Osceola

What did General Hernandez do to your people?

He had ordered his men to get rid of Harjo town, which was a sanctuary for the elderly, women, and children.

Why did you fight in it?

I fought in the war because I needed to defend my people from the white people. I also fought in it because other Florida seminoles were fighting in it.

What were the rights you were looking for from the United States?

I wanted the United States to leave us alone, to let us continue living our lives peacefully. I wanted them to see us as people, not as a disease to get rid of.

What was the Seminole war?

It was a series of conflicts between my people, the seminoles, and the American government. It took place in Florida from about 1817 to 1818.

Why did you want the Seminole Indians to be separate nation from the United States?

It was clear that the Americans weren't going to let us join their society, so I wanted us to have a safe society for ourselves.

What was the justification in murdering all the people living in your safe house?

There is no justification for taking the lives of innocents. There will never be a justification for it.

Why were you not satisfied after meeting with the Americans?

They always wanted more land, land that I was not willing to just sign away. They also kept discussing Indian removal.

Why were you incarcerated for not signing a treaty?

They thought that putting me in jail would make me sign the treaties.

What was your personal motto on women and children?

We are at war with the United States soldiers, not women and children. It was even a policy of mine, to never kill women or children.

How did the US government trick you ?

After a meeting with american officials, I was knocked out, bound, and imprisoned.