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A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 42/340
The Second Seminole War
Although Indians were encountered and some deserted villages
destroyed, little was accomplished which contributed toward end
ing the war.23
In his annual report dated December 3, 1836, the Secretary of
War noted with pride that some 1,500 regular troops and 2,500
militia volunteers and friendly Indians were operating in the
territory.24 In actuality, however, the war had stagnated when its
first year drew to an end.
General Thomas Jesup succeeded Call as military commander
in Florida in December 1836. Jesup hoped the Indians were tired of
the war and extended peace overtures to the chiefs. Jumper and
Alligator met with him at Fort Armstrong near the Everglades in
February 1837. Both chiefs expressed a willingness to give up the
fight and come to future conferences.25
On March 6, 1837, Jesup worked out an agreement with the
Indians under Jumper, Holatoochee, and Yaholoochee represent
ing Micanopy. Essentially the agreement called for hostilities to
end and all Seminoles to emigrate to the Indian territory west of
the Mississippi. The Indians were to start preparations for ship
ment no later than April 10, 1837. They agreed to confine them
selves to an area south of the Hillsborough River and at the time of
shipment to present themselves to government officials at Fort
Brooke on Tampa Bay. The Indians were assured that their
personal property and Negro slaves would accompany them to the
West.26
Problems developed as preparations for departure were made.
Slaves traders assumed all Negroes living with the Indians were
runaways and pressured for their return. General Jesup told the
23Mahon, History of the Second Seminole War, pp. 179-82.
24Niles Register, Vol. LI, December 24, 1836, p. 262.
25Niles Register, Vol. LI, February 25, 1837, p. 401.
26 Mahon, History of the Second Seminole War, p. 200.
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