Seminole attack on Fort Foster during the Second Seminole War

Background. Fort Foster was built under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel William S. Foster, who arrived at the site on December 1, 1836, with 430 men to rebuild the fort and the bridge that had been destroyed months earlier. The fort stood in central Florida, 9 miles south of present-day Zephyrhills in Pasco County, and served as a position during the Second Seminole War, the 1835–1842 conflict between the United States and the Seminoles.

Attack. The site was significant for several skirmishes in February 1837 during the Second Seminole War. During these events, sailors from USS Concord and the artillerymen resisted hostile Seminole attacks and their attempts to burn the bridge. In January 1837, Army soldiers had been relieved to search out hostiles and build other forts.

Aftermath. In March 1837, the sailors were relieved by members of the 1st and 2nd Artillery Regiments and 25 members of the Creek Indian Volunteers. Fort Foster was reactivated in the fall of 1837 to the summer 1838 to act as a supply post, continuing its role in the conflict.