Black Seminole Scouts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seminole Negro - Indian Scouts, aka, Black Seminole Scouts |
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|---|---|
| Active | 1870–1914 |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Type | Indian scouts |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Duncan, Texas Fort Clark, Texas |
| Engagements | American Indian Wars Garza Revolution |
The Black Seminole Scouts, also called the Seminole Negro - Indian Scouts, were a special group of soldiers. The United States Army hired them between 1870 and 1914. This unit included both Black Seminoles and some Native Seminoles. Most of these scouts were of African descent. They often worked with the Buffalo Soldier regiments. Their main job was to guide troops through unfamiliar and sometimes dangerous areas. They were very important in the 1870s. Their efforts helped end the Texas-Indian Wars.
The Scouts' Story: Brave Actions
From Florida to Texas: A New Home
The Black and Native Seminoles first lived in Florida. Many Black freedmen had escaped slavery and found safety with the Seminoles. The Seminoles gave them freedom in exchange for help and military service. In 1842, the Seminoles agreed to move to a reservation in the Indian Territory.
Soon after, the Black Seminoles moved to Coahuila, Mexico. They wanted to escape enslavement. The Mexican people welcomed them. Later, Native Seminoles, Black Creeks, and Black Cherokees joined them there.
Joining the U.S. Army
In 1870, the U.S. Army sent a message to the Black Seminole chief, John Horse. They invited him and his group to return to the United States. The Army wanted them to join as United States Army Indian Scouts. They would help fight other Native American groups. In return, they were promised land, food, and travel money. About 200 Black Seminoles agreed. However, these promises were never fully kept.
The scouts crossed the border on July 4. They officially joined the Army on August 16 at Fort Duncan, near Eagle Pass, Texas. By July 1872, most scouts moved to Fort Clark. This fort was near Brackettville. Their first good leader was Lieutenant John L. Bullis. He was a Quaker and a Civil War veteran. Bullis had led Black soldiers before. His men trusted him greatly.
Fighting in the Texas-Indian Wars
Between 1872 and 1881, the Seminole scouts fought many battles. They faced Comanches, Kiowas, Apaches, and Kickapoos. Sometimes they traveled into Mexico, the Indian Territory, and Kansas.
The scouts were very skilled. Not one scout was killed or badly hurt during their service. They usually fought with cavalry regiments from Fort Clark. But sometimes, they went on their own missions. Fort Clark was also the base for Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie. He led many trips into Mexico to stop Native American groups who raided the U.S. Mackenzie was key to ending the Indian wars in Texas.
A Daring Mission into Mexico
In 1873, the Secretary of War William W. Belknap and General Philip Sheridan met with Colonel Mackenzie. They planned a secret mission. Mackenzie would lead a group across the border into Mexico. The scouts would guide them. On May 17, 1873, Mackenzie, the scouts, and soldiers from the 4th Cavalry crossed into Coahuila, Mexico. They had a successful fight against Kickapoo raiders at El Remolino. They then quickly returned to the fort.
Heroes of the Red River War
During the Red River War, a big event happened on September 19, 1874. Three Black Seminole scouts and two Tonkawa scouts were sent to find enemies. About forty Kiowas ambushed the five men. They had to fight their way out. The scout Adam Payne showed great bravery. He was awarded the Medal of Honor. Payne risked his life to save the others. He fought the Kiowas, letting the other four escape. Even after his horse was shot, he kept fighting. He took an attacker's horse and got away. Payne received the Medal of Honor for his "habitual courage."
More Medals of Honor
In 1875, three more scouts received the Medal of Honor. They were with the Buffalo Soldiers of the 24th Infantry. On April 25, they showed "bravery and trustworthiness" during a fight. Scouts John Ward, Isaac Payne, and Pompey Factor were with Lieutenant Bullis. They were looking for Comanches who had raided a stagecoach.
When they found the Comanche camp, the scouts hid behind rocks. They wanted to look like a bigger force. A battle began. Bullis reported that they "twice took their horses from them and killed three Indians and wounded a fourth." But the Comanches, about thirty of them, realized how few scouts there were. They tried to surround them. The scouts reached their horses and started to escape. Then they saw Lieutenant Bullis had been left behind. Under heavy fire, the scouts bravely went back to rescue their commander.
Challenges and Changes
In May 1876, Chief John Horse was badly hurt. The scout Titus Payne was killed in a shooting incident in Eagle Pass. This caused trouble among the Black Seminoles. There were fights and unrest. Local settlers wanted the scouts disbanded. But others argued that the Army should enlist all Black Seminole men. This would protect them from outlaws and hostile groups.
Later, some scouts faced accusations. This led to more tension. In December, a plan was made to arrest some scouts. During an event, shots were fired. The scout Frank Enoch died. Other scouts escaped to Mexico. The situation was very difficult for the community.
By 1878, the Texas-Indian Wars were mostly over. Most hostile Native American groups were either gone or on reservations. However, on February 23, 1893, the scouts had one last fight. They battled Mexican bandits at Las Muias Ranch in Starr County.
End of Service and Lasting Impact
The Black Seminole Scouts unit was officially disbanded in 1914. Most scouts and their families had to leave the Fort Clark reservation. Only twenty-seven Black Seminoles could stay at the fort. They were allowed to remain until the older members of the group passed away.
The official report of the disbandment explains the process. It lists the dates when different groups of scouts were discharged. It also mentions that buildings not used by those allowed to stay would be taken down.
Many of the scouts are buried at the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery in Kinney County, Texas. This includes Medal of Honor recipients John Ward, Pompey Factor, Adam Payne, and Isaac Payne. Their families are buried there too. Today, descendants of the Black Seminole Scouts still live in southern Texas (Brackettville, Texas, Del Rio, Texas) and northern Mexico.
How Long They Served
Scouts usually signed up for six-month periods. This was because they didn't want to commit for too long. Also, the Army thought they wouldn't need scouts for many years. Some scouts served multiple times.
Family Connections
Within the scout community, certain family names were very common. Of the 152 scouts who served from 1870 to 1914, many shared surnames. For example, there were seventeen "Wilson"s, eleven "Payne"s, and eight "July"s. Many of these families were also connected through marriage.
Images for kids
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Black Seminole Scouts in 1889.jpg
Black Seminole Scouts in 1889, Medal of Honor recipient Pompey Factor is the older man standing in the center of the photograph.
