LIVING HISTORY
Inglorious War
Soldiers stationed at Fort Pierce fought
in unpopular campaign to eradicate
Seminoles from ‘worthless’ territory
Spirits of the old frontier have long since been dispersed
10
in Florida. So, it comes as a great surprise to
learn that the Treasure Coast was once a center of
conflict in the longest, costliest ,ndian war in American
history. The Florida War stretched from 1835 to 1842.
Later scholars dubbed it the Second Seminole War. The
cause was so unpopular that Americans made a hero of the
country’s chief opponent: Osceola. Much of the public, including
many suͿering soldiers, believed 1ative Americans
had always gotten a raw deal. ,f they wanted waterlogged >>
This scene from a James Hutchinson painting on display
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American soldiers during the Florida War (1835-1842).
BY RICK CRARY
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