Bowlegs' Town

Bowlegs town was an old town near the Suwanee River located in Dixie County Florida under the leadership by an Seminole Indian named Bolek, Halapatter Micco (a.k.a. Chief Billy Bowlegs). Suwanee Oldtown (a.k.a. Billy Bowlegs' Town) was one of the many stops along the route of the largest invasion of Spanish LaFlorida, by Andrew Jackson. Suwanee Old Town was the last stop on Jackson's march through east Florida.

Halapatter Micco, meaning the Alligator Chief is shown to the left circa 1852 (Bolek a.k.a. Billy Bowlegs) (Gifford 1925, 17) Billy Bowlegs was a leader in the early nineteenth century and descendent of the Cowkeeper Dynasty, and of old King Payne's tribe.(Porter, 1967) Born in 1810 in North Central Florida, Bowlegs rose to prominence during the Second Seminole War. Serving as a diplomat and ambassador, Bowlegs advocated for the rights of his tribal members. Bowlegs Town, also known as Oldtown, was close to springs that provided a freshwater source. A great necessity in the territorial times for homesteading.

"Between the early to mid 1800s, the United States Government would fight three wars with the Seminole population of Florida. While the Second Seminole War of 1835-1842 proved to be the largest and costliest".

In 1812 Billy Bowlegs older brother King Payne was killed after Colonel Daniel Newnan led an attack during what is called the Patriot's war of 1812. Afterwards, Billy Bowlegs came to power as chieftain of the Seminoles. (Covington, 48)

It was here, in 1818, that Gen. Andrew Jackson, leading the largest army to invade Florida. (Gallagher, 2016)

Prior to moving his village to the Suwannee River valley, Billy Bowlegs was living in the Alachua County area (Paynes Prarie vicinity).

Villages were scattered from St. Augustine to the Apalachicola River. (Gifford 1925, 25)

Ben Bruno was the negro interpreter, advisor, confidant and special assistant to Chief Billy Bowlegs.

Billy Bowlegs went to Washington D.C. with a delegation of Seminole Leaders to meet with United States President Millard Fillmore. Shown below are two depictions of that event in 1852.

"Adjutant General's Office Washington, January 7th 1856 Sir. I have received and laid before the Secretary of War, your communications of the 23d and 26th ult. on the subject of the recent attack on Lieut. Hartsuff's exploring party, and the probable renewal of hostilities by the several Indian bands remaining in Florida. To meet this contingency, it being impracticable to send re-enforcements of regular troops, the Department has authorized the Calling out of three independent Companies, to be disposed of in the manner suggested in your letter, or in any other way that in your judgment will best insure the objects contemplated, and two other Companies to serve as hunters and trailers and to be associated with the regular troops in their operations. In respect to the com- position of these last two Companies, it is enjoined on you not to allow any man to be received who is not a good woodsman and familiar with the habits of Indians, and who could be thus usefully employed in discovering and following their trails"........

.........."I am Sir. very respectfully. /signed/ S. Cooper Adjutant General Brvt Colonel J Munroe U.S. Army Commanding in Florida Tampa Florida Head Quarters Troops in Florida Jan. 20 1856 Official F.M. Vincent 1st Lieut. 2d Artillery A.A. Agt Genl Official John Munroe Major 2d Regt Arty Bt Col Commdg Troops in Dist [?] of Florida"

Billy Bowlegs - Third Seminole War

"The Third Seminole War of 1855-1858 was the last Indian war to be fought east of the Mississippi River. It began in late 1855 when a party of soldiers led by  Lieutenant George Hartsuff  was attacked by Seminoles led by Billy Bowlegs (Holata Micco). The encounter was precipitated by continued white settler encroachment onto Seminole lands in south Florida. Hartsuff surveying crew provoked Seminole Chief Billy Bowlegs by damaging his prized garden on the morning of December 20, 1855 resulting in two people killed while Hartsuff and three others were injured.

Billy Bowlegs and his followers began a series of raids on plantations. United States troops received orders to proceed to and remove the remaining Indigenous people from Florida.

"The subsequent war consisted of a series of minor engagements, punctuated by continued efforts to entice the few Seminoles remaining in Florida to accept removal to a reservation west of the Mississippi River. While some regular U.S. Army troops served in the conflict, it was fought largely by Florida volunteer companies. In 1858, Billy Bowlegs accepted generous financial terms to move with 163 others to the trans-Mississippi. Billy Bowlegs departed on the Gray Cloud Steamer headed for New Orleans and onto the Arkansas Territory. Chief Sam Jones and perhaps 200 other Seminoles still remained in Florida, where their descendants live today".

This map was compiled by the order of Brivet General Zachary Taylor principally from the surveys and reconaissances of the officers of the United States Army. United States Topographical Engineers of record were Captain John Mackay and Lieutenant J. E. Blake