Our goal this summer is to learn some Florida History, both by book, and through experience. A few weeks ago, we were reading about the Seminole wars, and discovered that the battle that began the second Seminole War took place just 40 minutes from us. Of course, we had to visit. So, after some planning, I put together a two day trip to visit the Dade Battlefield and then a few special places in Gainseville as well. We invited Jeremy's Aunt Lisa to come along with us. I know she enjoys spending time with the kids, and she enjoys going to and learning about new places. So, we thought this would be a great trip to have her join. I think we were right ;)
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| Aunt Lisa with the kids |
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| She can't help herself :) |
The first day was spent at the
Dade Battlefield Historic State Park. This was a beautiful little park in Bushnell, FL with towering oaks, a little history museum, and monuments to the fallen (as well as at least one snake- ahhhh!)
We started our morning by attending a pine needle basket class. This was fascinating, difficult, and rewarding. The girls enjoyed thinking about what it would be like to sit in a chickee and make a pine needle basket all day. They certainly have a better understanding of the process and time involved.
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| These examples of pine needle baskets will sell for over $100....I understand now why. They take a lot of time and skill! |
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| Listening to instructions |
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| Nate was trying to help |
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| Isn't she a cutie? |
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| Hannah's "Cheerio", which became the center of her basket. |
After two and half hours, we were left with this...a quarter holder. We do have ambition to finish our little basket throughout the summer. That will be a rewarding feeling!
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| Such concentration |
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| Little known fact: Pine needle basket making is easier when your tongue is sticking out. |
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| Nicole's start to her basket. |
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| This was mine and Hannah's. It could hold a half dollar. |
After a quick picnic lunch, we spent some time inside the museum. Although the museum was small, it was filled with interesting facts and artifacts.
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| Really cute little display. Can you see the soldier marching in the background? |
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| A more close up version. I loved this little display! |
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| A musket used in the battle with the bullet and gun powder shells |
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| Tradtiional Seminole clothing and crafts. |
We even got the attention of the park Rangers who, after a few questions, began to share more details about the battle, and even started pulling out guns for us to check out. The kids thought of some great questions, and some...well...kid questions (like, "Um, Did the soldiers have band aids for when they got shot?") I think he was intrigued, and the kids were fascinated.
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| This Park Ranger was showing us how the gun worked. Lock, stock, and barrel, and something about fire too. Can't remember that one. |
The Seminoles defeated the small US troop for a few reasons:
#1. The US Solders were not expecting to be attacked on this particular portion of the 100 miles road from Ft. Brooke ( present day Tampa) to Ft. King (present day Ocala), they thought that if there was going to be an attack, it would have already happened
#2. The Seminoles were hiding in the palmettos and ambushed the troops.
#3. The Soldiers had on heavy winter coats that covered their ammo bag, and their weapons were not loaded. They had a hard time preparing their weapons for the first wave of gunfire.
#4. The Seminoles had better weapons that the US Troops. The US Troops were shooting muskets with a smooth barrel. This made the shot less accurate and the bullet could not go as far. These guns were made for the line warfare you remember from the Revolutionary War. The Seminoles had riffled guns, with grooves in the barrel. Those grooves made the bullet go faster, further, and with more accuracy. So, the Seminoles could be just out of read of the US troops gun range, but still be able to accurately shoot the troops.
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| Hannah is trying to see the groves in this end piece to understand the rifling effect. |
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| A musket ball |
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| Nicole held this musket ball, and then got to hold a cannon ball in comparison. |
He shared more of the story with us, which gave us a little extra excitement to go out and walk the road the troops were walking when they were ambushed by the Seminoles on this very spot. Hannah and Nathan were the soldiers, Nicole and Aunt Lisa were the Indians (of course, I was the photographic record keeper).
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| The Seminoles (Aunt Lisa and Nicole), ambushing the US Troops (Nathan and Hannah) |
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| Inside the breastwork that the troops built to protect themselves from the gunfire of the Seminoles. This is the exact location of the main portion of the battle. The breast work is a replica |
We started at the edge of the property and walked the road, reading the interpretive signs along the way. We soon realized that there were 5 of us, but only 4 lived through the battle...of course, one would have to die. Somehow, that was Aunt Lisa (because I was the driver, and the kids needed a ride).
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| Ft. Brooke to the south, Ft. King to the North |
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| A Seminole Indian, hiding, waiting to Ambush his enemy |
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| Soldier down! Soldier Down! (Aunt Lisa is a great sport!) |
The three officers had large markers to remember their falling place. About 7 weeks after the attack, a group of US Soldier came back and buried the fallen (it was a horrendous site!). Several years later, the military took up a collection and raised enough money to dig up the graves, and transport the bones of the fallen soldier to a military graveyard in St. Augustine. These markers were installed as a memorial.
This was a beautiful park and a educationally fun day. We can't wait to go back for the re-enactment at the beginning of January.
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| I LOVE this kids!!!! |
