Thom Hatch - Osceola and the Great Seminole War: A Struggle for Justice and Freedom

Contents

For my lovely wife, Lynn, and precious daughter, Cimarron

Seminole Chief Osceola (18041838) by George Catlin, Smithsonian American Art Museum

Acknowledgments

There are numerous special people who provide assistance to an author on the wonderful journey from concept to manuscript. I would like to single out only one person to acknowledge by name, howeverEdward W. Knappman, my former literary agent. Ed was a warm, intelligent, personable man who freely shared his immense knowledge and talents. His belief that Osceola and the Great Seminole War would be not just another history book but a work of historical significance served as a great inspiration to me. I hope I have met his expectations. Ed Knappman passed away on March 10, 2011. He will be truly missed.

Introduction

The story of Osceola and the Great Seminole War seems so fantastic at times that it is hard to believe it is all true. One common warrior with courage, cunning, and audacity unequaled by any Native American leader before or after would mastermind battle tactics that would frustrate and embarrass the best officers in the United States Armyincluding five generals. Osceola, by sheer willpower, initiated and orchestrated the longest, most expensive, and deadliest war ever fought by Americans against Native Americans. And he initiated this quixotic struggle not to gain glory or riches or out of hatred for the white man but simply because he believed in justice and freedom for his people. The story of Osceola and the Great Seminole War is the stuff that legends are made of.

Osceola is never mentioned in the same breath as Geronimo, or Sitting Bull, or Crazy Horse, or Cochise, but his accomplishments overshadow those of these great Native American leaders who challenged the might of the U.S. Army. One can only wonder why these other notable chiefs have enjoyed the attention of historians throughout the years, yet Osceola has fallen into an undeserved obscurity. But this book provides evidence that Osceolas rightful place is at the top of the list of great Native American war leaders.

By the time of his death in 1838, this Seminole warrior was the most famous and respected Native American in the world. When his obituary was splashed across the front pages of newspapers worldwide, he was mourned by Native Americans and whites alike, and ascended into legendary status. For years to come, children would bear his name, and cities, counties, schools, parks, businesses, and landmarks would be named after him.

It all began when the most powerful country on earth ordered the Seminole tribe to relocate from lush, tropical Florida Territory to the relatively barren and frigid West. The indignity of departing a beloved homeland was bad enough, but, at the same time, Southern slave owners petitioned the government to reclaim runaway slaves who had taken refuge with the Seminoles and return them to bondage. These Black Seminoles, many of whom were married to Seminoles or had never been slaves, would be seized and returned to slavery when the tribe assembled for its migration west.

The Seminole chiefs protested this outrageous move but were told that if they resisted, their people would face all the might and power of the U.S. military and possible extermination. There would be no negotiations.

By this time, Osceola had established a cordial relationship with the white authorities with whom he came in contact in his position of policing his tribe. But when removal of his people from their homeland to the West became imminent, virtually overnight he turned against the government. Then, when Seminole chiefs failed to respond immediately to the threat, this common warrior declared war for his people on the United States of America.

What could be more honorable than a race of people fighting for justice and freedom as they tried to protect their homeland, their culture, their sovereignty, their families, and their dignity against the threat of extermination? And fight they did, led by Osceola, the warrior turned war leader.

In one brilliantly executed and daring attack after another, Osceola and his outnumbered warriors assailed army positions or ambushed their columns in the field. When too large a force advanced against his warriors, Osceola would resort to harassing the soldiers with ingenious hit-and-run guerrilla tactics before vanishing into the swamps. Casualties quickly mounted among the ranks of the military within Florida, which would include regular army troops, militias from several Southern states, and even warriors from enemy tribes.

As the Seminoles scored victory after victory, the exploits of Osceola captured the imaginations of people far and wide. During this time of war, oddly enough, many whites throughout the country applauded Osceolas gallant effort and cheered for the Seminoles to prevail. Although unknown to him, he became the subject of public conversation and accolades. His image was used in advertising illustrations, often notably costumed in a Roman toga, and he was regularly toasted in taverns in the North.

As the war raged on, Osceola, who was ill with fever, came to negotiate a peace treaty with army officials under a white flag of trucea symbol that had always been honored by both sides. In this instance, however, the white flag was ignored and Osceola was captured and imprisoned.

The shameful nature of his capture sparked nationwide protests against the conduct of this Great Seminole Warmore than a century before such public outrage became commonplace. His incarceration, the possible loss of his homeland, and the frustration of not being able to lead his people in their ongoing conflict greatly affected Osceolas already declining health. Within months of his capture, he died in prison at the age of thirty-four. His death, however, served to inspire his battle-weary followers to carry on with the war for years to come with his name as a rallying cry.

The journey through Osceolas short but memorable life illuminates the social, political, cultural, and historical events of the era, including treaties, race relations, and tribal histories and customs, and presents a cast of fascinating larger-than-life characters, both famous and unknown, who are vital to understanding this time of turmoil.

Above all, however, this is the story of Osceola, who should now be recognized for his remarkable skills and personal traits and should be elevated to a legendary status not just as a Native American leader but also as a man who sought to do what was right. Justice and freedom have had no greater champion throughout history than Osceola, who paid the ultimate price to defend his beliefs.

One

The Creek Refugees

Nine-year-old Billy Powell, the boy who would grow up to become the warrior Osceola, watched as his whole world went up in flames.

Billy was in the company of his mother and dozens of other members of the Creek tribemostly women, children, and old menwho crouched in the dense underbrush where they had fled from their homes. One by one they cautiously raised their heads to view great plumes of charcoal smoke furiously billowing upward into the distant sky. This fear-inspiring sight indicated that countless fires were raging in the direction of their homes. It was apparent that every residence and building in the town of Tallassee along the Tallapoosa River in the region of present-day Macon County, Alabama, had been set on fire and was burning out of control. Soon nothing would remain but ashes and debris.