h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Life at the fort consisted of receiving goods brought up from Fort Brooke by wagon train, and then dispersing them to the troops in the field. Although located on the river that flowed past Fort Brooke, shallows and rapids made any access by boat impossible.

When the fort had been built a large area was cleared of trees to create a clear field of fire for the muskets and cannons. far more timber had been cut than the logs required for construction. The remainder had been stacked as fire wood. Each night several large bonfires would be lit in the area surrounding the fort. Some the people posted there claimed they were almost as bright as daylight.

The fort was issued two cannons with 100 round of ammunition for each, a level that was to be maintained for its defence.

The fort had also been supplied with 50,000 rations (the food each man would be given for a day), and also 10,000 bushels of corn. They also had 50,000 pre rolled cartages and the supplies to make another 40,000 rounds. Tools and raw materials were also at hand. As a recognition its Naval command the general also sent a few barrels of whiskey to the fort. While all Army posts forbade spirits, the Navy still observed their daily 'grog call'. While the British Royal Navy used rum, the American sailors preferred whiskey and this was served whenever possible.

With the fort's buildings gorged with supplies, most of the men were forced to sleep outside the walls in tents. This included any units returning from the field to resupply themselves and drop off any sick or wounded who would be sent to Fort Brooke on the next wagon train. In the event of an attack they would all rush behind the walls for protection.

All was quiet at the fort until the evening of 19 January, when a party of Seminoles fired into a group of Alabama volunteers who had gathered around one on the fires. A few of the sentries who were on duty fired at the rifle flashes and the Seminoles retreated. No one knew how many were present, but the men reported seeing at least three.

For the next week or two the sporadic firing at the fort continued. On 4 February the sentries spotted a small party of Seminoles and claimed they had seen one of them carrying a pot that contained burning wood. Leib ordered one of the cannons to fire and sent several volleys of musket fire into the hammock across the river (in Florida a 'hammock' is a hardwood island located in a swampy area). This would be the last time the fort would be under attack. Whether it was because of the strong response to the attack, or the company of 50 marines that were added to the garrison, we will never know.

Leib remained in command of the fort until at least 25 March, when the Commodore's last letter was written to General Jessup requesting that his men be returned to their ships.

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[Amy P]