SW0151 Navy Vet Personifies Fort Pierce’s Most Worthy Commander

Seminole Wars Authority

Listeners to this podcast already know that Fort Pierce is a reservation for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Previously, guest Rollie Gilliam told us about its origins as a home for Black Seminole. In this episode, living historian Jim O’Dell joins us to describe the military origins of Fort Pierce, his hometown.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Jim stepped into the part of playing U.S. Army Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Pierce to present public impressions of the fort’s namesake and first commander during the Second Seminole War. What role did Fort Pierce play in the war? Who were its later famous commanders? And what became of the troops’ payroll in gold that was lost when the schooner carrying the paymaster sank near the fort’s inlet. We’ll find out.

U.S. Navy veteran Jim O'Dell portrays Brevet Lt. Col. Benjamin Pierce at living history events. He stands here with his six-pound cannon, King David.

Jim O'Dell, Dowling Watford, and Jim Flaherty portray soldiers from Second Seminole War. Courtesy photo by Allen. Below, Jim O'Dell and his friend from Okeechobee, Dowling Watford, moving out to battle.

Jim O'Dell related the story of this shipwreck in his discussion. Below, the plot for Fort Pierce still exists. The fort itself is in St Lucie's County, Fla.

Host Patrick Swan is a board member with the Seminole Wars Foundation. This podcast is recorded at the homestead of the Seminole Wars Foundation in Bushnell, Fla.

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