December 28, 1835 - Maj. Francis Dade's column is effectively wiped out by the Seminoles during the opening days of the Second Seminole War. With tensions between American forces and the Seminoles at a breaking point, Dade received orders to take two companies north from Fort Brooke (Tampa) to reinforce Fort King (Ocala). Departing on December 23, his 110-men column soon found itself being shadowed by a force of Seminoles under Micanopy. Believing that if his men were to be attacked it would be in a heavily wooded area or at river crossing, Dade ensured that extra precautions were taken in these types of terrain. Clearing these areas, he recalled his flanking parties and scouts with the goal of making better time. Entering an area of palmettos and pines on December 28, Dade's command was ambushed by the Seminoles. Dade was killed in the first volley and when the fighting ended all but two of his men had been killed or mortally wounded. Only Ransome Clarke and Joseph Sprague survived and escaped back to Fort Brooke. The engagement was first major battle of the Second Seminole War. Lasting until 1842, it proved the longest and costliest Native American conflict ever fought by the United States.
19th Century American Conflicts:
Photograph Courtesy of the National Archives & Records Adminstration
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