Campaigns of 1839
Second Seminole (Florida) War
January 23d
A plan is approved that divides the Florida Territory into sections of 20 miles squared, and 18 miles squared in the Suwanee
River area due to settlements already established in that region. In each of these designated areas a fortification is to be built
and manned by 20 men, half of them mounted to patrol their perspective boxes.
February 2d
18 Indians captured near Fort Mellon.
2 dispatch riders wounded when attacked near Micanopy.
February 15th
General Taylor orders that the plan for squares be put into practice.
February 25th
196 Indians are transported out of the Florida Territory for Indian Territory, 65 of these are warriors.
March 18th
The commander in chief of the army General Macomb is ordered to Florida in order to help bring the war to an end through
more negotiated treaties.
April 5th
Gen. Macomb arrives in Florida at Garey's Ferry.
May 18th
Gen. Macomb awaits a delegation of chiefs to arrive at Fort King in hopes to receive an agreement to end hostilities.
May 20th
The Chiefs Halleck Tustenuggee and Chito Tustenuggee meet with Gen. Macomb and sign an agreement that allows all bands in
Florida to live in peace south of Pease Creek starting July 15th 1839.
June 5th
Near Tampa Bay, thirty Indians escape a holding camp while awaiting for removal. The next day the Indians that remained were
immediately put on ships and sent west.
July 20th
In the last 8 months of Gen. Taylor's command he reported that 53 new posts were built, 848 of new roads and trails were cut
and 3,643 feet of causeways and bridges were erected.
July 23d
Col. William Harney was in charge of a small force of dragoons that were sent to protect a party that was to erect a trading
post near the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River. In the early hours of the morning the company of dragoons were completely
suprised by a band of about 160 Indians, 18 men are lost and Col. Harney escapes wearing only a shirt and his underwear.
November
Governor Richard Call is replaced by Robert Raymond Reid