Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014
Sumpter Oaks RV Park
Bushnell, FL
Jim and Gail McManus came to Sumpter Oaks to try out their new Itasca Solei for the weekend. We spent Sunday afternoon visiting the Dade Battlefield State Park nearby. Though Jim and Gail live in Florida, they admitted that they have spent little time exploring the state parks.
Now for a little Florida history. Major Dade's march of soldiers to Fort King was attacked by the Seminole Indians on Dec. 28, 1835. Reminded us of Custer's last stand at Little Big Horn.
The first volley killed or wounded about half of the soldiers. The Indians soon withdrew and later returned when the remaining soldiers began to build a makeshift breastworks of pine logs, which afforded little protection and made it easy for the indians to finish off the soldiers.
Out of 180 Indians, only three were killed and five wounded.
After the battle, the Indians took food, clothes and ammunition but no scalps. When they had left, a group of Negroes came to kill the wounded and loot the dead. Three soldiers survived the attack and two would make their way to Fort Brooke to tell of the tragedy.
Although the Seminoles celebrated the battle as a major victory, it would be the beginning of a long hopeless war they could not win. The Seminoles were eventually relocated to Oklahoma.
The battlefield on the Military Road.
Dade Battlefield State Park is a beautiful place with Oaks and Spanish moss.
We spotted this beautiful Cardinal enjoying the berries.
Jim and Gail McManus enjoying the park.
This was the marker where Major Dade fell.
Military Road still exists through the park so you can vision the battle.
We are enjoying our extended stay here at Sumpter Oaks with friends, even though the temperatures are cooler and we have seen some rain.
Becky and Lonnie
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