Uchee Billy
Encyclopedia
Uchee Billy or Yuchi Billy (Georgia ? - Nov. 25, 1837 St. Augustine, Fl.) was a chief of the Yuchi
tribe who along with his band escaped forced relocation from Georgia to Indian Territory
by moving to the area of what is now Volusia County, Florida
in 1822. During the Second Seminole War
Uchee Billy was an ally of the Seminoles, and was one of the principal war chiefs who fought the U.S. Army.
Billy was mistakenly reported to have been killed during a major sweep by Unitred States forces along the St. Johns River
in 1836. He was captured by Brigadier General Joseph Hernandez
, commander of the East Florida Militia, on the night of September 10, 1837 along with his brother Uchee Jack and the members of his small band only one member of the band of 21 escaped. Hernandez was led to the site by a Seminole brave, Tomoka John, who had been captured along with King Phillip two nights earlier at Dunlawton Plantation
.
During the capture of Uchee Billy one U.S. soldier was killed, 21-year-old Lieutenant John Winfield Scott McNeil. His grave marker in the St. Augustine National Cemetery
states he was "killed by Uchee Billy".
Uchee Billy along with his band was imprisoned in Fort Marion
in St. Augustine, where Coacoochee
and Osceola
were also being held. He died in the fort on November 25, 1837. After his death his skull was defleshed and became a curio along with the preserved head of Osceola which was decapitated by Dr. Frederick Weedon a physician from St. Augustine who attended both Uchee Billy and Osceola.
Yuchi
For the Chinese surname 尉迟, see Yuchi.The Yuchi, also spelled Euchee and Uchee, are a Native American Indian tribe who traditionally lived in the eastern Tennessee River valley in Tennessee in the 16th century. During the 17th century, they moved south to Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina...
tribe who along with his band escaped forced relocation from Georgia to Indian Territory
Indian Territory
The Indian Territory, also known as the Indian Territories and the Indian Country, was land set aside within the United States for the settlement of American Indians...
by moving to the area of what is now Volusia County, Florida
Volusia County, Florida
Volusia County is a county located in the state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2010 official county's population was 494,593 . Its county seat is DeLand, and its most populous city is currently Deltona....
in 1822. During the Second Seminole War
Second Seminole War
The Second Seminole War, also known as the Florida War, was a conflict from 1835 to 1842 in Florida between various groups of Native Americans collectively known as Seminoles and the United States, part of a series of conflicts called the Seminole Wars...
Uchee Billy was an ally of the Seminoles, and was one of the principal war chiefs who fought the U.S. Army.
Billy was mistakenly reported to have been killed during a major sweep by Unitred States forces along the St. Johns River
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
in 1836. He was captured by Brigadier General Joseph Hernandez
Joseph Marion Hernández
José Mariano Hernández or Joseph Marion Hernández was an American politician, plantation owner, and soldier. He was the first from the Florida Territory and the first Hispanic American to serve in the United States Congress. He served from September 1822 to March 1823. He was a member of the Whig...
, commander of the East Florida Militia, on the night of September 10, 1837 along with his brother Uchee Jack and the members of his small band only one member of the band of 21 escaped. Hernandez was led to the site by a Seminole brave, Tomoka John, who had been captured along with King Phillip two nights earlier at Dunlawton Plantation
Dunlawton Plantation and Sugar Mill
The Dunlawton Plantation and Sugar Mill was a plantation that was destroyed by the Seminoles at the beginning of the Second Seminole War. The ruins are located west of Port Orange, Florida off Nova Road.On August 28, 1973, it was added to the U.S...
.
During the capture of Uchee Billy one U.S. soldier was killed, 21-year-old Lieutenant John Winfield Scott McNeil. His grave marker in the St. Augustine National Cemetery
St. Augustine National Cemetery
St. Augustine National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in the city of St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida. It encompasses , and as of the end of 2005 had 2,788 interments. It is currently closed to new interments.- History :...
states he was "killed by Uchee Billy".
Uchee Billy along with his band was imprisoned in Fort Marion
Castillo de San Marcos
The Castillo de San Marcos site is the oldest masonry fort in the United States. It is located in the city of St. Augustine, Florida. Construction was begun in 1672 by the Spanish when Florida was a Spanish territory. During the twenty year period of British possession from 1763 until 1784, the...
in St. Augustine, where Coacoochee
Wild Cat (Seminole)
Wild Cat, born Coacoochee or Cowacoochee , was a leading Seminole chieftain during the later stages of the Second Seminole War as well as the nephew of Micanopy....
and Osceola
Osceola
Osceola, also known as Billy Powell , became an influential leader with the Seminole in Florida. He was of Creek, Scots-Irish and English parentage, and had migrated to Florida with his mother after the defeat of the Creek in 1814.Osceola led a small band of warriors in the Seminole resistance...
were also being held. He died in the fort on November 25, 1837. After his death his skull was defleshed and became a curio along with the preserved head of Osceola which was decapitated by Dr. Frederick Weedon a physician from St. Augustine who attended both Uchee Billy and Osceola.