The third presentation of the Seminole Indian Wars will concentrate on the Third Seminole War: 1855 to 1858. Guest speaker will be author and historian, Dr. Joe Knetsch, one of the leading authorities on Florida’s Seminole Wars.
The reluctance of the Native Americans to give up their lands in the Everglades forced the Seminoles and Miccosukees into a war they did not want and could not possibly win. Their only hope to survive was to elude the enemy and for three years the war became a struggle of hide and seek.
Almost the entire war was fought in the Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp. As the troops reached further and further into the marshes and boggy swamps of southwestern Florida, they found the hiding places and planting grounds of this difficult region.
By early 1858, the war was winding down and on May 4, 1858, Billy Bowlegs and most of his band boarded the Grey Cloud and sailed for Egmont Key at the mouth of Tampa Bay. Here the group was joined by 41 prisoners and made ready for the trip west. By May 8th, the war was declared officially over.
Available for purchase will be Dr. Joe’s books, FLORIDA’S SEMINOLE WARS, 1817 - 1858 and FEAR AND ANXIETY ON THE FLORIDA FRONTIER. Also available will be Dr. Joe’s latest book co-authored with John Missall, HISTORY OF THE THIRD SEMINOLE WAR, 1849 - 1858.
The Levy County Historical Society invites you to join us for the final presentation on the Seminole Indian Wars on SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2018 at 200 PM at the Cedar Key RV Resort, 11960 SW Shiloh Road, Sumner, Florida. There is no admission fee and ample parking is provided. For more information or directions, please call Toni C. Collins, President at (352) 490-5636 or log on to http://levycountyhistoricalsociety.org.
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