Rowland 1921
Rowland 1921
Rowland 1921
in
Corporation
http://www.archive.org/details/centpublications04r
^-^
PUBLICATIONS
OF THE
MISSISSIPPI
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
VOLUME
IV
I
Colonel Thomas Hinds.
r
(A.
PUBLICATIONS
OF THE
MISSISSIPPI
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
EDITED BY
DUNBAR ROWLAND,
CENTENARY SERIES
LL.D.
VOLUME
IV
Jackson, Mississippi
F
336
Nil
INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
This volume contains as
Territory in the
its
War
of 1812,"
the soldiers of the young Territory which, only fourteen years before, had been released from Spanish rule. These heroic pioneers should not be forgotten. The subject has been treated heretofore in the most
perfunctory manner.
As a
it
devoted to
it.
War
of
81 2
The descendants of the Mississippi soldiers in the who bore themselves with so much national spirit in
Independence, are
citizens of
today
During the formative period of 1812-1815 David Holmes was Governor of the Mississippi Territory. A character sketch of the life of this eminent man by his nephew. Judge D. H. Conrad, written for J. F. H. Claiborne in 1859, which has never been published is
interesting supplementary reading to the paper, "Mississippi Terri-
tory in the
War
of 181 2."
is
An
Women.
is
The march
of
De
a subject of the
is
liveliest interest.
carefully
makes an
and
volume.
Some
of the
most
tragic
who
tell
that
is
worthy
is
of preservation.
chapter
to this
made
Dunbar Rowland.
Mississippi Historical Society,
The
June
15, 1921.
CONTENTS
Introductory Note
3
5
Contents
Officers for
1922-1923
War
of 181 2,
Preface
Rolls of Mississippi
Commands
in the
War
of 181 2
157
David Holmes:
First
234
.
Love 258
Route
of
De
Soto's Expedition
.
Mississippi,
by
268
William
Love
of Incorporation of the Industrial Institute
True History
Index
and
College,
277
281
OFFICERS FOR
192 2-1923
President:
Hon.
J.
R. Preston, Jackson.
Vice-Presidents
Marcellus Green, Esq., Jackson. Hon. George J. Leftwich, Aberdeen. Dr. a. F. Watkins, Millsaps College, Jackson.
Secretary:
All persons
its
who
work of the Society and desire to promote become members. There is no initiation fee. The only
cost to
members
is
Members
Address
communications to
Society,
The
MISSISSIPPI
IN
TERRITORY
THE
1812
WAR OF
BY
MRS. DUNBAR
ROWLAND
PREFACE.
In
this short history I
the
Camof
paign against the British and the Creek Nation during the
1 812.
War
Many
war
Republic with its actual environment and the reader gets no more than
a hazy idea of
its locality.
New
Orleans
Without clear knowledge of this fact the reader cannot place the local and fails to grasp the relative significance of events in the development of the states of the lower South. While I write with the express purpose of emphasizing the activities of the troops of the Mississippi Territory and of drawing attention to many erroneous statements and omissions concerning them, yet it is my welcome task to record the brilliant exploits and valor of all troops who took part under General Andrew Jackson in the campaign against the Creeks and British. In the story of the coast campaign against Great Britain and her allies the strong spirit of American nationality prevailing in the far southern section during this period is insistent and compelling. In view of the weak defense maintained in this region, had this spirit been less active the war in all probabiUty would have been as lacking in valor here as it was in the North. The documentary and printed sources to which I have had access, many of which have been collected by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, are as follows:
color
Original Letters and Correspondence of Gen. F. L. Claiborne, 181 3-14. Letter-hooks and Journals of Gov. Datnd Holmes, 1809-20. Miscellaneous Mississippi Territorial Archives, 18 13-15. Correspondence of Judge Harry Toulmin, 18 13-15. Original Letter-hooks of Gov. W. C. C. Claiborne, 1801-16. Newspaper Files, Washington Republican, 18 13-15. Original Letters of Gen. Andrew Jackson, 18 13-15. Historical Memoir, by Major A. L. Latour. The History of Alabama, by Albert James Pickett. Mississippi as a Province, Territory and State, by J. F. H. Claiborne. The Creek War, by H. S. Halbert and T. H. Ball. Ldfe of Andrew Jackson, by John Spencer Bassett. Life of Andrew Jackson, by James Parton. Life of Andrew Jackson, by John Henry Eaton.
10
Preface.
History of Louisiana, by Alc^e Fortier. Colonial Mobile, by Peter J. Hamilton. Military History of Mississippi, by Dunbar Rowland. Encyclopedia of Mississippi History, by Dunbar Rowland. History of Louisiana, by Charles Gayarre. Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History. Encyclopedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition.
torical assistance
In the preparation of the work I am indebted for valuable histo Dr. Dunbar Rowland, and for helpful criti-
cism to Judge R. H.
J.
R. Preston,
ofi&cers of
and to Mr. Hermes Knoblock for assistance in reading the proof and to Miss Kittie R. Sanderson and Miss Maria Shelton, who have been faithful and
the Mississippi Historical Society.
these
efficient in
To
am
deeply grateful.
MISSISSIPPI
The
publication
1812
by the
of Mississippi soldiers
Cam-
an opportunity to publish with it a short history of the part taken by the troops of the Mississippi Territory in the second struggle for American Independence. In this lively and momentous episode during the last hostiUties between the United States and Great Britain a number of
paign of the
of 181 2 furnishes the writer
War
its
David Holmes, General Ferdinand Major Thomas Hinds, whose patriotism and valor were as pronounced and ardent as that of any of the leaders of the American Revolution. The campaign in the South closed with the Battle of New Orleans, January 8, 181 5, and whether unfortunate and unnecessary as some
Territory's history were Governor
L. Claiborne and
newly established
been,
it
Republic and
texts
the mother
country
may have
certainly
up preby which England might construe the terms of the Treaty of Ghent to her own advantage. "The battle," says a contributor to the International Encyclopedia^ "though fought after the Treaty of Ghent was signed, was full of results of the utmost importance to the young Republic." The historian Shouler has, also, observed that it was "the only battle of the war that made any impression on the European mind." It is admitted by able historians that the war in other sections had been, to a large extent, without renown and that this successful climax not only strengthened Madison's administration but weakened the Federalist party beyond hope of recovery. It cannot be disputed that the spirit exhibited by the Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky and Louisiana troops in the southern conflict aroused and quickened
II
12
the national conscience throughout the new Republic which was, at least during the war, at a low ebb in the New England States.
The
operations of the
War
ducted by troops from Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky and Louisiana. As an historical setting it might be well in tracing the record of the troops of the Mississippi Territory to note that General Jackson began his aggressive campaign against the British within the confines of that Territory, Mobile having been included in the annexation The soldiery throughout this region, whether formerly of 181 2.
Tory
or patriot,
had by
this
American government. Throughout the administrations of Winthrop Sargent and W. C. C. Claiborne, the first governors of the Territory, and from the time of Aaron Burr's expedition, to the period when Governor Holmes
directed the destinies of the
new
had been a matter of pride, and had, during Governor Holmes' administration, become a reUable and efficient defense. Statistics in the military archives of the State of Mississippi show that from its large territorial militia detachments could at any time be drawn for prompt service in the United States Army. The older population of the Mississippi Territory was planted during the colonial period in the Natchez District near the towns of Natchez, Port Gibson, Woodville, Old Greenville, Liberty, Washington and other smaller communities, all of which were surrounded by
wealthy slave-holders who represented a social
as advanced as any in the Republic.
life
in
many
respects
The
large slave
and landholders
were amassing immense fortunes which attracted the attention of the outside world. Their private libraries were filled with the classics and literary clubs were the order of the day. Many of the most aristocratic families were Federalists, but later the principles of the Whig party were imbibed by a considerable number of this class. However, the political doctrines taught by Thomas Jefferson, Calhoun, and Jackson, and still later by Jefferson Davis, were destined to
enthrone democracy permanently in this section.
very dawn of
day.
IE
The
seat of
war
in the
War of
1812
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
13
The
which equipped
men
in the Gulf
had
their
too,
on
XIV
had contributed fragments of the illustrious and Charles to their far western empire.
way can be explained the presence of the high-bred type which flowered in many communities of the lower South during the
In
this
first
we recognize the same type that preand the Carolinas. From the Encyclopedia of Mississippi History have been taken the following biographical data which briefly outline his early career:
conspicuously in this narrative
vailed in Virginia
Claiborne was a native of Sussex County, Virginia, brother of William Charles Cole Claiborne, second governor of the Mississippi Territory. His military service began February 23, 1793, when he was appointed ensign in the First Sub-legion under General Anthony Wayne. He joined the army in Ohio, was promoted to lieutenant in June, 1794, took part in the famous battle on Maumee River, was assigned to the First regiment in 1796 and promoted to captain, October, 1799. He was stationed in the recruiting service in Richmond and Norfolk after the close of the war in the Northwest and subsequently returning to that region served as acting adjutant-general of the army. January i, 1802, he resigned and removed to Natchez, where he became a merchant and married a daughter of Colonel Anthony Hutchins. He was elected to the general assembly in 1804. After the close of his brother's administration he was appointed colonel of the militia regiment of Adams County to succeed Osmun and was selected to command the detachment that marched to the support of General Wilkinson for the Sabine campaign in 1806. In the fall of 1807 Governor Williams revoked his commissions as magistrate and colonel on account of troubles between them. Governor Holmes asked the President to commission him brigadier-general of the militia of the Territory; the Legislature joined in the request in 1809 ^ind he was so commissioned in 181 1, his appointment being proclaimed by the governor, September 28. He had charge of the organization of the Mississippi militia regiment for the United States service in 181 2 and served as colonel of the same, September 6, 181 2, to February 23, 1813, at Baton Rouge. March i, 1813, he was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers in the United States service, and in that rank continued at Baton Rouge organizing a brigade of Mississippi and Louisiana volunteers until ordered to Fort Stoddart' where he arrived July 30, 1813, to guard the frontier against
the Creeks.
14
With the tide that flowed from the older American colonies to the Natchez District a name that had clung to the region from earlycolonial days came another adventuring youth, young Thomas Hinds, from Berkeley County, Virginia. He came upon the scene about the time the country was designated by Congress as the Mississippi Territory in honor of the great river in whose embrace it lay many leagues to the north and south. The new Territory had a number of small flourishing towns and, though Natchez, Vicksburg and Washington held higher rank historically, none other was of more importance than the county seat of
Jefferson County,
colonial settler
''Old
Greenville,"
It
named
to
for
from
Virginia.
was
this place
place,
Hinds came when but a youth of nineteen. As early as 1798 the through which the old Natchez Trail ran, had contained a popular tavern, and on American occupation soon became a thriving
village.
Many
distinguished
men
Jackson,
South.
2
and Edward Turner. Here, also, lived for a time General Andrew who was afterwards to become the military hero of the
Greenville
was destined to remain a memorable spot in the life of it was near the town that he was married to
2 In a summary of the early life of General Jackson many facts of which are gathered from Spark's Memories of Fifty Years, the Encyclopedia of Mississippi History states: "Andrew Jackson was one of those rare creations of nature which appear at long intervals to astonish and delight mankind. His early life was very obscure and he himself was uncertain of his birthplace though he believed it was in South Carolina His mother, was *a little dumpy, red-headed Irish woman.' When Andy left home to go to Tennessee she told him, 'Never tell a lie, nor take what is not your own, nor sue anybody for slander or assault and battery. Always settle them cases yourself.' Jackson was a restless and enterprising man. In business he was cautious. He was a remarkable judge of human character and rarely gave his confidence to untried men. Notwithstanding the impetuosity of his nature upon occasions he could be as cool and as calculating as a Yankee. He was in the habit of trading with the low country, that is, with the inhabitants of Mississippi and Louisiana. Jackson had a store at Bruinsburgh near the mouth of bayou Pierre in the Mississippi Territory in Claiborne County. At this store, which stood immediately upon the bank of the Mississippi, there was a race track for quarter races (a sport Jackson was very fond of) and many an anecdote was rife in the neighborhood of the skill of the old hero in pitting a cock or turning a quarterhorse."
....
....
...
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
15
whom
ville,
Mrs. Rachel Donelson Robards,^ an amiable and attractive lady for he had formed a deep and sincere attachment while in NashTennessee.
The marriage took place at the residence of Mr. Thomas Marston Green at whose home Mrs. Robards had often been a guest. She owned a plantation near that of Mr. Green but it is not strange that she preferred the home of her warm and cultured friends for the important event of her marriage. The happy union which
their marriage.
'The Hermitage" a
Parton in his Life of General Jackson. The ties of friendship between the Green and Jackson families were strengthened by several intermarriages, the representatives forming a part of a social circle that observed the customs and reflected the
amenities of a well-ordered society.
books and
all
But among
''Old GreenviUe"
its frontier
element, and
the
many
none
is
more
thrilling
court one morning bringing the head of Samuel Mason, the noted
And
was paid
its
for
it
As an
the early courts of the old town was the presence of Protestant
of the
' Mrs. Andrew Jackson was Rachel Donebon, the only daugtherof Colonel John Donelson, a pioneer settler of Sullivan County, Tennessee. He had removed from Virginia w!th his family in the year 1779 to Sullivan County near Long Island, at present Kingsport. The Donelsons were among the most prominent people in the early history of this county. Colonel John Donelson, the father of Rachel, was influential in negotiating Indian treaties, having been associated with General Joseph Martin and Colonel Isaac Shelby in shaping the treaty at Long Island July 9, 17S3. Many daring exploits are narrated of him in his expedition to the Cumberland Settlements. Two of the brothers of Thomas Marston Green married nieces of Mrs. Jackson. The Green family, distinguished in Virginia, came to the Mississippi Territory when it was a colonial possession of Spain.
was
had
the
and
like all
around him.
The
many localities
through-
out the confederation of States at that period; everywhere young men were anxious for miUtary preferment and it was not long before
first
Troop
of
He
is
dark, flashing eyes, slender, graceful figure and good address, coupled
popular in the new community, and the fact that after only a few
years residence in the place he
of
Thomas M.
social favorite.
In addition he was what was termed one of the "rising" young men of the new Territory. In 1806 he was happily married to Miss Malinda Green. His marriage strengthened the already warm attachment
whom
he was in after
and
of the country.
opened up many opportunities for position in the civil service, and he was not without a due appeciation of such honors. A few years after his marriage he was made a member of the General Council and in 181 1 was appointed Chief Justice of the Orphans' Court. His association with Andrew Jackson during his early years at "Old Greenville" had influenced him deeply, and it was
not long before his young wife and her family discovered that he was
enamoured
of all others.
He
The descendants
of
still
home
Yicksburg
Warren
Co,
Co.
^J^erson
Co\
Old
Greettville
J^utcJtez. Ifushirvgtorv
Adeems
Wilkinson
Co.
/zL
^Titite
Co,
Co
Early
map
showing the
river counties
and towns.
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
17
It
and
The
own
Tecumseh, incited the Creeks to make war upon neighboring Americans, and thus began what is known as the Creek Indian War, recognized by historians as one of the most most moving chapters of the War of 181 2. As a goad and spur to the Coast Campaign under Jackson against the British it was of the utmost importance. It was not with Jackson, however, but with General Claiborne, commander of the Territorial Army of Mississippi, that young Thomas
doors.
British, through the great
The
Shawnee
chieftain
Hinds saw his first military service with his cavalry at Natchitoches and later in opposing the advance of Aaron Burr into the Territory. Connected by marriage with the Claibornes both the General and his brother, W. C. C. Claiborne, had watched with keen interest the After Mississippi had given the latter career of the young soldier. to Louisiana as its first American govenor he continued to follow with enthusiasm the career of the Mississippi cavalryman through the War of 181 2 which ended in the South with the battle of New
Orleans as a brilliant climax.
Leading up then to
Territory.
hostilities
that
it
was a war
of their
native lands.
of their
self-sacrifice in behalf
qualities
Cruelty to
women and
children, places
them
The
War
the war in the South but also reveals the strength and position of the
military organizations of the Mississippi Territory
when
its
troops
were needed for further service along the Coast. Historians have treated very slovenly the part taken by the Territory in Jackson's Coast Campaign against the British, Parton in his Life of Andrew Jackson being so inexcusably inaccurate as to confuse General Ferdi-
From
nand L. Clairborne with Governor W. C. C. Claiborne of Louisiana. his pages one would suppose that the headquarters of the
paign was in
New
Orleans.
War and of the entire Coast CamThough Governor Claiborne was keenly facts are, that, up to the time that New
was thoroughly recognized by the people of the American hostilities between their nation and Great Britain in 1812 it was the latter's policy to attach to its
It
Among the Creek branch of the great which was the most potential in the Southern section of the country the United States agent of Indian affairs, Colonel Benjamin Hawkins, had kept peace in a tolerable fashion at least for many years, but while he was very popular with the Creeks, personally, they were rebellious and defiant at times in their attitude
into the far Southwest.^
Muscogee
tribe of Indians
way
route
though
consented to
through
of
emigrants passing through their lands daily over the old Federal
hills
and vales
tory that reached from the Mississippi River on the west to the
Alabama streams that watered the western borders of Florida, alarmed and filled them with apprehension as to their future. The
fate of the
Natchez to the west of them, too, seemed to forecast a day when the pale face would over-run and take possession of their
country.
them a
useful ally,
and
lost
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
19
and Tensas settlements of the Mississippi Territory. In the person of the famous Tecumseh,^ a savage of most unusual type, they had found an ally who needed no urging. Born about 1775 in the Miami Valley in the ancient abode of his tribe, whither his parents had
returned after a sojourn
among
poosa country, he was a pure product of his race at its best. Endowed by nature with manly instincts and possessing the noble virtues of
and country, and the recipient of the gentler Moravian theology, he was, notwithstanding, a savage still. Always an ally of the British, it was with the hope, one can easily believe, of using that power to assist him in his larger and more worthy purpose
patriotism, love of race
of regaining the ancient possessions of his race that
enthusiastically.
he labored so
all
was ever
and colored
The Choctaw branch of the Muscogees, which had for its most dominant ruler the celebrated medal chieftain Pushmataha was known to be friendly to the Americans and was more dependable than
* The name Tecumseh is thought by some students to mean "meteor," by others "flying panther." It was sometimes spelled Tecumtha. The Encyclopedia Bri^ tannica gives the following short biography of the famous chieftain: American Shawnee chief, was probably bom in the old Shawnee village of Piqua, near the site of Springfield, Ohio, between 1768 and 1780. While still a youth he took part in attacks on settlers passing down the Ohio and in widely extended hunting expeditions or predatory forays to the west and south; and he served in the Indian wars preceding the Treaty of Greenville in 1795. About 1800 his eloquence and self-control made him a leader in conferences between the Indians and whites. After 1805 the Indians of the North-West became aroused by a series of treaties calling for new cessions of their territory and by the prospect of war between Great Britain and the United States. This presented to Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa (i. e., the Open Door), popularly called "the Prophet," the opportunity to put into operation a scheme which followed the ambitious dream of Pontiac. With some scattered Shawnee clans as a nucleus, the brothers proceeded to organize, first near Greenville, Ohio, and later on the White and Tippecanoe Rivers in Indiana, "the Prophet's town," which was based on a sort of communism and was apparently devoted to peace, industry and sobriety, but their actual plan was to combine all of the Indians from Canada to Florida in a great democratic confederacy to resist the encroachment of the whites. Tribal organizations were to be disregarded, but all warriors were to be represented at periodical assemblages where matters of interest to all Indians were to be definitely decided. The twofold influence that was to dominate this league was the eloquence and political ingenuity of Tecumseh and the superstitious reverence aroused by "the Prophet." This programme alarmed the whites along the nort^h-western border. In the course of the next three years Governor William Henry Harrison of Indiana held interviews with each of the brothers, and during one of these, at Vincennes in 18 10, the respective leaders narrowly avoided a hostile encounter.
20
the Chickasaws,
there
was a bond
allies in
of
once, since their fierce and shown a tendency at times to the Europeans. Between these tribes, however, sympathy; they spoke the same language and
were often
The Chickasaws,
and lived in continual fear of his fierce wrath. by the growing friendship for the white race so perceptible on the part of the Choctaws, and the powerful Colbert family of half-breeds in their own midst, remained at peace
tion nor confidence
influenced
was the impetuous and warlike Creeks boasting a Confederacy an alliance that dated back for many years and having for its burning purpose self-protection and perpetuation as a race, who were now to make war for their rights and liberties as they took them to be. Alas! that unfair methods should have attended a noble
It
of their own,
purpose!
The Spanish^ in possession of Pensacola through the victory of Don Bernardo de Galvez were for the time in sympathy with the British
Nevertheless "the Prophet" and Tecumseh reiterated their determination to remain at peace with the United States if the Indians were unmolested in their territory, and if all cessions beyond the Ohio were given up by the whites. The treaty of Fort Wayne in 1809, which called for the cession to the whites of some three million acres of land in central Indiana, was a direct challenge to this programme, and when, during Tecumseh's absence in the South, Harrison made a hostile move against "the Prophet's" town, the latter ventured to meet him, but was defeated on the 17th of November, 181 1, in the famous battle of Tippecanoe, which broke the personal influence of "the Prophet" and largely destroyed the confederacy built up by Tecumseh. Tecumseh still professed to be friendly toward the United States, i^robably because his British advisers were not ready to open hostilities, but a series of border outrages indicated that the fatal moment could not long be postponed. When in June, 181 2, war broke out Tecumseh joined the British, was commissioned a brigadier-general in the British army, and participated in the skirmishes which preceded General William Hull's surrender at Detroit. He took an active part in the sieges of Fort Meigs, where he displayed his usual clemency toward his prisoners. After the battle of Put-in-Bay, when Colonel Henry Proctor began to retreat from Maiden, Tecumseh bitterly reproached him for his cowardice and finally forced him to join battle with Harrison on the Thames River on the 5th of October, 1813. In this battle Tecumseh was killed, as traditionally reported, by Colonel Richard M. Johnson of Kentucky, although this has never been fully substantiated. Like Pontiac, whom he doubtless imitated consciously, he had a wonderful eloquence and a power of organization rare among the Indians. His brother, "the Prophet," remained with a small band of Shawnees and died west of the Mississippi in 1834." ^ The rumor that a Spanish naval force was with the British fleet proved to be false, yet from every indication it is clear that but for internal troubles Ferdinand VII would have materially aided the British in their invasion of the Southern Coast of the American Republic.
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
21
and were continually seeking to arouse the martial spirit of the Creeks, urging them to make war on the white settlers along the Tombigbee in the Mississippi Territory. These did their full share in strengthening the new Creek Confederacy. The eagerness of the people of Georgia, too, to see the compact entered into between that State and the United States in 1802 to extinguish the Indian title to certain lands was hot lost on the Indians and this with other grievances cited had caused a restlessness and dissatisfaction among them that
readily deepened into a fixed resentment under the spell of Tecumseh's
fiery
many
were already in
who had
them to hostilities against the whites by appeals both of and of personal gain, came south in the summer of 1 811 with a view of attaching the southern tribes to the "Prophet's" army. His task, though a delicate one of much diplomacy and intrigue, was not in vain. Alexander McGillivray,^ the noted half-breed, sometimes styled the "Emperor of the Creeks," in whose veins ran the blood of the best races of Europe, might have proved a match for Tecumseh in advising against the war, but the mighty barterer and tradesman and what could be considered a diplomat and scholar among savages was dead, and there was none other strong enough to effect peace. One obstacle loomed high in the pathway of the ardent Tecumseh the powerful Choctaws were still in open sympathy with the Americans and no Confederacy formed in the South would be safe or lead
to victory without their aid.
At the
ofthe"Clanof theWind."
22
affect the
litubee
and
Houma
Mingo.
To
all
that "never in their history had a Choctaw shed the blood of a white
The attitude of the Choctaws meant much to the in war." American cause and while for the first months there was occasional alarm, amounting at one time to a panic, in the main security throughout the war was felt even along the borders of the Mississippi Territory. The following interesting account of Tecumseh's visit to the Creek Nation, which the author places in the autumn of 1812, is taken from Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History:
man
addressed the assembled Creeks for the first time in the lower part of what late in October. Soon afterwards, having addressed the Creeks at different points, he approached a great council called by Colonel Hawkins, United States Indian agent, at Toockabatcha, the ancient Creek capital, where fully 5000 of the nation were gathered. Tecumseh marched with dignity into the square with his train of thirty followers, entirely naked, excepting their flaps and ornaments, their faces painted black, their heads adorned with eagle's feathers, while buffalo tails dragged behind, suspended by bands around their waists. Like appendages were attached to their arms, and their whole appearance was as hideous as possible, and their bearing uncommonly pompous and ceremonious. They marched round and round in the square, and then, approaching the Creek chiefs, gave them the Indian salutation of a handshake at arm's-length and exchanged tobacco in token of friendship. So they made their appearance each day until Hawkins departed. That night a council was held in the great round-house. It was packed with eager listeners. Tecumseh made a fiery and vengeful speech, exhorting the Creeks to abandon the customs of the pale-face and return to those of their fathers: to cast away the plough and loom and cease the cultivation of the soil, for it was an unworthy pursuit for noble hunters and warriors. He warned them that the Americans were seeking to exterminate them and possess their country; and told them that their friends, the British, had sent him from the Great Lakes to invite them to the war-path. The wily Prophet, who had been told by the British when a comet would appear, told the excited multitude that they would see the arm of Tecumseh, like pale fire, stretched out in the vault of heaven at a certain time, and thus they would know by that sign when to begin the war. The people looked upon him with awe, for the fame of Tecumseh and the Prophet had preceded them. Tecumseh continued his mission with success, but found opponents here and there. Among the most conspicuous of them was Tustinuggee-Thlucco, the " Big Warrior." Tecumseh tried every art to convert him to his purpose. At length he said, angrily: "Tustinuggee-Thlucco, your blood is white. You have taken my Redsticks and my talk, but you do not mean to fight. I know the reason; you do not believe the Great Spirit has sent me. You shall believe it. I will leave directly and go straight to Detroit. When I get there, I will stamp my foot upon the ground and shake down every house in Toockabatcha." Strangely enough, at about the time Tecumseh must have arrived in Detroit, there was heard a deep rumbling underground all over the Alabama region, and there was a heaving of the earth that made the houses of Toockabatcha reel and totter as if about to fall. The startled savages ran out, exclaiming: "Tecumseh is at Detroit! Tecumseh is at Detroit! We feel the stamp of his foot!" It was the shock of an earthquake that was felt all over the Gulf region in December, 181 2. At the same time the comet the blazing arm of Tecumseh appeared in
is
He
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
23
the sky. These events made a powerful impression on nearly the whole Creek nation, but it did not move the "Big Warrior" from his allegiance to the United States.
Though bitterly disappointed in his failure to attach the Choctaws and the Peace Party of the Creek Nation to his cause, the untiring Tecumseh, tall, dignified and graceful, arrayed in royal robes and
flaunting his regal head-dress with
in the
its significant red plume, continued Creek country and pursued his aims, accomplishing in a large degree his purpose just as he had done at Vincennes on the Wabash
and in the Detroit country. Each day the war spirit of this fierce Muscogee tribe grew until it finally yielded to the advocate's subtle spell who, in sowing the seeds of war along the Tallapoosa with the hope of benefiting his own race, was willing enough for some of the
harvest of the
Red Flower
it
Allowing that
century old,
it
was British gold, also, that now played a part in kindling strife between the American and Indian, and the Creek whose ancestors' ferocity had struck terror to many a frontier hearthstone proved that he still needed no military training in the various diabolical
forms
of
savage warfare.
:
viz. Lossing, Drake and Parton, Tecumseh paid a second visit to the Gulf tribes at which time he had with him his brother, the "Prophet." Many conflicting statements of local authorities and students have furnished material for investigators and historians concerning this visit south and, while a number of authors agree on some points, none seem able to determine with any degree of certainty how often he came among the Creek Indians. Halbert, one of the latest and best interpreters of Indian life among the southern tribes, leans, I think erroneously, to Beckwith's opinion that he came only once, in 181 1. Ramsey, Pickett and Moore have taken the position that he paid a second visit. J. F. H. Claiborne, too, is an ardent supporter not only of a second visit but of an express purpose on the part of Tecumseh to enlist them for the British, even to the extreme point of resenting any other
It
is
that
of
24
Indian
affairs.^
However,
this
satire
by the painstaking
if
prosaic investi-
who
many
doubting his
it not only rested on no authority but did not reflect credit on the famous Indian orator and statesman. But giving Halbert due credit for having studied his subject minutely, one cannot forget that Pickett agreed with J. F. H. Claiborne in his estimate of Colonel Hawkins' attitude. Still, it must be admitted that the Alabama historian generally used with great care and caution his original record sources, nearly all of which were furnished him by Claiborne. The object of Tecumseh's visit is a more important matter and it is logical to believe that since the Indians were federating everywhere in the north and joining the "Prophet's" army with a view of aiding the British this was the counsel, if not the dictation, of the able Tecumseh to the southern tribes, especially to the Creeks, who were more sympathetic with his scheme and purpose than any other of the Muscogee family. In vain, then, did Colonel Hawkins strive to keep the peace between the Mississippi Territory and the Creek Indians; but even in the lower country where his influence was stronger with them than in the upper portion he failed, nor did he hesitate to lay on the whites the major part of the blame for the sudden participation in the war. The Creek country, including the upper and lower divisions, reached from the Oconee River in Georgia to the Alabama River. It was an attractive well-watered region and with a population of 10,000 had established fifty-two towns. It was well supplied with warriors famiHar with the use of firearms and en masse highly skilled in all native methods of warfare. The people of the Territory, especially those of the Tombigbee, Mobile and Alabama settlements, were never wholly at ease in the thought of having them as such close neighbors. Here it would be well to give the reader some specific knowledge
Benjamin Hawkins was bom in Bute County, North Carolina (which was changed to Warren County in 1779), on August 15, 1754, and died at his residence in the Creek Nation, in the exercise of his functions as Superintendent of Indian Afifairs, on June 6, 1816. For an extended sketch of Colonel Hawkins see Wheeler's History of North Carolina, pp. 426-432.
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
25
181 2.
The
following
summary from
is
an
from a
local standpoint.
Governor David Holmes, at the town of Washington,^" then the seat of governof the Mississippi Territory which included what is now Alabama as well as the present state of Mississippi, received on Sunday, June 20, 181 2, letters from the Tombigbee region assuring him that part of the Creek Nation of Indians was determined on war. These letters were from Colonel James Caller, Colonel Joseph Carson and Major John McGrew, officers of the Territorial militia. They were dated June 14, and had come to the Governor by express, the horseman charged to travel with the greatest possible speed. The route lay through the Choctaw Nation whose attitude in case of war was then open to doubt. This doubt, however, was later dispelled by the attitude of their leading chieftain, Pushmataha. Governor Holmes had, also, to consider at this time the organization of the Spanish coast country between the Pearl River and Perdido, annexed to his territory by Act of Congress, also the revolution in and about San Antonio in which some Mississippians were actors, and above all the danger of war with Great Britain. He had, before the addition of the Mobile strip, a military organization
ment
representing thirteen regiments of militia. In the Tombigbee-Alabama settlements, threatened by the Creeks, Colonel James Caller was the conmianding officer of militia. At Fort Stoddart in the same region there was a detachment of United States troops under Major John Bowyer, and Cantonment Washington was the headquarters of Colonel Leonard Covington whose advice the Governor immediately asked. ^ The action taken by Holmes and Covington, which began the participation of Mississippi in the war of 181 2, was to request Major Bowyer to send out a full company of regulars to an advanced point on the frontier. Another dispatch to Colonel Caller instructed him to send a party of mounted militia with
^ Natchez was the first capital of the Mississippi Territory. During W. C. C. Claiborne's administration the capital was moved by act of the Legislature, February i, 1802, to the little town of Washington, six miles east, where it remained until 1820. " Covington, Leonard, native of Maryland; entered the United States army in 1792, in the light dragoons; was promoted rapidly to lieutenant and captain; had a horse shot under him at Fort Recovery, Ohio, and was distinguished for gallantry at the battle of the Maumee, 1794. Resigning in 1795, he returned to Maryland, and was elected to congress from the St. George district. He returned to the service when there was danger of war with England in 1809, as colonel of light dragoons, and was for a time stationed in Mississippi Territory, where Governor Holmes called him in consultation at the beginning of the Creek war. He was promoted to brigadier-general August i, 18 13, and called to the Canadian frontier, where he participated in the unfortunate campaign of General Wilkinson, and was mortally wounded in the battle of Chrysler's field, November 11, 1813, dying three days later. He was riding a white charger, cheering his men to attack the British intrenchments, when he fell. At that time his wife and six children were making their home with Alexander Covington near the town of Washington, where they continued to reside. Levin, a son of General Covington, became judge of probate of Adams County; a daughter married the well known geologist and author, B. L. C. Wailes. Alexander Covington, a brother of the general, was a native of Prince George's, Virginia, resided in Mississippi forty years, was a man of great intelligence and social powers, served as county judge many years, and died at Warren City, October 16, 1848, aged 71 years.
26
the regulars, also to detail from the 6th, 8th, 9th and 12th regiments of militia, one major, six captains, six lieutenants, six ensigns, 360 privates, with the competent number of noncommissioned officers "to be held in readiness to march at the shortest notice." This detachment was intended to unite and act with the regular troops in case the Indians should enter the country in considerable force with The militia were generally unarmed. Colonel Caller was hostile intentions. directed to obtain 200 stands of arms from Major Bowyer. The rendezvous of the miUtia was to be at Fort St. Stephens. It does not appear, however, that this battalion as a whole was called into the field at this period. The Creeks were yet under the control of the peace party; the murderers of white settlers had been punished and quiet restored for a year on that frontier.
James Monroe, Secretary of State, announcing the declaration of war with Great Britain, was addressed to Governor Holmes on June 19, 181 2, and received by the Governor by way of Cantonment St. Tammany, July 11, 181 2. On July 14 the Governor issued his general orders announcing the declaration of war and as commander-in-chief making such disposition of the militia of the Territory as he deemed best calculated to protect the citizens thereof and to maintain order and make war upon the enemy with all the effect that the Territory's forces and ability would permit. The confidence with which he relied on the spirit
express from
of nationalism
his orders
The
among
is
apparent throughout
and messages. That portion of his communication to the legislature on November 3, dealing directly with the war, is quoted
here in
full:
The weighty and important duties that have devolved upon the executive branch of our local government in consequence of the eventful and momentous crisis that has occurred in the national concerns of our country, render the meeting of the legislature at this time peculiarly gratifying to me and highly interesting to your constituents. The people of the United States from their situation, from the nature of their political institutions which have solely in view the liberty and happiness of the citizens, and from the strictly neutral and impartial course pursued towards the belligerents of Europe by their government, might in justice have expected to remain undisturbed by the contending powers. But truth and justice are not the attributes of governments founded upon tyranny or supported by corruption. Pride, avarice, and an insatiable ambition ever prompt them to extend their
baneful influence and effects, unrestrained by the rights of others, and regardless of the happiness of those they profess to protect. No nation ever endeavored with more sincerity than the United States to avoid the war in which she is now engaged. The aggressions, insults and outrages upon our lawful commerce and rights of sovereignty, were borne with until longer forbearance would have constituted the crime of submission. No efforts on the part of our government could divert Great Britain from her determined purpose of attempting to crush American commerce, and if possible American independence. Propositions which could have been accepted by her without in the least degree wounding her national pride, but evidently calculated to promote her best interests, were rejected upon pretenses too palpably erroneous for any one to believe
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
27
that they were advanced with sincerity. Her disposition to depredate and insult seemed to increase with every effort on our part for amicable adjustment. The American government became sensible that the honor and rights of the nation demanded that expostulation, remonstrance, and all other measures short of actual war should cease, that the alternative of an honorable resistance or a base surrender of incontrovertible rights was placed before them. To have doubted as to the correct course under such convictions would have been dishonorable to themselves and disgraceful to their constituents. War, therefore, was resorted to as the only measure that could be taken to rescue the nation from abject degradation. This important change in our national affairs made it the duty of the Chief Executive of the Territory to take such measures for the defences of the country, and to aid in the war against the enemy, as his powers and the existing laws would authorize. Under this impression I issued an order on the 14th of July last directing a portion of the militia to be held in readiness for immediate service. At that time it was uncertain when this force would be required, but I considered that some preparatory measures were called for by the existing state of public affairs. On the sixth of September in pursuance of a requisition made by the authority of the general government, an additional number was directed to be selected for actual service, and the whole of the force detailed from the regiments west of Pearl River amounting to about seven hundred were ordered to rendezvous at Cantonment Washington. It is with much satisfaction, I assure you, Gentlemen, that on this occasion the militia of the Territory from every quarter evinced a degree of patriotism and determination to support the rights of their Country highly honorable to them as citizens and as soldiers.
In
this
spirit
the
first
detachment
was placed
in readiness.
In his orders the Governor called for details from militia regiments
From the ist Regiment (Amite County), one company; from the 2d Regiment (Wilkinson County), one company; from the 3d Regiment (Adams County), three companies, including the
as follows:
7th Regiment (Baldwin County), one company; from the 4th, 5th,
loth, nth and 13th Regiments (Jefferson, Claiborne, Warren, FrankUn, Marion Counties), each parts of a company. The previous orders to the 6th, 8th, 9th and 12th Regiments (Washington, Bald-
win,
Wayne and
whenever ordered. Ferdinand L. Claiborne, recently appointed brigadier-general of militia, was entrusted with the execution of the order and General
to take the field
command of the United States Military Department, was asked to supply the necessary equipment. General Claiborne reported August 18, 181 2: "It will be particularly gratifying to your
Wilkinson, in
excellency to be informed that the requisition has been filled principally
by voluntary enrolment."
28
equipage were delivered at Natchez landing by steamboat, September 19, 181 2, and a little later in that month about 600 men were in camp
at Cantonment Washington.
for.
A further detail
its
of
On November 3,
march
command
H. Holmes, brother
its
of the Governor,
was inspector
regiment during
organization.
The
The
by
resolution acknowledged
call.
When
the term of
command
re-enlisted
the
regiment to be mentioned
181 2
later.
Another organization under the orders of the Governor in the year was a battaHon in the Mobile region under Colonel Joseph Carson. At Natchez a volunteer company was formed by men
legally
patrol duty.
Though
more
especially,
hension that trouble could be expected from the Creeks any day.^^
assisted
with
many
" As far back as both French and Spanish possession sparse settlements had been established along these rivers. To this hiding-place Tories and loyalists came in great numbers and lived amicably with the wealthy and influential natives and half-breeds. No civil form of government existed among them; all taking their chance as thoughtlessly as the birds in a fanciful Elysium where neither priest nor king prescribed. With the coming of the Americans these settlements increased rapidly, and at the period of this history numbered about 2000 with as many slaves. The people in their manners and mode of life, though now governed by the laws of the Territory, were unlike those of the high-bred communities of the older counties near Natchez and along the Mississippi. The spirit of nationalism, however, was very strong among them, even the Tory by this time having become loyal to the young Republic. Border contact with the Indians had established in many instances close social relations between the two races and intermarriage occurred frequently, especially between prominent American settlers and the aristocratic descendants of Lachlan McGillivray, the later being thought eligible for any social distinction desired. "To this circle belonged," says Pickett, "the Taits, Weatherfords, Durants, the proud Linders and the Mims."
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
29
by midsummer
of 1813 war-clouds,
Tecumseh had
sion.
fallen in battle,
obsesits
The
historian,
murder
of
with a great deal of gravity, been made to appear as the sparks that
started the flame, reminding one of the part that the question of
was
13 The following letter from Judge Toulmin at Fort Stoddard to General F. L. -Claiborne reflects the state of affairs among the Creeks during the month of July, 1813: "You have done me the honour to request my opinion relative to the hostile disposition of the Creek Indians. own apprehensions on this subject have grown out of transient circumstances as they have occurred, but are not founded on what would be deemed legal evidence. "I may safely say that I am sufficiently satisfied but as I would not express opinions which may influence on so important an occasion the conduct of others without bringing into view the grounds and reasons of those opinions I will endeavour to trace back the impressions which have been made upon my own mind and mil lay before you the result. "i. I think it is about two months since Col. Hawkins informed me that he anticipated civil war among the Creeks which was notoriously originating in a good degree in the vigorous measures taken by the heads of the nation to punish those of their tribe who had made war on the people of the United States. "Where the cause of the white people was the primary source of domestic disturbance in the nation, it was reasonable to suppose that the interest and safety of white people would be materially involved in the progress and issue of those disturbances. Col. Hawkins accordingly soon after sent his family from the nation and has since removed himself. " 2. A few weeks after this Gen. Wilkinson was about to pass through the nation but found the prospect of disturbances so alarming that he halted for a guard. As soon as he had an opportunity, he made himself acquainted with the spirit prevailing in the Indian nation and satisfied that the hostilities were intended, he sent an express back to me with a letter on the subject a copy or the substance of which I immediately did myself the honour to transmit to you, to Genl. Floumoy, to Govr. Holmes and to Col. Bowyer. This letter evinced his conviction that we were on the eve of an Indian war and that immediate measures of defense ought to be adopted. "3. Mr. Saml. Manae, a half breed, well known to all persons conversant with the Creek nation, whose veracity I have never heard impeached and who has certainly as much at stake as any man in the country, assured me that he had had a conversation with High Head, one of the chiefs who has lately been at Pensacola and who was then on his way in which High Head acknowledged to him that their object was to make war on the American people, that they had no animosity against the half-breeds, but wished to have them as partners in the general scheme, and that as to going to war with their own people they had no
"My
30
first
signs of hostilities
evident from
much
among
idea of the kind but merely wished to put about eight chiefs out of the way, who signalized themselves by their anxiety to preserve peace with the whites. "4. The letter from the Choctaw chief, Mushshulatubbe to Mr. Geo. Gaines fully corresponds with the account given by Mr. Manae. He had sent messengers into the Creek nation who had clearly ascertained their hostile disposition towards the people of the United States and had seen them dancing the war-dance, a national ceremony preparatory to warlike operations. No suggestions existed that their hostilities were intended against other Indians. They avowed that they were to be against us: and some few restless, misguided Choctaws had unhappily imbibed the spirit of the Muscogees. "5. It is a fact concerning which, I believe, there is no doubt that some of the Creeks have participated in the northern warfare from the time of its commence-
had
They have committed murthers on our peaceable citizens in their passage and from the north. Some of them and particularly the Little Warrior have been put to death since their return. Their friends, their confederates and their relatives survive. These are the men who have organized the present confederacy and overthrown the legitimate government of the Creek nation. They are well known to the British and have been patronized by them. The Little Warrior was furnished with a letter from a British General to the Governor of Pensacola containing as they say a requisition for arms and ammunition, and as he says, merely an introduction and recommendation of them to his notice. On the strength of this, however, they applied for ammunition and have obtained it. Whilst in Pensacola, they avowed their intention of making war on the American people: they danced the war-dance: they told the Governor that 19 towns had joined them, and that in those towns there were 4800 men. "6. A party of the Indians going to Pensacola attacked the post rider and robbed him of his mail. They shot at him and killed his horse. They carried the mail to Pensacola and said that they had killed the post rider. They refused to give it up, when the governor informed them that he would send it to Mobile. "7- There is a general impression that hostilities are meditated against the United States. No one travels thro' the Creek Nation. All intercourse between this country and Georgia has ceased. The carrying of the mail is completely
ment.
to
suspended. "8. The general commotion through the Creek nation is a matter of notoriety. Their plantations are, in a great degree, neglected and uncultivated: and the houses of all who resided near the road are abandoned. This state of things seems a prelude to war. "I believe that all the circumstances which I have stated can be established on oath: and under this belief I submit it to you. Sir, whether I am not warranted in the opinion that war exists between a part of the Creek nation and the people of the United States."
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
^Rowland.
31
for
aloof.
Many
The mixture
removed
it.
far
in
to decline to partake of
War then on the part of the Creeks for the extermination of the Americans was fully determined on. The Almibamos in the upper district especially were fierce in their attitude, these having been for some time bitterly resentful of the encroachments on their hunting
The deposition of Samuel Moniac taken by Judge Harry Toulmin, though not considered seriously by some historians, on account of the half-breed's open disapproval of Tecumseh, indicates a
grounds.
well
formed plan to attack from the Tensas to the Southern Coast. struggle among the Indians everywhere to regain their lost territory in North America was soon to begin in earnest in the South.^^
The
" This drink was a kind of tea made of the leaves of the Ilex Cassine or holly of the Gulf States. After a visit to the country in 1777, William Bartram, in his description of the Creek rotunda, which was erected upon an artificial mound,
gives an elaborate account of the ceremonies in the rotunda connected with partaking of the 'black drink." He states that the chief first puffed a few whiffs from the sacred pipe, blowing the whiffs ceremoniously upward towards the sun, or, as it was generally supposed, to the Great Spirit, and then puffing the smoke from the pipe towards the four cardinal points. The pipe was then carried to different persons and smoked in a similar manner by them in turn, after which the drink was solemnly presented to each warrior present. ^^ The condition of affairs just prior to the encounter of Burnt Spring is reflected in the following letter from Captain J. L. Kennedy, addressed from Mcintosh Bluff, July 24, 1813, to General Claiborne "I arrived at this place on the 21s of this instant from Mobile Point, & the first time I have been absent one hour since I have entered the army, and found the whole country deserting their Homes on the account of the Indians The War Parly in the creek Nation have killed all the chiefs that were friendly to the U. States. Col. Hawkins has left the Nation and about two hundred and eighty men are now in Pensacola obtaining ammunition from the Spanish Government on an order from Canada. The whole of the Creek Nation is for war except those who have fled to us. They have robbed the mail which they have taken to Pensacola we have sent men to Pensacola, and find that the Indians intend to attack the Tensas settlements on their return home. The inhabitants have called on me but I have not the power to protect them. I have been to see Captain Dent and he has spared all the men he can from his command. I shall cross today with all the militia I can muster and the Volunteers to Tensas, where I shall form a junction with Caller and we intend to attack the Indians on their return from Pensacola. I would give the world for my Company, which is now at the Point. I have eighty the finest fellows you ever saw and now it is the time to make my fortune. Distruction and ruin awaits this country without you arrive in eight days, the inhabitants are without arms or ammunition cant you leave your Baggage have sent to Col under a proper command and reach us with your Troops. Bowyer at the Point but General Flournoy is still sick at the Bay of St. Lewie. I have sent Sergeant Byord with this together with Judge Toulmin' s letters. Company furlough is out the last of this month and I must then return and join at Mobile Point a second time.
*
Com
We
My
my
32
some
state of
in the
existing between Tecumseh's followers and the peace party Nation to some extent retarded the preparation for hostilities, though it is certain that the "Dance of the Lakes" was in progress by the prophets, many of whom in their zeal meeting death at the hands
war
were
styled.
armed warfare between the inhabitants of the Mississippi Territory and the Creek Nation was the battle of Burnt Corn on July 27, 1813. The Creeks, numbering about 300 picked warriors, had gathered in camp at the Holy Ground according to information given out by General James Wilkinson, who was soon
first definite
The
act of
new post in Canada, General Flournoy taking his commander of the United States troops in the South. The party moved on from the camp towards Pensacola, whither they were going for a supply of arms and ammunition promised them by the Spanish and to come in touch with the British in the Southern seas. Planning at the Holy Ground, according to the testimony of Mrs.
to leave for his
place as
Ward,
whom
that they
meant
to use their
ammunition on
threatened purpose.
the command of Peter McQueen, a noted Jim Boy, one of the most chivalrous, gallant and humane warriors of his tribe,^^ and the despicable Prophet Joseph Francis, commanding in the order named: the Tallassees, Atossees and Alibamos, a proud Confederacy that had given themselves the name of "Red Sticks," a military organization that was to win the reputation of fighting men of great valor and steadfastness of purpose. It was a part of the old Confederacy that reached back past the day when eight mighty tribes made a treaty with Oglethorpe in 1732, doubtless
war
of
" This Indian chief's name is sometimes given as High Headed Jim. By some he was thought to have been the little boy Sonata, befriended by the McGirths, a frontier family whom he helped to escape at Fort Mims. His devotion to Mrs. McGirth and her daughters and the humanity evinced in his treatment of the white prisoners laid him open to much suspicion on the part of the Red Sticks.
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
33
The Creeks to this day call the war "Red Sticks War" and have
title.
among
Americans to
settle their
many
differences
is
described,
it is
due the
former to give here a short history of this branch ol the famous Muscogee race. Occupying a region that reached from the Atlantic to
the
of the States of
been a kindred
tics of the
tribe,
many
most advanced tribes on the Western Hemisphere. Howmust be admitted that the Creeks exhibited a ferociousness
the
neighboring tribes
the
Natchez,
Choctaws and Cherokees, though no tribe existed that did not have this trait well enough developed and all in war resorted to the massacre. This branch of the Muscogees was nicknamed "Creeks" by the
Europeans on account
country.
of the
many
of the Creek Confederacy were well-proportioned, active and graceful; smaller, exquisitely formed and some of them were very beautiful. In sunmier both sexes went without clothing excepting a drapery of Spanish moss that was fastened at the waist and fell to the thighs. The principal people painted their faces and bodies in fanciful colors and fops sometimes appeared in beautiful mantles of feathers or deer-skins and on their heads were lofty plumes of the eagle and the flamingo. The houses of the chiefs stood upon mounds sometimes in the
The men
the
women were
form of a great pavilion and the inside of their winter dwellings were daubed with clay. Hunting, fishing and cultivating their fertile lands were their employment for they seldom made aggressive war. They were skilful artisans in making arms, houses, barges, canoes, and various kinds of ornaments. They made pottery for kitchen service and some of it was very ornamental. Fortifications were constructed with moats and walled towns and grand and beautiful temples abounded. They made mats of split cane with which they covered their houses and upon which they sat. These resembled the rush carpeting of the Moors. In their temples, dedicated to the worship of the sun, were votive ofiferings of pearls and rich furs. They regarded the sun as the superior deity and in all their invocations they appealed to it as to God. To it they made sacrifices of grain and animals. The chief, while living, was held in the greatest veneration as priest and king. As a symbol of devotion to him of the entire strength of the nation, the sacrifice of the first-born male child was required while the young mother was compelled to witness the slaughter
of her child. Their marriages were attended with great displays of ornarnents and flowers and at the setting of the sun the bride and groom and their friends prostrated themselves before that luminary and implored his blessing. Like
34
the Iroquois, the civil power in their government was widely distributed; and like the Iroquois the Creeks were an exception in their approach to civilization to all the Indian tribes of North America. Such were the Creeks or Muscogee
Indians
when
first
seen
by Europeans.^'
The
of the
Europeans, the English governors, Johnstone, Browne and Chester of Pensacola having kept the peace with them by the most extravagant
Revolutionary
use of presents such as blankets, rum and gew-gaws. During the War they were stanch allies of England and many
A burning patriotism
them up against the and love of country were In 1802 they began ceding their
stir
lands to the United States, their dissatisfaction increasing with every concession made to the white race. Though long kept in peace by
the colonizing whites, their martial spirit was pronounced and just
prior to their outburst with the people of the Mississippi Territory
fierce civil
war.
many
and
evidences of their former high state of civilization, though the historian Claiborne sets aside as very doubtful Hawkins' estimate
brings the Muscogee to this region at a later day from the northwest,
affirming that a superior race
claimed that their race came out of the bosom of the Nanih
and reverently regarded the great mound beside which they first dwelt as their mother.^^ As the Muscogees were sun worshipers it is natural to believe that there was a day when this sacred mound was used as a temple for the worship of the sun by the various tribes, while there are many evidences that it was also used as a national center for tribal councils. But while all Muscogee tribes have regarded the Nanih Waiya (Ishki chito, the "Great Mother") as the place of their creation, another legend, as told by Peter Folsom, one
"Bartram writing of Creek culture in 1777 says, "Some of their favorite songs and dances they have learned from the Choctaws, but it seems that these people are very eminent themselves for poetry and music; every town among them strives to excel each other in composing new songs, and by a custom among them they must have one new song for exhibition at every annual busk." ^' Nanih Waiya or Nuniah Waiya, the sacred mound of the Choctaws, is the most important of the prehistoric mounds in the State of Mississippi. It is located in Winston County on the west side of Nanih Waiya Creek near the Neshoba County line.
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
35
Northwest.
Though the Choctaw and Creek branches of the great Muscogee race had now drifted far apart, hardly acknowledging their
*
'Mother," the sacred Nanih Waiya, while the patriotic Creek showed
that he was always ready to fight for the land of his nativity.
bama
war
it
the volunteer troops of the Mississippi Territory bore the brunt of the
several
scene.
Pickett in his description of the exposed eastern border, while he seems ignorant of the military strength of the Mississippi Territory and of the part taken by Governor Holmes in prosecuting the war,
gives the reader a clear idea of the condition of the sparse settlements
Hawkins' optimistic views, were really their fierce neighbors. These had been "taking the war- talk," brandishing their war-clubs and making their towns red for many days. A rumor had flashed through the white settlements, too, that they had publicly danced the ceremonial war-dance, the famous "Dance of the Lakes" taught them by Tecumseh, which meant immediate battle. Consequently the party of painted and armed warriors moving to Pensacola from the Holy
that, notwithstanding Colonel
in danger of
Ground was easily taken for belligerents. The troops that hastily gathered to intercept the war party were called out by Colonel James Caller, the senior militia officer on the frontier stationed in Washington County, now in Alabama. This force, composed of a handful of militia, was reinforced at Fort Glass by a company of volunteers under the famous border hero, Sam Dale,
whose marvelous adventures in the Southwest rank with all such feats as "The Charge of the Light Brigade." Walter G. Creagh, another
was second in command. These were joined by the celebrated half-breed. Captain Dixon Bailey, whose association, training and patriotism had allied him with his white kinsmen. The whole force numbered only one hundred and eighty men, many of whom were drawn from the struggling element of society who, though fond of the chase and rough and ready in a
valiant frontiersman,
later
frontier
36
In no sense were they a match for the band of 300 picked and armed On their road to Pensacola
Creeks on July 27 reached the famous spring on Burnt Corn The place is described with
the
On coming
almost infinitesimal minuteness by the patient fact-gatherer, Halbert. to the secluded spot, the Indians threw themselves from
their smoking ponies and hurriedly formed a camp, where they rested and feasted with no thought of imminent danger. When the hastily
by
surprise.
The Indians
instantly flew to
fire of their
an unsuccessful resistance, they fled in wild disorder into the canebrakes and undergrowth fastnesses from which with sharp eyes they soon discovered the weakness of their foe, the number being less on
account of the absence of
many of
Colonel Caller's men who were still The victors were busy looting the camp, and carrying off the best horses when the
their hiding places, they
Sweeping from
with guns, war-clubs and tomahawks with such sudden fury that
consternation reigned supreme
among
So
fierce
of the infuriated
of them, and, though they dreaded the scalping knife of the brutal
horses and other loot, trusting had never been an accomplishment of which he could boast when the rifle was the weapon in question. In vain their leader urged them to reform and give battle to the redto his poor marksmanship, which
savage horde.
These,
men could be found willing to contend with the commanded by Captains Dale, Bailey and
Smoot, faced the enemy unflinchingly, giving blow for blow and for a time forcing them back, when the heroic Dale was struck in the left
side
by a
rifle
ball
He
The
continued to
battle lasted
fierce tenacity.
When
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
37
the encounter was over the Americans had retreated, but not without
carrying
off
many
them-
thought
It
it,
little
of
him as a
soldier.
is
generally conceded
by
historians
and
that the Indians worsted the frontier militia and the volunteer
Burnt Corn. The victory, whatever there was Creek warriors. But when one takes into consideration the long peace that had existed between the white people and the Indians and the growing contempt on the part of the former for the latter as a rival of any sort, also the fact that the Indians were now ready in spirit for war, having secretly determined on it for many months, it is not surprising that the hurriedly mustered forces of Colonel Caller were unprepared for serious fighting. Certainly in later engagements with the foe no act of recreancy has been recorded, but to the contrary a spirit of reckless daring that partook more of hazard and adventure marked the career of the frontier soldier dwelling remote from the older communities of the Mississippi Territory. Like all such spots in America these frontier river settlements were breeding places of romantic and chivalrous adventure. Participants in the Burnt Corn engagement reappear in later fierce combats where we find Dale, Bailey, Smoot, May, Armstrong, Baldwin, Lewis, Glass, Henry, HoUinger, Bullard, and Bradberry conforces at the battle of
of victory, belonged to the
These, with
many
other
from the older population of the Territory near Natchez, fought heroically for American freedom and make up the famous roster of the Mississippi soldiers in
troops,
more chivalrous
the
War
Though
late, it is
in history.
As one King
but of the soldiery of the Mississippi Territory, who confierce Creek Nation, little or nothing has been said. The Creek War, one of the fiercest and most extensive ever engaged in by the Indians of North America, took place wholly within the conquered the
fines of the
new
Territory.
brunt of
it,
suffering
the tragedy of the burnt home, murdered wife and child, and the
38
dangers of the battlefield; yet to Jackson's Tennessee troops valiant and invincible, it is gladly admitted ^partial historians have given
American history causes the thought to arise that the bold eJBFrontery with which the average American historian knowingly tampers with truth is enough
close study of this
of
sometimes to make one doubtful of the integrity of our civilization. Throughout the Creek War Mississippi troops mainly were engaged
in the conflict;
and
Regiment
of Mississippi Infantry,
made
its
army gathered
here be
formation and
ofl&cers will
^'Mead resigned to make a canvas for Territorial delegate to Congress, an action which resulted in his defeat for that offlce. 2 The history of the service of the Louisiana Regiment is so meager that it is impossible to tell whether it served as a whole or not during the Creek war. Some Louisiana volunteers however were with General Claiborne in the war zone. To these he refers in terms of warm praise. 21 The same, probably, who became surgeon-general of Jackson's army during the defense of New Orleans. The family was prominent in the Mississippi Territory, David Ker (sometimes spelled Kerr and pronounced Car) having been Judge of the Territorial Supreme Court in 1802.
,
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
39
The
borne,
commanding at Baton Rouge, was ordered by General Flournoy to take the whole army hastily to Fort Stoddart to defend the country in event of trouble, not only between the Mississippi Territory and the Indians, but on the southern coast between the Republic and Great
Britain with Spain for an ally of the latter.
Claiborne reached
Mount Vernon on
mortgaged
With the same high heart and amor patriae which had won him, when a youth of twenty, a lieutenancy in Wayne's great army on the far Northwest frontier, he was still serving the American government.
over the Indian invasion
On the eastern frontier he found the inhabitants very much alarmed a topic discussed everywhere. Many of
the people had deserted their homes and were occupying rough,
hastily built block-houses all over Clarke
the
his
County and in the forks Tombigbee and Alabama Rivers. After making a distribution troops as best to defend the frontier, he began the construction
of of of
where wandering bands were reported to be daily committing Colonel Scott was sent to Old Fort St. Stephens with headquarters in a block-house built by the French and afterwards held by the Spaniards. The companies of Captains Jack and Middleton were sent to garrison a stockade east of the Alabama River, called Fort Mims, a fort that was soon to become the scene of one of the
depredations.
most tragic events of the war. Although Colonel Joseph Carson with the
sissippi Infantry,
ist
Regiment
of
Mis-
a time filled the everywhere in the Tombigbee, Tensas, Alabama and Mobile
them
to keep
more
closely within
the stockades.^
Though many
of the families of the detached settleto Halbert and Ball (a for hostilities with the
" A summary of the stockades, and forts, according number already standing and others erected to provide
Creek Indians), are as follows.: I. "Fort St. Stephens, established by the French, probably about 1714, held afterwards by the Spaniards, who made there a settlement about 1786, given up by the Spaniards to the Americans in 1799, has been already mentioned. So far as the Creek Indians were concerned, this was considered an impregnable fortress. As this locality, the old St. Stephens, will be ag{\in more fully men-
40
tioned, it needs no further notice here, only the statement that it was on the west bank of the Tombigbee, on a high blufif, at the head of sloop navigation. "2. Fort Stoddart, as established by United States troops in July, 1799, has also been named, with its stockade and bastion. As this was for some years a government post, held by the United States troops, and became a port of entry where the Court of Admiralty was held, it was of course a strong point. In 1804 Captain Schuyler of New York was commander here, with eighty men, Edmund P. Gaines was Lieutenant, and Lieutenant Reuben Chamberlain was paymaster. At Fort Stoddart duties were exacted on imports and exports. Four miles west of Fort Stoddart was Mount Vernon. "3. Passing down the river, a strong fort was located at Mobile called Fort Charlotte. Another was also constructed here. Fort Bowyer. "4. Going now northward, on the east side of the Alabama, two miles below the cut off,' a quarter of a mile from the Tensaw Boat Yard, was the ill-fated Fort Mims. This was built in the summer of 1813 and will be again noticed. When the erection of this stockade was commenced is uncertain, perhaps in July, and, according to Pickett, its last block house was never finished. "This might be called No. i of the stockades erected especially for protection against the Creeks but the former notation will be continued. "5. Fort Pierce was a small stockade some two miles south-east of Fort Mims. It took its name from two brothers, William Pierce and John Pierce, who came from New England and made there their home in Spanish times. William Pierce was a weaver and John Pierce a teacher. "6. Crossing the Alabama and coming into the new Clarke County, we reach Fort Glass, built some time in July at the home of Zachariah Glass by hunself and his neighbors, Nah-hee, called a Tory Creek, an intelligent Indian, employed in the Creek war as a scout, assisting, it is said, in the building. "7. Fort Madison was in the north-east corner of section one, township six, range three east of the St. Stephen's meridian, on the water-shed line, which was then the eastern boundary of Clarke County. It was north of Fort Glass only two hundred and twenty-five yards, and the two stockades constituted one locality, being the center of the quite large Fort Madison neighborhood. The first store in this region was about due east from Fort Madison, on the Alabama River, distant six miles, opened, probably, in 181 2; and one of the first grist mills was built ;about the same time, perhaps about four miles north; and in 1813 the first cotton gin in the vicinity was erected some two miles north. This was one of the seven principal settlements in the then new Clarke County and the region west of the Alabama. As is evident from the mention of the store and the mill and the gin, and the plantations that were opened around these, it was an important locality for these settlers to hold. "Fort Madison contained not quite an acre of ground, having been sixty yards square. A trench three feet in depth was dug around the outside and bodies of pine trees cut about fifteen feet in length were placed perpendicularly in the trench side by side, making thus a wall of pine wood twelve feet in height. Port holes were cut at convenient distances so as to enable the inmates to look out, and in case of an attack to fire upon the besiegers. In about the same way all these stockades of 1813 were constructed. They were lighted at night by means of the abundant pitch pine placed upon scaffolds, covered with earth, erected for the purpose. Additional securities were added at Fort Madison and an improved method of lighting introduced. Within this enclosure, bearing the name of the President of the United States, were the tents and cabins of the settlers of that neighborhood, and after its erection, the date not certain, Fort Glass was occupied by the soldiers. "8. Fort Sinquefield was about ten miles north of Fort Madison, on the western side of Bassett's Creek, a large stream of water for a creek, on section thirteen, township eight, range three east, a smaller stockade built very much in the same manner. It was about five miles south-east from the present town of Grove Hill,
*
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
41
formerly called Macon, the county seat of Clarke County. This fort stood on a tableland or height of ground extending for a mile north and south. Eastward is a gentle slope which terminates finally in the Bassett's Creek valley. Westward are deep valleys and narrow, between large, high ridges of land. No actual hill is within miles of this locality, yet the ascent from the valleys to the top of the ridges or table, might be called going up hill. The spring which supplied this stockade with water is south of west, in one of the deep valleys, distant two hundred and seventy-five yards. "Ninety feet distant from the once stockaded ground, in a northwest direction, are some graves. A few rods eastward of the fort ground is supposed to be an old burial place, although here the traces of the graves were not distinct in 1879. One of the principal highways of Clarke County runs directly by this locality, but, as it has been for many years a family home, no traces of the stockade outlines can be found here which are still so distinct at Forts Glass and Madison. "9. Fort White was a small stockade a short distance northeast of the present
Grove
Hill.
"10. Landrum's Fort was eleven miles west from Fort Sinquefield; on section eighteen, township eight, range two east. "11. Mott's Fort was in the same neighborhood. These both were small. "12. Going now to the Tombigbee River and northward, Fort Easley was on section ten or eleven, township eleven, range one west, at what is now called Wood's Bluff. This fort was named, as were nearly all others, from a prominent settler in the neighborhood, and the bluff took its name from Major Wood, an officer in the Burnt Corn expedition. This stockade was on a small plateau containing about three acres. On the side next to the river the bluff is almost a perpendicular wall, there is *a bold spring of water flowing from its side,' and the descent is quite abrupt from this plateau above and below the stockade ground, making this fort a naturally strong position. "General Claiborne visited this stockade about the last of August, having received a report that it would be attacked by the Indians. It is possible that some of the Creeks started this report to call attention away from the real fort which they designed to attack, that Fort Mims, which was fifty miles south and twelve miles east from Fort Easley. "13. Turner's Fort was some eight miles south and five west, in the west bend of the Tombigbee River, near the residence of Abner Turner. This fort was built of split pine logs doubled, and contained two or three block houses. It was held by the citizens of the neighborhood, thirteen men and some boys forming the garrison that expected to protect the women and children. Two or three miles distant, on the river, was a Choctaw reservation known as Turkey Town, called by the Choctaws, Fakit Chipunta,' Little Turkeys. In this stockade were members of the Turner, Thornton, Pace, and other families, early settlers in what became the delightful West Bend neighborhood. Here for a time resided Tandy Walker, who is mentioned in the Gaines records, who was 'a most experienced and daring backwoodsman;' but in the summer of 1813 he was connected with the affairs at Fort Madison. "The inmates of the two forts. Turner's and Easley 's, held religious services in their fort Hfe. At Fort Easley a camp-meeting was held, probably in August, which some from the other stockades attended. The 'love feast' on Sunday morning was held outside the fort, but guards were stationed to give warning if any attacking party of Indians appeared. "14. Passing, now, down the river on the west side, five miles below Coffeeville, about a mile from the river, was Cato's Fort. "15. Still further west, in Washington County, was Rankin's Fort, quite a large stockade, and the most western one of the River Group. "16. McGrew's Fort was in the corner of section one, township seven, range one west, about three miles north of Fort St. Stephens, in Clarke County five miles north and eighteen west from Fort Madison. It is claimed that the area here
'
42
enclosed with palisades was about two acres. Some of the posts were remaining and around the fort locality was an old field. Here two brothers, William McGrew and John McGrew, British Royalists then, refugees, probably from the Atlantic coast, made an early settlement near the Tombigbee River. McGrew's Reserve, an old Spanish grant, is still a landmark in Clarke County. These brothers left the reputation of having been exemplary men, and of having become
in 1879,
How many families were in this fort is not known. "17. Six miles south from Jackson, at Gullet's Bluff, was Fort Carney, on the line of travel to Mount Vernon. This fort was built by Josiah Carney, who settled on the river in 1809. "18. Three miles south of Fort Carney, near Oven Bluff, was Powell's Fort, where were about six families, including those of John McCaskey, James Powell,
good Americans.
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
distinction can
43
this distinction,
if
any
be
After the battle of Burnt Com, which did not terminate as the whites had hoped as the settlers of this exposed and isolated river region gathered more fully into their various stockades, the inhabitants on the Tensaw and along Little River, many of them being of mixed and of Creek blood yet dreading the fury of the war parties of the Creek Nation, gathered around the residence of a settler named Samuel Mims, an old Indian countryman, one mile from the Alabama River, two miles below the cut-off and one fourth of a mile from the Tensaw boat-yard. Here where before the Burnt Corn action, many families had gathered, they erected a stockade nearly square, enclosing about an acre, built very much as was Fort Madison and the other stockades and entered through a large eastern and a western gate. In this enclosure were several buildings, the home of the Mims family being near the center. One of these buildings was known as Patrick's Loom-house and having some extra picketing attached to this, the inmates called it the "Bastion."
Both Pickett and Halbert describe Fort Mims, erected during the
summer of 18 13, as a military post under very lax discipline, for the moment utterly unprepared for the sudden attack upon it which with
the coolest deliberation had been planned
less
by the Creeks.
Filled
no
memory
of the
on Burnt Corn Creek, they had strengthened their Confederacy, making no secret now of having danced the significant war-dance. They had been well suppUed with arms and ammunition by the Spaniards at Pensacola, who, judging from every circumstance and
affair
Weatherford,
assisted
2^
now
had
them
on Fort Mims.
Weatherford is thought by Halbert to have joined the war party about August days prior to the massacre of Fort Mims, and while it appears absurd and preposterous to think that an opponent of a movement that had been fomenting for months, if not years, should at the last moment become its leader, we give his views on account of Weatherford's prominence in this narrative. In speaking of a correspondence between General Flournoy and General Claiborne, dated August 25, 1813, Halbert says:
25, just five
44
In spite of conflicting opinions as to the war spirit of the Creeks, its weight and preparations for war
steadily on.
went
Mims
by Colonel Hawkins' views, and even if there were trouble his sense of security and contempt for the source are evident in his reply when the cautious and gallant half-breed scout, Jim Cornells,
colored
after reconnoitering the Fort for several miles along the river, returned
of Indians
it
was
"Red
cattle"
was a sobriquet,
if
not an
Creeks.
in
been presented by Halbert and others as wholly unfit temperamentally and on account of his free use of intoxicating liquors for such a
responsible position.
the dates of these two letters, it is evident that Weatherfor before August closed we find him at Fort Mims; General Woodward places it in 1813, but does not name the month. And it may be here observed that Tecumseh seems to have had no influence over Weatherford. Woodward says that Sam Moniac and Weatherford, returning from a trip into the Mississippi Territory, where they had been 'trading in beef cattle,' found several chiefs assembled it is said on Tallewassee Creek, a mile and a half from the Alabama River and taking the 'black drink.* "These chiefs told Weatherford and Moniac that they must join them or be put to death. The following are Woodward's own words: Moniac boldly refused and mounted his horse. Josiah Francis, his brother-in-law, seized his bridle. Moniac snatched a war club from his hand, gave him a severe blow and put out, with a shower of rifle bullets following him. Weatherford consented to remain. He told them that he disapproved their course, and that it would be their ruin, but that they were his people, he was raised with them, and he would share their fate.' General Woodward names among these chiefs Hopie Tustanuggee, or Far Off Warrior, a Tuskegee, their eldest or principal chief, * the one' says Woodward 'looked upon as the General,' and who was killed at Fort Mims; Peter McQueen; Jim Boy or High Head Jim; Josiah Francis or Hillis Hadjo, ' the new made prophet,' probably the same who is called Joseph by General Wilkinson; Seekaboo, the Shawnee prophet; and several others. He says that Weatherford offered some advice to these chiefs, but they declined to follow his suggestions. The reasons which Weatherford assigned for joining the war party, as detailed at some length by Woodward, are very creditable to Weatherford's humanity. He thought he would thus be the means of preventing not a little bloodshed."
ford joined the
war party,
DRAWING OF FORT
6
MIMS,
REFERENCES.
1
Block House.
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 12
14 Ensign Chambliss' Tent. 15 Ensign Gibbs'. 16 Randon's. Captain Middleton's. 1 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.
Mims' House.
Randon's House. Old Gate-way open.
24 Captain Middleton's Company. 25 Where Major Beasley fell. 26 Eastern Gate, where the Indians
entered.
13
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
45
That he shared largely in any serious hostility on the part of the Indians as to lead to actual war is evident. It is clear, too, that he regarded the battle of Burnt Corn as much ado about
Certainly he did not lack physical courage.
the doubt manifested in
some quarters
of
nothing.
Though making
Fort
main
still
It
is
said that at
Mims
stroll far
message of August 29 to Major Beasley the people seemed lulled into an unaccountable sense of security, a condition that overtakes men sometimes when in imminent danger. At Fort Mims, to which place had been brought a few days previous a supply of whiskey, "some of
the inmates," writes Pickett, "had become inactive and free from
frolic."
All his-
Led by
a descendant
of the beautiful
and by
McQueen and
the attack at noon in retaliation for the Burnt Corn, which also had been fixed at that hour. The horrible massacre took place on August 30. The day has been described as beautiful and placid, with golden shafts of summer sunlight burnishing forest, field and water. The usual drum-beat, which had been instituted as a call for twelve o'clock dinner, had sounded, falling with a double significance on the ears of the thousand grim warriors who in the coverts of the forest awaited this signal for the Indians decided to
assault of the whites at
make
the attack. Just as many have done before, the occupants of the Fort were engaged in the feast and the dance, totally unconscious of
danger, when the painted and befeathered who commanded the attack, stealing from
warriors of Weatherford,
tall
In a moment, clashing
his grandson, Charles Weatherford of Mt. Pleasant, 7, 1890, to Mr. T. H. Ball will prove interesting:
In connection with Weatherford's attack on the Fort the following letter from Alabama, dated October
letter of the
has become
inst. came to hand yesterday. Sir, your subject of Billy Weatherford is almost forgotten, superseded by the names of such men as Lee, Jackson and Grant. With the death of father, Charles Weatherford, St., who is about ninety-five years old, the name of Weatherford will become commonplace. father is the oldest and only living
"Sir Your
2d
stale.
The name
my
My
46
by
Pickett, say in
substance that the sand had washed against the eastern gate and that
was swinging wide open. As Weatherford and his warriors sped swiftly towards it. Major Beasley ran forward and vainly essayed to close it. The Indians struck him fiercely with their clubs and tomahawks and supposing him dead rushed over his body
on August 30
it
In a dying condition the stricken officer crawled behind where he shortly expired. While in the throes of death, all the gate, that he, to the last, tried to rally his men, perrecord historians sistently calling to them to save the Fort. Whatever may have been his offense in the neglect of duty, that he died bravely none will
into the Fort.
dispute.
child of the notorious, and so called bloody-handed, Billy Weatherford. And I, sir, am the only living child of Charles Weatherford, Sr. Now, sir, you know who and what I am. grandfather, Billy Weatherford, died in 1826. "I was bom in 1834, therefore what I have to say will only be hearsay and from
"My
many
lips,
partial.
"According to the most authentic information, Weatherford did not desire the massacre at Fort Mims. About the middle of the afternoon of that sadly memorable day Weatherford met his half brother, David Tate, about twelve miles above Fort Mims, and told him of the massacre and spoke of it with much regret. He told Tate that he tried to prevent it; but under the excitement his warriors threatened his life if he interfered. Tate did not belong to the hostile party. "Now as to Weatherford's being mounted at the time the engagement began, circumstances prove that he was not. I had an aunt who was a refugee in Fort Mims. I have often heard her say that she saw Billy Weatherford as he came in the gate at full run, at the head of his warriors, jump a pile of logs almost as high as his head. (Weatherford stood six feet two inches.) She said, as he sprang over the logs he saw Captain Dixon Bailey who was a bitter enemy, to whom he shouted, 'Dixon Bailey, to-day one or both of us must die.' So I judge by this that he was not mounted at the time of the engagement. But in the evening (afternoon) of that day, when he met Tate, Weatherford was mounted on the veritable black horse. I believe it is a recognized fact that all warriors of note ride either a milk-white or raven black steed. Now, sir, I, being a man of peace, and altogether unlike my grand sire, ride an old sorrel mare. "The aunt of whom I have spoken as being a refugee, in Fort Mims at the time of the massacre was Mrs. Susan Hatterway (nee Stiggins) who hated Billy Weatherford with a thorough hatred. My aunt's husband was killed early in the fight. She had no children. And when she saw that the fort would be reduced to ashes she took hold of a little white girl, Elizabeth Randon, with one hand, and a negro girl named Lizzie, with the other, and said to them, *Let us go out and be killed together.' But to her surprise she saw one of the busy and bloody warriors beckon her to him. On approaching she recognized him. It was Iffa Tustunnaga, meaning Dog Warrior. He took her prisoner with the two children. He took them to Pensacola, and gave them over to some of their friends, where they remained until the war closed, when they returned to their homes in Alabama.
^
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
47
Though scattered here and there in the wildest state of disorder and confusion, the brave defenders of the Fort snatched their guns and knives and began a terrific battle with the foe. Leading and cheering them was none other than the heroic Captain Dixon Bailey, already referred to for his bravery at Burnt Corn. He was now aided by his brothers, James and Daniel. Of the royal blood of Sehoy also, his stern eye did not quail even in this dread hour before the fierce gaze of the haughty Weatherford, nor of that of the Creek
leader's far-famed grandfather, the elder
fiercest
as the
an
assault.
Striving
by
close of the war my aunt married Absalom Sizemore. She died Pleasant in 1865. "When Elizabeth Randon grew to womanhood she married Algier Newman, and lived many years on the Alabama River just below Fort Claiborne in Monroe County. Excuse me for the digression, "I will get back to my subject by saying that Lucy Cornell's story must have been merely to embellish the story. But it would not have surprised me if he had done so. All great warriors do such things. "I believe the name has always been spelled Cornells. "Billy Weatherford was married three times, twice under the Indian law. His
near
Mount
first wife,
my
grandmother, was
Mary Moniac,
originally spelled
McNac.
She
died in 1804 at Point Thloly, which is in Sapoth Thlanie. I never heard where or
Lowndes County. His second wife was when she died. His third and last wife
was Mary
near
They were married under the white law in 181 7. She died Monroe County, 1832. "I had an anecdote told me once by the mother of the late Colonel William
Stiggins.
Mount
Pleasant,
Boyles, of Mobile, which is the only one that I have never seen in print. Mrs. Boyles was a widow and lived near Billy Weatherford in Monroe County. She kept what was called at that time a wayside tavern. Weatherford, in going to and from his plantation, passed right by her door. They were warm friends and she frequently invited him to eat a meal with her. On this particular day she invited him to eat dinner. Just before the meal was ready four strangers rode up and asked for dinner. All were soon seated at table, and discussion commenced, in the course of which the strangers wanted to know where that bloody-handed savage, Billy Weatherford lived. Mrs. Boyles said Weatherford's eyes sparkled. She shook her head at him to say nothin;^:. The talk went on. Three of the strangers expressed a wish to meet Weatherford, assuring Mrs. Boyles they would kill the red-skinned, bloody-handed savage on sight. (Weatherford was fair, with light brown hair and mild black eyes.) Dinner being over, the gentlemen walked out on the gallery. To the surprise of the strangers, the man with whom they had sat at table stepped into the midst of the crowd and said: 'Some of you gentlemen expressed a wish while at table to meet Billy Weatherford. Gentlemen, I am Billy Weatherford, at your service!' But Mrs. Boyles said she never saw men more frightened than were the three belligerently disposed gentlemen. Not one of the trio was entitled to a raven black or a milk white steed. They quailed under the glance of the Red Eagle's eye. The fourth gentleman, who had said but little, stepped forward and shook hands with Weatherford, and introduced himself as Colonel David Panthon."
48
them both, were the brave Captains companies of the Mississippi commanding Middleton and Jack
of the Fort, until death claimed
volunteers,
all
of
whom
perished in the
first
hours of resistance.
General Claiborne had sent these two companies, drawn from the best population of the Territory, to help guard the Fort in event of trouble.
The
the
was a
and
a few moments, checked the work of the savages. But confusion prevailed everywhere and the lack of order served to increase the panic. The author of In Clarke and Its Surroundings, in a vivid if crude
description of the scene, writes:
bravely endeavored to drive the Indians from the gateway but avail. Officers and soldiers fell in vain attempts to counteract the results of a want of vigilance in the past. Help or hope there was none and soldiers, women, children, Spaniards, friendly Indians fell together in heaps of mangled bodies, the dying and the dead, scalped, mutilated, bloody, to be consumed ere long by fire or to become food for hungry dogs and buzzards. In vain the young men, no longer dancing with the girls, and also the aged men and the boys, fought the unrelenting savages with desperate fury. In vain did the brave Captain Bailey, left as the commanding officer and who lived through all the carnage, animate the inmates to a resolute resistance. In vain did the women load the guns, bring water from the well and do all that it was possible to do in sustaining the courage of the men.
oflflcers
The
bravery was
now of no
between two and three hours when there be immediately renewed some historians assert, when the Indians had been reinforced and led by the illustrious Red Eagle.^^ It was at this time that one of the main buildings of the Fort was set ablaze by the fire laden arrows from the bow of the fierce Shawnee chieftain, Seekaboo. The cunning device never proved more effective and the Fort with the exception of a block-house and a few pickets soon went up in flames.
lasted
was a
The sickening
on the pages
details of the
left
an
eerie
shadow
In the
afternoon of the ill-fated August 30, the ghastly tragedy of Fort Mims was concluded. "Not even in the Sepoy RebelHon," says one
historian,
"did
human
Wyoming
Valley,
many
and Natchez
led the
'* Weatherford always denied that his grandfather, the elder Indians in this second assault on Fort Mims.
Red Eagle,
Mississippi Territory in
War
when
of 1812
Rowland.
its
49
the French in
region were
inhuman American Indian. The deed had been so tragic and had been committed so suddenly that in view of the large admixture of blood between the two races and the long peace maintained few could account for it. As brutal as the nature of the Creeks was known to be, few believed that they were still as much the savage as this recent deed had proved. Loyola's Jesuits had for nearly a century taught them Divine law, but, though the sincerest lovers of freedom with an aspiration it is true that partook largely of that of the lion's impulse for mastery of the forest they still were, except in a few instances, unresponsive to lasting Christian instruction. However, we can realize how strong must have been the national spirit of the Muscogee. Though bound to the white race by the linking of proud names in both Muscogee, European and American genealogy, in the final reckoning the names of McGillivray, Bailey, Cornell, McGirth, Tunstall, Tait, Durant, Moniac, Smith, McQueen, Ficher and many more of American significance were as names written in sand in comparison with names and faiths sacred since the Great Spirit commanded the Muscogee to come out of the bosom of the Nanih Waiya names and faiths which must now be defended at every cost and sacrifice. As an instance of the irony of fate, while the Spaniards at Pensatakes rank as one of the most
members and creed at Fort Mims, in a suppliant attitude and in the very act of making the sign of the cross, were mercilessly tomahawked by the brutal hands they were aiding. There has been much controversy relative to the number of Indians engaged in the massacre. Pickett and some others place the strength of the attacking party at one thousand. Many local authorities, and some historians also, have disputed about the number of inhabitants Halbert, who follows Pickett in most statements, fixes the slain. number of whites killed during the massacre, including men, women and children, at five hundred. A number having fled at the outset, it would be safe to say that near these figures would be found the truth. Pickett's list,^^ taken from Claiborne's papers of inhabitants
cola were urging the Creeks to exterminate the Americans,
of their
own
race
2 Pickett's list of those who escaped from Fort Mims is as follows: Mrs. McGirth and her daughters, a friendly Indian named Socca, Hester a negro woman,
50
made
later, is
the benefit of those who, like the patient, minutiae-loving, factgleaner, Halbert, take pride in holding their apples in both hands.
In
all this
gruesome picture
of savage warfare,
into the Fort to the last fiendish blow, only one single act has been cited
by
Jim Boy, to Mrs. McGirth and her family, who had found and With the excepof this sincere mark of gratitude no other act, unless we accept as
authentic the instance of the protection afforded Mrs. Susan HatterSamuel Smith of mixed blood, Lieutenant W. R. Chambliss, Dr. Thomas G. Holmes, Lieutenant Peter Randon, Sergeant Matthews, Josiah Fletcher, Martin Rigdon, Joseph Perry, Jesse Steadham, Edward Steadham, John Hoven, Maurice. This last name can now be corrected from a newsJones, and paper record. A. J. Morris died at Heflin, Alabama, April 5, 1891, nearly one hundred years of age. He is supposed to have been the last survivor of the inmates of Fort Mims. Five are mentioned in the Birmingham Age Herald, by a special correspondent, L. E. M., as escaping through the pickets together. These were Martin Rigdon, Samuel Smith, Joseph Perry, Jesse Steadham, and A. J. Morris, and all these, it is said, went to Mount Vernon after several days wandering. These names are all in Pickett's list. "To these," says Halbert, "maybe added, according to Dr. Clanton, Stubblefield, Cook, Montjoy, Aaron Bradley and Elemuel Bradford. Dr. Clanton's authority was Samuel Smith. Pickett's informers were Dr. T. G. Holmes, Jesse Steadham and Peter Randon. On the authority of Judge Meek may be added the name of James Bealle, and on the authority of Rev. J. G. Jones of Hazlehurst, Mississippi, the name of private Daniels of Jefferson County, Mississippi. There have already been given on-good authority the additional names of Mrs. Mims, David Mims, Alexander Mims and Joseph Mims; also of Mrs. Susan Hatterway, Elizabeth Randon, and Lizzie the colored girl. So that, in addition to the fifteen of Pickett, without counting the McGirth family of seven or eight, we have the names of fourteen others, making in all some thirty-six survivors out of five hundred and fifty- three. There were probably a few others whose names are yet unknown, and some of the hundred colored people were probably taken away by the Indians, of whom there would remain no traces. About fifty seems to be a fair estimate of those who survived the horrors of that day and night. "The escape of Lieutenant Chambliss," continues Halbert, "as given by Pickett, was remarkable. After passing out from the stockade and the Indians around it, he at length took refuge in a log-heap. To this in the night, some Indians set fire and when it seemed that he could no longer endure the smoke and the heat, something called the Indians away and he escaped. "Captain Dixon Bailey, although severely wounded, left the Fort with others, taking with him his little child, but he never reached a human habitation. Judge Meek states that some time after there was found in the swamp a gun having the name, Dixon Bailey, cut in the stock, and by it were the bones of a man and a child. Pickett states that a negro carried a child of Dixon Bailey's in the effort to escape and that becoming bewildered in his excitement he ran back among the Indians who immediately killed the trembling boy as he was calling on his father
to save his life."
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
51
children
by Dog Warrior,
was any
to
women and
have
it is said,
left
unmolested.
An
makes a strong
appeal: this being the instance of the negro Hester's devotion to the
effort,
was
to the red
man's
many
may be pointed
this
to as interpretative
of racial characteristics.
and improved her nature. Even here on civilization, where the white man was lax
with
marge and
limit of
in
many
rules that
were
common
consent
made
for him,
we
whole, reflecting in some degree his best virtues and instincts, while
the red race of America was slow to receive the impress of the Christian
civilization.^^
The news
of the dreadful
massacre at Fort
Mims was
borne over
the country as fast as horse and rider could travel and aroused not
anxious for the safety of the white race in this far Southern section.
was denounced, North and South Carolina had sent many representatives to the beautiful and fertile Mississippi country. Other States from Connecticut and Maine down to Kentucky had furnished numerous names to the list of immigrants who had settled the
Particularly in the Southern States the horrible deed
since Virginia,
Territory.
When
verified, vigilance
See note on page 45-46 of this narrative. Another instance of the heroism and devotion of the negro race should be cited, the story running that one Samuel Smith, a survivor of the massacre, related to Dr. A. B. Clanton for publication an incident depicting the courage and loyalty of a negro man who by the side of Captain Dixon Bailey and his brothers valiantly assisted in the defense of Fort Mims. "A large and powerful negro man," says this eye witness, "wielding an ax killed more Indians than any other man in the Fort but he fell at last covered with wounds from knife and club and tomahawk."
*' "*
52
Territory and the
Blennerhassett, the
new State of Louisiana, the name of Harmon unhappy dupe and confederate of Aaron Burr,
appearing on the one formed at Port Gibson, Claiborne County, Mississippi, where the unfortunate family had made a hiding place
for
itself,
It
calling the retreat "La Cache." was through the talented Mississippian George
S.
Gaines,
who
Andrew Jackson was first apprised Mims. The news, as has been
stated elsewhere,
own
frontier
to assist
The
Davy
Crockett.
Communication with the Governors of the adjoining States Was opened up by Governor Holmes, who lost no time in strengthening the military defense of the Territory and putting it on a war footing. His messages and orders abound with patriotic utterances, such as "Patriotism, humanity, every motive of self preservation and every honorable feeling that binds man to man demands our utmost
exertion."
The massacre
at Fort
Mims
filled
no
more
sorrow than those of General Ferdinand L. Claiborne and his Mississippi volunteers.
all
The
eyes,
met their and on beholding the butchered bodies of their friends and relatives "breathed out vengeance," says an eye witness, against the
haste to the scene were horror striken at the sight that
perpetrators of the appalling deed.
gallant Claiborne
had
left
which would have been complete had his instructions been carried out. He had been everywhere on the Territorial boundary as far as the Choctaw line, sometimes riding seventy miles a day, and was often compelled to take the initiative, so restricted had his movements been by General Flournoy. After the dreadful disaster of Fort Mims, Claiborne began to be more selfassertive and aggressive and determined at any cost to protect the Mississippi Territory from an invasion by the ferocious and merciless
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
53
Creek Indians.
tions
Always counseling the greatest care on the part of now began active operaagainst the Creek war party. A favorite with the Mississippi
he always retained their confidence under the worst possible and after they had entered volunteer service, an
militia,
conditions, before
determined to lead his regiment into the Indian country and attack
the capital city of Holy Ground. Though the terms of his troops had expired and they were barefooted, hungry and half clothed, their crops at home ungathered, and the low price of cotton making it certain that their families would suffer for the necessities of life, he called the volunteers back into service and led them to victory in one of the most decisive battles that was fought for the safety of the Territory. And in this connection it is a fact worthy of record here that throughout the war not a shadow of disloyalty nor a trace of mutiny can be found in their service with Claiborne nor later with
Jackson.
The
would have
commander
less
Cautious to the verge of timorousness, he, while a man of ability and worth in many respects, more than once had interfered with and thwarted a number of brilliant exploits planned by General Claiborne early after the fall of Fort Mims, exploits that would have summarily put an end to the Creek hostilities. Claiborne, knowing how imminent was the danger to the frontier settlements from the Indians, was determined to protect not only Mobile, but the entire Southern section. To all his appeals for immediate action against the destroyers of the garrison at Fort Mims, with his troops writhing under inaction
spirit their
Indians for the brutal massacre at Fort Mims, with the war already
and a certainty of Great Britain's and Spain's assistance had received the following meticulous and tantalizing
commander
at Mobile:
"I do not wish you to engage in any rash enterprise. You must act on the defensive." Compare such a diffident spirit with the martial
one that called forth such fervid utterances as "Seize Pensacola and you disarm the Indians. It is the real heart of the Creek Confederacy;" "At all hazards, I wish you would enter the Creek Nation;"
54
cola."
"I would advise a stroke at the root of all present distress PensaSuch confidence of speech not only reveals the military ardor
but conclusively proves that he had a clear Being denied the expeditions planned
squads of loo and
less,
combined
forces, in
and some-
times single-handed and alone, the Mississippi troops under this brave
discerning officer
ber, October,
met the Indians throughout the months of SeptemNovember and December and overwhelmed them in
every instance after the fatal event of August 30. Placed in the vicinity of Mobile to guard that place against an attack by the
British,
frontier.
he was,
also,
Indians
if
in his correspondence
part of that
his
officer is
apparent, as
change
of
mind
in the
weak and vacillating judgment on the is shown not only in the instance of use of the Choctaw troops but in his lack of
more than
to
decision in so
It
many
other matters.
was
to General Claiborne
McKee
It
is
thought by
that had this renowned chieftain joined the war party the people of
he Mississippi Territory could not in all probability have withstood the Creek invasion. The wisdom and judgment Governor Holmes displayed during the alhance with the Choctaws are also very apparent, and much credit is due this able official for the attitude of the Indians to the north of the Territory. With the Choctaws and Chickasaws friendly and General Claiborne now checking the advance of the Creek army Holmes felt that the safety of the people along the frontier was in a large measure assured, and his messages and orders
reflect his relief.
If
active
and
vigilant
many
fierce
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
55
warriors.2^
Both
them in the Northern District. In addition to the message of Gaines, later official communications from Governor Holmes had brought news of the massacre at Fort
and with his known impetuosity, weak from a wound received in a street duel with Thomas H. Benton, Jackson had gathered a large volunteer force of Tennesseans about him and hastened to the Mississippi Territory by way
to the Tennessee capital
still
Mims
though
of Huntsville,
now
in the State of
Alabama, joining
him.
It
sissippi
was about this time that young Thomas Hinds with the MisDragoons arrived on the scene. The following extracts from
the Encyclopedia of Mississippi History relative to the furnishing of troops by Governor David Holmes will give the reader some idea of
the organization of this troop of horse in the Mississippi Territory:
Previous to the Fort Mims massacre, Gk>vemor Holmes ordered five companies of infantry and the cavalry to be in readiness to move at the shortest notice. The Mississippi Dragoons were among the first to respond. This famous cavalry battalion was composed of the Jefferson Troop commanded by Thomas Hinds before his promotion; the Adams Troop with James Kempe ' captain, the Madison
"
Colonel Joseph Carson of the Tombigbee settlements was one of the prominent
men of the later Territorial period. He married a daughter of Abner Green of Adams County and consequently had influential connections in the Natchez district. He was commissioned as an attorney-at-law in 1807, was a member of
the Territorial Council from 1809 to 181 7; was attorney-general of the eastern district for many years, a militia officer, in 1 813 was colonel of the ist Mississippi regiment, United States Volunteers, on duty in the Alabama region. He forced the evacuation of the Spanish post on the Perdido River, April 27, 1813. Ini8i2 he was urged by his section as a candidate for congressional delegate. To him was accorded an admiration by Governor Holmes second only to that the Governor constantly expressed for Major Thomas Hinds. =*" "James Kempe the grandfather of Mrs. Jefferson Davis, was a native of Castlefin, County Donegal, Ireland, and was one of the 'United Irishmen' of 1798, compelled to flee to America," wrote Anthony Campbell, the last survivor
56
Troop,
J.
Dunn
captain
men.
the very pick of the young manhood and notwithstanding the estimate placed on it by General Flournoy, commanding at Mobile, it was destined to take a leading part in the story of Jackson's Coast Campaign against the British. It was organized by order of Governor David Holmes for immediate use on the frontier to meet the Indian situation.
The cavalry were sent forward with the 3rd United States Infantry, which had been largely recruited by volunteers from the Mississippi Territory. Governor Holmes in a message that followed their arrival in the war zone announced that "the arrival of these troops renders
the entire force on the eastern frontier efficient and reputable."
infantry furnished by the Mississippi Territory were to coopwhen necessary with Jackson's army composed of East and West Tennessee troops and United States infantry. Later, Governor Holmes sent another regiment under the gallant Colonel Nixon.*^ Two more companies were sent to this regiment in February, 1814,
erate
of these Irish immigrants in Mississippi. Henry S. Foote had it that he was bom in Virginia. Kempe succeeded Benjamin Farrar as Captain of the Adams troop of horse and won distinction in the New Orleans campaign, not long after which he died, leaving several children. Says Foote: '* Among the daughters who sprang from him was a Mrs. Howell, of whom, I am told, Mrs. Jefferson Davis is the
The
daughter".
Kempe, who became a colonel of cavalry, died at Natchez in 1820, leaving a numerous family of sons and daughters. One of the daughters, as Foote said married William B. Howell, of Natchez, son of an old revolutionary ofiicer and governor of New Jersey. Campbell wrote of these families, "What a clutch of true blues there will be between the blood of Howell and Kempe." See Encyclopedia of Mississippi History. 3^ Colonel Nixon was born in Virginia and after living some years in South Carolina removed in 1809 to the Mississippi Territory. He was among the first to offer his services in defence of his country. During the Creek War, Colonel Nixon at the head of a considerable force scoured the swamps of the Perdido and other streams and killed and captured many Indians. After he had accomplished all he could, he marched to the head of the Perdido, where he divided his command, sending Major William Peacock with the troops of the 39th to the boat yard on
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
57
Rapalje's
from Colonel Neilson's regiment (Amite County) and Captain company from Washington. When the term of enlistment
expired in April, 1814, the regiment was immediately recruited.
On
Governor wrote to the colonel of the 3rd United States Infantry: ''I have ordered six companies of infantry to be drafted and marched to the eastern frontier as expeditiously as possible." To Colonel Nixon the Governor wrote "These six companies with the two that marched under the command of Major Swayze and as many more as can be prevailed upon will form your command."
20, 1814, the
:
March
Though
the Territory
was sparsely
settled every
man who
could bear
a gun, as Governor Holmes noted in a message, was in the service at some period of the campaign in the South against the British.^^
After the arrival of Major Hinds with his troop of horse. General
was
whole
territory,
employing
marched
this
body
of troops, especially
commending the
fine
appear-
Made up
Mississippi Territory, the troopers bore themselves a trifle arrogantly but cheerfully and almost lightly amidst every privation and hardship.
Their haughty and self-confident air and manner did not meet with
the approbation of the
commander
of the district at
Mobile.
Seeking
restrictions, the
Lake Tensaw, while he marched the remainder of his command to Fort Claiborne. He was an excellent officer and served to the end of the war. He was a member of the convention that formed the first constitution of the State of Mississippi, and
in 1824. p>opular.
was, afterwards, frequently a state senator. He died in Pearlington, Mississippi, He was a large, fine-looking man, with fair complexion, and was very
'^JefiFerson
Davis, President of the Southern Confederacy, writing- of this period years later said: " . When news came of the approach of the British army to attack New Orleans, the sons of Wilkinson County went in such numbers to defend the city, that the county court held a draft to keep a certain proportion of the men at home, for police purposes. The records of the County probably contain the particulars of the event, of which I have only the recollection of what a child would hear."
many
58
high-spirited
battalion acted as
an
though
with the commanding general of the district and deplored the communication which they addressed to that source, a remonstrance that
must have been very tart, judging from the increased heat on the part of the commanding general. Knowing the real worth of the spirited
troop of horse, he refused to take sides with the General in the
Both Claiborne and Jackson were always young commander of the Dragoons. Throughout the fall of 1813 Claiborne depended on him at every turn in checking the movements of the wily foe, while General Jackson, perceiving his rare capacity as a cavalry officer and his ability as a Despite the leader, selected him to lead the army into Pensacola. attitude of General Flournoy, the adventurous, self-reliant Dragoons were to reap the glory they sought. Stung by the petty injustice of a superior at Mobile, the mettlesome and light-hearted battalion continued to follow Claiborne along the frontier and in the forks of the Tombigbee which immediately after the atrocity at Fort Mims became the scene of numerous bloody encounters between Mississippi troops and the Indians. Instigated by the revengeful ''Prophet" Francis, his blood-thirsty warriors marched from settlement to settlement, making a holocaust of the deserted homes, killing all whom they met and carrying off the fattest cattle for the war feasts in which
in perfect accord with the gallant
they were
It
now
constantly indulging.
was on September i, 1813, that the home of Ransom Kimbell, a pioneer settler from South Carolina, was attacked by Francis and his army, the Kimbell family with a party of friends and relatives having left the crowded stockade at Fort Sinquefield for more comfort in the farm house during the hot weather of August. It was in this unprotected condition that the entire party was surprised and fiendishly massacred by the "Prophet" and his warriors at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The Indians advanced suddenly from the fastnesses of the dense summer forest, along Basse tt Creek. The horrible deed was committed in the same spirit that prevailed at Fort Mims, the savages sparing neither old age nor the mother with the unborn child. Isham Kimbell, one of the two survivors, became a worthy citizen of Clarke County, where doubtless some descendant still resides who may
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
59
well be
folk
proud
of lineage
from
this strong
graves the
who
like his
in the forks of
where, on the rich, alluvial lands, the hardy pioneers had established
more prosperous
of
and pastures the passing of the hunting-grounds and the buffalo trails that had been fixtures of their civilization. And now that they had taken the war path, the Creeks determined to exterminate the encroaching white settlements root and branch. Immediately following the murder of the Kimbells and their friends and relatives, the "Prophet" made a direct attack on Fort Sinquefield, to which the people in its vicinity had fled. The Fort was defended by a small company of troopers sent in haste by Colonel Carson from Fort Madison under the command of Lieutenant James Bailey, brother of the heroic Captain Dixon Bailey, who though maternally of savage descent had given his life at Fort Mims in behalf of the ideals of
the civilization of the white race in America, having recognized in
himself and in his children
its
superior claim.
Among
Smith.
of Fort Sinquefield
Few
were James Wood, Isaac Hayden and James America glow with more
romance and adventure than those of the first settlers of this far southern region. Of the many daring feats daily performed the charge made by young Isaac Hayden near this Fort upon one hundred painted savages with a pack of dogs and a pair of pistols was an exploit so romantic and savoring even of the preposterous that it would, in all probability, have disconcerted a better trained soldiery than the "Prophet" Francis commanded. But one should not forget that the dogs with which the hero charged the Indians were pioneer dogs and that both dogs and men are taught to do
their part in border
life.
In the attack on Fort Sinquefield, the Indians did not display their
usual strategy.
6o
the gates of the Fort would be open, the inmates being engaged in a
burial service of the Kimbell party massacred a few days before, they
failed to
of the last
rendered every mind alert and ready for defense and that their day-
Hght approach down hill from the woods would be instantly caught by sharp eyes on the lookout for trouble. Though frantically urged
forward by the
*
who with his small party of Dragoons conveyed the people safely to the Fort. Failing to overtake them and perceiving a few women at a spring, the Indians made a break in that direction. It was then that the valiant Hayden flew at them with
the gallant Lieutenant Bailey,
every dog in the Fort, urging on his one hundred snarling canines and
brandishing his pistols in such a clamorous and boisterous manner
that the savages, abashed at the performance, stood stock
still
while
slain, the
women
attack
his
bullets, retreated,
leaving the excited defenders of the Fort victors though for the
of Sinquefield
made
their
way
to
Fort Madison, where they breathed more freely after their terrifying
Some attempted
momentary
hearts, too,
new-made graves of their relatives and friends and it is little wonder that even such hardy spirits as theirs were depressed. In their own fireside superstitions, the stars had foretold their sorry plight, there was blood on the moon and the letter "W:" on the wing of the locust. It was a dark day in American history but it had its meaning. It was the advance of civilization to the far outer rim of its adventuring efforts; and scattered everywhere on the lonely frontier beneath the trees that had not as yet given up their
forest depths were thousands of shallow graves, silent testimonials of
first
fair
land
Tragic occurrences, such as have been related, were being daily The Creeks were now fully at war,
pillage
marked
their
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
61
to be
ordered Colonel Carson and Major Hinds to quit that stockade and
march
to Fort St. Stephens as a place of greater safety.^ Colonel Carson took with him about 500 settlers, men, women and children, with a view toward their better protection. It was natural, that any
settlers still
feel
alarmed at the
the order dis-
who had
left
now
he
hurriedly sent
him a dispatch
could protect
if
Colonel Carson had already obeyed the order and for a short
left
by the eighty
citizens
wounds he had received at Burnt Corn and was thirsting for This force was not required to maintain the very long before Colonel fort Carson returned with his large company of women and children. It was in this manner that General Claiborne with his small but trusted army moved for many days from place to place as the needs seemed more urgent. The forts were scattered and the Indians were roving in small predatory bands everywhere, and no one could tell where they would next concentrate their attack. Every settlement and every fort was appealing to Claiborne for protection and it was with the utmost care and the highest order of generalship that he prevented a repetition of Fort Mims. General Claiborne was criticized by a few short sighted persons at the time for removing the garrison for several weeks from Fort Madison, but it is clearly seen that it was a move that he thought best to
revenge on the Indians.
take until he could feel assured that the Indians were not gathering
in
Colonel
its
defense.
33 Colonel Carson was the military commander of the territory between the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers in which region were located Fort Glass and Fort Madison and it was to General Claiborne with headquarters at Mount Vernon, forty miles distant, that he sent young Jerry Austill who later became a border hero with a special communication. The hardy youth traveled alone
filled
62
The
pect.
As yet the Choctaws, though allied with the Americans, had furnished no troops to the army and it was with much relief that the people heard that Pushmataha had visited St. Stephens with a proposal to enlist several companies of Choctaw troops for the American cause.
The
celebrated chieftain
Gaines where the formal acceptance of the troops by General Flournoy took place. The commanding general, having by this time slowly
matter,
now no
great relief
efforts of Colonel
Mc-
was as has already been observed, largely due to the statesmanship of Governor Holmes and General Claiborne that the aid of the Choctaws and Chickasaws was enlisted in the war, and their alliance with the American Republic was one of
It
was during these days that Major Thomas Hinds with his was so closely associated with General Claiborne, both being engaged in service of the most strenuous and hazardous nature along the frontier and especially in the valley of the Tombigbee in keeping broken and disorganized bands of Indians from overrunning the entire country. The young cavalry officer, notIt
Mississippi Dragoons
of
While operating at
main body
of the Indians
many
as a hundred, but
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
63
During
such forays and raids, conducted with the utmost suddenness, the Creeks picked off many of the bravest scouts of the American army
and put to sudden death the inmates of many lonely farm houses. Scouting parties of the whites went frequently in search of the Indians and it was during one of these excursions that Carson lost some of his bravest men. The story of Beard and his friend Tandy Walker is
one
filled
The
gallant
young
soldier,
Bradberry,
liam
McGrew had
of the
bank
stream and through forests and field on the northern Tombigbee, he suddenly came upon them on Bashi Creek to find them more ready for battle than he dreamed. In the
of Indians over
severe encounter that followed the brave man with three of his company was killed. Several days later when General Claiborne with Major Hinds and the Mississippi Dragoons were marching in pursuit of the Indians, who hovered in small bodies everywhere, he found and
interred with military honors the bodies of these four heroes, pioneer
Mississippians
their country.
of such lives
was a
serious
blow to a young
life,
community
to a
It was during the incessant guerrilla warfare, filled with pillage and murder by the Indians in the rich river settlements along the eastern borders of the Territory, that the famous Mississippi frontiersman, Sam Dale, again appears on the stage. A native of Rockbridge County, Virginia, descended from a line of border heroes, he was well fitted to act his part in the affairs of his adopted section. Having in a measure recovered from his wounds received earlier in the war, he sought the field once more with a determination to help General Claiborne drive the Indians from the country. Colonel Carson, who had returned to Fort Madison, was prevailed on to furnish him with a sufficient force to put his plans into execution, and he was provided with a detachment of thirty Mississippi volunteers from Captain Jones' company, while forty of the Clarke County militia were detailed to accompany him in his rather hazardous adventure. The
64
clad
and
bare-foot,
of
markable canoe
on the waters
and faced the had to its credit the rethe Alabama in which four of
This hand to hand conflict was, perhaps one of the wildest ever staged
in frontier history.
forest,
beneath which glided the silent river, now at low water mark and wrapped in autumnal shadows, was selected. And was it not its
had made
solemn beauty appealing to their highest aspiration of a God that its wild, red children swear to defend it, "as long as the
sun shall shine and there shall be water in the river?"
The
by
with details of such a horrid nature that their hideous and revolting
particulars will not be enumerated here, the heroic courage
and de-
little
company,
band
of
mounted Indians
in the open,
in
tall
in pre-
when they
discovered gliding
down
the
Alabama
flat-bottomed canoe in
an unusually large and handsome which sat, with erect forms and dignified
puccoon.
and strong bare limbs painted in the brilliant hues of the With august decorum bearing their guns before them they
were the personification of the Indian War Spirit at ceremonial moments. The solemn touch of dignity, acquired doubtlessly by long
contact with the silent things of nature, vanished in a trice so soon
as they discovered the Americans.
savages
foe.
filled
What
race, alas! of
much
better?
The boats
command
of the
famous Jerry
who kept to the river bank in search of the enemy. They were near the home of the brave Dixon Bailey who had given his life in the defense of Fort Mims and the memory of that gallant soldier filled
them with a hot desire to punish his slayers. Alarmed at the approach of the whites, the Indians rowed back to concealment in the
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
65
mouth of Randon Creek. Discovering that the largest part of Dale's company had crossed the river to the western bank, the canoe emerged,
while anxiety and watchfulness had taken the place of proud unconcern on the faces of
its
occupants.
As
little
it
moved
cautiously
down
party fired upon the stately crew to which the proud warriors replied instantly, showing their readiness for battle. After several
exchanges of
rifle
little
Captain Dale sprang into his small boat and called to his men to follow him; three instantly obeyed their leader as only this number could crowd into the tiny boat. The combatants drew nearer each other and the fight grew desperate. The fearless and valiant attacking party, besides their redoubtable captain, was composed of Jeremiah Austill, James Smith and the powerful and courageous slave Caesar, a hah-breed Indian negro. This faithful creature, who had now taken charge of the little boat, rowed alongside the large canoe and with might and main held his craft in position while the
battle raged.
The Indians fought desperately for they knew that "Big Sam," as they called Captain Dale, was their antagonist. Many
a brave story had they heard of this wonderful man both as a trader and a fighter. Still, they were not afraid to measure lances with him as was unconsciously shown in the grimly spoken challenge. "Now for it, Big Sam!" In and out of the water but more often with feet planted firmly in their boats, which the burly Caesar kept lashed
together, the combatants fought with a fury
known only
to
to border
warfare.
When
came
Dale found himself in the enemy's boat while eleven of the best warriors of the proud Muscogee tribe had paid the price of liberty. Both the living and the dead were covered with wounds and upon the breast of both Creek and Anglo-Saxon ahke could well have been
placed the Distinguished Service Cross.
fierce
comparison with the feat of the dauntless three who held the bridge
in the
became names
dead
silence that
only in his urging the use of the sword and bayonet, clearly proves
66
all
After the short but terrific battle, gathering up his little band, Captain Dale, whose exploits make some of the most colorful pages of Mississippi's history, marched back to Fort Madison. It was in this
Revolutionary fighting stock and patriotic to the core, kept the Creeks
at bay on the forks of the Tombigbee, along the Alabama, and up and
down
first
months
of the war.
felt
would be necessary to deal them a concentrated blow on He again urged General Flournoy to send him into the Creek Nation with a sufl&cient force to attack them in their strongholds and cripple their strength by destroying their towns. The large expedition planned by him in the early autumn had been frustrated by the over-cautious commander at Mobile whose indecision in matters
own
soil.
That same conclusion General Claiborne held regarding the trouble with the Creeks was very gratifying to the Mississippian, though the harsh war measures recommended by the commanding general, who had now gone to the
of such vital importance appears
little
short of criminal.
other extreme in his views of the Indian situation, were not in keeping with Claiborne's code of ethics.
Even when dealing with savages, though always to be feared in battle, no foe was ever taken undue advantage of by this knightly and kindly soul. Throughout the months of September, October and November, he had been busy in the Southern District, his brave volunteers fighting daily battles and guarding the defenceless inhabitants from sudden slaughter. With him for niuch of the time was Major Thomas Hinds and his eagerhearted Dragoons. These were taking their first lessons in warfare,
drama that was now being enacted. Even at this time their commander was becoming conspicuous for his courage and initiative, and of him General Claiborne confidently said to the old border hero
the very
see danger
be enumerated a number of
intrepid soldiery ever
No
truer nor
more
went out
in defense of their
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
67
country than the volunteer troops of Tennessee, and we rear on this page a signal monument to these defenders and lovers of liberty. But one cannot forget that border warfare of the severest nature
in this section
were every-
where engaged
Jackson's
large
Even
in the ranks of
own army,
numbers
of Mississippi troops
had
enlisted.
Recruiting stations
were established at several points in the Territory, and volunteers from the Mississippi Territory entered various commands and were
largely instrumental in winning the victories that perched on the American banners in this section. Jackson's campaign against the Creeks during the months of October and November opened with the battle of Tallussahatchie. A successful attack had been made at Littefutche led by Colonel Dyer with 200 cavalry sent out by General Jackson from Fort Deposit, where he had estabhshed headquarters, and foraging parties had captured a few Indians and negroes who were camp-followers of Weatherford's army. The Creeks learning that Jackson was near by, hastily collected their forces at the town of Tallussahatchie a short distance from his headquarters. After locating the town and the extent of its defense,
men
to
party while the rest reconnoitered the Ten-Island country as preliminary to future movements.
with good
and were in their best fighting mood. A picturesque band of Creeks and Cherokees friendly to the whites, arrayed in the white head-dress which was their emblem of peace, led Coffee's men against the war party. The battle began at sunrise, the turbulent savages rushing out amid war-whoops and the beating of drums, their prophets breathing vengeance upon the invaders and on any of Indian
rifles
They fought a losing fight without asking Not one would deseft the field, but men, women and children all perished with their city. On Novemblood
assisted them.
who
ber
3,
Mims." In
"Not one
68
of the warriors escaped to carry the news." The feat might be compared with the brave old deeds that marked Alexander's or Hannibal's campaigns,
but wherefore?
on November 3, 1813, General Jackson moved to Ten-Island where he erected Fort Strother. With an army of 1200 infantry and 1800
cavalry the 3rd United States Regulars being recruited with Mississippians, he moved on the town of Talladega, 30 miles away, where he raised the siege then going on at that place. The town having been the rendezvous of a large number of Creeks
was now beleaguered by wrathful Creek magic and black art, were no match for the astute disciple of peace who clothed in a shaggy hogskin passed through their ranks at night on all fours from the invested city. Grunting and rooting his way out of the town he bounded to his feet and fled to Jackson's camp to implore aid from that mighty pale-face. The Tennesseans received their envoy with shouts of laughter and applause and straightway marched to the relief of the beseiged redskins who and here the laughter dies down into a sigh ^passed out of the city over the bleeding bodies of one thousand dead warriors who had given their Uves in defense of their race and civihzation.
friendly to the Americans
all their
all agree,
East
Near the
makes
It is not understood by the Government that this war is to be confined to mere temporary incursions into the enemy's country. Such movements might distress them but would produce none of those lasting and beneficial effects which I design to be produced.
On November
18, 1813,
calls
the
Mississippi Territory in
**Hillabee Massacre. "^^
War
of 1812
Rowland.
it
69
as a
That
it
was, indeed,
else
than butchery.
For American toops to have made war on a lower plane than did the savages was a poor expression of the Christian civilization claimed by the superior race. Negotiations were then pending for the surrender of the Hillabees, and it was a rude awakening for the helpless
creatures, generally faithful to their vows, to find that "their scrap
of
paper" had been cast to the winds by the great Jackson. It is hoped that they located the right source on which to lay the blame. That Generals Cocke and White did not possess Jackson's
sincerely
and Claiborne's ideals is clearly shown in the reports of the Hillabee affair. While the spirit with which the two last mentioned waged war was as stern and invincible as Caesar's or Napoleon's, humanity and its kindlier purpose can be clearly discerned in their treatment of the helpless savages when at their mercy. Whenever an act on the part of the troops commanded by either of these great leaders took the form of mere butchery such conduct always received his severe condemnation. Both welcomed every honorable sign of surrender on the part of the Creeks and the flag of truce was borne more than once to the strongholds of the Muscogees. That the Indians in some places were still having civil war among themselves and were in large numbers joining the party friendly to
the whites
is
of the war.
Still
the spirit
main part of the Creek Nation in a great army to resist with the most heroic efforts both Jackson and Claiborne. Notwithstanding desertions from their ranks this spirit grew stronger each day and inch by inch until finally overcome they resisted the despoilers of their towns and villages. It was during the last week of autumn on November 29 that General Floyd with 950 Georgia militia supported by two friendly Indian chieftains, Mad-dog and Tookabatchee, with their following
of self-preservation united the
^ This battle was fought by General White with a thousand men of Major General Cocke's division of East Tennessee troops who carried out General Cocke's orders to attack the town while the Hillabee Indians were arranging terms with General Jackson for its surrender. As Jackson was regarded as the commander-inchief of the Tennessee army one can readily understand why the Hillabees accused him of bad faith. His differences with General John Cocke who had brought a body of East Tennessee troops into the Mississippi Territory and the lack of co-operation with him on the part of that General do not bear particularly upon the main story but may be found in full in Parton's Life of Andrew Jackson, Vol. I.
7
of
about 400 warriors attacked the town of Autossee one of the most on the south bank of the beautiful and historic Tallapoosa. The city was situated near the Hickory Ground and the union of the Coosa. In the battle which also partook largely of a
attractive
among them
whose descendants were equally divided between the contending In many of these skirmishes the fights assumed the proportions of real battle. The Indians whose country was being invaded and desolated were now fighting for the preservation of their race, homes and hunting-grounds and though savage and untutored, they were as much attached to their native heath as the Anglo-Saxon had ever been to his. While now rarely on the aggressive, as they had been earlier in the war, at Fort Mims and throughout the Southern District, no fiercer resistance was ever offered by a people than that with which they met Jackson when attacked on their own soil, and by superior numbers. To them by this time "Captain Jackson," as they called him, had loomed into a mysterious and prodigious power of evil to do them harm. But even as formidable as he appeared the Hillabee did not shrink from him in battle and more than once boasted of having put him to flight. In every encounter they met him with
forces.
The
by
General Floyd through the beautiful Callabee Valley, heard the sharp
twang
of their
bows and
felt
At
his
camp
received orders on
November
10,
field of action.
from General Flournoy to quit that Sharing his burning desire to make
it
Pensacola the
troops broke
ford's
objective
point,
camp on November
13,
was with eagerness that his and moved forward to Weatherpreparations for General
Bluff where
they were to
make
now beheved
Here
his
by
the
all
On November
at Weatherford's Bluff.
and
clothing, fortified
rifles
if
tradition can
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
^Rowland.
It
71
was
in
spirit of
whom
mag-
name, Claiborne wrote to Governor Holmes giving him an account of the concentration of his troops and announcing his determination to intercept and break connection between the Indians and Pensacola. A letter, also, went to General Jackson congratulating him on his victories in the northern district and still another went to
Governor Holmes expressing a fervent desire that
be hurled against Pensacola.^*
all
The
and
was to
fall
to General Claiborne
his
him composed
march to the
fortified after
them
his determination to
enemy*s
capital.
name
of
Econachaca
called, also,
"Ikan chaka," the Holy Ground. "The fortress and town were erected" says the Mississippi historian, Claiborne, "by Weatherford on the south
bank
of the
was designed
for a safe
haven
for the
little
peninsur-
and
set in the
deep
forest, it
was
rounded on the land side by marshes, slashes and bayous. To it no path ran that the foot of the white man had ever trod. Guarded
its
by 10,000 ungoverned and rampant savages, it yet notwithstanding wizard circles and the incantations of its holy men ^was not im-
" In his letter to Governor Holmes Claiborne said: "I am now on the east bank of the Alabama, thirty-five miles above Mims, and in the best part of the enemy's country. From this position we cut the savages We likewise render their comoff from the river, and from their growing crops. munication with Pensacola more hazardous. Here will be deposited for the use of General Jackson, a supply of provisions, and I hope I shall be ordered to cooperate with him. Colonel Russell of the Thu-d U. S. Infantry has been ordered to co-operate with the Georgia troops, and is now on his march to this place. We have by several excursions alarmed the Indians, and the possession of this important position will induce them to retire. I have with me Pushmataha, who, with fifty-one warriors, accompanied by Lieutenant Calahan of the volunteers, will march this morning and take up a position to intercept more effectually the communication of the enemy with Pensacola."
72
now sought
it.
It
was here
with the
prisoners to be burned at the stake, and it was here he boasted that no enemy of the Creek could tread without being blasted by the hand of the Great Spirit. Unlike Weatherford, for whose fairness and courage he had always had respect, Francis had ever been an object of aversion to General Claiborne and to punish this heartless and wily fanatic in his own stronghold and put an end forever to his flummeries and wizardry was
an undertaking espoused with as fervid zeal as ever breast of a twelfth century knight. Every soldier in
fired
the
his
com-
mand when
tion
fully acquainted
spirit.
with his purpose manifested his aspirain the expedition the adventure to
and battle
of censorious critics
and seeing
which they had long looked forward, with spirits overflowing with love of adventure and patriotic fervor, the invincible volunteers, though their terms of enlistment had expired and the prospect was anything
but inviting, voluntarily re-enhsted in the service.
While some
opposed an expedition
him
to desist
from
their
enterprise,
they concluded
may we
The
shall cheerfully
nature that a purpose less firm than Claiborne's would have been
shaken.
was
winter and the cold, soaking rains had set in; the
unknown and
any
untrodden wilderness must be traversed; the impossibility of taking supplies with them; the present condition of his army, without
these
and a number
of other reasons,
perhaps the most urgent and pathetic being that a total failure of
crops that year had left their families in a destitute condition, were
sufl&cient, it
home
when Claiborne
gun and took
his
man
flew to his
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
73
On
the morning of
the Mississippi
December 13, Fort Claiborne was abandoned and army at their trusted General's command moved
forward towards the Creek capital to confront not only the bitter
Francis but the fierce Weatherford himself .^^
The
frontier
army
of
made up
of Colonel
Regiment
of Infantry,
Major
a battalion of militia commanded by Major Benjamin which Patrick May, Sam Dale, Creagh and Heard, border fighters who had already won their croix de guerre, were officers. These with 150 fine Choctaw warriors under the celebrated Push-
Smoot
in
this deft
now a
of the
and Army,
adroit chieftain,
is
due much
of
Creek country. The Mississippi volunteers were in gay, good humor, forgetting all their discomforts and anxieties once they were
on the road.
The army,
represented
by many
due appreciation of the fact. It boasted mainly Revolutionary ancestry and the young men possessed much of the manner and air of the cavalier. Through the pathless deep woods its columns wound their way, maintaining a
of the Mississippi Territory bore itself with
any
frontier
its
army
Much
in the light of a
crusader
spirit of
valiant
as he
freedom and
On December
Even
as
and half-breeds were being bound to the stake awaiting the fagot and torch. The Indians, notwithstanding their claim of perfect security within their Holy of HoUes, at the approach of Claiborne's army hurriedly began beating the war-drums and gathering their numerous forces into battle-Une. The Mississippians could hear the heavy roll of drums as they entered the outskirts of the town. Through the swamps and over the bayous
they advanced upon
prisoners both white
3 It is thought by Halbert after close investigation that Weatherford was never present at any battle but that of the Holy Ground after the Massacre of Fort Mims, though he does not hold to this opinion, in his sketch of Weatherford written many years before his later researches.
74
city the
its
The
troops
Major Smoot especially on entering bearMajor Cassells commanding mounted some criticism as to the manner of stationing
The
subtle
mitigative but
strain led his
and mscrutable Weatherford ordinarily humane and now cold and set in purpose and txue to the maternal people in battle. In this splendid creature Claiborne met
possible to
make
the
Holy Ground
impregnable but not even the fearless and daring Weatherford himself,
whose personality fascinated them as no other, nor all the enchantments and sorceries of the "Prophet" Francis could save the sacred dty from destruction. Actuated, if not by some premonition of
danger,
their
by a purpose
well worthy of
women and
secluded, densely wooded covert that should, in connection with the Holy Groimd, be marked by the patriotic societies of Alabama. As Claibome^s troops poured into the city along the left bank of the river, the center column imder Colonel Carson curving outward like a crescent, each face hard and set was filled with a purpose that could not be mistaken. For days they had marched through mud and
flat,
December
Amid a frenzied outburst of shouts and ydls and beating of drums, the Creek warriors rushed out to meet the Americans, while smaller detachments from covert and ambuscade
for battle within the town.
rifle
From
works Indian gunmen continued to fire. These were more to be dreaded than those armed with bows and arrows whose misdirected missiles fell harmlessly into the ranks of Carson's companies in spite of the fierce and urgent commands of the sorcerers and prophets in
" Weatherford knew the Creek manner of fighting and did not try to restrain the noise in their preparation for battle though he himself was not given to savage customs.
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
75
their midst.
These Creek
in each
seers
and
oracles
while
madly waving
hand a cow's
tail
dyed a
brilliant scarlet.
vehemence
their
entire nation
Holy
City, for
Indians
now
fought,
and not
back but slowly, stubbornly, weapons at every turn and twist of the battle. Again and again they rushed forward to thrust the invaders from the sacred city, finally to waver and fall back as the American rifles were solidly turned on them, not only by Carson's men but by Claiborne's entire army, every column of which was now pressing into the town. Still the Indians rallied and resisted the foe. As the Americans pressed them backward a sure aim from a soldier in the ranks toppled over a richly arrayed prophet wildly leading a charge. Here and there, these gorgeously robed creatures with arms upraised in frantic gestures were suddenly swept to the earth by American gunmen.
fighting desperately with their fruitless
go and soon
As the Creeks advanced with a last sudden fury, Carson let his men all that was left of the pomp and glory of the haughty
Red Sticks vanished and they turned and wildly fled, Claiborne's army pursuing and driving them through the town and out by the
river.
field.
Weatherford was the last of the defeated host to quit the battle While his warriors were fleeing in confusion, seeking the cane-
brake and deep woods, he lingered to proudly cast a look of scorn at his assailants, then instantly mounted his fleet-footed "Arrow" and
For the sake of its color and action we Major Dreisback's glowing picture rather than Woodward's skeptical account of Weatherford's leap into the Alabama on his faithful warhorse as he left the invaded and reduced Creek capital whose temples had been cast down and whose streets were red, as
disappeared from their view.
give here
we view it, with the blood merely of heathen prophets. Descnbmg the darmg leap, which could well have served for an incident in a
thrilling
romance
of Scott,
Dreisback says:
76
When Weatherford found that most of his warriors had deserted him, he thought
own safety. Finding himself hedged in above and below on the river, he determined to cross the Alabama. He was mounted on a horse of almost matchless strength and fleetness and with the swiftness of the wind turned down a long hollow that led to the bank of the river; on his arrival he found the bluff about twelve feet high; he took in at a glance the situation and determined to make the leap. He rode back about thirty paces and turned his horse's head towards the bluff, and then, with touch of the spur and the sharp *ho ya' of his voice, he put the noble animal to the top of his speed and dashed over the bluff full twenty feet into the flashing waters below, which opened its bosom to receive the dauntless hero, who sought its sparkling waves as a barrier between him and the pursuing foe. He did not lose his seat; his horse and the lower part of his own body went entirely under the water, he holding his rifle high above his head. The gallant horse struck out for the opposite shore with his fearless rider upon his back. When he had advanced some thirty yards from the shore, the balls from the guns of the troopers who were above and below him began to spatter around him like hail, but it appeared that the "Great Spirit" watched over him, for not a shot struck either man or horse. As soon as he reached the farther shore he dismounted and took off his saddle and examined his brave and noble horse to see if he had been struck. One shot had cut off a bunch or lock of the horse's mane just in front of the saddle. Finding his noble "Arrow" unhurt, he resaddled him and mounted, and sending back a note of defiance, rode off, to fight again on other ensanguined
of his
fields.
When
out
its
inhabitants
both prophet and warrior, he occupied it with a few hours during which the Choctaws under Pushprivilege of possessing themselves of the
now
embittered by memories of
when they
Holy City a tall pine pole from which was suspended the scalps of those who had been murdered at Fort Mims. From this gruesome object hung the curly scalp of the infant and its mother's long braids
intermingling with the hoary locks of the aged.
in Weatherford's house, in
The letter,
filled
too,
found
of Pensacola
them with
it
army swept
the Holy Ground was located, destroying all towns, villages, farms and boats that were to be found. With Claiborne's forces pursuing and laying waste the country the Indians began losing strength. The fairest possessions of the Nation were now in ruins. But even with their hopes shattered and their im-
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
77
still, though rarely themselves giving fought heroically in defense of their lives and strongholds.
While they continued to the last to fight with spirit and at times with the greatest valor, their champion, Weatherford, must have realized that he was the leader of a lost cause since, according to some
of the best authorities,
of the
Holy
F.
H. Claiborne says:
bold movement into the heart of the nation upon ground held sacred and impregnable, was great. It taught the savages that they were neither inaccessible nor invulnerable; it destroyed their confidence in their prophets, and it proved what volunteers, even without shoes, clothing, blankets, or provisions would do for their country.
The news
spread
all
and everywhere on the frontiers in camp and in assembly halls, Claiborne's victory was applauded and celebrated, bonfires flaming along the whole eastern frontier and far into the interior of the Mississippi Territory. Not even the great Jackson had won so distinctive a victory, nor had he, as yet, met Weatherford anywhere on the battlefield. The signal victory of Holy Ground, however, was not to be without its sacrifice. The men were returning to Camp Vernon in a pitiable condition, half naked, bare-footed and hungry, to face a failure of crops on arriving home. On Christmas Day they with their beloved General had dined on parched corn and boiled acorns. He was returning with them broken in health from exposure, and suffering from wounds from which he never recovered. On January 14, 1814, he had written from Camp Mount Vernon.
homes with eight months* pay due them naked. They have served the last three months of inclement winter weather without shoes or blankets, almost without shirts, but are still devoted to their country and properly impressed with the justice and the necessity of the war.
are returning to their
My volunteers
and ahnost
literally
But notwithstanding the gloomy side of the picture, the fact that had been conquered and razed allayed
the present.
It
is
Holy Ground, whether the Indians would have left their own country to make further open war on the whites or whether what has been called the decisive battle of Horseshoe Bend was necessary to draw
78
from them a surrender. It is very certain, however, that they would have continued to give aid to the British. Larger dangers than the trouble with the Indians were now looming up before the young American Republic, and Jackson's last expedition against them was only a foreword to his coast campaign against Great Britain whose fleet and army had been hovering near to encourage and aid the Creeks as a preUminary of their own design.
in the Mississippi
Had New Orleans been captured by the British, which would have been certain had he not been present, the entire Southern Coast, irrespective of any treaty, would have temporarily become a British
ment.
possession.
Holy Ground had been fought by Claiborne, own credit a number of brilliant exploits during the autumn, with a small army remained on the battlefront and continued to make war on the Indians.^^ Many of his troops had returned home, some had mutinied outright, and for the time being the skies looked dark, but the shrewd and indomitable hero holding steadily to his main purpose continued to clear his path of all obstacles. He pursued and harried the Creeks through forest and over water, in nearly every encounter overwhelming and punishing them severely. The various collisions and skirmishes that occurred between the Americans and Weatherford's party after Jackson invaded their country in the Spring of 1814 have been briefly sketc hed not that they bear on or answer any main question involved, but simply in order to follow the path of war to Pensacola where the British,
After the battle of
with a great naval force gathered in the South Seas, were anxiously watching the Creek uprising. Following the hard fighting near
Amukfau
made an all day but vain attack and the fierce encounter at the
of the
and
his
army out
final battle
The Enitachopoco
fight
must have
and given
'^ It was at this time, when his men had nearly all returned home, that he employed in his service a number of Cherokees, also a large party of Creeks who had opposed the war.
Mississippi Territory in
War
it
of 1812
^Rowland.
79
boasted that they "ran Captain Jackson into the Coosa River," a
dilemma virtually admitted by the Americans. The conclusive battle of Tohopeka, or Horseshoe Bend, which occurred March 27, 1814, had yet to be fought, some authorities think, before the proud Weatherford would replace the red plume in his head-dress with a white one. Slight victories in the Callabee swamps and especially the victory over Floyd during the month of Januaryhad heartened the Indians, and with high hope of driving the Americans out of their country they gathered in full force to meet Jackson on the Tallapoosa. The Tennessee troops, as has been stated, had been constantly returning home and Jackson during the winter had been left at times with a straggling army with which to meet the foe. In February he was amply reinforced by fresh troops from Tennessee and many volunteers from the Mississippi Territory seeking adventure under the famous Indian fighter, who had set himself a task in the accomphshment of which the Creek Indians must be practically
exterminated.
campmg on or
near
when on parade, clad m white trousers and dark blue coats, the army made an imposing spectacle in the heart of the bare, gray wilderness. It was about this time that still another force from Tennessee made its way to the Mississippi
especially
ejffort
to break
whose late stubborn resistance and brilliant exploits had surprised and embarrassed the Americans. Nettled by the Indians' triumphant boasts, Jackson's army was daily augmented by volunteer troops and he soon found himself at the head of a large force well suppHed and ready to go against not only the Creeks but to move at any time on the British
the remaining strength of the
Sticks,
Red
had chosen a place they called which occupied a peninsula containing about one hundred acres in the bend of the lovely Tallapoosa. It was also called
their last stand the Creeks
For
''Tohopeka"
in their
own
shoe
on
the Horse-
account of
shape.
8o
by Nature
been
for security
if
had
at every cost,
and
escape
by way
where hundreds of large canoes had been moored for that purpose near the town proper. It was blustering March weather but the trees though still skeletons, were slightly budding, and a variety of early spring flowers were in bloom in the Tallapoosa Bend when Jackson
appeared before the town.
The
Hillabee warriors led the defense and were bitter in retaUation for
the cruel
manner
in
their
was
now
suffering.
New
Ground and Eufaulahatche, numbering about one thousand. Weatherford was not present, yet it cannot be doubted that his faithful warriors and prophets had been fully instructed by him as to the
course to pursue.
British
With the exception of the massive breastwork erected with both and Spanish aid General Jackson regarded the Muscogee
though artfully planned from the standpoint of the little better than the work of children, and on examinregretfully,
defenses,
Creeks, as
ing
"They have penned themselves up for them he immediately sent a flag of truce toward the town but the proud Hillabees with an outburst of scornful hoots and yells fired upon it. The Americans
then, without hesitating, prepared for battle. General Coffee, now a well-known figure in the war with the Creeks, crossed the Tallapoosa
them exclaimed
and stationed his troops so as to have a full sweep at the peninsula, an astute design well executed that the Red Sticks were not expecting. With Coffee's troops in position, Jackson pressed hard against the breastworks and with two pieces of cannon began to fiercely bombard the Creek fortress. But it was only after a number of fierce advances and poUnding of guns that he began to weaken the fortifications. For several hours he stormed the breastworks to be repulsed again and again, and more than once Jackson, Coffee, Russell, Morgan and many
Mississippi Territory in
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81
others
of the
commanding the American forces recoiled at the furious charge enemy before the town was taken. In vain for a while did
The gallant Tennesseans mounted and strove upon the breastworks to finally dye them with American blood as a number of the advance guard led by the brave Major Montgomery and Lieutenants Moulton and Somerville, who fell in the attempt, gained an entrance into the town. In a last effort to go over the breastworks and enter the town, Ensign Sam Houston of Tennessee, who years later became governor of Texas, though wounded, led the way. In the meantime General Coffee had destroyed the canoes on the river and set fire to the town which was soon a sheet of flame. Seeing the pitiable plight of the Indians, wedged in between his own forces and Coffee's with the town each moment
labored the works with renewed energy.
becoming a furnace, Jackson again dispatched a messenger to assure them of American favor if they would surrender. Once more the proud Muscogees disdained his overtures and amid yells of derision and a discharge of fire-arms proclaimed that they had no faith in the pale faces who had broken faith with them. The Indians, though sorely beset on all sides, asked for no quarter but went to their death with as sublime heroism as was ever shown by the Caucasian on any
battlefield
where
life
was the
When
once
the Americans had gained an entrance into the city both sides fought
like wild beasts, the
much for the gallant bowmen who, too proud to sue for quarter and in many instances wounded for life, scattered in confusion, fleeing
ing too
in every direction through the
mark the course of The peninsula was literally strewn with their dead bodies;
their worst;
the
rifle
but
it
them."
kyrie
It
spirit of
the Muscogee
was
who, to
this
had borne to the happy hunting-ground some brave Manowa all dwellers there, would embody the spirit of the Creek, did
its fate.
the land
when
the battle of
82
Tallapoosa Bend came to a close and the flames that destroyed the
citadel
to embers.
of ashes;
had more than twenty, says Jackson, having escaped. Now ready to surrender on any terms, they crept from hiding-place and covert throughout the nation and bent their proud necks to the dominion of the white race whose civilization had
the mighty
Sticks were no more;
their last fortress
Red
become
proved too strong for theirs. And though they continued foemen, it was with but few exceptions that they gave further practical aid to
their old alhes the British.
Some
riot of
it is
Whether
this
be true or not,
humane
himself in victory,
was on
this
people had died for the sake of their homes and country and while
recoiling in horror
and disgust from the savage practice of scalping overcome by hate and revenge, had no hesitancy in cutting the noses from the faces of the dead warriors as they covered, like a
foe
soil of their fathers.
number that escaped and also about Pickett thinks that not more than 200 escaped while he places the army's strength at 1000. The Indians, in nearly every instance, had proved to be poor marksmen and JackHistorians disagree about the
men, 99 having been wounded. Among the dead were who had been close to their fiery-hearted and devoted commander and it was in keeping with his fervent and loyal nature to pour out his grief in passionate lament over the loss of the heroic young Virginian, Major L. P. Montgomery, of the 39th Regiment, who was the first to mount the breastworks at Tallapoosa Bend to fall with sword in hand while urging his men to take the stronghold. His dead body drew from the stern soldier the tribute of tears as he, with romantic fervor that calls to mind King Arthur, pronounced
son
lost only 32
all his
brave army.^^
" Major Lemuel Purnell Montgomery was a native of Wythe County, Virginia, and was descended from patriotic Revolutionary ancestors. His biographer states that the county of Mcntgomery, Alabama, was named in honor of him while the capital of the State preserves in its name the memory of his father General MontIgomery who
fell
Mississippi Territory in
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of 1812
Rowland.
83
The bloody
line of
march and on April 2 found himself at Fort Williams, a fort march thither. Jackson's army moved forward with such provisions as the men could carry, the constant rains making it impossible to transport heavy supplies through the rough wilderness. The terrified Creeks fled before his march in every direction, many stopping on the roadthat he had erected on his
side to surrender, while others
made
their
way
to Pensacola to join
some going
into Florida.
adversary one who, while he had slight faith in their integrity, was
their
wretched
He was pardonably
by Colonel Milton commanding the eastern troops with several Carocompanies at Decatur across the Tallapoosa annoyed him, and General Cocke's attitude had given him much concern, his victory fully compensated for any want of appreciation or petty clashes incident to his campaign. His fame as an Indian fighter was secure. Tennessee regarded him as her most renowned soldier and eagerly set about to furnish troops for his future expeditions. Governor Holmes of the Mississippi Territory and General Ferdinand L, Claiborne always regarded him with every expression of esteem and confidence and their admiration for him as a soldier was no less ardent than that
lina
any point designated to meet the British. By the Creek Indians whom he had conquered and almost destroyed as a nation he was regarded as some strange and great being endowed with supernatural power. Not only Jackson but his entire army won fame in the Creek war and Governor Holmes in a letter to Governor Blount generously
to follow
him
to
84
exhibited a magnanimity of character and a national sensibility, worthy of being emulated by all who justly estimate that pride of Country so essential to the maintenance of those rights which the constitution of the United States was intended to secure and to perpetuate. From their armies now acting against the enemy, we have every thing to expect that distinguished talents, courage, a love of country and a laudable desire for fame and honor can promise.
British still hoped to enlist the Creeks in their service and did some extent use them as land forces, but the peace party in the Creek Nation was greatly strengthened by Jackson's victory, many of them becoming open adherents of the American cause. Whether his invasion of the Creek Nation was necessary or not in perfecting a treaty with them after General Claiborne's victory at Holy Ground,
The
to
it
was a valuable factor in shaping and strengthenJackson was not willing to take any chances and felt that the only way to prevent the Indians from giving aid to the British was to completely break their strength and render them helpless. He foresaw the storm gathering on the Southern Coast and not as long as the British hovered about Pensacola and Mobile did he believe that the American Republic in this section was safe. Before leaving the Tallapoosa country which had now become historic, General Jackson who, though usually of a practical enough cast of mind, possessed a deep undercurrent of the finest and richest sentiment, displayed his strong patriotism and nationalism in a
against the British
ing that campaign.
pleasing manner.
American
On striking camp he took occasion to plant the on the spot where a century before under the orders of Cadillac had been erected Fort Toulouse^^^ when the French were
colors
The old French garrison became the site manned with a strong block-house and outer walls. The fort received the name Jackson, and it was here that large deputations of Creek warriors constantly came to make formal surrender. The daring and utterly fearless Weatherford, dark, sinewy and tall, shrewd and eloquent and handsome after the manner of the halfin possession of the country.
of
new
fort
breed,
figure,
fort.
Though a Creek
in every instinct
and
His
variety and fashion, had none of the barbaric adornment characteris* This fort was on the Coosa four miles above near Wetumpka.
its
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
85
tic of the Indian civilization. But no warrior among them, not even a prophet, though he could in their sight perform miracles, could sway
the heart of the Red Sticks so completely as the tall Red Eagle whose haughty bearing, set off with a wild, free grace, and shrewd and eloquent speech, held for them a charm acknowledged for few others. With a daring inconceivable he suddenly appeared at the fort on a splendid charger, a deer killed on the way swung across his saddle.
General Jackson, while regarding him as the evil genius of the war and having ordered his capture on sight, in the end, was completely charmed with his romantic appearance and magnetic personality.
Though furious
life reveals the fact that he was not without a keen appreciation of the pure romanticism of all high exploit and adventure, could but acknowledge the superb courage of
the splendid creature whose scorn of risk and danger or shrewd dis-
sembling, whichever
tection.
it may have been, won for him a soldier's proMany of the more peaceful, or as the case might be, timorous,
with a
Creek warriors feared and hated the haughty half-breed, and it was spirit of childish exultation and revenge that Big Warrior,"*^
"We've got you now. Bill Weatherford!" coming from such a source stung the haughty half breed as no word of condemnation from Jackson could have done. However, conof the
doom
Red
Eagle.
traitor, as
and telling him that if it were possible he would continue to make war upon him. His speech was full of fair-spoken words and worthy appeals. He asked for naught for himself but what they chose to deal him, but for the helpless Creek women and children he craved assistance and protection. Having thus touched Jackson's heart for a worthy object, he received the benefit that is often conferred on the
espouser of noble aims and purposes even though he be insincere in
his purpose.
The chord he
alive.
always keenly
It
was with
shrewd
relax,
The
chieftain
who
Tecumseh
86
feeling that,
though the rank and file clamored for his instant death, he had charmed his great foe whose remarkable ability for hardheartedness and soft-heartedness had always been equally characteristic.
The
it
presentation
glass of
by Weatherford of the deer he had slain, and a brandy by Jackson concluded the hospitality of the fort, and
of
"By
of surrender proceeded.
^ The following story, concerning William Weatherford, by Prof. H. S. Halbert, a leading authority on the Indians of Mississippi, will prove interesting to the reader. It is now on file in the Claiborne Papers in the custody of the Mississippi State Historical Department. "A few years before the Creek War of 1813, William Weatherford married and established himself on a plantation on the Alabama River, in what is now Lowndes County, Alabama. Here he dispensed a profuse hospitality, and his home became the resort of the dissipated young Creek warriors, over whom Weatherford exercised an unbounded influence. As the plantation of Weatherford lay upon a route leading through the Creek nation to Mobile, travelers going in that direction, often claimed the hospitality of his mansion. However much Weatherford may have embittered the whites against him in after years as the leader of the Creeks in their disastrous war, he was a man possessing many noble traits of character. In early life, wild, reckless and dissipated, he was, nevertheless, ever of an honorable and generous nature and extremely hospitable. Being a half-breed planter, he adhered to many of the customs of the whites, always dressing in their costume. "Whilst Weatherford was living at the above-mentioned plantation, one summer's evening, a white traveler stopped before his door, and claimed the hospitalities of the day. The traveler was a notorious character from Georgia, known among his acquaintances as Wild Bill Thurman. He was a desperate gambler and horseracer, addicted to rude sports and practical jokes, which gave him a notoriety far and near, but withal possessing much native goodness of heart. "A day or so before arriving at Weatherford's house, Thurman was seized with a whim to have some sport out of the Indian chief, though in what manner he should have the sport, he left to circumstances. He accordingly sold his horse and bought a miserable broken-down hack, that could with difficulty drag one foot after the other, and in this plight, presented himself at the house of the Creek warrior. Weatherford, meanwhile, soon found out from other guests who were present, what kind of character Thurman was, and the object he had in view, and resolved to checkmate him. "As the guests were sitting in the bar-room after jjartaking of a bountiful supper, Weatherford sent for his negro fiddler to entertain the company. Whilst the fiddler was discoursing his liveliest music, and the enjoyment of all was at its height, Weatherford suddenly drew a pistol and ordered Thurman to dance. Thurman, astonished but taking in the situation at a glance, and knowing that remonstrance was useless, went to work with heel and toe. For a long time he danced, the pistol of Weatherford steadily cocked upon him, and the assembled guests looking on. He began to grow weary, streams of perspiration flowed from his face, but still on he danced for dear life, the deadly pistol ever threatening him. Finally Weatherford relented; told hun that would do, that he might now rest, and they would take a drink together. To this Thurman gladly assented. Whilst the two were refreshing the inner man Thurman all at once, with the speed of lightning jerked up the pistol which Weatherford had laid aside, and levelled it full upon the breast of the chief. 'Now, Bill Weatherford,' said he, 'it is your
Mississippi Territory in
time to dance.
War
of 1812
Rowland.
87
Now you dance until I tell you to stop, or I will drive a ball through
Turning then to the negro fiddler, he told him if he valued his to play that fiddle until he was told to stop. Weatherford, brave as he was, saw at once that the tables were turned upon him, and knowing that Thurman possessed a nature as reckless as his own, he submitted with the best grace possible. For nearly an hour the chief was compelled to play the same role which he had enforced on Thurman. No one white man or Indian dared interfere, as they knew
you
life,
instantly.'
Thurman too well. "At last, Thurman, satisfied with his revenge, lowered his weapon, told Weatherford that he had danced enough, and that both were now even. Weatherford
accepted the situation; and after some general conversation, all parties retired for the night. However, before retiring, Weatherford secretly ordered a party of Indian's to take Thurman's horse out into the woods and kill him; which was done
forthwith.
"Weatherford arose the next morning by no means satisfied with the night's experience. As he excelled in all the athletic sports of his people, he hoped yet to get the upper hand of Thurman. Accordingly, after breakfast, the chief challenged Thurman to a wrestling match, which the latter accepted. They wrestled several times, but in every encounter, Weatherford was worsted and was mortified at the result. He next challenged Thurman to a boxing match, or rather to a rough fist fight. The agreement was that no one was to interfere, until one or the other cried out, 'enough.' After a long and violent struggle, Weatherford, at last had to yield to the superior prowess of the white man. Both parties then shook hands, and pledged a mutual friendship. Weatherford began to conceive a strange liking for his antagonist. Although the idol of the Creek warriors, and the best ball-player in the nation, he felt no chagrin at his defeat, but regarded his antagonist with favor and admiration. Thurman spent several days with Weatherford, who treated him with marked kindness, and entertained him with all the sports and amusements peculiar to the Indians. "At last, one morning, Thurman expressing a desire to resume his journey, Weatherford sent a servant to bring the finest horse out of his stable, which, equ pped with elegant bridle and saddle, he presented to his astonished guest, at the same time, handing over to him a hundred dollars in silver. 'Here, Thurman,' said he, take this horse, and never again ride such a horse as the one you rode here, and which I had killed for humanity's sake, but always ride a horse that is fit for a gentleman to ride. And whenever you pass along this way, be sure and come to see me, and make house your home.' Thurman was forced to yield to the strange generosity of the chief. The two, with many expressions of good will, then separated devoted friends. They often met afterwards, and the friendship thus strangely formed, lasted during all of Weatherford's eventful career until his death in 1826. "The above story illustrating the early life of William Weatherford, we received from an aged citizen of Alabama, a soldier of the War of 181 2, who vouches for its authenticity." Another story preserved by Halbert runs as follows, though he later, as has been stated, in his history of the Creek War asserted with emphasis that Weatherford never appeared in any battle except that of the Holy Ground "As is well known, at the battle of Caleebe, Weatherford made a furious night assault upon Floyd's army. In the confusion incident to the attack Floyd was heard with a loud voice encouraging his troops. Cheer up, boys, we will give them hell when daylight comes.' Instantly from the ranks of the Creeks came back the voice of Weatherford in reply. 'Yes, d n you, and we will give you hell before daylight comes.' And well did Weatherford make good his retort, killing and wounding over one hundred of Floyd's men before the break of day, and displaying in every respect, a generalship equal to that of the American commander. "After the war Weatherford settled Monroe County, Alabama, and became a permanent citizen. Notwithstanding the wildness of his early life, all reports agree stating that after the war, Weatherford lived a sober and industrious life, and died a useful citizen."
'
my
'
88
Since the aggressor must always bear the indemnities that accrue from failure, the lovely lands of the Coosa and Warrior which now form a part of northern Alabama passed into the hands of the American government. A short while after Jackson concluded his treaty with the Indians at Fort Jackson, General Pinckney of the United States Army arrived and gave his approval of what had
transpired.
troops at
Jackson discharged the West Tennessee Fayetteville with a stirring address full
His language
men and
in times of stress
moved them
pleasing.
to action.
Highly spectacular in his manner and methods he was at the same time singularly sincere in all his purposes, and his knowledge of human nature and genius for leading or, as the necessity demanded,
driving
spirit
men evinced a sagacity that at times savored of craft. Every about him caught his enthusiasm and had faith in his purpose. Everything now being quiet on the Southern border, so far as the
to quell
Major Blue
in all
any
might
The Indians
probabUty would have retired to their own towns thoroughly subdued but for their British and Spanish sympathizers on the coast. While the British could expect little in the way of assistance in the future from the Creek Nation it continued to be their policy to keep hostilities alive between the Indians and the Americans and more than
and equipped them as field campaign against the American Republic.*' Appeals of runners sent into the Creek Nation led many destitute and starving Red Sticks to join the British with the hope of receiving protection and assistance. The Indians were in a pitiable condition throughout the Nation and besides the assistance afforded them by the British, Americans at several places were feeding as many as 5000 at
once, as has been stated, they uniformed
forces in their coast
a time.
*3 Gayarre says of the Creeks at Pensacola, that they " openly wore the British uniform in the streets in violation of the laws of neutrality which Spain was bound to observe." They were promised a reward of ten dollars for every scalp taken irrespective of age or sex.
Mississippi Territory in
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Rowland.
89
While resting from his arduous campaign against the Indians, General Jackson was promoted major-general of the army and empowered to conclude a treaty of peace with the Indians by the Federal
Government.
ful
Having repaired
he immediately assumed
command
Southern army.
During the treaty making the Indians, despite Big Warrior's and his Uberality in bestowing certain
all
an oppodemanded.
After
treaty.
much inveigling the Indians were finally induced to sign the Among the distinguished personages present besides Jack-
day in the governmental affairs of the American had another significance more far reaching. Where the wayside shrine a cross or a blue and red symbol of the Christ and the Mother, had been set in hope by the Jesuit among the sun worshipers, American patriots were preparing to erect the
Republic but
it
It was an auspicious
In connection with
affairs in the
Woodward
The treaty of Ghent, which declared peace between Great Britain and the United States, was signed December 25, 1814, but as the treaty of Fort Jackson did not actually terminate the war with the Creeks, so neither did this European treaty actually terminate the " War of 181 2" of which the Creek War became a part. Pensacola had first to be captured and New Orleans to be defended.
In unison with
loss of
this
view an English
many
Returning to the
**
See sketch of Col. Hawkins in this narrative. Colonel Hayne was a native of Charleston, South Carolina and was descended from a family distinguished in the Revolutionary War. He was for a while with the army in the North during the War of 181 2 and was noted for his gallantry and patriotic ardor. He was one of General Jackson's most trusted oflScers and during the battle of New Orleans rendered service of the most valuable nature.
*^
90
Territory,
it
Thomas Hinds that Jackson now looked campaign against the British at Pensacola. The physical condition of General Claiborne, at present an invalid
was
to Colonel
for active support in the
confined to his home facing a speedy death in his early prime, precluded any possible thought of his longer performing military service of any nature, though his connection with the military organizations
still continued as the following formations for 1814 show, the roster having been taken from the Natchez Almanac,
Ferdinand Leigh Claiborne, Brigadier-General; Andrew Marschalk, AdjutantGeneral; Aides-de-Camp to Governor Holmes, Joseph Sessions, Thomas Percy, John Haines, Charles K. Blanchard; John Wood, Aide-de-Camp to General Claiborne; Lieutenant-Colonels Commandant: David Neilson, ist Regiment, Amite County; Samuel Stocket, 2d Regiment, Wilkinson County; David Fleming, 3d Regiment, Adams County; David Carradine, 4th Regiment, Jefferson County; Raymond Robinson, 5th Regiment, Claiborne County; James Caller, 6th Regiment, Washington County, now Alabama; Peter Perkins, 7th Regiment, Madison County now Alabama; James Powell, 8th Regiment, Baldwin County, now Alabama; James Patton, 9th Regiment, Wayne County; Henry Manadere, loth Regiment, Warren County; Robert Witherspoon, nth Regiment, Franklin County; Josiah Skinner, 12th Regiment, Greene County; George H. Nixon, 13th Regiment, Marion County; John Hinson, 14th Regiment, Mobile County, now Alabama; Reuben Saffold, isth Regiment, Clarke County, now Alabama; Charles Burris, i6th Regiment, Madison County, now Alabama; William Bates, 17th Regiment, Jackson County; Jordan Morgan, i8th Regiment, Hancock
County.
From
cavalry.
ization of 1813,
had been drawn the infantry and the Mississippi and effective service of various kinds throughout the Creek uprising and the campaign along the coast against the British. Sometimes in local companies and even in small bands and knots or as volunteers and recruits in the regular army, they rendered effective service in the defense of the Territory and Republic. Many hundreds of Mississippi soldiers whose names have never appeared as volunteers from the Mississippi Territory
All were engaged in active
assisted Jackson in his Southern campaign.
It
was during
hostilities, as
we have
Creek Indians
His capacity as an
officer of
When
more serious trouble than she had experienced with the Creeks, this famous troop of horse once more sprang into action and eagerly followed Jackson's fortunes.
the Mississippi Territory faced a
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of i8i
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91
Jackson was scarcely through arranging his treaty with the Creeks
9, 1814, when designs on the part of Great Britain and Spain to keep alive their slumbering animosities toward the Americans became so patent that he was no longer in doubt as to the course to pursue. Persistent rumors of military assistance and encouragement given the Indians by both the British and Spanish at Pensacola aroused his indignation. In addition he had discovered that the closest communication had been opened up between the Spanish and British; that the latter from the brig Orpheus had landed arms at Apalachicola. His correspondence with Governor Claiborne at New Orleans confirmed all of his suspicions and he lost no time in reporting the situation to the Government at Washington. All orders from the War Department were delayed and from the very nature of
concluded August
things authorities there were so out of touch with the situation that
he,
unwiUing to risk
failure,
assumed the
initiative
in
moving
many months had been very active American Republic. Any impartial study of the records reveals this fact beyond question.'^* Previous to the appearance of the British he had given evidence of a desire to raise the American flag along the whole coast of the Gulf of Mexico. But, it
*"
Extracts similar to the ones quoted in this note from Jackson's war reports can be numerously cited showing that the defense of New Orleans in his mind at all times during the summer and fall of 1814. General Jackson from his headquarters at Mobile wrote to Governor Claiborne on August >2, 1814: "I have no power to stipulate with any particular corps, as to particular or local service but it is not to be presumed at present that the troops of Louisiana will have to extend their services beyond the limits of their own state. Yet circumstances might arise which would make it necessary they should be called to face an invading enemy beyond the boundary of the state to stop his entry into
and was
letters
Governor Claiborne, dated headquarters, 7th Military Fort Jackson, July 21, 1814, he says: "This morning I was presented with a new British musket given to a friendly Indian by those at Appalachicola Bay. Information has been received by this fellow tending to confirm the rumour of a considerable force having landed there with a large quantity of arms and other munitions of war, and with intention to strike a decisive blow against the lower country. Mobile and Orleans are of such importance as to hold out strong inducements to them, at such a crisis: I must look to the constitutional authorities of the State of Louisiana for such support as will be effective in any emergency, and I trust this support will be afforded with promptitude whenever required."
92
must be acknowledged by all discerning and impartial historians that this thought was in his mind at present only as it related to his main purpose of driving the British from the Gulf Coast. The alliance
or affiliation of the Spanish with the British presented a situation
him to attack the former at Pensacola in With this purpose he began his campaign with enthusiastic energy, an energy that continued forcible and potent to the end though his poor health and the hot climate were sufficient
that
made
it
necessary for
The statement
of
to attack
When
from a
Jackson went to Pensacola with his army it is clearly evident close study of his whole campaign that he had planned a move-
ment
New
Orleans.
Furthermore
he was fully aware that he had been contending with the British
While engaged in conquering the Creeks he had requested the Government at Washington to send a large quantity of military supplies to New Orleans. Also on September 5,
throughout the Creek war.
1 8 14,
all
Louisiana militia
Major General Viller6 was ordered to organize companies in New Orleans on September 10, 1814, and Major General Philemon Thomas at Baton Rouge on or about October ist.
The Governor
said:
Major General Jackson commanding the Seventh Military District invites me to lose no time in preparing for the defense of the state. This gallant commander is now near or at Mobile watching the movements of the enemy and making the necessary preparation to cover and defend this section of the Union. He will in due time receive reinforcements from the other states on the Mississippi. He calculates, also, on the zealous support of the Louisianians and must not be disappointed.
Pending the expedition then to Pensacola, Jackson with a sagacity hardly surpassed by Napoleon, suspended all designs against the Spanish that did not directly relate to the British. To give ample
opportunity for the expression of Spanish neutrality, three flags of truce were sent, and great pressure was brought to bear on the governor of Pensacola, before Jackson proceeded to attack the
city.
It
" Volume
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
^Rowland.
93
seems even more than carping criticism for Adams to say Jackson was contemplating a move against East Florida (West Florida already
was a part
However,
them from that standpoint. He decided that either way the die was it would suit his purpose. But had the Spanish governor signified
it is
hardly possible that Jackson would have refused to tender his aid
in the
accomphshment
he cherished a desire to see them ultimately quit the Gulf coast, that
and
in the defense of
New Orleans.
Though commanding but a small force Jackson was ready for action when the British sloop with several smaller vessels appeared at
Pensacola.
It
proved to be the van of a large naval force already in The Spanish made no objection to Colonel Edward
when landing troops and gathering about him the hostile The alliance between the Spanish and British became more evident hourly and none could question it when the
refugee Creeks.
Cross of St.
Spanish town.
Secret messengers
to the
About one thousand of these deluded people, from their recent defeat, came in answer to the call. These were immediately armed, clothed in the British uniform and
the British service.
sore
still
the French, who had settled along the Gulf coast as a survival French occupancy, inflammatory appeals were sent with the hope of alienating them from the American government, no effort being
of
To
appeal to the people of every race and creed throughout the coast
means
To
94
With
the Spanish
known
and
irregular
manner.
On
ice, since it
and the
troops knew the country and its people better than did any forces at that
time in his service. The Territory was thoroughly aroused and we gather from the message of Governor Holmes of November, 1814, that in conformance with a requisition made by President Madison upon the governors of the several States and territories for a corps of 93,500 militia he issued orders immediately for the quota assigned the Mississippi Territory which was 500 infantrymen and a full troop of cavalry. The troops were to be organized and rendezvoused at several points where they could be most conveniently ordered to Mount Vernon (now in Alabama) They were reorganized into five companies conformable to the military organization of the United States. These were ordered immediately to positions assigned them by General Governor Holmes in his message further states that in Jackson. addition to these corps he furnished for service in the United States Army upon the requisition of General Andrew Jackson four full troops of Dragoons subject to the General's orders. Colonel Hinds still commanded the Dragoons and General Jackson stationed them at Washington, Liberty and John Ford's on Pearl River to be ready when summoned to Fort Bowyer, situated on a barren sandtongue, thirty miles south of Mobile in the Mississippi Territory. Jackson had placed at this point a small garrison of 130 men, protected by 20 pieces of cannon under Major William Lawrence who
.
commanded
the fort.^^
On
^^Latour in a very elaborate and supposedly scientific description that many historians have vainly attempted to rephrase describes Fort Bowyer at the entrance of Mobile Bay, while a strategical point of much importance, as a redoubt occupying the worst possible place for a fort, commanded by a row of sand hills, and with cannon defectively mounted on makeshift platforms that exposed the whole upper part of a man's body.
Mississippi Territory in
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of 1812
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95
Lake Borgne, also, reported that a number of English sloops of war and two brigs had dropped anchor six miles east of the fort. Major Lawrence lost no time in placing his artillery in position, and though the temporary platforms in a number of instances exposed his
of
men
to the
enemy's
fire,
some respects
On September
to effect
damage fell back into ill-provided sand bank entrenchments from which they were driven by the galling fire from
any
serious
more momentous Major Lawrence who, after binding themselves in a sacred pledge to defend their country with every effort and sacrifice possible to men, adopted a resolution not wholly unique in warfare which stipulated that should the fort be blown up by
the fort.
called
As
a council of his
the
garrison in the
that
By
enemy with a
brigs
of the sloops
under the
command
Commodore
sight,
The
ships weighed
fort,
the Hermes
the
way into
Major Lawrence,
desperate
realizing his
men
battle cry of
began
his preparation to cope with his powerful for the protection of the fort
enemy
in a final struggle
on Mobile Bay. On the afternoon of September 15 the land forces of the enemy became very active and the cannon from a land battery concentrated a fierce fire on the fort. A brilliant marine and land battle raged for several hours and though assaulted by 92 pieces of artillery and struggUng with six times as
96
many
infantry as he himself
commanded, the
but a few of his men, and only two of his twelve guns being silenced, repulsed the enemy with severe loss, caused the destruction of the flagship Hermes and drove the remaining vessels
with disheartened and humiliated commanders back to sea filled with wounded men. The Sophia was so disabled that it was with difficulty
that
it
put to
sea.
The
batants to
by this belief, Lawrence, with a generosity characteristic of our officers, immediately desisted from further firing. The appearance of a new flag, and a broadside from the ship next the Hermes was the first intelligence received that such was not the fact; and the contest again raged with renewed violence. It was but a few minutes, however, before the flag staff of the fort was also carried away; but so far from pursuing the same generous course that had just been witnessed
Influenced
the zeal of the enemy was increased, and the assault more furiously urged. At this moment, Nichols and Woodbine, at the head of their embattled train, perceiving what had happened that our "star spangled banner" had sunk, at once presuming all danger to have subsided made a most courageous sally from their strong hold; and pushing towards their vanquished foes, were already calculating on a rich harvest of blood and plunder; but a well-directed fire checked their progress, dissipated their expectations and drove them back.
Always bitter in his denunciation of ineffectual service Jackson was equally extravagant in his praise of that well-performed and Major Lawrence was the recipient of much sincere and oft-repeated enconium from his enthusiastic superior.
Jackson immediately left his headquarters at Mobile and, taking every precaution as to supplies and financial needs, even to the extent of securing loans upon his own liability, assembled his troops near
Fort Montgomery on the Alabama River with a view of meeting the
British at Pensacola to which place they
had
retired.
His forces
ment having been heavily recruited from the Mississippi militia, a company of Tennessee militia and the Mississippi Dragoons under Colonel Thomas Hinds. General Jackson was deeply impressed with the fine body of young men who composed the Mississippi cavalry,
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
^Rowland.
97
whom he had known personally during his residence at "Old Greenville" and on the Bayou Pierre in the Mississippi Territory. So struck was he now with their physical appearance and soldierly bearing that he took time to write to Governor Holmes and thank him for his prompt manner in assembling and organizing his quota of troops, referring to them as fine young men calculated to endure every hardship. In the reorganization of this Cavalry Battalion, which was to become famous as the "Mississippi Dragoons" during the last hostilities of the War of 181 2 on the Southern Coast, Major Hinds was again placed in command. In the expedition to Pensacola General Jackson's small but effeca number of
tive force included
much
It
is
record the part that the Mississippi Territory took in the struggle for
American independence
will continue to
in the
it
of the brave
campaign against the British. The various units of the army now assuming shape for the expedition against the British at Pensacola were in training within a few weeks of the assembling of the various corps. Many of the soldiers from the Mississippi and Tennessee commands had seen service together in the terrible battles with the fierce Creek Indians during the fall of 1813. Their spirit was at a high tide of patriotic devotion to the Republic and its cause and they sought further outlets for it under the magnetic Jackson who by this tune stood out as
in Jackson's service during his
the commanding genius of the army in the South. Victory, however, was not to be had without great sacrifice and the facing of every danger. They still had in mind the cruelty of their Creek adversaries at Fort Mims and along the Tombigbee and Alabama. Then, too, the rumors of the horrible acts of the enemy along the Georgia coast and on Cumberland Island were not forgotten. But they were the sons of American patriots many of whom had perished for their rights and liberties. In addition they were hardy frontiersmen wholly unacquainted with fear and eager for that adventure that spurns the credible and is at home only with the improbable. It was in this mood that the Americans leaving their horses at
98
The
Mississippi
Dragoons under Colonel Thomas Hinds led the way through the forest. As they approached the Spanish stronghold a small detachment of the Dragoons under Lieutenant Murray were sent forward to While advancing the brave young Lieutenant was reconnoiter. mortally wounded by an Indian, a lamented circumstance that convinced Jackson more strongly of an hostile reception awaiting him. But with a due appreciation of the usages of war, he dispatched another emissary in the person of Major Pierre and though this last went more as an ambassador approaching the city with a flag of truce he, too, was received with open hostility. Though it was reliably reported that the colors of Spain and Great Britain were flying together over the fort and that Colonel Nichols and his staff were guests of the city, Jackson, still determined to give the Spanish every opportunity of defining their position, sent an ambassador again at midnight to join in a proposition that he should permit the American troops to occupy the forts until the Spanish government could send a sufficient force to maintain neutrality. The Spanish governor rejected the proposition claiming he was unable to resist the invasion of the British. The shrewd frontiersman was
now fully
more sinister motive. He immediately ordered 3000 troops from the encampment to attack the city, disposing them in three columns. Major Woodruff with a detachment of the 39th and 44th Regiments of United States Infantry, with two pieces of artillery composed the center, while the right was composed of the Mississippi Dragoons under Major Hinds and the Tennessee Volunteers under General Coffee, Majors Blue and Kennedy on the left commanding a company of Mississippi and Tennessee militia to which belonged a number of friendly Choctaw Indians. The columns moved against the town eastward along the beach. The old fort had once been a place of great beauty and importance. The splendid evergreen trees, the harbor and the warm southern skies making a brilliant setting for the little city on the Escambia. Though church bells still proclaimed the coming of an old world civilization the place had changed and the streets of later years the rendezvous of pirate, smuggler and Indian trader, presented an uninviting appearance; still many Spanish famihes and quaint Spanish houses remained as
British were only pretexts to cover a
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
army
99
When Jackson attacked the town women and children, heroically joined
into the place
The
The entrance
of the
Ameri-
which a flag
of truce
When
the hand to hand conflict ceased and the smoke cleared from the
streets of the old
The
loss of eight
brave
men
Consternation reigned
among the inhabitants of the town. The goveragreed to give the Americans
after
some
in-
commandant
of Fort
the forts.
The people of
after
the
fall
Pensacola, felt
more
secure.
The
territorial
battalion under
broad expanse had furnished Jackson besides Major Thomas Hinds 500 infantry.
all
her forces to
Mobile."
*' Major William Laval was a native of Charleston, South Carolina. He was the son of a French officer who was attached to the legion of the Duke of Lauzon who assisted the Americans in their struggle for liberty. When the Creek War broke out Major Laval was promoted to the post of captain and marched with the Regiment to which his company belonged to Fort Claiborne and from thence to the Holy Ground where he participated in the battle. From the wound which he received upon the occasion of the siege of Pensacola, he was a severe sufiFerer for two years and was rendered a cripple for life.
loo
upon Pensacola and forgetting their alliance with the Spanish fled hastily from the scene of battle, blowing up Fort Barancas which was
six miles
by the British and the abject manner which the Creeks now acknowledged his superiority was extremely serio-comic. The news of Major Lawrence's defense of Fort Bowyer and Jackson's victory at Pensacola immediately spread along the Gulf coast and wherever there was a French colony its These recognized that the allegiance was greatly strengthened. struck vital a blow at Pensacola in driving the American general had the place, punishing the Spaniards for their perfidy, and British from belligerent remnant This last demoralizing the of the Creek Indians. gallant Regiment work that the Major Blue^ of the con39th was a with the utmost success while tinued to perform Jackson was busy
the Spanish on their desertion
in
New Orleans.
campaign with great genius and strategy and, with an eye to the future, his garrison was not suffered to leave Pensacola until every fort was destroyed and it was rendered useless
his
campaign so
at Mobile.
far
Both
The
and easy
grace as they sang and jested their way through the beautiful Southern
forest
united spirit
among
his troops.
The
In the Encyclopedia of
Mississippi History the author has observed that the the small
movements
of
campaign and the return to Mobile through a wild and almost pathless wilderness were as well conceived and brilliantly and rapidly executed as anything in the history of Napoleon's marches or in the achievements of Stonewall Jackson or Grant, yet historians have never done the campaign justice, some
in this
army
barely mentioning
it,
This
is
explained
'" The narrative by Major Blue of his war upon the Indians has not been preserved and is thought to be a decided loss to the history of the campaign in the Southern country.
Mississippi Territory in
War
of i8i
2Rowland.
little
loi
by the
fact that
access to the
General Jackson did not believe that the defense of Fort Bowyer or Mobile Point, nor the capture of Pensacola, had put an end to the
designs of the British in the lower South.
Though
at the age of
and exhausted by
exposure to the winter rain and suffering from malaria, he kept his
moment
to
move
New
The
and
Governor Claiborne
the
fleet says:
was
filled
Parton describing
At the western extremity of the Island of Jamaica there are two headlands eight miles apart which inclose Negril Bay and render it a safe and convenient anchorage. If the good Creoles of New Orleans could have surveyed from the summit of one of those headlands the scene which Negril Bay presented on the twenty-fourth of November, 1814, it is questionable if General Jackson could have given them the slightest confidence in his ability to defend their native city. The spectacle would have given pause even to the General himself. It was the rendezvous of the British fleet designed for the capture of New Orleans. The day just named was the one appointed for its final inspection and review, previous to its departure for Lake Borgne. fleet of fifty armed vessels, many of them of the first magnitude, covered the waters of the bay. There lay the huge Tonnant of eighty guns, one of Nelson's prizes at the Battle of the Nile, now exhibiting the pennant of Sir Alexander Cockrane, the admiral in command of the imposing fleet. Rear-Admiral Sir Edward Codrington was also on board the Tonnant, a name of renown in the naval history of England. There was the Royai Oak, a seventy-four, the ship of Rear-Admiral Malcolm. Four other seventy-fours, the Norge, the Bedford, the Asia, the Ramilies, formed part of the fleet; the lastnamed in command of Sir Thomas Hardy, the beloved of Nelson, to whom the dying hero gasped those immortal words, "Kiss me. Hardy; I die content." There, too, were the Dictator of fifty guns; the Gorgon of forty-four; the Annide of thirty-eight, commanded by Sir Thomas Trowbridge of famous memory; the Sea-horse of thirty-five, under Captain James Alexander Gordon, late the terror of the Potomac; the Belle Poule, of thirty-eight, a ship of fame. Nine other ships, mounting thirty-eight, thirty-six, and thirty-two guns; five smaller vessels, each carrying sixteen guns; three bomb craft and eleven transports completed the formidable catalogue. Nor were these all the vessels destined to take part in the enterprise. fleet from Bordeaux was still on the ocean to join the expedition at the entrance of Lake Borgne, where, also. Captain Percy's squadron from Pensacola, with Nichols and the brave Captain Lockyer, were to effect a junction. And yet other vessels, direct from England, with the general appointed to command the army, were expected. The decks of the ships in Negril Bay were crowded with red-coated soldiers. The four regiments, numbering with their sappers and artillerymen three thousand one hundred men who had fought the Battle of Bladensburg, burnt the public buildings of Washington and lost their general near Baltimore the summer before, were on board the fleet. Four regiments under General Keane had come from England direct to reinforce this army. Two regiments, composed in part of negro
102
troops, supposed to be peculiarly adapted to the climate of New Orleans, had been drawn from the West Indies to jom the expedition. The fleet could furnish, General Keane found himself on if required, a body of fifteen hundred marines. his arrival from Plymouth in command of an army of seven thousand four hundred and fifty men, which the marines of the fleet could swell to eight thousand nine hundred and fifty. The number of sailors could scarcely have been less than ten thousand, of whom a large proportion could, and did, assist in the operations
contemplated.
Here was a force of nearly twenty thousand men, a fleet of fifty ships, carrying a thousand guns, and perfectly appointed in every particular, commanded by oflBcers some of whom had grown gray in victory. And this great armament was about to be directed against poor, swamp-environed New Orleans, with its ragged, half-armed defenders floating down the Mississippi, or marching wearil)' along through the mire and flood of the Gulf shores, commanded by a general who had seen fourteen months' service, and caught one glimpse of a civilized foe. The greater part of General Keane's army were fresh from the fields of the Peninsula, and had been led by victorious Wellington into France, to behold and share in that final triumph of British arms. To these Peninsular heroes were added the ninety-third Highlanders, recently from the Cape of Good Hope; one of the "praying regiments'* of the British army; as stalwart, as brave, as completely appointed a body of men as had stood in arms since Cromwell's Ironsides gave liberty and greatness to England. Indeed, there was not a regiment of those which had come from England to form this army which had not won brilliant distinction in strongly-contested fields. The ilite of England's army and navy were afloat in Negril Bay on that bright day of November, when the last review took place. The scene can be easily imagined the great fleet of ships spread far and wide over the bay, gay with flags and alive with throngs of red uniforms; boats rowed with the even stroke of men-of-war's-men gliding about among the ships, or gomg rapidly to and from the shore. On board all was animation and movement. The most incorrigible croaker in the fleet could not, as he looked upon the scene on that bright day of the tropical winter, have felt a doubt that the most easy and complete success awaited the enterprise. As every precaution had been taken to
conceal the destination of the expedition, the officers expected to find the city wholly unprepared for defense. To occupy, not to conquer Louisiana, was supEosed to be but the preliminary business of the army. From New Orleans, as the asis of operations, they expected to ascend the Mississippi, pushing their conquests to the right and left, and, effecting a junction with the army of Canada, to overawe and hem in the western States. So certain were they of taking New Orleans, that several gentlemen with their families were on board the fleet who had been appointed to civil offices in the city of New Orleans. Among others, a collector for the port, accompanied by his five beautiful daughters. Many wives of officers were on board anticipating a pleasant winter among the gay Creoles of the Crescent City. Music, dancing, dramatic entertainments, and all the diversions of shipboard, were employed to relieve the monotony of the voyage.
On December
Orleans.
2, 1 814,
New
and Governor Claiborne, intensely American and full of patriotic zeal, received him with great Joy. The Livingston" home was thrown open to him and not only
distinguished lawyer of Orleans. He was an in every sense of the term. It has been stated that he assisted General Jackson in the preparation of his several addresses to the people of Louisiana. All original documents left by Jackson furnish ample proof that he was capable of having written any paper ascribed to him.
'^
New
American patriot
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
103
but all guests and friends who charm of General Jackson's personality. Some delightful entertainment was arranged for him by Mrs. Livingston during which the beautiful young women of the city beamed upon him full of admiration for the singular but fascinating soldier who had come to protect their city from an invading foe. Some historians have charged the people of Louisiana with great indifference to their fate. Henry Adams^^ ^^s represented them as "distrustful" and "volatile;" but careful investigation shows that the Louisiana soldiery as a whole cooperated in the most gallant spirit with Jackson and Claiborne in their heroic efforts to rid the country of the enemy and that, notwithstanding the ill will that had grown up between Jackson and a majority of the legislature, the people of the city were full of patriotic ardor in its defense. The Creoles no less than the American population responded with the truest patriotism. If a small element of the Spanish was despondent this was brought about by local disHke of the French and Americans. The people of the State were fast developing a national spirit and were unaffected by the numerous appeals of the British, though these appeals carried the most extravagant promises. With the exception of a few fishermen not a single instance is recorded where a reputable person of Spanish descent in Louisiana was influenced by the appeals of the British, though the Spanish government at Pensacola was known to be in open and active S)anpathy with the enemy.
the
of this exclusive family
visited
it felt
members
the
On his arrival in New Orleans Jackson immediately set about a twenty days' preparation for the defense of the city. The Mississippi on which the British in all probability would move against the place now received the most careful attention in the matter of fortifications. Major Latour, who was not only a skilled engineer and a good soldier
man in many respects, was called into close conby Jackson in his plans for the defense of the city. It was found unfortified and though the British were known to be at this time with their fleet in the Southern seas it had been neglected or overlooked by the government. Jackson had called attention to the importance of supplying New Orleans with some means of defense
but a remarkable
sultation
during September of the previous year, but after having prevented the
*2
Adams,
p. 346.
104
British
from finding a lodgment at Pensacola and Mobile he had now had been done by the government at Washington to fortify the place. Lying narrowly between the river and the wide stretch of morass, it demanded only that the former should be well fortified, and it did not take the discerning soldier and the talented engineer long to place an adequate defense about the city, building better than the unprotected inhabitants dreamed. As a main part of the defense, two effective batteries mounted with 24pounders were located on the side of the river opposite Fort St. PhiUp, one at old Fort Bourbon and the other a half mile below. These were to operate in conjunction with the fire from Fort St. Philip. Another battery was placed at the confluence of the Bayou Sauvage and the Chef-Menteur River. The plans and construction of all fortifications were put in charge of Major Latour who was a few weeks
to face the fact that nothing
later to take
city.
In addition to the construction of batteries Jackson sent orders to Governor Claiborne to have the bayous obstructed along the entire
coast from Attakapas to Chef-Menteur
sippi Territory.
and Manchac
in the Missis-
The
Bernard, St. Charles and St. John the Baptist were called on
by
Governor Claiborne in accordance with a resolution passed by the legislature to assist with their slaves in the erection of fortifications
for the defense of the city,
is
and the patriotism, zeal and energy disworthy of a more extended notice. His
when
the city was in danger of faUing into the hands of the British were second in fervor only to those of Jackson. Being fully aware
While Jackson was busy preparing for the defense of New Orleans known to be approaching from Jamaica. The
men of war and gunboats, in the Gulf waters with rumors of a larger number expected was sufficient to alarm the
arrival of sixty vessels,
New
Orleans station.
The United
States
Navy at this point was commanded by Commodore Daniel T. Patterson who had been in command since the inception of the war. A few
Mississippi Territory in
War
of i8i 2-Rowland.
105
all 23 guns and 182 defense for a city threatened with invasion
gunboats carrying in
indeed, the
naval
nation, and,
insufficient
at
New
protested
when
train, a vessel intended to carry 42 cannon, was suspended. The American Government, however blameless, was unwise in not maintaining a sufficient naval defense at this important outpost, and had it not been for the heroic and spirited manner in which Jackson resisted the enemy New Orleans would have fallen a prey to British invasion and a later construction of the treaty made between Great Britain and America might not have included this far Southern section when disputed territory everywhere in the Western Hemisphere was the order of the day.
The
letter apprising
Commodore Patterson
British fleet
To commodore Daniel
Sir,
T. Patterson,
New
"I feel it a duty to apprize you of a very large force of the enemy off this port, and it is generally understood New Orleans is the object of attack. It amounts at present to about eighty vessels, and more than double that number are momentarily looked for, to form a junction, when an immediate commencement of their operations will take place. I am not able to learn, how, when, or where the attack mil be made; but I heard that they have vessels of all descriptions, and a large body of troops. Admiral Cochrane commands, and his ship, the Tonnant, lies at this moment just outside the bar; they certainly appear to have swept the West Indies of troops, and probably no means will be left untried to obtain their object.
The admiral
am yours,
&c.
.
Whoever "N" may have been, whether American, French, or was nevertheless grateful for the information and hastened preparations to meet the enemy at the Mariana and Christiana Passes. He immediately sent five gunboats, one tender and a dispatch boat, to watch the powerful British fleet which on the morning of December 13, was seen shaping its course towards Pass
Christian.
flotilla
io6
of Captain
Thomas A. P. Catesby Jones.*^ The shallow water of the by a constant westerly breeze prevented the American boats from floating though every effort was made to remedy the situation by throwing overboard all articles of any weight. At 3 145 of December 13, the enemy dispatched boats to cut off the schooner Seahorse which had been sent into the Bay St. Louis by the American
lake caused
officers
to assist
in the
removal
of
On
finding
that
it
remove them they were ordered destroyed for British. A volley of grape shot from the Seahorse caused the three boats attacking to retire out of reach of her guns until joined by four more when the enemy, now in command of seven boats, renewed the Sailing-Master Johnson, commanding the Seahorse^ took attack. position near the land fortification from which battery two 6-pounders kept up a constant action for half an hour causing a partial loss of one of the enemy's boats and several of the crew. In the afternoon of December 13, the flood tide set in and Captain Jones's small division of the little American fleet moved out of its groundings and sailed for Bay St. Louis; the appearance of the enemy in large numbers caused it to steer towards Petite Coquille which fort stood at the
entry of the pass at the Rigolets, Lieutenant Jones having been
ordered to
make a
last desperate
Adverse winds
December
swift
by a
moved forward
perfect
in
The
calm and
ebb tide in the pass exposed the American boats to serious danger and Captain Jones, seeing that the only course to pursue was to force
the
enemy
to battle, set
as possible.
of his ship
He immediately
position
and made them aware of his plans giving each vessel its and ordering all to "form a close line abreast across the channel anchored by the stern with springs on the cable" (see original report of Captain Thomas A. P. C. Jones). It was in this position that the small American fleet on Lake Borgne in the west end of the passage of Malheureux Island awaited the advancing foe, the
" Captain
is
Jones'
name
is
spelled dififerently in
many
histories.
This signature
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
107
powerful British
fleet consisting of
12, 18,
and 24
two launches mounting each one long brass 12-pounder and three number of cannon being 43 pieces. The flotilla was manned with 1200 men and ofiicers. It was commanded by Captain Lockyer who received several severe wounds during the engagement. It was with the deepest anxiety, but cool and undaunted courage, that the little fleet received the approach of its powerful enemy. At 9 o'clock on December 1 5 the attack began. The tender Alligator had been grounded two miles to the southeast of Malheureux Island and could not join the gunboats and the enemy
gigs supplied with small arms, the total
,
the tender capitulated and the British immediately turned her guns
upon the American boats, the entire fleet of 45 barges advancing in The fire from the American gunboats temporarily checked the advance and the fleet divided, one division of 15 barges attacking Gunboat 156. Upon this division Captain Jones directed his guns. By 1 1 :oo a.m. the entire British force was attacking the small flotilla. The stubborn resistance made by the Americans is graphically told by Lieutenant Jones in his report to Commodore Patterson
line.
which
is
given in part:
At 10:30 the enemy weighed forming a line abreast in open order and steering direct for our line, which was unfortunately in some degree broken by the force of the current driving Nos. 156 and 163 about one hundred yards in advance. As soon as the enemy came within reach of our shot a deliberate fire from our long guns was opened upon him but without much efiFect, the objects being of such small size. At 10 minutes before 11 the enemy opened a fire from the whole of his line
when
the action became general and destructive on both sides. About 1 1 :49 the advance boats of the enemy, three in number, attempted to board No. 156 but were repulsed with the loss of nearly every ofl&cer killed or wounded and two boats sunk. A second attempt to board was then made by four other boats which shared almost a similar fate.
One
carried 180
men.
It
went down before the fire of Gunboat 156 was about this time that Captain Jones was
severely
wounded by a
ball in the left shoulder which caused his Master's mate Parker immediately to6k charge
vessel he too
enemy with
superior
of its
12 o'clock.
io8
The plucky little fleet still continued heroic resistance a half hour longer when it surrendered though not without having nobly defended
Had there been a strong naval would have found it difficult to land close enough to attack New Orleans as far inland as it was situated. The loss of the British in this naval engagement was very great, numbering in killed and wounded about 300 which included many officers.^ Captain Lockyer who commanded the flotilla which consisted of 1200 men and officers was severely wounded three times during the action. The loss to the American fleet was slight in comparison with that of the British, being near 60 which was one-third of their whole number. The stubborn resistance of the little squadron especially of Gunboat 156, commanded by Captain A. P. Catesby Jones, has been noted by many historians, but the best story is found
the honor of the American Navy.
force at this point the British in his original reports of the affair.
ment, their determination to shortly attack New Orleans was evident to General Jackson who knew that since the coast had not afforded a
enemy had determined to concentrate on the capture effort possible must now be made to defend it and the determined, alert, and resourceful Jackson lost not a moment in making preparations to that end. His energy and patriotic zeal
landing place the
of this city.
Every
were contagious and the people responded with the keenest enthusiasm.
In addition to
deHcate
Carroll,
if
all local
whom
to
march
Coast
New
recommended to General Winchester at Mobile. The Secretary of War was notified of the exposed condition of the city, that the greatest danger was apprehended and that arms should
be immediately supplied.^^
"Latour,
p. 61.
The
studied Jackson's methods throughout the campaign has seen that it was one of his wiles to underestimate his strength thinking that this would secure the assistance he so greatly needed in the defense of the country.
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
109
prevented close cooperation between it and the Government at Washington, the great distance and difficult transportation making it
almost impossible for speedy aid to be secured. The lukewarm response and, in some instances, open defiance which the Louisiana legislature gave to General Jackson's calls for assistance were not
body representing the interests of a people already a part of the American union, a people, too, who were in great peril from a ruthless invasion. But so many racial differences existed,
creditable to a
of the legislature.
General Jackson
fail
make such
to
His address, delivered when the militia of the city was reviewed, had a telling effect, and treason, if there was any, never thrust its head above the appeal, exceptional for its spirited
secure response.
fervor
18,
to the
Baratarian pirates.
With the utmost speed and precaution he continued his preparations for the defense of the city, knowing that at such a crisis every hand must be raised against the enemy. As the days passed it became evident that the spirit of the city was in full unison with his own. He now had the satisfaction of seeing all things yield to his powerful purpose. The somewhat ill-natured criticism by Henry Adams that he had done nothing for the defense of New Orleans before the arrival of the British shows a want of accurate information hardly excusable
in
an
historian.*^^
Relative to Jackson's
my
here inserted:
General Jackson was returning from a tour of observation to the river of ChefMenteur, when the intelligence of the loss of the gun-boats reached him. He immediately ordered the militia-battalion of men of colour, commanded by Major Lacoste, and the dragoons of Feliciana, to proceed with two pieces of cannon and take post at the confluence of bayou Sauvage and the river of Chef-Menteur, in order to cover the road to the city on that side, and watch the enemy's movements. Major Lacoste was also ordered to erect a close redoubt surrounded with a fosse, according to a plan which I drew agreeably to general Jackson's orders.
^ Adams, p. 339. " Latour's statements are generally accepted as authoritative and have main been used by historians much as original records.
in the
no
On his arrival in town, the general bent his attention to the fortifying of all assailable points, it being impossible to ascertain which the enemy would make choice of, the want of vessels on the lake depriving us of all means of obtaining any certain intelligence of his movements, before he could effect his landing. Captain Newman of the artillery, who commanded the fort of Petites Coquilles, which stands at the inner entry of the pass of the Rigolets, towards lake Pontchartrain, was positively ordered to defend his post to the last extremity, and in case of his not being able to hold out, to spike the guns, blow up the fort, and evacuate the post of Chef-Menteur. Captain P. Jugeant was authorized to levy and form into companies all the
Chactaw** Indians he could collect. On the isth the commander-in-chief informed generals Coffee, Carrol and
Thomas
use
all
of the taking of the gun-boats, by letters sent by express, urging them to possible speed in marching to New Orleans with the troops under their
conmiand. General Winchester commanding at Mobile, was also informed of the loss of our naval force, and it was earnestly recommended to him to use the greatest vigilance in protecting the vicinity of that town, as the enemy might endeavour
attack in that quarter. the 1 6th general Jackson wrote to the secretary of war, apprizing him of the capture of the gunboats; he expressed to him his concern for the consequences that might attend that event, which he apprehended might happen, when he wrote to government suggesting the propriety of giving the necessary orders for finishing the block-ship building at Tchifonte, and when he gave orders for supplying forts Strother, Williams and Jackson, with six months provisions. The general apprehended lest the interruption of our communications by water with Mobile, might be attended with consequences fatal to the safety of the country. He however assured the secretary of war that, should the enemy effect a landing, he would, with the help of God, do all he could to repel him. He also informed the secretary that neither the Tennessee troops nor those of Kentucky had yet arrived, but that they were daily expected, and that in the meanwhile he was Eutting the river below the city in the best possible state of defence. He acquainted im with the taking of the post of the Belize, with all the pilots, and a detachment of troops that was there stationed, but he informed him at the same time of the establishment of martial law, and of the rising of the militia in mass. "The country," said the general, "shall be defended, if in the power of the physical force it contains, with the auxiliary force ordered. We have no arms here will the government order a supply? If it will, let it be speedily. Without arms, a defence cannot be made."; During the summer, while yet among the Creeks, general Jackson had made a requisition of a quantity of arms, ammunition, heavy cannon, balls, bombs, &c. to be sent to New Orleans; but such was the fatality that appeared to be attached to all the measures adopted for our defense, that it was not till the middle of January, 1815, that a very small proportion of what had been ordered, arrived at New Orleans. A special law of the state had, some time before, authorized the formation of a battalion of free men of colour; and we have seen that it had already taken the field under the command of major Lacoste, and had been stationed at ChefMenteur. Colonel Michael Fortier, senior, a respectable and worthy citizen of New Orleans, having the superior command of all the corps of men of colour, presided over the levying of a new battalion of the same description, formed by the exertions and under the direction of the gallant captain Savary,who had acquired an honourable and distinguished reputation in the wars of St. Domingo. It was chiefly with refugees from that island, that colonel Savary formed that battalion,
to
make an
On
^^
Choctaw.
Mississippi Territory in
whose
officers
War
of 1812
Rowland.
iii
its
were immediately commissioned by the governor of the state; and confided to major Daquin of the 2d regiment of militia. We shall hereafter see in the relation of the different engagements, that that brave corps realized, by a brilliant display of valor, the hopes that had been conceived
command was
of
it.
The capture of the gun-boats was announced to the senate and house of representatives of the state, by a message from the governor: "I lay before you," said he, " a letter addressed to me by commodore Patterson, announcing the capture of five of the United States gun-boats of the New Orleans station, by a vastly superior force of the enemy. The length of the combat is a proof of the valour and firmness with which our gallant tars maintained the unequal contest, and leaves no doubt that, although compelled ultimately to strike, their conduct has been such as to reflect honour upon the American name and navy. The ascendancy which the enemy has now acquired on the coast of the lake, increases the necessity of enlarging our measures of defence." Commodore Patterson addressed a second letter to the governor, in which he complained of the want of seamen to man the armed vessels then at New Orleans, and requested the support and assistance of the state authorities. This letter was laid by the governor before the legislature, who, on the day of December, passed a resolution giving a bounty of twenty-four dollars to each seaman who would enter the service of the United States for three months, and to this end placed at the disijosition of the governor six thousand dollars. The governor forthwith issued his proclamation (see Appendix No. 19). Between seventy and eighty sailors received the bounty of the state, and were of the number of those brave tars who, by their incessant fire from the ship Louisiana and the schooner Carolina, so annoyed the enemy in all his movements, and so particularly harassed him on the night of the 23d of December, as will be seen hereafter. On the 1 8th of December, general Jackson reviewed the New Orleans militia, the first and second regiments, the battalion of uniform companies under the command of major Plauch^, and part of the free men of colour. Addresses were voice is too weak read to them, and answered with acclamations of applause. to speak of these addresses in adequate terms; I leave the reader to form an idea of the effect they must have produced on the minds of the militia, from the impression that the mere perusal of them will make on himself. (See Appendix, No. 20.) These corps had two days before entered upon actual service, and did regular duty like troops of the line. On the i8th, Plauch6's battalion was sent to bayou St. John, and the major took the command of that post. general order of this day enjoined all officers commanding detachments, outposts, and pickets, on the approach of the enemy, to remove out of his reach every kind of stock, horses, &c. and provisions; and directed them upon their responsibility to oppose the invaders at every point, and harass them by all possible means. It concluded with this animating sentence: "The major-general anticipating that the enemy will penetrate into this district in a few days, requests of the people of Louisiana to do their duty cheerfully, and bear the fatigues incident to a state of war, as becomes a great people, anticipating from the ardour pervading, and the present help at hand, to make an easy conquest of them, and teach them in future to respect the rights of liberty and the property of freemen." The garrison of fort St. John, on lake Pontchartrain, had been reinforced by the volunteer company of light artillery, under the command of lieutenant Wagner. By an order of the day of the 19th, the commander-in-chief ordered several persons confined in the different military prisons, for having violated the laws of the country, to be set at liberty, on their offering to take up arms in defence of the country. But that favour was restricted to such persons as were within two months of
My
and
completing the term of imprisonment to which they had been condemned. These all others not under sentence were, in pursuance of that order, set at liberty
112
by the commanding
magazines.
The country being now in immment danger, it became necessary to adopt the most vigorous measures to prevent all conmiunications with the enemy; and in order that such persons as might be apprehended for having given the British information as to the situation of the country, its means of defense in troops, artillery, fortifications, etc. might not escape punishment, general Jackson wrote to the governor, suggesting to him the propriety of his recommending to the legislature to suspend the writ of habeas corpus. As the danger was daily increasing, the general could not, without exposing the safety of the country, whose defence was committed to him, wait till the dilatory forms of deliberation should empower him
to take steps necessary for saving it. Nor did it escape his penetration that the legislature was not disposed to second his views, by that energetic measure. The hour of combat drew near, that of discussing, deliberating, and referring to committees, had gone by. The time called for action and promptitude ; and accordingly General Jackson proclaimed martial law, (see Appendk, No. 21), and from that moment his means became more commensurate with the weight of responsibility he had to sustain. The object of his commission was to save the country; and this, he was sensible, could never be effected by half-measures. It was necessary that all the forces, all orders, all means of opposition to be directed against the enemy, should receive their impulse from the centre of the circumference they occupied. They ought to be radii, diverging from one and the same point, and not entangling chords intersecting that circumference and each other. From
the
moment
and
regularity, nor did any of our means prove abortive. Every individual was stationed at his proper post. The guard of the city was committed to the corps of veterans and fire-engine men, who were to occupy the barracks, hospitals, and other posts, as soon as the troops of the line and the militia should be commanded on service out of town. The privateers of Barataria,^' and all persons arrested for, or accused of, any infraction of the revenue laws, sent to tender their services to general Jackson. Mr. J. Lafitte, adhering to the line of conduct he had marked out for himself, and
of September,
when the
Lafitte,
5^0f these smugglers or pirates Gay arre writes: " John and Pierre who were originally from Bordeaux, or, according to other reports, from Bayonne, but who, emigrating from their native country, had settled in New Orleans as blacksmiths. Tempted by the hope of making a speedier fortune than by continuing to hammer on the anvil, they abandoned the honest trade they were engaged in for one of a more dangerous character, but promising a life of excitement, which was probably more congenial to their temperament, and which held out to them ample compensation for the perils they were to encounter. They began with being the agents of the Baratarian buccaneers in New Orleans, and ended with being their leaders, and being proclaimed outlaws by the country where they resorted for illicit purposes. "On the coast of Louisiana, west of the mouth of the Mississippi, there is an island called Grande Terre, which is six miles in length and from two to three miles in breadth, running parallel with the coast. Behind that island, about six miles from the open sea, there is a secure harbor which is reached by the great pass of Barataria, in which there are from nine to ten feet of water. This harbor communicated with a number of lakes, lagoons, bayous, sea-outlets, and canals, leading to the Mississippi, and which, skirted by swampy forests, and forming a labyrinth of waters, offered a tempting field of operation to the Robin Hoods of the sea. These men pretended to be privateers cruising with letters of marque issued by France and the new Republic of Carthagena, to prey upon the commerce of Spain; but the world called them pirates, and accused them of capturing vessels belonging to all nations, without excepting those of the United States,
. .
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
113
British officers made him proposals, waited on the commander-in-chief, who, in consideration of the eventful crisis, had obtained for him a safe conduct from judge Hall, and from the marshal of the district. Mr. Lafitte solicited for himself and for all the Baratarians, the honour of serving under our banners, that they might have an opportunity of proving that if they had infringed the revenue laws, yet none were more ready than they to defend the country and combat its enemies. Persuaded that the assistance of these men could not fail of being very useful, the general accepted their offers. Some days after, a certain number of them formed a corps under the command of captains Dominique and Beluche, and were employed during the whole campaign at the lines, where, with distinguished skill, they served two twenty-four pounders, batteries Nos. 3 and 4. Others enlisted in one or other of the three companies of mariners, raised by captains Songis, Lagaud, and Colson. The first of these companies was sent to the fort of Petites Coquilles, the second to that of St. Philip, and the third to bayou St. John. All classes of society were now animated with the most ardent zeal. The young, the old, women, children, all breathed defiance to the enemy, firmly resolved to oppose to the utmost the threatened invasion. General Jackson had electrified all hearts; all were sensible of the approaching danger, but they awaited its presence undismayed. They knew that in a few days they must come to action with the enemy, yet calm and unalarmed they pursued their usual occupations interrupted only when they tranquilly left their homes to perform military duty at the posts assigned them. It was known that the enemy was on our coast within a few hours sail of the city with a presumed force of between nine and ten thousand men, whilst all the forces we had yet to oppose him amounted to no more than one thousand regulars and from four to five thousand militia. These circumstances were publicly known nor could any one disguise to himself or to others the dangers with which we were threatened. Yet such was the universal confidence inspired by the activity and decision of the commander-in-chief, added to the detestation in which the enemy was held and the desire to punish his audacity should he presimie to land, that not a single warehouse or shop was shut nor were any goods or valuable effects removed from the city. At that period New Orleans presented a very affecting picture to the eyes of the patriot and of all those whose bosoms glow with the feelings of national honour which raise the mind far above the vulgar apprehensions of personal danger. The citizens were preparing for battle as cheerfully as if it had been a party of pleasure each in his vernacular tongue singing songs of victory. The streets resounded with Yankee Doodle, the Marseillaise Hymn, the Chant du Depart and other martial airs while those who had been long unaccustomed to military duty were furbishing
their
smiles to reward the toils of the brave. Though inhabiting an open town not above ten leagues from the enemy and never till now exposed to war's alarms, the fair sex of New Orleans were animated with the ardour of their defenders and with
within whose territory they brought their prizes in violation of law. Many horribly tales were related of them, but were stoutly denied by their friends, who were
numerous and influential. "The Government of the United States had attempted several expeditions against them, but of so feeble a character as to be necessarily abortive. Whenever any attack was meditated against the buccaneers, they seemed to be mysteriously informed of the coming danger, and in time to avoid it. On such occasions, they would break up their settlement and carry it to some unknown part of the coast; should the new quarters be discovered and threatened, they were transported elsewhere; and the buccaneers would invariably return to the places formerly occupied by them, as soon as evacuated by their foes. It was even rumored, and believed by many, that the pursuers never had any serious intention of capturing
the pursued."
114
cheerful serenity at the sound of the drum presented themselves at the windows and balconies to applaud the troops going through their evolutions and to encourage their husbands, sons, fathers and brothers to protect them from the insults of our ferocious enemies and prevent a repetition of the horrors of Hampton. The several corps of militia were constantly exercising from morning till evening, and at all hours was heard the sound of drums, and of military bands of music. New Orleans wore the appearance of a camp; and the greatest cheerfulness and concord prevailed amongst all ranks and conditions of people. All countenances expressed a wish to come to an engagement with the enemy, and announced a foretaste of victory. Commodore Patterson sent gun-boat No. 65 to fort St. Philip. Lieutenant Cunningham who commanded it had orders to send an armed boat to the Balize, for the purpose of bringing up the custom-house offlcer, and of ascertaining, if possible, the enemy's force. He was further directed to give to the commanding The commodore ordered officer at Plaquemine all the assistance in his power. captain W. B. Carroll, the officer who had the command of the navy-yard at Tchifonte, to cause the brig Aetna to ascend the bayou, and take a station opposite the unfinished block-ship, for the defence of the latter, in case of the approach of the enemy. Captain Carroll was further ordered not to suffer any boat to leave Tchifonte for the bayou St. John, without a passport, and in the event of the enemy's entering lake Pontchartrain, not to let the mail-boat pass.
While
much nonchalance
and members of the crew who had been made prisoners on the gunboats was indicative of an over-strict military spirit that incensed the Americans though the wounded themselves were found to be well and kindly treated. The British having anchored their fleet near the Isle aux Pois transferred their troops to barges and continued to advance through Lake Borgne, Bayou Bienvenu and Bayou Masant and effected a landing at the mouth of Villere's Canal. A small and straggling colony of Spanish and Portuguese fisherman who used the waters of Lake Borgne and the bayous emptying into it as a fishing ground secretly assisted them in disembarking their troops, also in piloting them over safe pathways. These, furthermore, acted as spies and in connection
to the officer
much
valuable information
enemy, making
it
clear to
him that
his best
advance after
Only ten of these creatures, however, could be named by Latour in his execration. While the enemy's first barges were approaching, their appearance brought on a dramatic scene in the great dark Louisiana Delta whose
Mississippi Territory in
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of i8i
2Rowland.
115
was usually broken only by the cry of the panther An American sentinel reported a different noise; for moving quietly up the bayou through the bare midwinter forest could be seen by the pale rays of the moon five barges filled with men and several pieces of artillery. The little American detachment guarding the far outpost, deeming it imprudent to fire on account of the great disparity of numbers, concealed itself behind a log cabin. When the barges had passed the sentinels at this point determined to give notification of the arrival of the enemy. A number of these were discovered and captured by the first detachment of the enemy while landing; others made their escape and wanderfed in the tall grass of the low marshes for a whole day to finally become captives of the British, one alone having escaped to the American lines on the road leading from Gentilly to Chef-Menteur where Jackson had
silence at night
placed Claiborne with a part of his forces to guard the city. The treatment of their prisoners by the British was not in accordance with the best military customs. A serio-comic phase of the situation
developed when one of the Spanish fishermen captured with the American party was detained as a prisoner. Who can be adjudged better than his company?
Another exciting incident connected with the landing of the enemy While the British were arriving about noon of December 23, in the strip of forest on the River and running
has been preserved by historians.
along the Villere Canal, the advance guard entered a beautiful orange grove and came upon the fine plantation house of General Villere which
they captured, making prisoners of Major Villere and a small comof the 3d Regiment of militia stationed there as a guard. This was not to be accomplished without a stout resistance from Major Villere, the General's son, who later broke from his confinement and escaped through a window pursued by a shower of bullets. While the brave young soldier, in a remarkable experience filled with hazard and adventure, was making his way from the right bank of the River a kindred spirit, Colonel Denis de la Ronde, commanding the 3rd Louisiana MiHtia, also made his escape from the enemy and reached the American Hnes from the other bank. I do not vouch for the many stories told of Major Villere in his escape but I do for the fact that it was in no volatile spirit such as has been ascribed to them by Adams that these brave young Frenchmen determined to carry in person the news of the enemy's approach to General Jackson.
pany
feat
16
first
reception
news
is
Adams.^^
who
commanded
December
Latour claims that he was sent the next day to verify this report but admits that he met several persons "flying" towards town who told him that the British had landed, were in possession of Villere's
Boeufs.
Villere's son.
On receiving this
news Major Tatum was sent back to the American camp to help confirm the story while Latour proceeded to reconnoiter the British. If the people who were ''flying" towards town did not stop in their flight they were the first to apprise Jackson that the enemy had landed, a fact that was becoming very generally known through many sources. That Jackson was prepared to meet the British is shown by the fact that he attacked them immediately on landing. He had now about 4000 troops gathered from Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky and Louisiana, an untrained but heroic band that thrilled with the spirit of high adventure was destined to conquer an army hitherto invincible though tested in many hard fought European campaigns. With special reference to troops from the Mississippi Territory it
number of Mississippi volunteers commands. The 3rd United States Regiment had again been recruited at Cantonment Washington by Mississippi volunteers, the 44th Regiment contained Mississippi riflemen and the infantry which had been with Jackson throughout the Coast Campaign. Many were to be found in General Coffee's Brigade, while volunteers were daily arriving from the Mississippi
there
was a
large
commands.
The
all
Mississippi Dragoons,
composed
of four
man
had, so far, taken part in the defense of the country since the inception of the
Creek
hostilities in
"Adams, p. 343.
Mississippi Territory in
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camp and
at home.
New Orleans.
after a
march over
muddy
of
New
December
arriving,
On
23 and halted at what is at present Lafayette Square.^^ amid a storm of cheers from both sexes who lined the
streets, they were immediately confronted with an order from General Jackson to reconnoiter the British camp. With 100 of his gallant
troopers and Colonel Hayne, Inspector-General of the Army, Major Hinds galloped out of the city, neared the enemy's position and dashed into his pickets, throwing him into such a state of confusion that Colonel Hayne was enabled to make an estimate of his strength immediately reporting it to Jackson to be about 2000. During this hazardous service one of the dragoons was seriously wounded and several horses were killed. Jackson, though brandishing a thirsty lance, was not quite ready, as he expressed it, "to meet the enemy." It was a crisis where chances could not be taken, and not until the right moment would he give the signal for his army to advance upon the British whom he determined to attack that night in their first stronghold. It was ready to move at a moment's notice and consisted of many of his best troops. In his report, in enumerating his forces with which he intended to attack the enemy, which did not exceed in all 1500, he placed Major Hinds' Dragoons first in the list, the fact being noted here to show his reliance on the cavalry. The British had little difficulty in landing their troops and while confident of success were led, through sagacious American prisoners and also through Mr. Shields, a purser in the United States Navy, and Dr. Murrel who had been the bearers to them of the flag of truce
in behalf of the prisoners taken in the naval engagement, into the
men would
confront them in
battle
somewhat
began preparations for battle. The English colors had been hoisted on the treetops immediately on their arrival and the strains
1 On this forced march Major Hinds and his command rode two hundred and sixty miles in four days, the road lying partly through the forest and in places obliterated by the winter rains.
ii8
of "God Save the King" now floated out on the midnight air. The house of General Villere was occupied as headquarters while the open
lands around
it
were rapidly
Sir
filling
fully
half of General Keane's division, the other half arriving during the
midnight
battle.
The
Edward Packenham, Commander-in-Chief, had first division disembarking numbered the light
detachments of sappers and miners and the rocket-brigade. The second disembarkation landed the famous 21st, 44th, and 93rd Regiments of the Royal North Britain Fusileers, besides which numerous
artillery-men amounting in
all to
over 4980.
Great excitement prevailed in the city so soon to become the object of defense. Small parties were constantly making their way towards the
American camp to inform General Jackson of the arrival of the enemy in large numbers, and old men, women and children lingered anxiously in the streets and on door-steps to hear the comment of each passer-by. Proclamations posted along the fences and on farm houses everywhere near the British camp, signed by Admiral Cochrane and General Keane, contained many strong inducements to the people to withdraw their allegiance from the American government. The large element of foreign population here and the spirit of secession manifested throughout New England gave them the impression that the people of the new State of Louisiana would prove disloyal to the Republic. Among the many stories afloat news had spread everywhere that Major Viller6 and Colonel Denis de la Ronde with the 3rd Louisiana Militia stationed at the Villere house had been captured and were held as prisoners. This and many other statements filled the people with the gravest apprehension. But every heart now trusted in the great Jackson who, like the bald eagle beating its wings against Appalachian peaks, seemed to revel in the thought of the unequal contest awaiting him. As much a votary of freedom as Patrick Henry his genius and emotions were in full play at this pinnacle of human endeavor. Communicating his rough exuberance of spirit to his small army and stirring it with such appeals as rarely fail to arouse in men a high tide of ardor he now had the satisfaction of seeing it eager for the most daring exploits. None knew better than he the numerical weakness and lack of training of the raw soldiery that was to be pitted against the trained legions of the British army, and his
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
119
enemy
victorious
avowal to "die in the last ditch" might have easily been con-
strued as meaning that he intended to lay the city in ashes rather than
surrender
intensely
last
it to the foe. Always dramatic he readily shifted from an composed manner to one highly gesticulative. It was in the
mood
that he
now gave
About five o'clock in the afternoon of December 23 he began moving his forces out of camp to attack the enemy. The intelligence of the activity of the British communicated to him
continually served to deepen the terror of his voice as he fiercely proclaimed that he would drive the invaders out of the country. His heated declaration, "By the Eternal they shall not sleep on our soil," soon became the slogan of his army.
It has already been seen that Governor Claiborne for fear of a
ist, 2nd and 4th Regiments and the Volunteer Company of Horse under Captain Chauveau in the Gentilly plain to protect the city on the side of Chef-Men teur. Major Plauche's battalion was stationed at
Bayou St. John. General Coffee, in command of the left of Jackson's army, with his Tennessee Brigade, the Mississippi Dragoons and
piloted
mounted riflemen under Major Thomas Hinds lead Jackson's forces, by the gallant Colonel de La Ronde who was now a member of Beale's company. In addition to Hinds', Coffee's and Carroll's troops, the defense on the night of December 23 was composed of the 7th Regiment under Major Pierre and the 44th Regiment commanded by Captain Baker, the latter having been recruited by Mississippians. Other forces included the uniformed company of militia under Major Plauch6, 18 Choctaw Indians under Captain Pierre Jugeant, 200 San Domingo negro troops under Major Daquin and a detachment of artillery directed by Colonel McRea with two 6pounders under
command
detachment of
marines stationed at the right wing of the army. The left wing of the army, commanded by General Coffee, also contained the Orleans Rifle Company under Captain Beale. The whole number- engaged in
this first battle in defense of the city did
many
of
recruits
near 5000 well-armed, trained and seasoned British soldiery. With this small but determined force Jackson moved nearer the enemy about
I20
seven o'clock and immediately began disposing his troops for action.
The schooner Carolina with Captain Henley was ordered to drop down and take position across from the enemy. Commodore Patterson boarded her and remained throughout the battle.
About
nightfall the left entered
it
Latour says
on La Ronde's plantation and took position boundary with Lacoste's. The right formed on a line almost perpendicular to the river stretching from the levee to the garden of La Ronde's plantation and on its principal avenue. The artillery occupied the high road supported by a detachment of marines. On the left of the artillery were stationed the Seventh and Forty-fourth of the line, Plauche's and Daquin's battalions and the eighteen Choctaw Indians commanded by Captains Jugeant and AUard form-'ng the extremity of the right wing towards the woods. The superior conmiand of the battalions of militia was given to Colonel Ross.
in the
back of
on
its
The
a point about nine miles out from the city were known to be very confident, and the small American force felt that the first encounter
would be a desperate one staged as it was at night and on a low ground cut up with canals and ditches. But with their commander's fiery
appeals ringing in their ears, they awaited with impatience the signal
from the schooner Carolina which the British had supposed to be an ordinary river boat. At half past seven the Carolina, now commanded by Commodore Patterson, dropped down the river and opened upon the British camp a galling and unexpected fire. Extinguishing the
fires in their
camp
General Coffee,
while General Jackson himself with the remaining force would attack
on the left, now advanced from the back of the Leaving his horses he ordered the division forward so as to fall on the British flank and rear. He was closely followed by Beale's company. His division in an extended line was now drawn up between the Lacoste and Villere plantations with Major Hinds and his cavalry stationed near the middle of the latter plantation ready for any use that cavalry could perform at night. When the order to advance and fire upon the enemy was given Coffee's whole line promptly and with perfect precision moved forward and emptied their rifles, the division advancing rapidly and driving the
his strongest position
La Ronde
plantation.
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121
enemy
brave
before
it.
The entire company under Captain Beale taking by surprise dashed into his camp, a number of his
captured in the daring
feat.
General Jackson
same time advanced from the right against the British lines posted on the levee, the enemy contending more stubbornly at this point. The heavy enfilading fire from the schooner Carolina in the face of a five-gun battery of the enemy was now incessant and delivered at the very nick of time. Confusion soon spread in the ranks of the British and all organization was lost as the American forces concentrated their fire from the infantry with the guns of the Carolina, Encircled by a gaUing fire, blinded in the night by smoke and flame, their outposts battered to pieces, their camp swept with shot, and confusion reigning all along their lines, the British were driven back towards the river and though reinforced by two fresh regiments from Lake Borgne made no further advance. The quiet almost silent manner in which the Americans began the attack and the precision with which they obeyed orders at night while facing a strong foe would have reflected credit on the best trained troops. The British commanded by Major-General Keane resistedthe attack with 4980 men composed of part of the 85th Regiment, part of the 95th Rifle Corps, a detachment of the Rocket Brigade, the 4th Regiment, the 21st Regiment of Royal North Britain Fusileers, the 44th and 23rd Regiments, besides numerous sappers, miners and artillerymen.^^ This splendid army met the swift onrush of the American forces with a spirit equally as eager for battle, but surrounded and outin a fierce charge at the
to give
way
hand to
The British finally abandoned the struggle about They had suffered much during the fierce combat and vexed and chagrined fell back to their camp to spend the night resting
hand
10 o'clock.
on
their arms.
the night, obscuring the position of the various corps, caused General Jackson to await further attack until morning. His small force of
2 13 1
men
four in
on the cold and muddy field for a few hours and at the morning assumed a stronger position near the city. Major
rested
^Latour, p. 104.
122
Hinds with
his
commanded by Major
Pierre,
conducted
itself
Latour the warmest praise. The 44th Regiment, also, in which were many volunteers from the Mississippi Territory, distinguished itself under the command of Captain Baker. This, with General Coffee's gallant Tennessee brigade and all other troops in action, received the Major Hinds with highest commendation from General Jackson.
the Mississippi Dragoons had conducted the force to the point of
attack and during the battle remained drawn up in sight ready at any
moment
reconnoitered
the
valuable aid.
Before the battle he had constantly enemy's position rendering Jackson the most Among the brave officers who were especially com-
mended by the commander, along with Colonels Butler and Piatt, was Major Chotard of the Mississippi Territory. Their intrepidity,
he claimed, saved the
brigade
artillery.
who
fell
3 The following extract taken from a letter written by an eye-witness gives an interesting account of the devotion and faithfulness of the Mississippi Dragoons in the defense of the country and of the City of New Orleans throughout the Christmas season: "Our squadron," the author says, "was not in action on the 23d but were on the ground in the reiar. since from the darkness of the night the cavalry was unable to act. Our duty since then has been very hard, as we have not unsaddled our horses since, but lay at their feet every night on our arms and without fires. After the battle our squadron was stationed between the two armies as picket guards, and lay three days within four hundred yards of the enemy's chain of sentinels and in the morning of the fourth day (December 28th) were compelled to retire to the main army, the enemy under cover of the night having erected batteries on the levee, and in the morning opened upon us, but did no execution except one horse killed and as we retreated they followed and made three attempts to charge our breastworks, but were as often repulsed, and were again compelled to retire, with a loss of about one hundred and fifty killed. On our part, the number in killed and wounded did not exceed twenty. To-day we have been endeavoring to draw them out, but without success, for which purpose our noble commander, Major Hinds, drew his squadron within two hundred yards of their lines, which drew . . . . their fire pretty heavy, and wounded three men and two horses. were kept there for one hour and a half by our major, who put us through a number of e^volutions in the face of the enemy, to the astonishment of all the army, and when we returned to camp were met by three cheers from the army, arid General Jackson's compliments, presented to us through one of his staff. Colonel Hayne, who said to us, 'Gentlemen, your undaunted courage this day has excited the " admiration of the whole army.' ^ Colonel Lauderdale at this time was a resident of the Mississippi Territory. Mississippi and Alabama each later named a county in his honor.
We
Mississippi Territory in
War
of i8i
2Rowland.
123
who commanded a detachment cantonments at the English Turn, hearing of the arrival of the enemy on Villere's plantation, finding it difi&cult to withstand the solicitation and impatient entreaty of his troops, though without orders, marched against the British. Latour, an eye-witness, in his Historical Memoirs gives a highly creditof Louisiana drafted militia in
December
23
by General
Morgan and
all
his troops
that could have been expected. During the first battle with the British, General Jackson's personal bearing was beyond criticism. His strategy, firmness, composure and
by a powerful and urging his troops called forth an outburst of praise from all who witnessed the engagement. He had now become the idol of his army, his strong and singular personality possessing a charm for nearly all with whom he came in contact. The successful attack on the British by the Americans on the night of December 23 is thought by many to have made possible the easy victory of January 8. The blow delivered the English troops so soon after disembarkation was such as to disconcert their plan for an immediate attack on the city, which might have been carried out had they not received this decided check. Protected in all by barely 5000 men, many of whom were inexperienced backwoodsmen not even
enemy and his skill and ardor in forward amid the fury of the battle,
acquainted with the use of the bayonet. General Jackson knew that
the city would without the greatest strategy and resistance
helpless prey to the
fall
by four o'clock in the morning. A force composed of the Mississippi and the Feliciana Dragoons with the 7th Regiment commanded by Major Hinds was left near La Ronde's place to keep an eye on the movements of the enemy, the Dragoons being posted as sentinels from the levee to the
enemy.
His
little
army was
astir
where they remained until daylight. Through the gray dawn the faithful sentinels saw a field covered with the enemy's dead and wounded which were being silently cared for.
close to the British lines
swamp
On
the morning of
December 24 scouting
Troop of the Mississippi Dragoons reported that the British had formed into position between the levees three hundred yards from La Ronde's boundary with the evident purpose of giving battle. A
24
broke and they returned to camp deeming themunready for an engagement with a foe that had given them such a warm reception the night before. For the first few days they busied themselves in disembarking more troops and supplies at
selves
aux Pois and transporting them to the river. Colonel Hinds, on whom Jackson now depended for knowledge of the enemy's movements, soon discovered that Lacoste's plantation was literally overrun with red coat and tartan while their sentries were posted as far out on the roads as discretion permitted. To the small American army, constructing with might and main along Rodriguez' Canal what was to become one of the most famous breastworks^ of history and mounting cannon along its rugged front, the invaders seemed, indeed, a formidable foe. Large companies of British troops were massing everywhere in the open plantations and the ditches were rapidly filling up with infantry. A sagacious order of General Jackson to cut the levee and flood the foreground of the Chalmette plantation in front of his lines unfortunately failed on account of the low water on that day which was unusual for the season. Every strategy possible was resorted to by the Commanderin-Chief for he knew that supreme efforts would have to be made for the protection of the city from invasion and that by an army that the Duke of Wellington believed strong enough to capture any city
Isle
in America.
Not less ardent and enthusiastic in the defense of the city was Governor Claiborne whose nationalism and devotion to the American government had always been very pronounced and was now at white heat. As the second governor of the Mississippi Territory he began a period of service that would have easily ushered him into a great national career had death not cut him short at the age of forty-two. In the present crisis he manifested a spirit of freedom and patriotism not surpassed by his Revolutionary ancestors.
^ The breastwork which could not have been constructed with any hope of success before the British landed and selected their line of battle was built of every conceivable material including fence rails, staves and rafters and in some parts even of cotton bales. The latter after a time were discarded on account of being easily set on fire. In the construction of the breastworks the canal was deepened and widened, the Americans working in mud and water knee deep and using every available help in the city, the entire population responding in the most
spirited
manner.
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
125
The British though recruited by fresh regiments and thoroughly equipped for fighting continued cautious throughout December 24. The Carolina and Louisiana kept up such a constant fire that they
could scarcely
move from
vessels.
and
single parties
noitered their lines constantly through the day, displaying in full view
no resistance to the daring and fearless by their brilliant commander, exhibited a courage that astonished and kept the enemy in continual alarm. The author of Jackson and New Orleans gives this vivid description of the operations of the cavalry of the American army
Mississippians who, led on
command
On December
25 Villere's plantation
was
filled
making
amid the
live oak,
Cottonwood groves along the river. Their enthusiasm greatly increased on the arrival of the gallant young commander. Sir Edward Packen-
circles.
Closely con-
126
and
training,
that was later to overcome and send into permanent exile the great
Napoleon.
spirits that
western wilds and borne across the seas served to animate the heroic
won
Immediately upon his arrival, General Packenham took command of his troops and an army seemingly never faced a more conspicuous
fortune. of a force that
was on Christmas Day that he found himself in command by the first week in January had swelled to 8000 splendid troops with more constantly arriving. Beyond a handful of raw, half-trained, poorly armed regiments and a line of rude fortifications lay the rich prize, the fair city of New Orleans that was even then fast becoming the city of Bienville's dream. It had been rumored that the American general commanded a strong force in his defense of the city but nothing in its appearance now substantiated the rumor and it was with light hearts that the British made preparations as the days passed, the weakness of Jackson's defense becoming more apparent to them each day. Very little transpired for several days after the night of December 23, though the restless Dragoons continued to harass the enemy, often drawing close enough at times to his lines to exchange shots, during which feats there was an occasional loss of a brave Mississippian. A report that the British had landed at Chef Menteur and were
It
men from
In
manner he narrowly watched the approach towards the city deploying his small force so as to guard all possible entrance. While ready to march against the American lines, Packenham, who had been greatly annoyed by the Carolina and Louisiana on the Mississippi determined to use first his artillery against them. This he had brought in considerable numbers from his vessels and on December 27 at seven o'clock in the morning his battery of several 12- and i8-pounders and a howitzer began firing on the Carolina and after a most strenuous effort succeeded in destroying the plucky little ship. The Louisiana would have suffered the same fate had it not been towed up out of reach of the enemy's guns.
of that point.
this
command
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
127
It
left
on the right bank of the river opposite Camp Jackson. He an unfortunate instruction about the same time. An order from Jackson had caused him to cut the levee near Jumonville's plantation and the flooded canals afforded the British ample water to float up their heaviest artillery, but not enough to render the ground unfit for camping. The Americans were now watching every movement of the enemy but still the British had made no move
position
was the
to march.
On
the evening of
December
27,
however, they
moved
Pressing
The night saw great batteries looming up on the river and early on the morning of December 28 a number of splendid the infantry advancing and colors could be seen displayed, pressing still further back the advanced guard of the little American army which had itself fallen back from La Ronde's plantation. The cavalry under Major Hinds continued in the very face of the overwhelming foe to reconnoiter his lines, the troops sustaining the heavy fire of all his outposts. It was in one of
those desperate, close encounters with the
Mississippi cavalrymen
tally
enemy
lost
their
lives
wounded. The 7 th Regiment acted with Major Hinds on and the advanced sentries and pickets fell so rapidly before their fire that General Packenham sent a flag to the American
the occasion
commander complaining
compared with European warfare. General Jackson, however, saw in the present hostiUties nothing more than a cruel war of invasion and
made
it very plain to the British officers that sentinels of the opposing armies would be running great risks to drink out of the same stream. As the dawn threw its silver light through the thickly draped folds
enemy continued to advance against the American lines preceded by heavy artillery which divided its fire between the Louisiana and Jackson's lines. The British, hardened Peninsular veterans, both tartan and redcoat, were in gay, good spirits, their hearts beating high with expectation of victory. As Subaltern very
of gray fog the
128
naively admits,
It
was about
this
the
was intended
for the
execution failed.
The
British
made much
of their
Commodore Patterson
the Secretary of the
Navy
New Orleans.
I have the honour to inform you that on the morning of the 28th instant at about half past seven I perceived our advanced guard retreating toward our lines the enemy pursuing; fired shot, shell and rockets, from field artillery with which they advanced on the road behind the levee; sprung the ship to bring the starboard guns to bear upon the enemy; at 25 minutes past 8 A. M. the enemy opened their fire upon the ship with shells, hot shot and rockets which was instantly returned with great spirit and much apparent effect and continued without intermission till one P. M. when the enemy slackened their fire and retreated with a part of their artillery from each of their batteries evidently with great loss. Two
" The manner in which the Chalmette buildings were blown up is interestingly by the English historian Subaltern: "That the Americans are excellent marksmen," says this author, "as well with artillery as with rifles we have frequent
told
cause to acknowledge; but, perhaps, on no occasion did they assert their claim to the title of good artillerymen more effectually than on the present. Scarce a ball passed over or fell short of its mark but all striking full into the midst of our ranks occasioned terrible havoc. The shrieks of the wounded, therefore, the crash of firelocks, and the fall of such as were killed, caused at first some little confusion; and what added to the panic was, that from the houses beside which we stood bright flames suddenly burst out. The Americans, expecting this attack, had filled them with combustibles for the purpose, and, directing against them one or two guns, loaded with red-hot shot, in an instant set them on fire. The scene was altogether very sublime. A tremendous cannonade mowed down our ranks and deafened us with its roar, whilst two large chateaux and their out-buildings almost scorched us with the flames and blinded us with the smoke which they emitted."
Mississippi Territory in
War
of i8i
2Rowland.
29
attempts were made to screen one heavy piece of ordnance mounted behind the levee with which they threw hot shot at the ship and which had been a long time abandoned before they succeeded in recovering it and then it must have been with very great loss as I distinctly saw, with the aid of my glass, several shot strike in the midst of the men (seamen) who were employed in dragging it away. At 3 P. M. the enemy were silenced; at 4 P. M. ceased firing from the ship, the enemy havmg retired beyond the range of her guns. Many of their shots passed over the ship and their shells burst over her decks which were strewn with their fragments; yet, after an incessant cannonading of upwards of seven hours, during which time eight hundred shots were fired from the ship, one man only was wounded slightly by the piece of a shell and one shot passed between the bow-sprit and heel of the jib-boom. The enemy drew up his whole force, evidently with an intention of assaulting General Jackson's lines, under cover of his heavy cannon; but his cannonading being so warmly returned from the lines and the ship Louisiana caused him, I presume, to abandon his project as he retired without making the attempt. You will have learned by my former letters that the crew of the Louisiana is composed of men of all nations (English excepted), taken from the streets of New Orleans not a fortnight before the battle; yet I never knew guns better served or a more anirnated fire than was supported from her. Lieutenant C. C. B. Thompson deserves great credit for the discipline to which in so short a time he had brought such men, two-thirds of whom do not understand
English.
General Jackson having applied for officers and seamen to work the heavy his lines furnished oy me. Lieutenants Norris and Crawley of the late schooner Carolina instantly volunteered and with the greater part of her crew were sent to those cannon which they served during the action herein detailed. The enemy must have suffered a great loss in that day's action by the heavy fire from this ship and general Jackson's lines where the cannon was of heavy caliber and served with great spirit. I have the honour to be with great consideration and respect your obedient
cannon on
servant,
Daniel T. Patterson.
of
who
occupied a part
though exposed on account of insufficient protection by their thin breastworks, the Americans suffered only a sHght loss from the noisy shells that were meant to strike terror to
their hearts.
In
this
engagement the
ist
Regiment
of Louisiana
Captain
Dominique and Lieutenant Crawley commanding Batteries 3 and 4 rendered good service during the battle and served their pieces with the utmost skill and precision and it was the great destruction the artillery dealt the enemy that caused the death rate in his columns. The loss of the Americans in the affair of December 28 was very slight, numbering in all seventeen killed and wounded. Colonel Henderson
130
commanded by
by and carrying his gallant force into the face of a galling fire from the enemy. The British loss was considerable^ being estimated between 150 and 200. Victory still crowned the Americans and the rejoicings in the army and in the city filled the air
Carroll being
among
had not convinced Packenham December 28 showed plainly that the Americans were not to be daunted and awed by the sight of heavy advancing columns nor the shriek of high explosives whose misdirected fire had come to be a subject of comment and amusement. Moment by moment unheeding the cold rains and mud and water Jackson continued to strengthen his position both breastworks and batteries, and day by day through the heavy fogs that veiled the battle lines the fortifications rose up like huge spectres which faded as the sun each day advanced up the horizon, the clear morning light revealing the stern defenses of the city. And though the British still doubted the Americans' ability to cope with them in a serious engagement, before their eyes everywhere it seemed that American batteries were looming up. Supported by the Louisiana they constituted a formidable defense not yet wholly acknowledged by the enemy. Conspicuous among them were two 12-pounders and a 24pounder which formed the famous Marine Battery .^^ Commodore Patterson armed a battery established behind the levee with these heavy guns from the Louisiana to protect Jackson's front. A galling fire from this battery caused the British to retire from the Chalmette and Bienvenu houses and remove his camp to the back of the plantations. In vain they strove to keep the outposts sentineled but the brave Tennessee riflemen picked them off at such a rapid rate that any successful attempt along the river at reconnoissance was in vain. The persistency, too, of the cavalry in the face of heavy guns was the
If the
engagement
of
December
23
"^The pieces of this battery which rendered such valuable and heroic service in the defense of the City of New Orleans were served by sailors from the Louisiana who had been gathered from the streets of the city and pressed into service after the capture of the American gun boats. Few of them spoke the same language and it was largely due to Lieutenant Thompson's care in training them that they rendered
such
efficient service.
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
131
much
Jackson who knew the value of daring cavalry in moments of danger in heartening a small, poorly equipped army facing a large body of well organized troops. It was about this time that the adventure of the ditch occurred, an adventure that has been preserved
in original narrative
of the Jefferson
by an eye witness of the feat. Trimble, a member Troop of which Isaac Dunbar was captain, says:
Colonel Hinds reported at headquarters that his pickets had detected a stront; party of the British creeping up a wide and deep ditch traversing the field before us. Some doubt being expressed, he obtained permission to make an immediate reconnoissance. He formed the battalion and said, "Boys, you see that big ditch! It is full of red coats. I am going over it. Whoever wishes may follow me; whoever chooses to stay here may stay." He galloped away at full sfjeed with every man close behind him. They leaped the ditch which was crowded with British soldiers, made a circuit in front of the British lines, and charged over the ditch returning, each dragoon, as he bounded over, firing his pistol at the astonished red coats. But they recovered in time to give us a general volley which wounded several of our troop and a number of horses. L. C. Harris and Charles H. Jonisdon each got a bullet in the right shoulder.
It
was
this close
"They are the pride of one army and the admiration of the other." was such high courage and almost reckless daring, too, that put spirit into the whole army and won for the gallant commander of the Mississippi Cavalry the sobriquet of "Old Pine Top," a name not only suggested by his residence in the great pine forests of Mississippi, but because of the pine and all kindred species of that evergreen being emblematical of endurance in the clutches of storm and blast.
It
December 31
a
terrific fire
moon
and and
I,
left.
On January all manner of picked guns brought from the ships. a thick fog usual to the section wrapped the entire plain, hiding
Secure in the belief that their
of the straggling
American
132
army, they began opening up a sharp and well ordered j&re. But the American fortifications, to Packenham's utter astonishment, resisted the fierce attack. Though the British guns roared and flamed pouring salvo after salvo upon the air, and missiles from the rocketeers fell in showers within their fortifications damaging to some extent both batteries and guns, the brave defenders of New Orleans met it with the imperturbable coolness of trained veterans. The heavy guns of Jackson made haste to reply with deadly aim to the confident enemy. Humphreys leading, the plucky Baratarians and Flangeac with his volunteer patriots immediately followed, and opened up a deafening thunder along the American lines. The British recoiled an instant under the terrific storm but came forward immediately with an attempt to turn the American left at the swamp. To their chagrin, they were met by a perfect rainstorm of missiles from Coffee and his riflemen. Noon found the half moon batteries of the enemy's fortifications broken, all the defenses along the levee destroyed, the cypress swamps and laurel groves trampled and torn and the wreckage of battle strewn everywhere. The dismayed British
soldiers
day and during the night retreated to their camp, cannon left in the mud and mire and the entire army suffering not only from the wet and cold but from hunger and loss of sleep. While the New Year dawning on the Southern capital found the Americans confident and joyful, to the discomfited British there was little in the day that relieved their minds of their recent defeat, and humiliation was visible on every countenance. Sixty hours they had been with but little sleep and on account of their position cut off from food and closely engaged in a terrific battle with an enemy that fought desperately. Memories of New Year's Day and the warm, well ordered firesides of Old England came no doubt to their minds during the bitter experience. But they were English soldiery and there was not the faintest trace of cowardice in the souls of the men who had been with Wellington in his famous campaigns. Though news that the American army was hourly increasing reached Packenham, knowing the mettle of his troops he determined to put his army in order again and with one swift onslaught storm Jackson's lines on both
mainder
many
of their
Morgan being
in
command
of the right
bank.
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
133
forces
General Jackson shrewdly discovered the enemy's plans. His own had been augmented by the arrival of 2000 drafted men from
Kentucky under General John Thomas, 700 of whom were sent to the Poorly clad and armed they excited the sympathy of the city and the legislature. The citizens of the State
immediately took steps to relieve their pitiable condition. The women New Orleans sewed all day and far into the night until uniforms
all.
of
The
government
in
supplying arms and clothing brought about grave complications at times during the defense of the city.
We
of
HumOn
January 6 and
of the British.
7,
the batteries with a view of meeting the concerted and general attack
His
commanding an advantageous
city.
position
His
lines, five
daily inspection.
Tak-
we
assisted Jackson
ary 8: Battery
i,
on Januwas com-
and the fierce fire of the center batteries were very effective. Battery 2 was commanded by Lieutenant Norris; Battery 3 by Captains Dominique and Bluche; Battery 4 by Lieutenant Crawley; Battery 5 by Colonel Perry; Battery 6 by General Garrigues Flaugeac; Battery 7 by Lieutenants Spotts and Chauveau; Battery 8 placed near the elbow of the line that passed into the wood was in such condition as made it impossible for it to render good service. The artillery here was served by militia of General Carroll's command. The line from this battery through the wood and to its extremity was
a sheet of
mud and
knee deep.
had been strengthened each day so that by January 7 and 8 they were proof against the cannon of the British. Behind them the American army waited on
to withstand concentrated attack heretofore
the night of January 7 for the approach of the enemy, the low ground at places compelling them to stand in ooze and water as they listened
to the scathing fire of the
enemy throughout
the night.
134
The
busy
British,
and
scaling ladders,
The Chalmette
plains
a brilliant and imposing scene. Staff officers in bright uniforms were riding about everywhere giving orders while large parties of troops were moving heavy artillery forward. All through the night of January 7, the noise of many hammers could be heard in the
construction of batteries.
on the morning of January 8 of the 7th Regiment commanded by Lieutenant Ross guarded the redoubt on the river; a detachment of the 44th Regiment, which was also in the corps of Colonel Ross, under the command of Lieutenant Mazant served the
disposition of Jackson's forces
The
was
practically as follows:
company
artillery.
of riflemen
right.
was
on the extreme
The
7th Regiment came next extending past Battery 3 to the powder magazine which last along with Battery 2 commanded by Lieutenant Norris had been constructed since January i. The 7th Regiment was commanded by Major Pierre and numbered 430 troops. Lieutenant Crawley^^ commanded the battery here and the space between
that battery and Battery 4 was held
of
to
men
of color
5
Major
Domingo men
in order come the 44th Regiment composed of 240 troops commanded by Captain Baker. The entire line from the 7 th to the 44th Regiments was under command of
Colonel Ross.
Beyond on the right of Battery 7, commanded by Lieutenants Spotts and Chauveau, were stationed 50 marines under command of Lieutenant Bellevue. General Adair with 600 Kentucky
is at present prominent in the State of Mississippi. an interesting fact that numbers of soldiers from other states who served in the Coast Campaign against the British settled in Mississippi and Louisiana, a Tennessee colony having made a settlement in what is now the State of Alabama.
^^
The name
of
Crawley
In connection with
this, it is
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
135
troops strengthened that part of the line and General Coffee's troops,
line, also
wards and into the woods. In addition to Colonel Thomas Hinds' Mississippi Dragoons and Captain Ogden's company of cavalry, the Attakapas Dragoons were stationed ready for use. Colonel Hinds was placed
in
demanded
command of all of Jackson's cavalry and held in reserve for any duty of him. Some untrained troops, aggregating several
in various positions.
line of troops
Guards occupied the road were posted from the road to the woods to prevent any passing out of the camp. The above disposition of troops follows mainly original reports.
and
sentinels
Parton and Latour estimate Jackson's entire force at about 4000 men including "one hundred artillerists who did not belong to the corps."
Of
this force
men
The
have not been given mention by historians, perhaps from the fact that they were not commanded, except in a few instances, by Mississippi officers but they were to be found in large numbers scattered throughout Jackson's army in defense of New Orleans. Jackson himself brought Mississippi militia with his Tennesseeans from Pensacola and besides the recruits in the regular army, volunteers flocked to the city from many points and joined various organizations, the 44th and 3rd Regiments being made up partly of Mississippi volunteers.*^ Among these volunteers who came each day, singly and in
War hero, vSam Dale of the Mississippi Terriwhose participation in the battle of January 8 is told in the following statement from his diary:
squads, was the Creek
tory,
Galloping into the city and
down
I
The
battle
was
in full blast.
gave
the river, I heard the roaring of the artillery. my horse to an orderly and rushed to the
entrenchments.
from day to day joined in the defense of the city while the cavalry under Colonel Hinds, all truthful historians must agree, was by far the most heartening influence in Jackson's army. No one better than Jackson himself recognized this and the fact that its
In speaking of the daily arrival of Mississippi volunteers, one of Major Hinds* his diary says: "Our friends, Thockmorton, Breedlove and RichardWilliam Bullet has son are here and I expect will join our troop become attached to General Coffee's staff; also General Poindexter."
'
Dragoons in
136
service won from him the most extravagant praise bestowed on any command connected with the battle is proof of the superior service
the battle,
describes the position of the Mississippi cavalry in the following interesting excerpt taken
There was a scathing fire during the night and the note of preparation in the camp could be distinctly heard. Our troops were in arms and in their f)roper places at break of day. Our cannon bristled on the breastwork from the evee to the woods behind whicb was a long line of riflemen. One hundred and fifty yards in the rear sat our grim old Colonel on his charger with the whole of the cavalry. We were placed there to cover our army in the event of its being compelled to fall back to the second position.
British
must have been difficult for one of Colonel Hinds' temperament have restrained himself. At a time when men were unused to military discipline one would have expected little better of the impetuous commander of the cavalry than to have plunged recklessly into the battle without orders from his superior, but having become a seasoned soldier he knew the value of what Kipling in modern times has styled "everlasting team-work." Always exacting obedience from his subordinates, he was careful of the slightest command of his great superior for whom his romantic nature was fast entertaining heroworship. Between himself and General Jackson there had always existed a deep friendship since "Old Greenville" days when the former was training the Jefferson Troop for service as a part of the Mississippi Dragoons, an organization that was to achieve fame not only in defense of the City of New Orleans, but of the American Republic. On the memorable January 8, we find him in charge of Jackson's whole cavalry, watchful and eager yet superb in self-restraint, giving full proof of the assertion made by Governor W. C. C. Claiborne that he had discovered in him all the talents and requisites of a good
It to
soldier.
Little more than a general account of the battle of January 8, will be given here and without minute details in reference to the further
position of the troops since their position has already been noted.
When the day dawned, cold and foggy, it found Jackson's forces with grim determined faces awaiting the splendid British army drawn up
for action.
Commanded by
spirit.
its
regiments,
Mississippi Territory in
War
of i8i
2Rowland.
137
Congrieve rocket speeding skyward from the British lines near woods answered instantly by a shot from one of the American batteries being regarded as the signal for attack the two armies came together in fierce combat, both artillery and infantry breaking into a heavy rolling fire that shook the ground and wrapped the early morning skies in solid sheets of flame. Instantaneously the heavy guns from Batteries 6, 7 and 8 opened a terrific fire on the enemy's advancing columns and soon the terrible battle that has been regarded as one of the most famous in history burst into full blast. All across Chalmette's wet and miry plains the British lines were drawn and from the glittering rows of embattled steel company after company and regiment after regiment, were constantly advancing. The troops
the
moved
but with rigid forms and lowering brows, braced to meet the rain of lead that swept their ranks amid wild
cheers from the American batteries.
6,
stiff,
These continued to maintain order until Coffee's the Kentucky troops under General Adair poured a withering fire of musketry into their ranks, causing them to waver and break. '^^ With ratthng peals that shook the ground the
scaling ladders.
Carroll's
and and
men and
moment's cessation continued to shell the enemy's which composed the right of the British army, were soon losing position and reeled back in the direction of the low morass. In vain were the columns of Gibbs, and Keane's rallied to be instantly
batteries without a
line.
The
forces,
by the deadly fire of the American guns. There was no protection against the blazing artillery that swept the advancing troops; fascines and scaling ladders, which at first were thought to be of use in mounting the breastworks, were forgotten in
repelled
^""The Kentucky and Tennessee troops on the left of Jackson's line," says Latour, "though constantly living and even sleeping in the mud" (frqm December 24 to January 20), "gave an example of all military virtues." Of the Kentucky troops under General Adair on the left bank of the river General Jackson says in his general orders: "General Adair, who, owing to the indisposition of General Thomas brought up the Kentucky militia, has shown that troops will always be valiant when their leaders are so. No men ever displayed a more gallant spirit than these did under that most valuable officer. His country is
under obligations to him."
138
full
Column
after
by
splendid, well-disciplined
where they were weakest. Veteran troops of Wellington, they knew what battle meant and with upright forms and firm tread pressed forward over the dead bodies of their comrades which were beginning to pile up beneath their feet. As they
lines
still,
but
without a backward glance, with grim, set faces, they went to meet
a blind,
fire of
made
lines.
and
blinded
by the gun
company
American entrenchments, but another belch and peal of the cannon, accompanied by a heavy rain of lead from the Tennessee sharpshooters, and the column struggUng in the slippery mud and mire wavered and lost position, then broke and fled to any shelter that could be found. The assaulting party retired to position four hundred yards from Jackson's first line but not without having striven upon his very ramparts. Secreting themselves in a ditch where they crouched wounded and bleeding, they responded with blanching faces to a call for a second attack. But their hesitation was not long. Discarding their heavy knapsacks they sternly came once more into
line, recruited in
weak
places
by
fresh troops.
and along the vast river. The thin, gaunt figure of General Jackson mounted on a foaming charger could be seen through the smoke and glare of the battle, and wherever the tall gray steed appeared with its grim rider, enthusiasm reached its height, shouts of *'01d Hickory! Old Hickory I'*
rending the
air.
When
came forward
it
both
musketry and
swept
again with a
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
^Rowland.
139
smoke wreathed the battle ground where the dimly outlined columns of Packenham were seen now advancing, now wavering and retreating in disorderly fashion. The atmosphere seemed on fire and the discomfited enemy could not discern through the smoke enveloping the plains from which point came the hottest attack, nor the strength of the force that led it. Everywhere Packenham was dashing along the front of his lines shouting and animating the drooping spirits of his shattered army. A stinging sensation, and his left arm fell powerless by his side; his steed reared, plunged forward and fell dead, leaving the heroic commander barely time to leap from his back. With the deafening scream of the batteries smiting his ears, a lurid stream of shot and shell raining about him and his men falling everywhere, he instantly mounted another horse and with his right hand urged it forward, while in fierce, rapid commands he rallied his broken squadrons. Animated by his presence in their midst they rushed forward in the face of a galling fire and again reached the American breastworks. But their victory was short-lived. The forces of Jackson were too well organized to yield. Swept on by his
heavy
veils of
shrill,
A belch of flame from their an enfilading fire almost completely wiped out the supporting columns of General Keane.
Across the
field
moved
to be
mowed
down
and following the quick, sharp comthem through the bhnding smoke and glare they heroic effort to storm the American defenses. The heavy fire from Jackson's artillery and infantry coming together made open roads through their ranks. The battle was at its height; the tempest scorching and withering everything in its hot breath. Dead and wounded lay everywhere when the final catastrophe came to quench all hope in the breast of the proud English army. The valiant Packenham riding in the midst of the fury with cheers on his burning lips swayed in his saddle; his right arm grew limp, his horse went down under him and with a last stern command ringing on the smoking air he fell forward in the arms of an aide. Loving hands bore him out of the blare and death-rattle to a quiet spot beneath the
stirred at times the entire line
to
I40
ancient live oaks standing along the battle's boundary lines, where,
doubtlessly, forgetting in the great adventure the alien atmosphere
that chilled to death his mortal frame and dreaming of soft English
skies,
he yielded up his
life,
faithful aide,
His untimely end cast a gloom over the English army both at home and abroad. Nor was his death the only
McDougall.
loss that
rank
wounded or killed outright. In the second charge which had proved even more calamitous than the first. General Keane had been shot in the side, while General Gibbs was taken from the field with a mortal wound. Major Wilkinson lost his life on the
had
fallen either mortally
summits
of Jackson's breastworks.
The
it
British
made a
wounded
into
went utterly
to pieces
shell staggered
and pursued by screaming volleys of shot and back across the smoke-wreathed valley a bewildered
life.
mass
of tortured, agonizing
command
lead
it
The Americans,
sheltered
by
wounded on the left bank of the river. The fate of the right of Packenham's army was not more dire than that of the left. Here the brave and beloved Renee had pressed toward the river with his looo troops, swept away the American pickets and stormed the right of Jackson's army,
the enemy, the estimate being only thirteen killed and
entering, during a fierce hand-to-hand conflict, a half-completed redoubt to remain but a short while. The batteries of Humphreys and Norris and the 7 th Regiment commanded this point and the charge had been a fearless one in the face of a galling fire from the American batteries. But none could be more sure of victory than the fearless leader, who gained the parapet of the redoubt with an exultant shout to his men to follow. In another instant he fell dead pierced by a shot
from one
reflected
of
This
command
defended the extreme end of the Une with a valor and patriotism that
new honors on
its service.
The
back
in disorder
and the river. The last Lambert could do no more than cover their
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
141
From the field everywhere shattered and depleted regiments were now retreating in disorder. The proud British army was vanquished;
its
its colors
its
guns had
3000 of
live
ceased to reply.
The Chalmette
and
oak groves, in which no bird sang for days, were riddled with shot and shell, and the wreckage of battle was strewn in soiled heaps over the landscape. Beyond, the cold, gray forest outlined the river. The bare limbs of the trees draped in long Spanish moss bedraggled by wind and rain, added a dreary touch to the disconsolate scene. After the terrible battle that had lasted only a little more than an hour, the dead, the dying and the wounded lay strewn over the plains, along the levee and bayous and within the ditches throughout the forenoon and part of the afternoon, a bleeding, disfigured mass that filled the beholder with horror and dismay. Never in the history of warfare has there been such rare execution
of plans as
an adversary to avert catastrophe. of raw militia Jackson had created a strong, well-disciplined army and the American rifleman, cool and collected, proved to be not only a good marksman a skill gained from much practice as a huntsman in the forests and wilds of the undeveloped country, but
helplessness
and Out
And
the battle!
Many
have tried to describe it, yet none have painted it in its true color and only a Hugo could give it in immortal pictorialization. The story is told here not with the hope of adding anything new but as the climax of the long drawn out struggle for freedom on the
historians
In
its recital
When
the American
and
it.
commanders were assured of victory, in JackThe news was speedily both women and children crowding into the The New Orleans and Plauche's bands that had
rejoicings rent the air.
throughout the battle continued to peal forth strains of martial music, strains that must have fallen strangely on the ears of the wounded and dying of the fleeing remnants of
played with heroic
efforts
142
victoriously
and wonder. That a handful of untrained, raw recruits had contended and without loss of numbers with a well-equipped, care-
fully trained
soldiers
army
of
many
times
its
composing
it
of
Europe was a
Who
Some
moments among the victorious Though their failure has been the subject controversy among historians a number of eye-witnesses
of the battle
all
and students
exoneration of
parties concerned.
Morgan's choice
river.
of a line of defense
known to be poorly armed and physically exhausted before they went into battle. The defense of the line at several places was so meager as to be scarcely discernible. These conditions, it cannot be denied, contributed largely to the disaster that overtook Morgan's forces on
The
forces at this point of attack were
and
also starved
that day.
the situation on the right bank of the shows on January 4 General Morgan in command of the Louisiana militia. Colonel Cavelier with the 2nd Louisiana Militia was in camp on an old Spanish plantation. His regiment composed of only 176 men, in no wise equipped to go into battle, on January 5 took a
river
Colonel Dijean
its left
left
the Piernas
no men joined
this regiment,
men
bearing no arms at
all.
here
small length of the great canal that ran two miles into the woods.
With a scanty
a ditch, one can easily understand the odds against the Kentuckians
when pitted against Thornton's fresh, well-clothed, well-armed brigades. The reinforcements rushed to General Morgan's relief were, says
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
143
Smith
of
in defense of the
New
Kentucky troops in his history of the battle and had been without food and
Their arms, a mongrel lot and hunting pieces some without flints and others too small for the cartridgeshow could men be expected to fight with a lot of miscellaneous old guns"? As reported by both General Jackson and Commodore Patterson the British in the attack made on the right bank of the river lost 120 men killed and wounded, the American loss being only one man killed and five wounded. Returning to the main action, which though of short duration was attended by one of the most tragic consequences recorded in the history of warfare, the Chalmette Plains became the next day after the battle a great burying ground to remain evermore one of the historic
.
...
old muskets
Under a
on the
left
with the
strictest military
ceremony
a tittle after mid-day on January 9, the work of burying the dead began
bank
of the river.
The cause
on the right
of the river
sent forward
No
ordered Colonel Gubbins, who had succeeded Thornton now wounded, to abandon his position, the truce was recognized with the utmost military courtesy. The conduct of the Americans upon this occasion deserves the highest praise. Jackson, stern and unrelenting in the defense of the city exhibited a spirit toward the conquered foe well worthy of example in all warfare. A strong detachment of his troops was sent forward immediately after the armistice had been arranged to assist in burying the dead and General Kerr, SurgeonGeneral of the American Army, was ordered to care for the wounded.
The
been
British loss
body
of Colonel
killed
was heavy and included officers of every rank. The Renee found with two other officers where all had during the famous charge on the American redoubt drew
soldiers the tribute of tears.
The
all
the bloody
thickly piled,
when it was ascertained that upon where nearly 3000 of England's best soldiery were only eight dead American soldiers could be found.
wounded was army was
also,
The number
of
surprisingly small.
An
eye-
historian
144
armies,
and
went
assured them that they would receive every attention and care while
confined to the hospital.
The
citizens of
New
Orleans, both
men and women, assisted nobly wounded on the battlefield. They were
by steamboat to the barracks in the city, the American soldiers. Later a special hospital was provided for the 400 wounded British soldiers who were attended by their own surgeons. The prisoners, also, received the kindest attention, and every possible comfort was provided them. The fact that the two armies spoke the same language and were in the main of a kindred race was not lost on the Americans. In victory the latter bore themselves worthily. Heroism and adventure had had their hour and with every right this far boundary of the young nation took its place beside the older States in defense of American
tenderly conveyed
hospitals there being full of sick
freedom.
Jackson was careful to make his victory complete, and no sooner than the dead had been consigned to Mother Earth, who knows no
difference
renewed
their attack.
to her bosom all her weary had wrought such havoc in Packenham's army Throughout the following days the American
the city.
The
expedition
enemy to his great discomfort. army made no further effort to attack had failed and its commanders were forced
Jackson, eager to be rid of the enemy, lost no opportunity in hastening their departure. This the British conducted in a prompt and somewhat clandestine manner. Colonel Thomas Hinds supported by Colonels La Ronde and Kemper, ^^ on the night after the battle and for several successive days were sent to watch the movements of the disorganized army, the cavalry advancing
to leave the Mississippi.
^^ Reuben Kemper, one of three brothers, was a native of Fauquier County, Virginia. The brothers were frontiersmen of the type that made the Indian fighters and territory conquerors of America. They removed when very young to Pickneyville in the Mississippi Territory and were the leaders in an insurrection known as the Kemper Rebellion which finally cuhninated in the annexation of the Biloxi and Mobile Country to the Mississippi Territory.
_
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
145
at times within rifle shot of their camp near the banks of the Bienvenu and on several occasions taking prisoners. During the final retirement of the enemy, General Jackson, not-
withstanding his conference with General Lambert, still fearing some sinister design on the part of the British, ordered Colonel Hinds with
his
whole cavalry, General Humbert and the Latrobe engineers to In this expedition the cavalry lost
one
several
wounded.
command
of the right
bank
of the river to
attack.
the
body of men to harrass the enemy's retreat. During the entire retreat the British did not show any disposition to renew the struggle on land. At any moment the powerful force could have easily returned for another assault on the American army, but its Commander-in-Chief had the satisfaction of witnessing Packenham's shattered divisions
to the last
retire cautiously
if
ously
moment by Thomas Hinds and his dragoons as they laborimade their way over bayous, marsh lands and prairies. The
on several occasions during
their occupation of the
British
country
some
their infantry
fleet
they
still
of uncertainty as to what course to pursue continued to bombard the American forts, principally Fort St. Philip at Plaquemine, seventy-five miles below the city. "From three o'clock on the 9th," says one who witnessed it, "until the morning of the i8th, the bombardment, one of
the fiercest of the campaign, continued without intermission." The amount of shells, powder, round shot and grape expended was enormous causing fear that the enemy might still have designs on the city. Failure, however, continued to mark the last feeble efforts of the invaders, but General Jackson was aware that theystill
held
Bayou Bienvenu and Lake Borgne and continued his efforts to fortify every weak place in the defense of the country. Numerous small
companies of Mississippi riflemen had gathered on orders of General Holmes at every vulnerable point on the coast as far down as Mobile to
146
failing to pass
Fort
St. Philip
decided to return
and invade the country at a weaker point of defense. The troops in the vicinity of New Orleans had been reinforced on January 8, by Colonel Wilkins and Colonel David Neilson's Kentucky regiments of volunteers from the Mississippi Territory. and other States offered to send Jackson reinforcements. He was now getting his army ready to again meet the foe. But beyond a second successful attack on Fort Bowyer with the hope of commanding the entrance of Mobile Bay the British made no further effort to invade the South, waiting at this point the outcome of the turn affairs had taken between the two nations.'^^ Their Southern campaign covering many months and even years had ended disastrously. And now after inciting the Indians through Tecumseh to hostilities, after the bloody Creek War, after the attack on Fort Bowyer or Mobile Point, after the attempt to occupy Pensacola, after the vain effort to capture the City of New Orleans and after a second attack on Fort Bowyer in the Mississippi Territory the British fleet put to sea again passing out between Ship and Cat Islands. The news of the termination of the war between the two countries made the British eager to quit the GuK Coast. But it was not without a keen sense of loss that they did so. Touching on this point in his narrative of the campaign the English historian Gleig wrote:
position
That our failure is to be lamented no one will deny since the conquest of New Orleans would have been beyond all comparison the most valuable acquisition that could be made to the British dominion throughout the whole western hemisphere. In possession of that post, we should have kept the entire southern trade of the United States in check and furnished means of commerce to our own merchants of incalculable value.
In connection with this it may be noted that Jefferson and other prominent Americans believed that the British would have retained New Orleans had they captured it. On January 21 General Jackson directed an address to be read to all the corps composing the line below New Orleans in which he reviewed the campaign in a terse summary. In announcing the victory over the British at New Orleans to Governor Holmes, Jackson in a characteristic letter written in haste
^2 Inmiediately after receiving the oflScial confirmation of the ratification of the treaty of peace, General Jackson communicated the fact to General Lambert at Fort Bowyer who soon arranged for the restoration of that post and all others in possession of the British.
IH^-e^ "f^
^^.'
/^^-<i^.-^
/^.
^^.......Ji^^
^^^^
C^
^^
^^^
jL,^
ir-i^^^^^^
/"S:;^
c.<^~e^f
/Xc-,-^
<ito,-t-w^
(^^^^."1.^4^**^
Fac-simile copy of an original letter in the possession of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History from General Andrew Jackson to Governor David Holmes announcing the victory
New
Orleans.
^e.^-^/^
-^/^^
-^^^i/^,^^^,
Ay
cy,
fey
m.^^^j2.
/^-
-ir
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
147
from
letter
This
and
all
An
many of which were hastily composed in moments of great excitement and anxiety.
able throughout his addresses, letters and reports,
The news
was
carried
New
Orleans with the gladdest acclaim both in church and public building,
across
the
country
hero,
to
President
Madison by the
of the trenches
Mississippi Creek
War
Sam
Dale,
who out
where he had fought at times hand to hand with the enemy knew the dread story by heart. From the city of Natchez and the little capital of Washington in the Mississippi Territory which had become posts
for the care of British prisoners the
since the fierce Creek uprising spent their time in various forms of
Joy
Louisiana Creoles
who
felt as a whole for the people of the Mother country. That the victory in which they shared so gloriously left the people of Louisiana as a mass truer patriots than when Jackson found them
Americans
cannot be disputed.
of its population
least
While
it
remained neutral, once enlisted the soldiery whether of Spanish, French or English descent evinced a courage and patriotism that
in the field.
day
of prayer
and
thanksgiving
for,
American arms.
impressive event
The
is
who was a
festival
participant in the
interesting ceremonies:
worthy of the occasion. the middle of the grand square, opposite the principal entrance of the cathedral. The different uniformed companies of Plauch^'s battalion lined both sides of the way, from the entrance of the square towards the river, to the church. The balconies and windows
Every preparation was made to make the The temporary triumphal arch was erected in
148
of the city hall, the parsonage house, and all the adjacent buildings were The whole square, and the streets leading to it, were filled with spectators. thronged with people. The triumphal arch was supported by six columns. Amongst young right was lady representing Justice and on the left another those on the a representing Liberty. Under the arch were two young children, each on a pedestal, holding a crown of laurel. From the arch in the middle of the square to the church, at proper intervals were arranged young ladies, representing the different States and Territories composing the American Union all dressed in white covered with transparent veils, and wearing a silver star on their foreheads. Each of these young ladies held in her right hand a flag inscribed with the name of the State she represented, and in her left a basket trimmed with blue ribands, and full of flowers. Behind each was a shield suspended on a lance stuck in the ground inscribed with the name of the State or Territory. The intervals had been so calculated, that the shields, linked together with verdant festoons, occupied the distance from the triumphal arch to the church. General Jackson, accompanied by the officers of his staff, arrived at the entrance of the square, where he was requested to proceed to the church by the walk prepared for him. As he passed under the arch, he received the crowns of laurel from the two children, and was congratulated in an address spoken by Miss Kerr who represented the State of Louisiana. The General then proceeded to the church, amidst the salutations of the young ladies representing the different States, who strewed the passage with flowers. At the entrance of the church he was received by the Abbe Dubourge, who addressed him in a speech suitable to the occasion, and conducted him to a seat prepared for him near the altar. Te Deum was chaunted with impressive solemnity, and soon after a guard of honor attended the General to his quarters, and in the evening the town, with its suburbs, was splendidly illuminated.
The address of the reverend Abbe Dubourg and the reply of General Jackson delivered during the impressive thanksgiving ceremonies conducted in the old St. Louis Cathedral are given in full in a note
since they better interpret the occasion
do."^^
the arrival of General Jackson in the cathedral accompanied by his staff the Abbe Dubourg made the following address " General, whilst the State of Louisiana in the joyful transports of her gratitude, whilst gratehails you as her deliverer, and the asserter of her menaced liberties ful America so lately wrapped up in anxious suspense on the fate of this important city, the emporium of the wealth of one half of her territory and the true bulwark of its independence, is now re-echoing from shore to shore your splendid achievements, and preparing to inscribe your name on her immortal rolls, among those of her Washingtons whilst history, poetry, and the monumental arts will vie in consigning to the admiration of the latest posterity, a triumph perhaps unparalleled in their records whilst thus raised by universal acclamation to the very piimacle of fame and ascending clouds of incense, how easy it had been for you. General, to forget the prime mover of your wonderful successes, to assume to yourself a praise which must essentially return to that exalted source whence every sort of merit is derived. But better acquainted with the nature of true glory, and justly placing the summit of your ambition in approving yourself the worthy instrument of Heaven's merciful designs, the first impulse of your religious heart was to acknowledge the signal interposition of Providence your first step is a solemn display of your humble sense of His favors. "Still agitated at the remembrance of those dreadful agonies from which we
On
and
all officers
Mississippi Territory in
War
of i8i
2Rowland.
149
have been so miraculously rescued, it is our pride, also, to acknowledge that the Ahnighty has truly had the principal hand in our deliverance, and to follow you, General, in attributing to His infinite goodness the homage of our unfeigned gratitude. Let the infatuated votary of a blind chance deride our credulous simplicity; let the cold-hearted atheist look up for the explanation of such unportant events to the mere concatenation of human causes; to us, the whole universe is loud in proclaiming a supreme Ruler, who as He holds the hearts of man in his hand, holds also the thread of all contingent occurrences. 'Whatever be His intermediate agents,' says an illustrious prelate, 'still on the secret orders of His all-ruling providence, depends the rise and prosperity, as well as the decline and downfall of empire. From His lofty throne above He moves every scene below, now curbing, now letting loose the passions of men, now enfusing His own wisdom into the leaders of Nations, now confounding their boasted prudence, and spreading upon their councils a spirit of intoxication, and thus executing his uncontrollable judgments on men, sons of men, according to the dictates of His own
unerring justice.
therefore, our most fervent thanks are due for our late unexpected Him we chiefly intend to praise, when considering you. General, as the man of His right hand, whom He has taken pains to fit out for the important commission of our defense; we extol the fecundity of genius, by which, in an instant of the most discouraging distress, you created unforeseen resources raised as it were, from the ground, hosts of intrepid warriors and provided every vulnerable point with ample means of defense. To Him we trace that instinctive superiority of your mind, which at once rallied around you universal confidence; impressed one irresistible movement to all the jarring elements of which this political machine is composed; aroused their slumbering spirits, and diffused through every rank that noble ardor which glowed in your own bosom. To Him, in fine we address our acknowledgments for that consummate prudence which defeated all the combinations of a sagacious enemy, and tangled him in the very snares which he had spread before us, and succeeded in effecting his utter destruction, without once exposing the lives of our citizens. Immortal thanks be to His supreme majesty, for sending us such an instrument of His bountiful design^! gift of that value is the best token of the continuance of His protection the most solid encouragement to us to sue for new favors. The first which it emboldens us humbly to supplicate as it is the nearer to our throbbing heart is that you may long enjoy. General, the honor of your grateful country, of which you will permit us to present you a pledge in this wreath of laurel, the prize of victory, the symbol of immortality. The next is a speedy and honorable termination of the bloody contest in which we are engaged. one has so efficaciously laboured as you. General, for the acceleration of that blissful period; may we soon reap that sweetest fruit of your splendid and uninterrupted victories." To which General Jackson replied: "Reverend Sir, I receive with gratitude and pleasure the symbolical crown which piety has prepared. I receive it in the exertions for the name of the brave men who have so effectually seconded preservation of their country they well deserve the laurels which their country
"To Him,
and
rescue,
it is
No
my
will bestow.
"For myself, to have been instrumental in the deliverance of such a country is the greatest blessing that Heaven could confer. That it has been effected with so little loss that so few tears should cloud the smiles of our triumph, and not a cypress leaf be interwoven in the wreath which you present, is a source of the most
exquisite enjoyment.
for the prayers which you offer up for those your patriotism dictates for our beloved country happiness. be first heard. And may mine for your individual prosperity as well as that of the congregation committed to your care, be favourably received the prosperity, the
sir,
most sincerely
my
May
wealth, the happiness of this city, will then be commensurate with the courage and other qualities of its inhabitants."
150
man and
its
beast to a
and commendation
among
population.
His reports abound in warm praise for all troops from the State of Louisiana. In quite a contrast was this spirit with that manifested by
the State legislature towards the saviour of the city.
in effusive praise of him, that
While Governor
Claiborne, the people of the city and the devoted soldiery indulged
to cooperate with
him
by
refusing to mention
2 to
him
Kentucky and the Mississippi Territory and their commanders. Quite a number of the members of the legislature, says Eaton, "Sought the trenches and took part in the defense of New Orleans." The majority, however, could not forget that Jackson had ordered the doors of the capital closed against them and while priestly hands were presenting the hero a wreath of laurel and patriotic voices were singing "Hail to the Chief," this Assembly with ruffled dignity remained sullen and unresponsive. Latour is non-critical of the whole situation, and seems
the troops of Tennessee,
on February
disposed to
make out a
case for
all
parties
sincere
concerned.
His praise
of the
of Jackson throughout is
warm and
and
his
memoir
campaign
will
information.
The Government
as
much
new
attention in
was deeply impressed with Jackand no battle fought during the war attracted European Courts as did the closing battle of the
political forecasters,
Coast Campaign.
for
this particular
The
who
man
in the saddle,
idol of the
Southern people
affairs of the
The
sissippi in
whose
new capital had been named in his honor will be read with interest. From Jackson's acceptance one can gather a true impression of the
spirit of the Territory
during the
War
of 181 2.
Mississippi Territory in
War
of i8i
2Rowland.
151
Mr. Harris, from the Joint-Committee appointed to meet General Andrew Jackson, and welcome him within the borders of this State, Reported That they had performed that duty, by delivering hun an Address, in the following words, to wit:
Gentlemen:
I have no language to express the gratitude which the kindness of your salutation on the part of both Houses of the Legislature of Mississippi excites in breast. While I acknowledge that you set too high a value on, and reward with too liberal a hand, the humble services which Providence enabled me to render country, I can but admire the generosity of your motives, and hope that it may afford a perpetual and salutary stimulus to public spirit, should future dangers make a demand on the patriotism of our fellow-citizens. When the frontiers of your infant State were pierced and agonized by savage warfare, your Governor and the Legislature I found equally prompt and zealous in the supply of men
my
my
and means for their defence. When the fairest portion of the Union was invaded by a fierce and ancient foe, 'powerful in the means and habits of war,' your Governor and Legislature, exhaustless in energy and patriotism, poured out the resources of the State, and sent forth her sous to the conflict. The first gave support the last gave renown to the nation; and their gallant leader ^4 I am proud to see hun near me, sharing, as he richly merits, the gratitude and respect of his fellow^^ General Thomas Hinds, who on his return from New Orleans in the spring of 1815 had been appointed Brigadier-General of the Mississippi Territorial Militia.
152
citizens.
you emanate,
beg you, gentlemen, to convey to the honorable Bodies from which my humble thanks for their kindness, and the assurance of my sincere respects and consideration; and I also pray you to accept for yourselves, the expressions of esteem and regard with which I salute you. January 20, 1828.
given in his honor by the wealthy and cultured people of Natchez will, as a bit of social life of that period, be found interesting. The record
presented to the Historical Department by Mrs. Walter
of Rosedale, Mississippi,
is
Sillers, Sr.,
by
time.
It
an almost square card somewhat yellowed contains the national coat of arms beneath which appears
name
which
is
The
company
is
General Andrew Jackson, Evening at the Mississippi Hotel. G. Winchester, R. H. Adams, H. Chotard, J. A. MTheters, R. L. Throckmorton, J. Sprague, R. G. Ellis, Managers J. F. Bingaman, J. F. H. Claiborne. J. Bell, R. M. Gaines. R. Archer, January 4, 1828
this
"^
no unfamihar crowd that Jackson stood at this brilliant Around him were spirits that had in a large measure made possible the victory by which he had won imperishable fame spirits that since early manhood had touched his life at many points, had understood him and given him as loyal support as any with whom he ever came in contact. He was on the eve of a great national career and the people of Mississippi vied with those of Tennessee in allegiance and admiration. With the same loyalty and devotion that they had followed his standards in war they now
It
was
in
support when he sought preferment in peace. They main the same doctrines and faiths, had been bred in the same atmosphere and had grown to be much alike. The author intends no attempt at a detailed character study of Andrew Jackson. In him were to be found many of the great virtues and qualities of George Washington, John Adams and Robert E. Lee. Both the tradition of the Cavalier and Puritan had charmed his fancy. He posrallied to his
held in the
Mississippi Territory in
War
of i8i
2Rowland.
153
sessed in a large measure the deep, inward piety and zeal of Jefferson Davis; scarcely a document, speech or conversation of either that did not evince genuine dependence on Divine Providence. But with
he differed widely from any of these for like Abraham Lincoln he had on distant frontiers been cast and shaped by original influences which made him the first great American. Of the many who took part in the defense of the City of New Orleans, none wielded a more powerful influence with the exception of
all
W.
C. C. Claiborne.
who
ment
later as
Governor of Louisiana.
is
mentary history which have been pubHshed by the Mississippi Historical Department. His service was such as to render him one of the chief influences in the early history of the Southwest and to no public oflScial on its early roster does Mississippi point with more pride. His descendants still help to make up the best element in the State's
population.
Governor David Holmes of the Mississippi Territory, from whose and letter-books many of the facts contained in this narrative are drawn, continued to serve the Territory as Governor after its admission into the Union as a State, December 10, 181 7. A sketch of his life and public service may be found in the Encyclopedia
original journals
in course of preparation
by
His every public act was inspired by a strong desire for the welfare of the whole country -and his spirit burned with patriotic ardor. The
confident
manner
in
its
people.
flowered and borne fruit during this second struggle for freedom
very apparent.
It has already
been stated that General Ferdinand Leigh ClaiHis death was the result of an
154
incurable wound.
His patriotism and zeal in defense of the Terriin its annals with the framers and shapers of its brother of Governor W. C. C. Claiborne, there was much
name
common between
the two.
the best ideals of the civilization of their day, while in their patriotism
and ardor were to be found a devotion and knightliness as fervent and fascinating as that which had burned the breast of Richard Coeur de Lion.
It
is
to Colonel
Thomas
this
Hinds^^ that
narrative.
we turn
New
The General
Assembly December
of the Territory
18, 181 5:
Thomas Hinds,
entitle
him
to our
In transmitting the vote of thanks of the Louisiana Legislature, Governor Claiborne wrote that it
Brings to my recollection the satisfaction I experienced more than twelve years ago on signing the commission which ushered your military talents into Ught.
law of the State in 181 8 he was continued from which he resigned in December, 181 9. In 1820 he was joint commissioner with Andrew Jackson to make a treaty with the Choctaws by which a large
first militia
Under the
area of land was granted after two previous failures. In his acceptance he expresses the highest confidence in General Jackson and when notified of his appointment, Jackson wrote: ''There is no man I
would rather be associated with then General Hinds, nor none in whom I have more confidence." The vast territory that had been acquired was named Hinds in his honor.
'* After being placed in command of all of Jackson's cavalry, Thomas Hinds assumed the rank of Colonel, though historians give him variously the rank of Major and Colonel in their narratives. He bore all through his later life the title of General, having been promoted to this rank by General Holmes.
Mississippi Territory in
War
of i8i
2Rowland.
155
In
1 81 9
lieutenant-governor,
elected.^^
he was a candidate for governor with Daniel Burnet for but his opponent, George Poindexter, was
a
He was
member
was
elected to
Congress to succeed William Haile and re-elected, serving from December 8, 1828 to March 3, 1831. When Poindexter proposed to defeat
the confirmation of President Jackson's nomination of William
M.
Gwin
sent in Hinds'
tion to
name for the place. Poindexter withdrew his opposiGwin and the name of Hinds was withdrawn. Afterwards
was induced to
decline in favor of
Robert
J.
Walker.
he was pre-eminently the military hero of H. Claiborne described him as "one of the most intrepid men that ever lived." The following estimate is taken from an obituary notice published in The Mississippian, of September
23, 1840.
During
his life
Mississippi.
J. F.
4,
1840:
Although a warm partisan, he enjoyed the unbounded confidence of all parties, and it is believed that he died without leaving a personarenemy. His hospitality was unbounded and few men enjoyed in an equal degree the affectionate regard of all his acquaintances. His wife died many years since and he leaves an only child, a son, to mourn his loss. Many of his soldiers who shared his toil and his glory survive him and still reside in this State some of them scarred with honorable wounds. Few regiments underwent as many hardships none covered themselves with more glory. With deep regret we announce that this esteemed citizen and old soldier is no more. Eulogy upon this truly good and brave man is unnecessary from us. It is well known that he was with Jackson throughout his last campaign against the British and that during the whole of the late war he rendered his country great service and gained for himself distinguished honors. In short, his life was devoted to the common good and all those who revere bravery will mourn his loss. We learn that he died from the rupture of a blood vessel.
The
is
taken from
On Saturday, the 29th instant, at 2 o'clock, a large meeting of the citizens of Adams County convened at the court house in Natchez to do honor to the name and memory of Gen. Thomas Hinds, who died at his residence in Jefferson County on Sunday, the 23rd of August. On motion of Judge George Winchester, Col.
James C. Wilkins was
called to the chair
and on motion
of Gen.
John A. Quitman,
7 A striking instance of the inconsistencies of political favoritisrns is sho^vn in the fact that^Poindexter had made a poor reputation as a soldier in the War of 181 2 while Thomas Hinds had reflected great honor on the state.
156
Col.
Adam
L.
Secretary. Col. Wilkins, on taking the through the press and explained the object of the
meeting.
Gen. Quitman rose and addressed the audience on the life and character of Gen, Hinds and concluded by submitting to the meeting a series of resolutions which were read, and upon motion referred to a committee composed of the following gentlemen: Judge George Winchester, Gen. John A. Quitman, Gen. P. L. Mitchell, Lieut. Thomas S. Munce, Thomas Armat, Esq., and Col. James C. Wilkins. The committee, through their chairman, Judge Winchester, reported the resolutions offered by Gen. Quitman, with one other, which were read and unanimously adopted: Resolved, That the heroic military deeds of the late lamented General Thomas Hinds, while commanding a corps of Mississippi volunteers in defence of his country during the last war with Great Britain, sheds a lustre upon the arms of this State which should cause its citizen soldiers ever to hold his memory in proud and grateful remembrance. Resolved, That during a long life of public and private usefulness, amid the storms and conflicts of party excitement, in which his frank, ardent and bold temperament led him to take an active part, the lamented deceased always merited
and retained the confidence and affection of his fellow-citizens for his patriotism, his benevolence, his candor and stem integrity. Resolved, That the name of Gen. Thomas Hinds belongs to Mississippi and will ever be enrolled in bright characters in the pages of her early history and his memory cherished among us, while honor, chivalry and worth are respected and
admired.
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the family and relatives of the deceased veteran upon this melancholy event and mingle with theirs our tears for the loss which they themselves and our State have sustained. Resolved, That it be recommended to the several volunteer corps of this regiment at their next parade to appear in military mourning in honor of the deceased. Resolved, That the chairman cause these resolutions to be published and copies to be sent to the family of the deceased. James C. Wilkins, Ch'm. Adam L. Bingaman, Sec'y.
Near the
General
Green.^^
State.
site of
"Old Greenville," in a secluded plantation graveburied beside his wife, Malinda Marston
The
Andrew Jackson
in
War
of 181 2 is
a story of valor
difficult to tell.
have made illustrious our annals in this struggle for freedom but every name on the roster presented here was borne by a pioneer hero whose defense of the Republic at a time when the spirit of nationality had not become uniform nor solidified makes a remarkable chapter in American history.
his deeds
''"'
Not only
This isolated spot has been recently marked by the people of Jefferson County.
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
WAR OF
157
1812.
Company
Ira, private
Bowman,
servant
Anthony,
servant
Benjamin
(nigger), servant
servant
lieutenant
Boardman, Charles, comet Boardman, Francis, private Boatner, William J., first sergeant
and
private
adjutant
Calvit, Tacitus, quartermaster service
comet
iS8
Cater, John, private
Cater, Josiah, corporal
servant
,
Christopher,
Cissna, James, private
servant
Coleman, Isaiah, private Coleman, Nathaniel, private Collier, Benjamin S., private
Collins, Parker S., private
Duck, Ephraim, dragoon Dubar, Isaac, 2nd lieut. Dunbar, Roberts, cap. Dunn, Henry, captain Edwards, Thomas, private
Elmore, Daniel, private
Hugh W.,
private
Derry
Dick,
(nigger), servant
,
servant
Gaulden, Zachariah,
first
lieutenant
Mississippi Territory in
Gerald, Jesse,
War
of 1812
Rowland.
159
comet
Gilbert,
Gilbert,
Gillespie,
Ginn,
Edmund,
Hodge, William, corporal Hogg, Holland, private Holloman, Kinchen, private Holloman, Michael, private HoUoway, Reuben, private Horn, Moses, private Howard, Thomas, private
Howell, James, private
Huey, Daniel, private Humes, Robert, dragoon Hunt, Hieiify, adjutapt Hunt, Henry, sergeant
Hunter, Pleasant H.,
first
lieutenant
Graham, Zachariah
G., private
Hynum, James,
Irvin,
private
Thomas M.,
private
Irvin,
Isaac,
servant
Stephen, private
servant servant
Jerry,
Hampton, John
P., private
John,
servant
Absalom, private
Harrison,
Hay
B., corporal-comet
comet
Keller,
Thomas, private
i6o
Keller,
Thomas, private
lieutenant
Thomas M.,
private
James
L., private
Love, Charles, private Love, John J., private Lowry, Robert, first lieutenant
Odam, John,
private
Oneal,
Edmund,
private
servant
McCay, Robert,
private
first
McClellan, Walter,
lieutenant
I.
W., dragoon
,
McComas,
I.
H., Quartermaster
servant
McDermott, Thomas, private McDonald, Elam H., corporal McDonald, Thomas O., sergeant
McGuhu, Nath,
second lieutenant
Picket,
Thomas
K., private
McMahan,
McMicken,
Jesse, private
Thomas M.,
private
Prince,
Montgomery, Davis, private Montgomery, Hugh, private Moor, Ezekiel, private Moore, John K., corporal
Moore, Joseph, private Moore, Joseph B., private Morgan, William, private
Rabum,
Mississippi Territory in
Richardson, Jared N., corporal Richardson, John G., captain
Richardson, Richard, private
Richardson, William A., private
Riley, Isaac, private
War
of 1812
Rowland.
161
Robert, private
Stewart,
David
B., private
Matthew, private
W., private
Scurlock,
Thomas M.,
sergeant
Thames, Timothy, sergeant Thomas, William P., private Thompson, Littleberry, private Thompson, Roland, sergeant Tieman, Peter, first lieutenant and
quartermaster
Enoch, private
Scales, James,
comet
servant
Watson, John, private Watson, Malcom, private servant Watt, Weatherby, G. W., saddler Werden, Robert, sword master West, Charles, dragoon West, Thomas, dragoon
,
l62
Thomas, private
servant
Markham, Arthur,
private
B riant,
David, private
Ice,
Thomas, private
Thomas
H., captain
Dodd,
Jesse, private
Corbell,
Mississippi Territory in
Cox, Henry H.,
Ford, John
S.,
War
of 1812
Rowland.
163
first
lieutenant
private
Powell,
Thomas W.,
sergeant
Sissions,
Boon, private
Hugh, captain
Robert, Lieutenant
lieutenant
Alexander, private
Adam,
,
private
lieutenant
Ben,
servant
L., first sergeant
Benjamin,
Adam
1 64
Purnell,
Robinson,
Goodwyn, James
T., private
McAdams, David,
private
McCracken, George, private McCreary, Hugh, private McElroy, John, private McQuiddy, Thomas, sergeant
Metcalf, John, sergeant
Williams,
Hugh
R., private
Sampson
E., corporal
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
i6S
William, private
Brown, George, private Brown, James, private Brown, Jesse, corporal Brown, John, corporal Brown, John, private Brown, John A., private Brown, Moses, private Brown, Wylie, private Bucannan, John, private Buchanan, Hector, private Buck, John F., private
Buckley, John, private Buckley, William
C,
private
waiter
T., private
Binum, Parham
James, ensign
John, captain
Bumey,
Joseph, private
Moses, private
William, private
Campbell,
Silas,
private
Bradshaw, Richard, private Brady, William, private Brandon, Joseph, private Brazil, Isham, private
Breland, Hilry, private
Carter,
Marcus
E., private
i66
Carter,
Mashak, private
Henry, major
Chapman, George, private Cheatham, Thomas R., corporal Cheek, Henry H., Lieutenant
Chestnut, David, private
Crumpton, William, private Culby, James, drum major Culwell, Thomas, sergeant Cup, Michael, private Currie, Malcome, ensign
Curry, Robert, sergeant
Thomas, private
Cobb, Frederick, private Cockerham, Benjamin, private Cockerham, David, private Cockerham, George, private
Coddle, William, private
Daniels,
Shem
L., private
Mason
G., private
George, private
Levi, private
Davis, Joseph, private Davis, Robert P., private Davis, Samuel, private
Nathaniel, private
Robert, private
Dawson, Thomas, ensign Day, Benjamin B., private Dean, John, private
DeGraftenreed, Francis, private
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
'
167
John, sergeant
Druyard, Antonio, private Dukes, Jeptha, private Dunnum, Robert C, corporal Durant, Locklin, private
Durdoe, Clement, private
Duvall, John, private
W.,
fife
major
Thomas,
first
Lieutenant and
quartermaster
Edmond,
waiter
Edwards, Everett, private Edwards, Jesse, private Edwards, Matthew, corporal Elkins, Ralph, private
Elliot,
John, private
Elliott,
Ellis,
Samuel, private
Stephen, private
Embrey, Elijah, private Emery, William, private Eubanks, John, private Evans, Gideon I., corporal
Evans, Isaac, private Evans, John, first sergeant Evans, William, private
Ewell, Reuben, private
Goodson, Benjamin, private Goodson, James, trumpeter Gordon, John M., private
Gordon, Sandy, private Gradey, William, private
i68
Gray, David
private
I.,
Jacob, sergeant
Hill,
William, private
Hilliard,
Reuben, corporal
first
David, private
Hilson, Silas,
lieutenant
Hammond,
Joshua, private
Edward, private
Edward, private
,
Harry,
servant
William, sergeant
,
Hawk, John,
private
Isham,
servant
Hemby, James,
private
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
private
169
Laughom, William,
John,
servant
captain
Abraham
B., private
Amos, ensign
Jones,
Thomas, private
Lum,
Erastus, private
Thomas, private Kennedy, Cade L., private Kennedy, David, private Kenton, William, corporal
Kimbrall, William, private
Marten,
Phillip, private
Landham,
Elias, private
Landingham, Malachi, private Landram, Meredith, private Landrum, Peter, private Lane, John T., private Langly, John H., ensign
Larry, Daniel, private
Ethelridge, private
Joseph, private
Phillip, private
lyo
McAnulty, Robert, private McAnulty, William, private McCaleb, Daniel, private McCarty, Jacob, sergeant McCombs, William M., private
Mercer, Eli,
fifer
McCook, John, sergeant McCormack, Samuel, corporal McCoy, Daniel, corporal McCoy, Jesse, private
McCrory, John, sergeant McDaniel, Alexander, private McDaniel, Benjamin G., private McDonald, Elam H., private McDonald, John, private McDowell, William, private McDowell, William, private McDugald, Daniel, private
Andrew, sergeant
McGowen, James, Lieutenant McGowen, Russell, private McGowen, William, private McGraw, David, private McGraw, James, private McGrew, Robert, private
McGuffee, Alfred, sergeant Mclntire, Dougald, private
Mclntire, Hugh, private
Mixon, Abed, sergeant Moke, Andrew, private Monger, William, private Montgomery, Alexander, sergeant Montgomery, Hugh, private Montgomery, James, private Montgomery, James S., ensign Moore, James J., private Moore, James, 1st, private Moore, Jefferis H., ensign Moore, Joseph, corporal Moore, Samuel, private Morgan, Elijah, private Morgan, Thomas, sergeant
Morris, James, private Morris, John, private
McKahan, John,
private
McKenzie, John, private McKinsey, Alexander, private McLaughlin, John, private McLaughlin, Patrick, corporal McLaughlin, William, private McLaughlin, William, private McMellon, Daniel, private McMillan, Dugald, corporal McMillan, James, private McMullin, John, private McMullin, Robert, corporal
McNamee, John
R., sergeant
lieutenant
Mississippi Territory in
Nelson, Thomas, private
Nevills, William, private
War
of 1812
Rowland.
first
171
Pollard, John,
corporal
Newman, Reuben,
NichoUs, Joseph,
adjutant
Nickols, David,
private
first
lieutenant
and
fifer
Ralph, private
Norman,
Presley, private
Andrew, private
Benjamin, private
James, private
Page, Jesse, private Page, John W., ensign Page, Robert, private
Rebum, Mark,
corporal
Parks, Silas,
fife
major
Reynolds,
Edward
G., surgeon
Payne, Edward,
drum major
H., sergeant
Thomas
R., private
172
Roberts,
Raymon,
private
William, private
private
Ishum, private
Roddy,
Peter, private
David, private
Nathan, private
Thomas, private
Smoot, Benjamin
S.,
major
Solomon,
private servant
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
173
Thompson, Felix, private Thompson, James, captain Thompson, James, private Thompson, William, private Tibbs, WiUiam, private
Tidder, Isaac, private Tidder, Thomas, private
Toler, Elijah, private
Stedham,
Jesse, private
Benjamin, private
Stone, John
C,
private
Henry, private
Ware, Lard, lieutenant Ware, Nicholas M., private Ware, William, private Warner, James, private
Wamuck,
Joseph, private
Thomas, Charles, private Thomas, Daniel, sergeant Thomas, David, lieutenant Thomas, Joseph, Lieutenant Thomas, Martin, private Thompson, Archibald, private Thompson, David, private
Way, John, sergeant Way, John, corporal Wax, John, corporal Webb, Jesse, private
174
Edmund,
private
David, sergeant
corporal
private
Young,
Jesse, private
Company
Company Company Captain Randal Jones' Company Captain Jos. P. Kennedy's Company Captain William C. Mead's Company Captain Hatton Middleton's Company Captain Hans Morrison's Company Captain Lewis Paimboiuf's Company Captain Thos. Posey's Company Captain John Neilson's Company Captain James Foster's Company Captain Abraham M. Scott's Company Captain Benj. S. Smoot's Company Captain Archelaus Wells' Company
Captain William Jack's Captain Chas. G. Johnson's
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
^Rowland.
Jr.,
175
private
drummer
Anderson, Robert
C, second
Ralph, private
Anthony, Abraham L., private Anthony, Joseph, private Armstrong, Thomas, private Arnold, Benjamin, Jr., private Arnold, Benjamin, Sr., private
Arnold, Bridges, private
Ashley, James, private
Atchison, Henry, sergeant
Atkins, Charles, private
Bell,
corporal
lieutenant
Thomas, private
176
Bums, William,
lieutenant
sergeant
Bowman, Richardson,
first
Bynum, Turner,
captain
private
Brandon, Gerard
C,
Brannan, Thomas, private Brannon, John P., sergeant Brant, Lewis W., sergeant
Breard, John, private
Brent, John, sergeant
and
adjutant
Caldwell,
Thomas, private
Calvet, Alexander,
first
lieutenant
and
aide-de-camp
Brinkman, George, private Britt, William S., ensign Brittle, Thomas M., private
Britton, James, private
first
lieutenant
private
Bartlett, private
Cammack, David,
private
Henry, musician
John, private
John, private
Rowling, private
BuUman, John,
private
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
177
Chadwick, Isaac, private Chambers, Michael, corporal Chambliss, William B., ensign Chaney, James, private
C,
first
sergeant
Andrew, private
Cole, Stewart,
first
sergeant
Coleman, Levi, private Collum, David, private Colson, Samuel, private Colston, Thomas, private Colton, Elam, private
Colvin, Talton, private Colvin, William, private
Dean, Daniel, private Dean, John, Jr., private Dean, John, Sr., private Dearman, William, private
Delevan, Cornelius, private
Deloach, William R.,
adjutant
first
lieutenant and
178
John, corporal
Robert
L., corporal
Thomas, private
Divin, John
S.,
private
Emmons, John,
ensign
Douthard, John, private Dowling, Charles, private Downing, Edward, private Downing, Nicholas, private
Dozier, Thomas, sergeant
Duke, Thomas, private Duncan, Benjamin, private Duncan, David, private Duncan, William, private Dunham, Warren, private Dunking, Thomas, private Dunn, John, private Dunn, Lewis P., corporal Dunson, William, private Dupie, Thomas, private Easley, Edward, private
Easley, John, private
Samuel
S.,
sergeant
George, sergeant
John, ensign
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
179
Fleming, John
P.,
private
Grey,
Thomas
F., private
Griffin,
W., private
William, sergeant
Thomas, private
Henry C, private
Gentry, Elijah,
Sr.,
private
Hall,
Matthew, sergeant
private
David, corporal
i8o
Holcomb, Philip
P., private
Hand, John B., private Hardy, Isaiah, private Harford, Samuel, fife major Harney, Benjamin F., surgeon mate
HarringiU, Joseph, private
Heard, Bailey,
Heard,
first
lieutenant
Joel, private
Hudson, John, private Hudson, Westley, private Huff, William H., private Hunt, William, private
Hurlock, James, private
Heam,
William, private
drum major
Henry, John N., private Henry, Lemuel C. G., private Henry, William, captain
Henson, James, private
Hide, Harris, corporal
Higgins, John, private Higgins, Peter, private
James, private
John, private
Hugh
B., private
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
181
Jones,
Thomas, private
Jones, Wiley, private Jones, William, private Jones, William, private Jones, William, private Jones, William P., private
lieutenant-first
Kennedy, Joseph P., captain and gade major Kennedy, William, private Kennedy, William, private
Kerr, John, surgeon
Kief,
Lewis,
lieutenant
Thomas, private
Knight, Andrew
.Knight,
W.
L., private
Henry, sergeant
William B., private
Littleton,
l82
Lowman,
Cornelius, private
Lowrey, John, fifer Lowry, James, private Lowry, James, private Lucier, Anthony, private
Luckett, James, ensign
L3aich,
McDonald, Hugh, private McDonald, Robert, private McDonald, William, corporal McDonald, Young R., ensign McGee, Joseph, private McGee, Thomas, private
McGinley, Barney, private McGinley, John, private
sergeant
McGruder, Walter, private McGuire, James, private McKinsey, Levi, private McLaughlin, Charles, private McLendon, David, private McLeod, James, private McLouthlen, James, private
McManniman,
Dennis, private
McMichael, William, private McMillan, James, private McNeal, Daniel, private McNeil, Lochlen H., corporal McPhail, Randol, private
McRay,
Elijah, private
Matheney, John D., private Mathews, Samuel, private Mathureb, Loran, private Matson, Thomas, private Matthews, Hezekiah, private Matthews, Lyman, private
McWhinney, William,
first
corporal
Meaux, John T.
T., corporal
Mississippi Territory in
Meeks, James, corporal Melton, Andrew, private
Melvin, Daniel W., private
Mercer, Raney, private Merriman, William, private
Merritt, Morris, private
War
of 1812
Rowland.
183
Mosely, Thomas, private Mosely, Thomas B., private Mosely, William, corporal
Mountjoy, John, sergeant Mulkey, Ellis, private Mullin, Timothy, private Murphy, Benjamin, private
Murphy, John, private Murphy, Willis, corporal Murray, Samuel M., private
Murrell, Charles W., private Mygott, Austin R., musician Myles, Isaac A., corporal
Nabb, Charles
B., private
Monk, William,
corporal
Montgomery, Andrew, first lieutenant Montgomery, Jacob, fifer Montgomery, John, private Mooney, Isaac, private
Moore, Moore, Moore, Moore,
;Moore,
Boyle, sergeant
Charles, second lieutenant
Edward, sergeant
John, sergeant
Thomas, private Moran, John B., private Moran, William, corporal Morgan, George, private Morgan, Isham, private Morgan, John, private Morgan, Joseph, private Morgan, Thomas, private Morgan, William, first lieutenant
^Morris, John, private
lieutenant
lieutenant and
James, musician
i84
Otty, John, private
John C, private
Andrew, private
Absolom, private
W., private
Price,
Price,
Edmund,
private
James, private
Price,
James, private
Proctor,
Aaron
B., saddler
Thomas W.,
private
Pybum,
Jacob, private
Pevy, Nehemiah,
fifer
Ramoue, Michael, private Randal, Thomas, corporal Rankin, Thomas B., comet Rankins, Duncan, private
Ray, Henry, private Ray, James P., private Reams, Sterling, private
Reaves, William, private
Phillips,
Abraham
H., private
Isham
B., sergeant
John, private
Jacob, private
major
Mississippi Territory in
Richardson, Asa
War
of 1812
Rowland.
18s
S.,
private
Moses, corporal
Henry
L.,
second lieutenant
Scott,
Scott,
Scott,
Scruggs,
Edward H.,
corporal
Shane,
Ofife,
private
Roney, John, private Rosheur, David, drummer Ross, George T., lieutenant-colonel Ross, Nimrod, private Ross, Walter R., quartermaster sergeant
Abraham, private
drummer
William, private
John, private
Andrew, private Salvage, Benjamin F., first lieutenant Sanders, William D., corporal
Saltgiver,
Simmons, James, private Simmons, Jonathan, private Simmons, Stephen, musician Simms, Peyton, private
i86
Smith, George,
drummer
Adam,
private
Smoot, Benjamin
S.,
captain
Thomas, Henry, private Thomas, Joseph, private Thomas, William, private Thompson, James, ensign Thompson, James C, private Thompson, John, private Thompson, Thomas, private
Thornton, John, private Thornton, Michael, private
Steers,
Steers,
Edward, sergeant
James, private
Norman, private
Stocker,
James
S.,
Corporal
Tumey, George,
private
'
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
187
Tumey,
Peter, private
Vantine, John
C,
private
private
private
Whitemore, Nicholas, private Whitmore, William, private Whitworth, Abraham, private Wight, John M., sergeant
Wilcox, Benjamin, private
WalkT, John,
private
Waltman, Valentine, private Ward, John C, private Warner, John D., private
Washam, Jeremiah,
private
Williamson, James,
Willis,
drum major
Reason, private
Watson, John, private Weaks, William P., private Weaver, Benjamin H., private Weaver, Christopher, private Webb, Thomas, private Weed, John, private Weekley, Beford, private Welch, George, private Welch, John, sergeant Welch, John V., private
Windham, Samuel,
private
Wood, John,
private
i88
Yokum,
Allen, private
armourer
Jones,
Thomas, private
May, Robert,
private
McCrae, Christopher, corporal McDowell, WiUiam, private McLeod, Alexander, first lieutenant
McMillen, William, musician McNeice, John, private Moseley, John T., private
Pearson, John, private
Perkins, William, private
Philips, Iredel L., corporal
Coleman,
Philip, private
Philips,
Isham,
first
sergeant
Dawkins,
Silas,
private
Dew,
Perry, private
Ransom, musician
Richard L., private
Thomas, private
Mississippi Territory in
Sauserman, John, private
Smith, Thomas, private
Sneed, William, private
Stanley, Jordan, private
War
of 1812
Rowland.
189
Wamuck, Wamuch,
Wells,
Francis, private
Jesse, private
Thomas, private
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain Captain
Captain
Captain
Company Company Thomas Eldridge's Company James Grafton's Company Jonathan Gray's Company James Hamilton's Company William Johnston's Company Elisha F. King's Company James Neelley's Company John T. Rather's Company Abraham Roberts' Company
Allen, William, private
Allison, James, private Allison, William, private
Adams, Francis, corporal Adams, James, private Adams, John, private Adams, Robert, private
Adare, John, private
Aday, Booz, private Aday, John, private Adkins, James S., private
Agin, William, private
Ard, James,
first
lieutenant
Ashbam, Lewis, private Ashbom, Aden, private Ashbum, Andrew, private Ashbum, Bird, private
Ashworth, John, private
Aswell, Solomon, private
ipo
Atkinson, Littleton
S.,
second lieutenant
private
Elijah, corporal
James, private
John
John,
Jr.,
private
private
Sr.,
William, private
Bell, Bell,
sergeant
Edward, private
Burlison, Jonathan, Sr., private Burlison, Joseph, Jr., private Burlison, Joseph, Sr., private
Butler, Samuel, private
Butler, Thomas, private Byram, Ebenezer, first lieutenant
Cannady, Josephus, private Cannimore, Abram, private Cannimore, David, private Games, Thomas, private
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
191
Carroll, Carroll,
Gotten, Peter
I.,
private
Chambers, John, ensign Chambliss, William R., first lieutenant Chetum, Thomas R., sergeant
Childers, Elisha, private
Childers, Jesse, private Childers, William, private Childres, James, ensign
Culwell, Absolum, private Cuningham, James, private Cunningham, John, sergeant Cup, John, corporal
Currie, John, private
Curtis,
Reuben, corporal
Cobb, Briant, sergeant Cobb, James, private Cobb, Stancil, sergeant Cockram, Burl, private
Coil,
Coil,
James, private
Samuel, private
192
Davis, EKjah, private
Davis, James, private Davis, John, private
Ellison,
Thomas, private
Davis, John
J.,
sergeant
Denman, James,
Derrick,
private
Adam,
private
Thomas, private
Dick,
waiter
Fellow,
Henry
G., private
James, private
John, private
Edwards, Clarkston, private Edwards, James, private Edwards, Joseph, private Edwards, Nathan, private Elder, Andrew, private Elder, Samuel, private Eldridge, John R. B., first sergeant
Eldridge,
Elliot, Elliot,
William, private
John, sergeant
Elliotte,
Amos, private
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
193
Thomas, private
Hannah, James, private Hannah, John, private Harbeson, John S., private
Hargrove, Andrev/, private
Harkness, Richard, private
Harlin, James, private
Hathom, William D., private Havard, Thomas, private Havenor, William, ensign Havis, Thomas, second lieutenant Hays, John, second sergeant Head, Abram, private Heart, Warren, private
Hemby, James,
private
John, private
Grifl&th,
Hill,
Thomas, private
Ham,
Harvil, private
194
Hodge, James, corporal Hodges, Fleman, private Hodges, Joshua, ensign Hodges, Seth, corporal Holland, Absalom, corporal Holland, Charles M., corporal
Holland, Tilman, private
Jones, Jacob,
fifer
Jones, John, private Jones, Stephen, private Jones, William B., private
Hudson, Howel, private Hudson, Peter B., private Hughes, James, corporal Hughes, Joseph, private
Kanemore, Jesse, private Kavenor, William, first ensign Keen, David, private
Keeth, David, private
Kelly, Joseph, private Kelly, William, private
Ice,
Ilix,
Thomas, private
John, private
Kemp, Thomas, private Kenedy, Henry, private Kennedy, Martin, private Kennemore, John, private Kennemore, Stephen, private Key, Henry, private Killingsworth, Henry, private
Killingsworth, John, private
King, Elisha F., captain King, George, third lieutenant King, George R., corporal King, Henry,
first
lieutenant
private waiter
Jack,
servant
Phemas, private
John,
private waiter
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
195
Lynn, John, private Mackey, Jonathan, private Mackey, David, private Macoy, John, private Magers, Isaac, private
Mahan, William,
private
Mannan, James,
private
McCay, John,
private
McKamey,
James, private
196
McKinney, Isaac, private McKinney, Robert, private McKinsey, Alexander, private McKinsey, John, private
McElneely, George, private
Edmond,
private
McLary, William, private McLendon, James, private McLeymore, Presley, private McLin, Alexander, first sergeant
Murphey, Samuel, private Murphy, George, private Murphy, Vincent, private Murry, John, private Murry, John, private
Myers, George C, private Nail, Andrew, drummer
Neal, David, corporal
Neel, John, private
Neelley, James, captain
Odum,
Parker, private
Montgomery, Hugh, private Montgomery, John, private Moon, John, private Moon, John, Jr., private Moon, Samuel, private Moone, Nathaniel, private
Moore, James, private Moore, Jeffries H., first lieutenant Moore, John, private Moore, Joseph, private Moore, William C, sergeant Mooreland, William, private Morgan, Harbert, private
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
197
John, private
Peavey,
Wade
H., private
Ray, Martin, first sergeant Ray, Samuel, private Read, C. N., surgeon Read, John, private Redden, Elemuel, private Renno, Lewis, sergeant
Reter, Hezekiah, private
waiter
Adam,
corporal
Porter,
Postell,
Robinson,
Rabom, Mark,
private
198
Rountree, Sebom,
first
sergeant
Henry, private
waiter
Smith, Pliny, private Smith, Richard, private Smith, Whitmal, private Smith, William, private Smith, William, private Smith, William H., private
Smylie, Andrew, private
Snail, William, private
Sam,
Anthony, private
Sorrels,
Samuel, sergeant
Thomas, private
Spigel,
David, private
William, private
John, private
William, private
major
Thomas, private
Shaw, Thompson,
B., private
Swaney,
Edmund
A., private
lieutenant
Taylor, Brice, private Taylor, Charles, private Taylor, Hardin, private Taylor, Joel, private
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
199
Hiram, sergeant Thomas, Charles, private Thomas, John, private Thompson, Alcemene, private Thompson, Coleman, corporal
Terrell,
Thompson, John L., ensign Thompson, Shem, third lieutenant Thompson, William, private
Thorn, Presly, private
Thornton, Martin, private
Thresher, Robert, sergeant
Waddy, Samuel,
first
lieutenant
Watson, William, private Weaver, Daniel, private Weaver, Elijah, second lieutenant
Webb, Jacob,
private
James, private
200
Woodbum,
James, private
Hemy,
private
Woods, William, musician Woods, William B., private Woodward, John, corporal Woodward, Thomas, private
Wright, Alexander, sergeant Wright, John, private Wright, Robert, private Wright, William, private
Yarborough,
Joel, private
Yocum,
Jesse, private
Company Company Captain Moses Collins' Company Captain Francis B. Lenoir's Company Captain James McGowen's Company Captain James Phillips' Company Captain Henry Quin's Company Captain Harmon M. Runnel's Company Captain William Smith's Company Captain William Spencer's Company
Captain David Cleveland's
Bailey,
Ball,
Batson, Peter, private Batson, Seth, private Batson, Thomas, private Beard, William, private
Beasley, William, private
Thomas, private
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
201
Bond, Gedion, corporal Bond, Henry, private Bond, James, private Bond, John, captain Bond, Robert, private Bond, William, lieutenant Bohannon, Wily, private Braddy, William, private
Breland, Hillery, sergeant
Brent, Chamel, private
Collins,
Moses, captain
Collins,
Seaboum, private
Daniel, private
John, private
Moses, sergeant
Robert, private
Bums, Reason,
sergeant
Carson, John,
Jr.,
private private
Dickson, David,
Jr.,
surgeon
Carson, John,
Sr,,
'
202
William, private
Elliott,
Ellis,
Ellis,
Samuel, private
George, private
Owen, corporal
Stephen, private William, private
Harvey, John, Jr., private Harvey, John W., sergeant Harvey, Nehemiah, second lieutenant Harvey, Thomas, private Harvey, Thomas, Sr., private Harville, Edward, private Harvy, Thomas P., private Heard, Thomas, sergeant
Helton, John, private
Ellis,
Ellis,
Harty, private
Honea, Wilks, private Hoover, Christian, private Hoover, John, private Howell, Henry, private
Howell, Samuel, private
William, corporal
Isles,
Demsy, private
John,
private waiter
Golman, Bedey, private Golman, William, corporal Golman, Young, private Graham, William, private Grantham, Daniel, private Grantham, Matthew, private
Graves, Isaac, private
Jones,
Wyatt, private
Mississippi Territory in
Kinchen, Mathew, private
Kirkland, Obediah, ensign
War
of 1812
^Rowland.
203
Massey, Benjamin, private Mathewes, John, private Mathewis, Shadrach, private Matthews, Silas, private May, Benjamin, private
Lemmons, James,
private
May, Berry, ensign May, Etheldredge, private May, Green, private May, John, private May, Joseph, private May, Joseph, private
McAnulty, James, private McAnulty, Robert, private McAnulty, William, corporal McComb, William M., private McCrary, Matthew, private
McCullie, Benjamin, private
McCullie, James, private McCullie, Mathew, private
Lott,
Abraham, private
Jr.,
Lett, Arthur,
private
Lott, Arthur, Sr., private Lott, John, Jr., private Lott, John, Sr., private Lott, Luke, private Lott, Nathan, private Lott, Simon, sergeant Lott, Solomon, private Lott, William, Jr., lieutenant
Lott, William, Sr., private
Low, John, private Lowe, Lunchford, corporal Lumkins, Hendrick, private Magee, Daniel, private Magee, Elisha, private Magee, Fleet, private Magee, George, private Magee, Henry, private Magee, Jacob, private Magee, John, private Magee, John, private Magee, Nehemiah, private Magee, Robert, private Magee, Sire, private Magee, Solomon, private Magee, Willis, private Marshall, Matthew, private
Martin, Aaron, private
McGowen, Hugh, private McGowen, James, captain McGowen, William, private McGraw, James, private McGrew, Alexander, private
McGuffee, Alfred, private McGuffee, John, major McKinsey, David, private
Edmund,
private
Mikell, John
I.,
corporal
MikiU, John
corporal
I. (see
John
I.
Mikell),
Mixon, Cornelius, corporal Mixon, John, private Mixon, William, private Moke, Andrew, private More, William, private Morgan, David, private
204
Moses,
private waiter
Adam,
private
Runnels,
Harmon M.,
captain
Phillips,
James, captain
Phillips,
Thompson, private
Aaron, private
Prichard, William,
first
lieutenant
John, private
Josephus, private
Ralph, private
William, private
Willis, private
James, private
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
20$
Hemy, major
Thompkins, Thomas, private Thompson, Archibald, private Thompson, Jesse, first sergeant Thompson, Simeon, private
Thomhill, William, private
Tilley,
Drury, private
Smith, Jeremiah, private Smith, John, private Smith, John, private Smith, Levi, private Smith, Thomas, private Smith, William, captain
Tompkins, John B., private Toney, James, private Trailor, Matthew, private
TraUor, William, private
Thompson, private
Benjamin, sergeant
George, private
Watson, Harrison, private Weatherby, George W., sergeant Weathersby, Isham, private Welcher, Duke W., private
Wells, John, private Wells, Nathaniel, major
Westfall, Samuel, private
John, private
206
Company
Estava,
Don
McGill, private
Frazee,
Carman, corporal
Thomas, private
Chaston
Auguste, private
Labat,
private
Clements,
private
McBoy, William,
private
Mitchell,
Thomas, private
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
207
private
Souder,
Siforier,
private
,
Spillman,
private
Saxton,
private
Hugh, private
John,
first
sergeant
Hogg, John, private Holdman, Joseph, private Hosea, Thomas, private Howel, Henry, private
Jacob,
,
servant
lieutenant
208
Mimms, Thomas,
private
Ray, Henry, private Ray, John, corporal Rhodes, John, private Rodgers, Absalom, private Rodgers, Hays, private
Rose, William, private
Short, Michael, private
Odum,
Richard, corporal
William, private
Wood, John,
private
Company
Company Company Captain Greaf Johnston's Company Captain Wm. Moseley's Company
Captain William Evans'
Griffith's
Mississippi Territory in
Bloodworth, Timothy, private Boggs, Samuel, private
Bogs, John, private Boggs, John O., private
Boling, Alexander, private
War
of 1812
Rowland.
209
Cook, Benjamin, private Cook, John, private Cook, Randal, private Cook, Robert, private
Cooper, George, private
Cornelius, Ira., private
Craig,
Adam
H., private
Brown, John, private Brown, Leonard, private Brown, Thomas T., private
Brunson, Larkin, private
Brunson, Samuel, private
sergeant
Thomas, private
Day, David, private Dean, Samuel, private Dearman, William, private Doughty, WiUiam, private
Dublin, James, private
Thomas, sergeant
Thomas
S.,
private
2IO
Ellison, Lewis, private
Champion, private
Moses, corporal
Howard, John, private Howard, Samuel, corporal Howard, Thomas S., private Hubbard, Ezekiel, private
Huder, Michael, private Hughs, Thomas, private Hunt, George W., first sergeant
Hutchison, Thomas, corporal
Dougald, private
Jackson, Jacob, private Jackson, John, private Jackson, Sterling, private Jackson, William, private
Stephen, captain
Matthew, private
Hodges,
Allison, private
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
211
George, private
James, private
John, private
Joseph, sergeant
McBroom, Stephen,
private
McCrachran, Daniel, private McCachron, Veill, private McCain, James, private McCain, John, private McCartey, Jacob, private
McCowey, Samuel,
private
Thomas, private
McGowan,
Prewett, corporal
Norman, Barney, private Norman, Elisha, private Norwood, John M., private
Ominet, James, private
Paise, James, private
Duncan, private
212
James, private
Samuel, private
Priest,
Thomas, private
Taylor, Larkin,
Therill,
drummer
David, private
Robertson,
Eli, sergeant
Thomas, Moses, private Thomerson, John, private Thompson, Swan, private Tidwell, David T., private
Tilman, Daniel, private
Scruggs,
James
S.,
private
Vining,
Wade
H., private
Humphrey, private
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
private
first
213
Company)
Barabino, T, O., private
Lafontaine,
C,
McCall, Duncan,
quartermaster
Mitchell,
lieutenant
and
private
M., corporal
Morin, Morin,
J. B.,
private
private
B., private
I.
private
Campbell,
I.
H., private
Coleman,
Jesse, private
private
Crane, Lewis,
Sr.,
private
214
Curry, John, private
Hugh, private
Dawkins, Silas, private Denly, James, private Denly, John, private Denson, Isaac, first sergeant
Denson, Joseph, private Devereux, Charles H., captain
Diven, John
S.,
private
Matthews, Samuel, private Matthews, William, private McCarty, Neal, private McCloud, Alexander, private
McGrew, Bonaparte, private McGrew, William M., private McLendon, David, corporal
Melton, Andrew, private Melton, William, private
Miller, Michael, private
Mills, James, private
John, private
Griffin,
Moses, private
WiUiam, private
John, private
Ham,
Charles, ensign
Gibson, corporal
John, sergeant
Thomas, sergeant
John, private
Mississippi Territory in
War
of 1812
Rowland.
215
corporal
Newbury, private
second sergeant
Edward
Y., private
Toulman, Theophilus, ensign Upton, John, private Vamer, John, corporal Wager, David, corporal
Walker, Daniel, private
Thomas, private
Rogers,
Thomas
A., lieutenant
and
adjutant
Rollins, James, private
M.
D., private
Reuben, captain
Woodyard, John, private Woodyard, Walter, private Worley, John B., private
2l6
Company Company
Bowman, Richardson,
first
lieutenant
lieutenant
Baldwin, Hiram,
Barkley, Samuel
first
lieutenant
C,
private
Brandon, Gerard C, captain Brant, Lewis W., corporal Brashears, Benjamin, private
Brashiers, James, private
C,
private
Drury, private
Bell,
Thomas, private
Henry, corporal
Isaac, private
Jonathan, private
Joseph, private
Thomas, private
lieutenant
Mississippi Territory in
Burke, George, private
Burks, Leonard W., corporal
Burks, "William, private
Burnett, Mark, private
War of
1812
Rowland.
217
Bums, William,
sergeant
M., private
Camp, John, ensign Campbell, John D., private CampbeU, Silas, private
Canady, David, private Canady, Henry, private Canady, Nathan, private Carmony, William, private
Carter, Joseph, private
Mathew, private
C,
second lieutenant
Ware, private Cissna, William S., private Claiborne, Ferdinand L., colonel
Clark, John, private
Deloach, William R., first lieutenant Demars, Malcolm, private Dennis, Asa W., private Dennis, Thomas, private Devine, Kinsman, private Dickson, Thomas, private
2i8
Dobbs, John H., private Dougherty, George, sergeant major Doughty, Edward, private Douthard, Zedekiah, private Dowling, Charies, private Downing, Edward, private Downs, William, private Dozer, Thomas, private
Fumess, John, corporal Gains, Fountain H., private Garlington, Benjamin, fifer Garlington, Edwin, private
Garriday, William, private
Duncan, William, private Dunn, James, private Dunson, William, private Dupie, Thomas, private
Durin, Jonathan, private
David, private
John, corporal
Joseph, private
Nathaniel, private
Thomas, private
John, corporal
William, captain
John, private
Goodston, James, private Goodwin, Isaac, private Gordon, George, private Gordon, James, private Gowen, James H., sergeant Gower, Elisha, private Graddock, Richard, private
lieutenant
George, private
Mississippi Territory in
William, sergeant
War of
i8i 2 Rowland.
219
GriJQan,
corporal
lieutenant
Mathew, private
Needham, private
Havard, Elijah, private Heady, Elijah, private Heath, Thomas, musician Helms, Henry, private
Heliums, Enos, private
Helvey, Henry, musician
James, private
Alexander L, private
James, private
captain
Abraham, private
Hilliard,
James, private
private
220
Jones, Samuel, private Jones,
Llewellyn,
Compton
Thomas, private
Long, James, sergeant Long, James P., private Long, Jeremiah, private Long, Philip
P., private
Lucket, James,
first
sergeant
Kinchen, Mathew,
first
lieutenant
Madden, James, private Mann, Simpson, private Mannen, Jeremiah, private Manning, Silas, private
Manville, Philip, private
La
Lawhom, John,
private
Masey, Drury, Jr., private Mason, Charles, private Massey, Drury, Sr., private
Master, Baptist, private
Master, John, private
Leak, William,
first
lieutenant
May, William,
sergeant
McAleb, Alexander, private McAlpin, Duncan, private McCartney, James, private McCarty, James, private McClendon, John, private
Mississippi Territory in
War of
1812
Rowland.
221
McCune,
Archibald, private
Edward, private
Edmund,
private
Thomas, private
Jacob, private
Philips,
Thomas, private
Monday,
Littleton, private
Monger, Thomas, private Montgomery, Andrew, first lieutenant Montgomery, John, private Moore, John, corporal Morgan, John, private Morgan, Labum, private Morgan, Shadrick, private Morgan, William, private
Morris, John, private
John
L., private
Morrison, John,
drum major
Benjamin, private
Murphey, Wiley, private Murphy, Benjamin, private Murphy, Nathaniel, sergeant Murphy, Samuel, private Murray, Christopher, private Murray, Thomas, musician
Mygott, Austin R.,
fifer-corporal
222
Isham, private
Benjamin, private
Robert, Redding,
drummer
Simmons, George, private Simmons, Isaiah, private Simmons, John, private Simms, Peyton, private Smallwood, Elisha, private Smith, Henry, private
Smith, James, private
Smith, Laban, private Smith, Whitmal, corporal
Southard, Joseph, private
Spillman, Ellis E., ensign Spurlock, David, private Spurlock, Drury, private
Steel,
Hugh, private
Robert, private
Steele,
first
Robert
S.,
sergeant
lieutenant
and quartermaster
Samson, Andrew, sergeant
Sanders, Joseph, private Sanders, Keatland, private
lieutenant
James, private
Saunders, James, sergeant Saunders, James, corporal Saunders, William D., private
Scott, Casen, private
Stoker,
Matthew, private
Scott,
Scott, Scott,
Thomas, private
Mississippi Territory in
War of
1812
Rowland4
223
Swan, Robert, sergeant Swearingame, Joel, sergeant Tanner, Cullen E., corporal
Taylor, Brice, private
Taylor, Thomas, private
Weeve, Frederick, private Welch, John, quartermaster sergeant WeUs, John, private
West, William, private Weygatt, David, private White, Henry, private
White, Jacob, private White, Joel, ensign
White, Joseph, private
Thomas, William, private Thomkin, Thomas, private Thompson, Archibald, private Thomspon, Joab, private Thompson, John, private Thompson, John, private Thompson, Richrd, private
Thomhill, Robert, private
Tines, Minor, private
Tomlinson, Jacob,
first
lieutenant
Reason, private
Thomas, private
Winnbome, David, sergeant Wood, John, lieutenant-colonel Wood, John, private Wood, William, private
Woods, Joseph, private Worsham, Joseph S., first lieutenant and
adjutant
Yokum,
Allen, private
Warsaw, John, private Washburn, Henry, private Watson, George B,, private Weaks, Zadock, private
224
Mississippi Militia
Evan, captain
McGee, Joseph,
private
Odum,
Richard, private
private
Hammond,
Harrell,
Jacob, private
first
Harbert, William,
sergeant
Hardy, private
Mississippi Militia
Company Company Captain John Jones' Company Captain Josiah D. Lister's Company
Captain Samuel Dale's
Alexander, Jordan, private
Allen, David, private
lieutenant
Davis, Simeon, private Denson, James, second lieutenant Drinkard, Allenton, private
Mississippi Territory in
Drinkard, Francis, private
War of
1812
Rowland.
225
Emmonds, John,
Evans, Josiah,
Figures,
ensign
lieutenant
Moody,
Joel, private
Thomas, private
Monroe, Neal, private Montcreaf, Benjamin, private Morgan, George, private Morton, Hughes, private
Mosely, William, private
Murrell, Zachariah, private
Nail, Joel, private
private
Heard, Bailey,
first
lieutenant
Ralph, ensign
William, private
Smith,
Edmund,
private
Smoot, B.
Stafford,
May,
Patrick, lieutenant
and adjutant
226
Tool, David, corporal Toulmui, Theophilus, first lieutenant Vaughan, William, private Vaun, John, private Walker, Felix, private
Abraham, private
Anderson, Robert
C,
sergeant
C,
private
Briscoe, Parmenas,
major
Brown, John, private Brown, Joseph, private Brown, Lampkin W., private Brown, William, private Brown, William, private Brunaugh, Martin, sergeant Buckley, William C, private
Mississippi Territory in
War of
1812
Rowland.
227
Bumham,
Gabriel, private
private
Caldwell, R.
S.,
private
Day, David, private Dean, John T., private Dey, Robert, private Dismuke, Joseph, private
Divine, William, private
Campbell,
Silas,
private
Carman, Asa, private Carmany, William, private Camis, David, private Carr, John H., private
Carr, Joseph, private
Donoho, Charles, private Downs, George, private Downs, Hiram, private Downs, Jeremiah, first lieutenant Downs, Joseph, private Draughan, Elbert, corporal
Ducker, John, private Dunn, David, private
Benjamin, private
Cassells,
Reuben, private
William, private
C,
ensign
Collins,
Henry, private
Farmer, Joseph D., private Farmer, William, private Farmer, William, private
Ferry, John, private
Cook, David T. W., captain Cook, John, private Cook, John, private Clan ton, James, private
Clark, Daniel, private Clark, Wilson, private
Clarke, Lewis, corporal
Cole,
Fleming, William,
John, private
J. B.,
sergeant
Mason
G., private
Frank,
waiter
Andrew, private
228
Fridley, John, private
Thomas M.,
private
lieutenant
servant
Norman, private
Hugh
B., corporal
drummer
lieutenant
Jones, Henry, private Jones, Isaac, private Jones, Richard, private Jones, William, private
Isham, private
John E., sergeant Hallowel, William L., private Hammett, Absolum, private Harkness, Henry, private
Hall,
Harrell, James, first lieutenant
Hezekiah, servant
Hickenbottom, William
L., private
Kirkham, Thomas,
first
lieutenant
Hoggatt, Philip,
quartermaster
first
lieutenant
and
Knowland, James, corporal Knox, Andrew, private Knox, John, corporal Lamb, Henry, private Lambert, David, corporal
Lambright, David, private
Mississippi Territory in
Laneheart, Jacob, corporal
Lee, Thomas, private
War of
1812
Rowland.
229
MiUs, private
Montgomery, John, private Moore, Henson, private Moore, James, private Moore, Jesse, private Moore, John, private Moore, Parsons, private Moore, William, private Morgan, James, private Morgan, John, private
Morris, John, private
Mashborn, Enoch, private Matthews, Zech, private Maxey, Radford B., corporal Maxwell, William E., corporal Mays, Stephen, private
McAllister, John, private
servant
McCartney, Lewis, private McConnell, Robert B., private McCormick, William, private McDaniel, John, private McDaniel, Jonathan, private
McEwen,
Archibald, private
Edmond,
private
Thomas
R., sergeant
first
lieutenant
lieutenant
230
Andrew, private
Slocum, Charles
C,
private
waiter
James
T., private
James, sergeant
James, private
Strickland,
Sapp,
Dill, private
Searcy,
Sellers, Isaac,
Toney
(negro), waiter
Abraham, private
Tribble,
Tumey, John,
Mississippi Territory in
War of
1812
Rowland.
J.,
231
Windham, Stephen,
sergeant
Abraham, private
Wells,
Edmond,
private
waiter
John
A., captain
Galyan, Layboum,
fifer
waiter
drummer
Samuel, private
McKee, Robert,
Moses,
private
,
waiter
Galyan, Abner,
fifer
Anthony, private
232
Seals, Bluford, private
drummer
White, James A., private White, Mitchel, private White, William, private
Townsend,
Eli, private
Dublin,
servant
John, private
Bob,
servant
Bradshaw,
Willis, private
Elisha, corporal
John
A., private
Roland, private
Wiley, private
Bums, James,
private
John, private
servant
Mississippi Territory in
War of
1812
Rowland.
233
Row, John,
private
W.
D., private
Lum,
Israel, private
Wm.,
private
Walter, private
McCaleb, Thomas
Thomas, private
McCartney, Lewis, private McDonald, Benjamin, private McDonald, Peter, private McDowell, James, first lieutenant
Edmund,
private
Whipps, Nathan, private White, William, private Whitney, John, private Whitney, John, private
Whittington, Aaron, private
Newman,
Odum, Abraham,
Old,
private
MISSISSIPPI.
Martinsburg, March
7,
1859.
To Col.
J. F.
H. Claiborne.
Dear Sir, Your acceptable letter acknowledging the receipt of my preliminary movements towards a complyance with your request as to the materials for your Sketch of Governor Holmes has of course established our relations and before this I hope you have received an additional sheet referring to the Governor's old batchelorship and another containing his epitaph I had sent out to the oldest remaining members of the family Mrs. Mackey of Clarke and Mrs. Morton
of Charlotte Counties, Va. the first could not give me anything but cousin Mrs. Morton has sent me an old relic of the family Bible showing that the Governor was born in Pennsylvania. It seems grandfather's first two children were born there. I knew that he was married there before they moved here to the Red House place but having heard from Col. David Hunter, grandmother's brother, that he had moved here in 1765, I thought that grandfather had also, but Mrs. Legrand the third child was born here. Hugh and David in
my
my
my
my
Pennsylvania.
The following is the extract from the old memo. "David Holmes "born in York County Pennsylvania at the Mary Ann Furnace
March
the loth, 1770, at 9 oclock in the morning." I have before me a letter from Mr. J. H. B. Latrobe telling me how to send down my picture of Gov. H. and that he would attend to the preparation of the photographs. I would like to hear from you, what number of copies you need, and what I shall do with the copy to be engraved, &c. I suppose Mr. Latrobe will be the most effective person to attend to that part of the work. Sartain of Philadelphia is decidedly at the head of the profession in mezzo tint. In my memoir of the Rev. James Chisholm he prepared the prefixed portrait from a daguerreotype and the fidelity of the copy is exemplary. If Henry PoUoch, 155 W. Baltimore Street, makes a good copy of the picture, I should be sure of Sartain. I have alsoan engraving by St. Memin when the Governor was in Congress, but this is a profile painted portrait is the best likeness, I think, and would not help the cause. that I ever saw, even to the "cock of the eye," called here the "Hunter Cock," a known peculiarity. One of my brother's children has it, and it is as transmissible as the Red Gauntlet mark of the horse shoe, or the short little finger of the Holmes family even that the painter has involuntarily copied. I have forborne to inflict any of the illustrative anecdotes upon you, the interest in such things is very apt to be overrated by members of the family, who have the toleration of family feeling and the associations of family affections to give, such (to them) an acceptance, not to be expected from strangers. Still if you wish
My
you stories of his. Queer helplessness in riding, driving, carving, &c., the very reverse of his brother Hugh Holmes. 2. His high calm courage (Mr. Dunbar can tell you of an instance with Governor Poindexter) but I don't know that it would do to publish it. 3. His bonhommie, and sociableness, and love of a joke. 4. His high sense of justice and kindness to his slaves even to that rascal Manuel who le^t him in his helpless condition in Winchester running away and leaving his own wife as well as his master, who had petted him into a very worthless servant
it,
I can tell
1.
234
David Holmes
Conrad.
235
I wished to recapture him and was rebuked for it. "By no means, it was natural in him to get away from such a tiresome life with me let him run Sir," and he confirmed his emancipation by his will I think. You see what you have brought on yourself by opening the flood gates of family reminiscences. Well, you have only to say with Palemon the arbiter in Virgil's
will shut
down.
D. H. Conrad.
J.
F. H. Claiborne,
Relative to the
Mississippi.^
and his
Holmes a gentleman
all his
after which he had no connection or communication with his relatives in his native country. Colonel Holmes was a man of good education, a successful merchant in Winchester, Virginia, before the Revolution, and was during the War of the Revolution Colonel Commissary of prisoners. As such he is referred to, by Lieutenant-General Stewart in his memoirs
who was the senior oflScer, among those prisoners taken at Saratoga, and who were removed from Charlottesville to Winchester during the
war.
Colonel Holmes, judging from his Coat of Arms, which he always had (after the old fashion) pasted in his books, came of the Holmes of Staffordshire, England, originally. He was a man of high
spirit,
many
things
remembered
of
him
referred to here.
traits to
mark him
His son David inherited enough of his peculiar as a man of scrupulous honor and undoubted
and gentleness
of his disposition
was
236
when
of the large
his
named Morton
3.
in Charlotte.
Mrs. Elizabeth McGuire, married to Edward McGuire, Esq., of Winchester who left a numerous progeny. Hugh Holmes McGuire,
an eminent physician and surgeon, is her oldest son. She was a model wife and mother. 4. My mother, Mrs. Rebecca Conrad, married to Dr. Daniel Conrad, of Winchester, who died in 1806. My mother the favored and favorite sister of the Governor (see his will), died at the close of the same year that he died, 1832. It is not for me to speak of her ''her works do follow her;" "her children" still live to "rise up and
call
her blessed."
David Holmes
5.
Conrad.
237
Mrs. Nancy Boyd, married to General Boyd of Martinsburg, She was married in 1805, died in 181 7, at Boydville near Martinsburg, and her descendants are now numerous. She was a generous, noble hearted woman, of great piety, but
Berkeley County, Virginia.
of very deUcate constitution.
Joseph Holmes, a member of the bar, who died at an early Kenawha County, Virginia, where he had migrated; he also died unmarried and childless.
6.
age, in
7.
many
life,
She died about the year 1825, numerously connected and highly
Rev. Andrew Hunter, his
before that,
(called after
New Jersey), the youngest child, a man of rare A member of the bar in New Orleans when the War of 181
Went
into the army; distinguished himself in various
broke out.
he defeated part of a Highland regiment in a regular fight (see histories of the war) and fell leading on his wing of Colonel Croghan's
force, against
1 814 (I
Machinaw
think).
by the
was
left
by
Governor Holmes to his nephew Rev. Andrew Hunter Holmes Boyd, a son of Mrs. Nancy Boyd and an eminent divine of the New School Presbyterian Church now living in Winchester. Major Hunter
Holmes died unmarried and thus the name so far as the Governor's family is concerned became extinct on the 20th of August, 1832, when he died. Descendants of Colonel Holmes to the fourth generation are numerous, but they all are descendants of his daughters and bear other patronymics, the names of families into which they
married.
have thus, perhaps with more minuteness than necessary, cermore than you may have occasion for, referred to the lineage of your old friend and my beloved uncle, who was as a father to me if so, you can select what may suit you and you would pardon the laudatio personarum et temporis acti, if you knew what cause I have for loving and revering his memory.
I
tainly with
238
The
father of
David Holmes
lived in the
town
of Winchester,
the old fort Loudounwhich gave the name to the main street of the present townof some thousand
Frederick County, Virginia
inhabitants.
five
When
village, of the
colony
by Germans from the Palatinate, driven out of their native land, by the persecutions of the Papal power and the results of the Thirty Years War, and by Lutherans who from
of Virginia, settled chiefly
religious persecution fled to this our country of refuge, whose settlements from North to South were founded by those who fled from spiritual despotism in all its forms, to raise up an empire where religious liberty might be the corner stone of a free repubUc. Among this population also were the Scotch Irish, or Presbyterian settlers, from the north of Ireland, and from this last class David Holmes was derived, both on his father's and mother's side. The French pretensions had been quieted after the taking of Quebec, but the troubles
were rolling over the land, when David Holmes was born and his
childhood and early boyhood were spent in the very times of revolutionary struggle.
of
His father had control war sent out into the back settlements of Virginia for safety. He saw in Winchester the disaffected Quakers sent by General Washington's orders from Philadelphia under surveillance to remain there wealthy merchants and educated men such as the Whartons, Potts and others who have since published a work, to exonerate them from the suspicion which then led to this severe measure. He witnessed as a boy of ten years old, the town filled with British officers and soldiers and Hessians taken at the battles where Burgoyne and Fraser and Reidesel had to surrender to Gates and Morgan and Schuyler. He was thus a child of the Revolution, for his father, a staunch Whig, carried out his high toned patriotism so far as to lock up the tea in his store; to be spoiled and rendered useless rather than use the "Accursed thing," which was regarded as the symbol of our purposed subjugation and where he chose to take continental paper money at par, until his fair fortunes were seriously impaired by his overstrained resolve to stand by all the acts of the Continental Congress. David's youth and early manhood were spent
of the prisoners of
David Holmes
Conrad.
his
239
academy
in his native
clerk in the store of his father who in 1785 made him a partner and from that time he became the acting partner and accountant of the
mercantile estabHshment.
The
through
life
and
but
and
of
his mercantile
creditor
by
care-
governor
to handle safely
sums
money which
in his
much
heavy disbursements
New Orleans. He
wood
Lamb
called
it).
He was
Holmes, went to Richmond, as member of the and about that time David Holmes studied law in Wil-
Uamsburg, the old colonial capital of Virginia. About the year 1792, David Holmes probably became a member of the bar and not long after he settled in Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, as a lawyer ready for practice. His forensic career was not brilUant, but emi-
was soon exchanged for political an advocate ascribes to him an unusual fascination in his pubUc efforts as a barrister. He had not the fire and rapidity of his brother Hugh Holmes, whose practice was unexampled for its extent, and profitableness, all through the valley; but I have heard one of his old compeers (Judge Alexander Stuart of Missouri) say that David could win his way better by his "suaviter in modo," than Hugh could by his "fortiter in re." To show you the opinion of one of the most eminent men that ever lived in Virginia and whose early barrister life brought him in contact with both brothers, I will transcribe here from the original letter of the late Mr. William Wirt directed to my lamented father-in-law, of Appeals of Virginia) an extract the Court Judge Carr (late of which was not incorporated in Kennedy's life of Wirt, but excluded
nently successful, though short; for
life.
it
But the
240
expressly
all
son forbidding
relationship
These men were both alike to its publication. and avuncular kindness; and as the oldest male
me
in
repre-
sentative of the family their reputations are both equally dear to me. Mr. Wirt had been writing confidentially to his dearest friend, in reference to Judge Hugh Holmes' claim to the bench of the Court of Appeals, and in which he had intimated something like an opposition to him. In a subsequent letter dated Richmond, June lo, 1815, in answer to the reply of Judge Carr, then Chancellor, Uving in Winchester, is this passage, so characteristic of the noble minded "You ask me why a certain gentleman" (Judge Holmes) writer: in truth, he is a favorite. But there has "is not a favorite of mine never been that mingling of souls between us, which I have had with some others. Why? I do not know myself, unless there be a je ne sais quoi in friendship, as well as in love. When I first went to the bar in Stan town, he was decidedly at the head of it; and showed very clearly by his tone and manner, that he knew he was. I fancied that he exacted from me the same homage and ackitoWledgment of superiority that he received from other quarters. I was not entirely disposed to meet the exaction, and thought as old Johnson used to say that he did not take to me. I had been spoiled perhaps by the indulgence and tenderness of my friends, and he seemed to take so little interest in me, and to be so indifferent about me, and my fate; that for spite I did not take to him. I have been liking him more and more ever since, and could love him now if I thought he cared for
my
love.
This
I
myself,
and
is the whole truth of the matter so far as I know it have the most perfect confidence in the character you
draw
of him.
"His brother Davy has been a great favorite with me from the jump. He is as gentle and kindhearted as a lamb with a most excellent understanding, and a most original vein of original humor." This graphic pen and ink sketch, written offhand, dictated from
happy
likeness
from one
of the
most
men
new
chancellor,
whom
there) goes
on to speak
of another.
My reverence for
memust
memory
my obligations
David Holmes
be
Conrad.
241
though it has no direct relation to Mr. Wirt goes on, in immediate conof nature's
*'But
Henry Tucker
is
one
noblemen.
I have never
of
my idea
him except
David Holmes was elected a member of Congress from the Concomposed of the counties of Rockingham and Augusta and perhaps Shenandoah comprising what is well known
gressional district
now, as the "tenth legion," from the unvarying preponderance of Democratic principles in the political views of the
in Virginia
The party opposed to the Federal administration of under the leadership of Mr. Jefferson entered into Adams, John power in 1801. It was perhaps contemporaneous with th^'s change in the poHcy of the general government, that Major Holmes was sent to Congress. I have not however accessible to me, any congressional register, or journals, to verify this belief, and I refer you to them, to show when he was first sent to Congress, and how the district was at that time arranged. The politics of Mr. Holmes were those of his father, who was an active and zealous opponent of the federal party. I also refer you to the letters selected from a mass of old papers written to him at that time, and to the printed address to his conpeople there.
stituents (referred to in
letter of
Chapman
which he was
held
by
his constituents
is
and
26, 1808, and relates chiefly to the and the probable results from the celebrated attack upon the Chesapeake, and the measures which followed that outrage, on the part of our government. The details are of public acts of Mr. Jefferson's administration, well known to those who have
The address
dated April
fifty
years since.
The
style
and reasoning of the paper, upon these well known events, illustrates the lucidness and directness of the writer, in all his compositions. I have already sent to you, by mail, his parting address to his constituents on the 4th of March, 1809, when he left Congress for the
Mississippi Territory, as the governor of that rising country.
242
Persons may reasonably differ as to Mr. Jefferson's policy in his embargo and non-intercourse laws, but it would be unfair to him and to his supporters, to form a judgment ajdverse to this policy, at that
time, without regarding the great difference between the resources of
revenue as being increased above the legitimate annual receipt by the amount of outstanding bonds of previous years ^four times that
empire
now
is
and
amount,
it is said,
has been
There
this
mode
of
by
among
the
people
the newspaper
it is
in those
every house as
now.
little
Besides, there
was a
respectful recognition
charm.
my taste.
I well
remember when
a boy
to
sit
and assist in folding and directing these printed and how my good uncle even at the expense of his time and patience showed me how to fold and direct them ready for his frank. He was eminently popular among the people of his district. His gentle, kindly, genial nature disarmed all opposition to him personally. The opposition to him was always purely one of principle, and oftentimes was turned to neutrality, or actual advocacy, by his attractive traits of character. He was scrupulously careful to avoid all
letters,
censoriousness.
The milk
of
human
there was a cheery, happy, sun-shiny temper him, which drove away humor, wherever he went a subsident, subtle
bosom
all ill
humor, and love of innocent quizzing, about him, which put everybody at ease where he was; a genuine republican good fellowship about him, not affected, but congenital and native that put every man at ease and a tact in suiting his conversation and topics to the grade of intelligence and the pursuits of his companion, which made liim the most popular man I ever did know and deservedly so. As
David Holmes
Conrad.
243
Mr. Wirt says of him, "he had the temper of a lamb," but then he had, hidden under this sweetness of disposition, a courage, as true as a Damascus blade a sense of honor, and personal dignity, which
was at the bottom of this gentle regard for the feelings of others. He was regardful of other men's feelings and even prejudices; but he was so, because he claimed a like respect to his own. It was perfectly well known that while his good nature and sweetness of temper could never be ruffled by small annoyances, or any degree of friendly liberty; yet, he was not the man to be insulted, or imposed upon, and his roused wrath was dangerous and not to be quieted by evasive explanations, or surly apologies. He was, I know, one of the bravest men and
coolest in danger, that could be
to
show
this,
by
instances the
most demonstrative,
in the course of
this sketch.
March
4,
1809,
REMOVAL TO
MISSISSIPPI TERRITORY.
just fifty years ago,
when Governor
territory of
Holmes
sissippi.
left his
unknown
Mis-
mean unknown
most
There had
mouth
had been perhaps between the South and some portions of the transAllegheny countries on the Ohio. Nor was there any overland trade
further than East Tennessee
^pack horses
and venison, etc., through the valley, returning with salt generally, and sometimes cattle were driven in. But a large tract of country from Tennessee to Natchez was still inhabited by Indians and was called the Indian country.
peltries
nor as comfortable as
now through
title of
the territories
relics of these
formidable tribes
The
the
not in the
common
Governor took out with him the servants who fell to him in the allotment of the negroes of the Grove estate after his mother died, three years before. These simple but attached people were regarded
244
and heroines in their cheerful willingness to go Natchez with "Master Davy." This fidelity lasted to the day of his death, and was returned by him with a constant care of them, and his will shows how he emancipated some who could work for themselves, like Jack the blacksmith, and the others he considerately asked of the legislature of Mississippi to permit to remain in that state as free, which was generously accorded by the representatives of
children as heroes
to the
his fellow citizens there.
by us
and Frederick Conand others perhaps migrated there about that same time, and settled in Louisiana and Mississippi. Since those days, how many have left the old dominion to help to swell the growing population of the rich southwest; since those days how much easier it has become to do so. The steamboat, the railroad, the cities, villages and country domiciles have made an advance in half a century, that in some other countries a decade of centuries has
Dangerfields, Gildarts
rad's family,
home.
The Thurstons,
But
in those
The
sub-
many members
of these families
have been the reward of their enterprize. The benefit was not confined to the emigrants. The great country of the United States has been blessed by this emigrating spirit among
our people.
into these
They change
their skies,
they
carry with them the principles, moral, religious, political and social
new countries. The population there is, at once, a matured, educated and refined one, there is no need for the slow transition from the rude to the civilized state, they are already a civilized people with
for their energies,
room
ment.
and opportunity
and advanceits
The
people, its
and hindrances in the way of the emigrant, is a part and will be no doubt an interesting part of the labor you have assumed in your forthcoming work. To your better knowledge I leave it, and I pass over the interval of some eighteen years of Governor Holmes' residence in Mississippi as territorial Governor first State Governor; Senator in Congress; to the time when a delicate constitution gave way under an ailment he
prospects, its resources for development, the obstacles
David Holmes
had from early summers in the when worn out town to lay his
Conrad.
by spending
245
his
South and winters in Washington as Senator and and panting with asthma, he returned to his native
bones
after
and
many
CHARACTERISTIC TRAITS.
In your
letter of the 13 th, received
on
this 21st of
March, acknowl-
my former communications,
and last days of Governor Holmes, you say "Do continue to jot down, from time to time, every thing you hear or think of his career from the time he landed in this territory until he left public life. I have ample materials, every anecdote you can get will be acceptable;
nothing
is
Your manifest
I
memory
of this
my own feehngs,
that
must be taken with this qualification that to those like us who knew him so well and loved him so long, this may be true, but it requires some infusion of prudential reserve, in our action upon this opinion; lest we find our
that your observation
am tempted to forget,
partiality
from our relations to him, carries us too far for those who, wanting his acquaintance and regard, may consider our details too minute or trivial for general perusal. But at the risk of this, I will at once proceed to follow your instructions and leave to you to reject or modify my present contributions to your work. One of the most remarkable features of the moral character of
calm self possession in danger. That removed from gasconade as it is from timidity. I never saw or heard of any instance in which his self-
his
as far
have given you already an instance which was related by my I give you another under different circumstances which I received from my wife's father. Judge Carr, late of the Court of Appeals of Virginia. A year or two after the peace of 181 5, the Governor came on to visit his friends and his chief business was to adjust his accounts with the general government,
I
246
for the large
war
chiefly
was with the Governor inWashington, and returned with him, after he had effected this settlement; the vouchers and evidences of which, he had placed in a little red morocco trunk, which he carried in his hands. Through dreadful roads, they came through Fredericktown, by Harper's Ferry en route for Winchester. It was winter time, and the river at the ferry was swollen and covered with floating ice dashing among the rocky channels of the Potomac there. It was before the days of bridge or railroa,d, which now makes the passage so safe and unobservable. It was with difficulty that the ferryman could be persuaded to venture over in a yawl. The Judge said his business made it indispensable that he should go on and his companion insisted that he would not part company. The Judge proceeded to strip off his coat and waistcoat and boots to be ready for a swim, if compelled to it. The Governor, taking his little trunk of papers between his knees, wrapped his ample blue cloak around him. "Why, Governor," said the Judge, ''can't you swim?" *'Yes." "Don't you think you had better get ready for it?" "Why, no. Judge. If these papers are lost, I should be ruined anyhow; and then it would be so very cold in the water, that I should hardly have life enough in me to strike out. I believe I'd just sink quietly and so I'll stick to my cloak." The worthy Chancellor had the fortune to shiver in his shirt sleeves for a toilsome time, as they fought off the ice and stemmed the torrent; while the Governor jocularly encouraged him to warm himself with a boat hook, or an oar. The judge in telling the story used to say that he had some pride in his own philosophy, until this quiet composure of the Governor, put him out of conceit of it. There were instances of this trait, in the course of his active and stirring life connected with the call for more demonstrative tokens of his courage but such involve the names of others, and the transactions and the conduct of other men, which had better be kept in unwritten tradition than by written words, rendered public.
David Holmes
Conrad.
247
UNHANDINESS.
of disposition
mangraceful,
manner.
activity.
bearing always the gentlebut without any rapidity of movement or His form was, though rotund in his latter days, delicate and
easy,
His feet and hands were as small as a woman's. He was even carving at table. He cultivated a quietude of deportment, and manifested an inability to help himseK that called for the help of others. You probably may have heard of his horse running off with him, in reviewing the troops once as
awkward
in riding, driving, or
Governor
I
humor with whch he joined in the merriment. remember hearing my mother tell of an incident illustrating
helplessness, as
his elder brother
Judge Hugh Holmes, who was the boldest rider, most expert whip, and most accomphshed host in upper Virginia. My mother's health was wretched and the two brothers went with her to Berkeley Springs this was sometime between 1819 and 1823 I think. She was placed in Judge Holmes' carriage with her brother David, while Judge H. drove his stick gig or chair that he always used on his circuit. After a time he proposed a change, that he should ride with his sister, and the Governor drive the chair. The intent of this move, was manifestly mischievous, on the Judge's part; but the Governor was not the man to suspect it, and took his seat in
the slight vehicle behind the well trained, but spirited sorrel.
He
was
soon passed out of view, before the carriage, but in a brief time,
Governor calmly seated in the gig. ''Now," said the what he'll say about his driving." "What's the matter David?" 'There are certainly yellow jackets abput these mountains, Hugh, your horse is so restive. I like your gig, but can't stand the yellow jackets. So I think I'll let you drive your own horse." The fact being, that the horse had found it more pleasant, to take a lunch upon the herbage of the fence side then to trot in the sun and the Governor did not know how to prevent him from pleasing him-
row
the
self in
the matter.
248
On
this
same
visit to Virginia, as
case,
many
of the
and indeed his sojourns in Virginia were always seasons of social and joyous welcome, in dinners and parties, wherever he went, and knowing his unskilfulness in carving, he was always spared the troublesome dish by his entertainers; except upon the occasion of a dinner at his brother's who maneuvered to set him down to a goose of course, not an old one; but still that test fowl of the carver.
The bustle of
the
first,
from the Governor's progress with his subject for dissection until the Judge called out from the head of the table, "Well brother how do you come on with that roast goose?" The Governor was seen gently hacking at the unsevered wing of the goose intact, and with great good humor answered: *T can't report progress yet, but I think I am gaining on this pinion." He was, of course, relieved by the servant and permitted to eat his dinner in peace. He could thus take a joke, and suffer quizzing from others, but woe unto the wight that came under his hands when he chose to exercise
the office of quizzer, instead of bearing the honors of quizzee.
I never
knew
that
man
yet
who
first,
distant breaking of
His knowledge of character and of that part of a man's character that sticks out (so to speak) in which alone you can "hang the caKskin," (as the bastard Faulcenbridge proposed on Austria's recreant limits). I cannot resist the temptation to tell of an instance of this power of his in his latter days when he was paralyzed sitting in his easy chair in his flannel gown, a poor, suffering old man. His cousin, Major Kean, who had exchanged his well tried sword, for the quill, was living in Winchester then, as Clerk of the Superior Court, where indeed he still lives the honored old soldier who fought all through the War of 181 2 and with untarnished honor. The Major made it a point of duty to spend his leisure time after ofi&ce hours, with his kinsman, and often beguiled the time with stories of their young days. The Governor was his senior by some years. The Major was a bachelor though, and always seemed to think the disparity greater than perhaps the Governor was willing to admit. This very natural reserve upon the question of age the Governor well understood. I was sitting listening to the animated account which the Major was
David Holmes
giving of
Conrad.
249
what was traditionally known to us young men, as The most tremendous and riotous melee that had occurred in the early times in Winchester, between the Irish and the buckskins as the old settlers (chiefly Germans) were termed. This feud lasted for days and many crowns were cracked, and noses depleted
Irish Fight, a
in the village war.
to
and explanatory of the actors in the fray. The Major's description became more and more animated, graphic, life-like, and minute. I saw the old man's eyes twinkle (with that side-way glance which you may have observed) and knew something was coming. ^'Where were you Joe at the time?" "Up in the stable loft overlooking the battlefield" said the Major. "Ah! yes, your mother's stable. Well, and you must have been a right big boy, you remember it all so well. And it's at least forty years ago, Josey. I did not think it was so long forty years ago." "Oh! but Cousin David, I don't pretend I was but a child. I gathered to state all this from my recollections it from the talk of the old folks." "Oh! impossible you disparage your memory you speak as an eye witness. Why what a memory you must have, Joe." The Governor had him dead, and done with
of the affair,
the last
lick.
The humanity and goodness of heart of the subject of your biography was more marked than in almost any other man I ever knew. The milk of human kindness never seemed to turn sour in his bosom. He had a hand as open as day to gentle charity, and then he had what
mere pecuniary generosity, he had the charity of the which can "suffer long," which "hopeth" and "believeth" for the best, and "never faileth." When he was at his worst and needed help and the aid of a servant who knew him and his ways and wants, Manuel, the boy that he had raised from childhood, and petted and indulged, ran off from Winchester, leaving him to find a servant where he could, and took with
is
better than
apostle,
him money and property of his master. I had occasion to go to Winchester and when there, he was explaining to me his will,' which he had left with Mr. Dunbar I think, or Judge Ellis. Especially was he
particular about his servants, in his imperfect speech, trying to con-
vey to
me
Nancy,
I observed that
250
left his
known
was
engaged in carrying out his wishes in sending the faithful ones to Mississippi, I would see if I could not recapture the ungrateful
him as he had. ''You will do no such thing was natural, for him, poor fellow; he had a weary time with me here, but it was his wife that he ran from. I am satisfied she made him unhappy, he would never have left me, if he had not been foolish enough to marry that free woman. No sir, my desire is that you take no steps to reclaim him he knew he was
scoundrel
left
it
Sir, let
I can under-
now than
ment
at an exhibition of
was dumb with astonishforbearance and forgiveness, that I was unI could then. I
its full disinterestedness,
but I obeyed
and never have sought to disturb the so-called liberty of the ungrateful and pampered dog. What a careful, undeviating principle of charity governed this good man in speaking of others. Everybody could see that he could ''keek through ivery ither man with sharpened, sly inspection" as Burns hath it but who was freer from evil speaking? How stern his rebuke of it, in those who were under his training! How well I remember instances, in which he
made my cheeks
evil of
about others.
Some
of the best
by me
no man, to judge not, to think no evil, but to rejoice in the have learned by well merited checks received from him; and administered, too, in a sly quizzing way, more irresistible than the severest scolding could have been. But enough I am, in spite of myself even, an egotist, when I recall the gentle virtues, tempered by manliness; the large experience hidden by modest courtesy, the lofty honor graced by gentle bearing in this wise, lovable, good, old man.
truth, I
The family of Governor Holmes were apprised of his intention to come to Virginia in the summer of 1827, and though deeply regretting the cause, were not surprised to learn that it was because of a serious failure of health. At one time in his life, when quite a young man, perhaps before he went to the bar, he was seriously affected with
David Holmes
Conrad.
251
He
was under the care of Doctor Daniel Conrad, his brother-in-law, in Winchester and lying at his house, to be under his constant daily care. Dr. Conrad, esteemed a very skilful, as he was a very successful physician, hardly expected him to survive the breaking of that abscess thinking from his weak condition and the extent of the disease that he would most probably die of suffocation in the effort to
it.
He
knowing
his firmness,
and wishing
to give
him time
to arrange
his affairs.
ness,
He
and
"Why,
"you cannot possibly survive such a trip and over bad roads." "I am aware of that," was the answer. "You will probably not reach two miles on your journey, when the abscess will break, and then you would probably die on the road and away from your mother and sisters." The reply to this was very characteristic of him: "I'm aware of that, too, but then I want to die where I may not see their sad faces around me." My father reluctantly complied with his wishes, had a carriage procured with a bed in it and
David," said
all
him
in his sulky
my father, and the carand he often spoke of it in after life, as a severe trial to his own feelings, though used to scenes of suffering, for he loved him passing the love of a brother; and when he was congratulated on his successful treatment of him, there, in the forest road to Baltimore he said, "No, it was his incomparable patience and presence of mind that saved him he was as calm during the suffocating coughing spell, and the almost suspension of life as if he were going to rest. No, it was his cool courage and patience that brought him through and nothing else could have done it." He was spared many years of usefulness to his country honorable life to himself and a blessing to his relations but the tendency of his constitution was to disease of his lungs and when in 1827, we were advised that he was afflicted dreadfully with asthma and was coming in by sea
rupture of this internal abscess took place,
riage driver, alone with him,
252
to Virginia
meet him
in Baltimore.
Not
and we met him two or three miles on this side of Baltimore; transferred him to our carriage; and by slow journeys of twelve miles a day, brought him to Winchester. He could not lie down, and he took The weather was brief snatches of sleep propped up on pillows. sufferings his were his warm, and great, but gentle patience intensely them. instance cheerfulness were equal to As an of his universal and popularity and characteristic modesty, I will relate an incident on the road. One evening we were forced to stop at a wagon stand or common tavern where they had not even a mattress in the house, and this was indispensable to him. I inquired of the landlord what gentleman lived in the neighborhood from whom one could be procured. He named ex-Governor George Howard as a liberal and highly esteemed man not far off. I suggested to the Governor that I should write to him for the needed articles. He positively forbade it he would sleep in a chair, and there was not even an arm chair in the house, nor indeed any decent or even clean bed or bedding. I determined to act upon
my own
Governor Howard stating our wants, and very soon a servant came with a cart containing everything and more than we asked for clean sheets, pillows, etc., etc., and a polite note stating that he would have called over himself that evening, but had his house filled with guests, engineers of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad then engaged in the survey of the route; but that he would call in the morning, had seen the Governor and known him, and had great respect for him. By morning light, however, we had to take advantage of the coolness of the early day, and I could only leave a note of thanks. Fifteen or twenty years after, I had the pleasure of entertaining Governor Howard in my house for one evening, when after the same road was
finished to
it
to celebrate its
number of visitors, and persisted in it; though he had been otherwise allotted and when he expressed some surprise at my eagerness to do so, saying that he was not aware of ever having seen me before, I told him of this little incident on the road. He had forgotten it, as a gentleman writes in sand his
opening.
I claimed
him
as
my
guest,
among
the
David Holmes
Conrad.
253
writes in marble. All along the road he was known and great sympathy expressed for him; we almost despaired of getting him to his old home but he seemed to wish to get there to breathe his last where he had breathed his first breath; but it was the will of God that he should spend five years more of protracted suffering ^patiently endured, and cheerfully, and it was also His will that during those five years of confinement and often solitary seclusion he should find consolation and comfort in the knowledge of that Will, as revealed to man; and submission to that Will from the same source, and where
alone,
it
can be found.
and most urgent ones, any of the houses of his numerous relatives, who begged to make them his home) he was one day suddenly stricken down with paralysis affecting the whole of one side, and the brain seriously at first; but this gradually but entirely passed off, leaving him helpless, but perfectly sensible and rational. Strange to say, the asthma his cause of suffering, passing away instantly and entirely; and from that time to the day of his death, he never had a symptom of its
chester (for he steadily declined all invitations
to stay at
return.
The
five years
his
room, were
company and
His speech was affected and his side hopelessly paralyzed, though he
little
sister, Mrs. Conseemed to live only to watch over the declining years of her brother, and took care that he was attended to, and his old Mississippi friends such as Judge EUis and Hon. Mr. Williams and others came to see him. His sick room was oftentimes the audience chamber of select visitors and the gentle, courteous old man seemed as much at home, in his long flannel gown and easy chair as he ever was in the Senate of the United States or the Governor's house in Mississippi. He enjoyed the company of his frier>ds. Nothing seemed to impair his high sense of dignified courtesy and politeness. There was no indication of petulance or childishness, or weakness of feeling. It is a singular fact that he had nothing of that tendency to weep, to shed involuntary tears, which is almost invariably a symptom of this
made
for him.
254
nomina
many
it
cases of this
common
to gifted
minds that
human
pride of
have seen more than I ever wish to see again, even in my own family, but I never saw exactly such a case as his. His brother Hugh died from the same disease but he would weep bitterly and then, as if conscious of the uselessness and causelessness of the act, would apologize for it, as one of the inevitable symptoms of the disorder. I saw nothing of this maudlin tearfulness at any time in the Governor there was weakness of body to aid, suffering to sympathize with, and relieve if possible, but no childish pettishness to humor, or whims to gratify. The innate courage, firmness and
I
fortitude
of character absolutely
of
The nerves
of sensa-
stant pain.
I,
were not paralyzed only the nerves of motion; he suffered conI remember a gentle rebuke (not so intended) given me. not knowing the fact that the disease sometimes has that peculiarity
and that while the patient cannot use or move the paralyzed limbs,
yet suffers pain in them, seemed one day to doubt whether he did not
me
life,
to
know what
pain was.
I can
life
cite,
failing
lamp
of
life,
which made
down just what comes into the memory; and that memory is governed by such a rush of feeling for fatherly kindness and benefit, bestowed
from early infancy, that the restraints of prudence and even of good taste, perhaps, are carried away, as I open the doors of these old depositories of past events, long shut up, but not forgotten. I will therefore say no more of his five years of life but this. His constant companion, and sometimes for many solitary hours, his only companion, was a New Testament of large print which he read over and over again turning the leaves with the same hand that held it it was his only book. The blessed, soul-sustaining faith which it
David Holmes
carries in its acceptance
Conrad.
255
might have been at his mother's knee. Sixty years before, his sister, an experienced and devoted Christian, was perfectly satisfied that he was a sincere Christian man; and she could see, knowing him as she did, its heavenly lustre upon the fine
gold of his natural goodness in the total childlike trust in the truth of
his book,
life.
and unpretending as
and
Her conversations with him were frequent and confidential, and she knew that the change was real, and radical. I have that old dog-eared copy I prize it more than the watch in my pocket, left to me by him in his will, as a memorial; and which I have carried now for twenty-seven years to remember him by. In August, 1832, the Governor had been taken out to Jordan's
my
in
Sulphur Springs a few miles northeast of Winchester. His sister, mother, being in bad health, I had taken to the Bedford Springs
hopes of a change for the better in her health; as we were returning
and near the junction of the road from the Springs with our road, we heard of his death on the day before (the 20th of August, 1832) at the Springs. His body was brought into town, and carried from the residence of my brother and mother, to the cemetery where his parents were buried. He was laid by the side of their graves, and those of his brother and other near relatives, and over him is a plain white marble slab, with the following inscription, which I caused to be graven on it.^
WHY HE NEVER
upon as a
lady's
MARRIED.
He was always remarked no idle dangler, but one who placed a high value upon female society, and the friendship of intelligent women. There was in his intercourse with ladies, that which always won their good will, and decided approval. He had perhaps as many sincere friends among the accomplished and virtuous of the sex, as any man of the same standing in society. His manners were gentle and winning, his estimate of them, that of the preux chevalier; and his fondness for their society, very observable; and yet he never
Governor Holmes was never married.
man that
is
to say,
married.
'
these papers.
256
to very few.
The
circumstances which caused him to live and die a single man, was
known, perhaps but to two persons, besides himself; but I was one of the two, and learned it from the incautious way in which persons sometimes talk before children, without remembering how much more they can understand of a conversation than is supposed, and how their memory will retain words, that may be unintelligible to them at the time, but be subjected to the interpretation of their more matured
minds, long after said.
of his early
manhood engaged
large expectations.
was not without fortune, but with no very She was exceedingly beautiful, accomplished, and gentle in disposition, but perhaps wanting in self-reliance. These two young people were engaged to be married with the supposed approval of her guardians, when it was found that a son of her aunt
herself
and her
I
cousin,
was attached to
her,
and desirous
it,
of
marrying her.
of the
How far the aunt had encouraged the engagement with David Holmes,
do not know, but she was
fully apprised of
and
mutual
attachment; but she naturally, perhaps, favored her son's pretensions; and such was the result of her influence that the young lady was married to her son. The lady who favored it and perhaps effected it, was of too high a character, to have used her influence as she did, if she had known the precise state of the feelings of the parties engaged. The union was not a happy one though the world knew it not, nor was it followed by children. The lady herseK was the confidential friend of the Governor's sister, my mother, and long years after, used so to speak of him, to her, as to show the depth of her feelings towards him. I do not know that they ever met afterwards. She was, even in an advanced period of her life, a beautiful woman, though apparently as fragile, as she was as pale, as a lily. This may seem to be a romantic story I cannot help it it is a true one, and I feel in
relating
lifetime.
it
almost afraid to
tell it,
as I never dared to do in
it
No
from him.
In
my
after life
my uncle's my
mother confirmed the recollections of my childhood about the matter, and always said, that she loved him, though with perfect innocency of heart, to the day of her death, and that her brother David never
David Holmes
Conrad.
257
would marry. All parties are now and have long been in their graves. betrothed, the wedded couple, the sister confidante, and I onlyremain to tell of it, to show why a man so fitted for domestic and wedded life never married; and this I would not do if anyone could know, to whom I have referred.^
The
3 For details of Governor Holmes' life as Governor of Mississippi and United States Senator see Encyclopedia of Mississippi History, Vol. i, pages 878-887.
A. Love.
of the
War of
1 861-1865
by an
active participant
is old,
make him, and yet quite as young as he feels himself So it is with somewhat of a pardonable pride that one gives way to a reminiscent mood and narrates his personal experience, for it may be the means of stimulating others to, figuratively speaking, ''refill their pipes and show how fields were won," and thus furnish the future historian material for a later and perhaps truer history, for as has been truly said, in the death of every soldier, private though he be, there is buried some fact worthy of preservation. The scenes to be described in this unpretentious sketch were not
the Almanacs
to be.
enacted at a time and under circumstances favorable for securing a prominent page in the annals of military history; in fact they are barely mentioned by some, and omitted entirely by other writers of
prominence.
in the trenches at Petersburg, Virginia.
Northern Virginia under General Lee was besieged The army of Tennesee under General Johnston was in retreat from Atlanta, Georgia, presumably to re-enforce General Lee. And the Army of the Cumberland under General Sherman was making Hell and history in his ever memorable
of
The army
"march to the sea." General Forrest, who for the greater part of the war had proven a protection for northern Mississippi and Alabama, had just been promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general and placed in command of all the cavalry in the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana. At that date, or immediately subsequent thereto, i. e., March 18, 1865, his several commands were stationed at or near West
Point, Mississippi, his headquarters.
of the
On March
22 General Wilson
Union army with 12,500 cavalry and 1500 infantry, started from Waterloo, Tennessee, on the Tennessee River, his objective point being Selma, Alabama, where was located the Confederate
258
Closing
Days
of the
War
of Secession
^Love.
259
and government stores. General Forrest, as soon as informed movement, began preparations to meet it by a rapid march in that direction with all his available forces. Leaving West Point, Mississippi, he in person passed through Pickensville, Alabama, and on March 29, reached the bridge over Sipsey River near Pleasant Ridge. There occurred on that day about noon, a
arsenal
of this intended
by General
As
much said,
but
little
tragedy, there
Only one historian of the war, as the writer rememan account of it and that very briefly and superficially.
it,
As we understand
substantially these.
up
to
and including
it
are
While not an eye-witness to what occurred on April 29 this is based upon personal observation made at 8 o'clock next morning, together with conversations and correspondence with various survivors of the campaign, and it is believed to be approximately correct. As this paper does not assume the dignity
impartial account
of history in its generally accepted terms, authorities are not cited, nor the names of principals and participants given for obvious
reasons, and of the rank and file that day all except a small majority have answered the last roll call and entered the realm of everlasting
peace.
longer
And
As already
command
make
defensible the
works
in front of Selma.
If successful in that,
defeated, he probably
would follow
in the
it
wake
and and
Lee
if
his
command beyond
The situation was freely discussed around the camp and none were ignorant of the dismal prospect at Petersburg and of the dire calamity that would follow General Lee's capitulation, or evacuation and retreat, which would prove only a disastrous
in Virginia.
fires
26o
It
is
prevailed and
to cross the
not unreasonable then that dissatisfaction and discouragement it was not unusual to hear the remarks, "I'm not going
"The
jig's
Alabama River," "There's no more use in up boys." But there was nowhere any open
fighting,"
revolt, or
On
all his
command
in front of
General Wilson, there would have been fought then and there the greatest battle of modern times and old Forrest would have won it!
But like Lee at Gettysburg, he failed because he fought with a part and not all of his army. However, this is invading the field of specuwhich is unpardonable even in a quasi historian. But, getting back to the narrative, at or very near the Sipsey Bridge, the provost guard arrested two men supposedly members of the command who were going in an opposite direction along the road, seemingly conscious of the privilege. Brought before the captain he glanced over the paper presented; and acting perhaps, without a thought of consequences, handed it back with the remark, "General Forrest is coming on just behind, show it to him." Passing on they soon met the General, who greeted them cordially, with "well boys, what is it you want?" Presenting the paper they had but a moment to wait, when the face of the General flushed and in a positive tone exclaimed, "This is a lie: The officer whose name is signed here is a hundred miles away and knows not a thing about this. You are deserting in the face of the enemy and you shall be punished." Turning to one of his staff officers, he ordered a detail of twenty men armed and equipped for duty. Other matters claiming his attention, he for a time seemed to forget this, but later inquired if the order was transmitted. The officer addressed replied, "No, General, I did not think you really meant it, I thought you only intended to scare them." "Yes, I did mean it," he said with great warmth. "These men are deserting and shall be made an example of." Standing erect and facing the General, the officer said with coolness and firmness, "General Forrest, you can send the order through another channel if you choose. These men are entitled to a fair and impartial trial, otherwise, I will have nothing whatever to do with the matter." It appears remarkable to say the least, that an officer so near General Forrest and one of his own selection should thus defiantly disobey a
lation
Closing
Days
of the
War
of Secession
^Love.
261
and thereby subject himself to a charge of insubordinaBut when we consider the fact that it requires real men of the ranks, as well as officers of the Une and staff to make and sustain a successful general, it can be understood why this breach of discipline was overlooked, or palUated. General Forrest knew and appreciated the officer and realized that
direct order
loss to the
which they both were giving unqualified support. Undaunted by this open resistance the prisoners were declared guilty and promptly executed. After General Hood's disastrous Tennessee campaign and during the retreat, he was forced by existing conditions
to order General Forrest to "keep picked bodies of cavalry near at
men
that
will
mind
is
of course, not
known;
own
initiative,
a military necessity.
In either event
for,
it
was an unlucky
"Remember, caution is not fear, nor rashness valor's test; If he who fights and dies does well, who fights and lives does
best."
by rank partizanwar and post bellum occurrences even now claim that the men were executed by hanging. This is a vicious fabrication and unworthy of a moments consideration by fair minded men. This drastic military measure of course, had its effect,
Enemies
of General Forrest, influenced doubtless
spirit of soldier
ahead of the column became weary and turning aside, tied his horse to the fence and stretching himself on the ground was soon asleep. Another courier soon came upon the scene and appreciating the situation, connecting the past and present, he took from his satchel a paper and with the stopper of his ink bottle wrote in large letters, "shot for desertion," and placed in upon the breast of the sleeper. Untieafter the execution, a courier, riding
The day
alone,
and
262
it
of the
column
reached the spot and broke ranks together beside the prostrate form.
Indignation and defiance were depicted in every face, threats and
denunciations were heard
*
all
around the
circle,
make a
speech
must
words clapped his hands together with such force as to make a report Uke that of a carbine. At this the sleeper awoke and seeing the placard and his assembled comrades looking on in blank astonishment he jumped to his feet and with drawn pistol and a deluge of profanity, threatened to blow hell out
and
suiting action to
of the
soldier,
man
Such is the changeable life of the young quick transition from the grave to the gay and always ready
that did
it.
i,
all
was
enemy
momentarily.
versity, there
by the Uni-
from a twolady who young story brick basement house on the right, a handsome inquired if the Yankees were coming, to which the encouraging reply was made with hat raised aloft at arms length, "A reconnaissance will now be made, and if found true as you fear, they shall be completely annihilated and driven back across the Tennessee River," or words to that ejffect. But at the fork of the road leading out east, a regiment of cavalry was stationed and the commanding officer who was at the only tent in camp inquired our destination and when told,
tripping
came
down
said, ''the
enemy
is
scouting
all
if
through the
you attempt
by them."
been often expressed that his name could be recalled, a courier came dashing up mounted on a fiery steed, and as remembered dressed in
cadet, or Confederate uniform
leg,
and reported
enemy advancing. At once the order was given to "Saddle up," soon followed by that of "Fall in." To at once relieve a somewhat embarrassing situation, just before the command "Forward" was given, the anxious inquiry was made, "Colonel what are you going to
the
Closing
Days
of the
War
of
SecessionLove.
263
along
do with me?" to which he very cordially replied, "Why take you my boy." We went several miles farther and not finding the
some precautionary advice, the ride was All that afternoon and far into the night we were continued. alone. The owners of the plantation had fled and in most instances
receiving
their dwellings were closed, besides this, every one under such circumstances was considered a suspect and treated accordingly. While
approaching at a gallop.
challenge
Obeying as quickly as possible the warning click of the carbine preceded the demand, "Who goes there?" "Courier with dispatch from General Forrest to General Jackson," "Pass Courier" and we parted, one to continue his tiresome ride, the other to seek a place to sleep, which he found. Another Courier, we conclude from comparing dates, with dispatches from General Forrest to General Jackson, outlining his plan of campaign, was captured. At once General McCook was detached from the army moving down on Selma and marched west and captured the bridge over the Cahawba River at Centerville, thus preventing General Jackson from
given, "Halt." crossing
in the
was
his division
and
artillery as factors
impending
General
McCook
and
off
crossed over
after a little
felt for
General Jackson.
brush he retired to the east side of the river and unwilling Here on to take chances on an engagement, burned the bridge. Sunday, April 2, 1865, occurred a Httle incident that emphasizes the
it is somewhat difficult for a soldier even after a lapse a century and more to lay exclusive claim to the performance of a daring deed or make a reconnaissance without sooner or later having them duplicated or greatly surpassed. This is not said in a
statement that
of half
spirit of
sarcasm, or as a reflection upon the veracity or faulty recolbut seriously, and the following will bear
out the contention in this one instance at least. Being absent from my command, but with a written permit which allowed full liberty, on the march and elsewhere, it so happened that
we
in with a battalion of the 7th Tennessee Cavalry, Forrest's old regiment commanded by Colonel D. C. Kelly, which was halted in
fell
column
in a deep
rider fences
264
on both sides. Curiosity rather than a definite purpose led me to climb from my horse to the top of the fence, and while standing on the top rail, a puE of smoke was seen and almost immediately the scream of a shell was heard overhead, and it seemed that every man ,who had noticed my position yelled in unison, "Come off," "Get down." "What in the hell are you doing up there," all of which suggestions and queries were entirely superfluous for, like Zaccheus of Biblical fame, haste was made to come down, but the incentive was altogether dissimilar. So for the past fifty years the belief has been entertained, if not to say cherished, that the boy on the fence furnished the target for the Union artillerymen, but now comes a member of the regiment just named who being on detached service, was sitting on his horse in rear of the position occupied by the regiment, and on an elevation fifty feet above the level of the road and says that same first shell fired passed within three feet of him and demoralized for a
at rest.
It
is
over the
hill
more than probable that it was the soldier boy on the hill rather than the one on the fence that drew the enemy's fire. Be that as it may, both were surprised and induced to change position de bonne grace. If this sketch was intended for a military treatise, dealing in cause and effect, it would be a pardonable offense to go back a little just here. General Croxton was sent from Elyton to the westward as a protection to the right flank of General Wilson's army, and the day previous to the occurrence mentioned came into the road behind General Jackson's cavalry and between it and his artillery and wagon train. As soon as this was known General Jackson turned and offered battle, but General Croxton promptly retreated over the same road he came and thus relieved a very awkward situation. But General Jackson was detained whidi enabled General McCook as already
therefore
stated, to capture the Centerville bridge.
General Croxton, after a detour to the north crossed the Warrior River and coming down on the west side captured the town of Tuslocated there, or that
Whether he had orders to burn the University of Alabama it was in retaliation for being fired upon by the Cadet Corps of the Institution, is not known, but in either case, it was an unjustifiable act of war. There has been much near history and far history written concaloosa.
cerning the so-called "battle at the bridge" which spans the Warrior
Closing
Days
of the
War
of Secession
Love.
265
River and connects the town of North Port and Tuscaloosa, between
the Union forces and Cadet Corps
commanded by
if
the professors.
the
first
term
is
object-
and were not pursued. This of itself should count half a victory for General Lee was only pursued in a half-hearted way on his retreat from Gettysburg. Leaving Tuscaloosa some of General Croxton's forces passed to the
southwest through Pickens County.
previously mentioned, General Wirt Adams'
the north overtook the rear guard and after
"closing
some time consumed in up" a sharp attack was made which developed into a running fight which lasted until 8 o'clock that night. General Croxton here repeated his retreating tactics which took him back to Tuscaloosa. He halted long enough, however, to form an ambuscade the springing of which resulted in the kilhng of the captain and two men of General Adams' leading company. His own loss was two officers and thirty men, two ambulances, one containing his personal effects including his dress uniform. During one of the many melees occurring that afternoon a Union major became unhorsed and unable to catch a remount, or keep pace with the retreating column, took to the woods afoot and alone. After comparative quiet was restored, an old farmer of the neighborhood appeared and learning of the escape, or "runaway"
employing the vernacular of the country in the ante bellum period, he determined at once to capture him upon his own initiative. Returning home he took down his hunting horn, one blast of which if not worth a thousand men, at least assembled his pack of hounds. Reaching the late field of action he struck a hot trail and soon had the major treed. Tradition has not preserved the exact language vociferated during the progress of capitulation, but it is safe to imagine
that
it
all
conciHatory in character.
The
by
much
General
ville
McCook was
i.
were encomHaving at hand a diagram of the works together with overwhelming numbers, it was comparatively easy to flank and drive out General Forrest, although every precaution
Bridge,
e.,
April
266
to ordering every
man
regardless of person or
"Though the Gray were outnumbered he counted no odd, But fought like a demon and struck like a god. With a hundred he charged like a thousand men,
And
In fighting his
way out, he killed a Union soldier, thus rounding men that fell before his pistols and sword since
Adding
to this the twenty-nine horses killed
man
or officer during
General Richard Taylor, commanding the Department was in Selma at this time and realizing the dangerous situation hurriedly escaped on a railroad engine and lived to write a book entitled. Destruction and Reconstruction, wherein he severely criticises General R. E. Lee's most trusted and congenial corps commander as being slow and deficient in perception. On April 3, the day following that of the burning of the Centerville bridge, we fell in with two of Harvey's scouts who were of detail serving temporarily under General Jackson and scouted through to Marion where we reported for duty. Most of General Forrest's command after the battle of Selma were camped there. The retreat of the Cadets from the University also ended there, thus giving spice and variety to the dress and personnel of the camp. Later we moved up to Livingston and remained there for perhaps two weeks. General Taylor having surrendered his Department on May 4, it only remained for General Forrest to rendezvous his cavalry at Gainesville for parole. His command embraced troops from Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas, all of which were encamped at or near Gainesville for several days awaiting the making out of the Muster Rolls, covering a period of from May 10 to 15, 1865. The writer, prior to receiving his parole was detailed to guard the arms and stores of the regiment to a cotton warehouse in Gainesville and has been claiming some little distinction for this last service,
Closing
Days
of the
War
of Secession
^Love.
267
but now comes one of another company who says he stood guard at the warehouse that night. So another honor is partially eclipsed. Concluding with an explanation and apology, it is deemed proper
to say that the term "soldier boys" appearing in the foregoing dis-
connected sketch
is
and
file,
seventy of
little
whom
average age a
what President
Davis correctly described as the "Seed corn of the Confederacy." In the cavalry, as perhaps in other arms of the service, the Westminister catechism had no place in tactics or regulation, and the
generals themselves frequently under strong provocation violated
some
than followed.
related of
cards, declined.
But
as a off-set
after
an old comrade
and possibly redeeming quality it is the war being asked to take a hand at
and don't know cards." "Yes, said he, but I was with old Forrest, and he was either whipping the Yankees or hunting for them, so I didn't have time to learn and I don't regret it, for cards are an idle or lazy man's game anyway."
The popularity
v^riter
of the recently
sissippi" recalls the fact that the material for the suit
worn by the
was grown on the farm; the wool having been shorn, carded, made all at home. The hat, boots and spurs were also Mississippi made the only contribution to the outfit by the Confederacy being the brass buttons and they were "hand downs," some of which had seen service at This statement is here Gettysburg, Sharpsburg and Petersburg. recorded in commemoration of the undying love, devotion and self sacrifice of the sainted mothers of the South who have all passed to the other side, and
spun, dyed and wove, and the cloth cut, fitted and
"Over the
They
To
Where
A. Love.
be considered by some as an act bordering on presumption day to add important facts or present valuable deductions from accounts of the chroniclers of De Soto's expedition.
to attempt at this late into consideration that the first hand records have been translated into English and are accessible to the general public, it is not at all unreasonable to suppose that they are being
all
may
read,
It
of critical study.
is
an investigator of minded reader of average intelligence is apt to receive at least some impression, if not the formation of definite conclusions concerning any subject under investigation even though it be of events transpiring at a period far antedating the present. Otherwise, ancient history both sacred and profane, would have become closed books, so to speak, to a large class of readers. As well attempt to turn back the tide, or retard the march of time
itself
as to stop investigation.
"What
is
written
is
written,"
it is
but what is written is also subject to review and criticism, and where it contains errors they will be sooner or later discovered and
true,
corrected.
This applies to
all
writers, great
and
small.
As a
pre-
we
De Soto
chroni-
of Elvas.
published in 1557, then followed other reprints and translations both in French and English, the latest being by
Buckingham Smith
Garcillaso
in 1866.
born in Spain but lived for a time in Although a prolific writer, only his history of De Soto published at Lisbon in 1605 will be here considered. He was not a participant in the expedition, but bases his story principally upon the authority of two private soldiers of the army. His only English translation is by Bernard Shipp published in Philadelphia,
De La Vega was
in 1881.
268
&HAe4<.A^a^^7^
Map
of
De
Alabama
Trail.
De
Soto's Expedition
Through Mississippi
Love.
269
for the
was
was by B. F. French in 1850. was published in 1866. Rodrigo Ranjel was Private Secretary to De Soto and kept a diary of the march, and on reaching Mexico made an official report for the Spanish government. In addition to these, in the main, first hand accounts it is deemed appropriate to mention some of the principal commentators on what is generally considered not only the first real
translation which
exploration, but the greatest of the Southern States.
is
No
attempt
made
upon a
De
Bourne of Yale College, George Bancroft, Theodore Irving, John Gilmory Shea and Ramsey of Tennessee, Pickett of Alabama and Claiborne of Mississippi and others. So from this array of literary and historic talent, it is evident that De Soto's expedition has been for a long period a popular and prolific theme and the end is not yet.
The
*
Hays Lewis on
'The Chroniclers of
in the subject.
De Soto's Expedition" has awakened new interest Among others to examine critically this valuable De
Soto.
Having been
for
sometime
Alabama, he had ample opportunity for thorough examination of all the authorities. In a letter he says: "I have read closely every word
written
by the
Chroniclers."
De
Soto's
Town
in
Alabama
to Chisca
is
Town
in Mississippi,
and aware
somewhat
way
of information
and
full
So after an extended correspondence in which a exchange of views was given, it was finally decided that
both should prepare papers, he to receive credit for the general route as above stated, and in return to give like credit for whatever
27
Lowndes County
kind of
proposes
In accordance with this agreement the work began. But man before the papers were ready for the press, he was called
from which no Alabama and and indeed the whole South of from his accurate and untiring
to that realm
pen.
What became
of this, perhaps
known
to the writer.
any information as
known
readiness to advise
every endeavor looking to the preparation and preservation of Southern history, he would doubtless sanction even this bel^-ted and un-
assuming
of
and Lowndes on
December
now
of
Columbus
in the latter.
De Soto's
is
route lay
The
to suggest,
knowledge of the topography the most pracmost probable route traveled. The distinction of living in the first county in Mississippi on which De Soto's army placed foot, is not lightly esteemed, but local pride and simple pride of opinion have no rightful place in real history, for
and
therefore the
We
investigation, first
is
by laying down
it is
as a
predicate that
there
is
perfectly clear
that
De Soto,
Indian
trails.
And
was not a
trails,
trails.
trackless forest,
trails
and many
cross
by
following these
Any
investigator then
who
is
places
evidently historically
There are three of these main traditional trails that traverse Lowndes County. First, and perhaps the better known in aboriginal
De
times,
Soto's Expedition
Through Mississippi
^Love.
271
was one leading from the Choctaw towns in lower Pickens County, Alabama and further south to Cotton Gin Port on the Tombigbee River.
trail
And last
to
is now an improved highway main trail leading from the Chickathe Choctaws and Creeks on the lower
Road and
the
We
shall
now
consider the
first
mentioned
trail
as the probable
route traveled by
tention
is
De Soto. The
first
main trail leading and that he had as a guide and interpreter the chief of the town of Apafallaya which suggests that he was on familiar ground, perhaps had often traveled the trail in intertribal communication. And it was certainly to his interest to keep in the middle of the road for thereby he was ridding his people of an unwelcomed guest. Besides had he lost the army in a canebrake, he himself would very likely have been lost permanently. Thus far we have refrained from quoting directly from the chroniclers, but it
that his
actually on a
north, the direction he wished to go,
seems appropriate just here to say that Rodrigo Ranjel, De Soto's Secretary, who was always at the front and the Knight of Elvas,
who accompanied
December 16 and
arises,
could the
Cotton Gin Port within the five or six days intervening. From a map before me, the distance is estiapproximately mated at forty miles, giving an average of seven or
location on the
nth
This is a fair and reasonable estimate of travel view of the fact that two rivers, the Luxapalila and Buttahatchie were crossed, and a large drove of hogs had to be herded and probably ferried over together with the baggage and commissary stores. The presence of this large number of hogs while regulating largely the rate of travel, seems to have been overlooked altogether by some commentators and only slightly mentioned by others. Returning from this brief exemplification of a phase of the subject, we find the army of exploration in Lowndes County on a well-known
eight miles per day.
in
trail
its
objective point
272
Red Land.
known
Reuben Sanders Ford and below the influx of it and Yellow Creek.
the eye of an observant person
is
Mill,
The
sight to attract
an Indian village site whose limits are indicated by the appearance of a black loamy soil intermixed with fragments of the various shells indigenous to this section and the customary pottery and flints and not to be omitted the ever present walnut and persimmon trees. From this broad table land, the descent to the river bed is through a deep cut, perhaps fifteen feet wide and ten feet deep, testifying conclusively to its long and continuous use. The river here is fordable in summer and never wide even in flood
time.
still
in
an intersection
trail,
is
made almost
Indian
now
the improved
Bennet Place. Crossing this the trail led in a northern course for a most prominent antiquity known as the Neilson mound.
is
This
and
feet
is
and ten feet high. Near by is a large village site so easily recognizable; and at a short distance away is a bold spring at which no doubt some of the steel clad knights quenched their thirst with unaffected relish and enjoyed some witty
diameter, eighty
by one hundred
De
is
nando Cortez, was a many sided man and what the poet said
appUcable to the other:
. . .
one
"He was one in whom Adventure and endurance and emprise . Exalted the mind's faculties, and strung the body's sinues. Brave he was in fight, corteous in banquet, scornful of repose, And bountiful, and cruel, and devout."
So as his eye rested upon
primeval scenery,
this imposing mound and the surrounding we can imagine that his better self for a time held a contemplative mood he entertained in silence what the
sway and
in
poet Bryant afterwards so beautifully expressed in verses and that has come quietly down the years so little known and as little
appreciated.
De
Soto's Expedition
Through
Mississippi
^Love.
273
....
The dead
Of
of other days? And did the dust these fair solitudes once stir with life,
And burn
Answer."
with passion? Let the mighty mounds that overlook the rivers, or that rise In the dim forest, crowded with old oaks
places in line
But the order of march is given and the divisions resume their and onward go still to the northward. Five miles only This is traversed and the beautiful Buttahatchie is before them. locality is known as the Nickles and Shedd Mill place. Just below the mill was a ford in low water and at other times a ferry. Today at
a point
crossing
still
lower
down
is
Luxapalila
in pioneer
in
pre-Columbian days.
Here
and
many
fine
specimens
handiwork of the archeological age. In addition to this main village by in which are small circular mounds. On the opposite, or northern side of the river are two other mounds. This, however, is in Monroe County, the historical preserve of that elegant gentleman and popular writer the Hon. Geo. J. Leftwich, of
there are others near
Aberdeen,
lation
who has
contributed
much
and jurisprudence. Having preempted the subject, it is presumed that he will grant us the right of way. Lack of personal knowledge concerning the topography of that part of the country prevents any direct statement, but the impression is that it is high and dry land, similar to that already described. If so, the advance division of De Soto's army could have easily reached Cotton Gin Port by December 16.
Now
by De Soto, it will not be amiss to go somewhat beyond the scope indicated by the title of this paper. According to the chroniclers, De Soto crossed the river on December 16 and with a small party of horsemen made a forced march to Chicasa, arriving late at night. This was one of the several towns near the present Red
the actual one traveled
Land
in
river,
On December
baggage-carriers
17,
it
was
perhaps the next day before the remainder of the army, the infantry,
and hogs
274
Leaving
towns,
De
now
we
return to
trail,
prehistoric
Lowndes County
That part as far as Waverly on the Tombigbee River, is alluded to by many writers, some of recent date, but none have given a satisfactory account of it beyond that point. Some claim that it crossed the Tombigbee there. This is a mistake, and one violating every historic probability. Of course, there may have been and is today, a ford there in time of very dry weather, but that is not an evidence that the trail crossed there. The facts are these: The real Chickasaw trail on reaching Waverly kept down the west side of the Tombigbee River, crossing Tibbee Creek and passing in succession Old Plymouth and the several village sites indicated on the map, until the large Butler mound at the head of Ten Mile Shoal is reached where it crossed to the east side and thence on by several small mounds; and last the noted Coleman mound, the largest in northeast Mississippi and on into Alabama. Of this prehistoric road, the following quotation is from an article by the late Prof. H. S. Halbert in The Independent, a newspaper of Columbus, Mississippi,
7,
1877:
"On March 30 last while visiting a relative, Mr. Zenophon Halbert, I was informed by him of an ancient road on the east side of the Tombigbee River. He and I made a thorough exploration of this interesting relic of prehistoric times. For nearly a mile, except at rare intervals, we could clearly trace the windings of this ancient road through the unbroken forest. Its g:eneral course is north-west and south-east. Whenever the surface of the country is undulating, up and down the slopes, the road is worn down a foot deep and even on level ground, it is in many places eight inches in depth. In several places we noticed large oak trees, the growth of centuries, standing in the worn surface of the road. One large white oak we noticed particularly fully four feet in diameter, standing in the very center of the track. The road from this place points in the direction of a large artificial mound in the south-east about half a mile distant known as the Coleman Mound. It is about twenty feet high, about one hundred feet in diameter at its base, and very symmetrical in its shape. Forty years ago, as we are creditably informed, its summit was covered with large trees which have long since been destroyed. (At present a dwelling and the usual number of out houses occupy the summit of the Mound, and the same can be said of the Butler Mound.) Mr. Zenophon Halbert, Sr., was one of the first settlers of this part of Lowndes County, he having come in 1818. According to his statement, this road even then had all the marks of extreme antiquity. He had frequently questioned the Indians about it, but they knew nothing whatever of its history. Taking the Mound as a starting point, the road ran in a northwestern direction about two and a half miles until it struck the Tombigbee at the head of Ten Mile Shoals. On the opposite b;ank of the river, the road made its reappearance stretching northwestward through the Butler plantation. The head of these Shoals was evidently the fording place of the way-farers of this ancient highway. From the Mound the road led for miles to the
southeast."
De
Soto's Expedition
Through Mississippi
^Love.
275
the
These mounds were minutely described by Clarence B. Moore of Academy of Natural Science, Philadelphia, in 1901, but we are
considering history, not archeology.
now
it may prove of some interest relics of the De Soto mention some supposed if not importance to expedition. Any student of early Southern history is aware of the fact that the Choctaws had many deahngs with the Spaniards at Mobile and Pensacola, and thereby came into possession of many articles that might now be considered as rehcs. But the first find to mention hardly belongs to this large and varied class. The facts as stated are these: After a severe rain and wind storm that passed over old Yorkville, now Ethelville, Alabama, in 1855, a supposed cannon ball was found imbedded in the upturned root of a prostrated chestnut tree in the yard of the late Dr. J. W. W. Payne. The party giving this information was of the opinion that it was the pea or weight of a pair of steelyards. Granting that it was the size and shape of a cannon ball, a careful examination would have shown evidence of a projection or indentation whereby it could be used on the steelyard beam. The earliest settlers in that section came in The unsolved mystery is how it, within those thirty-seven 1 81 8. years, granting that it was lost on the arrival of its owner, could become imbedded under the roots of that chestnut tree. If a relic of Bienville's Cotton Gin Port Fort, 1736, the contention that Yorkville is on the trail is supported thereby. De Soto, as investigators will recall, had but one cannon, which proving valueless was abandoned somewhere in East Georgia and the last of his powder was used in the battle of Maubila. So he was not thereafter armed with "thunder and lightning" as some inaccurate historians state. The question arises just here: Did he continue to transport the cannon balls and guns arquebuses. The Spaniards had a forge with them and they were very careful
to use these
it is
cannon
balls
made
all their
country.
his
own
De
The
276
next to be considered
is
was shown
to
a reputable blacksmith, who pronounced it of the finest steel. Drawings were sent several De Soto investigators and without exception they said it was a halberd of the kind used in that day. Some contend, however, that being a surface find, it is not a geniuine De Soto.
all conclusive, for it may have remained imbedded for and then been unearthed and later kept for a time and then To illustrate: the finest celt and the largest ever seen in this lost. section was found near the surface in the open prairie miles from any
This
is
not at
centuries
known Indian
son Military Road, and was evidently lost there by some traveler
until unearthed
De
Soto's
Lowndes County, we submit these objections: The old Erie crossing was fordable, not a "deep broad river." The distance
to
Columbus, Mississippi,
is
dis-
by an army of
sick
carriers,
prisoners,
Then
its
Magbee
is
Luxapalila River, meaning in fact a crossing for each day's march, and
said to
The Lincecum Shoal was hardly fordable at that season, and was not a Choctaw crossing, as it led west into Chickasaw territory and had no
connection with Buttahatchie River and
ten miles above.
its
is
The sixty-five miles to Red Land could not have been made in one day by De Soto and his horsemen, even "arriving late at night, nor could the army have made it in four days over the muddy
^^
prairie lands of
we leave the reader to form his conclusions, conscious of having made an honest attempt to add something to our local history,
With
this
and as
is
dead,"
of the
we contemplate placing a modest marker at the intersection De Soto Route and Jackson Highway with inscription in harthe foregoing presentation of the subject.
mony with
TRUE HISTORY OF INCORPORATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, LOCATED AT COLUMBUS,
MISSISSIPPI.!
By Hon.
J.
McC. Martin.
young
men.
Prior to the
date of the Act creating the Industrial Institute and College, Senator Reuben O. Reynolds had introduced in the State Senate a bill incorporating her views. This bill was defeated. She, however, persevering
made
of Claiborne
women
in Mississippi.
"OUve."
The
articles written
by the two
ladies
my
was carefully read by me. Meanwhile a copy of Harper^ s Magazine fell into my hands, giving a full account of Cooper's Union located in the State of New York. As is well known, this institution conducted a system of industrial educaThe article was full and gave glowing accounts of what was tion. being accompHshed by the Cooper benefaction. After reading the Harper's Magazine article I commenced correspondence at Washingattention and each of such articles
States
ton to secure information touching industrial education in the United and on the European Continent. This resulted in bringing to
me a great many circulars from the Department at Washington having such matter in charge. Much valuable information was acquired from
this source
field for
1 Since this paper was written the name of the institution has been changed to Mississippi State College for Women.
277
278
As was the
case with
members
Saturday
my home
at Port Gibson.
On my
John G. Hastings, the husband of Mrs. Olivia Hastings, and dropped into conversation with him touching the articles being written by "Olive" and regularly pubHshed in the Jackson Clarion. I went over the Peter Cooper article in Harper's Magazine with him and also referred to the information derived from Washington through the papers that had been sent to me from the Department there. I asked him if I understood correctly
his wife to
way
mean
young women in Mississippi along with a he repHed that he believed she did and suggested
to Jackson the
Monday. This I agreed to do and did spend the day at the home of Colonel John G. Hastings near Hermanville in the County of Claiborne the following Monday. Taking with me legal cap paper, I asked Mrs. Olivia Hastings to furnish me with a table, pen and ink in her parlor or sitting room. This was done and I made the first draft of the bill creating the Industrial Institute and College in her parlor or sitting room near the villages of Hermanville and St. Elmo. Her home was situated on that part of the old "Hopewell" plantation which formerly belonged to the McCalebs in Claiborne County.
After drafting the
her
for
"It
if it
bill,
met what she had in her mind regarding women and she replied:
is
moje comprehensive and complete than anything I have ever thought not only fully meets what I have in my mind but I believe it will prove of incalculable value to the young women of Mississippi and likely to become a model for similar institutions in other states."
upon
far
it
That evening
I returned to Jackson
into the
only so far as
As the machinery of the and Mechanical College at Starkville had been tried, I incorporated that part into the Act creating the Industrial Institute and
College.
The
located as nearly as possible in the center of the State. This provision was stricken from the bill upon motion by the senator from
Attala County.
bill
I accepted
it,
The moment the motion was made, as author of the saying "The substance was sought, not shadows."
The
At
Industrial Institute
and College
it
Martin.
279
list
bill
was prepared
so
of
counties
was being
The
county of Claiborne had been called the preceding Saturday: the county of Jefferson had not been reached. I requested Senator J. J. Whitney of Jefferson County to claim the privilege of so doing and to
had prepared looking to the creation of the I said to him that I would like for him to have it referred to the Committee of which I was chairman so that it might be speedily reported from committee. This was done the bill was speedily reported back with a favorable report. A day was set for the hearing of the bill in the Senate. On the day set Mrs. Jennie Morancy, then State Librarian, filled the senate chamber with young ladies and married ladies, most of whom lived in Jackson with a good, large number from other places in the State. After protracted debate, Senator Reuben 0. Reynolds opposing the bill as an experiment, it passed the Senate by a majority of two votes. A motion was at once made to reconsider and table so as to get the bill promptly to the House of Representatives. In the House of Representatives the bill was opposed chiefly by Mr. Orr from Chickasaw County, he being a son of Judge Orr of Lowndes County. Bishop Galloway was opposed to, the bill and sat by the side of Mr. Orr during the debate. The friends of the bill were chiefly Judge E. 0. Sykes of Aberdeen, Wiley N. Nash of Starkville, James T. Harrison of Lowndes and General T. M. Miller of Warren
introduce for
the
bill I
me
Industrial Institute
and
College.
County, each of
whom made
the
strong speeches in
close
its behalf.
it
House on as
It
a vote as
Committee and taken to became law and thus the State gave to its daughters the institution now located at Columbus, Mississippi. It would be proper to state here that Bishop Galloway and Senator Reuben O. Reynolds became steadfast friends of the Industrial Institute and College, the former being appointed one of the trustees of the College and serving as such for a number of years. He also delivered a magnificent commencement sermon on one of the commencement days at the College. Senator Reynolds stated to me that the College was a success and stated that his forecast was not realized that it had passed from the experimental stage to that stage where it
bill
'
was sent promptly to the Engrossing Governor Lowry who approved it. Thus the
28o
had become the model for colleges of like character. The sister of Mr. Orr of Chickasaw County, who opposed the passage of the bill in the House of Representatives, became one of the leading and most distinguished members of its splendid corps of teachers. Judge Orr was from the start actively the friend of the College and in conjunction with Senator Sykes of Columbus and Representative Buck Humphries along with Lieutenant-Governor James T. Harrison, was instrumental in securing to the State the elegant grounds on which the College is located along with the donation of some forty thousand dollars from the City of Columbus to the institution. The writer became one of the directors or trustees of the College and remained so for about ten years. The minutes of the Board of
Directors or Trustees, during the formative period of the College, are
replete with measures adopted to bring
in later years, has
it
up
made
it
young ladies industrially in the Union of States. A young lady photographer at Port Gibson has made photographs of the old Hastings home on the Hopewell plantation. They are three in number: one shows the exterior view of the building and grounds as
they looked at the time of taking the picture; one shows the interior
view generally of the building; and the third is a flash light picture showing the room in which the bill creating the College was drafted. The three above named pictures will either be sent to Hon. Dunbar
Rowland
or will be
handed
to
is
of this article.
be sent to him for a suitable historical place in that institution. It would be well indeed if representatives of the two literary societies could visit the old Hastings
home and
some way commemorate the spot, if not to preserve the building from the ruin and decay into which it is rapidly falling. This article is simply written in the interest of truth and to preserve
in
a historical
fact.
INDEX.
Acklen, Capt. Joseph, 189. Adair, Gen. , 134, 137.
Bailey, Capt. Dixon, celebrated halfbreed, 35; at battle of Burnt
Adams, Henry, cited, 92, 103, 109, USAdams, John, comparison of Jackson
with, 152; opposition to administration of, 241. Adams, R. H., manager of ball in honor of Jackson, 152. Adams, Gen. Wirt, 265. Aetna, U. S. brig, 114. Alabama, settlement of Mississippi Territory, 18. Alabama, University of, orders to burn, 264; cadet corps of, 264-265. Alibamos, tribe belonging to "Red Sticks," 32. Aland, Capt. Chas. L., 206. Allen, Lieut. Drury M., officers and men of company of, 162. Allen, 1st Lieut. John, 38. Allen, Capt. John A., officers and men
of company of, 231-232. Allen, Capt. Samuel A., 208. Allen's Company of Mississippi Militia,
officers
Com, 37. Ball, historian, cited, 39n, 43. Ball, T. H., letter to, 4sn. Bancroft, George, cited, 269.
Barnett, Capt. Peter, 189. Baron, 2d Lieut. Charles, 38. Bates, Lieut.-Col. Com. William, 17th Regiment, Jackson county, 90. Bates, Capt. William, 224. Bartram, historian, cited, 34n. , Beale, Capt. of Orieans Rifle Company, 119; takes British by surprise, 121; at battle of New Orleans, 140. Bealle, James, escape of, from massacre at Fort Mims, son Beard, , story of, 63. Beasley, Maj. Daniel, commissioned major, 38; at Fort Mims, 44;
and men
of,
231-232.
U. S. naval tender, 107. Anaconda, brig, attack of, on Fort Bowyer, 95. Anderson, historian, cited, 29. Anderson, 2d Lieut. R. C, 38. Annide, British frigate, loi. Apafallaya, Indian town, 271. Archer, R., manager of ball in honor
Alligator,
,
death
of, 46.
,
Becket, Capt.
captain of volunteer
company,
27.
of Jackson, 152.
Armat,
Thomas,
,
member
of
comBurnt
mittee, 156.
Armstrong,
Bedford, British frigate, loi. Bell, J., manager of ball in honor of Jackson, 152. Bdle Poule, British frigate, loi. , in command of Bellevue, Lieut. marines at battle of New Orleans,
134-
at battle of
Com,
Beluche, Capt.
113.
Benton,
55-
Atossees, tribe belonging to "Red Sticks," 32. Austill, Capt. Jeremiah, at Fort Madison, 61, 6 in; command of boats by, 64-65.
Berkeley county, Virginia, 14. Bienville's Cotton Gin Port Fort, 275. Eingaman, Col. Adam L., appointed secretary of committee, 156.
B
Bailey,
Daniel,
47.
at massacre of
Fort
Mims,
Bingaman, J. F., manager of ball in honor of Jackson, 152. Birmingham Age Herald, cited, son. "Black drink," description of, 3 in.
281
282
Bladensburg, battle
lOI.
troops from,
?^4*-
Blanton, Ensign Benjamin, 38. Blennerhassett, Harmon member of vigilance committee, 52. , letter to, Blount, Gov. 67; letter
to, 2,3-
Burnet, Daniel, candidate for lieutenant-governor, 155. Burnt Com, battle of, 32; events after, 43. Burr, Aaron, 12. Burris, Lieut. -Col. Com. Charles, i6th Regiment, Madison county, 90. Burton, 2d Lieut. Robert, 38.
command of batBluche, Capt. tery 3 by, at New Orleans, 133. Blue, Maj. 2>^\ in attack upon Pensacola, 98; punishes Spaniards,
, ,
Bute County, North Carolina, 24n. Butler, Col. especially commended, 122.
,
Buttahatchie
by
De
100.
Bowyer, Maj. John, 25. of Martinsburg, 237. Boyd, Gen. Boyd, Mrs. Nancy, sketch of, 237. Boyle, Capt. Thomas H., officers and
,
men
of
company
of, 162.
Calahan, Lieut. 7 in. Caldwell, 2d Lieut. Kean, 7,^. Calhoun, John C, 12. Caller, Col. James, letter from,
,
25;
, cited, 47n. Boyles, Mrs. Boyles, Col. William, of Mobile, 47n. Bradberry, loses life, 63. Bradberry, Capt. James, officers and
,
senior military officer, 35; in command at battle of Burnt Corn, 36-37; commander of 6 th Regi-
men
of
company
,
of, 162.
Bradbury,
at
battle
of
Burnt
Corn, 37. Bradford, Elemuel, escape from massacre at Fort Mims, 5on. Bradley, Aaron, escape from massacre at Fort Mims, 5on. Brandon, Capt. Gerard C, 174, 216. Breedlove, at battle of New
,
ment, Washington county, 90. Callihan, 2d Lieut. D. M., 38. Calvit, Lieut. Alexander, staff aide, 38. Calvit, Capt. James, officers and men of company of, 162-163.
1st Lieut. John, 38. Campbell, Anthony, cited, 55n. Carney, Joseph, builder of fort, 42n. Carolina^ U. S. schooner, at battle of
Camp,
Orleans, i35n.
New Orleans, 120, 12 in, 125, 126. Caron, sloop, attacks Fort Bowyer, 94.
Carr, Judge
, of Virginia Court of 239, 245; chancellor of state, 246; anecdote of, 246. Carradine, Lieut.-Col. Com. David, 4th Regiment, Jefferson county, 90. Carroll, Capt. W. B., orders sent to, 114.
Brewer,
British,
cited, 81.
at Pensacola, 84; attack on Fort Bowyer by, 95; fleet at Negril Bay, 101-102; plans to attack New Orleans, 114-115.
,
Appeals,
34-
Carroll,
Gen.
ordered to
New
ball
Bruinsburgh,
i4n.
store
of
Jackson's
at,
invitation
to
at
battle
of
Burnt
Corn, 37.
Bullen, Capt. Samuel, 189. Bullet, William, on staff of Gen. Coffee,
Carson, Col. Joseph, letter from, 25; commander of battalion at Mobile, 28; commissioned major, 38, 39; sketch of, 55n; evacuates Fort Madison, 61, 73; at the capture of the Holy City, 74-75.
Index.
Carson's Regiment of Mississippi Militia, officers and men of, 213-215. Cassell, Maj. 73-74. Cassity, Capt. Hugh, officers and men
,
283
J. F. H,, cited, 23, 71, 77, 155, 276, 269; manager of ball in honor of Jackson, 152; letter
Claiborne,
widow,
from
Chamberlain, Lieut. Reuben, 40. Chambliss, Lieut. W. R., escape from massacre at Fort Mims, son.
to, 234; memoranda for, 235. Claiborne, Gov. William Charles Cole, administration of 12; second governor of Mississippi Territory, 13; letter to, 9 in, 92; apprehensive of safety of New Orleans, loi; appeals to people for defense of New Orleans, 104; protests to
Chauveau, Capt.
, 119; command Orleans, of battery 7 by, at 133, 134. Cherokees, friendly party of, at Tallussahatchie, 67.
U.
S.
government,
Orleans,
136; 115;
105;
guards
New
New
cited,
American
command
of
river
bank by, 145; sketch of 153. Claiborne's Regiment of Mississippi Militia, officers and men of, 216223.
march
to, 273.
trail
Chickasaws, traits
271.
of, 20.
Cockrane,
Chisca Town, Mississippi, De Soto's route to, 269. Chisholm, Rev. James, memoir of, 234. Choctaws, branch of the Muscogees, 19; in attack upon Pensacola, 98; dealings with Spaniards, 275. , especially comChotard, Maj.
Sir Alexander, in comof British fleet at Negri! Bay, loi; proclamations issued by, 118. Cocke, Gen. John, reinforces Claiborne, 55; blamed for "Hillabee Massacre," 69; attitude of, 83.
mand
mended,
122.
Chotard, H., manager of ball in honor of Jackson, 152. Church Hill, Jefiferson county, i6n. Claiborne, Gen. Ferdinand L., patriotism of, 11; sketch of, 13; appointed
27; assigned to constructs Fort 38; Madison, 39; ordered to Fort Stoddart, 39; visits Fort Easley, 4in; headquarters at Mt. Vernon,
brigadier-general,
command,
42n; correspondence of, 43n; visits Fort Mims, 44; original records of, 46; sorrow of, 52; appeals for action, 53-54; checks advance of Creeks, 54; refuses to interfere
Colbert family of half-breeds, 20. Collins, Capt. Moses, 200. Colson, Capt. 113. Conrad, Dr. Daniel, of Winchester,
,
Conrad, D. H., David Holmes: First Governor of Mississippi, 234257; letter from, 234-235.
Conrad, Frederick, family of, 244. Conrad, Mrs. Rebecca, sketch of, 236;
faithfulness of, to brother, 253.
Cook,
at Fort
escape
of,
from massacre
Mims, 5on. Cook, Capt. David T. W., 226. Coosa Town, Alabama, De Soto's route
from, 269. Cornell, Lucy, 47n.
284
Cortez, Hernando, comparison of, with De Soto, 272. Cotton Gin Port, Choctaw trail to, 271; advance division of De Soto
at, 273.
M.
T., 2sn.
Covington, Col. Leonard, advice asked of, 25; sketch of, 25n. Covington, Levin, judge of probate of Adams county, 25n. Cox, William R., appointed surgeon's mate, z^. Crawford, Capt. William, 208. good service of, Crawley, Lieut. ,
at battle of New Orleans, 129; command of battery 4 by, at New Orleans, 133, 134. Creagh, Walter G., frontiersman, 35;
73.
Daquin, Maj. in, 119, 134. Dougherty, 2d Lieut. George, 38. Davis, Ensign Isaac W., 38. Davis, Mrs. Jefferson, 55n.
,
Davis, Jefferson, 12, 14, 57n; comparison of Jackson with, 15:3. Davis, Joseph E., brother of Jefferson Davis, 14. Davis, Ensign Robert, 38.
De Beedma, Lays
Hernandez, com-
missary, 269. de Galvez, Don Bernardo, captor of Pensacola, 20. de la Ronde, Col. Denis, escape of, 115; sends courier to Jackson, 116,
119.
Creek
17; causes of 18Mississippi troops in, 38; capture and destruction of the Holy City, 73-78; surrender of Creeks at Fort Toulouse, 84; signing of peace treaty, 89. Creek Indians, frontier guarded against, 13; cruelty of, ij) incited to war, 17; country of, 24; trouble expected from, 28; early hostilities 3on; friendly party of, at of, Tallussahatchie, 67; besiege Talladega, 68. Crockett, Davy, volunteer, 52.
W. R., appomted adjutant, 38. Bluff, , at Mcintosh Dent, Capt. 3in. Dent, Capt. Benjamm, 38, 174. De Soto, rough treatment of Muscogee Nation by, 32-33; route of expedition of, 268-278; comparison of with Cortez, 272. Destruction and Reconstruction, cited,
Loach, Lieut.
266. Dictator, British frigate, 101. , at battle of Dijean, Col.
De
New
Cunningham,
Orleans, 142. Doherty, Capt. John, 157. Dominique, Capt. 113; good service of, at battle of New Orleans, 129; command of battery 3 by, 133. Donelson, Col. John, father of Mrs. Jackson, i5n.
historian, cited, 23. Drake, cited, 75-76. Dreisback, Maj.
,
gunboat, 114.
Dubourg,
Rev.
Abbe
day
of
prayer appointed by, 147; address of, 148, I48n-i49n. Dubroca, Capt. Benj., 206.
Dale, Capt. Samuel, border hero, 35; at battle of Burnt Corn, 36-37; at Fort Madison, 61; sketch of,
63;
Dunbar,
Capt.
,
Isaac,
of
Jefferson
Troop, 131.
famous hand-to-hand
fight of,
^
Dunbar, Dunbar,
249.
234.
,
lawyer, of Winchester,
157.
64-66; 73; at battle of New Orleans, 135; takes news of victory of New Orleans to President
attacks Littefutche,
Index.
8s
ford, 71-72.
Eighteenth
Regiment of Mississippi and men of, 213. Eldridge, Capt. Thomas, 189.
Militia, officers
Elliott, Capt.
Ellis,
Ellis,
Judge
253-
R. G., manager of ball in honor of Jackson, 152. Encyclopedia Britannica, cited, I9n. Encyclopedia of Mississippi History, cited, 13, i4n, 25-26, 55, s6n,
100, 153, 2S7n.
Dragoons, s6n. of Fiftteenth Regiment (Johnson's) Mississippi Militia, officers and men of, 207-208. First Regiment of Mississippi Infantry,
officers of, 38.
Fort Bowyer, at Mobile, 4on; troops sent to, 94; location of, 94n; attack made upon, 95-96; successful attack on, 146. Fort Burbon, at New Orleans, 104. Fort Carney, location of, 42n. Fort Charlotte, at Mobile, 40. Fort Claiborne, abandoned, 73. Fort Deposit, cavalry sent from, 67. Fort Easley, location of, 4in. Fort Glass, volunteers at, 35; built, 4on. Fort Jackson, treaty concluded at, 88; supplies ordered to, no. Fort Madison, built, 4on. Fort Meigs, siege of, 2on. Fort Mims, construction of, 39-40; capture and massacre at, 45-51; those who escaped massacre at, 49n-5on; indignation caused by massacre at, 51. Fort Montgomery, Jackson assembles troops at, 96. Fort Pierce, name of, 4on. Fort Sinquefield, location of, 4on, 58; attack on, 59^60. Fort St. Leon, artillery sent to, 127. Fort St. Michael, at Pensacola, 99. Fort St. Philip, at New Orleans, 104;
bombardment
Fort
St.
of, 145.
First
teers,
Fleming, Lieui.-Col. Com. David, 3d Regiment, Adams county, 90. Fletcher, Josiah, escape of, from massacre at Fort Mims, son. Floumoy, Gen. conmiander of U. S. troops in the south, 32; correspondence of, 43 cold attitude of, 53; finally agrees with Clai, ;
Stephens, rendezvous of troops at, 26; sketch of, 39n. Fort Stoddart, brigade organized at, 13 establishment of, 4on. Fort Strother, erected, 68; supplies ordered to, no. Fort Toulouse, erection of, 84; location of, 84n. Fort White, location of, 4 in. Fort Wayne, treaty of, 2on. Fort Williams, supplies ordered to, no. Fortier, Col. Michael, levies negro
;
troops, no. Foster, Capt. Arthur, officers of company of, 163. Foster, Capt. James, 38, 174.
and men
Fourteenth
Regiment
Militia
(McBoy's)
officers
of
borne, 66. Floyd, Gen. , commands Georgia volunteers, 55; attacks Autossee,
70. Foelckil, Capt. L. V., 38, 174. Foote, Henry S., cited, 56. Forrest, Gen. Nathan B., promoted to lieutenant-general, 258; tragic incident concerning, 259-262; dis-
Mississippi
and
206-207. Joseph, "the Prophet," 32; attacks home of Ransom Kimbell, Sinquefield, attacks Fort 58; burnt prisoners orders 59-60; at stake, 72. Francis, Josiah, threatens Weatherford, 44n. Free Trader, cited, 155-156. French, B. F., translator, 269.
of,
men
Francis,
286
Gaines, Lieut. Edmund P., 4on. Gaines, Geo. S., letter to, 3on; unusual leadership of, 52; accompanies Pushmataha, 62. Gaines, R. M., manager of ball in honor of Jackson, 152. , Galloway, Bishop 279. , Garrigue, leads volunteers, at battle of New Orleans, 132. Garrow, Capt. Samuel H., 206. Gayarre, 11 2-1 13. , cited, Georgia, volunteers forces from, 55. Gerald, Capt. Samuel, 157.
Halbert, Zenophon, 274. Hamilton, Capt. James, 189. Hardy, ^^V Thomas, British
officer, lor.
naval
Ghent, Treaty
Gibbs,
Gen.
battle
of
of, 11.
,
New
British
officer
at
Orleans,
137;
mortally wounded, 140. Gibbs, 2d Lieut. George H,, 38. Gildarts, family of, 244.
Gwin, William M., nomination of, for U. S. marshal, 155. Glass, at battle of Burnt Corn,
,
New Orleans, 131. Harris, , appointed to meet Jackson, 151-152. Harrison, Lieut. Gov. James T., of Lowndes county, 279, 280. Harrison, Gov. William Henry, interview of, i9n. Hastings, Col. John G., 278, 279. Hastings, Mrs. Olivia, of Claiborne county, 277, 278. Hastings' home on "Hopewell" plantation, 280.
Hatterway, Mrs. Susan, cited, 46n; escape of from massacre at Fort
37Glass, Zachariah, tory Creek, 4on. Gleig, , English historian, cited, 146.
Mims, 5on.
Hawkins,
Col. Benjamin, U. S. agent of Indian affairs, 18, 22; sketch of 24n; cited, 34; optimistic views of, 35; views of 44; treaty making
of, 89.
Gordon, Capt. James Alexander, loi. Gorgon, British frigate, loi. Grafton, Capt. James, 189. Gray, Capt. Jonathan, 189. Great Britain, incites Creeks against Americans, qi; alliance with Spain,
92.
Hayden, Isaac, at Fort Sinquefield, 59. Hayne, Col. Arthur P., at treaty making, 89; sketch of, 89n; inspectorgeneral of army, 117.
, killed at battle Orleans, 130. commander of Henley, Capt. the Carolina, 120. Henry, , at battle of Burnt Corn,
Green, Henry, colonial settler, 14. Green, Miss MaUnda Marston, wife of Thomas Hinds, 16, 156; burial
place of, i56n.
of
New
Green, Thomas Marston, marriage of Jackson at home of, 15. Green's Company of Mississippi Militia, officers and men of, 232-233. Greenville, Indian treaty of, i9n. Griffith, Capt. Stephen, 208. Grove Hill, town of, formerly called Macon, 4in. Gubbins, Col. British officer at
,
37-
to.
battle of New Orleans, 143. Guest, Ensign Samuel, 38. Guice, Capt. Jacob, 216.
Bowyer by, 95. Hester, negro, escape of from massacre at Fort Mims, 49n; devotion to
white race, 51. Hill, Capt. Philip, 216.
"Hillabee massacre," 69.
H
Haile, William, congressman, 155. Haines, John, aide-de-camp to Gov.
Hadjo, "new made prophet," 44n. Hinds, Gen. Thomas, patriotism of, 11;
Hillis
arrival
in
Natchez
district,
14;
Holmes, 90.
Index.
court, 16; marriage of, 16; first military service, 17; arrives with Mississippi Dragoons, 55; close association with Claiborne, 62; in
66; Jackson looks for support of, 90; begins to realize ambitions, 90; sent to Pearl river, 94; again placed in command of Mississippi Dragoons, 97; in attack upon Pensacola, 98; march to Pensacola, 98; sent to reconnoiter British, 117, 119; renders valuable aid, 122; in forefront of battle, 127; brilliant attacks of, 125; adventure of the ditch, 131; 135; impatience of restraint of, 136; pursuit of British by, appointed brigadier144; general, 1 5 in; resolutions passed in honor of, 154; praise of Jackson for, 154; sketch of subsequent
District,
287
240;
horsemanship
236; 247;
Southern
of Frederick county, Va., 235. Holmes, Joseph, of Kenawha county, Va., sketch of, 237. Holmes, Mrs. Rebecca, sketch of, 236. Holmes, Dr. Thomas G., escape of, from massacre at Fort Mims, 5on. Holy City of the Creeks, capture of, 73-78.
Holy Ground,
victory Hood, Gen.
of, 261.
battle
,
of,
effects
of
of, 77.
disastrous campaign
79-83;
Houma
career of, 154-155; death of, 155-156. Hinds' battalion of cavalry, Mississippi
Militia, ofl&cers 162. Hinson, Lieut.-Col.
and men
of,
157-
Mingo, assistant to Pushmataha, 22. Houston, Ensign Sam, volunteer, 52; at battle of Horseshoe Bend, 81. Howard, Gov. George, of Maryland,
252.
Howell, William B., marriage of, 56. Hull, Gen. William, surrender of, at
Detroit, 2on.
History
Henry
Burnt
Humbert, Gen.
Orleans, 145.
at battle of
New
Adams,
Hollinger,
cited, 92n.
,
at
battle
of
Com,
Holmes,
37.
receives letter concerning hostile attitude of Creeks, 25-26; communication to legislature, 26-27; orders for troops, 27; part taken in prosecuting war, 35; strengthens
battery of, at battle , of New Orleans, 128; leads Baratarians, 132, 133; in command of battery i, 133. Humphries, Buck, state representative, 280. Hunter, Rev. Andrew, chaplain at navy
yard, 237.
Humphrey,
235-236.
defenses 44; communicates with governors, 52; orders troops 55-56; general orders of, 56; letter of, 57; statesmanship of, 62; aides-de-
Hunter, Miss Fanny W., 236. Hunter, Rebecca, wife of Col. Joseph Holmes, 235. Hutchins, Col. Anthony, 13.
I
camp
to
of,
Gov.
Jackson
90; message of, 94; letter Blount, ?>y, regard for of, 83; orders of, 145,
146; sketch of, 153; first governor of Mississippi, 234-257; lineage of, 235-237; early life of, 238-241, congressional career of, 241-243; removal to Mississippi Territory of, 243-245; characteristic traits
of,
48.
Jack, Capt.
247250; last visit to Virginia of, 250255; why never married, 255-257.
of,
245-246; unhandiness
, sent to Fort Mims, 39; death of, at Fort Mims, 48. Jack, negro slave of Gov. Holmes, 249.
288
Jackson, Gen.
Mississippi
Johnson, Capi. C. G., 38, 174. Johnson, Chapman, letter of, 241. Johnson, Col. Richard M., of Kentucky,
cited, 2on.
i4n;
early
association
16;
of
with
of
Thomas Hinds,
apprised
massacre at Fort Mims, 52; duel with Blanton, 55; letter of, 57;
letter of, 67; at battle of Tallussa-
hatchie, 67; erects Fort Strother, 68; raises siege of Talladega, 68; falsely blamed for massacre of Hillabees, 69n; appears mysterious to the Indians, 70; continues war upon Creeks, 78; at battle of Horseshoe Bend, 80-82; at Fort Williams, 83; at Fort Toulouse, 84; concludes treaty with Indians, 88; retires to the "Hermitage," 88;
Johnston, Capi. Greaf, 208. Johnson, Capt. William, 189. Johnstone, Gov. , English governor,
34.
, Jones, escape of, from massacre at Fort Mims, son.
promoted major-general,
letter
89; plans
expedition to Pensacola, 91-93; from, 9in, 92; disposition of troops by, 94; praises defense of Fort Bowyer, 96; assembles troops at Fort Montgomery, 9697; plans to defend New Orleans, loi; charms of personality at New Orleans, 102-103; urgent calls for assistance by, 108-109; reviews militia at New Orleans, hi; proclaims martial law, 112; forces of, at New Orleans, 119; personal bearing of, during attack,
123; answer to Packenham, 127; orders buildings blown up, 128;
Jones, Rev. J. G., of Hazlehurst, Miss., cited, 5on. Jones, Capt. John, 224. Jones, Capt. Randall, 38, 174, 216. Jones, Capt. Thomas P., U. S. naval officer, 106; report of, 107; severely wounded, 107; mentioned
by historians,
Jonisdon,
battle of
108.
Charles
New
at
Joor, Capt. John, 226. Jugeant, Capt. J., no Jugeant, Capi. Pierre, 119.
K
Kean, Maj.
court
249.
,
clerk
of
superior
248,
anecdote
of,
248-
Keane, Gen.
133; strength of force of, 135; general orders of, 13 7n; 143; visit to wounded British officers by, 144; conference with Gen.
, British officer, loi102, 118; resists attack of Americans, 121, 137, 139; wounded, 140. Kellogg, ist Lieut. Theron, 38. Kelly, Col. D. C, of 7th Tennessee Cavalry, 263. Kempe, Capt. James, of Mississippi
145; announcement of victory by, 146-147; reply of, to address of Abb6 Dubourg, i49n; ill-feeling against, 150; address to, 151; reply to address by, 151; character of, 152-153; 246. Jackson and New Orleans, cited, 125. Jackson Highway, 272, 276. Jackson Military Road, 271, 272. Jackson, Gen. Thomas J., dispatch to 263; 265. Jefferson, Thomas, 12; Manual of, 236; details of administration of, 241; opposition to policy of, 242. Jefferson Troop of Horse, 16.
Lambert,
Kemper
i44n.
Kennedy, Capt. J. L., letter from, 3in. Kennedy, Capt. Joseph P., brigademajor, 38, 174.
Kennedy, Maj.
Pensacola, 98.
in attack
upon
Ker, David, judge of territorial supreme court, 38n. Kerr, Dr. John, staff surgeon, 38. Kerr, Surg.-Gen. , American surgeon-general, 143. Kerr, Miss , address of, 148. Kimbell, Isham, of Clarke county, 58. Kimbell, Ransom, home attacked by "the Prophet," 58. Kmg, Capt. Elisha F., 189.
32n.
Index.
289
,
ioq, 134. Lafitte, privateer, John, 11 2-1 13; sketch of, 11211-11311. Lafitte, Pierre, sketch of, 11211-11311.
,
Lacoste, Maj.
Tossing, historian, cited, 23. Louisiana, U. S. schooner, at battle of New Orleans, 125, 126, 127,
128, 130.
113. Charles, cited, 239. Lambert, Gen. , succeeds to command of Packenham, 140; abandons position, 143; notified of ratification of peace, i46n. Landrum's fort, location of, 41 n. La Ronde, Col., pursuit of British by, 144. Latour, Maj. , cited, 94n; assists Jackson in plans for defense of New Orleans, 103-104; cited, 109, 121, 123, 135, 142, 147-148. Latrobe, , at battle of New Orleans, 128.
,
Lagand, Capt.
Lamb,
Love, William A., Reminiscences of THE Closing Days of the War OF Secession, 258-267; Route of De Soto's Expedition Through
Lowndes
268-278.
County,
Mississippi,
Lowndes county.
Lowry, Gov.
,
Miss., route of
De
Latrobe, J. H. B., letter from, 234. Lauderdale, Col, , death of, 122,
i22n. Laval, Maj. William, death of, 99; sketch of, 99n. Lavier, Capi. Lawson, builder of fort,' 42n.
M
of, 278. at Powell's fort, 42n. McCook, Gen. , capture of bridge by, 263, 264, 265. McDonald, Ensign Y. R., 38. McDougall , aide to General Packenham, 140. McGillivray, Alexander noted halfbreed, 21; sketch of, 2 in.
McCaskey, John,
Layson,
ist Lieut.
Robert, 38.
army
of 258; 259.
Legrand, Mrs. Margaret, 234; sketch Legrand, Reo. Nash, eminent divine,
236.
McGirth, Mrs. , escape, of from massacre at Fort Mims, 49n. McGirth family escape of, from massacre at Fort
Lenoir, Capt. Francis B., 200. Leftwich, Hon. Geo. J., of Aberdeen,
273.
Mims, son.
Lewis,
at battle, of Burnt
Com,
Lewis, negro slave of Gov. Holmes, 249, Lewis, Dr. Theodore Hays, cited, 269. Liberty, town of, 12. Life of General Jackson, cited, 69n, 96. Lincoln, Abraham, comparison of Jackson with, 153. Lisbon, history published at, 268. Lister, Capt. Josiah, 224. Livingston, Edward, Jackson at home of, 102; sketch of, io2n. Lizzie, negro, escape of, from massacre at Fort Mims, 5on. Lackridge, 2d Lieut. N., 38. Lockyer, Capt. British naval ojficer, loi; severely wounded, 108.
,
McGowen, Capt. James, 200. McGrew, Maj. John, letter from, 25. McGrew, John, British royalist, 42. McGrew, William, British royalist, 42n. McGrew, Col. William, killed, 63.
McGrew's
fort, location of,
4in.
McKee,
, Col. secures attachment of Chickasaws, 62. , 206. McElinsey, Capt. McQueen, Peter, Creek chieftain, 32. McRea, Col. 119.
,
Martin, Hon.
J.
290
Moniac,
Mason, Samuel, noted outlaw, 15. Massacre at Fort Mims. See Fort Mims. Matthews, Serg. escape of, from
,
notable half-breed, refuses to take "blackdrink," 31. Moniac, Mary, first wife of Weatherford, 47n.
state librarian,
in, 273.
mas37.
May, May,
Burnt Com,
artil-
New
Orleans, 134.
colonel,
38; defeated for congress, 38n; 174. Meek, Judge , cited, son. Middleton, Capt. sent to Fort
,
breastworks, 82; sketch of, 82n. escape of, from massacre at Fort Mims, son. Moore, Clarence B., mounds described by, 27s.
Mont joy,
39; death of, at Fort 48. Middleton, Capt. Hatton, 174. Middleton, Capt. Hatton, 38. Miller, Gen. T. M., of Warren county,
279.
Mims, Mims,
Moore, historian, cited, 23. Moore, 2d Lieut. Charles, 38. Morgan, at battle of Horseshoe Bend, 80. Morgan, Brig.-Gen. David, marches
,
without orders, 123; receives unfortunate instruction, 127; failure to defend line by, 142-143; ordered
Milton, Col.
of, 83.
lack of cooperation
Mims, Alexander, escape of, from massacre at Fort Mims, son. Mims, David, escape of, from massacre at Fort Mims, son. Mims, Joseph, escape of, from massacre at Fort Mims, son. Mims, Mrs. escape of, from massacre at Fort Mims, son. Mims, Samuel, residence of, 43. ^Mississippi commands in the war of
,
Morgan,
Morgan,
M'Pheters,
manager
of ball in
1812, Rolls of, 157-233Mississippi Dragoons, officers of, $$56; sketch of, s6; at New Orleans,
1 1 6-1 1 7;
honor of Jackson, 152. Morris, A. J., escape of, from massacre at Fort Mims, son. Morrison, Capt. Hans, 38, 174. Morton, Mrs. , of Chariotte county Va., 234. Moseley, Capt. Wm., 208. Moshilitubee, assistant to Pushmataha,
22.
of,
Moss,
Women,
Mississippi Territory in the War of i8i2, II, 233; older population of, 12; military situation in 181 2, 25-26; troops from, 27-28. Mitchell, Gen. P. L., member of committee, 156. Mixon, Col. , sketch of, 56n-S7n.
William, of Fairfax county, Va., 237. Mott's fort, location of, 4in. , Moulton, Lieut. at battle of
Mt. Vernon,
42n.
forts
and arsenals
S.,
at,
Munce,
Murray,
117.
Lieut. Lieut.
Thomas
member
of
committee, 156.
Murrel, Dr.
,
, death of, 98. carries flag of truce,
Mobile,
included
of 33-34.
Index.
Muscogees, Clioctaw branch, 19 Mushshulatubbe, Choctaw chief, letter
from, 3on.
291
Nichols, Col. Edward, British officer, lands troops, 93. Nichols, , at attack upon Fort
Bowj'-er, 96.
Mackey, Mrs.
Va., 234.
of Clarke county,
Nixon, Col. 56. Nixon, Lieut.-Col. Com. George H., 13th Regiment, Marion county.
,
90; officers
,
and members
of regi
British
ment
Norris,
134.
of,
164-174.
,
Manadere,
90.
Lieul.-Col.
loth Regiment,
Lieut.
in
conmiand
ot
battery
2 at battle of
New Orleans,
of the
Spanish governor at Pensacola, 43; letter from, 76. Manuel, negro slave of Gov. Holmes, 234, 249; ungratefulness of, 250.
,
O
Ogden, Capt.
,
Marchand, Capt.
2in.
French
officer,
135.
Oglethorpe, treaty with in 1732, 32. Ohio, army in, 13. Old Greenville, during colonial period,
12;
name
of, 14.
Martin, Gen.
N
Nancy, negro slave of Gov. Holmes,
249.
Orpheus, British ship, lands arms at Appalachicola, 91. Orr, , delegate from Chickasaw county, 279. Orr, Judge , of Lowndes county,
Osborn,
A. L., 38.
Nash, Wiley N., of Starkville, 279. Natchez Almanac, cited, 90. Natchez District, colonial period in, Natchez, during colonial period,
capital Territory, 25n.
14;
first
Osbom, 2d
12.
12,
Lieui.
W. M.,
38.
of
Mississippi
Packenham, Sir Edward, British commander-in-chief, 118; determines to advance, 122; arrival of, 125; sketch of, 126; complains of shooting of sentinels, 127, 130; astonishment of, 132; wounded, 139; death of, 139-140. Paimboiuf, Capt. Lewis, 174, 216. , captain of PainboeuflF, Capt. volunteer company, 27.
Natchez
trail, 14.
Neelley, Capt. James, 189. Negril Bay, rendezvous of British fleet, 101-102. Neilson, Col. 57 Neilson, Lieut.-Col. Com. David, ist
.
Mississippi
of,
and men
226-
Panthon, Col. David, encounter with Weatherford, 47n. , assumes Parker, Master's Mate
charge, 107. Parton, author of Life of General Jackson, 15; cited, 17, 23, 99, loi,
135.
231.
Newman,
47n.
Algier,
of
Monroe county,
Newman,
New
19-146;
Patterson,
day
of, 147.
Commodore Daniel T., naval commander at New Orleans, 104-105; letter to, 105; announces loss of gunboats, in; sends gun-
292
boat to Fort
of, to
St. Philip, 114; report secretary of the navy, 128129; 143 Patton's fort, location of, 42n. Patton, Lieut.-Col. Com. James, 9th
Pushmataha, Choctaw
Alabama,
beauty
20;
98-99 capture of, 99-100; Spaniards at, 275. , British naval Percy Capt.
ofl&cer, loi.
Quitman,
Quin, Capt. Henry, 200. presiding Gen. John A., officer at meeting, 155-156.
Percy, Commodore
in
command
Holmes, 90. Vti^ns, Lieut.-Col. Com. Peter, 7th Regiment, Madison county, 90.
, command of Perry, Col. battery 5 by, at New Orleans, 133. Perry, Joseph, escape from massacre at Fort Mims, son. , of Copiah county, Peyton, Mrs.
Ramsey, historian, cited, 23. Ramsey, of Tennessee, 269. Randon, Elizabeth, taken prisoner at Fort Mims, 46n. Randon, Lieut. Peter, escape from massacre at Fort Mims, 5on.
,
277. Philadelphia, book published at, 268. Phillips, Capt. James, 200. Piatt, Col , especially commended, 122. Pickens county, De Soto's army in, 270. Pickett, historian, cited, 23, 28n, 35, 42n, 43, 45, 46, 49, 80, 269. Pierce, John, teacher, 4on. Pierce, William, weaver, 4on. Pierre, Maj. , carries flag of truce to Pensacola, 98; 119; commands 7th Regiment at battle of New Orleans, 134. Piqua, birthplace of Tecumseh, i9n. Plauche, Maj. , 119, 134. Poindexter, George, 14; at battle of New Orleans, i35n; elected governor, 155; 234. Polloch, Henry, of Baltimore, Md., 234.
Ranjel, Rodrigo, private secretary to De Soto, 269, 271. Rankin, Christopher, 14. Rapalje, Capt , 57. Rather, Capt. John T., 189. ''Red Cattle," sobriquet of Creeks, 44. Red Eagle. See William Weatherford. Red Eagle, the elder Muscogee warrior, 47.
"Red
Renee,
Sticks," tribes belonging to, 32. , British officer at battle of Orleans' 140; body found,
New
143-
Reynolds, Reuben O., state senator of Mississippi, 277; opposes bill, 279; withdraws opposition to bill, 279280.
Rigdon, Martin, escape of, from massacre at Fort Mims, son. Robards, Mrs. Rachel Donelson, bride of Andrew Jackson, 15; sketch of 15n
Roberts, Capt. Abraham, 189. Rodgers, ist Lieut. J. D., 38 Roger's fort, location of, 42n.
Pontotoc
county,
Chickasaw
towns
Port Gibson, during colonial period, 12. Posey, Capt. Thos., 174. Powell, James, at Powell's fort, 42n. Powell, Lieut.-Col. Com. James, 8th Regiment, Baldwin county, 90. Powell, John, at Powell's fort, 420. Princess Sehoy, marriage of, 2 in. Proctor, Col Henry, retreat of, from
at
battle
of
New
at
120;
commands
line
Maiden, 2on.
New
Orleans, 134.
Index.
Ross, Lieut. commands company at New Orleans, 134. Ross, Capt. John J. W., 157. Rowland, Mrs. Dunbar, Mississippi Territory in the War of 181 2, 9-233,
293
and men
Rowland, Hon. Dunbar, 280. Royal Oak, British frigate, loi. Runnels, Capt. Harmon M., 200.
Russell, Col. Russell,
, , 7in. at battle of Horseshoe
Sinner, Lieut.-Col. Com. Josiah, 12th Regiment, Greene county, 90. Smith, Buckingham, translator, 269. Smith, James, at Fort Sinquefield, 59; in Dale's famous fight, 65.
^
Bend, 80.
Saffold, Lieut.-Col.
Com. Reuben, isth Regiment, Clarke county, 90. Salvage, Lieut. B. F., appointed
of,
Smith, Capt. Jedediah, 157. Smith, Samuel, escape from massacre at Fort Mims, son. Smith, Ensign Richard, 38. Smith, Capt. William, 200. Smith, cited, 143.
,
Smoot, Capt.
at battle of
Burnt
Com,
36-37.
^
Smoot, Maj. Benjamin, 73-74, 174. Smoot's Battalion of Mississippi Militia, officers
and men
,
of,
224-226.
Sartain,
234.
artist,
of Philadelphia,
Somerville, Lieut.
at battle of
Savary, Capt.
no.
Scott, Capt. Scott, Col.
Abram M.,
,
sent
to
Fort
St.
Horseshoe Bend, 81. Songis, Capt. , 113. Sophia, British sloop, attack Bowyer by, 95. Sorsby, Capt. Samuel K., 226.
Spark's
on Fort
Memories
of
Fifty
Years,
cited, i4n.
Seekaboo, Shawnee prophet, 44; massacre of Fort Mims, 48. Seminoles, British send messages
at
to,
Spencer, Capt. William, 200. Spotts, Lieut. , 119; command of battery 7 by, at New Orleans,
^S3y 134.
and
189-200. Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, Forrest's old regiment, 263. Shanks, Capt. John H., 216. Shea, John Gilmory, 269. Shelby, Col. Isaac, negotiating Indian
of,
men
Sprague, J., manager of ball in honor of Jackson, 152. Steadham, Edward, escape from massacre at Fort Mims, son. Steadham, Jesse, escape from massacre at Fort Mims, son. cited, 235. Stewart, Lieut. -Gen.
,
Stiggins,
of
Weather-
ford, 47n.
treaties, i5n.
Com. Samuel, 2d Regiment, Wilkinson county, 90. Stowell, Ensign Benjamin, 38.
Stocket, Lieut.-Col.
Stubblefield, Dr. Clanton, cited, son. Subaltern, historian, cited, i8n, 128, i28n. Sullivan county. Long Island, isn. Stuart, Judge Alexander, of Missouri,
of,
258, 259. Shields, purser, carries flag of , truce, 117. Shipp, Bernard, translator, 268. Shouler, historian, cited, 11.
Sillers,
239.
Mrs. Walter,
Sr.,
record pre-
2,^.
Regiment
of Mississippi Militia,
Swayze's
officers and men of, 188-189. Sixth Mississippi Regiment of Cavalry, Confederate, 267.
294
belonging
to
"Red
Tombigbee
river,
Choctaw
trail
from,
Tatum, Maj.
cited, 266.
116.
of,
266;
17;
Tecumseh,
sketch
Shawnee
of,
chieftain,
ign; eloquence of, 21; visit to Creeks in 181 2, 22; prophesies earthquake, 22n; second visit to gulf tribes, 23-24; "Dance of the Lakes," taught by, 35; no influence over Weatherford, 44n. Ten Mile School, Indian mound at,
19,
271; historic trail along, 274. Tonnant, British frigate, loi. Toockabatcha, ancient capital of Creeks, 22n. Tookabatchee, Indian chieftain, 6g. Toulmin, Judge, letter from, 29n. cited, 131, 136. Trimble, Trowbridge, Sir Thomas, British naval officer, loi. Tucker, Henry, praise of, 241. Turner, Abner, early settler of West Bend, 4in.
,
274.
Tennessee
271-
river,
Choctaw
trail
from,
Turner, Edward, 14. Turner's fort, location of, 4in. Tustinuggee-Thlucco, Creek chieftain.
Vega, Garcillasco
of
Thames
river,
battle with
Tecumseh
on, 2on.
The British Compaif,ns at Washington and New Orleans, cited, i8n. "The Hermitage," death of Mrs. Jackson
at, 15.
Vicksburg, 14. y ordered to ViUere, Maj.-Gen. at New organize companies Orleans, 92; house of, headquarters
of British, 115, 118.
Villere,
Maj.
made
prisoner,
The Independent, cited, 274. The Mississippian, cited, 155. "The Prophet," See Joseph Francis. of Thirteenth Regiment (Nixon's) Mississippi Militia, oflScers and
115-116.
W
Wagner,
III.
Lieut.
,
men
Thlanie,
Wailes, B. L.
wife
of
C,
geologist, 25n.
Walker, Robert
senate, 155.
J.,
candidate for U. S.
Throckmorton,
Orleans, i3Sn.
at battle of
New
Walker,
Throckmorton, R. L., manager of ball in honor of Jackson, 152. Thomas, Gen. John, reinforces Jackson
at battle of
137.
War
Ward, Mrs.
New
Orleans,
133,
Thomas, Maj.-Gen. Philemon, ordered to organize companies at Baton Rouge, 92. Thompson, Lieut. at battle of
,
, testimony of, 32. Washington, George, comparison of Jackson with, 152. Washington, town of, 12, 14; capital
New Orleans,
Thornton,
tle of
,
i3on.
New
Waverly, on Tombigbee river, 274. Wayne, Gen. Anthony, i3n. Weatherford, Charles, grandson of William Weatherford, letter from,
4Sn.
Thurman, Wild
87n. Thurstons, family
gambler,
86n-
of, 244.
Weatherford, Charles, 5f., 45n. Weatherford, William, noted halfbreed chieftain, 30; receives con-
Index.
gratulations, 43; assists in attack
295
,
Wilson, Gen.
258, 259, 265. W^inchester, Gen.
of the
Union army,
on Fort Mims, 43n; humanity of, 45; plans attack on Fort Mims,
45; anecdote of, 47n; marriages of, 47n; defends the Holy City, 74;
no.
Winchester,
G,,
wonderful escape of, 76; surrender of, at Fort Toulouse, 84-86; story concerning, 86n-87n. Weeks, Mrs. Alfred, of Louisiana, 236.
Wells, Capt. Archilaus, s^, i74West, Ensign Charles, 38. Wheeler's History of North Carolina, cited, 24n. , reinforces Claiborne, White, Gen. 55; blamed for "Hillabee Massacre," 69.
manager
of
ball
in
honor of Jackson, 152. Winchester, Judge George, 155; ber of committee, 156.
Wirt, William, letter
243.
of,
memcited,
239;
Jeffer-
Wood, Maj. bluff named for, 41. Wood, Capt. Francis, 226. Wood, James, at Fort Sinquefield, 59. Wood, John, aide-de-camp to Gen.
,
James C, reinforcements
chairman of memorial
oflScers
Claiborne, 90.
committee, 156;
and men
of company of, 163-164. Wilkinson, Gen. James, information given by, 32; cited, 44. death of, 140. Wilkinson, Maj. Williams, Hon. 253.
, ,
at defense of Fort
F
336 M77 V.4
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