The

Seminole The Seminole are a Native American people who developed in Florida in the 18th century. Today, they live in Oklahoma and Florida, and comprise three federally recognized tribes: the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, ...

in the American Civil War were found in both the Trans-Mississippi and Western Theaters. The Seminole Nation in the Trans-Mississippi Theater had split alliances. However, the majority of the tribe in the Western territories joined the Union Army under the leadership of

Billy Bowlegs Holata Micco (alternate spellings: Halpatter-Micco, Halbutta Micco, and Halpuda Mikko, meaning Alligator Chief; known by whites as Chief Billy Bowlegs or Billy Bolek) (c. 1810 – 1859) was an important leader of the Seminoles in Florida during ...

. Others, such as

John Jumper John Jumper may refer to: * John Jumper (Seminole chief), principal chief of the Seminole Nation * John M. Jumper, AI researcher * John P. Jumper John Phillip Jumper (born February 4, 1945) is a retired United States Air Force general, who serv ...

, supported the Confederacy. The Florida Seminole participated in some skirmishing in central Florida. They were likely at the

Battle of Olustee The Battle of Olustee or Battle of Ocean Pond was fought in Baker County, Florida on February 20, 1864, during the American Civil War. It was the largest battle fought in Florida during the war. Union General Truman Seymour had landed troops ...

in February 1864.

Trans-Mississippi Theater

In 1884, The Philadelphia Inquirer stated that nearly all of the Seminoles "espoused the cause of the Union" and because all of the neighboring tribes (

Choctaws The Choctaw (in the Choctaw language, Chahta) are a Native American people originally based in the Southeastern Woodlands, in what is now Alabama and Mississippi. Their Choctaw language is a Western Muskogean language. Today, Choctaw people ar ...

Chickasaws The Chickasaw ( ) are an indigenous people of the Southeastern Woodlands. Their traditional territory was in the Southeastern United States of Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee as well in southwestern Kentucky. Their language is classifi ...

Cherokees The Cherokee (; chr, ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯᎢ, translit=Aniyvwiyaʔi or Anigiduwagi, or chr, ᏣᎳᎩ, links=no, translit=Tsalagi) are one of the indigenous peoples of the Southeastern Woodlands of the United States. Prior to the 18th century, t ...

, and Creeks) "almost unanimously joined the Southern Confederacy, it was neither agreeable nor safe for the Seminoles to continue living in the Indian Territory." As the Seminole fled south, across the U.S.-Mexican border, "they were attacked by a Confederate regiment and their principal chieftain illy Bowlegskilled." The remaining Seminoles crossed into Mexico and remained there until after the

Civil War A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government polici ...

. The Seminole Nation, those who didn't move to Mexico, was led by

. Jumper's Seminole name was "Hemha Micco." He was commissioned in the Confederacy as a major and then as an "honorary lieutenant colonel". He was in the battles of Round Mountain, Chusto-Talasah, Middle Boggy, and Second Cabin Creek.

Organization

The Seminole Nation organized into companies, battalions, and regiments. *First Seminole Battalion (Mounted Volunteers) **The First Seminole Battalion was organized on September 21, 1861. **Field & Staff: Major John Jumper **Companies: Company A (Captain George Cloud) and Company B (Captain Fushatchie Cochokna) *First Seminole Regiment (Mounted Volunteers) **The First Seminole Battalion re-organized as the 1st Seminole Regiment on July 1, 1864. **Field & Staff: Colonel John Jumper, Major George Cloud, Charles C. Dyer (A.Q.M.), D. R. Patterson (Adjutant), W. W. Burnes ( Assistant Surgeon), Hu McDonald (A.Q.M.) **Companies: Company A (Captain Thomas Cloud), Company B (Captain Fushatchie Cochokna), Company C (Captain James Factor), Company D (Captain Tustanucogee), Company E (Captain Sam Hill), and Company F (Captain Osuchee Harjo)

Western Theater

In Florida, two distinct companies were raised who had Seminole Indians as members of the Confederate Army. Andrew E. Hodges, a white man who lived on the coast near Cedar Key, raised a company of Indian sharp shooters starting in 1862. Hodges' Company not only had Seminole Indians but whites, Hispanics, blacks, and other tribal members in his unit. Seminoles may have played a sharp shooter role at the Battle of Olustee. By July 1864, Hodges had passed his company to Andrew M. McBride. McBride was elected captain and wrote Secretary of War James A. Seddon that the company was ready for service.

Hodges' Company

At the opening of the Civil War, Andrew E. Hodges was living near Cedar Key, Florida. In 1862, he was part of a home guard that navigated the waterways and coasts. Later that year he raised a company of sharp shooters.

McBride's Company

McBride had mustered 65 individuals on July 7, 1864 at Everglades, Florida. On the muster roll the following was declared, "We, the undersigned, respectfully volunteer and tender our services to the Confederate States of America, begging to be immediately admitted into their armies, having chosen A. McBride for our Captain."

Organization

*Hodges' Company (organizational life: 1862-July 1864) **Company (Andrew E. Hodges) *McBride's Company (organizational life: July 1864 – 1865) **Company (Captain Andrew M. McBride) **Total: 65 men

Battles

Aftermath