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News flash: English attacked supply boat to Apalache near Key West (F14)

Source: Nonfiction Chronology #308

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Back on April 13th, Montiano had sent a courier to Apalache to find out the state of the Uchees and report back to Montiano.* He returned nearly a month later on May 10th.* He said it was extremely difficult journey because the countryside was crawling with Indian allies of the English.*
The courier had news.* He said Pablo Rodriguez was sailing to Apalache with supplies when an English sloop at the Key of Bones (Key West) began to chase him.* The English sloop ran aground, but then it sent a launch with twelve armed men on board, including several Indians.* Rodriguez’s men defended themselves with their two stone-mortars and one firelock gun.* Rodriguez escaped, although wounded in the breast with a musket ball.*
The courier’s story showed Montiano that he now had English on the other coast to contend with.* Any future attempts to get help to Apalache would be a shot in the dark.*
That same day, either before or after the news from the courier, Montiano ordered 2nd Lieutenant Don Joseph de Rivas to take a note to Guemes in Havana.* The note detailed the current state of distress La Florida was in from insufficient provisions.* Rivas sailed in Bartolome de Espinosa’s schooner.* To get past the English frigate, Espinosa sailed down the Intracoastal Waterway and went out the inlet at Matanzas.*