker grabbed his two grandchildren
and raced for the woods but was cut down and killed in the yard.
Only a young man and woman at the house and one of the children
survived their wounds.41
In Jefferson County the Singletary family of husband, wife

36Robert Brown to R. K. Call, July 2,1838, reprinted in The Floridian, special
supplement, February 9, 1839.
37Niles Register, Vol. LIV, July 7, 1838, p. 290.
38The Floridian, July 21, 1838.
39 Petition of Captain Cason and Company.
40Niles Register, Vol. LIV, August 18, 1838, pp. 386-87.
"The. Floridian, August 25,1838; Niles Register Vol. LV. September 8,1838, p.

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