2020 Battle of the Loxahatchee Reenactment
Experience the Seminole War of 1838 at Battle of the Loxahatchee Reenactment on January 24-25, 2020 at the Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park in Jupiter, Florida. Bring the family for this day of history. This event commemorates the Second Seminole War battles that occurred within Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park. There will be period dressed reenactors, US Army and Seminole camps, weapons demonstrations, exhibitors, guest speakers, battlefield tours and a battle reenactment that will begin approximately at 2:00 p.m. Food trucks will also be on-site.
Battle of the Loxahatchee Reenactment
The annual Battle of the Loxahatchee Reenactment, organized by the Loxahatchee Battlefield Preservationists, takes place on the actual ground that was fought upon by the U.S. Army and Seminole Indians on Jan. 24, 1838. Few battle reenactments of any type take place on the original battlegrounds where they originally took place, something that adds to the significance of this event.
Public Welcome – Free Admission – Rain or Shine
Battle of the Loxahatchee Reenactment Features:
* Weapons demonstrations, including artillery, throughout the day.
* Guided battlefield tours by hosts in period attire.
* Historic presentations; Seminole Storytelling
* Battlefield Tours
* Food and beverage vendors.
Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park
9060 Indiantown Road
Jupiter, Florida 33478
For More Information:
Call 561-741-1359; Loxahatchee Battlefield Website or Facebook Page.
Battle of the Loxahatchee Reenactment Mini-Gallery
Schedule (subject to change)
Friday
9 a.m. – Noon Education Day
Saturday
9 a.m. – Gates open
10 a.m. – Archaeology at the Loxahatchee Battlefield
10 a.m. – Battlefield Tour
10:30 a.m. – Weapons demonstration; muskets and cannon
11 a.m. – Daily Florida life and work in the Seminole War era
12 p.m. – Historic Presentation at the Speakers Circle
1 p.m. – Historic Presentation at the Speakers Circle
2 p.m. – Reenactment of the Battle of the Loxahatchee
3 p.m. – Post battle history presentation
3:00 p.m. – Battlefield Tour
4 p.m. – Weapons demonstration
About The Battle of the Loxahatchee
The Battle of the Loxahatchee Reenactment takes place on the actual ground that was fought upon by the U.S. Army and Seminole Indians on Jan. 24, 1838. The Battle of the Loxahatchee was the last major standing battle of the Second Seminole War, the longest and most expensive Indian War in American history. It was also the biggest battle with the amount of soldiers involved. More than 1,500 soldiers squared off against several hundred tribal and Black Seminoles. Black Seminoles were escaped slaves who assimilated into the Seminole culture to fight for their freedom. Seminoles were an amalgamation of tribes (mostly Creek) who entered into Spanish Florida more than 100 years before this battle to escape white encroachment.[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Read More”]
In 1830, a group of Indians collectively referred to as the Five Civilized Tribes, the Cherokee, Creeks, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Seminole, were living as autonomous nations in what would be later known as the American Deep South. President Andrew Jackson convinced Congress to pass the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which authorized the government to extinguish Indian title to lands in the southeast United States, including Florida.
The Battle of the Loxahatchee River was the last major standing battle of the Second Seminole War, the longest and most expensive Indian War in American history. Another engagement known as Powell’s Battle, located just east of the Loxahatchee River, occurred nine days before the Battle of the Loxahatchee.
Most of the Seminole Nation, including some 500 Black Seminoles, were relocated to land in the western United States designated the Indian Territory. History refers to the forced evacuation as The Trails of Tears. Black Seminoles were escaped slaves who fought alongside Seminoles to fight for their freedom before the American Civil War.
First battle of the Loxahatchee River
The first battle of the Loxahatchee River took place on January 15th,1838. It was commanded by Lieutenant Levin M. Powell, of the United States Navy’s Waterborne Everglades Expeditionary Unit composed of inexperienced Naval personnel who were soundly defeated by the Seminoles. The hero of this engagement was Joseph E. Johnston who took charge and directed a rear guard action and prevented what might well have become “Powells Massacre.”
The second battle of the Loxahatchee, referred to as Jesup’s Battle, occurred nine days later on January 24, 1838. Today, the pine flatwoods, open meadows, cypress swamps and oak hammocks are home to hundreds of native species of flora and fauna, and give visitors a sense of “Old Florida” unique to this park setting. On January 24th 1838 Major General Thomas S. Jesup, accompanied by fifteen hundred troops, met three hundred Seminoles on the banks of the Loxahatchee River in the last standing battle of the Second Seminole War. During the battle General Jesup lead a charge to the river and was wounded. The Tennessee Volunteers, lead by Major William Lauderdale, took most of the casualties. The Battle ended when Col. William Harney and his Dragoons crossed the river and outflanked the Seminoles. Outnumbered, the Seminoles fled into the swamps. Seven soldiers were killed and thirty one wounded, including the General.
Second battle of the Loxahatchee River
After the Battle of the Loxahatchee, General Jesup petitioned Washington to allow the Seminoles to remain in the Everglades and end the war. Washington denied Jesup’s request, whereby six hundred Seminoles were captured under a white flag of truce at Fort Jupiter.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Battle of the Loxahatchee Reenactment in January at the Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park in Jupiter, Florida.
Tags: Reenactment of Battle of Loxahatchee River, Seminole War Reenactment, Florida Seminole War Reenactment