A Boy Named Billy

By Jim Joanos

Billy Powell was born in 1804 near an Indian town where present day Tuskegee, Alabama, is located. Billy's father was an Englishman, William Powell, and his mother, Polly Copinger, was an Indian of mixed blood. Her grandfather had been English. Although he grew up somewhat between cultures, young Billy was raised from birth in the traditions of the Upper Creek or Muskoki Indians in which his extended family or clan membership was determined by his mother's lineage. As expected by the traditions of his mother's people, Billy looked forward to growing up and becoming a warrior. Warriors were responsible for hunting game and for defending the bands and clans in time of war. Young Billy liked to hunt and to fish. He also enjoyed watching the traditional ball games between bands and looked forward to the days when he would represent his band in those games that were so important in his culture.

Creek Civil War

At age nine, young Billy's life was totally disrupted. The new American government was pursuing a policy of moving Indians out of their traditional homelands to make room for new white settlers. There was also a great push to force the Indians to adopt the European style of life and abandon their own culture. Billy's uncle, Peter McQueen (his mother's brother) had become involved as one of the spiritual leaders in a movement aimed at preserving the culture and traditions of the Indians and resisting further encroachment upon Indian lands. The Indians had become split in controversy. The Creek Civil War resulted. Ultimately, Federal Government troops under the command of General Andrew Jackson entered the fray on the side of the Indians more friendly to the American settlers. The traditional or "Red Stick" faction which Peter McQueen's group was aligned with, was defeated at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. The result was that several thousands of the Red Sticks who were not killed in the Creek Civil War were forced to leave the area. Many migrated south to the Spanish Territory of Florida.

Florida

McQueen led a group of "Red Sticks" which included nine year old Billy and his mother and siblings southward to Spanish Florida. Billy's father, William Powell, did not go with the group. McQueen's band including young Billy would move about during the next five years in the area between the St. Marks and Suwanee Rivers in North Florida, which is of course the area where the old Indian town and present day city of the same name, Tallahassee, were and are located. During that time, young Billy would enjoy the same natural wonders in the woods and red clay hills that are available to present day Tallahassee residents.

Upon moving into the Florida Territory, McQueen's group became intermixed with the Indian culture already existing in the territory. There were over five thousand Indians in Florida. These people were collectively known as "Seminoles". Some say the name "Seminoles" was derived from a Spanish word meaning "renegades" or "runaways". Others say that it came from an Indian word meaning "free people". The Seminoles as such were not a tribe in the traditional organized sense. They were instead highly diverse and were a mixture of individuals and small groups from numerous tribes including the Creeks, the Mikisuki and many others. They lived in small camps. They also included a number of former slaves who had been welcomed and given haven. The African Indians became known as "Black Seminoles".

But Billy's time in the Tallahassee area was anything but calm. By 1814, Andrew Jackson had commenced his campaign into Spanish North Florida. Violating international law, Jackson invaded Florida. Southern white people were particularly troubled that the Seminoles of Florida were harboring former slaves. Slaves were running away from the southern states and finding asylum in Florida. Jackson burned Seminole towns and killed Indians, Africans, and some Englishmen that were regarded as creating resistance among the Indians. This activity from 1814 to 1818 has been termed the First Seminole War. As a result of Jackson's campaign, Spain ceded Florida to the United States in 1821 and the Indians were for the most part moved from northeast Florida and pushed further into the central area of the territory. Florida would later become a state in 1845.

The consequences to Billy was that at age fourteen, he was still on the move. This time, Billy and his group were forced to move into the swampy area of central Florida. They settled primarily in the Big Swamp area surrounding the Withlacoochee River not very far from the federal Fort King (near present day Ocala).

Warrior

After this move, Billy matured greatly. He attained the stature of warrior in his culture as he was given an adult name. He married and had children. The name chosen for Billy was "Asi Yaholo" which in a simplified translation means black drink singer or chanter. The black drink or "Asi" was a brewed drink served while the "yahola" cry or singing was being made to the diety during certain Creek rituals designed to cleanse their participants. While Billy would continue to be called, "Powell" on some occasions, by non-Indians, he would be "Asi Yahola" to his people. "Asi Yahola", in time would be converted to "Osceola", "Oceola" or "Asceola" by the American press.

The removal of the Indians into central Florida did not end the conflict. By 1823, the federal government had forced the Seminoles to accept the Treaty of Moultrie Creek whereby the Indians gave up millions of acres of land. The U.S. government sought to confine the Indians to a four million acre wilderness tract. Another treaty, the Treaty of Payne's landing in 1832, promised the Seminoles about five million acres in southwest Florida if they would vacate the lands of central Florida. But it did not stop there, the goal of the Americans became to move the Seminoles out of Florida and relocate them to lands designated as Indian Country west of the Mississippi River. The conflict continued to escalate.

Osceola became one of the leaders in the resistance to removal. He became convinced that the Seminoles should resist, and go to war, if necessary. By this time, Osceola not only was the leader of his own town or band, but had some influence over some of the others, especially those, like himself, who were of the Red Stick heritage that was more likely to indulge in warfare. He had shown great skill in the traditional ball games. He was a handsome person and had grown to about 5' 9". He was slender and enjoyed dressing in finery. He enjoyed beaded ornaments and wore feathers or plumes in his turban style hairpieces. But most important of all, he had become a very persuasive speaker. His fiery speeches could inflame others into action. Although he was quite young and had none of the bloodlines of chiefdom that other Seminole leaders had inherited, he became one of the primary leaders of the resistance. When the bands would get together for traditional ballgames, he would use the opportunity to solicit support in favor of resistance to removal.

The Indian Agent, Wiley Thompson, recognized Osceola as a leader of the resistance and tried to placate him. However, Osceola resisted his attempts and became more outspoken and determined in his opposition to the government's removal program. Finally, in June of 1835, after a particularly exuberant outburst by Osceola, Thompson had him jailed. Some have written that during a particularly passionate argument, Osceola had forcible driven his knife into a copy of one of the treaties. Incarceration was an extreme measure to be taken against any Seminole as their freedom to go and come was one of their most treasured traditions. It was most degrading. However, to incarcerate this Seminole, Osceola, one who was already embroiled in leadership efforts to resist removal was a major miscalculation, a big mistake. The incarceration of Osceola was very likely the final spark that set off the flame that was the Second Seminole War. In jail, Osceola, after a rather violent first reaction, became rather crafty. He feigned that he had been won over to the views of Thompson. Soon thereafter he was released. From that day forward he dedicated himself to retribution and increasing his efforts to fight against the removal of the Seminoles from Florida.

He opposed the efforts of other Seminoles to capitulate to the demands for removal. In late November of 1835, he led a group that executed Charley Emathla, one of the Seminole leaders who had been won over to the US's demands to leave Florida. Osceola's first entry as a military leader in combat was probably on December 18, 1835, when he led a group that attacked a U.S. military baggage train near the Alachua Savanna.

War

The next step in the plan of resistance was two pronged. Both actions were to take place on the same day, December 28, 1835. The plan was to execute the Indian Agent, Thompson, and to make an attack upon a military unit. On that date, a small party of Seminoles led by Osceola hid in the woods near Fort King. When Thompson came out from the Fort to stroll in the woods, accompanied only by a young officer, Lieutenant Constantine Smith, their opportunity came. The result was the death of Thompson and Smith. When later found, Thompson's body had fourteen bullets in it, while Smith had only been shot twice. Thompson had also been scalped.

On the same day, that Osceola's group killed Thompson, another larger group of Seminoles laid in wait along the trail further south on the road toward Fort King. At a point about seven miles from the Little Withlacoochee river near present day Bushnell, the Seminoles ambushed a federal 108 man command under the leadership of Major Francis Dade. The federal unit was completely annihilated as 105 were killed. The other three, all wounded, had been left for dead.

At this point, the Second Seminole War was in full force. In would last for seven years.

On December 31, 1835, Osceola led a group of 250 warriors in the First Battle of Withlacoochee. Fighting in the swamps, it was a hard fought battle. The Seminoles fought off the federal troops. Osceola was wounded in the fighting but continued to lead his followers. Osceola's skillful and forceful leadership was one of the major stories that came out of the battle.

Throughout 1836, Osceola continued to perform a highly visible leadership role in the war. There were other and, perhaps, even more important leaders. Of particular note, was a medicine man, Arpeika, also known as Sam Jones. Arpeika would become the most valuable of the Seminole leaders and would never be killed or captured in the war. However, it was Osceola who became the symbolic leader of the Seminoles to the Americans. Newspapers throughout the United States reported his exploits. As the Seminoles continued to defend and provide a haven for runaway slaves, Osceola became of particular interest to many in northern states who wished to abolish slavery. Keep in mind, that the protection of African Americans had been one of the reasons for conflict between the Seminoles and the whites.

The war wore on. The numbers of Seminole warriors dwindled. The Seminoles were being driven deeper into the South Florida swamps. Many were being captured or surrendered and were being shipped to the western Indian Country. The war was costly to the federal government also, in loss of lives and financial cost. The government was believed to be desirous of negotiating a settlement. Osceola himself became sick, probably from malaria and, perhaps, other ailments causing an infected throat condition. He was very tired. He became willing to discuss the situation with the U.S. government.

Treachery

On October 17, 1837, Osceola sent word to the federal leader, General Thomas Jesup, that he was willing to talk. Jesup, acknowledged that he, too, was willing to meet. On October 21, Osceola, along with a small group, under a flag of truce came to the appointed location expecting to negotiate. Instead, Osceola and his group were surrounded and made to surrender. It was a major breach of the rules of war.

Osceola was first imprisoned at Fort Peyton and then moved further north to Fort Marion in St. Augustine. On December 31, 1837, Osceola and his family were among over 200 Seminole prisoners that were moved to Fort Moultrie near Charleston, South Carolina. While at Fort Moultrie, Osceola, was something of a celebrity. The famous portrait artist George Catlin came to see him and painted his portrait. Osceola was allowed to go into the City of Charleston and even to see a theatrical play entitled, "Honeymoon". Wherever he went, curious onlookers were there to catch a glimpse of the famous Seminole leader.

Death

Osceola's health while at Fort Moultrie, continued to deteriorate. On January 30, 1838, he summoned his family and other Seminoles imprisoned there as well as some of the military officers that he had befriended. He lay down, attired in his full military attire, adorned with red war paint, holding his knife across his breast and died.

After death and before burial, Osceola's body was beheaded by the physician attending him. The purpose of that action is shrouded in mystery. Perhaps, it was for scientific research as the head was eventually given to Dr. Velentine Mott, founder of the New York University Medical School and displayed in the school's medical museum along with other items until 1866 when the head and other exhibits were destroyed in a fire. Osceola's remains, without his head, was buried after full military honors on the grounds of Fort Moultrie where they remain.

Thus, ended the story of the boy named, Billy, who grew up to become the mighty warrior, Osceola, a continuing symbol for those willing to fight for their homelands and to protect the oppressed.

The Second Seminole War would continue after Osceola's death. In time, about three thousand Seminoles would be captured or would surrender and be removed to Oklahoma. But the Seminoles would never give up. On May 10, 1842, President John Tyler, and the U.S. Government gave up and hostilities ceased. Beginning in 1855, there would be a series of skirmishes between U.S. soldiers and the Seminoles termed the Third Seminole War. Finally in 1858 came permanent peace.

When it was all over and done, nearly 2,000 American soldiers had died, and over $30 to $40 million dollars had been spent. Nevertheless, about 250 Seminoles, the unconquered, still remained in the Big Cypress swamp area and other parts of Florida. The United States had spent a half century unsuccessfully trying to remove the Seminoles from Florida.