Osceola | Seminole Chief, Warrior, Florida (2024)

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Osceola | Seminole Chief, Warrior, Florida? ›

During the 1830s, Osceola, a Seminole warrior, led members of his tribe in Florida in a valiant attempt to resist the US Army's efforts to forcibly deport them to a reservation west of the Mississippi River.

Osceola, having suffered from chronic malaria since 1836, and having acute tonsillitis as well, developed an abscess. When he was close to death, as his last wish he asked the attending doctor, Frederick Weedon, that his body be returned to Florida, his home, so that he might rest in peace.

Osceola was an influential Florida Seminole leader. For almost two years, he led a band of warriors in resistance against the United States during the second Seminole war. He was born Billy Powell, in Maskókî or Creek village of Talisi, now known as Tallassee, Alabama.

Charley Emathla, a well-respected chief, had decided to relocate to the western territory. On November 26, 1835, while returning home from auctioning off his cattle, Charley Emathla was ambushed by a group of Osceola-led Seminoles. Following a loud argument, Osceola shot Charley Emathla and left him dead on the trail.

2016–present: Marcellus Osceola Jr.

After the death of the Seminole chief, Dr. Weedon was able to be alone with the body. During this time he cut off the head, but left it in the coffin with the scarf that Osceola habitually wore tied as usual around the neck.

Billy Bowlegs was the principal Seminole leader in the Third Seminole War (1855-1858). Bowlegs and his war-weary band surrendered on May 7, 1858. Thirty-eight warriors and eighty-five women and children, including Billy's wife, boarded the steamer, Grey Cloud, at Egmont Key to begin their journey to Indian territory.

In 1842, a nominal end to the hostilities arrived, though no peace treaty was ever signed. By this time most Seminoles had been moved from Florida, relocated to Indian Territory today's Oklahoma.

Is the Seminole Tribe ok with Florida state? ›

Today, Florida State University and the Seminole Tribe of Florida are partners who work side by side to ensure that use of its name and iconography is done with respect and permission.

Marcellus W. Osceola Jr. Osceola is the grandson of Bill Osceola, the tribe's first Tribal Council Chairman, serving from 1957 to 1967.

The current Chief Osceola of Florida is Josh Halley, an accounting and finance major and a Florida State University (FSU) senior. Since the tradition started in 1978, Josh Halley is the 13th person to bear the title.

January 30, 1838 (age 34 years), Florida

Osceola / Died

To Osceola, a leader of the Seminole in Florida, 'removal' meant the forced displacement and a loss of his people's homeland, leading to resistance against U.S. government forces.

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, Sullivan's Island, SC

Osceola / Place of burial

Born in Alabama in 1804, Powell adopted the name Osceola, which means "black drink crier", at a tribal ceremony around 1820. After leading several small but successful raids against the Army over the next decade, Osceola was captured on December 31, 1837, and died one month later at Fort Moultrie in South Carolina.