But the animals had been obtained, and authority given to our officers to employ them. The Spaniards attended them. The dogs were attached to different regiments, and fed liberally on bloody meat; young calves were provided, and driven with each scouting party, to supply food for them. The Spaniards were supplied with a sufficient number of assistants to keep the dogs in their leashes. Thus provided, several parties, composed of regular troops, militia, Indians, Spaniards, dogs and calves, started for the interior. Their marches continued in some instances for days before they found even the track of an enemy; but when they found foot-prints of Indians, and the dogs were looked to with confidence to lead on the warlike host, while some more humble officer, following the canine leaders, Spaniards and Indians, was expected to bear aloft the glorious stars and stripes, as they engaged in deadly conflict with the wily foe;--lo! just at that moment, when all hearts were palpitating; while hope was at its height; when the stern resolve clothed each brow with the dark scowl of battle, the dogs were blithe and frolicsome, but paid no more attention to the tracks of the Indians than to those of the ponies on which they sometimes rode. This grand experiment for closing the Florida War was now pronounced a _dead failure_; and the use of dogs, and calves, and Spaniards, was discarded; and the whole affair served no other purpose than to bring odium upon the Administration, and ridicule upon the officers who proposed the employment of blood-hounds to act as allies of the American army. General Taylor, having had command of the army in Florida nearly two years, and the sickly season having commenced, requested to be relieved from that responsible station. His request was granted, and he left Florida for his plantation in Louisiana. Brevet Brigadier General Armistead, by order of the War Department, assumed the position from which General Taylor retired. CHAPTER XIX. HOSTILITIES CONTINUED. Presidential Election of 1840--The War discussed as one of the issues--Effect on the Election--Publication of Jay's View--Action of the Executive paralyzed--Spanish Indians--Destruction of Indian Key--Troops inactive--Allies commit new depredations--New Expedient--Its failure--Chiefs invited to Fort King--Exiles refuse to treat--Massacre of Lieutenant Sherwood and party--Melancholy fate of Mrs. Montgomery--White men disguised as Indians--Murder of Cora Tustenuggee--Order of Secretary of War--Letter to General Armistead--Bribery of Indians--Mr. Thompson's Bill--Discussion of the causes of the War in Congress--Enemy find protection in large swamps--Their renewed depredations--General distress--People of Florida again driven from their homes--Employed in public service--Their Slaves employed--They become interested in continuing the War. [Sidenote: 1840.]