Okeechobee in Okeechobee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Battle of Okeechobee

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, July 12, 2016

1. Battle of Okeechobee Marker

Inscription. In these woods on Christmas Day 1837, was fought the Battle of Okeechobee, in which a large band of Seminole Indians, under Chief Wild Cat, Alligator, and Sam Jones was routed by a brigade led by Colonel Zachary Taylor, consisting of the First, Fourth and Sixth Regiments of Infantry of the regular Army and the First Regiments of Missouri Volunteers totaling about 800 men. Fighting was close, desperate and bloody. Losses—Seminoles, unknown; Whites, 28 killed, 111 wounded. This action was the turning point of organized resistance in Florida.

Officers who lost their lives were:
Colonel Richard Gentry, of the Missouri Volunteers;
Lieut.-Col. Alexander T. Thompson,
Capt. Joseph Van Swearingen,
1st Lieut. Francis J. Brooke,
1st Lieut. John P. Center.
All of the Sixth Infantry, Regular Army.

Erected 1939 by Descendants of Colonel Richard Gentry, and the Florida Society of Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #12 Zachary Taylor series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is December 25, 1837.

Location. 27° 12.712′ N, 80° 47.358′

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W. Marker is in Okeechobee, Florida, in Okeechobee County. Memorial is on Southeast 38th Avenue, 0.2 miles north of U.S. 98/441, on the right when traveling north. Located in Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3500 Southeast 38th Avenue, Okeechobee FL 34974, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Battle of Okeechobee Historic State Park (here, next to this marker); The Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park (a few steps from this marker); Liberty Tree (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Okeechobee (within shouting distance of this marker); Peter and Louisiana Chandler Raulerson Log Cabin Historic Site (approx. 3 miles away); Vietnam Pilots and Crewmembers Memorial (approx. 3.3 miles away); For All Who Have Served (approx. 3.3 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Okeechobee, Florida (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Okeechobee.

More about this marker. This marker was formerly located on US 98/441, south of this location.

Also see . . . Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park. Florida Division of Recreation and Parks (Submitted on August 22, 2016.)

Battle of Okeechobee Marker on stone pedestal. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, July 12, 2016

2. Battle of Okeechobee Marker on stone pedestal.

Battle of Okeechobee Marker with battlefield beyond. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, July 12, 2016

3. Battle of Okeechobee Marker with battlefield beyond.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 770 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 21, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.