General Andrew Jackson in Florida -1818 - Marianna, Florida
N 30° 48.977 W 085° 14.039
16R E 668930 N 3410575
Quick Description: This marker in located within Florida Caverns State Park and can be found at the boat/canoe launch area.
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 11/14/2009 7:02:16 AM
Waymark Code: WM7NHY
Views: 2
Long Description:The marker Read's:
American desire for the acquisition of Florida grew after 1800 as
U.S. frontiers expanded. Border incidents provided motivation for
General Andrew Jackson's 1818 expedition against Florida's Seminole
Indians. Jackson's army destroyed Indian stronghold in the
Apalachee Region. On May 11, 1818, during a 12 day march from Fort
Gadsden on the lower Apalachicola River to the Escambia River,
Jackson crossed the Chipola River's Natural Bridge near here.
Pensacola surrendered to Jackson later that month. This foray into
Spanish territory created serious repercussions at home and abroad
but paved the way for U.S. acquisition of Florida from Spain.
During the First Seminole War of 1818, Jackson received the
command against the Seminoles. During this campaign, Jackson
captured two British citizens in Spanish Florida, Robert Ambrister
and Alexander Arbuthnot. The former was an ex-Marine turned
mercenary who was apparently working with area blacks and American
Indians to undermine the Spanish. The latter was a private
businessman and trader who, from a combination of humane concern
and his own economic self-interest, sought peace between the
Seminoles and the United States. Because they were English, because
they collaborated with Native Americans, and because they
interrupted Jackson's burning and looting of native villages,
Jackson demanded satisfaction. Both men were executed. His conduct
in following them up into the Spanish territory of Florida, in
seizing Pensacola, gave rise to much hostile comment in the cabinet
and in Congress. But the negotiations, and subsequent purchase of
Florida put an end to the diplomatic difficulty.