Battle of Ouithlacoochie

This article has multiple issues. Please help or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (April 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) This article relies too much on references to primary sources. Please improve this by adding secondary or tertiary sources. (April 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

"Battle of Ouithlacoochie"
Part of Second Seminole War
Date December 31, 1835 Location Near Withlacoochee River, Florida Result American tactical victory
Belligerents
United States	Seminole Indians
Commanders and leaders
Duncan L. Clinch Richard K. Call	Osceola
Strength
750	250
Casualties and losses
4 killed 59 wounded	Unknown

The Battle of Ouithlacoochie, otherwise known as the Battle of Withlacoochee was a battle, in the Second Seminole War fought on December 31, 1835, along the Withlacoochee River in modern Citrus County, Florida.

Prelude[]

After the Dade Massacre, the Florida militia reached the Withlacoochee River, however an unexpected difficulty was found. The stream was deep and rapid, there was no bridge, and the only means of crossing was in a leaky canoe that would hold only four or five men. An effort was made to swim the horses over, but only two could be gotten across in that way. The crossing began at daylight, the regular soldiers going first, and at noon only 260 had crossed. They tried to make rafts, but there was no suitable wood. The men who could do so swam the river, and ammunition was carried over on a raft of tree logs.

Battle[]

The regulars and a few of the volunteers had crossed, when the Indians began a severe and unexpected fire. General Call, having made a footbridge of logs, was trying to get his men across as fast as possible when the attack began. He now left them with orders to cross as rapidly as they could, and crossed in the canoe himself while the fight was at the worst. As many of the volunteers as could do so crossed during the fight, thus preventing the Indians from getting between the regular troops and the river, and so cutting them off.

Coordinates: 28°59′30″N 82°45′34″W / 28.991640°N 82.759551°W / 28.991640; -82.759551