The skies were overcast. The temperature was around 76-degrees - hey, it is winter down here in Florida! We decided to head north to Bushnell, Florida, located about 45-miles south of Ocala, to Dade Battlefield Historic State Park for the reenactment of Dade’s Battle. This was our first such experience.
On December 23, 1835, one hundred and eight soldiers led by Maj. Frances Dade, left Ft. Brooke (Tampa) to march 100-miles north to reinforce what is now Ocala. On the 6th day, they were attacked by Seminole Indians. By the end of the day, Dade’s men were destroyed. The Second Seminole War begun.
“Pvt. Ransom Clark”, played by author/historian Frank Laumer, told the story as other participants acted their respective parts. The historic event was brought to life. There was gunfire, cannon blasts, horses. I think the narration by Mr. Laumer made the event a moving experience.
For more information on Dade Battlefield, go to this site.
Read more about Frank Laumer (interesting!) at the St. Petersburg Times Online website.