USA > Alabama > History of Alabama, and incidentally of Georgia and Mississippi, from the earliest period. v. 2 > Part 17
USA > Georgia > History of Alabama, and incidentally of Georgia and Mississippi, from the earliest period. v. 2 > Part 17
USA > Mississippi > History of Alabama, and incidentally of Georgia and Mississippi, from the earliest period. v. 2 > Part 17
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CHAPTER XXXII.
,
1813
July 10
256
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CHAPTER XXXII.
most isolated and defenceless people imaginable. Determined, however, to protect themselves, to the best of their means and abilities, they first sent spies to Pensacola, to watch the move- ments of the Indians there, under McQueen, who returned with the report that the British agents were distributing to them ample munitions of war. Colonel James Caller ordered out the militia, some of whom soon rallied to his standard, in the character of minute volunteers. He marched across the Tombigby, passed through the town of Jackson, and by the new fort, upon the eastern line of Clarke, and from thence to Sisemore's Ferry, upon the Alabama, where, on the western bank, he bivouaced for the night. The object of the expe- dition was to attack the Indians, as they were returning from Pensacola. The next morning, Caller began the crossing of the river, to the east side, which was effected by swimming the horses by the side of the canoes. It occupied much of the early part of the day. When all were over, the march was resumed, in a south-eastern direction, to the cow-pens of David Tait, where a halt was made. Here Caller was re- inforced, by a company from Tensaw Lake and Little River, under the command of Dixon Bailey, a half-breed Creek, a native of the town of Auttose, who had been educated at Philadelphia, under the provisions of the treaty of New- York, of 1790. Bailey was a man of fine appearance, unim- peachable integrity, and a strong mind. His courage and energy were not surpassed by those of any other man. The whole expedition under Caller now consisted of one hundred and eighty men, in small companies. Two of these were
1813 July 26
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THE AMERICANS IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
from St. Stephens, one of which was commanded by Captain Bailey Heard, and the other by Captain Benjamin Smoot and Lieutenant Patrick May. A company, from the county of Washington, was commanded by Captain David Cartwright. In passing through Clarke county, Caller had been re-inforced by a company under Captain Samuel Dale and Lieutenant Girard W. Creagh. Some men had also joined him, com- manded by William McGrew, Robert Caller, and William Bradberry. The troops of the little party were mounted upon good frontier horses, and provided with rifles and shot- guns, of various sizes and descriptions. Leaving the cow- pens, Caller marched until he reached the wolf-trail, where he bivouaced for the last night. The main route to Pensa- cola was now before them.
In the morning the command was re-organized, by the election of Zachariah Philips, McFarlin, Wood and Jourdan, to the rank of major, and William McGrew lieutenant-colonel. This unusual number of field-officers was made, to satisfy military aspirations. While on the march, the spy company returned rapidly, about 11 o'clock in the forenoon, and re- ported that McQueen's party were encamped a few miles in advance, and were engaged in cooking and eating. A con- sultation of officers terminated in the decision to attack the Indians by surprise. The command was thrown into three divisions-Captain Smoot in front of the right, Captain Bai- ley in front of the centre, and Captain Dale in front of the left. The Indians occupied a peninsula of low pine barren, formed by the windings of Buent Corn Creek. Some gently
CHAPTER XXXII.
1813 July 27
258
THE AMERICANS IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
CHAPTER XXXII.
rising heights overlooked this tongue of land, down which Caller charged upon them. Although taken by surprise, the Indians repelled the assault for a few minutes, and then gave way, retreating to the creek. A portion of the Americans bravely pursued them to the water, while others remained behind, engaged in the less laudable enterprise of capturing the Indian pack-horses. Caller acted with bravery, but, un- fortunately, ordered a retreat to the high lands, where he intended to take a strong position. Seeing those in advance retreating from the swamp, about one hundred of the com- mand, who had been occupied, as we have stated, in securing Indian effects, now precipitately fled, in great confusion and terror, but, in the midst of their dismay, held on to the plun- der, driving the horses before them. Colonel Caller, Captain Bailey and other officers, endeavored to rally them, in vain. The Indians rushed forth from the swamp, with exulting yells, and attacked about eighty Americans, who remained at the foot of the hill. A severe fight ensued, and the whites, now commanded by Captains Dale, Bailey and Smoot, fought with laudable courage, exposed to a galling fire, in open woods, while McQueen and his warriors were protected by thick reeds. The latter, however, discharged their pieces very unskilfully. Captain Dale received a large ball in the breast, which, glancing around a rib, came out at his back. He continued to fight as long as the battle lasted. At length, abandoned by two-thirds of the command, while the enemy had the advantage of position, the Americans resolved to retreat, which they did in great disorder. Many had lost
1813
July 27
259
THE AMERICANS IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
their horses, for they had dismounted when the attack was made, and now ran in all directions, to secure them or get up behind others. Many actually ran off on foot. After all these had left the field, three young men were found, still fighting by themselves, on one side of the peninsula, and keeping at bay some savages, who were concealed in the cane. They were Lieutenant Patrick May, of North-Carolina, now of Greene county, Alabama, a descendant of a brave revolution- ary family ; a private, named Ambrose Miles and Lieutenant Girard W. Creagh, of South-Carolina. A warrior presented his tall form. May and the savage discharged their guns at each other. The Indian fell dead in the cane ; his fire, however, had shattered the lieutenant's piece, near the lock. Resolving also to retreat, these intrepid young men made a rush for their horses, when Creagh, brought to the ground by the effects of a wound which he received in the hip, cried out, "Save me, lieutenant, or I am gone." May instantly raised him up, bore him off on his back, and placed him in his saddle, while Miles held the bridle reins. A rapid retreat saved their lives. Reaching the top of the hill, they saw Lieutenant Bradberry, a young lawyer of North-Carolina, bleeding with his wounds, and endeavoring to rally some of his men. The Indians, reaching the body of poor Bal- lad, took off his scalp, in full view, which so incensed his friend, Glass, that he advanced and fired the last gun upon them.
The retreat was continued all night, in the most irregular
CHAPTER XXXII.
2
1913 July 27
260
THE AMERICANS IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
CHAPTER XXXII.
manner, and the trail was lined, from one end to the other, with small squads, and sometimes one man by himself. The wounded travelled slowly, and often stopped to rest. It was afterwards ascertained that only two Americans were killed, and fifteen wounded. Such was the battle of Burnt Corn, the first that was fought in the long and bloody Creek war. The Indians retraced their steps to Pensacola, for more mili- tary supplies. Their number of killed is unknown. Caller's command never got together again, but mustered themselves out of service, returning to their homes by various routes, after many amusing adventures. Colonel Caller and Major Wood became lost, and wandered on foot in the forest, causing great uneasiness to their friends. When General Claiborne arrived in the county, he wrote to Bailey, Tait and MeNac, respectable half-breeds, urging them to hunt for these unfor- tunate men. They were afterwards found, starved almost to death, and bereft of their senses. They had been missing fifteen days .*
General Ferdinand Leigh Claiborne, the brother of the ex-Governor of the Mississippi Territory, was born in Sussex county, Virginia, of a family distinguished in that common- wealth, from the time of Charles I. On the 21st November,
* Conversations with Dr. Thomas G. Holmes, of Baldwin coun- ty, Alabama, the late Colonel Girard W. Creagh, of Clarke, and General Patrick May, of Greene, who were in the Burnt Corn ex- pedition.
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----
1%
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1793, in his twentieth year, he was appointed an ensign in Wayne's army, on the North-western frontier. He was in the great battle in which that able commander soon after defeated the Indians, and, for his good conduct, was promoted to a lieutenantcy. At the close of the war, he was stationed at Richmond and Norfolk, in the recruiting service, and, subse- quently, was ordered to Pittsburg, Forts Washington, Green-
· ville and Detroit, where he remained, with the rank of cap- tain, and acting adjutant-general, until 1805, when he re- signed, and removed to Natchez. He was soon afterwards a member of the Territorial legislature, and presided over its deliberations. We have already seen how active he was in arresting Aaron Burr, upon the Mississippi river, at the head of infantry and cavalry. On the 8th March, 1813, Colonel Claiborne was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, and was ordered, by General Wilkinson, to take command of the post of Baton Rouge. In the latter part of July, he was ordered, by General Flournoy, to march, with his whole com- mand, to Fort Stoddart, and instructed to direct his principal attention to " the defence of Mobile."
On the 30th July, General Claiborne reached Mount Ver- non, near the Mobile river, with the rear-guard of his army, consisting of seven hundred men, whom he had chiefly sus- tained by supplies, raised by mortgages upon his own estate .*
* Upon the conclusion of the Creek war, General Claiborne returned to Soldier's Retreat, his home, near Natchez, shattered in constitution, from the exposure and hardships of the campaigns, and died suddenly, VOL. II. 14
CHAPTER XXXII.
1813 July 30
262
THE AMERICANS IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
CHAPTER XXXII.
The quarter-master at Baton Rouge had only provided him with the small sum of two hundred dollars. He obtained, from the most reliable characters upon the eastern frontier, accurate information, in regard to the threatened invasion of the Indians, an account of the unfortunate result of the Burnt Corn expedition, and a written opinion of Judge Toulmin, respecting the critical condition of the country generally. It was found that alarm pervaded the populace. Rumors of the advance of the Indians were rife, and were believed. In Clarke county-in the fork of the rivers-a chain of rude defences had hastily been constructed by the citizens, and . were filled, to overflowing, with white people and negroes. One of these was at Gullet's Bluff, upon the Tombigby, an- other at Easley's station, and the others at the residences of Sinquefield, Glass, White and Lavier. They were all called forts. Two block-houses were also in a state of completion, at St. Stephens.
-
1813 August 10
The first step taken by Claiborne was the distribution of his troops, so as to atford the greatest protection to the in- habitants. He despatched Colonel Carson, with two hundred men, to the Fork, who arrived at Fort Glass without accident. A few hundred yards from that rude structure, he began the construction of Fort Madison. He sent Captain Scott to St. Stephens, with a company, which immediately occupied the
at the close of 1815. The vouchers, for the liberal expenditures which he made, were lost, and his property was sold.
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THE AMERICANS IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
old Spanish block-house. He employed Major Hinds, with the mounted dragoons, in scouring the country, while he dis- tributed some of the militia of Washington county for the defence of the stockades. Captain Dent was despatched to Oaktupa, where he assumed the command of a fort, with two block-houses, within a mile of the Choctaw line .*
CHAPTER XXXII.
1813 August 22
* MS. papers of General F. L. Claiborne.
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CHAPTER XXXIII.
TERRIBLE MASSACRE AT FORT MIMS.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
IN the meantime, the wealthy half-bloods about Little river had dropped down the Alabama, in their boats, and had secreted themselves in the swamp about Lake Tensaw. Uniting with the whites, they soon began the construction of a fort around the residence of Samuel Mims, a wealthy Indian countryman, to whom we have often alluded, and who, origi- nally, was one of the pack-horsemen of the Honorable George Galphin.
Being about to relate a horrible affair, in which people of all ages and both sexes were subjected to savage butchery, a par- ticular description of the place where it occurred is deemed necessary. Mims lived within four hundred yards of the Boat Yard, upon Lake Tensaw, a mile east of the Alabama river, and two miles below the Cut-Off. His house was a large frame building, of one story, with spacious shed-rooms. Around it pickets were driven, between which fence rails were placed. Five hundred port-holes were made, three and a half feet only from the ground. The stockading enclosed an acre of ground, in a square form, and was entered by two
3
DRAWING OF FORT MIMS, Found among Gen. Claiborne's manuscript papers.
2
1
6
3
10
8
9
11
VVV
13.
13
12
1 1 15 14
1
20
11 22
12
24-
1.
A
111
11
25
26
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REFERENCES.
1 Block House.
2 Pickets cut away by the Indians.
3 Guard's Station.
4 Guard House.
5 Western Gate, but not up.
6 This Gate was shut, but a hole was cut through by the Indians.
7 Captain Bailey's Station.
8 Steadham's House.
9 Mrs. Dyer's House.
10 Kitchen.
11 Mims' House.
12 Randon's House.
13 Old Gate-way-open.
14 Ensign Chambliss' Tent.
15 Ensign Gibbs'.
16 Randon's.
17 Captain Middleton's.
18 Captain Jack's Station.
19 Port-holes taken by Indians.
20 21 Port-holes taken by Indians.
22 Major Beasley's Cabin.
23 Captain Jack's Company.
24 Captain Middleton's Company.
25 Where Major Beasley fell.
26 Eastern Gate, where the In- dians entered.
: 3: 5.
13
23
THE AMERICANS IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
265
ponderous but rude gates, one on the east and the other on CHAPTER the west. Within the enclosure, besides the main building, XXXIII. were various out-houses, rows of bee-gums, together with cabins and board shelters, recently erected by the settlers, wherever a vacant spot appeared. At the south-west corner a block-house was begun, but never finished. This defence was situated on a very slight elevation. A large potatoe-field lay adjoining, on the south, in which were a row of negro- houses. Woods intervened between the picketing and the lake, while, in a northern direction, cane swamps, which grew denser as they approached the river, were hard by. On the east, the flat lands continued for several miles, interspersed with cane marshes and some ravines. It was, altogether, a most ill-chosen place for a fort, as it ultimately proved .*
No sooner was Fort Mims partially finished, than the citi- zens poured in, with their provisions and effects. Colonel Carson, who had reached Mount Vernon in advance of Clai- borne, sent over Lieutenant Osborne, with sixteen men. Af- terwards Claiborne despatched one hundred and seventy-five more volunteers to Fort Mims, under the command of Major Daniel Beasley, with Captains Jack, Batchelor and Middleton. He found seventy mihtia upon duty, commanded, for the present, by Dunn and Plummer, two inexperienced officers. Permitting them to elect their officers, the brave Dixon Bailey was unanimously chosen for the post of captain, and - Crawford for ensign. The next day, General Claiborne, arri-
1813 July 28
August 6
August 7
* Conversations with Dr. Thomas G. Holmes, of Baldwin.
14*
266
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CHAPTER XXXIII.
ving at Fort Mims and inspecting the works, addressed a general order of instructions to Beasley, charging him "to strengthen the picketing, build two more block-houses, respect the enemy, to send out scouts frequently, and allow the suffer- ing people provisions, whether whites or friendly Indians." Returning to his head-quarters, at Mount Vernon, he, for the moment, directed his attention to other portions of the fron- tiers .* In the meantime, Major Beasley had extended the picketing on the east side, sixty feet deep, forming a separate
apartment, for the accommodation of the officers and their baggage. He greatly weakened his command, by sending small detachments to Forts Madison, Easley, Pierce, and Joshua Kennedy's saw-mill, where citizens had collected, and asked for assistance.t At this mill the government had a large contract for lumber, to put Fort Charlotte, of Mobile, in repair, and build a fort at Mobile Point, and it was deemed necessary to strengthen it with troops, to prevent the Indians from burning it down.}
The whole population of Fort Mims, consisting of whites, Indians, soldiers, officers and negroes, now amounted to five hundred and fifty-three souls. Crowded together, in an Ala- . bama swamp, in the month of August, much sickness pre- vailed.§ In the meantime, Crawford was dismissed from the post of ensign, for having deserted from the regular army,
* Claiborne's MS. papers.
t Conversations with Dr. Thomas G. Holmes.
# Claiborne's MS. papers.
§ Conversations with Dr. Thomas G. Holmes.
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THE AMERICANS IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
and Peter Randon, a half-breed, was appointed in his place. CHAPTER XXXIII. 1813 August 14
Beasley kept up a correspondence with Claiborne, several times acquainting him with alarms, which turned out to be false*
The Creeks, whom we left returning to Pensacola, from the battle-ground of Burnt Corn, were again liberally supplied with arms and ammunition. Making their way back to the Tallapoosa, without molestation, active preparations were made by them for immediate war. Warriors, from the towns of Hoithlewale, Fooshatche, Cooloome, Ecunhutke, Souvanoga, Mooklausa, Alabama, Oakchoieooche, Pockuschatche, Ochebo- fa, Puckuntallahasse, Wewocoe, and Woccocoie, marched in a southern direction, while others, from Tallase, Auttose and Ocfuske, formed a front of observation towards Coweta, to conceal the movement.t
Associated with McQueen and Francis was William Wea- therford, the son of Charles Weatherford, a Georgian, who had lived almost a life-time in the Creek nation. His mother, Sehoy, was the half-sister of General McGillivray, and a native of Hickory Ground. William was uneducated, but was a man of great native intellect, fine form, and commanding
* Claiborne's MS. papers.
t Indian Affairs, vol 1, 858. The Spaniards and the British agents charged MeQueen's party to " fight the Americans. If they prove too hard for you, send your women and children to Pensacola, and we will send them to Havana ; and if you should be compelled to fly, your- selves, and the Americans should prove too hard for both of us, there are vessels enough to take us all off together." Ibid.
i
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THE AMERICANS IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
person. His bearing was gentlemanly and dignified, and was coupled with an intelligent expression, which led stran- gers to suppose that they were in the presence of no ordinary man. His eyes were large, dark, brilliant and flashing. He was one of " nature's noblemen," a man of strict honor and unsurpassed courage. He was now with the large Indian army, conducting them down to attack the Tensaw settlers, among whom were his brother and several sisters, and also his half-brother, David Tait .* How unhappily were these people divided ! His sister, Hannah McNac, with all her sons, belonged to the war party, while the husband was a true friend of the Americans, and had fled to them for pro- tection. Weatherford led his army to the plantation of Zacha- riah McGirth, a little below the present Claiborne, where, capturing several negroes, among whom was an intelligent fellow, named Joe, from whom they learned the condition of Fort Mims, and the proper time to attack it, he halted for several days, to deliberate. One of the negroes escaped, and conveyed intelligence to the fort of the approach of the In- dians. Major Beasley had continued to send out scouts daily, who were unable to discover traces of the enemy. The in- mates had become inactive, free from aların, and abandoned themselves to fun and frolic. The negro runner from Me- Girth's plantation now aroused them for a time, and Fort
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1813 August 20
* David Tait was the son of Colonel Tait, a British officer, who was stationed at the Hickory Ground, upon the Coosa, in 1778, as we have seen.
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THE AMERICANS IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
Mims was further strengthened. But the Indians not appear- CHAPTER ing, the negro was pronounced to be a liar, and the activity of XXXIII. the garrison again abated. At length two young negro men. 1813 August 29 were sent out, to mind some beef cattle, that grazed upon the luxuriant grass within a few miles of the fort. Suddenly, they came rushing through the gate, out of breath, and reported that they had counted twenty-four painted warriors. Captain Middleton, with a detachment of horse, was imme- diately despatched, with the negroes, to the place ; but, being unable to discover the least sign of the enemy, returned about sunset, when one of the negroes, belonging to John Randon, was tied up and severely flogged, for alarming the garrison, with what Major Beasley deemed a sheer fabrication. Fletch- er, the owner of the other, refused to permit him to be pun- ished, because he believed his statement, which so incensed the major that he ordered him, with his large family, to depart from the fort by 10 o'clock the next day. The next morning Randon's negro was again sent out, to attend the cattle, August 30 but, seeing a large body of Indians, fled to Fort Pierce, being afraid to communicate the intelligence to those who had whipped him. In the meantime, Fletcher's negro, by the reluctant consent of his master, was tied up, and the lash about to be applied to his back ; the officers were preparing to dine ; the soldiers were reposing on the ground ; some of the settlers were playing cards ; the girls and young men were dancing, while a hundred thoughtless and happy child- ren sported from door to door, and from tent to tent.
At that awful moment, one thousand Creek warriors, ex-
270
THE AMERICANS IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
tended flat upon the ground, in a thick ravine, four hundred yards from the eastern gate, thirsted for American blood. No eyes saw them, but those of the chirping and innocent birds in the limbs above them. The mid-day sun sometimes flashed through the thick foliage, and glanced upon their yellow skins, but quickly withdrew, as if afraid longer to contempiate the murderous horde. There lay the prophets, covered with feathers, with black faces, resembling those monsters which partake of both beast and bird. Beside them lay curious medicine-bags and rods of magic. The whole ravine was covered with painted and naked savages, completely armed.
1813 August 30
The hour of 12 o'clock arrived, and the drum beat the officers and soldiers of the garrison to dinner. Then, by one simultaneous bound, the ravine was relieved of its savage burden, and soon the field resounded with the rapid tread of the bloody warriors. The sand had washed against the eastern gate, which now lay open. Major Beasley rushed, sword in hand, and essayed in vain to shut it. The Indians felled him to the earth, with their clubs and tomahawks, and, rushing over his body, into the additional part of the fort, left him a chance to crawl behind the gate, where he shortly after expired. To the last, he called upon the men to make a resolute resistance. The eastern part of the picketing was soon full of Indians, headed by five prophets, whom the Americans immediately shot down, while engaged in dancing and incantations. This greatly abated the ardor of the enemy, many of whom retreated through the gate, for the moment.
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THE AMERICANS IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
They had been assured that American bullets would split CHAPTER upon the sacred persons of the prophets, and pass off harm- XXXIII. less. The unhappy inmates of Fort Mims now made all efforts to defend the place, but their attempts were confused and ineffective. The assailants, from the old line of picketing, in the additional part of the fort, and from the outside stock- ading, commenced a general fire upon the Americans. Sol- diers, negroes, women and children, fell. Captain Middleton, in charge of the eastern section, was soon despatched, together with all his men. Captain Jack, on the south wing, with a company of riflemen, defended his position with great bravery. Lieutenant Randon fought from the guard-house, on the west, while Captain Dixon Bailey repulsed the enemy, to the best of his ability, on the northern line of pickets, against which much the largest number of Indians operated. The number of savages was so great that they apparently covered the whole field, and they now rent the air with their exulting 1813 August 30 shouts. Many of the younger prophets surrounded the main building, which was full of women and children, and danced around it, distorting their faces, and sending up the most unearthly screams. The pickets and houses afforded the - Americans some protection, where the young men, the aged, and even the boys, fought with desperation. Captain Bailey was the man to whom the eyes of all the settlers were turned, at this critical moment. IIe maintained his position, and was the only officer who gained the port-holes before they were occupied by the enemy. His repeated discharges made lanes through the savage ranks. Fresh numbers renewed
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