The Red War Pole
Dublin Core
Abstract
This novel follows Allan McNair, a teenage boy living with his father, a trader, by the St. Johns River, south of Lake George in the 1830s. The boy is good friends with Little Tiger, a Seminole from a nearby village, and the two are practically inseparable - evidenced by their ritual blood-brother scars. Allan is compassionate and empathetic to the plight of the Florida Indians. With some help from Little Tiger's tribe, he disguises himself and goes with them on a journey he will never forget; such as his encounter with Osceola as a witness to his "signing" a treaty with his dagger at Fort Gibson (1832) near Payne's Prairie (this event is believed to be a myth surrounding Osceola). At the end of the tale, upon arriving in St. Augustine, Allan and his father meet a merchant who offers to take the lad to Washington to help convince the government to have peaceful relations with the Seminoles.
The historical personages of the time include, but are not limited to: Generals Clinch and Gaines, Indian Agent Wiley Thompson, Chief Micanopy, Chief Alligator, Osceola, and Jumper.
It is hard to identify specific locations in this story.
The historical personages of the time include, but are not limited to: Generals Clinch and Gaines, Indian Agent Wiley Thompson, Chief Micanopy, Chief Alligator, Osceola, and Jumper.
It is hard to identify specific locations in this story.
Identifier
FARRELL Capron Red 1963
Access Rights
This item is part of the Fran Farrell Children's Collection and can be checked out with a valid Flagler ID. Non-Flagler affiliates will need to request this book through their local library's Inter-Library Loan program.
Creator
Title
The Red War Pole
Contributor
David Stone, illustrator
Publisher
Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company
Format
Hardcover book
Language
English
Subject
Action or Adventure
Historical
Race Relations
Youth
Historical
Race Relations
Youth
Coverage
Florida Territory
Has Format
Available for free on Internet Archive.
References
Gardner, Janette C. An Annotated Bibliography of Florida Fiction, 1801-1980. St. Petersburg, FL: Little Bayou Press, 1983.
McCarthy, Kevin. M. The Book Lover’s Guide to Florida. 1st ed. Sarasota, FL: Pineapple Press, 1992.
McCarthy, Kevin. M. “Historical St. Augustine in Fiction.” El Escribano 15 (1978): 61-69.
Bibliographic Citation
Capron, Louis. The Red War Pole. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Co., 1963.
Collection
Citation
Louis Capron, “The Red War Pole,” St. Augustine Fiction, accessed July 19, 2025, https://staugustinefiction.omeka.net/items/show/208.