A Bit of History
War Over?
Hearld of the Times, May 1, 1839
In 1839 President Martin Van Buren sent the Commanding General of the Army, Alexander Macomb, to negotiate a new treaty with the Seminoles. After about a month of negotiation, on May 19th, 1839 a supposed agreement was reached, and it was announced the war was over, but was it?
FLORIDA WAR NOT ENDED
The announcement in the New Orleans Bee that Gen. Macomb had made a treaty with the Seminoles was premature. The Glob contradicts in wrath the statemen made, and says that Gen Wool and his aid de-camp, young Alexander Macomb, have arrived in New Orleans from a tour of inspection to the Western forts made by Inspector General Wool. He has not visited Florida at all. Maj. Gen. Macomb, who is entrusted with duties relating to Florida was at Fort King by the last advices. It is to be hope he will succeed in pacifying the Indians, but there is no intention on the part of the Government to surrender any portion of Florida to the Indians as a permanent residence. Express
Daily Hearld and Gazette,p2 May 21, 1839
In July, a band of 250 Indians that did not sign the agreement, made a surprise attack on U.S. troops in which 22 soldiers and two traders were killed. Still, those that did agree to the settlement continued their migration west. Seminole emigration had been steadily increasing but resistance still remained mostly from the Indians that had retreated southward into the Everglades.
LATE INDIAN NEWS
Previous reports inform us that about a week before two white men were surrounded and taken by the Indians, some where between Forts Micanopy and King. It is also reported that after taking them, and keeping them some time, they literally chopped them to pieces.
The East Florida Advocate, Sep. 7, 1839
The war was far from over…
Head Quarters, Army of the South Fort White, 27th October, 1839
Order No. 37.
In consequences of the unparalleled sickness among the Officers and Soldiers of the Regular Army in Florida, Colonel John Warren’s command will be increased to a full regiment. In addition to the five Companies now in service, three others will be raised.