It was fought between 1,000 U.S. Army troops of the 1st, 4th, and 6th Infantry Regiments and 132 Missouri Volunteers under the command of Colonel Zachary Taylor, and about 400 Seminole warriors led by chiefs Abiaka, Billy Bowlegs, and Wild Cat on 25 December 1837.

Zachary Taylor's march to Lake Okeechobee was part of a larger offensive into South Florida that was planned by General Thomas Jesup.

Due to the large number of casualties his troops suffered (especially among the officers), Zachary Taylor was forced to end his offensive into South Florida, and he marched his army over 100 miles back to Tampa Bay.

As a number of Seminoles surrendered to Taylor's column, he stopped to build Fort Basinger, and left prisoners, guards, and sick men there.

[6] During the march, Taylor's scouts reported that there was a very large gathering of 2,000 Seminoles (men, women, and children) led by Chief Abiaka on the northern shore of Lake Okeechobee.

[7] Lieutenant Robert C. Buchanan wrote in his diary two days before the battle that he hoped that the United States could defeat the Seminoles "in one blow" by catching Abiaka.

They had cut the grass in front of their position to provide an open field of fire, and had notched the trees to steady their rifles.

[10] At about half past noon, the sun shining directly overhead and the air still and quiet, Taylor moved his troops squarely into the center of the swamp.

This could have motivated Gentry to keep charging the Seminole positions even though the original battle plan had the militia retreating at the first sign of enemy fire to re-form behind the regular army lines.

[13] In guerrilla warfare fashion, the Seminole warriors had successfully held off the U.S. troops long enough for their people to evacuate their encampment, and they then withdrew across Lake Okeechobee on their canoes.

[3] Due to the large number of casualties that Zachary Taylor's army suffered, they were forced to retreat over 100 miles back to Tampa.

[5] Years later in 1852, Seminole chief Holata Micco (also known as Billy Bowlegs) visited Washington and on being escorted through the buildings of the Capitol and viewing many statues and paintings, he suddenly halted before a portrait of Zachary Taylor, grinned and exclaimed: "Me whip!"