The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-02-16
WASHINGTON, D. C.
No. III. @t
INKLINGS FROM THE FRONTIER;
CR,
Life and Observations among Civilize d
Indians.

Seminole is a Muscogee or Creek word, and
in that language signifies runaway.
After the Spanish invasion of the Fleridas,
and after the once-powerful Yamassees had
been reduced in numbers and weakened in
strength, parties of disafected Creeks COM
bined, ran away from the Greek rulers, emf
grated to Florida, where they pouneed upon
the Yamassees, whom they conquered, adopted,
and Incorporated among themselves, thus form
ing the Seminole nation. Id
Every one is familiar with the history of the
Florida war, and it would be useless for me to
give more than the merest glance at the former
history Of the Seminoles. .
In 1892, treaty was made with portion of
the Seminole chiefs, at Payne's Landing, in
Florida, by which they conditionally agreed to
give up all their reservations, and remove to
the trans Mississippian region. But some of
the most influential chiefs, and the great body
Of the Seminole people, were bitterly opposed
to removing from their pleasant homes. They
regarded the treaty as unfair and treacherous,
and declared against receiving it. But, in spite
Of the dissatisfaction of the Seminoles, in 1884
President Jackson sent General Wiley Thomp-
son to prepare for their emigration. Finding
how unwilling they were to leave their homes
for an unknown land and an uDgenial climate,
he called a conference to meet st Fort King.
On this occasion, General Thompson assumed
unheard-of powers, and proceeded, in a very
deliberate, pompous, aud insulting manner,
to cashier ali those chiefs who were unfavor-
able to the removal. Against such unwar-
rantabe and silly proceedings, Osceola,
young man of great talents, and their favorite
chief spoke in very sarcastic manner, and
took a tone which highly incensed the great
IFiIey, clothed with brief authority; and the
brave young chief was forthwith arrested, put
in irons, and thrown in prison for day and
night. For twenty-four hours, with letters on
his limbs, the proud 0sceola lay in the guard
house prison of the garrison, chafng under a
sense of degradation, cruel wrong, an outra-
geous insult, and forming plans Of future re-
venge. He well knew that it was to him whom
bis people were looking as their leader. He
also knew, that if be remained a prisoner, the
courage and resolution of the Seminoles would
fail them, and that they would probably be in
luenced by the traitor chiefs TO agree to the
removal. Hence, he resolved to dissemble,
pretended penitence, signed the treaty, and was
released.
But 1t was soon ascertained that the much
dreaded Osceola was not sincere, and had only
signed the treaty in order to have the CALLING
shackles removed, and be set at liberty, that be
might wreak his vengeance on hated foe,
whom he considered to be heaping wrongs and
cruel oppression upon aim and his people, and
adding Insult to injury. The first act of Osce-
\olas cruel and savage revenge was the massa-
cre OF Major Dade and one hundred and seven
Iteen men. The latter was on his way from
Fort Brooke to Fort King, to DIN Gen. Clinch.
When within about twenty miles of his destina-
: ton, he was attacked by Osceols and bis war
riors, who had lain in ambush. But one of the
fated number ever lived to tell the sad story,
and he died of his wounds soon after.
That same day, Gen. Wiley Thompson, with
several officers of the garrison, was dining with
the sutler, whose residence was but a short
distance beyond the Notifications. Osceola,
through his spies, had learned that this con-
vivial party was to meet at that particular time
and place. And after the decisive blow had
been struck in the Dade massacre" he drew
of hundred picked warriors, and rode, with
all possible dispatch, TO do his work of revenge
on the man who had once dared to shackle the
limbs of proud Seminole chief. In the midst
Of drunken revel, Gen. Thompson fell dead,
pierced by fifteen bullets. Osceola, who had
sworn TO plunge his knife into the heart of the
great Wiley, rushed into the house, fulfilled his
oath, and took his scalp.
But all these things have passed into history;
and have unwittingly been letting my pen run
into rehearsal of too many details.
1t has been said, and / believe with truth,
that our nation has never been engaged in a
war at all comparable with the war with Osce-
ola, the Seminole chief, generally known as the
Florida war. In Osceola, our greatest warriors
met foeman worthy of their steel-a man of
great talents, courage, bravery, and general
ship. Against him were "pitted" Generals
Scott, JesBp, Clinch, jackson, Taylor, Gaines,
Worth, and many other officers whose names
are now written in the book of fame. But for
long time Osceola outgeneraled all who came
against him. Our history does not record an
instance of such series of heroic military SER
vices, where both sides so bravely met dangers
and difficulties, privations and suffering, or
evinced so much Spartan courage and seli-de-
votion. None of our Indian wars-probably
all Of them togcther-ever drained the public
Treasury of so much money as did the Florida
war.
At last, 0sceola was captured, while under
the protection of flag, accompanied by but
few of his warriors, and escorting small party
OF whites who had formerly been his friends,
10 the settlements. But General Jesup, having
IN view his breach of faith after having the
sLackles knocked off of his limbs, and his
many subsequent s;ratagems, believed him to
be treacherous, caused him TO be forcibly de-
tanned, regardless of the rules of honorable
warfare had him again put in irons, and car
rcd prisoner TO Fort Moultrie, South Caro-
Ina. A few months after his confinement, he
d.cd of the pulmonary consumption. His re-
mains now rest in the burial grounds OF that
Old fort, under plain marble slab, engraved
with the simple inscription, " Osceola." as
The Seminoles to this day We nerate his name
and adore his memory. Since have been In
this country, it has been my good fortune to
become acquainted with several very intelli-
gent and interesting persons who claim to be
descendant relatives OF the great chieftain.
In 1912, it was thought that Gen, then Col
Worth, had the honor of terminating this war
with the Seminoles. Bat, as every one CONVEX
SAINT with the history of the past decade knows,
the renowned Billy Bowlegs, with his band, re-
fused to leave Florida with the majority of his
crethren, remained behind, and provoked an
other war with the United States. In this late
val, Gen. Harvey and Col. Monroe figured as
The most conspicuous characters. asa sol
hlle en- route for Utah, in the spring of
looo, one company of the fourth artillery, fresh
from the swamps and Everglades of Florida,
accompanied our division as far as Fort Lara
ME. 1frl
Often have / sat around their camp 6res at
night, aud listened to anecdotes about the Sem
mole chief, Billy Bowlegs, or heard long-spun
yarns fall from the lips Of old soldiers, In rela-
uon to their perils>by land and by water; their
hard marches tbro igh nsver-endingI swamps,
,ler harrow escapes from assassination by