Outdoor Life and Indian Stories / Making open air life attractive to young Americans by telling them all about woodcraft, signs and signaling, the stars, fishing, camping, camp cooking, how to tie knots and how to make fire without matches, and many other fascinating open air pursuits. Also, stories of noted hunters and scouts, great indians and warriors, including Daniel Boone, Kit Carson, General Custer, Pontiac, Tecumseh, King Philip, Black Hawk, Brandt, Sitting Bull, and a host of others whose names are famous; all of them true and interesting

by Edward Sylvester Ellis

Osceola agreed to this, but had hardly done so, when General Clinch, with several hundred armed men appeared near them. He had just arrived with supplies for the army, and had no other thought in mind, but Osceola believed the whole thing was a trap, and he and his warriors dashed into the woods in precipitous flight.

General Scott now took command in Florida. Fighting went on all through the summer, with no real advantage to either side. The Seminoles met with several successes, but when cool weather came again, no actual gain had been made by the Americans. Congress had to grant funds to save many of the settlers from starvation. The whole country became impatient. Again and again, reports were printed that the final blow to the revolt had been given and peace was secured at last; but, hardly was this news read when it was followed by tidings of some startling success of the hostiles. If any of the readers of these pages are old enough to remember the Seminole War, they will recall those trying months and years with their "hope long deferred."

In September, 1836, a hatless man dashed into Jacksonville, with the report that his home, only seven miles away, was attacked by Indians. Volunteers hurried to the relief of the besieged, who, it was found, had been able to hold off their assailants; but several neighbors had been slain and their houses burned.

The Creeks and Seminoles, considered as tribes, had long been enemies. In fact, one cause of the anger of the latter over the Treaty of Payne's Landing was that it located the Seminoles near the former in Indian Territory. Two Creek chiefs with nearly a thousand warriors, now joined the United States forces. This was "fighting fire with fire," and many saw in it the certainty that the war must soon be brought to a close.

But the aimless fighting went on. The Seminoles showed marked valor, and succeeded in defeating the soldiers with severe losses. General Jessup having declined to take chief command in Florida, Governor Call did so, sure of soon forcing the Seminoles to sue for peace. He did all that was possible, and it amounted to nothing. Then the Secretary of War ordered General Jessup to take command again. He did so, and set the main army in motion, in January, 1837.

Great was the relief of that officer, when he received proposals of peace from the Seminoles. They kept straggling in until, before the close of May, three thousand, among whom were many women and children, were gathered at one of the posts on Lake Monroe. Rations were issued to them, and among the chiefs was Osceola himself. More than that, he had eaten at the table of General Barney, and slept in his tent. He and all the chiefs said over and over again, that they had made up their minds to offer no further opposition to their removal to the new lands beyond the Mississippi. General Jessup breathed easier, for he was surely warranted in believing the end was at hand.

Twenty-four transports lay at Tampa to take away the Indians; but when the day came for them to embark, not a warrior, squaw or papoose was to be seen. All had taken to the woods again in obedience to the command of Osceola. It is hard to understand why he did this thing. Could it be in obedience to a waggish disposition? Did he wish to humiliate General Jessup, and through him the American army? Or did he seek a few good meals for his people, and more knowledge for himself of the plans of his enemies?

The whole war was not marked by a more provoking occurrence. A large party of the army was prostrated by sickness, and many had been given furlough, so that the strength of our forces in Florida was less than it had been for a long time. The Seminoles were greatly heartened by the trick, and became more daring than ever. The Territory of Florida was swept by a reign of terror, and the conquest of the redskins seemed farther off than ever.

What could be more natural than that General Jessup should be filled with hot resentment against Osceola, the cause of his humiliation? He resolved never to trust him again, and to relax no effort to kill or make him prisoner.

In the month of October, 1837, a message came to Fort Peyton from Osceola to the effect that he was a short distance away and desired an interview with General Hernandez. He asked General Jessup to come out and talk with him. Instead of replying, that officer ordered one of his lieutenants to lure Osceola and his companions into the fort, and then make them prisoners. But the Seminole was too wily to be trapped and declined the invitation.