Seminole Success

So far, Osceola's military leadership had been a success. Despite U.S. claims of minor victory, the Seminoles had won every major engagement. Over the summer, Osceola even took up residence at Duncan Clinch's plantation, "Fort Drane," which the general had been forced to abandon. The chief's prediction from the outset of the war now sounded prophetic:

"I will make the white man red with blood; and then blacken him in the sun and rain, where the wolf shall smell of his bones and the buzzard live upon his flesh."