Table of Contents 2-3. Letters from Community Leaders & Congressman5. Origins of Fort King Historical Context Archaeology6. Origin of the Seminoles Black Seminoles8-9. Fort King Timeline Drawing of Fort 10. The First Seminole War The Tail of Two Treaties Treaty of Moultrie Creek Treaty of Payne’s Landing11. Background of Osceola12. Other Historic players of the time period Micanopy, Jumper, Dade Etc...13. The Second Seminole War15. The End of Fort King The Third Seminole Wary 16. Source page

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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 Star-Banner to search for articles using these words. Make a chart showing how often these words were used in today’s Star-Banner.

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Written Content byGary Kent- IB History of the Americas and Pre IB World History Teacher - Vanguard High SchoolPhotographic 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, 1996The 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 manufacturedby 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” andweight, 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 conclu-sion of the Florida War.”•James Hutchinson artist, authorized reproduction of his paintings of Osceola pg 11 & Alligator page 14

Fort King Site OverviewDesignated 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.

Historical ContextThe Second Seminole War (1835-1842) was the longest and most expensive Indian war in US History, only the Vietnam War (1965-1973) lasted longer. The Second Seminole War cost the US Government $30-40 million and resulted in nearly 1,500 deaths.

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 artifacts, 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

KEY TERMS1. Cimarron 2. Adams-Onis Treaty

SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS1. Describe the mixture of people that made up the Florida Seminole.2. Why did the Spanish develop good relations with the Seminole?

DISCUSSION1.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 SeminoleThe 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

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 African-

American 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.

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 TERMS1. Black Seminole2. Fort Mose

SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS1. 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?

DISCUSSION1. 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 commandof 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

Abraham

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

HISTORY OF FORT KING PROPERTY, MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA1835 – 1842: The Second Seminole War, was the longest of the US Indian Wars; the only war longer was the Vietnam War.

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.

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.”

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,

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.)

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

A. Magazine

B. Blockhouse

C. Kitchen

D. Officer’s Quarters

E. Enlisted Mens Quarters

An integral part of Florida’s frontier history

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 TERMS1. Andrew Jackson2. Adams-Onis TreatySHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS1. Why did Black Seminole align themselves with the Seminole?2. What role did Spain play in Seminole raids on Georgia?DISCUSSION1 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 TreatiesTreaty 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 (1822-1824) 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 LandingIn 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.

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 TERMS1. William Powell 2. Lt. Sprague

SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS1. How did Osceola acquire is adult name? 2. What leadership qualities did Osceola possess?

DISCUSSION1. How important is the legend of Osceola stabbing the treaty with his knife?SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS: SS.A.6.3.3

Osceola

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.

General Service

Infrantry

Artillery

Dragoons

Ordnance Department MLTA

Button Styles During the

Fort King Era

Prelude to WarOn April 5, 1828 an order was issued by GeneralWinfield 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.

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.

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

chiefs declared the land in Arkansas to be suitable). Tempers flared at several other meetings as well.

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 TERMS1. Camp King2. Wiley ThompsonSHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS1. 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?DISCUSSION1. 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

The Second Seminole War (1835-1842)

Scott

Osceola

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, 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

Beginning of the Second Seminole War (1835-1842)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 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

Alligator

Clinch

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 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 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.

KEY TERMS1. Charley Emathla 2. Major Francis Dade

SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS1. How did the battle at the Cove of the Withlacoochee almost end the war?2. How was Osceola treated after his capture?

DISCUSSION1. Discuss the methods used by General Jesup to capture Osceola.

End of the War and Fort King

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,

Sprague

Jessup

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 TERMS1. Billy Bowlegs2. Lt. George Hartsuff

SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS1. 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?

DISCUSSION1. 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