Pedro shaking hands with an re-enactor. He represents a slave that fought with the Indians against the US Soldiers at the Dade Battlefield.
We spent a January day at the Dade Battlefield watching the re-enactment of the war between the Seminole Indians along with former slaves and the US Soldiers. There is so much history through out this world, I enjoy spending my time learning each new tidbit of history, I learn about people, and realize that people/humanity throughout the ages has not really changed.
It was a sunny warm day for January and we strolled through the camp watching the people spin wool, weave cotton for cloth, blacksmiths making tools, and the guy making the turkey whistle. We found some “local” food, ate while we watched the soldiers and Indians head up the hill for the battle.
Just a bit about the Dade Battle that occurred on December 28,1835 between the US Soldiers and Seminole Indians-
Indian Chief Jumper reminds the crowd that “This is our home, our land. The creator gave us life and the knowledge of the land, the rivers, the forest so we could have homes and sustenance. Then the white man came and dirtied the rivers, cut the forests and told the Seminoles we could no longer live in our home.” (from The Villages Daily Sun January 4,2015 edition)
A Soldier then came out to tell the crowd “This is the place. I remember the death and misery – the way they all died, 105 men, First Major Dade, Mudd, and Lt. Bassinger. Five days before, we were in Fort Brooke waiting for reinforcements before heading through 100 miles of Indian country to Fort King. We expected to be attacked all along the way. They burned the bridges at the rivers, but nothing, no attacks. Then we made it to open country.” (from The Villages Daily Sun January 4,2015 edition)
This history is told and repeated in January of each year by the Dade Battlefield Society, Inc., a citizen supported organization at the Dade Battlefield Park in Bushnell, Florida. There are more than 100 re-enactors that participate along with their families and horses. These folks camp and dress in period style.
Look for re-enactments in your area, learn more about your history. This is much better entertainment than an amusement park any day!!
To learn more about the Dade Battlefield and Dade Battlefield Society, Inc. click here.