The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1898-08-27
THE SEMINOLE WAR.
1t Was n Long-Drswn-Out and Disas-
trous Conflict, the Effects OF
which Are stiIl Felt.

Once before this country engaged
in war within the tropics. 1t covered
the period of 1885 to 1912 and was car
ried ON against the Seminoles in Flor
ida. They had caused serious trouble
before when they united with the
Creeks and some negro refugees in
plundering white settlements of Geor-
gia, but the movement which sup
pressed them was comparatively brief
in duration and did not give an ade-
quate idea of the hardships incident to
campaigning In such climate. In
1917 Gen. jackson was sent against
the offenders and in bringing them to
terms incidentally took several Span
ish forts. This greatly facilitated
pending negotiations. and Florida was
ceded to this country.
Upon this concession, obtained par
italy by force and partially by the pay
ment of money, the Seminoles agreed
to retire to the interior and behave
themselves, but failed to carry out the
agreement. In the hope OF securing
obedience without bloodshed, they
were induced to make treaty under
the terms of which they were to re-
move their entire tribe west OF the
Mississippi. Instigated by osceola,
one Of their most powerful chiefs, they
repudiated the treaty, and an eight
years war, costing $10,O00,0 900 in money
and thousands Of lives, was the result.
In the end the remains of the tribe
were removed to the Indian territory.
While the climatic conditions in Flor
ida are much more favorable than
those in Cuba, the mortality from dis
ease was enormous In comparison to
the number engaged. 1t is shown by
the record that 7,40O troops were em-
ployed during the struggle to conquer
5000 Seminoles, but half of them men.
The war was carried on in a manner
very similar to that between the Gu
bans and the Spaniards. The Indians
would never engage in a stand-up
fight, unless they had the best Of the
situation, but lay in ambush, for which
the great Everglade district was pc
culiarly adapted, made night attacks
and showed the greatest cunning of
their people in the infliction of injury
without receiving it in return. They
lived on the country, its native fruits,
roots, fish and game, while the soldiers
had to carry their supplies with them,
an additional handicap upon their
movements which were so persistent
ly retarded. The war ended when the
Seminoles had fighting force of but
300 left.
During the conflict 1881 of the
troops died, Of this number 20 were
sailors and 40 marines, the remainder
being officers and men of the regular
army. Out OF the total 5s were killed
in battle, 214 died of wounds and 1889
of malarial diseases. AS result of
that war there are now 6,661 persons
on the pension roll, 1878 survivors and
4,2SS widows. The total amount OF the
pensions paid as result of the war
Is $53,0O0,00O, or more than five times
the original cost
There are several consoling thoughts
in this connection. Sanitary rules and
the means Of enforcing them are much
better now than then. Instead of an
eight years. war, the end appears al.
most in sight. Science has solved
problems that were then unsolved and
the facilities for furnishing supplies
as needed are vastly superior.--De-
troit Free Press.