BUSHNELL — During the first weekend of January, hundreds gather
from around the country to re-create an event that forever
changed the face of Florida. It was late December 1835, and the
U.S. government planned to begin its Indian removal in just a
few days. One hundred and eight soldiers, under the command of
Major Francis Dade, had been dispatched from Fort Brooke (near
Tampa) to reinforce the troops at Fort King, who were being
threatened by Chief Osceola. After six days of arduous hiking,
the soldiers were looking forward to a late Christmas. But on
the chilly morning of December 28, just 40 miles short of their
goal, they relaxed their guard. In the scrub forest ahead, 200
Seminole warriors under the command of Chief Jumper crouched
beneath the palmettos. As the troops filed past two abreast, the
Seminoles opened fire. Half fell in that first volley, including
Major Dade. The remaining troops scrambled for cover and managed
to construct a log breastwork, but their efforts were in vain.
By the day’s end,