This conflict occurred in Florida during 1812-13. A group of pro-Slavery Americans living in northern Florida and southern Georgia attempted to wrest control away of Florida from Spain and offer it to the United States. A key leader of the Patriot movement was Kingsley, who ironically was married to an African Princess. The Patriot force captured Fort Fernandina and began to advance on other key towns in northern Florida.

After an initial battle the bulk of Spanish regulars remained in garrison at St Augustine and other key towns. The bulk of the field combat for the Spanish was conducted by their Seminole allies and Free Black militia units. The losses by Americans to the Seminloes and Free Black units would remain as bitter reminders and contribute as causes for later military actions by the Americans.

12 April 1812. FORT MOOSA. Spanish forces, mainly the Louisiana Regiment. and Free Negro Militia units engaged a Patriot force under Colonel Smith. The Patriots were forced to withdraw. 9 Sept 1812. PICOLATA. 250 Georgia Militia, Patriot supporters vs the Pro-Spanish Seminoles and Creeks for control of the Picolata supply post.

12 Sept 1812. Twelve-Mile Swamp. A Patriot supply train is Ambushed and destroyed by a force of Pro-Spanish Seminoles and Free Negro Militia. The loss forces the patriots to lift the Siege of St Augustine.

27-28 Sept 1812. NEWMAN'S LAKE. A Georgia Militia (117) unit under Col Newman is defeated by a Seminole force (75) under King Payne which is later reinforced by other Seminole tribes and Free Black Militia.

29 Sept- 4 Oct 1812. Newman's Retreat.After the initial defeat at Newman's Lake, the Georgia militia conducts a series of fighting withdrawals. Moving from one hasty barricade camp to another.

5 Oct 1812. Newman's Breakout. The Patriot force, running out of supplies and facing a strengthening enemy, attempts a breakout. After an orderly retreat of several miles, the Patriot force is ambushed. The ambush results in a militia rout but the bulk of the Seminoles elect not to pursue.

7-9 Feb 1813. A force of East Tennessee Volunteers under Col Williams and Smith advance into Florida. They skirmish with small bands of Seminoles on a Daily basis.

10 Feb or 12 Feb or both? 1813. The East Tennessee force are defeated in a series of assualts on a hammock barricade across a main raod in the area. The defenders are Seminoles with a few Black militiamen. This ended the last major Patriot Offensive.

1813-1814. Skirmishes and revenge ambushes continued throughout this time between patriots and Seminole groups.

More Strange American Conflicts

Strange American Conflicts: Introduction
Strange American Conflicts: Bacon's Rebellion
Strange American Conflicts: Shay's Rebellion
Strange American Conflicts: Whiskey Rebellion
Strange American Conflicts: Oconee War
Strange American Conflicts: The Walton War
Strange American Conflicts: The Toledo War
Strange American Conflicts: Helderberg War
Strange American Conflicts: Muskogee Free State War
Strange American Conflicts: Patriot War
Strange American Conflicts: Jackson's Florida Expeditions
Strange American Conflicts: Wakarusa War