The military post known as Fort Brooke which was located at the mouth of the Hillsborough River is one that played a most important role in the settlement of Florida’s west coast. It served as a base of operations during the Seminole wars, and many famous military figures were stationed there during the middle third of the Nineteenth Century

Covington, James W.

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Florida Historical Quarterly Volume 31 Number 4 Florida Historical Quarterly, Vol 31, Issue 4 Article 4 1952 The Establishment of Fort Brooke James W. Covington  Part of the American Studies Commons, and the United States History Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/fhq University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Article is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Florida Historical Quarterly by an authorized editor of STARS. For more information, please contact STARS@ucf.edu. Recommended Citation Covington, James W. (1952) "The Establishment of Fort Brooke," Florida Historical Quarterly: Vol. 31 : No. 4 , Article 4. Available at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/fhq/vol31/iss4/4 THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FORT BROOKETHE BEGINNING OF TAMPAFrom letters of Col. George M. BrookeEdited by JAMES W. COVINGTONThe military post known as Fort Brooke which was locatedat the mouth of the Hillsborough River is one that played amost important role in the settlement of Florida’s west coast.It served as a base of operations during the Seminole wars, andmany famous military figures were stationed there during themiddle third of the Nineteenth Century.Due to the trade and protection offered by Fort Brooke,Tampa was born and slowly grew during the days before TampaBay was discovered by the tourist and cigar manufacturer.Fort Brooke came into being as a result of the SeminoleTreaty of 1823. The Seminoles agreed to move into a reserva-tion which was to be located in the south central part of thepeninsula. Commissioners representing the United States gov-ernment in the negotiations suggested that a military post beplaced at Tampa Bay to protect the Indians from outsideelements.Colonel James Gadsden, 1 one of the treaty commissioners,was appointed to survey the new reservation. He warned Sec-retary of War John C. Calhoun that the Seminoles would not move into the reservation if the United States government neg-lected to show “power and disposition to compel obedience.” 2Gadsden suggested that a military post be immediately estab-lished at Tampa Bay.Secretary Calhoun had a high regard for Colonel Gadsdenand accepted the suggestion. Orders issued from the Adjutant1. Gadsden assisted in the famous purchase in southern Arizona which borehis name. His colorful life is summarized in the Dictionary of AmericanBiography.2. James Gadsden to John C. Calhoun, September 29, 1823, Seminoles, 1823,Office of Indian Affairs, National Archives.1Covington: The Establishment of Fort BrookePublished by STARS, 1952274 FLORIDA HISTORICAL QUARTERLYGeneral’s Office on November 5, 1823, 3 provided that ColonelGeorge M. Brooke should proceed as soon as possible with fourcompanies of the 4th Infantry to Tampa Bay where a militarypost would be established.Surveyor Gadsden was notified of the orders to ColonelBrooke and he wrote the following letter 4 to Brooke at Canton-ment Clinch near Pensacola:St. Augustine1 December 1823Dear ColonelI have this day received a copy of an order from the Adjt.General’s Office stating that four companies of Infty under yourcommand has been detailed to occupy the post at the Bay ofTampa and that you were instructed to consult with me as tothe proper site etc.I lose no time in informing you that I leave this day witha small detachment for the Indian Nation and will be in theBay of Tampa the early part of the ensuing Month. As I shallexpect some facilities from your command towards the dischargeof the duties as Indian Commissioner assigned me I have torequest that you will endeavour to make as early a movementas practicable so as to meet me about the time contemplated -otherwise I may be much embarrassed in my operations if notmuch exposed to privations of a severe character - I feel themore anxious on this subject as the Indians South have of lateexhibited something like an unfriendly feeling, and are unwillingthat I should run the line immediately - your presence withtroops will produce the most happy effects and to your exertionsI may acknowledge myself indebted for the faithful and effi-cacious discharge of the most arduous service I have undertaken.Your Obdt. Servt.JAMES GADSDEN3. These orders are printed in full in Karl H. Grismer: Tampa, St. Peters-burg Ptg. Co., 1950, p 55.4. James Gadsden to Colonel George Brooke, Records of the War Depart-ment, Office of the Adjutant General, Letters received 7-B-1824. Here-after cited as O.A.G.2Florida Historical Quarterly, Vol. 31 [1952], No. 4, Art. 4https://stars.library.ucf.edu/fhq/vol31/iss4/4FORT BROOKE 275The task force left Pensacola on January 15, 1824, and madeits way into Tampa Bay. Colonel Brooke wrote a detailed ac-count of the landing and selection of a proper location, whichis printed in full by Karl H. Grismer in his Tampa. 5 In the samesource is an account of Robert J. Hackley who was dispossessedof his dwelling and claim of the area on which the fort wasestablished.Thus, the cantonment was set up and conditions in the mili-tary establishment showed great improvement as seen in thenext letter 6 sent by Colonel Brooke.Camp on Hillsborough Bay4th April 1824Genl.Since my communication of Febr. 3 this is the only oppor-tunity which has been offered me of addressing you (the ar-rival of Major Wright by water). The troops continue in goodhealth, are well supplied with provisions, and are industriouslyengaged in the erection of quarters. Capt. D. E. Burch of theQuarter Masters Dept. at Pensacola has facilitated by everymeans in his power, the completion of our barracks by com-plying most promptly with all the necessary requisitions, Bythe middle of this month, the men will be in their quarterswhich are the best log buildings I have ever seen, both for healthand duration. The rooms being large, high, airy and as well put to-gether as possible, the whole 260 feet in length and 12 feet fromfloor to the loft. We have completed the Quarter Masters andcommissary’s store house, [and] bake house. The officers quartershave also been finished (viz. two blocks of it) in ten days. Con-sidering that the first tree was felled on the 20th Feby. I haveevery reason to be pleased with the great industry of the offi-cers and men, besides this each company has a large garden5. Grismer, op. cit. pp. 56-58.6. Brooke to Brown, O.A.G., 97-B-1824.3Covington: The Establishment of Fort BrookePublished by STARS, 1952276 FLORIDA HISTORICAL QUARTERLYnow in fine cultivation. I must beg leave to renew my applicationfor two apt. surgeons for should any epidemic disease take placehere, we should be in a most deplorable situation. I wrote tothe Surgeon Gen’l. on this subject early in Jan. but he has notdone me the honor of ever answering any letter. Should we beunfortunate to have the yellow fever, I shall feel myself relievedfrom all responsibility in as much as I have written repeatedlyto the Surgeon Gen’l. on this subject.The Indians appear to me, to be more and more displeasedat the treaty and still more at the running of the line, and Iam not unapprehensive of some difficulty. They have an idea,that the nation, is about to go to war with Great Britain, andwas it to be the case they would most certainly join our enemy.In consequence of its having been reported to me, that a largenumber of Indians were seen near the Camp, after tattoo, whoappeared to have an intention of taking us by surprise, the troops,were put under arms, and continued so during the night, a largeparty were also sent out some distance, but no Indians werediscovered. So the man who reported it to me, came running in,and stated that he had seen them not more than 15 minutesbefore, an attack was calculated on most certainly. The officersand men turned out with an alacrity and spirit, which did themgreat credit, and I feel a confidence, that no Indian force inthis country could meet us, with the least prospect of success,although they can bring at least 700 warriors. There is an abso-lute necessity of some field pieces here into the field and I beg,that the Commandg. Officer at Pensacola may be directed tohave transported to this place, two six pounders, with a propersupply of ammunition and implements. We have discovered thatthis place, has been a depot, for pirates, finding the other day,the remains of three unfortunate persons who from the shot-holes, in their hats, and from stakes set in the ground, with ropesattached to them and the appearance of fire, that some of them4Florida Historical Quarterly, Vol. 31 [1952], No. 4, Art. 4https://stars.library.ucf.edu/fhq/vol31/iss4/4FORT BROOKE 277had been shot and others burned to death. 7 There were nearthem two six pound shot, and an old looking glass. From theropes and the burnt wood, it appears, it must have been doneabout four or five months since.I have the honor to beyour respectfullyyr. ms. Obt. servt.GEO. M. BROOKEP. S. A copy of this letter has been addressed to Gen. ScottColonel Brooke, when he returned with his family, which hadbeen left at Pensacola, wrote to Gen. Atkinson, his commandingofficer as follows: 8Cantonment Brooke18 January 1825GeneralI returned to Pensacola from the country with my family onthe 20th of October on my way to this post and could notobtain passage till the 10th of Dec. when I sailed and landedhere on the 18th of the same month.I found the troops in good health and the post in good order.From the last year it appears that this is one of the most healthypositions in the southern country. There has been less sicknesshere than at Cantonment Clinch although the number of troopswas greater. . . . You will perceive by the monthly return ofthis post that our total is now 177 from which 9 have been dis-charged and 1 dead and 26 prisoners leaving our effective force141. There will also be discharged in this and the followingmonths viz. in Jany. 1825 6 men, in Feby. 5, March, seven, Aprilfive and May seven, making 30 leaving then the effective forceat 101 men. It is necessary that the command be kept up as7. Due to lax control by Spanish and American authorities the coast ofsouthwest Florida had become a haven for “second-rate” pirates, smug-glers and some honest fishermen.8. Brooke to Brigadier General Henry Atkinson, O.A.G., 37-B-1824.5Covington: The Establishment of Fort BrookePublished by STARS, 1952278 FLORIDA HISTORICAL QUARTERLYnearly to its full complement as practicable from the number ofIndians who have been removed from the upper country by thetreaty at St. Augustine, as well as those which were before inour immediate neighborhood making in the whole 6 or 700souls. I am in no fear of the Indians at present, but should theyat any time disclose dispositions or be guilty of improper con-duct, it would be out of my power to make those arrangementswhich should put them down at once. The necessity of recruitsis also increased by the probability of our being ordered to cutout those two military roads which are now surveying [sic] byCaptain Clark of the Q. M. department. I therefore hope that aproper part of the recruits now making for the 4th Infty maybe ordered direct to this place.The few opportunities we have at this place for makingknown our wants, and the great length of time which we ex-perience in receiving orders and answering them, I am fearfulmay produce a belief that we are not so prompt as we should be.I have the honor to be very respectfully yr. Obt. Servt.GEORGE M. BROOKEto Brig Genl. H. AtkinsonCommg. Western Dept.6Florida Historical Quarterly, Vol. 31 [1952], No. 4, Art. 4https://stars.library.ucf.edu/fhq/vol31/iss4/4

The Establishment of Fort Brooke

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