A Seminole defensive victory on Christmas Day 1837 that halted the U.S. Army's offensive into South Florida during the Second Seminole War.
Key Facts
- Date
- 25 December 1837
- U.S. Force Size
- Approximately 1,132 troops
- Seminole Warrior Count
- About 400
- U.S. Retreat Distance
- Over 100 miles back to Tampa Bay
- U.S. Commander
- Colonel Zachary Taylor
- Outcome
- Seminole victory; encampment successfully evacuated
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
General Thomas Jesup planned a broad offensive into South Florida to displace Seminole communities. Colonel Zachary Taylor led roughly 1,132 U.S. Army and Missouri Volunteer troops in a march toward the large Seminole encampment near Lake Okeechobee as part of this operation.
On 25 December 1837, about 400 Seminole warriors led by chiefs Abiaka, Billy Bowlegs, Alligator, and Wild Cat defended their encampment against Taylor's assault. The Seminoles repulsed the attack long enough to evacuate their people safely, inflicting heavy casualties on the U.S. forces, particularly among the officer corps.
The high U.S. casualty rate compelled Taylor to abandon the South Florida offensive and withdraw his army more than 100 miles to Tampa Bay. The battle checked U.S. military momentum, prolonged the Second Seminole War, and demonstrated the effectiveness of Seminole defensive tactics in the Florida interior.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Colonel Zachary Taylor.
Side B
1 belligerent
Abiaka, Billy Bowlegs, Halpatter Tustenuggee (Alligator), Wild Cat.