Guns along the Hillsborough

Imagine paddling the Hillsborough River on a warm February afternoon and suddenly hearing rifle shots, followed by war hoops, echoing through the forest. If you stopped just above the state park and looked into the clearing, you would have seen brightly clad Seminole warriors attacking some very unhappy-looking soldiers in 1830s vintage uniforms.

No, this wasn't an episode of the Twilight Zone. This was just another day at Fort Foster State Historic Park. Reenactors from around the state gathered here Saturday and Sunday to recreate a historic battle from the Second Seminole War.

Florida was pretty empty in 1835. There was a fort in Tampa and another one in Ocala. Linking them was the Fort King Military Road. The road (more like a trail) crossed the river just above the present-day Hillsborough River State Park. U.S. soldiers built a fort to protect the bridge, which the Indians periodically tried to burn.

It was rough duty. Many of the soldiers stationed there grew sick from yellow fever carried by the mosquitoes thriving in the nearby swamps. Nature would eventually accomplish what the Seminoles could not, as the soldiers were forced to abandon the fort after the place was deemed uninhabitable.

You can see a Times' photo gallery here. You can view additional photos and read more on Friday's outdoors page, or visit the fort's website.