Second Seminole War US Army Officer. He had the distinction of being the first Native American graduate of West Point. In 1816, he was appointed to the US Military Academy at West Point, New York, under a provision of a US treaty in 1791 which called for the education of a limited number of Creek children at government expense. He moved to Washington, DC for training by an Irish tutor, and entered West Point on September 18, 1817. He graduated on July 1, 1822, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 6th Infantry Regiment. He resigned this commission six months later and returned to Alabama to assist his family. He married Mary Powell, a cousin of Osceola, the leader of the Florida Seminoles. In 1836, the US Government raised a regiment of Creeks from Alabama to fight the Seminoles in Florida during the Second Seminole War. He was commissioned as a Captain on August 17, 1836 – the only Native American to be commissioned. The Creek regiment joined the main Army of Keith Call, governor of Florida, on October 19th, and he was promoted to Major. In an engagement on the Withlacoochee River in the Wahoo Swamp, he initiated an assault against the Seminoles, but was struck fatally by a musket ball.
Second Seminole War US Army Officer. He had the distinction of being the first Native American graduate of West Point. In 1816, he was appointed to the US Military Academy at West Point, New York, under a provision of a US treaty in 1791 which called for the education of a limited number of Creek children at government expense. He moved to Washington, DC for training by an Irish tutor, and entered West Point on September 18, 1817. He graduated on July 1, 1822, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 6th Infantry Regiment. He resigned this commission six months later and returned to Alabama to assist his family. He married Mary Powell, a cousin of Osceola, the leader of the Florida Seminoles. In 1836, the US Government raised a regiment of Creeks from Alabama to fight the Seminoles in Florida during the Second Seminole War. He was commissioned as a Captain on August 17, 1836 – the only Native American to be commissioned. The Creek regiment joined the main Army of Keith Call, governor of Florida, on October 19th, and he was promoted to Major. In an engagement on the Withlacoochee River in the Wahoo Swamp, he initiated an assault against the Seminoles, but was struck fatally by a musket ball.
Bio by: Jim Tipton
Inscription
"He was as brave and gallant a man as ever drew a sword or faced an enemy." Maj. Gen. T.S. Jessup
Gravesite Details
The markers in this memorial area honor veterans whose remains have not been recovered or identified, were buried at sea, donated to science, or cremated and the ashes scattered.
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