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The Third Seminole War was conflict between the United States and the Seminole Indians in Florida. The leader for the Seminole Tribe was Billy Bowlegs or "Olactomico" in his language. Colonal Harney completely annihalated Olactomico's banana plantation and when confronted by the cheif, the surveyors said they did it to see Billy Bowlegs cut up. Thus beginning the Third Seminole War. The U.S military diminished the Seminole population to about 200 to 300. The U.S government wanted to get all the Seminole tribes and move them west toward the Mississipi. Olactomico surrenedered on May 7, 1858 to Colonal Loomis. Bowlegs only had 40 warriors with him. Colonal Loomis announced for the U.S government to stop trying to remove the Seminole from Florida. In affect, the U.S government left the Seminole in their land and gave up their task to remove all Seminole from their homes. But in exchange for some cash Olactomico fled from Florida along with 165 members of the Seminole. Bowlegs died short-after. |
