This 80-acre historic state park commemorates the Dade Battle that occurred between US troops and Seminole warriors resulting in a major victory for the Seminoles.
In December, 1835, 180 Seminole warriors attacked 108 US troops and officers who were marching from Fort Brooke (Tampa) to reinforce Fort King (Ocala). All but 3 of the soldiers were killed by the Seminoles during the battle.
Clothing worn by the soldiers and Seminoles is on display at the Visitor Center as well as an American flag of the time. The light artillery sword belonged to an officer of Dade’s force and was found at the battlefield site.(It is on loan from the National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution.)
Exhibits include artifacts and information about: The Seminoles and the First Seminole War (1817-1818); when the Spanish ceding Florida to the US (1821); and the settlers who moved south and coveted Seminole lands that led to the the First and Second Seminole Wars.
Adding to the tensions between the two groups, was the Seminole practice of providing refuge to fugitive slaves. In 1832, some chiefs agreed to move to territory west of the Mississippi River, but many Seminoles opposed it. Led by Chief Osceola, the Second Seminole War (1835-1842) was the result. Ultimately, of course, the US troops prevailed. Some Seminoles relocated to the west, while others went into hiding, chosing to stay in their homeland.
We continued outside to explore the battle site. After the initial attack by the Seminoles, US troops attempted to regroup by building a log breastwork for protection during the battle. A replica of the original can be seen across from the Visitor Center.
By the end of the battle only 3 soldiers were alive. The Seminoles suffered very few casualties as their attack was well planned in advance.
Following the trail (once Fort King Military Road), we saw many huge live oak trees. Oh, the stories they could tell about the battle and the history of the area.
A couple of monuments along the trail mark the place where two officers died during the battle: Lieutenant Mudge and Captain Fraser.
The ambush site was deserted for 7 weeks until troops arrived to identify and bury the dead. Almost 7 years later, money was raised for a second internment for the troops to the National Cemetery in St. Augustine.
After crossing the creek we came to one of the many sabal palm trees in the area. Today the state tree of Florida, it was very important to Native Americans and then pioneers that settled here. The trunk was used to build homes, when cut into small blocks it was a sturdy scrub brush; the leaves were used for thatched roofs and woven into mats and baskets; and the heart, called swamp cabbage, is edible (raw or cooked).
We continued to the nature loop trail that passes through pine flatlands. Leashed pets are permitted in the park (not in buildings, of course) and our sweet Sadie had fun exploring the new smells.
A re-enactment of the battle is held annually at the historic park. Spectators watch it from this small hill.
There are multiple picnic shelters and a recreation building (that can be reserved) at the park. When we had finished hiking, we enjoyed our picnic lunch in this lovely shaded spot.
Learning more about Native Americans is always of interest to us both. We so admire their way of life, living in harmony with nature. But, of course, the horrible destruction to their homelands and culture, always makes a sad ending to the story. The same is true with the story of the Second Seminole War, that ended in 1842 with the US troops victorious.
Admission to the park is $3/vehicle. The annual Florida State Pass we purchased when we arrived in the state last year covers all of the many state parks we have visited. For additional information about Dade Battlefield, go towww.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/dade-battlefield-historic-state-park.
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