Hernando de Soto and the Indians of Florida: Milanich and Hudson (review)

Hernando de Soto and the Indians of Florida: Milanich and Hudson

       Milanich and Hudson wrote this book with the intention of proving their stance on the Soto route’s location based on archaeological evidence that has surfaced since Swanton’s creation of the Soto route in the early 1900s. Together, they wanted to develop a picture of social geography among the Indians of Florida. Hudson believes that in doing so, he was able to give the Indians life. “Now, the Florida Indians are cultural entities that exist in time and space!”

     In chapter 1 entitled “The Search”, Hudson lays the groundwork for establishing Soto’s landing site in Tampa Bay. Specifically near the mouth of the Little Manatee River/ Ruskin area. Hudson/Milanich disprove other reconstructions of the Soto route by stating “the principle reason for so many theories is that people tend to focus only on that portion of the route that is geographically important to them”. This seems like a hypocritical statement. Hudson/Milanich proclaim that they ONLY used the Elvas, Biedma, and Ranjel chronicles in their studies. However, upon completion of this book, the authors in fact used the Garcilaso chronicle numerous times in order to fill in blanks surrounding their route. Their theory is this: If their route is correct, there should be evidence and archaeological artifacts. By their written definition, for a site to be considered a Soto site, “one must be able to show that the artifacts recovered from a site date from 1530’s or earlier and they cannot be items salvaged from Spanish ships or given out by 17^th century missionaries”. Hudson/Milanich put major emphasis on the importance of archaeology thus providing proof of where native societies were located. Now, researchers can narrow down their range of potential Soto sites.

       In chapter 2, Prelude to the Expedition, Hudson/Milanich discuss the details of WHY Soto went to La Florida. Similar to how some historians believe that Menéndez went to the New World to convert the natives to the holy faith, Hudson believes that Soto had the same goals. Hudson stands firm in arguing Soto’s landing site, having even convinced Milanich to abandon his theory of a Charlotte Harbor landing. Soto’s “basecamp” was located on the North side of Little Manatee River. The only downside to their theory is that there is no archaeological evidence. Now there is the question of whether there are Soto period artifacts at any of the Tampa Bay archaeology sites. Hudson/Milanich discuss 3 mounds that fit their definition. The Thomas Mound was previously excavated but has since been destroyed. Hudson firmly believes this was a Soto camp site. As Hudson/Milanich move their studies north to Ocale, they come to the conclusion that there is no specific Soto Trail because they were so spread out in search of towns. Ocale remains a mystery in terms of evidence of Soto because most of the sites have also been destroyed. However, the cove of the Withlacoochee hold 2 of the best mounds that produced Soto evidence. They are the Ruth Smith mound and the Tatham mound. The Tatham mound, according to Hudson, was confirmed as having contact with Soto because of the numerous European artifacts that fit the Elvas description written in the chronicles. What makes this site stand out is an iron plate referred to as the Tatham Plate. Hudson writes, “the Tatham mound represents perhaps one of the best documented collections of Soto expedition-related artifacts.” While Hudson agrees on this being a Soto site, it is not confirmed.

      In much of this book, Hudson/Milanich refer to epidemics that “probably” killed dozens of Indians in different provinces. They question whether depopulation was from pandemics or epidemics and did it occur before European observation. Later, in chapter 5, Hudson/Milanich speak more broadly of the peoples of Southern and Central Florida. Take the Calusa for example. The Calusa were perhaps the first to encounter Europeans. Hudson breaks down the Calusa claiming they split up to form multiple societies in La Florida. Descendants of the Tequesta in 1513 were still living in roughly the same location in 1743. An interesting point Hudson makes is why they disappeared in 1743. He states that they were victims of English raids and because of the growth of the Cuban-based fishing industry, Tequesta moved further south into the Florida Keys.

     Chapter 6, Ocale to Agile, Hudson’s states that “the web of Indian trails and clusters of archaeological sites provides the framework within which the Soto route must be reconstructed.” He considered the Mission Trail to be Soto’s route across the Suwannee county. However, he later disproved this by concluding the pre-Columbian native populations did not exist in the southern Suwannee region. With all the deduction, Hudson/Milanich are increadibly sure of their route, even denouncing other historian’s theories. In the next few chapters, Hudson seems to make more conjectures than facts. He uses the words “probably”, “most likely” and “must have been” frequently. It was around this point that I began to read with caution. Without any references or statements on how they came to their conclusions, Hudson continued to make guesses about locations. “The swampy wetland MUST HAVE been the gum slough” is just one example. He claims the ponds that the Utina treaded in overnight were limestone sink holes. He claims Soto crossed the Suwannee at present day Dowling Park. Soto also passed through Perry. This is where Garcilaso starts entering the conversation. I have many questions about some of Hudson statements. He said the people of Agile had no warning of Soto’s approach, showing how deep the social division was between the Apalachee and the Timucuans. Perhaps this was a buffer zone? However, Dubcovsky argues that cross-region communication was pertinent to maintaining Power amongst the Indians.

       The book begins near Tampa Bay and moves through Central Florida into North Florida. Hudson writes that the political complexity is greater than that of the south. He also concludes that scholars are wrong in stating Potano was affiliated with 5 towns on the way to Ocale. His reasoning is that there is nothing in the Soto narratives indication this as a truth. Does that point make his hypothesis a fact? Furthering this topic, Hudson/Milanich conclude that Potano is near Payne’s Prairie. An excavated site known as the Richardson site “may have been” the site of the Potano. No further details are given about this location, other than the possibility that Soto delivered such a harsh blow to native groups in this area that political relationships were altered.

         For the rest of the book, archaeology begins to fade away. Hudson/Milanich focus more on the Indian’s demise following Soto’s entrada and the trails that remained after Soto’s death. US 27 is referenced numerous times as being the trail used by Soto’s army. Garcilaso’s chronicle is used here to describe distance. “Garcilaso describes an incident that may help locate the route precisely.” Finally, Hudson approaches the Anhaica site in Tallahassee. The Governor Martin site (Anhaica) was found in 1987, and Hudson credits Garcilaso’s coordinates as being correct. This is the only aboriginal town on the route in Florida whose ID is certain. After discussing this finding, Hudson actually takes credit for Jones’ findings by saying he knew it was located there.

      Adding to Hudson’s continual use of the word “probably”, he states Chicora is “probably” why Soto decided to go North through Georgia. Did Soto believe in the Chicora story? Is this why he went North? Hudson takes sides with Henry Dobyns in thinking disease is what decimated the Indians. “By the time de Luna reached Coosa 20 years later, disease and aftermath of the Soto entrada began taking its toll”.

      In the end of the book, Hudson declares the Soto expedition a failure. The army “perhaps” turned mutinous. Soto was unable to find the mines that would furnish him a location to establish settlements. And he died of “fevers” (Elvas), leaving Moscoso in charge of his army. Discussion leaves Soto and focuses on the future Spanish endeavors of the crown. After I read Eugene Lyon’s Enterprise of Florida, it became my understanding that Pedro Menéndez was already in La Florida prior to hearing about the French incursion at Fort Caroline. Hudson, even referencing Lyons, stated that the French is WHY the King ordered Menéndez to go to La Florida. Like Dubcovsky stated in her book, Menéndez came to La Florida to establish missions and convert the Indians to Christianity. Hudson does not agree with Lyon’s argument claiming Menéndez had little interest in religion in the New World.

       The last chapter, After De Soto, was rushed through. Hudson/Milanich briefly covered other expeditions to La Florida and gave a little more detail into the impact of epidemics and disease, specifically smallpox and measles.

     My opinion on this book was initially positive. I enjoyed the breakdown of archaeological sites and how Hudson/Milanich placed Soto in present day towns and routes. They wrote in a way that allowed me to place myself in Soto’s history. But once their Soto left Tampa Bay and moved North, they lose sight of that archaeological detail, and simply said the sight was destroyed but we know he was here. I lost interest as soon as Garcilaso and Dobyns were referenced. As I’ve lamented before, Hudson’s ego thrived in The Indians of Florida. I became turned off from their writing and simply wanted to get through the book. Hudson’s point is that “the Soto expedition was a historical event”. Yes. Obviously. His reconstruction of the route may be accurate and perhaps shows precisely where Soto ventured. Unfortunately, not enough evidence was provided for me to believe their theory. I would need a lot more than a simple opinion.