Osceola; or, Fact and Fiction: A Tale of the Seminole War
Dublin Core
Abstract
**Warning: Some of the language or characterizations in this book are the product of the time when this book was written, and are no longer considered acceptable.**
Despite the subtitle, this novel creates a mythical biography for Osceola (Billy Powell) with particular emphasis on a fictional meeting on Creek lands in Alabama between he, his father, and a traveler from the Carolinas, Levi Lancaster. Just one example of the deviation from fact is that although raised mostly by his mother, according to this novel, he was raised away from the Creeks by his Scottish father before being left with some Uchees. His capture at Fort Peyton is described in vague terms.
The other historical personages in this story are Chief Micanopy, Wild Cat, Tiger Tail, Alligator, and Coehajo.
It is hard to identify specific locations in this story.
Despite the subtitle, this novel creates a mythical biography for Osceola (Billy Powell) with particular emphasis on a fictional meeting on Creek lands in Alabama between he, his father, and a traveler from the Carolinas, Levi Lancaster. Just one example of the deviation from fact is that although raised mostly by his mother, according to this novel, he was raised away from the Creeks by his Scottish father before being left with some Uchees. His capture at Fort Peyton is described in vague terms.
The other historical personages in this story are Chief Micanopy, Wild Cat, Tiger Tail, Alligator, and Coehajo.
It is hard to identify specific locations in this story.
Osceola died January 30, 1838 at Fort Moultrie, Charleston, SC. The author's "To the Reader" is dated July 4, 1838.
Creator
Title
Osceola; or, Fact and Fiction: A Tale of the Seminole War
Contributor
Ransom is a pseudonym and one of these two men is thought to be the actual author, but scholars disagree as to which one: William Gilmore Simms or Seymour R. Duke.
Publisher
New York: Harper & Brothers
Date
Language
English
Audience
Subject
Action or Adventure
Race Relations
Romance
Race Relations
Romance
Coverage
Florida Territory
Has Format
References
Gardner, Janette C. An Annotated Bibliography of Florida Fiction, 1801-1980. St. Petersburg, FL: Little Bayou Press, 1983.
Mason, Walter Scott. The People of Florida as Portrayed in American Fiction. Nashville, TN: George Peabody College for Teachers, 1949.
Bibliographic Citation
Ransom, James Birchett. Osceola; or, Fact and Fiction: A Tale of the Seminole War. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1838.
Collection
Citation
James Birchett Ransom, “Osceola; or, Fact and Fiction: A Tale of the Seminole War,” St. Augustine Fiction, accessed July 19, 2025, https://staugustinefiction.omeka.net/items/show/226.