Table of Contents
2-3. Letters from Community
Leaders & Congressman
5. Origins of Fort King
Historical Context
Archaeology
6. Origin of the Seminoles
Black Seminoles
8-9. Fort King Timeline
Drawing of Fort
10. The First Seminole War
The Tail of Two Treaties
Treaty of Moultrie Creek
Treaty of Payne’s Landing
11. Background of Osceola
12. Other Historic players of
the time period
Micanopy, Jumper, Dade Etc...
13. The Second Seminole War
15. The End of Fort King
The Third Seminole Wary
16. Source page
Cover & Tab design and production by
Anita Queen
Teaching with the
Star-Banner
Archeology, heterogeneous,
cantonment … oh my!
When you study new things, you
can come up against some tough
vocabulary words. Most vocabulary
words are learned from context clues
or good old-fashioned dictionary
work. While you read this tab, be
sure to highlight or circle words you
don’t know. Some of the words you
may need to look up are in boldface
type. Try to figure out their meanings
by looking for clues in the sentences
around these unknown words. Write
down your best guess, and then look
up the words in the dictionary. As a
group activity, make a list of the words
your classmates identified and see
which ones stumped the class. Use
the electronic edition of The StarBanner to search for articles using
these words. Make a chart showing
how often these words were used in
today’s Star-Banner.
Written Content by
Gary Kent- IB History of the Americas and Pre IB World History Teacher - Vanguard High School
Photographic Montage Description:
This photographic montage was prepared by the City of Ocala’s Planning Department using digital imagery from a variety of sources including the following:
• Florida Photographic Collection a part of the Florida Department of State, Bureau of Archives and Records Management, #Rc08709, #GV002512, #PR14109, and
#PR03202.
• Dixie Gun Works, Inc. Union City, Tennessee catalog page #775.
• Knetsch, Joe, Florida’s Seminole Wars 1817-1858 from the Making of America Series, Arcadia Publishing, 2003
• Quesada, Jr. Alejandro, The Men of Fort Foster, Pioneer Press, 1996
The base image of the montage is a modern photograph of the historic Fort King site from the Florida Photographic Collection. The second layer image includes an early
sketch map showing the newly-established Fort King to be approximately two miles from the Glassell’s Spring (Silver Springs) and the Seminole agency just beyond.
Remaining layers include;
• Depiction of the 1827 stockade walls based on archaeological information from the 1998 Ft. King test excavation by Gulf Archaeology Research Institute.
• A pewter molded 4-hole fatigue buttons from enlisted infantry found during the 1998 Fort King test excavation.
• A re-enactment photograph of soldiers at Fort Foster wearing traditional uniforms based on the Second Seminole Wartime period.
• The firearms depicted include an U.S. Model 1805 Harpers Ferry Flintlock Pistol made from 1806 through 1808 and produced as the first military handgun manufactured
by a U.S. national armory. Overall length is 16 1/4” and weighs 2 1/2 lbs.
• Also depicted is an U.S. Model 1816 Flintlock Musket made by Harpers Ferry and Springfield Arsenals and others during the years 1816-1844. Overall length, 56 7/8” and
weight, 9 3/4” lbs. The foreground images include that of Seminole Indian leader Osceola (by Neill) who lived from 1804 until his death in Fort Moultrie, South Carolina in 1838.
Also depicted is Abraham, the slave of Chief Micanopy between 1836 and 1840. He was one of the most frequently used interpreters for the Seminoles, he took an active role
in many of the early battles of the war. Also depicted is the military governor of Florida John Titcomb Sprague (a captain during most of the war) as he was depicted in 1865.
He lived from 1810 to 1878 and was the military governor of Florida during the reconstruction from April 1, 1865 until July 4, 1868. He authored “The origin, progress, and conclusion of the Florida War.”
•James Hutchinson artist, authorized reproduction of his paintings of Osceola pg 11 & Alligator page 14
Historical Context
The Second Seminole War (1835-1842) was
the longest and most expensive Indian war
in US History, only the Vietnam War (19651973) lasted longer. The Second Seminole
War cost the US Government $30-40 million
and resulted in nearly 1,500 deaths.
Fort King Site Overview
Designated a National Historic Landmark in 2004, Fort King was the
center of activity during the Second Seminole War (1835-1842), the longest
and most costly Indian war in United States history. Fort King was called
“the most important of the military posts maintained during the war with the
Seminoles” by the WPA in 1937. Recently the US Congress has directed the
Secretary of Interior to conduct a Special Resource Study at the Fort King
site to determine if it should be added to the National Park System.
The Fort King site is located in the city of Ocala in Marion County, Florida.
In fact, Ocala owes its origins to the development of the fort. Also known
as Camp King or Cantonment King, the fort was named after Colonel
William King, commander of Florida’s Fourth Infantry. It was built originally
as a Cantonment, or temporary troop quarters. The fort’s wood structure
no longer remains, but the hill where the fort stood, a spring that supplied
water for the troops, and the woods surrounding the fort still exist.
There are three tracts that make up the Fort King site. The largest and
most significant tract is the 22 acres known as the McCall tract. The
archaeological remains of the fort are located on the McCall tract. The
Catherine McCall family purchased the tract in 1952 and left the majority of
the tract undeveloped. The McCall’s allowed five archaeological surveys
on the site in 1953, 1989, 1991, 1994, and 1998. Since the land has been
actively farmed, the top 1-2 foot layer has been compromised. However,
limited excavations have confirmed that archaeological components of
Fort King are still preserved below the plow zone. As recently as 40 years
ago, remnants of the fort could still be found on the McCall property.
Gary Elliss with the Gulf Archaeology Research Institute, a profesional
archaeologist, located the remains of the fort’s stockade walls in 1999.
This major discovery helped to secure the National Historic Landmark
desgnation for Fort King
After much community support, the McCall tract was purchased by Marion
County and the City of Ocala in 2001. The northern tract of 14 acres was
purchased by Marion County in 1991 and a one acre tract fronting Fort
King Blvd was acquired by the Daughters of the American Revolution in
1927 in order to construct a memorial to those who died during the Second
Seminole War. The total public acreage is approximately 37 acres.
Of all the American Indian tribes affected
by forced removal, the Seminole waged
the strongest resistance. Many of the
events of this conflict, including numerous
conferences and the killing of Indian Agent
Wiley Thompson, occurred in or around the
fort.
Eventually over 4,000 Seminole and
Black Seminole were removed west of
the Mississippi River. Following the Third
Seminole War (1855-1858), approximately
600 Seminole avoided removal by retreating
into the swamps of southern Florida.
Archaeology
Archaeology, from Greek archaios – ‘ancient’
and logos – ‘study’, is the social science that
studies human cultures through recovery,
documentation, analysis, and interpretation of
material remains such as artifacts, bio-facts,
architecture, and other features. Culture is
the skills, ideas, arts, and institutions of a
society. Archaeologists find and analyze
objects left by earlier people. These objects
are called ar tifacts, which are anything
shaped by humans including tools, pottery,
or weapons. Archaeology is a branch of
Anthropology, a social science that studies
human beings and their relation to physical,
social, and environmental concerns and
culture. The discoveries and interpretations
of archaeologists are important contributing
factors that aid anthropologists in their study of
human progress and culture.
KEY TERMS
1.
Archaeology
2. Artifacts
3. Culture
4. Anthropology
SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS
SS.B.1.3.4
Origins of the Seminole
After the Spanish conquest of Florida in the 16th century,the
local aboriginal groups were almost completely decimated
by disease. Realizing that most of Florida’s interior was
virtually deserted, and therefore indefensible,
Spain began to persuade Indian groups of mostly
Creeks to migrate into the northern and central
regions of Florida. By the time Florida fell
under British control in 1763, the new
settlers considered themselves separate
from their Creek relatives to the north.
European colonists also recognized
them as independent and began to use the
term “Seminole”, a derivative of the Muskogee
(a Creek language) word simano-li, an adaptation
of the Spanish word “Cimarron”, which means
‘wild’ (or ‘wild men’) or ‘runaway’ (men).
The Seminole were a heterogeneous tribe made
up of Creeks, Muskogees, escaped AfricanAmerican slaves, and to a lesser extent white
Europeans and Indians from other tribes. The
Seminole were on good terms with both the
Spanish and British. In 1784 a treaty returned
Florida to Spain. The Spanish empire’s gradual
decline in world affairs allowed the Seminole
more autonomy and to establish vast tribal grounds.
Following the end of the Second Creek War
(1813-1814) in the Alabama territory, many
surviving Creeks fled to Spanish Florida. By the
1820’s nearly two thirds of the native population
in Florida were made up of refugees from the Creek
War who had merged with the original Seminole.
During the First Seminole War (1817-1818),
Creeks from Alabama joined General Andrew
Jackson in an invasion of Florida, thus confirming
the fact that the American Indians residing in
Florida were no longer allied with the Creeks. The war
resulted in the transfer of Florida from Spain to the
United States in the Adams-Onis Treaty of 1821 and Jackson
became the first territorial governor. The US began negotiating with the
Florida Seminole as an Individual tribe.
Today the Seminole are the symbol of Florida State University’s athletic teams.
In response to the NCAA’s proclamation that Native American names and logos
would no longer be permitted unless the namesake approved, both the 3,100
member Seminole Tribe of Florida and the 6,000 member Seminole Nation of
Oklahoma officially approved the details and images used by FSU.
KEY TERMS
1. Cimarron
2. Adams-Onis Treaty
SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS
1. Describe the mixture of people that made up the
Florida Seminole.
2. Why did the Spanish develop good relations
with the Seminole?
DISCUSSION
1.Why do you think the Seminole agreed to allow
Florida State University to use their image as
mascots?
SUNHINE STATE STANDARDS: SS.A.4.3.3,
SS.A.6.3.4
Black Seminole
The Black Seminole are descendants
of free Africans and runaway slaves who
escaped from American plantations into
the Florida wilderness beginning as early as
the late 1600’s. They joined with Seminole
living in the area. Black Seminole were called
“Seminole Negroes” by white Americans and
“Black People” by their Indian allies.
As early as 1689, African slaves fled from
South Carolina to Spanish Florida seeking
refuge. Under an edict from Philip V of
Spain, black fugitives received liberty in
exchange for defending St. Augustine. The
Spanish organized black volunteers into
a militia; their settlement at Fort Mose in
1738 was the first free black town in north
America. By the time American naturalist
William Bartram visited Florida in 1773 black
Seminole had built their own settlements
and preserved much of their African
culture. “Cimarron”, the Spanish word for
‘runaway’, is the source of the English word
“maroon”, which describes the runaway slave
communities of the new world.
By the early 1800’s, free blacks and
runaway slaves were in regular contact
with Seminole in Florida. In exchange
for paying an annual tribute of corn and
livestock, they were allowed sanctuary
Abraham
Black Seminole
continued
among the Seminole. The Seminole, in
turn, gained a valuable ally. Black Seminole
lived in their own independent communities,
elected their own leaders, and bore arms
for self-defense. In many cases, Seminole
had children with black Seminole and the
offspring became members of the Seminole
tribe.
The existence of armed black communities
in Florida became a major concern of the
United States. Following Florida’s transfer
from Spain to the US in 1821, efforts were
made to capture runaway slaves among the
Seminole. Black Seminole became vocal
opponents of Indian removal, believing it
would result in their re-enslavement, and
began to support the most militant Seminole
leaders. Besides helping the Indians in their
struggle against relocation, Black Seminole
played key roles in the slave rebellions on
at least 385 US plantations. Some scholars
consider this to be the largest slave rebellion
in US history.
KEY TERMS
1. Black Seminole
2. Fort Mose
SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS
1. How did the edict from Philip V of Spain
affect American slaves?
2. Why did the US object to the existence of
Black Seminole in Florida?
DISCUSSION
1. How did the alliance of Seminole and Black
Seminole benefit both groups?
SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS: SS.B.2.4.1,
SS.A.6.3.1
First Seminole War (1817-1818)
In the early 1800’s, hostilities broke out between American settlers in Georgia
and Seminole Indians, whose territory in Spanish Florida had become a haven for
runaway slaves. Many of the slaves aligned themselves with the Seminole
in order to fight United States encroachment into Florida and to avoid being
captured. Americans believed Spain was inciting the Seminole and runaway
slaves to attack white settlers in Georgia.
On November 21, 1817 General Edmund Gaines sent a force
of 250 men from Fort Scott, in southwest Georgia, to seize
Chief Neamathla of Fowltown. Neamathla had refused to
recognize a land use agreement and threatened to annihilate
Americans who trespassed on Seminole land. Gaines first
attempt was thwarted, but the next day the Indians were driven
from their village. David Mitchell, a
Creek Indian agent, stated in a report to
Congress that the attack on Fowltown
was the start of the First Seminole War.
On November 30, 1817 the Seminole struck back, attacking
a supply boat on the Appalachicola River under the command
of Lt. R.W. Scott. Most of the 40-50 people on board were
killed.
In March 1818 President James Monroe ordered General
Andrew Jackson to remove Seminole raiding parties from
US soil and to pursue them into Spanish Florida if necessary. The orders were
apparently so ambiguous that after Jackson crossed the border, Secretary
of War John C. Calhoun recommended to Monroe that Jackson be charged with
disobeying orders.
General Jackson, with a force of over 4,000, including 1,400 Creek mercenaries,
Con’t on pg 10
HISTORY OF
FORT KING
PROPERTY, MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA
1835 – 1842: The Second Seminole War, was the
longest of the US Indian Wars; the only war longer
was the Vietnam War.
An integral
part of
Florida’s
frontier
history
1826: Gad Humphreys built the first Seminole
Agency in what is now Ocala, near where Fort King
would be erected.
March 1827: Fort King was built. The fort was named
for Colonel William King who had commanded the
Fourth Infantry before Brevet Brigadier General
Duncan L. Clinch.
October, 1834: Osceola was recognized as a
Seminole leader opposed to emigration at talks
between the US Government and the Seminoles held
at Fort King.
June 1835: The Seminole Agent, General Wiley
Thompson puts Osceola in chains at Fort King.
Osceola is released after he agrees to emigrate.
December, 23, 1835: 108 soldiers commanded by
Major Francis L. Dade, left for Fort Brooke on
Tampa Bay on a march to reinforce Fort King.
December 28, 1835: Micanopy attacks and defeats
Major Dade. This battle is commonly referred to
as the “Dade Massacre.” Osceola and 80 warriors
killed Agent Thompson and Lt. Constantine Smith
outside Fort King. The Seminoles raided the nearby
sutler’s store of Erastus Rogers. Rogers, a clerk,
and a boy were killed and the building was set on fire.
These two events are considered as the beginning of
the Second Seminole War.
1839: Major General Alexander Macomb convened
“peace talks” at Fort King.
1840: The last fighting at Fort King took place.
Sixteen men, led by Captain Gabriel Rains on a
scouting mission, were attacked just outside the
fort. They fought their way back into the fort; three
soldiers were killed.
August 14, 1842: The War was declared over.
August 15, 1842: The soldiers killed in the war,
Magazine
B.
Blockhouse
C.
Kitchen
D.
Officer’s
Quarters
E.
May 1836: Fort King was abandoned and it was
burned by the Seminoles in July.
April 1837: A second Fort King was built. Fort
King was the military headquarters for most of the
War. Colonel Duncan Clinch, one of the earliest
commanding officers at Fort King, wrote: “From
my knowledge of the Indian character, I consider
this post of more importance, in controuling (sic)
the Indians, and in giving protection and security to
the inhabitants of Florida, then any other post in
the Territory, as it is in the immediate vicinity of the
largest number of the Florida Indians, and between
them and the white inhabitants.”
A.
including Dade’s troops and 34 soldiers who died at Fort King, were
reburied under the “Coquina Pyramids” at the National Cemetery in St.
Augustine.
1844: Marion County was created. Fort King was designated the county
seat. The fort’s buildings were used for the courthouse and offices. The
first term of the circuit court was held at Fort King in November 1845. The
fort was used as the courthouse until a new one was built in Ocala in
September 1846.
1920’s: The last remaining building from Fort King was destroyed by fire.
1927: The Ocala Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution
purchased one acre of land that was thought to have the Fort King
cemetery located on it.
1933: The Ocala Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution
erect monument on cemetery site.
1953-1954: Neil Survey – first archaeological investigation of Fort King
(Published in the Florida Historical Quarterly, 1955.)
1968: Hurricane Gladys blew over a pine tree, exposing a cellar from a
building associated with Fort King.
1987: During the research of Ocala’s Comprehensive Plan, City staff
begins to realize how historically important this site is for Ocala/
Marion County, and the nation.
1988-1989: Ocala applies and receives first matching grant from the
Florida Department of State, Bureau of Historic Preservation for an
auger archaeological survey. The north 15 acres are surveyed. Bruce
Piatek completed the survey.
1991: Ocala applies and receives second matching grant from the
Bureau of Historic Preservation to do an auger archaeological
survey. South 22 acres are surveyed. Bruce Piatek, after permission
from the McCall family, completes auger and ground penetration
radar survey.
1991-1992: Presentation is made to the Pennies for Parks Committee.
They recommend it to the County Commission to move forward with
the acquisition of the 15-acre parcel and the 22-acre parcel. This is
Enlisted
Mens
Quarters
based upon both the historical and environmental importance of the site.
1992: North 15 acres are acquired. City signs interlocal to maintain and
protect park site.
1992: Negotiations break down on southern piece. 22 acres are not
purchased.
1994: Ocala applies and receives third matching grant from Bureau of
Historic Preservation to do an intensive archaeological evaluation of
northern 15 acres. (From these surveys we knew that the fort itself was
not located on the 15 acres; however, buildings that surrounded the fort
and the Seminole artifacts were numerous in this area.) Survey done by
Gary Ellis.
1997-1998: Worked with the Trust for Public Lands to acquire option on
northern 22-acre property in order to enable Ocala time to apply for
additional grants to locate actual fort.
1998: Option expires from Trust of Public Land, but
landowner agrees to not put property up for sale.
1998: An intensive archaeological study is completed
on southern property to locate the stockade
walls of Historic Fort King. Survey done by Gulf
Archaeology Research Institute, Gary Ellis.
1999: Site is put on list by Congress (with the help
of Congressman Cliff Stearns) and is signed by the
President for Park Services to study.
1999: City, County and State agree to buy the
property.
2000: Southeast Archaeological Center completes
assessment of site as a potential national historic
landmark.
January, 2001: The property is acquired. McCall
family sells site to City/County. City agrees to
maintain and protect site.
May 2001: National park staff comes to Ocala to
hold roundtable discussions on the possibility of site
becoming a National Park.
April 2002: National Park staff conducts public
meetings on Fort King.
October 2002: Paul Nugent meets with Carol Shull
Chief, National Historic Landmarks Survey at Fort
King Site.
April 2003: Landmarks Committee of the National
Parks System Advisory Board votes unanimously
to recommend Fort King site for designation as a
National Historic Landmark.
June 2003: National Parks System Advisory Board
recommends and forwards the nomination to the
Secretary of the Interior for her concurrence.
February 24, 2004: Secretary of the Interior Gale
Norton designates Fort King as a National Historic
Landmark.
May 4, 2004: Dr. Janet Snyder Matthews,
Associate Director for the National Park Services
Cultural Resource Department presents landmark
designation to the citizens of Marion County on the
Downtown Square.
September 2004: City, County, State and private
organizations pursue National Park Service to
develop Fort King as a national park.
December 2005: Due to lack of funding at the
Federal level, national park designation is not
pursued by the parks service.
December 2007: City applies to Bureau of Historic
Preservation to do a location archaeological survey
First Seminole War
(1817-1818) con’t.
crossed in to Florida and attacked a Spanish
fort in St. Marks, under the control of Seminole
and black defenders. The occupants escaped.
The Seminole town of Tallahassee was burned
on March 31 and more than 300 Indian homes
destroyed. Two Indian leaders were hanged.
Alexander Abruthnot, a Scottish trader who had
been suspected of selling guns to the Seminole
was hanged and British mercenary Robert
Ambrister was executed by firing squad. Jackson
then led an expedition to attack fugitive slave
villages along the Suwannee River. Harassed by
black Seminole along the route, the army found
the villages empty. Most Seminole had vanished
into the swamps and forests of central Florida.
When Jackson reached Pensacola, the Spanish
governor and a 175 man garrison retreated to Fort
Barrancas. After the two sides exchange canon
fire for three days, the Spanish surrendered and
the First Seminole War was over.
With no declaration of war, Jackson had invaded
Spanish territory, attacked Spanish forts, and
destroyed Seminole and black Seminole villages.
He did not, however, succeed in capturing or
killing Seminole Indians. US President James
Monroe demanded Spain either control the
Seminole raids on US soil or cede Florida to
the US. The First Seminole War resulted in the
Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819 where Spain gave
Florida to the US for $5 million.The money,
however, was not paid to Spain but to Americans
who held claims against the Spanish government.
The treaty was ratified in 1821 and in 1822 Andrew
Jackson became the first territorial governor.
KEY TERMS
1. Andrew Jackson
2. Adams-Onis Treaty
SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS
1. Why did Black Seminole align themselves with the
Seminole?
2. What role did Spain play in Seminole raids on
Georgia?
DISCUSSION
1 How justified was General Andrew Jackson’s
invasion of Florida?
SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS: SS.A.4.3.4,
SS.A.6.3.3
A Tale of Two Treaties
Treaty of Moultrie Creek 1823
Two years after the United States acquired Florida from Spain, the
Treaty of Moultrie Creek was signed by the US Government and
several chiefs of the Seminole Nation. The signing of the treaty took
place in September 1823 at Moultrie Creek, south of St. Augustine.
About 425 Seminole attended the meeting, choosing Chief Neamathla
to be their representative.
Under the terms of the treaty, the Seminoles were to place themselves
under US protection and give up all claim to lands in Florida - with the
exception of a 4 million - acre reservation that ran down the middle
of the Florida peninsula from north of present-day Ocala to just
north of Tampa Bay. There was no coastal frontage, thus cutting
off Seminole access to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
Governor William Duval, Florida’s second territorial governor (18221824) admitted that: “the best of the Indian lands are worth but little:
nineteen twentieths of their whole country is by far the poorest and
most miserable region I have ever beheld”.
The terms of the treaty of Moultrie Creek obligated the US to
protect the Seminole as long as they remained law-abiding. The
Government would distribute cattle, farm tools, and travel expenses
for the move to the reservation. Rations would be provided for one
year until the Seminole could harvest their first crops. Also, the
Government would pay the tribe $5,000 annually for twenty years.
In return, the Seminole had to allow roads to be built across their
reservation and return runaway slaves.
Treaty of Payne’s Landing
In the Spring of 1832, Seminole leaders were summoned to a conference
at Payne’s Landing on the Ocklawaha River near present-day Eureka
in northern Marion County. Andrew Jackson had been elected
president in 1828. Jackson advocated the transfer of all Indians in
the US to west of the Mississippi River and in 1830 the US Congress
passed the Indian Removal Act.
The negotiations at Payne’s Landing were testy and held in secrecy,
no minutes or any other record of the meeting has survived. The US
Government demanded the Seminole move to the Creek reservation
in the Arkansas territory and become part of the Creek Nation. Also,
they had to return all runaway slaves to their rightful owners. None of
these demands were agreeable to the Seminole.
The Treaty of Payne’s Landing was signed on the condition that a delegation
of seven chiefs inspects the Arkansas reservation to judge whether it was
suitable or not. On March 28, 1833 the chiefs signed the Treaty of Fort
Treaty of Payne’s Landing con’t.
Gibson declaring the new lands were acceptable. Upon their return
to Florida, however, most of the chiefs renounced the statement,
claiming that they had been forced to sign.
The US Senate ratified the Treaty of Payne’s Landing in
April 1834. The treaty gave the Seminole three years to move and
claimed the three years started in 1832. In 1834 Catonment King,
a temporary site for quartering troops that had opened in 1827,
was reopened as Fort King. Jackson appointed former Georgia
congressman Wiley Thompson as the new Seminole agent and
assigned him the task of persuading the Seminole to move.
KEY TERMS
1. Governor William Duval
2 Payne’s Landing
SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS
1. What concessions did the Seminole receive under the
Treaty of Moultrie Creek?
2 Why did the Seminole object to moving to Arkansas?
DISCUSSION
1. List the pros and cons of each treaty. Discuss.
SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS: SS.A.4.4.5,
SS.A.1.3.1
The Background of Osceola
Osceola was born in 1804 in the village of Tallassee, Alabama. His mother Polly Coppinger
was the daughter of Anne McQueen, who was part Muskogee. Osceola’s father was
English man William Powell, although his real father may have been a Creek who died
shortly after Osceola’s birth and William Powell married Ms. Coppinger later. Although
Osceola claimed to be a full blooded Muskogee, whites often called him “Billy Powell”.
Testing on Osceola’s hair show him to be of mixed ancestry. In 1814 Osceola and his
mother moved to Florida with other Creeks.
Osceola received his name in adulthood. The word “Osceola” is a corrupted English
pronunciation of the Seminole name for a black drink made from the leaves of holly
bushes that Seminole warriors drank during purification ceremonies. “Assin-ye-o-la”
was a cry that accompanied the drinking.
Osceola
Handsome and an elegant dresser, Osceola played a major role in the Seminole efforts to
fight removal and remain in central Florida. Though not a true chief, his bravado and skill
as an orator caused him to emerge as the symbol of Seminole resistance.
In 1835 Indian agent Wiley Thompson called a council at Fort King and demanded that the Seminole leaders sign a new version
of the Payne’s Landing Treaty called the Treaty of Fort Gibson. While some of the chiefs appeared to agree, legend has it that
Osceola leaped to his feet and stabbed his knife into the treaty shouting, “This is the only treaty I will make with the whites”. A
statue of this incident has been located at the Silver Springs attraction near Ocala for over fifty years.
Side Note: “When history conflicts with legend, print the legend.”
Did Osceola really plunge a knife into the Treaty of Fort Gibson? First accounts of the Second Seminole War made the story
famous, including the 1841 sketch by Andrew Welch. Other accounts have the knife stuck in the table or other papers. Some
say Osceola merely waved the knife in the air. But the legend persists. Even the National Archives affixed a note to the Treaty
of Fort Gibson attesting, on Lt. Sprague’s authority, that a crease in the document was made by Osceola’s knife. True or not, the
legend does highlight the fact that Osceola emerged as a major leader.
KEY TERMS
1. William Powell
2. Lt. Sprague
SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS
1. How did Osceola acquire is adult name?
2. What leadership qualities did Osceola possess?
DISCUSSION
1. How important is the legend of Osceola stabbing the treaty with his knife?
SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS: SS.A.6.3.3
Sprague
Key Players During
the Fort King Era
Francis Dade – Dade was a US Major in the 4th Infantry regiment during the
Second Seminole War. On December 28, 1835 Dade left Fort Brooke (now
Tampa) and headed up the Old Fort King Road with 107 US soldiers armed with
weapons, canons, etc. They were to re-supply and reinforce Fort King (now
Ocala). In the late afternoon, 280 Seminole attacked and killed most of the
column. Only 3 survived. This event started the Second Seminole War 1835-1842.
Jumper – Chosen by the Seminole to be their main spokesperson, Jumper
argued eloquently at several of the Fort King conferences against the Treaty
of Payne’s Landing. Jumper was also one of the Seminole leaders, along with
Micanopy and Alligator, who attacked and defeated US troops under Major
Francis Dade.
Wiley Thompson – US Representative from Georgia 1821-1833. After his
congressional service, Thompson became the US agent to the Seminole and was
stationed at Fort King to supervise their removal from Florida to Arkansas. He
was involved in many heated councils with Seminole leaders. On December 28,
1835 he was killed by a band of Seminole led by Osceola near Fort King.
Micanopy – Senior Seminole chieftain during the
Second Seminole War. He refused to sign the Treaty of
Payne’s Landing and joined younger leaders like Jumper
and Osceola in opposition to Seminole removal from
Florida. He was elderly, however, and eventually became
convinced of the futility of war with the United States.
Like Osceola, he was captured under a white flag of truce.
John Horse – aka Juan Caballo or Gopher John. He was
a military advisor and interpreter to Osceola and a leader
of the Black Seminole contingents who fought against
removal. He helped lead an escape of over 200 Seminole
and Black Seminole from a relocation camp near Fort
Brooke. One year after Osceola’s capture, Horse
voluntarily surrendered due to lack of supplies and
reinforcements.
Thomas Sydney Jesup – One of several generals to
command all of the US forces during the Second
Seminole War. Jesup achieved notoriety for ordering
General Hernandez to capture Osceola under a white
flag of truce. That action outraged many US citizens
and US officers and created much sympathy around
the country for the Seminole.
Button Styles During the
For t King
Era
General Service
Infrantry
Artillery
Dragoons
Ordnance Department
MLTA
The Second Seminole War (1835-1842)
Prelude to War
On April 5, 1828 an order was issued by General
Winfield Scott to break up the post at Camp King.
A letter sent to the War Department from Joseph
White said, “I am aware, sir, that the Indians
within the territory of Florida at present are quiet,
but the removal of these troops (at Camp King)
will leave them without check”. Despite this
warning, the fort was abandoned in 1829. It was
reopened in 1832 after the signing of the Treaty
of Payne’s Landing.
chiefs declared the land in Arkansas to be suitable).
Tempers flared at several other meetings as well.
Scott
Fort King had its buildings elevated off the ground to allow for air
flow. This kept the interior cooler and drier during the summer.
The fort was built to survive the extremes of heat, rain, humidity
and the freezing temperatures in winter. Supposedly, no better
fort existed at the time in the southeast. Considering the
constant illness and death at the fort, this claim seems unlikely.
One commander in Florida said of his fort, “You are safer outside
with the wild Seminole then in the confines of this fort”.
The first two Seminole agents at Fort King were dismissed.
Gad Humphrey was relieved for apparently showing too much
concern for the Seminole and John Phagan for corruption.
When Andrew Jackson assigned Wiley Thompson to the fort,
it was assumed he was there to speed up the process of Indian
removal.
Wiley Thompson held numerous conferences and meetings
with Seminole leaders to work out the details of the move to
Arkansas. He seemed to become perturbed when the leaders
appeared to want to discuss whether or not they were moving
rather than when. He also noted with suspicion that many
Seminole were using their most recent Government payments to
buy ammunition.
On June 3, 1835 Osceola burst into the office of
Thompson and used ‘violent’ and ‘insulting’
language. Thompson immediately called for the
officers at Fort King and it was decided to arrest,
handcuff, and imprison Osceola at Fort King as
punishment. Thompson probably did not realize
he had just declared war. Osceola spent his first
day in jail in a constant rage. After several days,
Osceola finally calmed down and apologized to
Thompson and promised he would sign the removal
agreement. Thompson was so convinced of Osceola’s
turnaround, he presented him with a new custom-built
rifle.
KEY TERMS
1. Camp King
2. Wiley Thompson
SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS
1. Why was Fort King considered the best US fort in
the southeast?
2. Why was Wiley Thompson angry at most of the
meetings with Seminole leaders?
DISCUSSION
1. Why was Thompson’s jailing of Osceola
considered pivotal in the Second Seminole War?
SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS: SS.A.4.3.4,
SS.A.6.3.4
During several of the meetings, Seminole chiefs like Micanopy
and Jumper spoke eloquently against removal. They argued
that the Treaty of Payne’s Landing had been forced upon them
and that they supported the Treaty of Moultrie Creek. At those
meetings Thompson became angry. When Micanopy said he
had not signed the Treaty of Payne’s Landing, Thompson openly
called him a liar and showed Micanopy’s mark on the treaty. He
told the chiefs if they stayed in Florida they would be reduced to
a state of hunger and poverty. When those arguments failed, he
turned to threats.
One Seminole of lesser rank began to make an impression on
Thompson. Thompson noted that a Seminole named “Powell
was perhaps more violently opposed to removal than any other”.
‘Powell’ was the birth name of Osceola. During another meeting
at Fort King in 1835, Osceola became so agitated he stabbed
his knife into the Treaty of Fort Gibson (where 7 Seminole
Osceola
Beginning of the Second Seminole War (1835-1842)
In November of 1835 Osceola demonstrated his true intentions on
Seminole removal with extreme prejudice. He and some followers caught
up with Charley Emathla, a Seminole who had spoken against removal but
who had recently sold his cattle and was planning a move to Arkansas.
After a brief argument, Osceola shot him. Then Osceola scattered
Emathla’s compensation money over his body as an exclamation point.
Afterwards, Osceola led several minor raids in early December 1835.
Despite Osceola’s raids and the murder of Charley Emathla, most
historians consider the events of December 28, 1835 as the starting
point of the Second Seminole War. On that day 280 Seminole led by
Micanopy, Jumper, and Alligator ambushed Major Francis Dade and his
column of 108 men as they marched north from Fort Brooke
(Tampa) to reinforce Fort King. The Seminole had
shadowed Dade’s group from a distance for the entire
trip. In fact, Dade had passed the best ambush sites
and felt safe enough to call in his scouts. The
Seminole attacked in an open area by hiding under
the saw palmetto. The first volley killed over half
the column, including Dade. Only three men
survived what became known as Dade’s Massacre.
That same day at approximately 2:30 pm,
Osceola orchestrated his revenge. He and a group
of Seminole warriors shot Wiley Thompson and
Lt. Constantine Smith as they walked outside the
walls of Fort King. They also killed Erastus Rogers,
Alligator
a storeowner, and several others in his store outside
of the fort. Thompson was shot 14 times. Osceola
allegedly used the rifle that had been a gift from Thompson. Officers
inside the fort, thinking the fort was under attack, secured the gates
not realizing that Thompson and Smith were lying dead outside. That
night, Osceola met in the Wahoo Swamp with the warriors from the
Dade battle. Thompson’s scalp was placed on a center pole.
The Seminole gained the upper hand during the early stages of the
war. Osceola commanded a large contingent of Seminole and Black
Seminole warriors at the Cove of the Withlacoochee. Both Generals
Duncan L. Clinch and Edmund P. Gaines
attacked the Cove of the Withlacoochee
unsuccessfully. In fact, Gaines found
himself surrounded by more than 1,000
Indians and hastily constructed Camp
Izard, named in honor of the first officer
killed in the battle. Lt. James F. Izard had
started to lead the advance across the river
when he was struck in the nose by a lead
ball, killing him instantly. Osceola laid siege
to Camp Izard for over a week, the soldiers
were forced to eat their horses in order
to survive. At a council during the siege,
Osceola said he was satisfied with the
death of Thompson
and would stop all
hostilities if the Seminole
were allowed to stay in
Florida. Gaines stated he
would present the offer to
US officials, but at that time
US soldiers led by
General Clinch arrived
and broke the siege.
Negotiations between
Osceola and Gaines
Clinch
were not recognized and
hostilities continued.
Following the battle of the Cove of the
Withlacoochee, the Seminole broke into
smaller bands led by separate leaders who
operated independently of each other. In
August 1836 the US military abandoned
Fort Drane, in what is now northwest
Marion County, because of rampant
malaria. Osceola and his band quickly
moved in and seized the bushels of corn
that had been left behind. Osceola may
have contracted the illness at Fort Drane
that eventually killed him.
With constant raids on troops heading
to Fort King, it became difficult to keep
the garrison supplied. The US military
decided to abandon the fort in May 1836.
Seminole warriors ransacked the fort and
set it on fire. Federal troops reoccupied
the Fort King site in April 1837 and
immediately began construction of a new
fort. Built on the same hill as the original,
the new structure included a square shaped
stockade with two diagonally placed
KEY TERMS
1. Charley Emathla
2. Major Francis Dade
SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS
1. How did the battle at the Cove of the
Withlacoochee almost end the war?
2. How was Osceola treated after his capture?
DISCUSSION
1.
Discuss the methods used by General
Jesup to capture Osceola.
End of the War and Fort King
blockhouses as illustrated in the excellent
sketch of the fort (shown above) by Lt. John
T. Sprague (left pix) in 1839.
Several weeks later, the new military
commander in Florida, Major General Thomas
S. Jesup (pix below on right), met with
Seminole leaders including
Osceola at Fort Mellon near present-day
Sprague
Sanford to arrange for removal. Things were
so cordial that Osceola even spent one night with Col. William Harney
in his officer’s tent. In early June, however,
Osceola attacked Fort Brooke, near present-day
Tampa, and liberated a large group of Seminole
preparing to leave for Arkansas. General Jesup
became bewildered. At that point he decided to
use questionable means to end the fighting. In
October 1837 Jesup ordered General Joseph M.
Hernandez to seize Osceola at a meeting under a
large white flag of truce. A member of the
Jessup
Cherokee peace delegation, Chief John Ross,
wrote to the Secretary of War, “I do hereby most solemnly protest
against this unprecedented violation of that sacred rule….of treating
with all due respect those who had ever presented themselves under a
flag of truce”. General Jesup wrote, “No Seminole proves false to his
country, nor has a single instance ever occurred of a first rate warrior
having surrendered”. Jesup was forced to defend his treachery for
the rest of his career.
Initially Osceola was held at Fort Marion, the old Castillo de San
Marcos in St. Augustine. His family and a small band of followers were
allowed to stay with him. On December 31, 1837 Osceola and his family
were moved to Fort Moultrie near Charleston, South Carolina. There
he enjoyed a brief period of celebrity and posed for several famous
portraits. Osceola died at Fort Moultrie January 30, 1838 and was
buried at the fort.
Early in the summer of 1839, General Alexander
Macomb held an important council with Seminole
leaders at Fort King. Both sides agreed to end
hostilities and the Seminole would settle further
south in a new reservation below the Peace
River. Unfortunately, Florida settlers vowed to
kill every Seminole wherever they were found
and skirmishes continued. In the Spring of
1842, the last large band of Seminole were lured
to Fort King under the guise of a large feast and
captured. The agreement to move south of the
Peace River was enacted.
In August 1842 the US Government declared the
Second Seminole War to be over and the last
troops were pulled from Fort King in March 1843.
In 1844 Fort King was named the county seat of
the newly formed Marion County. In February
1846 Fort King was opened for private land sales.
The fort’s lumber was used as building supplies
during the construction of Ocala, the new county
seat.
The Third Seminole War 1855-1858
The Third Seminole War was not much of a conflict
when compared to the battles and bloodletting
of the Second War 1835-1842. Yet, it was the war
that exhausted the whites to the point that the
US Government gave up all efforts to remove the
remaining Seminole from Florida.
Tensions had increased in south Florida after the US
Government increased the number of federal troops
and sent patrols into the areas south of the Peace
River that had been reserved for the Seminole. The
three year war was started when a patrol of 10 men,
The Third Seminole War 1855-1858 con’t.
under the command of Lt. George Hartsuff, was attacked on
December 20, 1855 by 40 Seminole led by Billy Bowlegs. Three
soldiers were killed. The remaining troops were able to fight off
their attackers by using artillery and then managed to march
40 miles back to Ft. Myers.
When news of the attack became known, Governor James
Broome called up a force of 1,460 men, the Seminole numbered
perhaps 100.
Although Billy Bowlegs had led the attack on Lt. Hartsuff, it
was Oscen Tustenuggee, a war leader from Fisheating Creek,
who organized most of the future attacks on US soldiers. In
June 1856 the Tillis Farmhouse was attacked and a small militia
that came to the rescue lost several men. When reinforcements
arrived, the Seminole retreated to the Peace River where
several, including Oscen Tustenuggee were surprised and
killed.
In September 1856 General William Harney brought a change in
tactics. He had patrols use boats to penetrate deep into the
Seminole Reservation’s swamps in order to capture surprised
Seminole. Negotiations for the end of the war took place in
Washington, DC, where the Seminole were promised their own
land in Oklahoma, separate from the Creeks. A delegation
of Seminole from Oklahoma was sent to Florida to tell the
remaining Seminole of the new treaty. In March 1858 Billy
Bowlegs and other leaders had been contacted and agreed to
the terms. Payments were made when the Seminole boarded
ships in Ft, Myers.
But no one contacted several other bands of Seminole.
Chipco’s band was living near Lake Okeechobee and the US
army failed to locate his camp. The band of Sam Jones was
living somewhere inland from present-day Miami. Since the
war was officially over and the remaining Seminole were staying
quiet, the militias were sent home and the regular army troops
were reassigned. Descendants of those Seminole still reside
in Florida today and continue to claim the rights of a sovereign
nation.
KEY TERMS
1. Billy Bowlegs
2. Lt. George Hartsuff
SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS
1. Why did Billy Bowlegs attack the patrol under Lt. Hartsuff?
2. How did the tactics of General Wiliam Harney bring about an
end to the Third Seminole War?
DISCUSSION
1. Should Indians like the Florida Seminole be
allowed to consider themselves an independent
nation?
SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS: SS.A.4.4.5,
SS.A.6.3.1, SS.A.6.3.2
Sources
Billard, Jules, The World of the American Indian,
National Geographical Society, 1974
www.careerclusters.org
Fletcher, Sydney, The American Indian, Grosset
and Dunlap, Inc., 1954
History of the Seminoles Wars, Historical
Foundation, Inc
www.johnhorse.com/trail/02/a/10.1
www.indigenouspeople.net/osceola
Josephy, Alvin M., The American Heritage Book
of Indians, Simon and Schuster, 1961
National Park Service, Fort King National
Historic Landmark, 2006
www.usahistory.com/wars/seminol11
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/fortking
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/micanopy
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/osceola
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/second_seminole_war
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/third_seminole_war
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/treaty_ofmoultrie_creek
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/treaty_of_payne%27s_
landing
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/wiley-thompson
Paul Nugent - Former City manager City of
Ocala