The Creek War

Creek War Also known as the – Red Stick War – Creek Civil War Creek Muscogee Nation

Background Shawnee Chief Tecumseh – Tried to unite Indian tribes against European- American encroachment – Feb 1813

Background Great Comet of 1811 – March 25, 1811 – 260 days New Madrid Earthquake – Dec 11, 1811 Red Sticks – Return to traditional ways William Weatherford (Red Eagle) Peter McQueen Menawa

Background US Indian Agent Benjamin Hawkins Civilization programs Lower Creek began to farm as hunting grounds disappeared

Background Feb 1813 War party of Red Sticks Led by Little Warrior Returning from Detroit Killed 2 families along the Ohio River Hawkins demands the war party be turned over Old Chiefs decided to execute the war party themselves Red Sticks resisted

Burnt Corn Creek July 21, 1813 Red Sticks and US forces clash Red sticks returning from Pensacola Spanish Gov. had given them weapons Battle of Burnt Corn US ambush and loot Red Sticks – then the Red Sticks return and defeat the US

Fort Mims Aug 30, 1813 North of Mobile 1,000 Creeks led by – Peter McQueen & William Weatherford 400 – 500 killed Major Beasley – 265 militia Mid-day attack on main gate, left open by drifting sand – 100 captives – 36 escape This was the transition from a Creek Civil War to a war with the US

US Mobilizes Sec of War John Armstrong – Creek Nation & Spain possibly Georgia & Tennessee & Mississippi Territory form militias Lower Creeks join US – Led by William McIntosh 200 Cherokee Join TN militia

Red Sticks ~ 4,000 warriors ~ 1,000 guns Holy Ground – Junction of Alabama & Coosa Rivers

Canoe Fight Nov 12, 1813 Alabama River & Randons Creek Clarke and Monroe Counties Skirmish 2 American Militia war canoes battled with a Creek war canoe Captain Samuel Dale, Jeremiah Austill, James Smith, and Caesar (slave) 8 Creeks killed in hand-to- hand combat

Jackson No roads Short enlistments Cavalry deserts TN River to low to move supplies At a low point 103 men Feb th US Infantry arrives – ~ 5,000 men TN militia grows to ~ 2,000

Horseshoe Bend March 27, 1814 Tallapoosa on the Coosa River 2,600 US troops 500 Cherokee 100 Lower Creek

Horseshoe Bend Jackson sends 1,300 to cross the river and surround the Indians 2 hr canon barrage on Indian 400 yd log and dirt fortification Bayonet charge Sam Houston Gen Coffee crosses the river and attacks from the rear 5 hr battle – 800 of the 1,000 Creeks killed – US lost less than 50 – Chief Menawa wounded escapes Effectively ended Red Stick resistence

Menewa

Treaty of Fort Jackson Aug 9, 1814 Jackson forces both Lower and Upper Creeks to sign 23 million acres