Combat· Second Seminole War
Battle of Fort Mellon
A Seminole assault on an Army post on Lake Monroe, in the campaign in which Marines were serving in Florida under Colonel Henderson.
About 200 warriors under Coacoochee, the leader known as Wild Cat, attacked Fort Mellon, which was garrisoned by Harney's dragoons. The defenders held, and the named casualty of the fight was Passed Midshipman McLaughlin of the Navy, who was serving ashore carrying orders and was shot in the chest while in charge of the detachment's supplies. The Marine contribution in this part of the campaign came in its aftermath rather than the defense itself: Colonel Henderson, commanding a brigade of volunteers and a body of his own Corps, operated with success in the area, capturing prisoners and destroying Seminole supplies and villages. McClellan's account does not record Marines among the casualties of the fight at the fort, where the loss fell on the Army and Navy personnel present.
Podcast episodes on Second Seminole War
Record no. 26