Who Really Won the Battle of Okeechobee?

Saturday, February 22, 2014

It is Christmas day in 1837, and a historic battle of the second Seminole War is about to take place on the northern edge of Lake Okeechobee.  The US Army is determined to drive the Seminole Indians off the peninsula, and has been chasing them south for two years.  By the time they reach Lake Okeechobee, the US Army has about 800 men led by Col. Zachary Taylor.  The Seminole Indians have about 300 warriors led by Coacoochee (Wildcat), legendary medicine man Abiaca, Alligator, and the Black Seminole leader John Cavallo.  This sounds like a mismatch, but when you read the rest of the story, you may have a different opinion about who really won this battle!

The land just north of Lake Okeechobee was a densely wooded hammock.  In front of the hammock was a large sawgrass swamp that the soldiers would have to cross in order to reach the cover of the hammock. The Seminoles used the hammock as a place to hide and to steady their rifles.  They also cut a path through the swamp so the soldiers would stay bunched up making them easy targets.  The warriors knew they could not defeat the soldiers but planned to delay the soldiers long enough for their women and children to paddle down Lake Okeechobee to the safety of the Everglades, and they stashed canoes for their own retreat.

The Missouri Volunteers led by Col. Richard Gentry was the first unit to slog through the swamp.  The Seminoles took careful aim targeting the officers.  With nearly all of their officers killed, including Gentry, the Volunteers moved back.

The 6th Infantry led by Lt. Col. Ramsey Thompson, marched bravely to the hammock.  Once again the warriors took careful aim concentrating on the officers.  The 6th Infantry stood bravely as their officers were cut down with deadly fire power.

The wounded are tended to, and moved to the rear.

As the 6th Infantry bravely held their ground...

Lt. Col. William Foster led a charge of the 4th Infantry pushing the Indians deeper into the hammock.

After about two hours of fighting, the Indians retreated to their canoes and headed to the safety of the Everglades joining their women and children.

At the end of the day, the army held the ground and declared the battle a victory, and Col. Zachary Taylor would later become the commander of the army during the Mexican war.  But, the army casualties were horrific.  Nearly a third of the soldiers that crossed the sawgrass swamp were killed or wounded and nearly every officer in the Missouri Volunteers and 6th Infantry were killed.  The wounded were so numerous that half of Taylor's force was out of action for weeks, and this tragic war would continue for another four and a half years.

On the other hand, the Seminole casualties were light, suffering less than a dozen killed and a little more than a dozen wounded.  The Seminoles had accomplished their mission of delaying the army long enough for the women and children to escape.  So, who really won this battle?

The reenactors wear authentic clothing of the time, they sleep in tents for the weekend, and cook their meals over the camp fire just as they did in the early 1800's.

Before visiting this re-enactment, I had never heard of the Battle of Okeechobee.  So, I've learned something new today!

Here's one of the reenactors having a drink after the battle. 

I didn't know they had plastic drink bottles back in 1837.  I guess I learned something else today!!  Ha!

Highland Hammocks State Park, Sebring, Fl.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Today Kitty and I drove from Okeechobee to Sebring, Florida to have lunch with Bob and Carol, our long time friends from Illinois.  Bob and Carol are vacationing in Florida this month and are happy to have dodged some of that miserable winter weather that has gripped much of the country this year.

After lunch, we decided to head to Highlands Hammock State Park just west of Sebring.  Highlands Hammock State Park has more than 9,000 acres of beautiful old-growth hammock cypress swamps.  Bob and Carol visited this park a few years ago, but this was the first visit for Kitty and me.

We took a stroll across the elevated boardwalk along the Cypress Swamp trail looking for some swamp creatures.

Here we are on the boardwalk.

L to R: Bob, Carol, Kitty, and Craig



This is the first section of the boardwalk.  It was an easy leisurely stroll through the swamps.

The Cypress Swamps

Two Turtles basking in the warm Florida sun.

The rest of the boardwalk was rather narrow with only one hand rail.  This part was a little tricky because the footing was a little uneven and the hand rail was low.  So, to hold on to the rail, you had to bend over slightly making it difficult to keep your head up looking for wild life.  Luckily, none of fell into the swamp!

Besides getting wet when falling off the boardwalk, we did not want to disturb any snakes that may be lurking in the dark murky water.  If you look real close in the center of this picture, there is a snake curled up on a clump of grass waiting for someone to fall in the swamp!  This picture was take with my cell phone camera, sorry it is a little fuzzy because the camera was focusing on the underbrush instead of the snake.

We also saw this baby gator resting on a branch by the waters edge.  It is a little difficult to see because he was a little too far away for a good picture.  His tail is almost touching the water.

This park also offers a tram tour, but that was not running when we were there.  They also have guided tours with a ranger, a Civilian Conservation Corp museum, plenty of hiking/biking trails, and a campground.  If you are in Sebring looking for an outdoor adventure, try the Highlands Hammock State Park.  The six dollar per car entry fee is well worth it for this outdoor adventure.

Okee-Tantie on the Kissimmee River

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

If you are looking for a nice relaxing place where you can sit and watch the boats go by, then Okee-Tantie in Okeechobee, Florida is the place you should visit.  Okee-Tantie is owned by Okeechobee county and includes a maria and nearby restaurant.  Just a few years ago, there was also a thriving campground with 160 sites, but it has since closed.

Okee-Tantie sits along the Kissimmee River just a short distance from where the River flows into Lake Okeechobee.  This is a popular place for fishing boats and pleasure crafts of all sizes.  The nearby restaurant has great food and a great view of the marina and river, but tends to be a little pricey.  There's an ample supply of picnic tables and benches along the river.  So, you can bring a picnic and enjoy the view for as long as you like.

Kitty by the River

 Pelicans by the River

 One of the many boats we saw heading out of the marina into the River

We enjoy some of the simple things in life, and this was fun, relaxing, enjoyable, and free.  We plan to go back there real soon.

Olympics in Okeechobee, Fl

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Ancient Oaks RV Resort in Okeechobee, Florida held its second annual Olympics for seniors called the Oldlympics.  There was no highly trained athletes, no herd of sports writers, and no terrorist threats.  But, there was a lot of fun for all that were watching and participating in the ten events.  There were twenty teams consisting of four people and each person had to participate in each event. The events included; basketball shoot, washer toss, cup stacking, ping pong bounce, Frisbee toss, corn bag toss,ladder golf,  marshmallow golf, shuffle board, and casting contest.

If this sounds a little wimpy to you, keep in mind the participants ranged in age from late 50's to well into their 80's.   There was no practice opportunity, and some events required a steady hand (like stacking plastic cups) and few of us have steady hands anymore!

After a brief opening ceremony, the games began.  One could clearly hear the sounds of trash talking, bones popping, dentures sticking and occasional grunts and farts as the participants put on their game faces and got down to the business of winning gold medals!

It was a hoot participate in the Oldlympics.  But, it was even more fun seeing some of the creative and hilarious uniforms these folks wore.  Take a look at this small, but amusing sample.

These gals are all from our street.  They call themselves 'The Whiners" and have grapes in their hair and a wine glass fastened to their chest.

L to R: Barb, Pat, Joan, and Carol

This is the team Kitty was on.  I don't remember the name of this team, but they sure are a sexy bunch!

L to R: Norma, Kitty, Barb, and Carol

But, this one is my favorite one of all.  I call it the "Breast of the bunch." 

Check out them hooters!  What a hoot!

The Oldlympics was a lot of fun.  Everything ran smoothly and efficiently.  The social committee deserves a lot of credit for making this years Oldlympics even better than last year, and we are all training hard for next years event!.