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Fall 2003 - V.18 N.3 Table of Content |
Florida's War on the Seminoles - South Lagoon and Everglades 1830-1840 From Florida old and New by Frederick W.Dau | ||||||||
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Lagoon History Archives Dredging Indian River Lagoon Wetlands 1920 - 1950s Cruising the Lagoon 1884 The Lagoon Enters the Rocket Age 1950 Indian River Lagoon Region 1880’s, A Country of Pineapple Plantations Indian River Lagoon early 1900's - The Dreaded Ashley Gang Never a River like St. Lucie was Back Then (1910-1920) |
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| © 2003 Marine Resources Council of East Florida |
Even at the early date of 1835, the land grabbers were keen to drive the Indians from the "Big Swamp", the Everglades, which on account of its game the Indians regarded as their most sacred possession.
Osceola, a young man of great ability who, in a little over two years, made much Indian history.
During the short time of his rule, with hardly over a thousand warriors, the number of troops sent to conquer him was greater than had ever before been assembled in Florida for any one cause. Seven of the ablest officers of that day were sent to conquer him with as many as 10,000 men at one time; and the campaigns cost a sum estimated at more than $20,000,000.
It was in the latter part of 1837 that General Jessup, realizing the slow progress of the war, ordered Colonel Taylor to follow the Indians and strike where he could.
Taylor started south along the west side of the Kissimmee River with two thousand men on Dec 19th. A large band under the leadership of Sam Jones was encamped on the east of the Kissimmee River and prepared to fight.
Colonel Taylor crossed the river not far from its outlet into Lake Okeechobee and started east till he came to a thick hammock about due south of the present city of Okeechobee and near what is now known as Taylor's Creek. On Dec 24th, he located the Indian scouts and on the next, Christmas Day, engaged them in battle.
Colonel Gentry was killed at the first fire and his company confused and repulsed. Elusive as ever, the Seminoles had gone southeast and in a few days were followed to the headwaters of the Loxahatchie River about eight miles west of Jupiter. This sounds simple but it meant a march over a mere trail through swamps then almost impassable.
On Jan 24th 1838, the troops engaged the Indians in a battle in which they lost heavily, on the north side of the Jupiter River. The whites erected what was known as Fort Jupiter, which was later burnt by the Indians, though its remains were noted for many years afterwards.