Abstract
Three letters from James B. Dallam, a soldier in the United States Army engaged in the war with the Seminole Indians, provide an interesting view of conditions in Florida in 1838-39 and of the progress of operations there during a lull in the fighting. 1 Written from three different posts-Fort Harllee, Fort Clinch, and Tampa Bay-the epistles describe events over a period of six months and refer hopefully to the prospects of peace. Sandwiched between accounts of negotiations with the Indians are accounts of the country itself, with considerable praise for the healthy climate and fine soil, and also the prediction that “after the war Florida property will be in great demand.” When Dallam was writing, the battle at Okeechobee was several months in the past, and matters were drifting along more or less smoothly, with the next outbreak of violence some time in the future.
Recommended Citation
Hoyt, Jr., William D.
(1946)
"A Soldier’s View of the Seminole War: Three Letters of James B. Dallam,"
Florida Historical Quarterly: Vol. 25:
No.
4, Article 6.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/fhq/vol25/iss4/6
