Peace Offering

Peace Offering. Florida De Soto Trail. It’s September 23, 1539… , Conquistador Hernando de Soto and his men have reached a large river, the present-day Suwannee – , My nose is broken, and we are weary from battle. We will rest here for two days before crossing. Envoys of Chief Uzachile have brought us a peace offering of deer. My men and I will feast. We have named this great river El Rio de los Venado - The River of the Deer. , ”The Governor and his army left from Napituca and arrived at the River of the Deer. This name was given to it because the Indian messengers from Uzachile brought there certain deer, since there are many good ones in the land. And in order to cross this river they made a bridge of three large pines in length and four in breadth.” , - Account by Rodrigo Rangel , The De Soto Chronicles , The Conquistador Trail , De Soto’s anger was legendary. His own men feared his hot temper. He often ordered the execution of those who failed in their responsibilities. In leaving the village of Uzachile, a young soldier named Cadena left the march to retrieve his forgotten sword. De Soto ordered him whipped and hanged for desertion. Only appeals from De Soto’s captains and priests saved the young man’s life. , The Native Path , Most of Uzachile’s warriors were killed or captured during a failed attack on De Soto. Hoping to appease the conquistador’s anger, Uzachile sent gifts and offerings to the Spanish. Still fearful of retaliation, he deserted his village while De Soto’s army passed.