St. Augustine, Florida - National Cemetery & Dada Massacre victims

On December 28th, 1835, Major Francis Dade and his Command of 108 men was marching from Fort Brooke (Tampa) up the old military road to Ocala. Dade believed his Command might be attacked by the Seminoles during this march but he was convinced that if that were to occur, the Indians would attempt ambush at one of the many river crossings along the route. 

Major Dade and his Command were attacked in relatively open terrain dotted with cabbage palm and palmettos under the canopy of some large oaks. by a large group of Seminoles under the command of a chief called "Alligator". He and his entire command were wiped out, stripped of their clothing and horribly mutilated. There were only 3 survivors who escaped slaughter by playing dead or hiding under dead bodies. Dade and the slain soldiers of his Command were brought to St. Augustine and interred in mass graves under 3 giant stone pyramid markers. 

An additional 1,400 soldiers who perished in the 2nd Seminole War were also buried in these mass graves under the pyramids. Just another wrinkle of forgotten History of our Country. If you are ever in St. Augustine, Florida, stop by the National Cemetery and pay your respects to the fallen.  



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