Fort Peyton (St. Augustine, Florida)
St. Augustine · Florida · Second Seminole War
History & Significance
Established by Maj. Gen. Thomas Jesup, this military installation served as a defensive stronghold protecting settlements and plantations in the St. Augustine region during the conflict with Seminole forces. The fort stood about seven miles southwest of St. Augustine, on the south side of Moultrie Creek, where the Treaty of Moultrie Creek had been signed in 1823 between the government of the United States and the chiefs of several bands of Seminoles living in the territory.
It consisted of four log houses built in a hallow square; two occupied by the troops and one by officers, and the fourth used as a hospital and commissary. Originally designated Fort Moultrie, the post's name was changed in honor of 1st Lieutenant Richard H. Peyton, 2nd U.S. Artillery, the post commander in 1837, who died in 1839 at Tampa.
The fort gained historical prominence when Jesup ordered Hernández to agree to the meeting and seize Osceola and Coe Hadjo when they arrived, and on October 21, Osceola and Coe Hadjo, accompanied by 71 Seminole warriors, six women, and four Black Seminole warriors, awaited Hernández about eight miles south of St. Augustine. Jesup remained within the fort and did not reply, but directed Lt. Peyton to persuade Osceola and his men to come inside the fort and seize them. Today, the site of Fort Peyton is in an overgrown and heavily wooded area that is accessed via a dirt road, with a concrete marker and historical sign as the only visual traces.
Key Facts
Map
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🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Concrete marker and historical sign marking Second Seminole War outpost
- Site where Seminole leader Osceola was captured under flag of truce in 1837
- Wooded, overgrown setting preserving the fort's original landscape
- Part of defensive network protecting St. Augustine during Indian Wars era
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Peyton
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=171333
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=229715
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moultrie_Creek
- https://dos.fl.gov/historical/preservation/heritage-trails/seminole-wars-heritage-trail/