hidden figures: john horse, osceola & the black seminoles led the largest slave rebellion in u.s. history

The largest slave rebellion in U.S. History is conveniently left out of our history books, but we’re here to remind and reeducate the freedom fighters of the present of the rich legacy from which they came. In the early 1800s, then General Andrew Jackson ordered for the destruction of a fort that had become a refuge and symbol of hope for runaway slaves. The fort was the epicenter of a newly freed slave community and was growing and thriving at the time, and the fort was defended with all the grit and tenacity that the group could muster before they fell to joint American forces and Creek Indian mercenaries. In the time after forces destroyed the fort and, it was clear that leadership was necessary for a joint defense was necessary but it wouldn’t be until the Second Seminole War for two people to emerge. Osceola and John Horse, two mixed heritage Seminoles, took up the mantle to fight against slaveholders and the oppressive nature of the colonial army, so that by 1835 they were planning mass revolts to free fellow slaves and orchestrating large scale attacks that were so successful that the Seminole army destroyed nearly 17 plantations and freed as many as 500 slaves. For a brief time during 1836, the Seminoles were able to enjoy the fruits of their labor, with victories at every major engagement with U.S. troops. Eventually, John Horse signed a treaty with General Jesup to end the war. Although in the years that followed the treaty, betrayal and complete disregard of the rule of law led to thousands of Seminole and Africans being exiled to Indian country in the midwest, their rebellion still stands as the largest and most successful in American History. Osceola, John Horse & the Black Seminoles set the stage for revolt, rebellion and the quest for liberation and they are hidden figures no more. To learn more about the time period, visit www.johnhorse.com.