At that time General Zachary Taylor was in chief command in Florida, and had his headquarters at Tampa Bay.

My regiment, the Third Artillery, occupied the posts along the Atlantic coast of Florida, from St.Augustine south to Key Biscayne, and my own company, A, was at Fort Pierce, Indian River.

At St.Augustine I was detached from the company of recruits, which was designed for the Second Infantry, and was ordered to join my proper company at Fort Pierce.

Colonel William Gates commanded the regiment, with Lieutenant William Austine Brown as adjutant of the regiment.
Lieutenant Bragg commanded the post of St.Augustine with his own company, E, and G (Garner's), then commanded by Lieutenant Judd.
In, a few days I embarked in the little steamer William Gaston down the coast, stopping one day at New Smyrna, held by John R.Vinton's company (B), with which was serving Lieutenant William H.Shover.
In due season we arrived off the bar of Indian River and anchored.
A whale-boat came off with a crew of four men, steered by a character of some note, known as the Pilot Ashlock.

I transferred self and baggage to this boat, and, with the mails, was carried through the surf over the bar, into the mouth of Indian River Inlet.