Battle of the Caloosahatchee
Second Seminole War battle / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Battle of the Caloosahatchee, also called the Harney Massacre, was a battle that took place during the Second Seminole War on July 23, 1839. A large group of Seminole raiders attacked a trading post and US Army encampment along the Caloosahatchee River.[1] The US Army troops were part of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William Harney. The Seminole raiders were from various bands of Miccosukees, Muscogees, and "Spanish Indians". The battle happened because the Seminoles learned that the United States intended to violate the terms of the Macomb Treaty, a peace treaty they had recently negotiated with General Alexander Macomb that would allow them to remain in Florida.[2] The Seminole warriors overran the trading post and encampment, killing most of the soldiers and civilian traders. Harney and some of his soldiers managed to escape at the last moment.[3] The battle led to a continuation of fighting as the war would continue for three more years.
Battle of the Caloosahatchee | |||||||
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Part of Second Seminole War | |||||||
Caloosahatchee | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
![]() | Seminole | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
William Harney John Bigelow † |
Abiaka Billy Bowlegs Chekaika | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
28 | 150 | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
16 soldiers killed 4 civilian traders killed 2 Black Seminole scouts captured | None |