Constant Attack

Constant Attack. Florida De Soto Trail. It’s October 3, 1539… , Hernando de Soto’s army has crossed a large swamp to the east of here and is attacked by Apalachee warriors – , Our cavalry proved useless against this attack, as the trails are too narrow. We were forced to dismount and advance on foot. Warriors shot arrows at us as we made our way toward the village of Ivitachuco. Finally reaching a clearing, we discovered barriers had been built to block our way. We tore them down, mounted, and rode forth, killing many warriors. , When we reached Ivitachuco, we found it on fire. The Apalachee had burned their village rather than see it occupied. , ”With the dawn of a new day, the Spaniards advanced along the path through the wood, pushing back the Indians, who continued to fire arrows at them and to withdraw only a little at a time, since they were unwilling to yield any more space than could be gained with the blow of a sword.” , - Garcilaso de la Vega , La Florida of the Inca , The Conquistador Trail , De Soto was an accomplished cavalry soldier and officer. He served during the conquest of Nicaragua and Panama. In 1518, he sailed as a soldier with Aviar Nuñez Balboa’s expedition to the Southern Sea. In 1531, Francisco Pizzaro commissioned De Soto to lead a cavalry army to conquer the Inca Empire. In De Soto’s own expedition to La Florida, he made the cavalry unit the most important and largest division. , The Native Path , The Apalachee men and women were known throughout North Florida for their bravery and ferocity in battle. It is said that a Spanish soldier attacked one Apalachee woman who fought with such temper that it took several soldiers to free him from her clutches.