 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Re-creating the war path
By JORGE SANCHEZ, Times Staff Writer
The blasts of muskets and cannons will echo through the pine forest at Fort Cooper State Park on Saturday and Sunday, as a violent period of Florida's past is re-created. Fort Cooper Days also brings in an impressive array of American Indian jewelry and clothing vendors along with live entertainment and plenty of food. The battle which is re-created took place at the site during the Second Seminole Indian War, which lasted from 1835 to 1842, and the high point of the festivities comes during the twice-daily battle re-enactments. During the re-enactments, a troop of U.S. Army regulars tries to ward off Seminole warriors, who seem to be hiding behind every tree and firing sporadically in guerrilla attacks. To fend off the attacks, soldiers fire terrifying volleys from their cannons and use cavalry charges to defend themselves. During the actual siege at Fort Cooper, Seminole Indian Chief Osceola and his warriors repeatedly attacked the contingent of U.S. soldiers who had built a crude fort to house a medical base camp in 1836. The battles took place on the site that is now the state park. Chief Osceola led the attack. He came to the fort looking to vanquish his enemy, Gen. Duncan Clinch, who was not at the fort. In the two-week battle, the longest continuous fight of the Second Seminole War, one U.S. soldier was killed. No records were kept of Seminole casualties. Osceola was captured not long after the battle and died in prison in 1838 at Fort Moultrie, S.C. The battle re-enactments are witnessed by hundreds of spectators who watch the action from bleachers and lawn chairs just a few yards away. It is recommended that people arrive about 45 minutes before the re-enactments, as the site takes about 20 minutes to reach on foot. A shuttle is available for those with handicaps. Battle re-enactments are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the park, 3100 Old Floral City Road, just south of Inverness. The park will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, giving visitors plenty of time to check out the numerous vendors, most of which sell hand-made American Indian jewelry and clothing. Live entertainment will be offered on a stage near the vendors. Performers include Tom Sjoberg, Lee Pinkerson, the Wahoo Appalachian Cloggers, The Riverland Cloggers of Dunnellon, Bobby Henwood, Jesse Watson and Dave and Brett Edwards. Food will include barbecue, seafood, fry bread, funnel cakes and kettle corn. Admission to Fort Cooper Days is $4 for adults, $1 for children 6-17; children under 6 are admitted free. For information, call the park at 726-0315. -- Jorge Sanchez can be reached at 860-7313 or sanchez@sptimes.com
.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
Citrus Times | ||||||||||||||||||||
