First Seminole War

First Seminole War

There is no consensus about the beginning and ending dates for the First Seminole War. The U.S. Army Infantry indicates that it lasted from 1814 until 1819. One study of the regular army of the era states that "the thrust of [Jackson's] resolve was evident from 1814 forward" as part of a larger pattern of "self-assured military officers [who] continually threatened to overstep the bounds of constitutional subordination to civilian control along the disordered southern frontier, endangering the separation of powers." The U.S. Navy Naval Historical Center gives dates of 1816–1818. Another Army site dates the war as 1817–1818. Finally, the unit history of the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery describes the war as occurring solely in 1818.