Battle of Ocheesee facts for kids

The Battle of Ocheesee was an important fight during the Seminole Wars. It happened on the Apalachicola River in what was then Spanish Florida, starting in December 1817. This battle lasted for many weeks, making it one of the longest fights of the Seminole Wars. The name "Ocheesee" comes from the tall bluffs overlooking the river, where some of the fighters hid to attack. Today, this area is part of Torreya State Park.

What Happened at Ocheesee?

On December 15, 1817, a group of Creek Indians known as the Red Sticks attacked. They fired from both sides of the Apalachicola River. Their targets were ships carrying important supplies. These supplies were on their way to Fort Gaines, Fort Scott, and Fort Hughes.

Supply Ships Under Attack

The Red Sticks fired at the ships from both sides of the river. This made it impossible for the sailors to safely steer the boats. Because of this, the supply convoy had to stop. This left the soldiers at Fort Scott in danger of running out of food. They were on half-rations for a long time. Fort Hughes was even abandoned because of the attacks. This meant that Fort Scott and Fort Gaines were almost completely surrounded, like a siege.

Why Did the Battle Happen?

The main reason for the battle was a disagreement over land. The land was south of the Flint River. Another group of Creeks had given this land to the United States. This happened in a deal called the Treaty of Fort Jackson.

Land Disputes and Treaties

However, the Red Sticks were not part of that treaty. They were not even told about it. They believed that the other Creeks had no right to give away their land. This problem was also connected to the Treaty of Ghent. That treaty ended the War of 1812. It promised that lands taken from the Creeks by the United States would be returned. But this part of the treaty was hard to enforce. The British were not going to send soldiers to make sure Native American rights were protected.

How the Battle Ended

There isn't one specific day when the Battle of Ocheesee officially ended. The supply ships were stuck in the same spot for a long time.

General Jackson's Arrival

On March 11, 1818, General Andrew Jackson arrived with more troops. He marched them from Fort Scott into Spanish Florida. By March 16, 1818, they reached Prospect Bluff. Around this time, the Red Stick Indians left the area. This allowed the supply ships to finally move freely.

Building Fort Gadsden

To prevent future problems, General Jackson ordered a new fort to be built. This was Fort Gadsden. It was built inside the walls of an older fort. This older fort had once been British, then a fort for formerly enslaved people. Building a U.S. fort in Spanish Florida was a big move at the time.