Rank: Private
Unit: F Co, 2d Dragoons
Enlisted: July 17, 1837 in New York, New York. He was 24.
Date of birth: 1813
Hometown: Dumfreishire, Scotland
Occupation prior to enlistment: Carpenter
Campaign: Second Seminole War
Died: 23 July 1839
Age at death: 26 yrs
Cause of death: Killed in action
Location of fatality: Caloosahatchie, Florida (Cape Coral, Florida)
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Place of interment: Saint Augustine National Cemetery in Saint Augustine, Florida
Notes: Battle of Caloosahatchee also known as the Harney Massacre happen on 23 July 1839. Approximately 150 Seminole warriors under Chakaika attacked and burned the trading post on the Caloosahatchee River where it meets the bay, at the modern city of Cape Coral and Hospetarke attacked the Dragoon encampment, killing 11 Dragoons out of the 19 Dragoons, five civilians, and one interpreter. Two additional Dragoons were wounded. Only the Dade Massacre and the Battle of Okeechobee had more casualties during the Seminole War. This battle led to public outcry against the Seminoles and thus deterring any hopes of peace with the Seminoles in Florida.
Note: Private Thompson’s death is cited in the book:
“With some discussion the terms were agreed to by the Seminole chiefs, and the council terminated after a session of four
hours, and apparently to the satisfaction of all present. One of the stipulations of the agreement was the establishment of a trading house at Charlotte’s Harbor, on the Caloosahatchie River. Lieutenant-Colonel Plarney was charged with the execution of this part of the programme. A detachment of twenty-six dragoons from his own regiment, under Sergeant Bigelow (E), had been detailed as a guard for the trader, Mr. Dalham, and his goods. The Indians came and went, apparently delighted with the chance to trade, and, by their excessive friendliness, lulled the soldiers into a fatal sense of security. The usual vigilance was relaxed, and on the morning of the 22d of July, while the little garrison was sleeping, all unconscious of the impending danger, the savages swooped down upon their prey, and within ten minutes thirteen white men had ceased to exist. Three or four soldiers, with two negro interpreters, were captured, while the remainder, with Colonel Harney, who happened to be at the post that night, escaped.”