Seminole Wars History – Seminole Wars Foundation

On May 24, 1818, General Andrew Jackson captured Pensacola, Florida. From the article:

"The War Department dispatched General Andrew Jackson to invade Florida for the purpose of punishing the Seminole and driving them out of north Florida. In March 1818 Jackson entered Florida with over 3,000 men, about half of whom were allied Creek Indians. After destroying the Seminole villages around Lake Miccosukee, Jackson turned south and captured the Spanish post at St. Marks. He then continued south, eventually driving the Seminole beyond the Suwannee River. Jackson then returned to St. Marks and ordered the trial and execution of two British subjects who had been captured during the offensive.
Declaring the war over, Jackson then re-opened it by traveling over 100 miles to the west to attack and capture the Spanish capital of Pensacola, claiming that the Spaniards were offering sanctuary to the Indians. Leaving the army in possession of the city, Jackson returned to Tennessee. The general’s actions caused considerable diplomatic trouble with Spain and England and led to lengthy debates in Congress concerning the power of the military and the President. In 1819 Spain agreed to cede Florida to the United States and Andrew Jackson was later appointed its first governor."