Osceola Captured (1837)

Sat Oct 21, 1837

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On this day in 1837, in what has been described as “one of the most disgraceful acts in American military history”, Seminole leader Osceola was captured by U.S. forces after he was tricked into meeting for “peace talks”.

Osceola (in Creek, “Asi-yahola”; 1804 - 1838) was an influential leader of the Seminole people in Florida, in particular the Seminole resistance against colonization. Although he was raised in the Creek tradition, Osceola became part of what was known as the Seminole people after moving to Florida as a child.

Osceola’s successful attack on military forces on December 28th, 1835 served as a catalyst for beginning the Second Seminole War against the United States. Although the Seminole was victorious in some of the battles of the Second Seminole War, it was on this day in 1837 that General Joseph Hernández captured Osceola, who had come to meet Hernández under the false promise of peace talks.

General Hernández had agreed to meet with Osceola under a white flag of truce, but promptly arrested Osceola and 81 of his followers. Osceola died from illness a few months after his capture, on January 30th, 1838.