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[p.2]
at Cape Florida the Light being within the immediate protection
of Key West and almost indispensable at this time to the enemys fleet,
as well as knowing it to be useless for us to try and hold it, we determined
to damage it so that it will be of no possible use to our enemies--
The Keepers at Cape Florida were armed, and instructed not
to surrender the Light, only with their lives, the possession was gained
however without any resistance, owing to the complete manner in which
our plans were executed, we brought away the Lamps and Burners, and broke
the Lens Glasses--
The seisure and surrender was made at midnight of the 21st
August, while the two keepers were in the Tower, and the Iron door below
bolted and locked on the inside-- one of the party being aquainted with
the Keeper and knowing that he expected supplies from Key West daily,
devised the plan to get them down by telling them he had news for them
from Key West, which brought them both down, and as soon as the door was
opened, we secured them as prisoners-- The party being Small, and having
only a small Boat to return in, we concluded not to take them as prisoners,
they professing to be strongly in favor of the South, although they had
repeatedly before boasted that they would defend the Light to the last--
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