The re-eanactment of The Battle of Okeechobee is held annually at Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park in Okeechobee, Florida.
Commemorating the largest battle in the Second Seminole Indian War on Christmas Day in 1837 it pittted 300 Seminole warriors led by Coacoochee (Wildcat), legendary medicine man Abiaca (Sam Jones), and Black Seminole leader John Cavallo against 9,000 men under the command of Col. Zachary Taylor, the 1st, 4th and 5th Infantry and a group of Missouri volunteers led by Col. Richard Gentry. His grandson traveled from Missouri and took place in this year's re-enactment. He is pictured near the end of the collection with drawn sword during the closing ceremonies. His portrait in period costume are the last few images in the collection.
Although they lost the battle, the Seminoles inflicted heavy casualties with few loses of their own, bought time for their families to flee further into the Everglades and helped propel Col. Taylor to the Presidency of The United States.
As a student of American History and a strong supporter of the legacy, customs and plight of all native American Indian tribes, it was indeed a special opportunity to capture a slice of American History and get a feel for what a battle such as this might have been like.
Although you can not hear the roar of the canon and flintock, smell the black powder in the air or feel it stinging your eyes, I hope that you will smell and hear them in your mind as you view these images.
Thanks to all the volunteers and history afficionados that stage these types of events throughout the country so we may value our heritage and gain insight and understanding into the sacrificies and events that have made America a great country.
Commemorating the largest battle in the Second Seminole Indian War on Christmas Day in 1837 it pittted 300 Seminole warriors led by Coacoochee (Wildcat), legendary medicine man Abiaca (Sam Jones), and Black Seminole leader John Cavallo against 9,000 men under the command of Col. Zachary Taylor, the 1st, 4th and 5th Infantry and a group of Missouri volunteers led by Col. Richard Gentry. His grandson traveled from Missouri and took place in this year's re-enactment. He is pictured near the end of the collection with drawn sword during the closing ceremonies. His portrait in period costume are the last few images in the collection.
Although they lost the battle, the Seminoles inflicted heavy casualties with few loses of their own, bought time for their families to flee further into the Everglades and helped propel Col. Taylor to the Presidency of The United States.
As a student of American History and a strong supporter of the legacy, customs and plight of all native American Indian tribes, it was indeed a special opportunity to capture a slice of American History and get a feel for what a battle such as this might have been like.
Although you can not hear the roar of the canon and flintock, smell the black powder in the air or feel it stinging your eyes, I hope that you will smell and hear them in your mind as you view these images.
Thanks to all the volunteers and history afficionados that stage these types of events throughout the country so we may value our heritage and gain insight and understanding into the sacrificies and events that have made America a great country.
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