| The start of the Second Seminole War re-enacted |
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| December 28, 2007 |
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On Saturday, shots will be fired and a war will start in Bushnell. On Sunday the two sides of the conflict come back and do it all over again one more time.
Saturday and Sunday, December 29 and 30th, is 27th annual Dade's Battle Re-enactment. This is the battle that started the Second Seminole War. One hundred and sevent-six years ago on December 28, 1835, a column of 107 soldiers led by Major Dade were marching slowly through thick stands of palmetto in a pine forest. They wore heavy winter uniforms and were burdened with full packs.
Suddenly, Seminole Indians stood up on one side of the column of soldiers and what a frightening sight the Indians presented. Recently the Indians had raided a wagon that carried a theater troop doing medieval plays. Some of them wore brightly colored plumes on their heads. Others had on bizarre costumes.
While the scene was surreal, the rifles they carried were all too real. The first volley took out more than half the soldiers. The rest hastily made a fort of logs. But only three men survived the battle, running back to Tampa to tell the tale.
The park opens at 9 a.m. Battle begins at 2 p.m. each day. Admission is $6 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-12, and kids under the age of six admitted free.
Before and after the battle, stroll around and see a military encampment, Seminole camp, period crafts, arms drills and hear historic talks.
The Dade Battlefield Society and the Florida Park Service present this re-enactment. |
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| Scene from Dade's Battle |
| Credit: Christina Drain, Dade Battlefield Society |
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