The Florida Campaign

From "Selma; Her Institutions, and Her Men" by John Hardy, pub. 1879:

Dr English’s Reply

Ladies: in behalf of the Volunteers who compose this company, I have been made the humble instrument to receive this proud emblem of American Liberty from patriotic fair of the county of Dallas.

On such an occasion I feel my in competency to the task assigned me. Ladies, did you know the feeling that thrill through this bosom, and I am sure it is the same witch vibrates in the bosoms of those whom I have the honor to represent, they would plead more eloquently than any language to which I could give utterance. You could not have bestowed any thing upon this corps that they would have valued so highly as this proud standard, what will it be in the hour of battle? Will it not be the point to which the greatest force of the enemy will be directed, and will they not conceive they had achieved sufficient glory could they lay this towering eagle prostrate with the earth? But to us will it not be the beacon that points out the path of honor and of glory? Will it not remind us of the Stripes and Stars that have waved triumphantly over so many bloody fields of victory; a flag under which the American arms have attained a reputation unsurpassed in the annals of military achievements? And more than all, will it not remind us of those from whom it came? Could we than suffer this proud emblem of our freedom to be tarnished, or to cause the fair of Dallas to blush for those to whom their patriotism had entrusted it. No, ladies! Permit me to assure you that the lifeless remains of every one who compose this band, will be enshrouded in its folds, before the luster of one of it stars shall be dimmed, or one of its stripes be effected.

You allude to the sacrifices that we must necessarily make in leaving our homes and our occupations at such a time. We admit that there are many ties to bind us to our homes, and many endearments that bid us stay, but could the brave sons of Dallas suffer the requisitions that have been made upon our country to be fulfilled in any other manner than we have adopted? We have made no sacrifice which duty and love of country did not demand; and thus receiving your encouraging approbation, sufficiently rewards, for all we love, or all we hay suffer in the sacred cause of our country.

The horrid barbarities of Indian warfare is well known to us; the defenseless condition of our brethren in Florida we are apprised of; we know that a savage and ruthless foe are now rioting in their butcheries of defenseless women, and unoffending children. They have extended their arms to us for succor, and we should have been lost to the dictates of humanity--we should have been recreant to our country, if slight sacrifices could prevent us from giving relief as was in our power duty prompted the course we have adopted--and we are happy that we are permitted to step forward in defense of our suffering fellow citizens.

But, ladies, I should but illy express the sentiments of those whom I represent were I not to impart their high sense of the public spirit and patriotism of the ladies of this country, characterized by a devotion of country worthy of the brightest days of Sparta and of Rome. Permit me, again, to tender you our unfeigned thanks for your unmerited kindness, and to assure you that what ever suffering we may endure, whatever difficulties and dangers we may encounter, all will be cheerfully and fearlessly met, in the hopes of again returning into the sphere of you r influence, and of being rewarded by your smiles, and in the consciousness of having discharged our duty to our country.

This company reported at Mobile and was immediately forwarded to Tampa Bay, and in a few days after had an engagement with the Indians at Clinoto Lasso; in which engagement, Hansom Railford, John Morgan and W. Randall were severely wounded, The company served out its three months and returned home, after being honorably discharged at Mobile. The Free Press, of may 28th, 1836, contained the following notice of the return of this company at Selma:

VOLUNTEERS FROM FLORIDA.--- The Volunteers in the Florida campaign form this country arrived at home on Sunday last, and were greeted at this place and at Cahaba with the highest pleasure and welcome, by their relations and acquaintances. They arrived on the Steamer Roanoke, As soon as she came within hearing, discharges from a piece of artillery were dept up until they were landed.

The greatest praise is due this patriotic band, for the alacrity witah which they responded to the call to engage in a service the most arduous and dangerous. Their example may be held up as a pattern to all who desire to defend pane protect suffering humanity.

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