Visit to the Dade Battlefield

 

 On Sunday Janine and I visited the Dade Battlefield park.  The battle marked the start of the Second Seminole War.  The Dade Battle or  massacre, was a  defeat for the United States Army in 1835.  On 28 December 1835 two U.S. Infantry companies numbering 103 men under the command of Major Francis L. Dade were ambushed by approximately 180 Seminole and Black Seminole warriors as they marched from Fort Brooke on Tampa Bay to reinforce Fort King in Ocala.  The battle took place in a pine forest and swampy area and was a one-sided Seminole victory. All but three American soldiers were killed at the cost of only six Seminole warriors. The defeat sparked the Second Seminole War which lasted until 1842. The Seminole wars are little known and usually ignored in most history text books.  They comprise the longest Indian war in US history.

 The park has a number of walking trails, and a nice visitor center.  There are markers for the troop locations and a replica of the breast work set up by the soldiers.  In the visitor center were excellent displays outline the reasons for the conflict and the course of the war.  In addition there are two life size figures in replica uniform and native clothing.  

  The day we visited the park hosted a historical reenactment of the battle.  There were small camps set up and various weapons firing and other demonstrations.  It all concluded with a mock battle.