A Man Called Horse: John Horse and the Black Seminole Underground Railroad

by Glennette Tilley Turner

An account of Black Seminole warrior, chief, and diplomat John Horse and the route he forged on the Underground Railroad to gain freedom for his people

John Horse (c. 1812–1882, also known as Juan Caballo) was a famed chief, warrior, tactician, and diplomat who played a dominant role in Black Seminole affairs for half a century. His story is central to that of the Black Seminoles—descendants of Seminole Indians, free Blacks, and escaped slaves who formed an alliance in Spanish Florida. A political and military leader of mixed Seminole and African heritage, Horse defended his people from the US government, other tribes, and slave hunters.

A Man Called Horse focuses on the little-known life of Horse while also putting into historical perspective the larger story of Native Americans and especially Black Seminoles, helping to connect the missing “dots” in this period. After fighting during the Second Seminole War (1835–1842), one of the longest and most costly Native American conflicts in US history, Horse negotiated terms with the federal government and later became a guide and interpreter. Forced to relocate, he led a group of Black Seminoles to find a new home, first heading westward to Texas and later to Mexico. 

Turner worked with descendants of Horse, who provided oral histories as well as many photographs and other artifacts.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Middle Grade, Indigenous, Historical, Audiobook

97 pages, Hardcover

Published September 21, 2021

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely, easy history of the Black Seminoles and John Horse. Glossy pages and lots of pictures would make it accessible for young readers. Honestly, this history needs to be taught more! Highly recommend! 4 stars

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a non-fiction book, very slim, and a quick read about the Black Seminole named John Horse, and how he led his people from Florida to Mexico to escape slavery and back to Florida in the 1900s.

He was a child when the First Seminole War began and by 1819 the Adams-Onis Treaty was signed with Spain and Florida ceded to the US for $5 million. John Horse and his mother settled near Tampa Bay, on Lake Thonotosassa.

The Black Seminoles quickly ran afoul of Andrew Jackson, who signed the Indian Removal Act, ordering most tribes east of the Mississippi be relocated to the west. It prompted the Second Seminole War in 1835.

American soldiers capture John Horse and imprison him, but he escapes and, now a principal chief, leads the resistance. He and his family are eventually captured again and sent to live in Indian Territory west of the Mississippi.

There's quite a bit more, and it's an intriguing look at how one individual navigated several different concepts of slavery -- Seminole, Creek, American -- in search of freedom for himself and his followers.

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[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's more historical recounting than story, but i thought it was really interesting!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book about someone who got lost from our history textbooks. Useful "Who are the Seminole" and US + northern Mexico map of key locations adds to understanding of Seminole Wars and Indian removal The history moves along with lots of graphics, illustrations and photos.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fact-filled and illustrated book about Black Seminoles who first lived in Florida, were removed to Oklahoma, later lived in Mexico, and returned to Texas.
The author did a fine job of using John Horse to illustrate the plight of Black Seminoles and to document their journey through the southeastern U.S. and Mexico.

[Ms.Gaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colorfully and appropriately designed with illustrations throughout. Text is well documented and nicely geared toward ages 10-14.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biography of John Horse who helped lead Black Seminoles to places where they could be safe from slave traders and worked for their rights before governments in the 1800s.

Along with telling readers about John Horse, Glennette Tilley Turner gives readers a crash course in Seminole history, and how Black Seminoles were related to Seminoles but also faced their own unique issues. This book takes readers from Florida to Texas to Mexico back to Texas and back to Mexico in the Black Seminole's quest for a land where they could be free and safe. I've heard a lot of the Underground Railroad that went from the South to the North in the US, but I'd never heard before of those who went further south for freedom. As this book is aimed at middle grade readers, things are covered quickly and it doesn't go into a ton of detail, but it is still obvious the author did a lot of research (the back of the book reveals how much, including interviews with his descendants) and the content covers enough to get the gist of what is going on and make readers aware of the issues Black Seminoles like John Horse faced in the 1800s. The biography is also fully decorated in color with historic paintings, portraits, and maps that help history to life for the reader. It is a very well designed, well written, informative book on a topic that certainly hasn't been covered much in middle grade literature.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Wars, battles, and hate crimes are mentioned including the fact that people were killed or injured (very little details of injuries). Injustices that John Henry and his people suffered are related.

[Raina · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a number of hooks about this story that I hoped would appeal to the general population of middle schoolers in my community, but I ultimately decided that it was a bit too academically written to draw enough kids.

That said, I really enjoyed learning more about the history of the Black Seminole community. I also liked the colorful design of the book, which includes lots of primary source photographs.

I think for the right teen, this would work. Just not quite right for my needs.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting children's biography. John Horse was a famed chief, warrior, tactician, and diplomat who played a dominant role in Black Seminole affairs for half a century. A political and military leader of mixed Seminole and African heritage, Horse defended his people from the U.S. government, other tribes, and slave hunters by serving as a counselor of fellow Seminole leaders, an agent of the U.S. government, and a captain in the Mexican army.

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Abrams Books for Young Readers for the free book.

I thought this was going to be a fascinating read about an important man in America's indigenous history, but it was a very dry read that I struggled to pay much attention to. I don't think kids are going to enjoy this very much.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good pictures, but there's not enough information on the hero at the center of the story to really bring him to life as a person. This is probably due to the lack of first hand accounts of him, and not to say that he didn't accomplish cool things. But the result is that it reads like a text book: he did this. Then he did that.

[Paul Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witten for young people, this book is nonetheless an intriguing account of the Black Seminoles, and their efforts to escape slavery, find a land to settle on, and serve whatever country they had settled in. The journey took them from Georgia to Florida to Oklahoma, to the Bahamas, to Mexico, to Texas, and several places in between, seeking and demanded what was promised to them and owed to them.

[Kathy Hale · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Horse was a "Black Seminole" living in Florida in the mid-1800's. This book outlines his life and the path of the Seminoles as they are pushed west and into Mexico. A good book for a elementary age reader to learn about the indigenous peoples and how they were treated.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chronology and brief history of the Black Seminoles and their settlements in Texas, Mexico, and in Indian Territories.
Informative but a bit dry. Wish there was more on their customs and culture.

[VSA · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was so boring and the words were hard to read and it was boring because the story was slow

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating facts and events. But it needs character. I'd like this more as historical fiction in which more humanity and story is developed.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and little-known character from history. A quick read, this biography is appealingly illustrated.

[Senny]

DNF, not really clear and confusing to listen to

[Sbwisni · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 A part of history I hadn’t read about. Fast read, but just ok.

[Chucky Fire · Rating 5 out of 5]

💌🫂🫶🏾

[Jbondandrews · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

A very interesting piece of history. I hope to read more about John Horse.

[Julie Eastlick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a hard time giving this book a rating. I felt like something was just lacking, like I wanted more information, more story, more detail. It was like really being interested in a book and picking up the cliff notes. That being said, I did not even know who John Horse was before picking up this book. When I picked up the book, saw the pictures, and read the description, I couldn’t wait to learn more about him. I did learn a lot and it did add to my interest in this part of history.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Iris Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Horse was a very interesting person, but the book felt more like a brief summary of his life rather than the biography I was hoping for. I finished this in a day.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting. Learned something I had never heard of before this book. Cathy R