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The document discusses the role of the Mississippi Territory during the War of 1812 and provides biographical information about David Holmes, the first governor of Mississippi.

The main topic covered is the role of the Mississippi Territory during the War of 1812.

The Mississippi Territory was established in 1798.

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in

2007 with funding from


IVIicrosoft

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

PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY


1921

Neither the Editor nor the Society assumes any responsibility


for opinions or statements of contributors

F
336

Nil

INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
This volume contains as
Territory in the
its

War

of 1812,"

main monograph, *'The Mississippi accompanied by a complete roster of

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

stirring chapter in the military history of

the State of Mississippi

deserves even greater space than has been

devoted to

it.

War

of

81 2

The descendants of the Mississippi soldiers in the who bore themselves with so much national spirit in

defense of the country during this further struggle for American

Independence, are

among our best

citizens of

today

a fact that gives

the narrative a strong appeal.

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

informing chapter in the educational

history of the State

given by a leading actor in the establishment

of the Mississippi State College for

Women.
is

The march

of

De

Soto through Mississippi

a subject of the
is

liveliest interest.

His route through Lowndes County

carefully

studied in a paper which

makes an
and

interesting contribution to this

volume.

Some

of the

most

tragic

inspiring incidents of the military

history of America occurred in the sunset days of the

war for Southern

Independence, and every Confederate soldier

who

served during these

days has a story to


volume.

tell

that

is

worthy
is

of preservation.

chapter
to this

concerning some of these events

one of the offerings

made

Dunbar Rowland.
Mississippi Historical Society,

The

Capitol, Jackson, Mississippi,

June

15, 1921.

CONTENTS

Introductory Note

3
5

Contents
Officers for

1922-1923

Mississippi Territory in the

War

of 181 2,

by Mrs. Dunbar Rowland

Preface
Rolls of Mississippi

Commands

in the

War

of 181 2

157

David Holmes:

First

Governor of Mississippi, by D. H. Conrad

234
.

Reminiscences of the Closing Days of the

War of Secession, by William A

Love 258

Route

of

De

Soto's Expedition
.

Through Lowndes County,

Mississippi,

by
268

William

Love
of Incorporation of the Industrial Institute

True History
Index

and

College,

Located at Columbus, Mississippi, by /. McC. Martin

277
281

OFFICERS FOR

192 2-1923

President:

Hon.

J.

R. Preston, Jackson.

Vice-Presidents

Judge R. H. Thompson, Jackson. James M. White, Esq., West Point.


Executive Committee:
(In addition to officers)

Prof. A. L. Bondurant, University.

Marcellus Green, Esq., Jackson. Hon. George J. Leftwich, Aberdeen. Dr. a. F. Watkins, Millsaps College, Jackson.
Secretary:

Dr. Dunbar Rowland, The Capitol, Jackson.

All persons
its

who

are interested in the

objects are invited to

work of the Society and desire to promote become members. There is no initiation fee. The only

cost to

members

is

annual dues, $3.00.


tlie

Members

receive all publications of the

Society and of the Department of Archives and History free of charge.


all

Address

communications to

Secretary and Treasurer of the Mississippi Historical

Society,

The

Capitol, Jackson, Mississippi.

MISSISSIPPI
IN

TERRITORY
THE
1812

WAR OF
BY

MRS. DUNBAR

ROWLAND

PREFACE.
In
this short history I

endeavor to give a truthful account of the


its soldiery in

part played by the Mississippi Territory and

the

Camof

paign against the British and the Creek Nation during the
1 812.

War

Many

historians fail to surround the

war

in this part of the

Republic with its actual environment and the reader gets no more than

a hazy idea of

its locality.

Excepting the defense of

New

Orleans

the scenes of action lay principally in the Mississippi Territory.

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.

Thompson and Hon.

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

copying the manuscript, I

am

deeply grateful.

MISSISSIPPI
The
publication

TERRITORY IN THE WAR OF


who

1812

by the

Mississippi Historical Society of the roster

of Mississippi soldiers

participated in the Southern Coast

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

distinguished sons of the Mississippi Territory, along with several

thousand brave troops mustered within


spicuous part.

its

borders, bore a con-

The most prominent

figures in this period of the

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

historians think this last conflict between the

newly established
been,
it

Republic and
texts

the mother

country

may have

certainly

divested the latter of any desire to renew hostilities, or to set

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

of 1812 in the lower

South were con-

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

time become thoroughly attached to the

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

Territory, its military organization

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.

the nineteenth century democracy, nationalism

But here at the and

patriotism were making their appearance and being intensified each

IE

The

seat of

war

in the

campaign against the Creeks and British during the

War of

1812

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

13

The

eagerness of the militia to defend their country's claims and

the initiative, courage

and ardor displayed

in the face of danger


life,

were no more due to the austerity of pioneer

which equipped

men

constantly for the roughest experiences of war, than to the fact

that the older Southern States had contributed a goodly share of


their best blood to the population that

was taking root

in the Gulf

region, infusing into it constantly the fervid patriotism that

had
their

characterized the Continental


several leave-takings,
soldiery of Louis

Army. France and Spain,

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

decades of the nineteenth century.

In the person of General Ferdinand L. Claiborne, who appears so

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.

Sometimes spelled Stoddert.

14

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

Henry Green, a that young

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

in the early history of the State

spent a portion of their time here,

among them Joseph E. Davis,

brother of Jefferson Davis, George Poindexter, Christopher Rankin

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

General Jackson since

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.

This ripened into a devotion that brought about

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.

lasted until Mrs. Jackson's untimely death at

'The Hermitage" a

short while before General Jackson's inauguration as President of the

United States was the subject of numerous tender references by

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.

In these homes were to be found

books and

all

the refinements of civilization, the owners dispensing a

hospitality second only to that found in the older colonial states.

But among

''Old GreenviUe"

was not without


stir

its frontier

element, and

the

many

stories that still survive of the place

none

is

more

thrilling

nor was better calculated to

the blood of the inhabitants

than the one that


outlaw.

describes a party of rough riders coming into

court one morning bringing the head of Samuel Mason, the noted

And

here tradition disputes the records as to the identity

of the head; the reward, however,

was paid
its

for

it

and the country

breathed more freely at the thought of


river.

burial place across the

As an

offset to the tales of

murder and rapine that crept into


life

the early courts of the old town was the presence of Protestant

churches and schools whose influence was strongly felt in the

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.

Mississippi Historical Society.

people, engendering a deep piety markedly noticeable in succeeding


generations.

Here, too, sprang into existence the famous Jefferson Troop of


Horse, a military organization composed of the flower of the community in whose blood still coursed a strain of the cavaliers of King
Charles.
It

was

into this environment that

had
the

cast his lot,


life

and

like all

young Hinds of Virginia youth he was influenced and molded by


in

around him.

The

call to military life

was very strong

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

Thomas Hinds became


Horse.

first

lieutenant of the Jefferson

Troop

of

He

is

described as a youth of prepossessing appearance, with

dark, flashing eyes, slender, graceful figure and good address, coupled

with a certain mastery of speech and confidence of manner that arose


not only from temperament but from his having been acquainted with
the best social customs of an older civilization.

He soon became very


the daughter

popular in the new community, and the fact that after only a few
years residence in the place he
of

won the heart and hand of


become a

Thomas M.

Green'* is proof of his having

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

between himself and General Jackson, with


of the history of the State
this influential family also

whom

he was in after

years to come in close contact in some of the most thriUing episodes

and

of the country.

His connection with

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 Jackson's profession, that of soldiering, to the exclusion

of all others.

He

continued captain of the Jefferson Troop until


field of battle.
reside in their ancestral

promoted to higher honors on the


*

The descendants

of

Thomas Marston Green

still

home

at Church Hill in Jefferson County.

Yicksburg
Warren
Co,

Port Gibson Claihorne

Co.

^J^erson

Co\

Old

Greettville

J^utcJtez. Ifushirvgtorv

Adeems
Wilkinson

Co.

/zL

^Titite

Co,

Co
Early

map

of the western portion of the Mississippi Territory

showing the

river counties

and towns.

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

17

It

was now that the Mississippi Territory was to have a share in


interference.

the national struggle for complete independence of English control

and

The

Mississippians began the struggle at their

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

on the Southern Coast, the Creek

Indians waged a bitter and blood-thirsty war against the Mississippi


Especially were they unrelenting after they discovered
for self-preservation

that

it

was a war

and the possession

of their

native lands.
of their

Their various feats of daring and

self-sacrifice in behalf

homes and country compare favorably with the


even

qualities

that characterized the white combatants opposing them.


their victims, however, including

Cruelty to

women and

children, places

them

in the lowest scale of civilization.

The

history of the Creek

War

not only gives a part of the story of

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

military operations of the Creek

paign was in

New

Orleans.

alive to the situation the

War and of the entire Coast CamThough Governor Claiborne was keenly facts are, that, up to the time that New

Orleans became the object of attack, the Mississippi Territory was,

with the exception of the expedition in forcing the British out of


Pensacola, the scene of action, and
the weight
of responsibility fell
it was on Governor Holmes that more heavily than it did on any

governor in the lower South.

Republic that at the inception of

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

standards the various Indian tribes throughout the country extending

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

toward the white


in the

settlers of the country.

way

of transportation privileges, especially the great

Every concession granted wagon

route

though

consented to

through

the midst of their country,

rendered them more dissatisfied each day.

The constant stream

of

emigrants passing through their lands daily over the old Federal

road out into the inviting

hills

and vales

of the Mississippi Terri-

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.

The English welcomed


recognizing in

the growing dissatisfaction of the Creeks,

them a

useful ally,

and

lost

them through various

emissaries of the danger that

no opportunity of warning would arise

from the growing population that made up the Tombigbee, Alabama


* In The British Campaigns at Washington and New Orleans by Stibaltern the author says: "It is well known that at the period to which my narrative refers an alliance offensive and defensive subsisted between the government of Great Britain and the heads of as many Indian nations or tribes as felt the aggressions of the settlers upon their ancient territories and were disposed to resent them."

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

their kindred in the beautiful Talla-

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

His scheme of uniting

all

the western tribes in a


in his heart

great Confederacy bore no fruit, but


his thoughts in death.

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,

Mississippi Historical Society.

who had more than

victorious encounters with Bienville,


repel the advances of

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

war, while neither regarded the Creek with admira-

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

with the Mississippi Territory.

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

and eloquent appeals.

Much magnetism and learning have been


Not only was he
and learned
in

ascribed to this celebrated chieftain as an orator.

physically a splendid specimen of his race, but historians also agree

that he was ''masterful in manner, eloquent in speech


the lore of treaties."

While the warriors of

many

tribes to the north

were already in

possession of his plans, Tecumseh,

who had

recently visited the tribes

west of the Mississippi and on Lakes Superior, Huron and Erie,


inciting
religion

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

intertribal councils neither the

prophets' incantations nor the inducement of personal gain could


^Alexander McGillivray, perhaps the most remarkable half-breed Indian of America, was the son of Lachlan McGillivray who came from Scotland when a youth of sixteen, tradition says from a titled home. He came first to the Carolinas and joined the Indian traders in 1735. Later he met the beautiful young Princess Sehoy in the Creek Nation and was married to her about 1738. Princess Sehoy was the daughter of Captain Marchand, a French officer who at one time commanded Fort Toulouse on the Coosa River. The mother of Sehoy was a Creek

ofthe"Clanof theWind."

22

Mississippi Historical Society.

affect the

imperturbable Pushmataha and his loyal assistants, Moshu-

litubee

and

Houma

Mingo.

To

all

appeals there was but one answer,

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

now Autauga County, Alabama,

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

to go to his English friends.


of patriotic fires half

Allowing that
century old,
it

was the sudden flaming up

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

thought by some historians,

that

opinion of the matter, attributing the tardiness of the militia of the


Mississippi Territory in attacking the Indians as a part of the British
forces to the attitude taken

by Colonel Benjamin Hawkins, agent

of

24

Mississippi Historical Society.

Indian

affairs.^

However,

this

author was destined in later years to

become a subject for much


gator, Halbert,
**rich flowers of

satire

by the painstaking

if

prosaic investi-

who

not only found in the accomplished historian's

speech" a source of amusement, but becomes down-

right impatient with

many

of his statements especially

doubting his

translation of Teciunseh's speech

and even going so

far as to say that

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

of the military situation in the Mississippi Territory during the year

181 2.

The

following

summary from
is

the Encyclopedia of Mississippi

History, with such editing as

necessary, will give the reader

an

insight into affairs in the Territory

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

the Mississippi militia

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

ot Mississippi militia in the

service of the United States

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:

volunteer companies of Captains Becket and Painboeuff; from the

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

Greene) exempted those counties from this detail.

In addition to these details the cavalry troops were to be in readiness

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."

The arms, ammunition and camp

28

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

300 was then called


to

On November 3,

the regiment began

march

with General Claiborne in


tain A.

command

with the rank of colonel.

Baton Rouge Capof the

H. Holmes, brother
its

of the Governor,

was inspector

regiment during

organization.

The

period of service for this

command which was known


legislature that winter

as "the detachment of Mississippi

mihtia in the service of the United States," was sLx months.

The

by

resolution acknowledged

response to the public

call.

When

the term of

and praised the service was near


in

expiration the greater part of this

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

exempt from military duty, which the Governor assigned to


to all appearances secure in the military defense of the

patrol duty.

Though

State and even

more

in the long peace that

had been maintained, the

people of the Mississippi Territory, the pioneer settlements along the

Tombigbee and Alabama

especially,

were not without some appre-

hension that trouble could be expected from the Creeks any day.^^

The "Prophet's" army, urged and


had
for the past year

assisted

by the ardent Tecumseh,


hostilities

been actively engaged in

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

warriors in aiding the British, and

by midsummer

of 1813 war-clouds,

too distinct to be mistaken, had gathered in the Southern country.^^

Tecumseh had
sion.

fallen in battle,

but his counsel was treasured deep in

the hearts of the Creeks, and with

them war had become an

obsesits

The

historian,

Anderson, attributes the suddenness of

approach to the unfortunate execution of three Indians by the whites


for the

murder

of

a converted Indian boy.

Other local incidents have,

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

slavery played in our Civil War, which, with compromise failing,


inevitable sooner or later in defense of Constitutional liberty.

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

Passing on from the


Indians,
it is

first

signs of hostilities

between the whites and

evident from

much

of the record sources of that period

that there was in the spring of 1813 a definite war-party formed


the Creeks, and that their old Confederacy had been revived and strengthened. By July 25 the noted half-breed chieftain, William Weatherford, was an acknowledged member of the party. He was of the famous McGillivray clan and a S5rnipathizer of the Creeks. His Indian name, though he was more often called ''the Red Eagle,'^ was Hoponika Futsahia, which Woodward interprets as Truth Maker. It is said by partial biographers that he counselled against war and

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

some time held

aloof.

Many

other notable half-breeds, as in the

instance of Moniac, refused to take the "black drink. "^^


nevertheless,

The mixture
removed
it.

was brewed and none, be he ever so


life

far

in

blood, dared at the risk of his

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

It seems a coincidence that they were allied with


also, seeking to recover possession of

a nation that was, were

some

portion, at least, of a like

territory, for it is quite evident that the British at this juncture

using the Creek Indians against the American Republic.


civil

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

of the unbelievers, as the peaceful Indians

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

they had captured and held as a prisoner, to attack the


river, it is logical

white and half-breed settlements on the

that they

meant

to use their

ammunition on

their return in carrying out their

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

The Creeks were under


chief,

war

brought about by the rough treatment

of

De Soto, who passed through

" 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 Muscogee Nation in 1540.

in the Mississippi Territory in 1813 the

The Creeks to this day call the war "Red Sticks War" and have

always been proud of the


head-dress.

title.

Their war clubs were painted red and

they wore the significant red feather


Before the
initial battle

among

the white plumes in their

fought between this strong nation and the

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

Tombigbee and Alabama, including portions


all of

of the States of

Georgia and Alabama and

Florida, the Seminoles there having

been a kindred
tics of the

tribe,

they had developed a civilization that held the

forms and customs and was marked by


ever,
it

many

of the best characteris-

most advanced tribes on the Western Hemisphere. Howmust be admitted that the Creeks exhibited a ferociousness
the

that did not characterize

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

streams that flowed through their

Referring to an older generation a writer says:

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

English, in the main,

had been the Creeks' choice

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

Tories sought their towns in efforts to


frontier settlements.

A burning patriotism

chief characteristics of the race.

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

they had been engaged in a

fierce civil

war.

Colonel Benjamin Hawkins saw in the Creeks of his day

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

had met De Soto.

claimed that their race came out of the bosom of the Nanih

The Muscogees Waiya

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

of their race, treats of their migration to the

South from the far

Northwest.

Though the Choctaw and Creek branches of the great Muscogee race had now drifted far apart, hardly acknowledging their
*

consanguinity, both protested that they would never leave their

'Mother," the sacred Nanih Waiya, while the patriotic Creek showed

that he was always ready to fight for the land of his nativity.

Returning to the story of the battle of Burnt Corn, the exposed


condition of the pioneer settlements along the

bama
war

Rivers deserves attention, for

it

Tombigbee and Alawas there that the militia and

the volunteer troops of the Mississippi Territory bore the brunt of the
several

months before General Andrew Jackson arrived on the

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

momentary attack from

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

bout or joust, were unused to actual war.

36

Mississippi Historical Society.

warriors sent on a deadly war mission.

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

Creek, soon to become the scene of battle.

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

gathered troops of Colonel Caller cautiously approached and, quietly


dismounting, charged them, the idling party was taken completely

by

surprise.

The Indians

instantly flew to

arms and returned the


After

fire of their

white assailants without a moment's hesitation.

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

pursuing the fleeing savages.


appropriating their findings

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

wrathful Creeks secreted in the thickets of cane poured a volley of


rifle

balls into the party.

Sweeping from

reassembled and gave open battle to the Americans, attacking them

with guns, war-clubs and tomahawks with such sudden fury that
consternation reigned supreme

among

the occupants of the camp.

So

fierce

was the onslaught

of the infuriated

Creeks that the raw

miUtia could not reassemble their broken ranks though constantly

urged by their Colonel to face the foe.


Creek, they hoped to get

Greed, too, had possessed some

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

away with the

skins but only eighty

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

which lodged near the backbone.


compelled to quit the
field.

He
The

continued to
battle lasted

fight desperately until

about three hours, the Indians fighting with a

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

of the pack-horses, probably not concerning

them-

selves about the fighting, since

war had not been openly declared, and,

notwithstanding the Creeks' reputation for cruelty, the hardy pioneer

thought
It
it,

little

of

him as a

soldier.

is

generally conceded

by

historians

and

the writer admits

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

spicuous for courage of the highest order.


better trained but not

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

of 181 2 presented with this narrative.

Though

late, it is

well that their

names and deeds be recorded

in history.

historian has said in substance, the vanquishers of the Pequots,


Philip,
laurels;

As one King

Pontiac and the Narragansetts have been crowned with

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.

Its people bore the

brunt of

it,

suffering

the tragedy of the burnt home, murdered wife and child, and the

38

Mississippi Historical Society.

dangers of the battlefield; yet to Jackson's Tennessee troops valiant and invincible, it is gladly admitted ^partial historians have given

the honor of the victory.

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

and some other periods

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

since the ist

Regiment

of Mississippi Infantry,

United States Volunteers, to quell the Creek uprising,

made
its

so vital a part of the

army gathered
here be

formation and

ofl&cers will

given from the Encyclopedia of Mississippi History, whose statements


are based on original records:
This regiment was organized at Baton Rouge, beginning in January, 1813, with the re-enlisting members of the Mississippi regiment mentioned, as a nucleus, recruited by volunteers from the Territory. Cowles Mead^' was first commissioned as Colonel and Joseph Carson as Major but Mead soon resigned and Carson was made Colonel and Daniel Beasley, General Claiborne's aide, was appointed Major. Lieut. W. R. DeLoach was Adjutant; Lieut B. F. Salvage, Quartermaster; William R. Cox, Surgeon's Mate. The companies were commanded by Captains Philip A. Engle, Archilaus, Wells, Randall Jones, William Jack, William C. Mead, Benjamin Dent, Hutton Middleton, Abram M. Scott, James Foster, L. V. FoelThe First Lieutenants were James ckil, C. G. Johnson, and Hans Morrison. Bailey, Richard Bowman, A. L. Osborn, William Morgan, J. D. Rodgers, W. R. DeLoach, Theron Kellogg, A. Montgomery, John Camp, Alexander Calvit, John Allen, Robert Layson and Benjamin F. Salvage. Second Lieutenants, Kean Caldwell, Charles Moore, Charles Baron, W. M. Osborn, N. Lockridge, R. C. Anderson, George Dougherty, Robert Swan, James Luckett, George H. Gibbs, Robert Burton and D. M. Callihan. Ensigns, Stephen Mays, Y. R. McDonald, Benjamin Blanton, Benjamin Stowell, William S. Britt, Isaac W. Davis, Robert Davis, Charles West, Samuel Guest and Richard Smith (Register of the Army, 1813). A morning report dated at Liberty, July 18th, lists the Captains as Jack, Engle, Jones, Mead, Painboeuff, Dent, Scott, Middleton, Johnson, Foster, Brandon, and Morrison with an aggregate present and absent of 402. This regiment and a Louisiana regiment,2 organized at the same time and place, formed a brigade which General Ferdinand L. Claiborne of Natchez was assigned to command, he, as has already been stated, being commissioned Brigadier-General of Volunteers in the United States service in March, 18 13. On his staff were Captain Joseph P. Kennedy, Brigade Major; Lieutenant Alexander Calvit, Aide; and Dr. John Kerr, Surgeon.^^

^'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,

latter part of July, Brigadier-General

Ferdinand Leigh Clai-

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

July 30, having patriotically

mortgaged

his lands to supply the soldiers with additional comforts.

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

Fort Madison, dispatching Colonel Carson with 200 troops to the


fork,

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-

United States Volunteers, was now in the river

country and General Ferdinand L. Claiborne had been inspecting the


forts,

the encounter of Burnt Corn between the Creeks and the

frontier soldiery of the Mississippi Territory for


settlers

a time filled the everywhere in the Tombigbee, Tensas, Alabama and Mobile

regions with grave concern, causing

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

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.

and John Powell.


"19. Lavier's Fort, written sometimes by mistake or misprint Rivier's, was has been ascertained (the only authority is an aged colored man, Dick Embree) near the residence of Captain Lawson Lavier, who traded with the Choctaw Indians. It was built by himself and a few neighbors, but its locality is not known. Pickett names it, but no resident of Clarke County was found, in 1877, who knew anything of it. " 20. At Mount Vernon, to which as General Claiborne's headquarters we now come, and where was a United States arsenal, were two forts. An arsenal was maintained, here until 1861, and since 1865 this has been held as a United States post, where a few officers and soldiers may always be found. Near the parade ground are some of those beautiful trees known as live oak, and the long-leaf pine growth extends a long distance northward. The landing place on the river known as Arsenal wharf or Fort Stoddart, four miles distant, the early United States 'port of entry' is distant from Mobile by the river channel forty-five miles, and five miles further north by the river brings one to the head of the Mobile River, the union of the Alabama and Tombigbee. The Mobile River, of the formation of which, judging from the school maps of Guyot and others, many must be ignorant, is fifty miles in length. Mount Vernon is distant now from Mobile by railroad only twenty-nine miles. As a place supposed to be very secure the two forts there, in the summer of 18 13, are said to have been 'packed.' How many people were in these different stockades at any one time is not certain. But after the alarm caused by the massacre at Fort Mims there were at Forts Madison and Glass more than one thousand citizens and soldiers. At Fort Carney there were about four hundred. Rankin's Fort contained five hundred and thirty. How many hundred were at St. Stephens and at Mount Vernon is not known. "In these river settlements there were at that time, it has been already stated, about two thousand whites and two thousand blacks, taking for the basis of authority the United States census of 1810. "Besides these twenty or twenty-one forts, so called, which were in the line of the river settlements proper, two forts, named Roger's and Patton's were constructed in what is now Wayne County, Mississippi; Patton's Fort at Winchester and Roger's Fort, six miles above. There was little use for these, however, and no real need, for the Creeks were not likely to cross the Tombigbee and go into the Choctaw territory. In fact, families of Clarke County instead of trusting themselves in the stockades and enduring the inconveniences of thus living, for even a few weeks, crossed the Tombigbee and selected camping grounds far enough west to be, as they thought, out of danger. Among some such was the family of Mrs. Cathell, a widow with four sons and four daughters, having come into Clarke County from Georgia in 181 2. Two of her sons went as soldiers against the Indians. She dreaded to have them leave her, saying that she had lost two brothers in the Revolutionary War and she felt sure these sons would fall in the coming conflict. And they did fall with so many others at Fort Mims. Disliking fort life for herself, as she had experienced it in her girlhood in the War of the Revolution, she with the other members of her family and ten or twelve other families crossed the river and went into camps."
built, so far as
,

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.
distinction can

43

ments were haK-breeds,

this distinction,

if

any

be

attached to the possession of a strain of savage blood, availed them


little so long as they affiliated with their white kinsmen. Those of mixed blood stood even more in dread of the war party than the white settlers, since to them was meted the severest punishment for refusing to "take the war talk." Peace had been maintained between the two neighboring peoples so long that there was still much doubt in the minds of many of any permanent hostilities. Close confinement, too, in the forts grew irksome to the hardy frontiersmen accustomed to the largest freedom, and eager to improve their homes and lands. Halbert and Ball say:

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

with Tecumseh's counsel than with revenge at the

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

the swiftness of Governor Manique's congratulations sent to William

Weatherford,
assisted
2^

now

the recognized leader of the war party ,^

had

them

in planning the attack

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

the Burnt Corn expedition had

In spite of conflicting opinions as to the war spirit of the Creeks, its weight and preparations for war
steadily on.

went

military defenses of the Mississippi Territory

Governor Holmes had greatly strengthened the and the numerous


he visited Fort

stockades were daily inspected by General Claiborne,

Mount Vernon. On August

advised the utmost caution on the part of

commanding at in person and Major Beasley. The latter

Mims

continued to view the whole situation with an optimism highly

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

and announced that a band "only a gang of red cattle."


epithet,

of Indians

were approaching, that

it

was

"Red

cattle"

was a sobriquet,

if

not an

that the white settlers contemptuously applied to the

Creeks.

Major Daniel Beasley,

in

command of the garrison at Fort Mims, has

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.

Other historians have sought to exonerate him.

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

"Some time between

war party,

DRAWING OF FORT
6

MIMS,

Found among Gen Claiborne's manuscript papers.

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

light of the situation, the whites in the

main

still

kept within the fortresses erected for their safety.

It

is

said that at

Mims

they were permitted to

stroll far

beyond the gates and

with the exception of the anxiety shown by General Claiborne in his

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

alarm and had abandoned themselves to fun and

frolic."

All his-

torians paint the scene as something of a holiday festivity.

Led by

the sphinx-like Weatherf ord

a descendant

of the beautiful

Princess Sehoy, in whose veins ran the blood of McGillivray


his trusted confederates Peter

and by

McQueen and

the "Prophet" Francis,

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,

the deep woods and

tall

cane-brakes, stealthily approached the Fort.^*


'*

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

with the gay, hilarious chatter and laughter, the


arose on the
air.

yells of the savages

Original records of General Claiborne, used

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,

some prejudiced and some

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

"Red Eagle," known

as the

warrior of the Muscogee tribe. With one blow of his trusted

gunstock he struck down one of their beaded and feathered prophets


frantically leading

an

assault.

Striving

by

his side in heroic defense

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

Soon after the

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

loss of these gallant spirits

was a

serious one to the

the communities from which they had volunteered.


first

army and to They were among


one time, for

to resist the Indians

and

their heroic efforts at

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.

The massacre had

lasted

was a

slight cessation of hostilities, to

The sickening
on the pages

details of the

massacre that have

left

an

eerie

shadow
In the

of our early history will

not be dwelt on further.

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

eyes behold a more revolting spectacle,"

Surpassing in frenzied fierceness the ravage of


similar in

Wyoming

Valley,

many

respects to the massacre of Fort Rosalie at

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

nearly a hundred years previous,


practically exterminated,
it

the French in

region were

pieces of butchery ever perpetrated in the history of the

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

that escaped, with an additional one

made

later, is

given in a note for

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,

from the entrance

into the Fort to the last fiendish blow, only one single act has been cited

by

historians to lighten the dark chronicles of the red


to,

man, that being

the protection, already referred


tain,

given by the valiant young chief-

nourished him when a child forsaken and starving.


tion

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

way and two

children

by Dog Warrior,

indicates that there

was any
to

intention on the part of the savages to spare the helpless


children of the Fort,^^ though Weatherford claims,

women and
have

it is said,

urged that these be

left

unmolested.

An

incident preserved in behalf of the negro race

makes a strong

appeal: this being the instance of the negro Hester's devotion to the

white race and her heroic

effort,

General Claiborne of the calamity that was overtaking the Fort.


the conduct of the slave, inferior though her race
in

though severely wounded, to apprize In

comparison with the savage and inhuman behavior of the Indians,

was

to the red

man's

many

of the nobler aspirations,

may be pointed
this

to as interpretative

of racial characteristics.

Association with the white race had affected

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

find the negro slaves, as a

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

only the hot indignation of the people of the Mississippi Territory

but of Americans throughout the Republic.

Hearts everywhere were

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

the news of the atrocity committed

by the Indians was

verified, vigilance

committees were formed throughout the Mississippi

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

displayed unusual leadership in helping to enlist the Choctaws* aid in


the American cause, that General
of the dreadful catastrophe at Fort

Andrew Jackson was first apprised Mims. The news, as has been

stated elsewhere,

spread consternation throughout the Southern

States and the brave Tennesseans, remembering their


experiences with the Cherokees

own

frontier

and Chickasaws, determined

to assist

the Mississippi Territory in her hour of need.

The

gallant force that

volunteered in her defense contained such spirits as

Sam Houston and

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

hearts, perhaps, with

more

sorrow than those of General Ferdinand L. Claiborne and his Mississippi volunteers.
all

The

troops of the detachment dispatched with

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.

The brave and

gallant Claiborne

had

left

nothing unprovided for

in the protection of the frontier,

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

the forces garrisoning the various forts, he

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

instance of his influence being

shown on the occasion when he had

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

attitude of Major-General Flournoy at this time

would have

chilled the soldierly ardor of a

commander

less

brave than Claiborne.

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

and nursing with an implacable


established
thereto, he

spirit their

grievance against the

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

reply from the

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

cola."

"I would advise a stroke at the root of all present distress PensaSuch confidence of speech not only reveals the military ardor

of the Mississippi soldier,

understanding of the situation.


for the use of

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,

keenly alive to the danger along the entire

Dealing, however, with a superior

in touch with the situation, his position

who was evidently not was a trying one. Knowing


As the days passed

the temper of the Mississippi volunteers, he feared nothing from the

Indians

if

given the opportunity of quelling them.

in his correspondence

with General Flournoy he evinces a confident,

aggressive generalship, while a

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

any other holding high


looked for assistance in

rank in the army that Gaines and


tion of

McKee

arranging the Choctaw alliance and in securing the active participa-

Pushmataha in the war.

It

is

thought by

many local historians

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

Claiborne had proved an obstacle to the invading foe, no less

active

and

vigilant

was Colonel Joseph Carson, whose volunteer

forces were to lead

many

fierce

charge against Weatherford's

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

55

warriors.2^

Both

of these brave Mississippi

driving the Indians from the frontier


active operations against

commanders were fast when General Jackson began

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.

his faithful sub-

ordinate, Colonel Coffee,

who had preceded

General Claiborne, then in charge of the Mississippi defenses, was


henceforth to be reinforced by General Jackson and his brave Tennesseans supported by United States regulars and numerous volunteers serving under Generals Coffee, Cocke, White and Floyd, the last mentioned commanding the volunteer forces from Georgia. These were to assist Jackson in his efforts to reduce the strength of the Creek Nation in such a manner as to render it of no assistance to the
British.

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.

Mississippi Historical Society.


G. Richardson captain and the Amite Troop,

Dunn

captain

in all about 200

men.

In his General Orders issued at Liberty, Governor Holmes said


satisfaction the alacrityin repairing to the standard of their country upon his call for their services. The corps is composed of men in whose patriotism and courage their fellow citizens must have the utmost confidence. Not soldiers from compulsion, or from necessity, they have placed themselves in the front ranks of danger to oppose a savage foe now threatening our country with destruction and devastation.

The commander-in-chief has witnessed with the utmost

shewn by the cavalry

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 battalion was composed of

of the Mississippi Territory

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

Claiborne continued to throw his forces with the utmost confidence


against the Indians.
It

was

to the chivalrous, adventure-loving

Dragoons that the

latter entrusted the

whole

territory,

employing

the gallant troop of horse to scour the country in pursuit of the

roving bands of Indians

who were menacing

the white settlements.

General Jackson addressed a letter to Governor Holmes in which he

thanked him for the promptitude with which he assembled and

marched

this

body

of troops, especially

commending the

fine

appear-

ance of the Dragoons.

Made up

of the sons of the first families of the

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

mihtary glory through adventure and chafing under

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

battalion acted as

an

irritant to the obtuse

though

touchy and testy Flournoy.


General Claiborne regretted their inability to cooperate amicably

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

controversy that followed.

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

who marked with untimely


feet.

graves the

and valiant-hearted pioneer trails that became open


still

roads for other

Leaving the main party supposed to be


therford,

who

like his

grandfather was also called

commanded by Wea"Red Eagle," the


theTombigbee,

"Prophet" Francis continued to operate


settlements, the

in the forks of

where, on the rich, alluvial lands, the hardy pioneers had established

more prosperous

of

slaves having opened large plantations.

them with the help of their It was of these fair lands of


fields

promise that the Indians grew jealous, seeing in the cultivated

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.

the brave horsemen sent with Lieutenant Bailey in defense

of Fort Sinquefield

Few

stories of the pioneer folk of

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.

While they very cunningly selected an hour when

6o

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

remember that the happenings

of the last

few days had

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
*

'Prophet" himself, the Indians failed to surprise

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

with the exception of one which was overtaken and


passed in safety to the Fort.

slain, the

women
attack

After several hours' fierce

on the Fort, Francis and

his

army, amid a whir of

bullets, retreated,

leaving the excited defenders of the Fort victors though for the

moment shaking with fear. The next morning the inmates


experience.

of Sinquefield

made

their

way

to

Fort Madison, where they breathed more freely after their terrifying

Some attempted

to carry along clothing


filled

and food and the

journey became a painful one,


that they had
the

as all were with fear of


It

momentary
hearts, too,

attack by some lurking band of savages.


left

was with sad

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

the sacrifice of the

first

comers who cleared and made the

fair

land

habitable for their race.

reported to General Claiborne.

Tragic occurrences, such as have been related, were being daily The Creeks were now fully at war,
pillage

and murder, rapine and


frontier.

marked

their

pathway along the

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

61

After the verification of a constant rumor that a combined attack

by the Indians was

to be

made on Fort Madison, General Claiborne

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

remaining in that section should

feel

alarmed at the
the order dis-

evacuation of Fort Madison and so urgent were they in their entreaties


for protection that General Claiborne,

who had

left

cretionary with Colonel Carson,

now
he

hurriedly sent

him a dispatch
could protect

not to abandon Fort Madison


it.

if

felt sure his forces

Colonel Carson had already obeyed the order and for a short
left

space Fort Madison was


afforded

without military defense, except that

by the eighty

citizens

under the valiant Captains Austill and Dale.


ing from

who immediately enrolled themselves The latter was recover-

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

such numbers that

Colonel

Carson could not maintain

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

through a heavily timbered country

filled

with roving bands of Indians.

62

Mississippi Historical Society.

The
pect.

situation at this time presented anything but a pleasing pros-

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

met with much encouragement from

General Claiborne and was accompanied to Mobile by Mr. George

Gaines where the formal acceptance of the troops by General Flournoy took place. The commanding general, having by this time slowly

but thoroughly embraced General Claiborne's view of the Indian


longer directed him to act on the defensive but, to his empowered him to attack the Indians. The order, however, did not provide for an invasion of the Creek country so much desired by Claiborne. After arriving home, Pushmataha, celebrated for his wisdom and discretion among the Choctaws, assembled the most powerful heads and rulers of the whole nation and with his convincing eloquence actively federated them with the Americans. The Chickasaws, too,

matter,

now no

great relief

were attached to the Americans through the

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

Kee and John Peachland.

the master strokes in the successful defense of the Coast against


British invasion.

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

withstanding his breach with Flournoy, continued close to Jackson

and Claiborne, and drew from them many warm expressions


praise.

of

While operating at

this seat of war, the

main body

of the Indians

usually kept within the dense, heavily-timbered swamps, sallying


forth in companies sometimes numbering as

many

as a hundred, but

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

63

very often composed of not more than a dozen warriors.

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

with the wildest adventure,

resulting in the death of

the former at the hands of a savage.

The

gallant

young

soldier,

Bradberry,
liam

who had won fame

as a good fighter at Burnt Corn, also

lost his life in

one of these forays.

McGrew had
of the

In a similar manner Colonel Wilbeen killed previously. While pursuing a party

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.

who had The loss

sacrificed their lives willingly in defense of

of such lives

was a

serious

blow to a young
life,

Territory whose population was scant and rural


large extend, unformed.

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

expedition, though the soldiers were all poorly equipped


late

autumn days thinly


fight

clad

and

bare-foot,
of

markable canoe

on the waters

and faced the had to its credit the rethe Alabama in which four of

Dale's party distinguished themselves as border heroes.

This hand to hand conflict was, perhaps one of the wildest ever staged
in frontier history.
forest,

For the gruesome tragedy the heavy American

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

description of the fierce struggle

by

local historians is filled

with details of such a horrid nature that their hideous and revolting
particulars will not be enumerated here, the heroic courage

and de-

votion of the combatants of both sides being things of more moment.

Captain Dale and his

little

company,

after putting to flight a small

band

of

mounted Indians

in the open,

had formed the advance

in

crossing the river.

Screened from view by the bank covered with

tall

cane, great forest trees

and undergrowth, they were engaged

in pre-

paring a needed repast

when they

discovered gliding

down

the

Alabama

in slow, stately fashion

flat-bottomed canoe in

an unusually large and handsome which sat, with erect forms and dignified

mien, a company of Indian warriors richly clothed in panther skins,


their faces

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.

They were now only painted

savages
foe.

filled

with revenge and thirsting for the blood of the hated


has proved
itself

What

race, alas! of

much

better?

The boats

Captain Dale, which were under the

command

of the

famous Jerry

Austill, floated along the river in sight of the troopers

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

the river Captain Dale and his

party fired upon the stately crew to which the proud warriors replied instantly, showing their readiness for battle. After several
exchanges of
rifle

shots that resulted in

little

injury to either side,

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

the close and deadly struggle

came

an end the hero

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

This hand-to-hand combat,


in

and daring as any known to history remains undimmed


days of ancient Rome.

comparison with the feat of the dauntless three who held the bridge
in the

Henceforth Dale, Austill and Smith


Jackson's and Claiborne's
it

became names

to conjure with in both

army, while Caesar's desperate courage, as


in action, but, also, in the

dead

silence that

was shown not only bound his lips broken

only in his urging the use of the sword and bayonet, clearly proves

66

Mississippi Historical Society.

that the heroic deeds of that day were not


races.

all

confined to the free

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

manner that the brave

Mississippi soldiery, descended from good

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

the southern frontier in the

first

months

of the war.

General Claiborne had always


Indians
their
it

felt

that to rid the country of the

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.

General Flournoy had at

last arrived at the

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,

a game in which they were destined to play a shining part in

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

Sam Dale "When you


At
this place will

see danger

be enumerated a number of
intrepid soldiery ever

ahead take Hinds with you." fierce battles and en-

counters with the Creeks in which Jackson's troops were engaged.

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

had been conducted by troops


Tallussahatchie,

of the Mississippi Territory throughout

the Southern District before General Jackson's forces fought at

and that Mississippians

in this section

were every-

where engaged
Jackson's
large

in the defense of the Republic.

Even

in the ranks of

own army,

especially in the 3rd United States Regulars,

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,

General Jackson sent Brigadier-General Coffee with 1000


destroy the place.

men

to

Half of the troops were to constitute the attacking

party while the rest reconnoitered the Ten-Island country as preliminary to future movements.

The Tennesseeans were well supplied

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

quarter from their well-armed foes.

ber

3,

1813, General Jackson wrote to Governor Blount of Tennessee

relative to the battle,

"We have retaliated for

the destruction of Fort


said,

Mims." In

his report of the

same day General Coffee

"Not one

68

Mississippi Historical Society.

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?

Following the successful attack on the Indians by General Coffee,

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

prophets who, for

all their

Writing of this battle to General Claiborne, General Jackson said:


It is impossible to tell with any precision the loss they sustained. We counted, however, 299 dead on the field but this is known to fall considerably short of the number really killed. Could I have followed up that victory immediately the Creek War before this had been terminated but I was compelled by a double cause the want of supplies and the want of cooperation from the East Tennessee troops to

return to this place.

strong jealousy, historians

all agree,

existed between the

East

Tennessee and the West Tennessee troops which interfered at times


with Jackson's operations in the Creek War, and explains this reference
in his letter to the East Tennessee troops. to Claiborne, General Jackson

Near the

close of his letter

makes

this suggestive statement:

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,

occurred what Halbert rightfully

calls

the

Mississippi Territory in
**Hillabee Massacre. "^^

War

of 1812

Rowland.
it

69
as a

That
it

staid historian characterizes


little

"deplorable action" and

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

found in their scant records

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

massacre the town was completely destroyed with several other


inland villages, notable

among them

the Apple-grove, the birth-

place of the renowned half-breed chieftain William McGillivray

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 indomitable spirit of a free people.

The

Georgians, too, led

by

General Floyd through the beautiful Callabee Valley, heard the sharp

twang

of their

bows and

felt

the sting of their arrows.

At

his

camp

at Pine Level in Clarke

County General Claiborne

received orders on

November

10,

post for another

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

Jackson looking to an attack on Pensacola which was

now beheved
Here
his

by
the

all

to be the seat of trouble.

On November

17, Claiborne crossed

Alabama River and halted

at Weatherford's Bluff.

troops, cheerful despite the scantiness of food

and

clothing, fortified

themselves for future action, Pushmataha's warriors practicing daily

with the new

rifles

given them at Fort Madison, and,

if

tradition can

be trusted, sallying forth to take a view of Burnt Corn, the fame of

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

^Rowland.
It

71

which had spread far into the Choctaw Nation.


party of Creeks
netic

was

in

spirit of

exultation that the great chieftain claimed that he put to flight a

whom

he found occupying the famous battle-ground.

After constructing a strong fort to which his soldiers gave his

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 troops should

The
and

last battle of the year 1813

was to

fall

to General Claiborne

his

Mississippi volunteer regiments.

Carrying out his long

cherished desire, he gathered a strong force about


volunteers and confided to

him composed
march to the
fortified after

almost entirely of Mississippi soldiery and a number of Louisiana

them

his determination to

enemy*s

capital.

This fortress of two hundred houses,

the Indian manner, bore the sacred

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

Alabama 125 miles from Fort Claiborne


It

just after the

massacre of Fort Mims." Creeks in time of trouble.

was designed

for a safe

haven

for the

rude citadel, planted on a

little

peninsur-

sula jutting out into the river

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

penetrable to the conquering race that


that,
all

now sought

it.

It

was here

with the

spirit of the Inquisition, the

"Prophet" Francis ordered

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

Smarting under the injustice and petty spite

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

of Claiborne's ofl&cers at first

opposed an expedition

into the Creek country, going so far as to petition

him

to desist

from
their

what seemed merely a quixotic

enterprise,

they concluded

petition with the soldierly utterance that

may we
The

shall cheerfully

obey your orders

"Be your decision what it and carry out your plans."

objections set forth in the memorial were of such a compelling

nature that a purpose less firm than Claiborne's would have been
shaken.

The memorial drew

his attention to the facts that it

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

clothes, shoes or blankets

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

would seem, to have cooled

his ardor for the expedition


all this

But notwithstanding Tennessee troops and all others engaged


against the Creeks.

in the service usually

and the fact that the went

home

at the expiration of their term of enlistment,

when Claiborne
gun and took
his

gave the order to break camp every


place in the line of march.

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

1000 patriots was

made up

of Colonel

Joseph Carson's Regiment of

Mississippi Volunteers, the 3rd United States


largely supplied with Mississippians,
of horse,

Regiment

of Infantry,

Major

Cassell's valiant battalion

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

mataha made up Claiborne's army. To

this deft

now a
of the

brigadier-general in the United States

and Army,

adroit chieftain,
is

due much

of

the enthusiasm with which the Choctaws participated in the invasion

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

of the best families

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

martial bearing that would have compared favorably with that of

any

frontier
its

army

in the history of America.

Much

in the light of a

crusader
spirit of

valiant

commander appeared imbued


filled

as he

was with the

freedom and

with a sacred desire to plant the Cross of

Christianity in the strongholds of the pagan.

On December

23, the troops


it

approached the Holy City.

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.

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Mississippi Historical Society.

and lagoons surrounding the


behaved with great
credit,

city the

whole army steadily pushed


of the cavalry.

its

way, General Claiborne riding at the head


ing himself in true military form.
riflemen, alone suffered
his troops.

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

a foe not to be contenmed.

The Creeks had done everything

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

comment, they had removed

women and

children to a place of safety across the river in a

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

water covering the

flat,

pine marshes while the bitter winds of late

December

chilled their half-clad bodies to the bone; still

they did not

flinch nor quail at the wild

demoniacal clamor of the savages preparing

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.

everywhere suddenly sprang forward and poured a discharge of


bullets into Carson's advancing ranks."

rifle

From

the heavy log breast-

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

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Rowland.

75

their midst.

These Creek
in each

seers

and

oracles

have been described by

historians as rushing about frantically, uttering piercing screams,

while

madly waving

hand a cow's

tail

dyed a

brilliant scarlet.

Retiring suddenly behind some wall or structure, as


speU, they

if to work a would suddenly return to the open to urge with renewed

vehemence
their

their people to withstand the foe.

It was, however, for

entire nation

as well as for the

Holy

City, for

Indians

now

fought,

and not

until the galling fire

which the from Claiborne's

men had begun


Not even then

to decimate their ranks did they begin a retreat.


fall

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

did they suddenly

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:

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Mississippi Historical Society.

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

Claiborne had conquered the Holy Ground and had driven

inhabitants

his soldiers for

both prophet and warrior, he occupied it with a few hours during which the Choctaws under Pushprivilege of possessing themselves of the

mataha were given the


Creek

victor's spoils, the white soldiery


atrocities disdaining

now

embittered by memories of

to appropriate to themselves anything

that belonged to the savages. horror and bitter invective


of the

Their passing disdain turned into


discovered in the public square

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

which Governor Manique

of Pensacola

congratulated him upon the victory of Fort Mims,

them with
it

renewed purpose to stamp out the Creek Nation.


After ordering the torch to be applied to the town and reducing
to ashes, Claiborne with his

army swept

the whole territory in which

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

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77

perial strength ebbing, they


battle,

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,

he never after the destruction


battle field.
J.

of the

Holy

Ground appeared on the


Writing of the victory
The moral
effect of this

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

of the fall of the capital of the

Creek Nation instantly

over the country, from house to house and town to town,

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

the capital of the Creek Nation


all fears for

But notwithstanding the gloomy side of the picture, the fact that had been conquered and razed allayed
the present.
It
is

a question, after the destruction of

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

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.

Viewed from any standpoint Jackson's presence


Territory seems providential at this
crisis of

in the Mississippi

the American govern-

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

General Jackson, having to his

with a great naval force gathered in the South Seas, were anxiously watching the Creek uprising. Following the hard fighting near

Amukfau

Creek, where the Indians


forces,

on the invading American


to drive Jackson

made an all day but vain attack and the fierce encounter at the
of the

Hillabee village of Enitachopoco, where they continued their efforts

and

his

army out

Creek country, both sides

prepared for what proved to be the


warring nations.

final battle

between the two


elated

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

the Indians great satisfaction since

was here that they proudly

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.

The Coosa River was


its

the scene of stirring military action through-

out the month of March, a large number of troops


banks.

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

When drilling and

especially

Territory for the purpose of aiding Jackson in his last

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

lurking about Pensacola.

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

wild, sweet tongue "Cholocco Litabixbee"


its

shoe

on

the Horse-

account of

shape.

defended in such a manner that,

The stronghold was prepared and when no longer secure, it could be

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Mississippi Historical Society.

easily evacuated and, as Pickett observes,

"was admirably adapted


if

by Nature
been

for security

if

well guarded but equally for destruction

not well defended."


fortified

Safe within their peninsula fastness, which


of

had

by a strong breastwork constructed


it
if

heavy logs across


of the river

the neck of land connecting


to defend
it

with the mainland, they determined


failing, to

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 Indians were ready

for his approach.

The

Hillabee warriors led the defense and were bitter in retaUation for

the cruel

manner

in

which Generals Cocke and White had ignored

their

proposals of surrender, a misunderstanding for which Jackson

was

now

suffering.

With the Hillabees were the

warriors of the following

towns: Ocfuske, Oakchoie,

New

Yanca, the Fish Pond, Hickory

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

slaughter!" Conscious of the fate that awaited

"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

War

of 1812

^Rowland.

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

Jackson's riflemen approach the port-holes while his cannon be-

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

price to be paid for liberty.

When

once

the Americans had gained an entrance into the city both sides fought
like wild beasts, the

bayonet in the white man's hand in the end prov-

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

swamps, over sloughs and bayous and

across the river, leaving only a trail of blood to


their flight.

mark the course of The peninsula was literally strewn with their dead bodies;
their worst;

the

rifle

and bayonet had done

but

it

took, says Brewer,

"the combined power of the whites, the Cherokees, Chickasaws and

Choctaws, assisted by a large party of their own people, to subjugate

them."
kyrie

It

was now that the haughty


if

spirit of

the Muscogee

was

crushed and subdued

not wholly extinguished; but not untfl Val-

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.

powerful Indian nation yield to

The evening shadows had enveloped

the land

when

the battle of

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Mississippi Historical Society.

Tallapoosa Bend came to a close and the flames that destroyed the
citadel

had died down

to embers.

The Horsehoe was a heap


and

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

their burial ground, not

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

historians denounce this last battle as a massacre

riot of
it is

butchery equal to Fort Mims.


evident that Jackson, though

Whether

this

be true or not,

humane

himself in victory,

was on

this

occasion unable to restrain his troops.

These, forgetting that a brave

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.

winding-sheet, the sacred

In the defense of Horsehoe Bend the Creeks numbered about looo.

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

the number engaged in battle.

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

several brave spirits

iiim "the flower" of

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

at the storming of Quebec.

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

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83

The bloody
line of

battle of the Horseshoe having

terday, General Jackson left the Tallapoosa

become a thing of yesand placed his army in

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

the British, and

some going

into Florida.

Jackson in victory was


in their

neither revengeful nor vindictive

and the Indians found

adversary one who, while he had slight faith in their integrity, was

ready in every instance to sympathize with them in misfortune.


Their appeals for succor and aid

now touched him, and

their

wretched

condition was relieved in every possible manner.

He was pardonably

elated over his success in reducing the Creek Nation


in praise of his troops.
If the jealousy

and was profuse and lack of co-operation evinced

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

which characterized the entire soldiery

of the Mississippi Territory

who were now ready

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

wrote as follows respecting the aid of the Tennessee troops:


The conduct of the State of Tennessee upon every occasion when our Territory has been menaced by an enemy, entitles that member of the Union to our peculiar gratitude; but the patriotism evinced by their statesmen, soldiers, and citizens, upon the late occasion of the disasters which happened on the Eastern frontier,

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Mississippi Historical Society.

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

should be again noted that as a preliminary for the coast operations


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,

was the most conspicuous

figure,

next to Jackson, at the

fort.

Though a Creek

in every instinct

and

aspiration, he affected little of

the manners and customs of his people.

His

dress, of the pioneer

variety and fashion, had none of the barbaric adornment characteris* This fort was on the Coosa four miles above near Wetumpka.

its

junction with the Tallapoosa

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

at this bold appearance before his very marquie, the

American General, whose whole

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,"*^

high in the graces of General Jackson as he


cast the

now thought himself, fore-

"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.

cerned with weightier matters, after anathematizing the source of the


insult,

he cast a look of scorn upon the

traitor, as

he termed him, and

turned to confront his conqueror.

Eye-witnesses aver that he faced

Jackson with perfect composure, proudly calling himself a Creek warrior

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.

struck in the great Jackson's heart was


secret elation that the

always keenly

It

was with

shrewd
relax,

Weatherford perceived the stern features of his adversary


*^

The

chieftain

who

refused to unite with

Tecumseh

to aid the British.

86
feeling that,

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

was with a look


In

"By

the Eternal!" darkening his worn, sallow

face that he signified that none present should


ford's head.'^
this

harm a hair of Weather-

manner the terms

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

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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

'

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Mississippi Historical Society.

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

On April 21, 1814, General Camp Blount near

Jackson discharged the West Tennessee Fayetteville with a stirring address full

of praise of their loyalty,

devotion and prowess.

His language

possessed a vital quality that charmed

men and

in times of stress

moved them
pleasing.

to action.

His praise of them, now, was extremely

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

Indians were concerned, Jackson, leaving the gallant and vigilant

Major Blue
in all

any

local disturbance that


*

might

arise during his

absence, retired for a short while to the 'Hermitage."

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.

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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

to Fort Jackson with


of the

he immediately assumed

command

Southern army.

surroundings his health had slightly

a small escort, In peaceimproved but it continued

poor throughout his Southern campaign.


protestations of friendship

During the treaty making the Indians, despite Big Warrior's and his Uberality in bestowing certain
all

small gifts of land to

distinguished persons present, manifested

their usual opposition to surrendering their native lands,


sition led

by Big Warrior himself when

large areas were

an oppodemanded.

After

treaty.

much inveigling the Indians were finally induced to sign the Among the distinguished personages present besides Jack-

son were Colonel Hawkins^ and Colonel Arthur P. Hayne."^

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

Protestant churches of England.

In connection with

affairs in the

South about the time of the treaty

Woodward

in his reminiscences has said:

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

officer writing of the failure

of the British to take possession of the coast country deplored the

such rich possessions to England and enumerated the


affairs

many

advantages had victory crowned their arms.

Returning to the
**

and military operations of the Mississippi

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.
*^

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Territory,
it

Mississippi Historical Society.

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.

these regiments which conformed very nearly to the organ-

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

seen, with the

Creek Indians

that Major Hinds began to realize some of his ambitions as a soldier.

His capacity as an

officer of

unusual ability was instantly acknowledged

by Jackson, nor was

the superior character of the Dragoons, culled


of the State, lost to his observing eye.

from the best population

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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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

against the Spanish capital.

The prime motive


was the defense

that actuated Jackson in his expedition against

Pensacola where the British for


of the

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

their territory." Again in a letter to


district.

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."

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Mississippi Historical Society.

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

order to dislodge the latter.

to have deterred him.

The statement

of

Henry Adams^^ that Jackson intended


is

to attack

Florida through Pensacola

based entirely on a false conception.

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

against the British that involved

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,

he wrote to Governor Claiborne to hold

all

Louisiana militia

in readiness for active service.

Accordingly, Fortier says:

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

VIII, History of United States, p. 318.

Mississippi Territory in

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^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

of the Mississippi Territory).

However,

after forcing the

Spanish to clearly define their position as the acknowledged and active


sympathizers of Great Britain he henceforth regarded and treated
cast

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

in sincerity his willingness to drive the British out of Pensacola

hardly possible that Jackson would have refused to tender his aid
in the

accomphshment

of this end, nor is it thinkable, admitting that

he cherished a desire to see them ultimately quit the Gulf coast, that

he would have refused their assistance at Pensacola along the coast


of the Mississippi Territory

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

the Gulf waters.


Nichols,

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.

George was hoisted over one of the forts of the

Spanish town.
Secret messengers

had been sent through the country

to the

Seminoles and Creeks inviting them to come to Pensacola and join

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

instructed as to the service expected of them.

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

spared to render the inhabitants of the entire coast region false in


their allegiance to the Americans.

Colonel Nichols in extending his

appeal to the people of every race and creed throughout the coast

country promised that a victory on the part of the British would be


the

means

of breaking the chains of the

American government that

were being forged about them.


urgent to the point of entreaty.

To

the Spaniards especially he was

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Mississippi Historical Society.

With

the Spanish

known

to be in league with the British, Jackson

recognized the opportunity at this juncture of ridding the country


ultimately of both British and Spanish dominion and
it can be readily beheved that he now waged war looking to that end. In addition to the Tennessee troops brought with him, as has been observed he had a

large aggregation of volunteer Mississippi troops collected in regular

and

irregular

manner.

On

these he relied for the most exacting servvitally,

ice, since it

concerned the Mississippi Territory so

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

the morning of September 12, the British landed 600 Indians


Sentinels stationed in the direction

and Spaniards and 130 marines.

^^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.

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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,

the distribution of the guns, in

some respects

improperly mounted, was in the main favorable.

On September
to effect

13 the British attempted to shell the fort but failing

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

the situation grew


oflficers

a council of his

the

enemy and the

garrison in the

main destroyed before the

remaining forces capitulated no surrender would be considered that


did not give the Americans the
full

assurance that they would be

treated in every respect as prisoners of war, permitted to retain


their

arms and protected from any outrage by the Indians as to

their person or property.

They pledged themselves furthermore


man.

that

these terms should be carried out to the last

By

the morning of September 15 the

enemy with a
brigs

of the sloops

Hermes and Car on and the


of

fleet composed Anaconda and Sophia

under the

command

Commodore

Percy, growing impatient at the

thought of the easy victory in

sight,

decided to quit dallying and

begin a determined attack on the small garrison.

The

ships weighed

anchor moving under a favorable breeze towards the

fort,

the Hermes

commanded by Percy leading

the

way into

the channel and anchoring

within musket shot of Fort Bowyer's batteries.

Major Lawrence,
desperate

noting the advance of the squadron and


situation, after again pledging his

realizing his

men

to faithful service, with the


his lips,

battle cry of

"Don't give up the ship" ringing upon

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

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many

infantry as he himself

commanded, the

gallant defender of the

fort with a loss of

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

following incident taken from Eaton's Life of General Jackson

reveals the type of national character taking hold of the people in

the far Southern section:


worthy of remark to show the difference in battle between the two commark the conduct of British and American oflScers, under circumstances precisely similar. Whilst the battle raged the flag of the van ship was carried away and at this moment she had ceased to fire. What had caused its disappearance none could tell; no other opinion was or could with propriety be entertained than that it had been hauled down with a view to yield the contest and surrender.
It is

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

consisted of three regiments of United States Infantry, the 3rd Regi-

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

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^Rowland.

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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

of the best fiber of the

Tennessee and the Mississippi Territory.

It

is

young manhood of principally as was

stated at the outset of this narrative the province of the author to

record the part that the Mississippi Territory took in the struggle for

American independence
will continue to

in the

Southern section, but

it

has been and


other States

be the pleasure of the writer to emphasize the heroism


all

of the brave

Tennesseeans and that of the troops of

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

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Mississippi Historical Society.

Fort Montgomery marched on foot to Pensacola,

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

assured that the protestations of inability to cope with the

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

lonely survivors of colonial dignity.

the inhabitants, including men,


in its defense.

When Jackson attacked the town women and children, heroically joined
into the place

The

Mississippi Dragoons led the

their blue uniforms faced with scarlet

and sabres slung within white

belts giving cheerful color to the scene.

The entrance

of the

Ameri-

cans was stoutly resisted by a two-gun battery erected in the principal


street which poured volley after volley on the brave Major Laval*^ and his men as they strove to take it, while from every house-top and window an avalanche of bullets, rocks and missiles of every description rained down upon the invaders. The defense as furious and fierce as any recorded in history was still as but the efforts of children. The sturdy columns of Jackson stormed the city with one fierce

onslaught, carrying the Spanish battery at the point of the bayonet,


after

which a flag

of truce

was sent out by the worsted Spanish.

When

the hand to hand conflict ceased and the smoke cleared from the
streets of the old

Spanish town, the victory belonged to the Americans


the capture of the city with the form and order

who had conducted


killed

belonging to the best military sieges.

The

loss of eight

brave

men

and eleven wounded robbed Jackson


flag of truce

of several gallant officers.

Consternation reigned

among the inhabitants of the town. The goveragreed to give the Americans
after

nor of Pensacola under a

possession of forts St. Michael

and Barancas, and

some

in-

subordinate conduct on the part of the Spanish


St.

commandant

of Fort

Michael had been punished, the American garrison occupied


the Mississippi Territory, so near the scene of trouble
of

the forts.

The people of
after

the

fall

Pensacola, felt

more

secure.

The

territorial

population was intensely devoted to the American cause and though


sparse throughout
the famous
its

battalion under

broad expanse had furnished Jackson besides Major Thomas Hinds 500 infantry.

"Mississippi," Parton has stated,

"was now sending

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

The British were greatly astonished

at the sudden successful attack

upon Pensacola and forgetting their alliance with the Spanish fled hastily from the scene of battle, blowing up Fort Barancas which was
six miles

below the town.

General Jackson enjoyed the chagrin of

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

with preparations for the defense of

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

Jackson had managed

as a harbor for the English navy.

Elated over the success of his


in the best spirits.

campaign so
at Mobile.

far

he withdrew his army from Pensacola and stopped


officers

Both

and men were

The

Mississippians and Tennesseans bore themselves with fine

and easy

grace as they sang and jested their way through the beautiful Southern
forest

and Jackson now had the satisfaction of witnessing a thoroughly

united spirit

among

his troops.

The

defense of Mobile Point and capture of Pensacola were brilliant

military feats executed in a masterly manner.

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,

others garbling the story.

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

American historians have had

access to the

records of the South.

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

forty-seven, past the exuberance of youth, sick

and exhausted by

exposure to the winter rain and suffering from malaria, he kept his

plan well in hand with a view of being ready at any


to the defense of

moment

to

move

New

Orleans, the place that he believed would be

the next point of attack.

The

British fleet continued to gather in the Southern waters


of Louisiana

and

Governor Claiborne
the
fleet says:

was

filled

with the gravest appre-

hension for the safety of the Louisiana capital.

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

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,

General Jackson arrived in the City of


greatly relieved,

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.
'^

The people were

Edward Livingston was a

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

a heroic part in the artillery defense of the

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

inhabitants of the parishes of Plaquemine, St.

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,

played by the Governor

is

and the patriotism, zeal and energy disworthy of a more extended notice. His

patriotic appeals to the inhabitants throughout the trying period

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

of the local jealousies

between the American, French and Spanish

elements in the State's population, and knowing the attitude of the

Spanish at Pensacola, he at times was disposed to be despondent


regarding the situation.
the British fleet was

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,

small naval force at the

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

men was a weak


by a strong

naval

nation, and,

American navy was


Orleans,

insufficient

everywhere and the cause

of great disaster to the country.


it

Little attempt was made to strengthen

at

New

and both Claiborne and Patterson indignantly

protested

when

the construction of the gun-boat in Lake Pontchar-

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

of the arrival of the of its

British fleet

came anonymously from Pensacola and on account

interesting character is given here in the original:

To commodore Daniel
Sir,

T. Patterson,

New

Orleans, Pensacola, sth December, 1814.

"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

arrived only yesterday noon.

am yours,

&c.
.

friendly Spaniard, Patterson

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.

few hours later the enemy's

flotilla

gained the Pass

and moved westward towards the American boats under command

io6
of Captain

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

the public stores which

been previously ordered.

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

had was impossible to fear of capture by the

ordered to

make a

last desperate

stand at this point.

Adverse winds

caused the boats to ground again in the channel of Malheureux


Island.

Their situation was discovered early in the morning of


15,

December
swift

by a

British flotilla of barges which

moved forward
perfect

in

solid line to attack the helpless gunboats.

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

about occupying as advantageous position called all commanding officers on board

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

attached to his original report.

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

107

powerful British

fleet consisting of

one cannon each of

12, 18,

and 24

45 launches and barges mounting caliber. In addition there were

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
,

spying her sent a small division forward.

After a spirited resistance

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

of the boats that

carried 180

men.

It

went down before the fire of Gunboat 156 was about this time that Captain Jones was

severely

wounded by a

removal from deck.


the victorious
gallant boat

ball in the left shoulder which caused his Master's mate Parker immediately to6k charge

and while gallantly defending the

vessel he too

enemy with

superior

was wounded, when numbers swarmed down on the


deck a
little after

and gained possession

of its

12 o'clock.

The enemy immediately turned

the guns of his prize on the struggling

io8

Mississippi Historical Society.

gunboats, firing several shots before striking the American colors.

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.

The naval operations

of the British being successful in this engage-

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

measures, which to execute required the most

not crafty diplomacy, and at times the utmost firmness

savoring of license, he sent a hurried order to Generals Coffee and

whom

he had stationed at Baton Rouge, informing them

of the fate of the

American gunboats and directing them

to

march
Coast

immediately into camp at


defense was also

New

Orleans with their troops.

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

inaccessibiUty of the coast country

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.

"Anyone who has

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

that unanimous action could hardly have been expected.

Notwithstanding the attitude


continued to

of the legislature.

General Jackson
fail

make such

appeals to the people as could not

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

and eloquence, delivered on Sunday, December


uniformed companies,
all

18,

to the

citizens, the battalion of

volunteers and 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

movements before the

arrival of the British

a lengthy excerpt from Latour," for the purpose of sustaining


contention,
is

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

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.

Mississippi Historical Society.


ofl&cer

at fort St. Charles, the barracks, and the powder

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

martial law was proclaimed, every thing proceeded with order

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

from which he had never deviated from the beginning


.

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,
. .

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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

arms and accoutrements.

Beauty applauded valour and promised with her

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."

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Mississippi Historical Society.

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

New Orleans was making preparation for a stubborn defense


away
the slight naval resistance from the
to find a landing place

the British, after sweeping

Gulf shore, proceeded -mth.


for their troops.
flag of truce sent

much nonchalance

Their inhospitable reception of the bearers of the

by Commodore Patterson to gain information relative

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

with a disguised British soldier gathered


for the

much

valuable information

enemy, making

it

clear to

him that

his best

advance after

landing would be by Villere's Canal, the ground along the canal


affording a firm footing.

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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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

or the ta hoo of the owl.

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

Furthermore the the true story of General Jackson's


of the

first

reception

news

of the landing of the British

is

not presented by Henry

Adams.^^

According to La tour's own account, Colonel La Ronde

who

commanded

the Louisiana detachment of militia at the Villere house

sent on the evening of

December

22 a courier to apprise Jackson

of the appearance of several sail in the three

bayous behind Terre aux

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.

house and had taken prisoner General

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

may be noted that

was a

large

scattered through the various

Territory to be formed into companies with Louisiana troops or placed


in other

commands.

The
all

Mississippi Dragoons,

composed

of four

troops of horse, were at

times present during the conflict to perof them.

form the many arduous duties required


every

We have seen that

man

in the Mississippi Territory within military requirements

had, so far, taken part in the defense of the country since the inception of the

Creek

War and had

borne the brunt of the

hostilities in

"Adams, p. 343.

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camp and

at home.

These were now ready with the same zeal and

spirit to assist in the defense of

New Orleans.
after a

The Mississippi Dragoons, under Thomas Hinds,

march over

muddy
of

roads for four days arrived in

New

Orleans on the afternoon

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

error of beheving that a force of 18,000

men would

confront them in

battle

when they moved

against the city.

After casting about for

several hours, a hesitating that proved fatal to success, they


leisurely

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.

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Mississippi Historical Society.

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

up with red-coats numbering

fully

half of General Keane's division, the other half arriving during the

midnight

battle.

not yet arrived.

The

Edward Packenham, Commander-in-Chief, had first division disembarking numbered the light

brigade of Colonel Thornton comprised of various large regiments,

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

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fixed resolve revealed in his burning

rather than see the

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

orders to his army.

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

double attack had been stationed with the


of Louisiana militia

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

of Lieutenant Spotts, also a

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

not exceed 2000,

many

of

them being raw

recruits

and poorly armed

for actual battle against

near 5000 well-armed, trained and seasoned British soldiery. With this small but determined force Jackson moved nearer the enemy about

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Mississippi Historical Society.

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

British without opposition having reached the Mississippi at

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

the British replied to the Carolina

with a volley of musketry followed by Congreve rockets but without


especial effect. The schooner with her guns at full play for a half hour was so destructive that the enemy was compelled to abandon his camp.

General Coffee,

who had been

ordered to turn the enemy's right,

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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enemy
brave

before

it.

the foe completely

The entire company under Captain Beale taking by surprise dashed into his camp, a number of his
captured in the daring
feat.

men having been

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

matched by Jackson's daring and strategy they were forced

to give

way

at every town, both armies fiercely contending, often in


conflicts.

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 heavy smoke and

fog that gathered over the battle ground in

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.

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Mississippi Historical Society.

Hinds with

his

dragoons was placed on guard between the two armies

throughout the night.^ In this action the 7th Regiment,

commanded by Major

Pierre,

conducted

itself

with great gallantry and very naturally receives from

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

to use his cavalry.

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.

Tennessee and the Mississippi

Territory suffered a loss in Colonel Lauderdale^ of General Coffee's

who

fell

while heroically repulsing the enemy.

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

Brigadier-General David Morgan,

able account of the part taken in the affair of

December

23

by General

Morgan and
all

his troops

whose conduct under the circumstances was

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

disregard of personal danger in the face of a fierce charge


directing

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

parties of the Jefferson

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

little later their lines

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

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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.

cover, both companies

and

single parties

seeking coverts everywhere to escape the accurate aim of the guns

from these two

The cavalry under

the fearless Hinds recon-

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

several times, but they offered

during the defense of the city:


Prominent among the bands which kept the British in perpetual alarm was the of the indefatigable Major Hinds, whose troopers from Mississippi and Louisiana were ever hovering about the English outposts, charging to the very mouths of their cannon, and driving in their pickets Unfortunately for the British, so at least they thought, they were unable to mount their dragoons for field or fighting service; and Hinds, having none of his own arm to try his mettle on, was compelled to satisfy his impatient valor in unequal and ineffectual but dangerous, and to the British vexatious, charges on their redoubts and outposts. Hinds was of very great use to Jackson in executing reconnoissances, which he always did with brilliant daring and success. As soon as the British would throw up a redoubt or commence planting a battery in any new position, Jackson had only to say, "Major Hinds, report to me the number and caliber of the guns they are establishing there." Immediately the stalwart trooper would form his dragoons, and advancing in an easy trot until he had arrived within a few hundred yards of the object of the reconnoissance, would order a charge, and, leading himself, would dash full speed at the enemy's position, as near as was necessary to ascertain their strength and situation, and then wheeling under their fire and shower of rockets, would gallop back to headquarters and report to Jackson all the information he possessed. In such incessant scouting parties and volunteer operations as we have described a majority of Jackson's command were engaged during the greater part of the night. So daring were these attacks that on more than one occasion the six-pounders were advanced from the lines and drawn within cannon shot of the outposts, when they would be discharged at the sentinels or any living object, generally with some effect, and always with great terror to the British camp, causing a general apprehension that the Americans were advancing to attack them in full force.

command

On December

25 Villere's plantation

was

filled

with British troops

scattered in various positions, the bright hue of their uniform's


brilliant splashes of color

making

amid the

live oak,

magnolia and bare, gray

Cottonwood groves along the river. Their enthusiasm greatly increased on the arrival of the gallant young commander. Sir Edward Packen-

ham who was

already distinguished in military

circles.

Closely con-

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Mississippi Historical Society.

nected by marriage with the great Wellington and a soldier by instinct

and

training,

he represented the very bloom of the English army,

that was later to overcome and send into permanent exile the great

Napoleon.
spirits that

Lessons of daring and fortitude learned perhaps in these

western wilds and borne across the seas served to animate the heroic

won

the field at Waterloo.

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

engaged in active operations spread alarm among the troops guarding


the Gentilly plain and caused General Jackson to send Major Latour

with a detachment of two hundred


to take entire

men from
In

General Coffee's brigade

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

was on the day previous that General Morgan on receiving orders


the English Turn, sent the artillery to Fort St. Leon, and took
recipient of

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

forward and drove in the advanced guard of the Americans.


of

Pressing

forward in heavy columns they took position on the rich plantations

Bienvenu and Chalmette, ground that was to become famous

in the history of the world.

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

that three heroic

lost

their

lives

while several were mor-

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

of the shooting of sentinels as barbaric,

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,

Mississippi Historical Society.

when not charged by Hinds' Dragoons they regarded


something in the Hght of a royal entrance.
all

their passage into the city

It

was about

this

time that Jackson ordered the blowing up of


protected
fate

the buildings on the Chalmette plantation which

the

enemy .^^ The same


place but
artillery as
its

was intended

for the

house on the Bienvenu

execution failed.

The

British

made much

of their

they confidently advanced, their guns cheerily playing


little

upon the Louisiana. They


destructive

dreamed that as soon as they came

within proper range the modest-looking vessel would return a most


fire. In a few moments more the deep columns pressing upon Jackson's Unes with such enthusiasm and confidence were losing position and Packenham was destined to witness many of his bravest men fall, his guns silenced and confusion prevail in his ranks. Throughout the destructive flanking fire from the Louisiana which wrought such havoc among the British, a terrific fire from Humphrey's battery and Latrobe's 24-pounder was kept up incessantly.

Commodore Patterson
the Secretary of the

vividly describes the action in his report to


in the following words:

Navy

U. S. Ship Louisiana, 4 miles below 29th December, 1814.


Sir,

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

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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.

During the encounter

of

December 28 Jackson's land

equally as daring and successful in repulsing the enemy.

forces were Throughout

the whole engagement the British without cessation threw shrieking

Congrieve rockets into General Carroll's troops


of Rodriguez' Canal, but,

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

Militia remained on duty during the whole of the action.

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

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Mississippi Historical Society.

of the Tennessee Division

commanded by

the chivabous General

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

the killed, a lamentable occurrence caused

his misinterpreting orders

with notes that broke into a jubilate.

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

of Jackson's determination to resist his advance, the affair of

"^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

cause of great surprise and annoyance to the British but of


gratification to

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

encounter with the enemy that caused Jackson to

exclaim of the Mississippi Dragoons in such extravagant language,

"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

In the face of great annoyance from the cavalry the British on


cast up a strong redoubt near the swamp and opened up on the left of Jackson. During the following night the entire army moved forward and when only a few hundred yards of the American lines began throwing up entrenchments upon which they planted heavy siege guns. Their fortifications began to assume a formidable appearance. Within only six hundred yards of the Ameri-

December 31
a
terrific fire

can breastworks they erected three half

moon

batteries, right, center

and and
I,

left.

Thirty pieces of heavy ordnance were mounted Upon these

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

every vestige of preparation from view.

cannon would sweep away the defenses

American

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Mississippi Historical Society.

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

sought the entrenchments for protection during the reof the

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

sides of the river. General

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

front under General Adair.

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

were provided for

The

tardiness of the national

government

in

supplying arms and clothing brought about grave complications at times during the defense of the city.

We

have seen that the batteries were mainly in charge

of

phreys, the Baratarians and the veteran Garrigues Flaugeac.

HumOn

January 6 and
of the British.

7,

Jackson began disposing his land forces between


artillery

the batteries with a view of meeting the concerted and general attack

His

commanding an advantageous
city.

position

played an important part in the defense of the


miles out from the city, were

His

lines, five

now being given


it

daily inspection.

Tak-

ing Latour, the principal engineer, for authority


following distribution of the artillery as

we

give here the

assisted Jackson

ary 8: Battery

i,

stationed seventy feet from the river

on Januwas com-

manded by Captain Humphreys. The

enfilading fire of this battery

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.

The breastworks though hardly

water in which Jackson's troops stood in places sufficient at one point

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.

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Mississippi Historical Society.

The
busy

British,

though they had pushed forward, had not yet passed

out of the Bienvenu and Chalmette plantations where they were


in constructing fascines

and

scaling ladders,

preparations for battle.

The Chalmette

plains

and making final on the 7th, presented

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.

The New Orleans volunteer company


i

of riflemen
right.

was

stationed between the river and Battery

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

volunteer uniformed companies of Louisianians

by Major Plauch^'s battalion who had flocked

of

to

the defense of the city and Major Lacoste's Louisiana

men

of color
5

both numbering about 600 troops. Daquin's battalion of


St.

Between Batteries 4 and

Major

Domingo men

of color occupied the line

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

consisting of 150 troops; next

Colonel Ross.

Major-General Carroll commanded two-thirds


remaining
line.

of the length of the

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

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War

of 1812

Rowland.

135

troops strengthened that part of the line and General Coffee's troops,

500 in number, occupied the rest of the

line, also

that part that ran to-

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

hundred were placed


behind the

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

only about 3200

men

took part in the actual fighting.

The

Mississippi troops attached to the various regiments and corps

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.

In something of the same manner hundreds of Mississippians had

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

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service won from him the most extravagant praise bestowed on any command connected with the battle is proof of the superior service

rendered by the troops from the Mississippi Territory in defense of


the city.

The historian Trimble, who was an eye-witness of


from manuscript sources:

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.

the hero of Salamanca,

its

regiments,

brigades and divisions in gleaming battalia awaited his direction with

a proud and confident

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War

of i8i

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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

steadily forward, not with the light insouciance that char-

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.

terized their first movements,

The first fierce volleys coming in


4 and 8 made large gaps in the heavy columns, both Briton and

rapid succession from Batteries

6,

uniformed ranks advancing in

stiff,

Highlander bearing on their shoulders, beside their muskets, fascines

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."

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Mississippi Historical Society.

the consternation that followed the

full

play of Jackson's well-served

pieces that did not cease action during the battle.

Column

after

column, platoon after platoon, were


replaced

by

splendid, well-disciplined

mowed down to be speedily troops who faced the fury of


now

the guns unflinchingly.

Gathering his well trained legions about him, Packenham

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

came against Jackson's

lines

neared the American lines a darker fortune awaited them


their fate in

still,

but

without a backward glance, with grim, set faces, they went to meet

a blind,

stolid fashion typical of their unfearing race.

Falling everywhere, they were at once replaced


instantly

went down before the heavy

fire of

by other columns that the American guns.


newhalf
shells

With a constant flame Jackson's

batteries continued to rake the

made

lines.

In the face of hissing shot and shrieking


glare a

and

blinded

by the gun

company

of brave red-coats reached the

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.

Wildly cheering each


shrill

other the Americans eagerly awaited the enemy's advance, the


blast of their voices echoing over the plains

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

the British column


artillery

came forward
it

for a second attack


fire

both

musketry and

swept

again with a

that wrought almost

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War

of 1812

^Rowland.

139

total destruction in its ranks.

Following the quick flaming of cannon,

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,

familiar voice the Americans, wildly cheering, continued to

hurl back the invaders of their country.


batteries with

A belch of flame from their an enfilading fire almost completely wiped out the supporting columns of General Keane.
Across the
field

the sturdy English soldiery

moved

to be

mowed

down

like grass before the scythe.

Their leaders* fortitude and valor

mands coming made another

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

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Mississippi Historical Society.

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,

breathing his last in the arms of his

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

England sustained that day.

Officers of the highest

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

feeble effort, bringing even the

wounded

into

line to rally the right of their

wrecked army, but broken and decimated

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

Nor could General Lambert now in


from

command

lead

it

to a third general charge.

The Americans,

sheltered

by

their fortifications, suffered little

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

Beale's gallant volunteer riflemen.

This

command

defended the extreme end of the Une with a valor and patriotism that

new honors on

its service.

The

British columns driven out

of the redoubt reeled

back

in disorder

through the red tide of battle

leaving their dead strewn along the levee


reserve under General
retreat.

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

bugles were silent;

its colors

trampled in the earth;

its

guns had
3000 of
live

ceased to reply.

The Chalmette

Plains, covered with nearly


Its orange

England's valiant dead, was soaked in blood.

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

marked Jackson's defense


on the part
of

of the city, nor such inability

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

in every respect the best type of soldier.

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

Southern Coast of the young American government.

In

its recital

the growth of nationalism can be traced in this section of the Republic.

When

the American

son's lines, cheers

and
it.

conveyed to the city


streets to receive

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

Packenham's defeated army.


Mingling with the bitter realization of defeat was amazement

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Mississippi Historical Society.

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

strength, the mettle of the


fields

composing

it

having been tested upon a hundred battle

of

Europe was a

fact difficult to credit.

Who

could believe what

the eye witnessed!

Some

slight sign of victory

across the river, the evil fortune of the

had perched upon the British spear American commanders there

causing the wildest alarm for a few

regiments with Jackson.


of bitter

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

have expressed themselves in terms of

parties concerned.

With a mild objection to General


Latour has
little condemnation of on the right bank of the

Morgan's choice
river.

of a line of defense

this General's failure to defend his lines

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

A more definite summary of

further position on Raguet's Canal.

Colonel Dijean
its left

left

the Piernas

Canal and joined the 2nd Regiment on


the line touching on the river.

and occupied the end of detachment of the 6th Louisiana

Militia with a poorly supplied force of


half of the

no men joined

this regiment,

men

bearing no arms at

all.

The breastworks begun

here

had been abandoned and

the line of defense

200 yards covered but a

small length of the great canal that ran two miles into the woods.

With a scanty

force of 800 half-armed troops

and no protection but

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

Orleans, "Poorly armed,

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
.

sleep for twenty-four hours.

...

old muskets

spots of the world.

Under a
on the
left

flag of truce, sent

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

of the delay rested in the

fact that the action

on the right

of the river

had not yet been confirst flag

cluded and Jackson refused to recognize the

sent forward

immediately after the battle.

No

sooner than General Lambert had

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.

from the English

The
all

truth was hard to believe


field,

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-

witness in the British

historian

enough to understand the

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Mississippi Historical Society.

significance of the disparity in the

number lost by the two


fact.

armies,

and

with deep humiliation remarked on the painful


General Jackson after viewing the British
of his officers

went

in person to see the

camp with a company wounded English ofiBicers and

assured them that they would receive every attention and care while
confined to the hospital.

The

citizens of

New

Orleans, both

in the task of caring for the

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

among men and welcomes back

children, the guns that

renewed

their attack.

to her bosom all her weary had wrought such havoc in Packenham's army Throughout the following days the American

batteries continued to harass the

Partially destroyed, the British

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

again reconnoiter their position.

whole cavalry, General Humbert and the Latrobe engineers to In this expedition the cavalry lost

one

man and had

several

wounded.

Jackson had placed Governor Claiborne in

command

of the right

bank

of the river to

attack.

move against General Morgan also had

the

enemy should he renew the

orders to advance with a strong

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

not stealthily, harassed

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

expressed their astonishment at the feats of Jackson's cavalry, and


later attributed

some

of their failure to the fact that they could not

make use of their dragoons. Though the enemy had withdrawn


sissippi,

their infantry
fleet

they

still

were in possession of a powerful

from the Misand in a spirit

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

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Mississippi Historical Society.

meet the English who


to their
first

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^

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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

over the British at

New

Orleans.

"^ 5 Z;;^ r^^^"^^^*^^

^e.^-^/^

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-ir

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

147

from
letter

his headquarters expressed his

deep appreciation of the service

that the Governor had rendered in the defense of the city.

This

and

all

other documentary reports and letters of Jackson, as

has been observed, indicate a higher degree of scholarship than some


historians have attributed to him.

An

original, virile style is notice-

many of which were hastily composed in moments of great excitement and anxiety.
able throughout his addresses, letters and reports,

The news
was
carried

of Jackson's victory, celebrated in the City of

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

out the Territory and the people


rejoicing.

who had borne

news of the victory spread throughthe brunt of the war


proud and patriotic

since the fierce Creek uprising spent their time in various forms of

Joy

also reigned in the hearts of the

Louisiana Creoles

who

bore the British deeper hatred than that the

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

cannot be ignored that a small element


strict

but for Jackson's

espionage would have at

remained neutral, once enlisted the soldiery whether of Spanish, French or English descent evinced a courage and patriotism that

compare favorably with any troops

in the field.

At General Jackson's request the Reverend Abbe Dubourg apostolic


prefect of Louisiana appointed January 23, as a

day

of prayer

and

thanksgiving

for,

as Jackson so often averred in varied phrasing, the

interposition of Providence in granting the blessing of victory to the

American arms.
impressive event

The
is

following vivid and charming account of the

given from Latour;

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

and the prevailing sentiments

than historians have been able to


'3

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

"I thank you reverend

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

General Jackson, though he had been quite high-handed in measures

taken for the defense of the city, reducing both


state of martial law,

man and
its

beast to a

withal had been very tactful in his praise

and commendation

of the doubtful elements

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

body which had as a whole refused


added a further
in the resolution

to cooperate with

him

in the defense of the city

proof of their disfavor


of thanks voted

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

continue to be regarded as a dependable source of


at Washington

information.

The Government
as

son's military leadership

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

are ever watchful

recruits to their ranks having great faith in their abiUty in

sky to distinguish stars from nebulae, began quietly

but persistently pointing to the

man

in the saddle,

man who had


who were

become a popular hero and an dominant in the governmental


period.

idol of the

Southern people

affairs of the

young Republic at that

The

following proceedings of the legislature of the State of Mis-

sissippi in

welcoming General Jackson years

later to the State

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:

General Andrew Jackson:


In pursuance of a Joint-Resolution of both Houses of the General Assembly of now convened, in a place bearing your name, we have the honor to address you, as their Committee; and to assure you of a cordial welcome by them within the borders of this State. This manifestation of their pleasure, is founded in the most grateful feelings for the many high and important services you have rendered your country, and particularly the State of Mississippi, which are not confined to your Military achievements, more than your civic services. We remember with gratitude, when the predatory and savage warfare harrassed us, you were foremost to lay aside domestic ease, and brave the hardships and hazards of war incident to inclement seasons, and the deprivations of a wilderness, to protect our homes and families from savage cruelties. When we were engaged in a conflict with one of the most powerful Nations of Europe, and they seemed to combine their powers for the extermination of Freedom it was j'-ou, who allayed the asperity of petty parties, and inspired our citizen-soldiers with a confidence which secured the repulsion of an invading foe from the possession and rapine of the great Emporium of our whole Western Commerce, and closed the war with a Halo of Glory which surrounds our Country. By your counsels have been obtained large and fertile tracts of country giving homes and comfort to many worthy citizens of this, as well as of our adjoining and sister State, Alabama. This grateful acknowledgment made by so many of your contemporary fellow-citizens, while in the full enjo)anent and feeling of their benefits how pure and extended should be the gratification to a great and virtuous patriot, arising from the reflection, that those benefits will be continued to millions yet unborn, and gratefully acknowledged when you, who have imparted them, shall be mingled with the clods of the valley, and co-extensive with the floating of their commerce on their favorite streams. Mobile, Tennessee, Pearl and Mississippi Rivers? In conclusion we assure you of the continuation of our confidence and that our aspirations shall be offered at the Throne, from whence emanates all good, for your future prosperity and happiness.
this State,

January 20, 1828. To which General Jackson replied as foUows:

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.

Mississippi Historical Society.


I

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.

In connection with General Jackson's

visit to the State at this

period the following invitation, reproduced from the original, to a ball

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

in printed form, with the exception of the

name

of the invited guest

which

is

written in long hand, the following formal invitation:

The
company
is

pleasure of Miss A. Carson's requested at a Ball, to be given in honor of

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

reception in his honor.

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

Jackson than Louisiana's patriotic Governor

W.

C. C. Claiborne.

The second governor


distinguished abihty

of the Mississippi Territory,

he had served with


to its people

and had endeared himself

who

followed with feelings of commingled pride and affection his appoint-

ment

later as

Governor of Louisiana.
is

Governor Claiborne's entire

public service from 1801 to 181 6

contained in six volumes of docu-

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

of Mississippi History while the publication of his manuscript journals


is

in course of preparation

by

the Mississippi Historical Department.

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

which he drew on the people of the Mississippi


is

Territory for assistance and support in the defense of the country

evidence enough that the seed of American nationality had been

widely sown in the consciousness of

its

people.

That these had


is

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

borne, after a most arduous service in defense of the country, returned

from the Creek

War broken in health.

154
incurable wound.

Mississippi Historical Society.

tory places his


destiny.
in

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.

In their public service one sees reflected

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

for the last figure

with which to close

After his return from

New

Orleans in the spring of 1815, he was appointed by the President,


Brigadier-General of the Mississippi Territorial Militia.

The General

Assembly December

of the Territory
18, 181 5:

adopted the fcllowing joint resolution,

That the patriotism, bravery and promptitude displayed by Brigadier-General


while acting Colonel of Cavalry in the defense of New Orleans, warmest acknowledgments and gratitude; and that a suitable sword be provided at the expense of the Territory and presented under the direction of His Excellency the Governor to the said Brigadier-General as a testimonial of the high sense which the people of this Territory entertain of his services and of his brave companions in arms.

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

in the highest militia office, that of Major-General,

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

of the legislature in 1823,

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

as United States Marshal for Mississippi in 1833, the President

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

General Hinds was proposed as a candidate for United States Senator


in 1835 against Poindexter, but

Robert

J.

Walker.

General Hinds died at "Old Greenville," Jefferson County, August

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

following notice of the death of General Hinds

is

taken from

the Free Trader of August, 1840:

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.

Mississippi Historical Society.

Adam

L.

Bingaman was appointed

chair, read the notice given

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

yard, the usual type of burial ground in the ante-bellum period,

Thomas Hinds was

His deeds are interwoven with the early history of the

The

heroic assistance that he gave General

Andrew Jackson

in

successfully resisting the British in their attempt to invade the

South during the

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.

ROLLS OF MISSISSIPPI COMMANDS IN THE


Captain John Doherty's Company Captain Henry Dunn's Company Captain Samuel Gerald's Company Captain James Kempe's Company
Captain John G. Richardson's Company Captain John J. W. Ross' Company Captain Jedediah Smith's
Alexander, Robert, private
Alford, Robert, private

Hinds' Battalion of Cavalry, IMississippi Militia

Company
Ira, private

Bowman,

Braden, Joseph, private


Bradford, David, private Bradford, James M., private
Bradford, Leonard, corporal
Brashears, Nathan, private
Brice, James, private

Alfred (nigger), servant


Allen,
,

servant

Allred, John, private

Anderson, Benjamin, corporal


Anderson, John, private Anderson, William, private

Bridges, William, private

Andrews, Henry, sergeant

Anthony,

servant

Austin, Ozias, sergeant

Brooks, Edward, dragoon Brophy, John, private Brown, James, private


Bruin, Preston, private

Bald, Sampson, private

Bamett, John, private


Baty, Thomas, private

Brunson, Daniel, private


Bryant, William, private

Benjamin

(nigger), servant

Buck, William, dragoon


Burch, Washington, private
Burnett, James, private
Burnett, John, private Burrows, William, corporal
Butler, Aaron, private

Benoist, Robert, sergeant

Berry, Thomas, private


Bettis, Richard, Jr., private
Bill,
,

servant

Bingaman, Ad, private Binum, Francis A., sergeant


Bisland, James, dragoon Bisland, Peter,
first

Cain, Isaiah, private


Cain, James, private

lieutenant

Calaham, John, private


Caldwell, George, private
Calvett, Saul, private
Calvit, James, private Calvit, Montfort, dragoon Calvit, Samuel, first lieutenant

Bland, Isaac, private


Blanton, William, private

Boardman, Charles, comet Boardman, Francis, private Boatner, William J., first sergeant

and

Bob (Captains Boy),


Bolls,

private

adjutant
Calvit, Tacitus, quartermaster service

James, private Boone, John, private Boone, Joseph H., private

Campbell, Allen, private


Campbell, John, private Carney, Thomas, private
Carpenter, James, sergeant

Booth, Joseph, private Boston, , servant

Bowie, John F., sergeant major Bowling, Arthur, private

Carson, William, private


Carter, Parsons,

comet

iS8
Cater, John, private
Cater, Josiah, corporal

Mississippi Historical Society.


Doherty, John, captain Donahoe, Charles, private
Dortch, David, private

Chancey, Lewis, private


Charles,
,

servant
,

Christopher,
Cissna, James, private

servant

Downing, David, surgeon Downs, George, private


Dreadin, Jonathin, private

Clay, Marston, sergeant-trumpeter


Coates, Austin, private

Dromgoole, William A., private

Coatney, Jonas, private


Cocks, Charles, private
Cocks, Seth, private

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

Erwin, John, private Erwin, William, corporal


Fair, James, private

Collins, William, corporal

Combs, John P., sergeant Cook, Edward, private


Cooper,
Corbell,

Fairbanks, David, private

Fake, Henry, private


Fake, Thomas, private
Ferguson, Augustus, private

Hugh W.,

private

James H., private

Corbell, Peter, private

Ferguson, John, sergeant


Ferguson, Robert, private

Corley, Henry, private

Cotton, Haley, private

Ferguson, Samuel, private


Findlay, Alexander, private
Finley, Joseph L., private

Cotton, John, private

Crawford, Alexander, private Crawford, Henderson, private


Crookes, John, private

Fleming, Robert, private


Fletcher, James, private

Culpepper, John, private

Flinn, Samuel, private

Cuming, David B., dragoon Curry, Malcolm, private


Dangerfield, William, dragoon

Flower, James, second lieutenant

Foreman, Abraham, private


Fort, John, private
Foster, Shadrach, private Foster,

Daniels, Shem, private

Daughtry, Bryant, private


David, David, second lieutenant
Davis, Gideon, private Davis, Green B., corporal
Davis, Isaac W., private Davis, Joseph E., private
Davis, Samuel, private
Debell, Benjamin H., sergeant
Decell, George J., private

Zadock S., private Freeman, George, private


Fretwell, Richard, private
Fristoe, John, private

Fulks, William, private

Funk, John C, private Fuqua, Drury, private


Gale, Joseph, private

Gardner, Bartholomew, private


Garredee, William, private
Gates, Elisha, private

Defrance, Abraham, musician

Derry
Dick,

(nigger), servant
,

servant

Gaulden, Zachariah,

first

lieutenant

Dickson, Michael, private

Dixon, John, sergeant


Dixon, John, private

Gayden, Cadesby, first lieutenant Gayden, GriflSn, musician


Gerald, George, corporal

Mississippi Territory in
Gerald, Jesse,

War

of 1812

Rowland.

159

comet

Henderson, William, private


Hester, Charles, private

Gerald, Samuel, captain

Gibson, Clausius, corporal


Gilbert, James, private

Hewey, James, private


Hinds, Thomas, lieutenant-colonel

Gilbert,

James W., sergeant


Thomas, dragoon John F., sergeant
private

Gilbert, Philip A., private

Gilbert,

Gillespie,

Gilmore, George, private

Ginn,

Edmund,

Ginn, Edwin, private


Girault,

Hodge, William, corporal Hogg, Holland, private Holloman, Kinchen, private Holloman, Michael, private HoUoway, Reuben, private Horn, Moses, private Howard, Thomas, private
Howell, James, private

John R., private

Given, George W., saddler


Glasscock, Peter R., dragoon

Gober, Cradic, private

Gower, Elisha, private Grady, John G., sergeant


Grafton, Thomas, private

Huey, Daniel, private Humes, Robert, dragoon Hunt, Hieiify, adjutapt Hunt, Henry, sergeant
Hunter, Pleasant H.,
first

lieutenant

Hunter, William, private

Graham, Zachariah

G., private

Green (negro), servant Green, Richard M., private


Green, Robert, dragoon
Green,

Husbands, Thomas L., corporal Huston, James, private

Hynum, James,
Irvin,

private

Thomas M.,

private

Irvin,

John L., second lieutenant Reason W., sergeant


,

GriflBn, Mitchel, private


Grifl&n,

Isaac,

servant

Stephen, private

Ivey, Samuel, second lieutenant

Guest, Samuel, private

Jackson, Willey, second lieutenant


Jeffry,
,
,

Hadly, Joshua, private Hamilton, John C., dragoon

servant servant

Jerry,

Hampton, John

P., private

John,

servant

Hancock, George, private Hanson, William, private Harper, Absolom, sergeant


Harper, Jesse, private Harper, Samuel, private
Harris, Levi C., private

Johnson, Charles G., sergeant


Johnson, John, sergeant Johnson, William A., private
Joice,

Absalom, private

Jones, James, private

Jones, Sterling, private


Jones, Zachariah B., private
Joor, John,

Harrison,

Hay

B., corporal-comet

Harrison, Philip B., sergeant

comet

Harrison, Richard, private

Jordan, Charles H., private


Keith, James, private
Keller, George, private
Keller, George, Jr., private
Keller, George, Sr., private Keller, Jacob, private Keller, John, private

Harrison, Robert L., sergeant


Hatfield, William F., sergeant

Hawkins, Richard, private


Hajmes, Charles, private

Haynes, George, private


Hays, Jacob, private Head, Elbt. G., corporal Henderson, Alexander, private

Keller, Joseph, private

Keller,

Thomas, private

i6o
Keller,

Mississippi Historical Society.

Thomas, private

Morris, John, dragoon

Kelsey, Thomas, private

Mumford, James, private


Murray, Alexander,
Neel, John, private
Neiff, Charles, private
first

Kempe, James, captain Kemper, Reuben, private Kemper, Samuel, private


Ker, David, sergeant
Kirkland, Isaac, dragoon

lieutenant

Nesmith, Robert, private


Nettles, Z. B., private
Nichoils, James, private

Kitchen, Benjamin F., sergeant

Lambert, Moses, private


Lanehart, Abraham, private

Noland, Jeremiah, private


Noland, William, private

Lape, John, trumpeter Levis, William P., surgeon


Lewis, Joseph D., dragoon
Linton,

Norman, Thomas, private Norman, William, corporal


Norment, William, private
Norris,

Thomas M.,

private

James

L., private

Lisenby, Henry, private

Oats, John, private

Love, Charles, private Love, John J., private Lowry, Robert, first lieutenant

Odam, John,

private

Ogden, Isaac, private


Oliphant, James, private

Madray, William, private Magruder, Leonard, private March, , servant


Marley, Samuel, private
Martin, John, private
McAllister,

Oneal,

Edmund,

private

Oneal, John, private

Owens, Alexander, private Owens, Stephen, private Pannill, A. W., private


Paul,
,

Thomas, private McAlpin, John, sergeant

servant

Paxton, John, private


Peck, Patrick, private
Perkin,
Peter,

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

Phelps, John, dragoon


Phelps, Samuel, dragoon
Philips, Baker, corporal

McGuhu, Nath,

second lieutenant

Picket,

Thomas

K., private

McLaughlin, Patrick, trumpeter

Pipes, David, private

McMahan,
McMicken,

Jesse, private

Pitchford, Samuel, private


Platner, Henry, private

Chs., Jr., private

Miller, Benjamin, dragoon


Miller, John, private Miller,

Pool, Robert, private


Presler, Peter, private

Thomas M.,

private

Prince, John, private

Moncrief, Sampson, private

Prince,

John G. T., dragoon


Burrel, private

Montgomery, Davis, private Montgomery, Hugh, private Moor, Ezekiel, private Moore, John K., corporal
Moore, Joseph, private Moore, Joseph B., private Morgan, William, private

Prince, William B., private

Rabum,

Rawlings, Thomas, private

Reed, James, private Reed, Stephen, private

Reed, William, corporal


Richardson, James B., private

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

Smith, Reuben, sergeant


Smith, William, dragoon
Smylie, Matthew, private
Snodgrass, John, dragoon
Spain, James, cornet

Roach, Benjamin, dragoon Roach, William, dragoon Roberts, Abner, dragoon


Roberts, William, sergeant

Spain, Richard, private

Spain, Thomas, private


Steele,

Robert, private

Stewart,

David

B., private

Robertson, Thomas, corporal

Stoker, Henry, private


Stoker,

Robinson, James, private


Rose, Enoch M., private Rose, Philip, private
Ross, John J. W., captain Ruben, sergeant
,

Matthew, private

Stout, James, sergeant

Straughan, James, private


Straughan, James F., private
Stroud, Dixon, private
Stubblefield,

Ruth, James, private Ruth, John, private


Samples, Moses, private
Sanders, James, private
Sanders, Joseph, sergeant
Scott, Cason, sergeant Scott, John, private Scott, Richard, private Scott,
Scott,

W., private

Sullavan, James, private


Talbert, Lewis, sergeant

Taylor, Robert, private

Terry, James, private

Terry, William, private


Terry, William, private

Thomas, private Thomas, private

Scurlock,

Thomas M.,

sergeant

Scurry, Eli, private


Scales,

Thames, Timothy, sergeant Thomas, William P., private Thompson, Littleberry, private Thompson, Roland, sergeant Tieman, Peter, first lieutenant and
quartermaster

Enoch, private

Scales, James,

comet

Sellers, Silas, private

Tomlinson, John, private Tomlinson, Thomas, private


Tredwell, William, private

Selman, Joel, private

Sclman, William, dragoon


Scmplc, James, corporal
Shanks, John H., sergeant

Trimble, Michael W., corporal


Truly, James B., sergeant
Truly, John H., private

Shaw, Jones, private Shaw, Malcomb, private


Silcock, John, private

Tucker, William, private

Vaughan, Thomas C, private Vaughn, David, private


Vining, Jeptha, pfiVate

Simmons, John J., corporal Simmons, Samuel B., private


Simon,
,

Watkins, Samuel W., private

servant

Smith, Benjamin, sergeant


Smith, James, private Smith, Jedediah, captain Smith, John, private Smith, Joseph A., private

Smith, Josephus, private

Watson, John, private Watson, Malcom, private servant Watt, Weatherby, G. W., saddler Werden, Robert, sword master West, Charles, dragoon West, Thomas, dragoon
,

l62

Mississippi Historical Society.

Westberry, William, private

Williams, William, private


Willis,

Whetstone, Joseph, musician Whetstone, Josiah, trumpeter


Whitaker, James, private White, Jacob, private
AVhittington, Levi, private

Thomas, private

Wilson, James, private Wilson, John, private

Wilson, Nathaniel, private

Winston, Samuel L., cornet


Woodruff, Clarke, corporal

Wilkinson, G. F., corporal


Will,
,

servant

Williams, Andrew, private


Williams, James, private

Worthy, John, sergeant Worthy, John, private Young, Joseph, corporal

Lieutenant Drury M. Allen's Company of Mounted Gunmen


Allen,

Drury M., lieutenant


John, private

Markham, Arthur,

private

Box, James, private

Morris, Elisha, private

B riant,

Brown, Alexander, private Brown, Thomas G., private


Crage, John, private Dublin, James, private
Ferrell,

Prude, John, private Reed, Levi, private

Robinson, Ephraim, corporal Robinson, Michael, private Robinson, William, private


Rodgers, George, private

David, private

Ice,

Thomas, private

Simmons, Thomas, private


Taylor, Isaac, private

Lancaster, Aaron, private Lancaster, Thomas, private

Landers, Henry, private

Vernon, Amos, private Ware, Bennett, private


Wilson, James, private

Leonax, Nathan, private

Captain Boyle's Company of Mounted Spies


Adcock, John, private Adcock, Lewis, private Adcock, Reuben, private

Langham, James, private


Milton, Andrew, private

Beckum, Joshua, private


Boyle,

Thomas

H., captain

Mimbs, William, private Moye, Jason, private Stedham, Edward, private


Stiggins, George, sergeant

Byrne, Thomas, private


Christin, Gary, private

Williams, Thomas, private

Captain Bradberry's Company of Mounted Spies


Autry, Alexander, sergeant
Bradberry, James, captain
Davis, Wiley, private
Jackson, Henry, private
Perry, Wilson, private

Walker, Daniel, private

Dodd,

Jesse, private

Walker, Mathias, private

Captain Calvit's Company of Mounted Infantry


Ardrey, Joseph, private
Calvit, Montford, private
Castles,

Byrd, Josiah, private


Calvit, Alexander, captain

Corbell,

Henry H., private John H., private

Mississippi Territory in
Cox, Henry H.,
Ford, John
S.,

War

of 1812

Rowland.

163

first

lieutenant

Montgomery, Samuel K., private


Neylon, David, private
Powell, Jonathan, private

private

Ford, Thomas, corporal


Fretwell, John, private

Powell,

Thomas W.,

sergeant

Gibbs, George W., private


Grifl&n, Thomas, private Hawley, John, private

Selser, Josiah, corporal

Sissions,

Boon, private

Sojourner, Hardy, private

Johnson, Jordan, private


Jones, Wilie, sergeant

Sojourner, William, sergeant


Steele, John, corporal Whitaker, Isaac, private

Lawson, Charles M., private


Lewis, James T., private

Wilborne, Thomas, private


Wilson, Daniel, private

Lusk, Amos, private

Madding, Albert, private

Captain Cassity's Company of Mounted Spies


Cassity,

Hugh, captain

Easly, Edward, private


Easly, Samuel, private

Cole, Armistead, private


Cole, William, private

Williams, James, private

Curran, John, private

Captain Foster's Company op Mounted Infantry


Arnold, Benjamin, private
Blackwell, David, private Blackwell, James, private

Herrald, H., private


Jones, William, private

Laughlin, William, private

Brashears, Samuel, private

Mathews, Samuel, private


Roberts, L., private

Brewster, James, private


Callier,

Robert, Lieutenant

Cobb, Jaraes, private


Dassa, James, private

Simmons, Elisha, private Simmons, James, private


Smith, Samuel, private
Stean, Newberry, private
Willson, James, private

Dean, John, private


Eades, John, private
Foster, Arthur, captain

Wilson, William, private

Foster, William, sergeant

Wood, John, sergeant


Woodard, John, private

Hamrick, Burrel, private Hays, Mark, private

Captain Wilkins' Rifle Company


Alexander, William
S., first

lieutenant

Brice, William, private

Anderson, Thomas, corporal


Baillie,

Brown, Archibald, private


Burgett, John, private
-

Alexander, private

Banks, George D., private


Barland,

Adam,
,

private

Bynum, Francis A., private Bynum, Wade H. T., private


Campbell, Anthony,
first

Barland, William, private

lieutenant

Ben,

servant
L., first sergeant

Cock, Pleasant B., private

Benjamin,

Adam

Cook, James K., private

1 64

Mississippi Historical Society.

Dunlap, Joseph, private Durr, Jacob, private


Gloss, "William, private

Purnell,

John M., private

Quiglis, Joseph, private

Reeves, Marmaduke, private


J. W., private Routh, John, private Rutherford, Joseph H., corporal

Godiew, Finnan, private

Robinson,

Goodwyn, James

T., private

Grant, William, private


Hall, Nicholas C., private
Hill,

Scott, Robert, private

Moses Lloyd, corporal

Searcy, Rob, private

Hugot, Joseph, private Jackson, Washington, sergeant

Shattuck, Benjamin L., private

Smith, Ralph, private

Lehman, William E., private sergeant Mack,


,

Smoot, Thomas N., sergeant


Sneed, Jesse, private
Sterne, Peyton, private

McAdams, David,

private

McCracken, George, private McCreary, Hugh, private McElroy, John, private McQuiddy, Thomas, sergeant
Metcalf, John, sergeant

Surgett, James, private

Thompson, William, private


Tremoulet, B., private

Vansant, Richard, private


Vidal, Joseph, private

Morrison, Joseph, private


Nichols, Philo, private

West, G. B., private


Wilkins, James C., captain

O'Neal, Anthony W., private

Williams,

Hugh

R., private

Paimboeuf Lewis, private


,

Winston, Samuel L., ensign

Patterson, Samuel, corporal

Woodward, Daniel, private

Pomett, Joseph, private

Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon's Regiment


Aarons, Joshua, private
Arthurs, George, corporal

Adams, Isaac, private Adams, John, private Adams, William, private


Adcock, Reuben, private
Alexander, Robert, Ensign
Allen, William, private
Allison, William, private

Ashton, Henry, corporal


Ashwell, Solomon, private

Asque, Henry, private

Babcock, Jesse, private Bagby, John, sergeant


Baker, John, private
Baker, Joseph, private
Baldridge, Francis, private

Anderson, Absalom, private


Anderson, Harriss, corporal
Anderson, John, private

Baley, James, private


Ball,

Sampson

E., corporal

Anderson, Robert, sergeant


Anderson, Samuel, private

Ball, Spencer, private

Ballard, Lewis, private Ballard, Nathan, private

Anding, George, private Anding, John, private Andrews, Clevers, private

Bankston, James, private Barker, David, private


Barksdale, Richard H., private

Andrews, Philo, quartermaster


Applewhite, Stephen, corporal

Barnes, John, private

Armstrong, William private


Arnold, James, private

Barnes, Samuel, private Barnes, Thomas, private

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

i6S

Baraett, Joshua, private


Bass, Robert, private

Brewer, Osborn, private


Brice, James, private

Batchelder, Samuel, captain


Bates, Elijah, private

Bridgers, William sergeant

Bridges, John, private


Briley, Job, private

Batson, Seth, private

Beauford, Bird, private

Beason, William, private


Beaty, Thomas, corporal

Brimmer, Charles, sergeant Briscoe, Parmenas, captain Britton, James, private


Brooks, Charles, private Brooks, Joseph, private

Beck, John, private


Bell,

William, private

Bender, Lot, private


Bennett, David, corporal
Bennett, Henry, private

Benson, James, private Benson, Samuel, private


Berkley, Abraham, private

Bernard, Heslen, private


Berry, John, private

Berry, Middleton, corporal


Berry, Thomas, private

Berry, Young, sergeant


Biggs, David, corporal
Biggs, James, private
Bill,
,

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

Buford, Josiah, private


Bullock, James, private

Binum, Parham

Black, George, private

Burch, William H., private

Blackman, Carrol, private Blackman, Peter, corporal


Block, George, private

Burk, James, private Burk, Martin, private


Burk, William, private
Burnett, John, private

Bond, Bond, Bond, Bond,

James, ensign
John, captain

Bumey,

Joseph, private

Moses, private
William, private

Burnham, Gabriel, private Bums, James, corporal

Booth, John, private Bossley, William, private


Bostwick, Nathaniel, private

Bums, John, dmmmer


Cade, William, private
Cain, William, private
Calcote, James, private
Calvit, Stephen, corporal

Bowie, John, private Bowie, John F., adjutant


Bowling, Arthur, sergeant

Campbell,

Silas,

private

Bradey, Samuel, private


Bradley, Luther, sergeant

Carney, Jerry, corporal Carpenter, Solomon, private


Carroll, William, private

Bradshaw, Richard, private Brady, William, private Brandon, Joseph, private Brazil, Isham, private
Breland, Hilry, private

Carson, Samuel M., private


Carson, William, private
Carter, Isaac, private

Carter,

Marcus

E., private

i66
Carter,

Mississippi Historical Society.

Mashak, private

Carter, Moses, private

Coopper, John, private Copeland, Moses, private


Corley, Henry, private

Case, Joseph, private

Cashin, Lawrence, private


Cassells,

Cotton, Eli, private Cotton, Willis, private


Coulter, William E.,
fifer

Henry, major

Catoo, Wyche, private

Causey, Jonas, private Causey, Solomon, private


Causey, William, private
Ceaser, Reuben, private

Courtney, James, private

Coward, Hezekiah, private Cowen, John, corporal


Cox, Ignatius, private Cox, Kullin, private

Chambers, Israel, private Chaney, Ausbon, private

Cozby, William, private


Craven, William, private
Cravens, Michael, private

Chapman, George, private Cheatham, Thomas R., corporal Cheek, Henry H., Lieutenant
Chestnut, David, private

Crawford, William, private

Chisholm, Cockbum, private


Clark, Lewis, private

Clark, William, private


Clarke, John, private Clarke,

Crumpton, William, private Culby, James, drum major Culwell, Thomas, sergeant Cup, Michael, private Currie, Malcome, ensign
Curry, Robert, sergeant

Thomas, private

Clayton, Samuel, private


Clear, John, private

Reuben, private Dadon, Chevalier, private


Curtis,

Cobb, Frederick, private Cockerham, Benjamin, private Cockerham, David, private Cockerham, George, private
Coddle, William, private

Daniels,

Shem

L., private

Darden, Washington, captain


Dagghdrell, John, private

Davis, David, private


Davis, James, private

Coker, Bryant, private


Cole,

Davis, John, private


Davis, John, private

Mason

G., private

Coleman, Coleman, Coleman, Coleman,


Collier,

George, private
Levi, private

Davis, Joseph, private Davis, Robert P., private Davis, Samuel, private

Nathaniel, private

Robert, private

Davis, Zacheus, corporal

Vines L., ensign

Collins, John, private


Collins, Joshua, private Collins, William, private

Dawson, Thomas, ensign Day, Benjamin B., private Dean, John, private
DeGraftenreed, Francis, private

Colvinn, Andrew, private

Delaney, William, private


Delling, Willis, private

Conner, Thomas, corporal Cook, Isaac, private

Delvach, Jesse, private


Dennis, George
P., private

Cook, Matthew, private Cook, Tirey, private


Cooper, Jesse, private Cooper, WiUiam, private

Dennis, James, private

Denton, James, private Desha, Benjamin, private


Devine, William, private

Coopper, Hamelton, private

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.
'

167

Dixon, Shadrack, private

Farley, Elihu, private


Farrar, Dennis B., private

Dodd, John, first lieutenant Donahoe, John, private


Donley, William, private

Fatheree, Reading, corporal

Ferguson, Edward, private


Ferguson, William, private
Ferrell, Daniel, sergeant Ferrell,

Donchoo, Charles, private


Doss, Henry, corporal
Douthill, Jedikial, private

John, sergeant

Dowling, John, private

Ferry, John, private


Fielder, William, private
Fields, James, private

Downs, Jeremiah, captain


Drake, Edmund, sergeant
Drear, Christopher, private

Finney, John, private

Druyard, Antonio, private Dukes, Jeptha, private Dunnum, Robert C, corporal Durant, Locklin, private
Durdoe, Clement, private
Duvall, John, private

Flemming, William, private


Flowers, James, private

Ford, Absalom, sergeant Ford, Joseph, private

Fountain, William M., sergeant


Fuller, Oliver

W.,

fife

major

Dyer, Absalom, private Dyer, Obadiah, private


Eastin,

Fuller, Richard, corporal

Futch, Onesemus, private

Thomas,

first

Lieutenant and

Gardner, William, sergeant


Garlington, Benjamin, musician

quartermaster

Edmond,

waiter

Garrada, William, private


Gatling, John, private

Edwards, Everett, private Edwards, Jesse, private Edwards, Matthew, corporal Elkins, Ralph, private
Elliot,

German, Presley, private Germany, Benjamin, private Germany, Washington, sergeant


Gibson, Michael, private
Gibson, Reuben, private
Gilbert, Philip, private Gilbert, William, private
Gilchrist,

John, private

Elliott,
Ellis,

Samuel, private

Stephen, private

Ellison, William, private

EUmore, George, private


Elmore, John, private

Malcolm, sergeant major

Gillaspie, Robert, ensign

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

Gillman, James, private


Gilmore, George, private

Glassbum, Godfrey, captain


Glasscock, Elijah, private

Gold, WiUiam, private

Goodson, Benjamin, private Goodson, James, trumpeter Gordon, John M., private
Gordon, Sandy, private Gradey, William, private

Ewell, William, sergeant

Fagan, William, private Fairman, Benjamin, private


Fake, John, private
Fanner, Joseph D., private
Farchild, John, private

Graham, George, private Graham, James, private Graham, William, corporal


Graves, Augustus A., private

i68
Gray, David
private

Mississippi Historical Society.

I.,

Henderson, Samuel, sergeant

Gray, George, private


Gray, John, private

Henning, Robert, private


Herbert, William, sergeant
Herring, Samuel, private
Hickling, Robert, private

Grayson, Robert, private


Green, Ephraim, trumpeter
Green, John, private

Higgins, Moses, private


Hill,

Green, Leonard, private Green, William, private


Greenlee, Elisha, private
Griffen,

Jacob, sergeant

Hill,

William, private

Hilliard,

Reuben, corporal
first

David, private

Hilson, Silas,

lieutenant

Grigg, Hervey, sergeant

Hilton, Benjamin, corporal

Grimes, William, private


Grbves, Moses, private
Groves, Richard, private
Guice, Jesse, private
Guice, Jonathan, private

Hogg, James, private Hoke, John, private


Hollinger, Alexander, ensign

Holloway, Allen, corporal

Holmes, Drury, private Holmes, James, private Holmes, Liberty, private


Holston, King, private
Holt, Isaac, corporal

Haddon, Thomas, private Hale, Thomas, private Hamberlin, Anthony, private

Hammond,

Joshua, private

Handbury, Moses, private Harden, Abraham, private


Hardin, Jeremiah, corporal
Harkness, Richard, private
Harleston, Solomon, private

Honey, Thomas, private Hood, John, corporal


Hooter, Jacob, private

Hopper, John, private


Houston, John, private
Howell, Joseph, private

Harmon, James, private Harmon, Joseph, private


Harrill,

Hubbard, James, corporal


Hubert, David, sergeant
Hudnell, Isaiah, private
Huff, Daniel, private Hull, Miles, private

Edward, private

Harrison, Lewis, private


Harrison, William, private
Harriss,

Edward, private
,

Harry,

servant

Hartley, Francis, private

Harvey, Lemuel, private Harvey, Nehemiah, sergeant Harvey, Richard, private


Hatton, John, private Havard, David, private

Humble, John, private Humphreys, Jonathan, private Huntsman, John, private


Huston, John, private Hutchins, Anthony, private
Hutchins, John, musician

Hutchinson, John, private


Isaacs, Samuel, private
lies,

Havens, James, private Havens, Joseph, private

William, sergeant
,

Hawk, John,

private

Isham,

servant

Haynes, George, private Hays, Nathaniel, private


Heath, Joseph, sergeant

Jackeway, John, private Jackson, Andrew, private


Jackson, Davis, private

Hemby, James,

private

Jackson, Henry, private


Jacobs, Silas, private

Henderson, Joseph, private

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.
private

169

Jenkins, John, private

Laughom, William,

Jenkins, Nathan, private


Jenkins, William, private

Lazarus, Nicholas, private

Leake, Walter, private


Leathlighter, Peter, private

John,

servant

Johns, John, private

Legrand, Malachi, private


Lewis, David, private
Lewis, John
S.,

Johnson, Absalom, private


Johnson, James, private Johnson, Jesse, corporal
Johnson, John, private Johnson, Nathaniel, private
Johnson, Simon, sergeant major
Johnson, William, corporal
Johnston, James, private

captain

Lewis, William, private

Liming, Joel, private


Linder, Daniel, private
Linssey, Isaac, private

Lisenby, David, private


Loflin, James, private Loflin, William, private

Johnston, Jesse, private Johnston, William A., private


Jones,

Lofton, Ezekiel, private Lofton, Thomas, private

Abraham

B., private

Jones, Henry, private

Longmire, Robert, sergeant


Lott,

Jones, Matthew, corporal

Amos, ensign

Jones, Micajah, priva,te


Jones,

Lott, Arther, Jr., private


Lott, Arther, Sr., private

Samuel W., private

Jones, Sterling, sergeant

Lott, Solomon, private

Jones,

Thomas, private

Lowry, John, captain

Jordan, John, corporal

Lum,

Erastus, private

Keen, John, private Keen, Joseph, private

Mackey, Alexander C, quartermaster


service

Keen, Josiah, corporal


Keethly, John, private
Kelly,

Magruder, John, sergeant Manning, James, private


Marshall, Christopher, corporal

Thomas, private Kennedy, Cade L., private Kennedy, David, private Kenton, William, corporal
Kimbrall, William, private

Marten,

Phillip, private

Martin, Albert, private

Martin, Charles, corporal


Martin, Henry, private

King, Thomas, private


King, William, private
Kinnison, Nathaniel, private
Kirkland, Obed, private

Martin, Richard, private


Martin, Samuel, corporal

Martin, William, private

Mason, Jacob, private


Massey, Drury, private Maten, Aron, private
Mathis, John, private

Knight, James, private

Knox, Andrew, corporal Land, Benjamin, private

Landham,

Elias, private

Matthews, Lyman, sergeant

Landingham, Malachi, private Landram, Meredith, private Landrum, Peter, private Lane, John T., private Langly, John H., ensign
Larry, Daniel, private

May, May, May,

Ethelridge, private

Joseph, private
Phillip, private

Mays, John, corporal


McAlister, Archibald, private
McAllister, Benjamin, private

lyo

Mississippi Historical Society.

McAnulty, Robert, private McAnulty, William, private McCaleb, Daniel, private McCarty, Jacob, sergeant McCombs, William M., private

Mercer, Eli,

fifer

Mercer, Simeon, private

Meriwether, John M., private

Merkinson, John, private


Merrell, Elijah, private

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

Middlemist, John, private

Middleton, Henry, lieutenant


Middleton, Joseph, private
Miller,

Andrew, sergeant

Miller, Cader, private

Miller, George, private


Miller, James, private

Miller, John, private

Milton, Michael, private

Minor, Marshall, private


Mitchel, William, corporal

McGahey, Daniel, captain McGehee, William, Lieutenant


McGinty, Reuben, private

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

Mcintosh, John, private


Mclntire, Daniel, 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

Morrus, William, private

Morton, Hughes, private

Murphy, Jonas, private Murphy, Morris, sergeant Murphy, Vincent, private


Murray, John, private Murray, Joshua, private
Nealy, Parris, sergeant
servant Ned, Need, David, private Neely, David, second lieutenant,

McNamee, John

R., sergeant

lieutenant

McNeir, John, private Melvin, Daniel W., private

Nelson, James, sergeant


Nelson, Peter, private

Mississippi Territory in
Nelson, Thomas, private
Nevills, William, private

War

of 1812

Rowland.
first

171

Pollard, John,

corporal

Polatty, Francis, private


Porter, Henry, private

Newman, Reuben,
NichoUs, Joseph,
adjutant
Nickols, David,

private

first

lieutenant

and

Powell, Ira, private Powell, William, private

fifer

Prescoat, Solomon, private


Prestridge, Robert, private
Price,

Nixon, George H., lieutenant-colonel


Noble, Isaac, private Noble, Levi, private
Nobles, John, private Nobles, Marke, private

Ralph, private

Prichard, William, lieutenant


Pritchard, William, private

Ragsdal, Elijah, private


Ragsdale, Edward, private Ragsdale, William, sergeant
Raines, Stephen, private

Norman,

Presley, private

O'Bannion, Darson, private

Ogden, Elijah, private


Oliphant, James, private
Oliver,

Rankins, Frederick, corporal


Rapalje, Isaac, captain
Ratleff,
Ratliff,

Andrew, private

O'Neal, Peter, private


Orr, John, private Ott, William, private

Benjamin, private
James, private

Rayburn, David, private


Rea, Joseph, private

Owens, Walter, private


Pace, John, private

Reagan, John, private


Reaves, Eli, private

Page, Jesse, private Page, John W., ensign Page, Robert, private

Reaves, John, private Reaves, Thomas, private

Palmer, Reuben, private


Parish, Hezakiah, sergeant

Reburn, David, private

Rebum, Mark,

corporal

Parker, Aaron, private Parker, William, private

Redman, Jesse, private Redman, Wilson, private


Reed, James, private
Reeves, William, private

Parks, Silas,

fife

major

Parr, Henry, private

Patton, John, private

Reynolds,

Edward

G., surgeon

Payne, Edward,

drum major

Rice, Ezekiah, private Rice, George, private

Peak, Benjamin, sergeant


Perry, Daniel, private

Richards, Samuel B,, lieutenant

Perry, James, ensign Petty, Presley, sergeant


Phillips, Isaac, private Phillips,

Richardson, William, private


Richey, Theodore
I.

H., sergeant

Richmond, Thomas W., private


Riley, Stephen, private

Lee Marcus, private

Phinney, John, private


Phipps, William, private
Pitchford, Augustin, sergeant

Ring, Mark, private

Pitman, Archibald, private


Plaster,

Rippy> Jesse, private Roach, Aaron, private Roach, Richard, surgeon


Roark, John, private Robbins, Horace, private
Roberts, George, private
Roberts, Henry, private

Thomas

R., private

Platner, Enoch, private Platner, William D., private

Plays, Robert W., private

172

Mississippi Historical Society.


Sermons, Thomas, private
Sexton, Daniel, private

Roberts, James, private

Roberts, James P., private Roberts, John, corporal

Shaddock, Isaac, private


Shave, John, private

Roberts, John, private


Roberts, Phillip, private

Roberts,

Raymon,

private

Shaw, Thompson, private Shelby, Marquest, sergeant


Sherill,

Robertson, George, ensign Robertson, John


I.,

William, private

private

Shober, William, sergeant


Shuffield,

Robertson, Thomas, private Robertson, William, private

Ishum, private

Robertson, William H., sergeant


Robins, Horace W., private

Benjamin, private Simmons, John, private


Sibley,

Roddy,

Peter, private

Rodgers, Evin R., private


Rogers, John, private

Simmons, Richard, private Simmons, Vincent, private Simmons, Willis, private


Simolet, Michael, private

Rogers, William, corporal


Rolls, Jabus, ensign

Simpson, David B., private


Sims, William G., sergeant
Singleton, Richard, private
Singleton, Washington, private
Six,

Ross, Samuel, private Ross, William, private

Rounsoval, William, private


Rowell, Lewis, private
Roycraft, Francis, private

David, private

Slaughter, David, private Slaughter, John, private


Slaughter, William, corporal
Slay,

Rude, Abner, private


Rule, William, private
Russell, Alexander, private Russell, Jacob, private

Nathan, private

Sluder, Henry, private

Smith, Alexander, private

Rutledge, Dudley, private Rutledge, Joseph, private

Smith, Archibald, private Smith, Carter, private Smith, Ezechieal, private


Smith, Henry C., private Smith, James, private

Sandab, Daniel, private


Saucer, Samuel, private Saucer, William, private

Saunders, Traverse, private


Saval, John, private

Smith, Jeremiah, sergeant


Smith, Jesse, private

Saxton, John, private


Scott, John, private Scott,

Smith, John, private


Smith, Joseph, private Smith, Levy, private
Smith, Thomas, private

Thomas, private

Scott, William, private

Scrivener, Jesse, private


Seals, Eli, private Seals, Littleton, private

Smith, William, private

Smoot, Benjamin

S.,

major

Sojourner, Jacob, sergeant


Sojourner, John, lieutenant Sojourner, William, private

Searcy, Ransome, private

Sedgewick, John, private


Selser, George, private
Selser, Josiah, private

Solomon,

private servant

Sones, Henry, private


Sorrells, Jesse, private

Sermons, Edmond, private Sermons, Jonathan, private

Spencer, William, captain

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

173

Spradley, William, sergeant


Springer, Solomon, corporal
Sprinkle, John, private

Spuriock, David, private


Stallion, John, private

Thompson, Felix, private Thompson, James, captain Thompson, James, private Thompson, William, private Tibbs, WiUiam, private
Tidder, Isaac, private Tidder, Thomas, private
Toler, Elijah, private

Stampley, William, private


Stanley, Shadrach, private

Stedham,

Jesse, private

Stephenson, Jonathan, private


Stephenson, William, private

Toumbs, William, corporal


Travers, Benjamin, private
Travers, Thomas, private
Travers, William, private
Travis, Prier S., corporal
Trefoe, Michael, private

Stems, Peter, private


Stewart, James, sergeant

Stewart, Robert, private


Stiglar,

Benjamin, private

Stiglar, George, private

Troty, Joseph, private

Stoker, Henry, private

Tucker, John, private Tucker, William, private Turvin, Richard, private


Twilley, Robert, captain

Stone, John

C,

private

Strickland, Simon, private


Stricklin,

Henry, private

Stringfellow, James, private

Urick, John, private

Stroud, Frederick, private


Stroud, Samuel, private
Strouse, Christopher, private

Usher, William, private

Sunmaerlin, Giles, private

Vancampin, William, private Vannoy, John, private Verdiman, Jeremiah, private


Vickory, Charles, private

Swan, Thomas T., sergeant


Swearingen, Henry, private

Vickory, Nathaniel, private


Vincent, Berry, private
Vining, John, private

Sweney, John, private Syx, Benjamin, private


Talbert, Abner, private

Tanner, John, private Tanner, William, private


Tarver, John, private
Taylor, Brice, corporal
Taylor, James, private Taylor, Thomas, private

Wactor, John, sergeant Wafers, Joel, private


Walker, Felix, private
Wallis, Nazareth, private
Wallis, Oliver, private

Walton, Timothy, private

Teek, John, private


Terry, Jeremiah, private Tervin, Richard, private

Ware, Lard, lieutenant Ware, Nicholas M., private Ware, William, private Warner, James, private

Testone, Frederick, 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

Warren, John, private Warren, Joseph, private Warren, Solomon, private

Way, John, sergeant Way, John, corporal Wax, John, corporal Webb, Jesse, private

174

Mississippi Historical Society.

Weigart, David, corporal

Wilds, Joseph, private

Welch, James, lieutenant Welch, Nathan, private Welch, Robert, private


Welch, Young, private
Wells,

Wilkinson, Angus, sergeant

Wilkinson, Joseph, private Wilkinson, William, sergeant


Williams, Benjamin, private Williams, David, private Williams, Francis, private Williams, James, private

Edmund,

private

Westfall, Samuel, private

Westner, George, private


Westner, Samuel, private
Wetherill, Theophilus, private

Williams, Rafe, private

Williamson, Edward, private


Willis,

Wheat, Joseph, private


White, Isaiah, private
White, James, private

David, sergeant

Willis, George, private

Wilson, Daniel, private


Wilson, Samuel, private

White, Joel, sergeant White, Joseph, corporal White, Joseph, private

Wilson, William, sergeant

White, Richard, corporal


White, Thompson, private

Windham, Stephen, Windham, William,


Winn, John, private

corporal
private

White, William, private


Whittington, Elam, private
Whittington, Evan, private

Wise, James B., private


Withers, Silas, private

Whittington, Moses, ensign

Wood, Dennis, private Wood, Ethan A., captain


Yewell, Joel, quartermaster sergeant

Wigley, Joab, private Wigley, Joseph, private

Young,

Jesse, private

Wilbum, James, private


1ST

Regiment of Mississippi Volunteers

Captain Gerard C. Brandon's

Company

Captain Samuel Dale's Company Captain Benjamin Dent's Company


Captain Philip A. Engel's Company Captain L. V. Foelckel's Company Captain William Henry's 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

Abemathe, John, private Adams, Richard, private Adams, Thomas, private


Agens, John, private Agens, William, private
Agiliras, Francisco, private

Baird, William, private Baird, William,

private

Baird, William, Sr., private Baird, William L., private

Baker, Lewis, private

Baldwin, William, private


Baley, Richard, private

Aikins, Samuel, private

Akors, Benjamin, private

Banks, Peregrin, private

Alexander, Michael G., private


Alexander, William, private
Alford, Joseph, private
Alford, Robert, sergeant
Allen, David, private

Bams, Mark, private


Barra, Francis, private

Barron, John, second lieutenant


Bartlett, Nathaniel, private

Bartley, John, private

Allen, Drury, private Allen, John, first lieutenant


Allen, John, private

Bashford, Robert, sergeant


Battest, John,

drummer

Bazer; Edward, private


Beall, Wilkinson, private

Allen, John, private

Allen, Josiah, private

Beard, Henry, sergeant


Beasley, Daniel, major

Anderson, Allen, sergeant


Anderson, James, private Anderson, James, private
Anderson, John, private

Beason, William, private


Beaty, James C., private

Beauchamp, Baptist, private


lieutenant
Belcher, Branch, private
Bell, Joseph, sergeant
Bell,

Anderson, Robert

C, second

Andrews, Green, private

Andrews, William, private

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,

William W., sergeant

Bender, Lott, private

Benge, Harris, private


Bennett, Micajah, private Bennett, William, private

Bernard, John G., private


Berry, Joseph, corporal
Berryhill, Alexander, private

Biddle, Benjamin, private

Attoy, Dennis, private

Biddlescomb, Jeremiah, private


Bieulet, Joseph, private

Atwater, Asaph, sergeant

Atwood, Thomas, private Austill, Evan, first lieutenant


Austill, Jeremiah, private

Bilbo, James, private

Bishop, Stephen, private


Black, Daniel, corporal Black, John, private Black, John
S.,

Bagacox, Victor, private


Baggs, Robert, corporal
Bailey, George, private
Bailey, James,
first

corporal

Blackwell, James, private


Blair,

lieutenant

Thomas, private

Bainbridge, Thomas, private


Baird, James, private Baird, John, private Baird, Samuel, private

Blanton, Benjamin, ensign


Blue, Angus, corporal

Bobbs, Jacob, private


Bonner, James, private

176

Mississippi Historical Society.

Booth, John, sergeant major Boozman, Howell, private


Boswell, John, corporal

Burgess, William B., private

Burk, Martin, private


Burke, James, private
Burnett, Thomas, private

Bosworth, Richard, sergeant

Bowland, John, private

Bums, William,
lieutenant

sergeant

Bowman, Richardson,

first

Burton, Charles A., private

Boyce, William, sergeant

Burton, Elbert, ensign


Burton, Robert, corporal

Braden, James, private Bradford, Leonard, private


Bradley, Bradford, private

Bush, Levi, private Bush, William, private


Byarse, Henry, private
Byers, James, private

Bradley, Luther, private

Brady, Samuel, private


Bragg, John, private

Bynum, Turner,
captain

private

Brandon, Gerard

C,

Cable, Christopher, private

Brannan, Thomas, private Brannon, John P., sergeant Brant, Lewis W., sergeant
Breard, John, private
Brent, John, sergeant

Cadwell, Aaron, private


Cadwell, William, private
Cain, James B., sergeant
Caldwell, Kean, second lieutenant

and

adjutant
Caldwell,

Brenton, Joseph, private


Brewer, William, private

Thomas, private

Callahan, David, ensign


Caller, Robert, private

Bridgement, Thomas, private


Bridges, Benjamin, second lieutenant
Briggs, Johnston, sergeant

Calvet, Alexander,

first

lieutenant

and

aide-de-camp

Brinkman, George, private Britt, William S., ensign Brittle, Thomas M., private
Britton, James, private

Cameron, Barnabas, private

Camp, John, Camp, John,

first

lieutenant

private

Campbell, Archibald, private


Campbell, Donald, private
Campbell, James, private

Brooks, David, private

Brooks, John, private


Brothers, Lewis, private

Campbell, John D., private

Brown, Brown, Brown, Brown, Brown, Brown, Brown,

Bartlett, private

Cammack, David,

private

Henry, musician
John, private

Cammell, Duncan, private Canty, William S., sergeant


Carl, James, private
Carlin, James, private

John, private

John W., private


Liberty, private

Carmichael, William, private

Rowling, private

Bniley, Jacob, private


Bruster, James, private
Bruster, Washington, corporal

Games, Johnson, private Games, Wells, private Garrigan, Edward, private


Carson, Joseph, colonel
Carson, Joseph, private
Garter, John, private

Bryan, William, private


Bryant, Robert, private

BuUman, John,

private

Garter, John, private

Buntin, Timothy, private


Bullock, James, private

Carty, Collin, private


Caswell, William, private

Burgess, Francis, private

Cathel, Joshua, private

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

177

Cathel, Levin, sergeant

Coolman, George, private


Cooper, George, private
Cooper, John, private Cooper, Joseph, private Cooper, Simeon, private

Caughman, David, private


Caulfield, Francis, private

Chadock, Isaac, private

Chadwick, Isaac, private Chambers, Michael, corporal Chambliss, William B., ensign Chaney, James, private

Cooper, William, corporal

Copeland, James, private


Corey, Samuel F., sergeant
Corhel, Nicholas, private

Chapman, George, private


Charrington, John, private

Corkins, David, private

Cheauveaus, James, second lieutenant Childers, Ware, private


Chisholm, Cockburn, private
Chislom, Andrew
general
Clark, Archibald, private Clark, Henry, private Clark, James, private

Coulson, Samuel, private


Cousins, Matthew, private

Cox, Thomas, private

C,

first

sergeant

Cox, William R., surgeon mate


Crane, Stephen, private
Crane, William, corporal

Claiborne, Ferdinand L., brigadier

Crane, William, private

Crawford, Alexander, corporal


Crawford, Hugh, private
Creagh, Gerrard, private
Criswell,

Clark, Samuel, private


Clark, William G., private

Andrew, private

Clark, William H., private

Criswell, Robert, private

Clayton, John Y., private Clayton, Samuel, private


Cleaveland, Edward, private

Curtis, William, private

Dacosta, Nicholas, corporal


Dale, James, private
Dale, Samuel, captain
Daniel, Nathaniel, sergeant
Daniels, Abner, corporal

Cleaveland, Josiah M., sergeant


Clinton, John, private

Clupper, Phillip, private

Cobb, Frederick, private Cochran, Cheedle, private

Davis, Baxter, sergeant Davis, Benjamin, private

Cockram, William, private Cogan, William, private


Colbert, Simon, private

Davis, Daniel, private


Davis, George, private Davis, Isaac W., ensign
Davis, Simon, private
Deal, Elias, private

Cole, Stewart,

first

sergeant

Coleman, Daniel, private

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

Conner, George, private Conner, James, corporal Conner, John, sergeant


Converse, Wright, sergeant

Denhart, Augustus, private


Deniston, Andrew, private

Dennis, Asa W., sergeant


Dennis, George P., private

Cook, Joseph, private

Dennis, Thomas, private

178

Mississippi Historical Society.


Edwards, Thomas, private Egan, William, private
Elder, James, private
Elliott, Elliott,

Denson, Isaac, private Dent, Benjamin, captain Desha, Benjamin, private


DeVall, John, private

John, corporal

Devanport, John, private Devin, James, private


Dewell, Lewis, sergeant

Robert

L., corporal

Ellison, Samuel, private Ellison,

Thomas, private

Dewitt, James, corporal


Ditzler, Peter, private

Ellison, William, private

Divin, John

S.,

private

Dixon, Hugh, private


Dixon, Thomas, private

Embree, Jesse, private Embree, Jonathan, sergeant Emery, William, private

Emmons, John,

ensign

Dobbins, Alfred M., private

Engel, Philip A., captain

Dobbs, Jacob, private


Donnelly, James, private

Enos, Eli, private


Ervin, Samuel, private

Dorsey, James, private

Espey, Wiley, private


Espinosa, Joseph, private

Dougherty, George, ensign Doughty, Kitrell, private


Douglass, Jeptha, private

Espy, Lemuel, private


Ethridge, John, musician

Douthard, John, private Dowling, Charles, private Downing, Edward, private Downing, Nicholas, private
Dozier, Thomas, sergeant

Evans, Elijah, private

Evans, John, private Evans, Thomas, private Evans, William, private


Evans, Zachariah, private
Eveleigh, William, private

Drake, Edmund, sergeant

Duchur, Victor, private Dudley, Daniel, private


Dugless, John, private

Everard, Charles, private


Everitt, John, private

Ewalt, William, private

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

Ewing, Robert B., private


Faite, Peter, private

Faith, Alexander, musician Farley, Elihu, private


Farris,
Fell,

Samuel

S.,

sergeant

George, sergeant

Fenton, John, sergeant


Ferguson, Richard, private
Fields, Elijah, corporal
Files,

John, ensign

Finch, Christopher, private


Finch, John, private

Eaton, Samuel, private


Eavins, Gaddi, private

Finehorn, John, private


Finley, Charles, private Finley, Norris, private Finley, Zachariah, private
Fisher, Charles, private

Eavins, Samuel, private

Ebey, William, drummer


Edgerly, Elijah, private

Edwards, Dabney, private

Fisher, Samuel, private

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

179

Flanigan, John, private

Glass, David, private

Fleming, John

P.,

private

Glass, Williamson, private Glass, Zachariah, private

Flemming, Joseph, private


Fletcher, Jeremiah, private

Godfrey, William, private


Gonsales, John, private

Flinn, William, private


Flores, Joseph, private

Floyd, John B., sergeant


Foeckel, L. V., captain

Good, Delanson, private Goodwin, Robert, private Gordon, Robert, private

Ford, James, sergeant Ford, William, private


Forget, William, private
Fort, Adison, private

Henry O. F., private Gowen, James H., sergeant


Goss,

Gray, Philip A., corporal

Grayham, James, private


Grayson, Peter, private
Green, Allen, sergeant
Green, Robert, corporal
Green, William, private

Fortenberry, William, private


Foster, Francis, private

Foster, George, private Foster, James, captain


Foster, William, private

Grey, Joseph, private

Fountain, Henry, private

Grey,

Thomas

F., private

Fox, Washington, corporal


Francis, James, private

Griffin,

George W., private

Griffin, Isaac Griffin,

W., private

Frederick, John, private

James M., private

French, John, private


Friley, Frederick, private

Griffin, Mitchell, private


Griffin, Patrick, sergeant Griffin,
Griffis,

Fry, Thomas, private

William, sergeant

Futch, Onisimus, private


Gallon, Canton, private

Thomas, private

Grizzle, Willis, private

Gamble, Robert, private Gano, Stephen, private


Gardner, Jeremiah, private
Garlington, Edwin, sergeant

Groff, Frederick, private Groff,

Henry C, private

Guest, Samuel, sergeant major Guest, Westly, private

Garmany, Washington, sergeant


Garrard, James, private

Gurley, Robert, private

Haggarty, Henry, private

Garrard, William, private


Garrino, John P., private

Haggarty, John, private Haggerty, John, private


Hale, Joel W., corporal

Gash, William, private


Gates, Jasper, private
Gatlin, John, private

Haley, John, private Haley, Richard, private


Hall, James, private

Gatton, Ignatius, private


Gentry, Elijah, private

Hall, John, private


Hall, John, private

Gentry, Elijah,

Sr.,

private

Gentry, James, private


Gibbs, George H., ensign

Hall,

Matthew, sergeant
private

Hall, Samuel, private

Gibson, Richard, private


Gillaspie,

Hamby, Samuel M.,

David, corporal

Hamilton, Andrew, private


Hamilton, Thomas, private Hamilton, William, private

GiUick, John, private

Gilman, Benare, private

i8o

Mississippi Historical Society.

Hammon, Thomas, private Hammond, William, private


Hamrick, Burwell, private

Holcomb, Philip

P., private

Holcroft, John, private

Holder, John, private


Holliday, Levi, corporal

Hand, John B., private Hardy, Isaiah, private Harford, Samuel, fife major Harney, Benjamin F., surgeon mate
HarringiU, Joseph, private

HoUiday, Richard J., sergeant HoUiday, Simeon, private


Hollister, Francis A., private

Holloway, George, private

Harrington, Hardy, private Harrington, Hudson, private


Harris, Joseph A., private

Holmes, Thomas, private


Hopkins, Hardy, private

Hart, Philip, private

Hopkins, Joseph R., private Hopkins, Richard, private


Horton, John, private House, John, private

Hawkins, Gilbert D., private Hays, Mark, private


Hazle, Daniel, corporal Hazle, Samuel, private
Hazlett, Jacob, private

Howard, Jonathan, private Howe, Jacob, private


Howell, Archibald, private

Head, Benjamin, private


Healy, Daniel, sergeant

Heard, Bailey,
Heard,

first

lieutenant

Joel, private

Hudson, John, private Hudson, Westley, private Huff, William H., private Hunt, William, private
Hurlock, James, private

Hearn, George, private

Heam,

William, private

Hurry, Richard, private


Hustler, Samuel,

Heath, Thomas, musician

drum major

Heaton, Isaac, private

Hutchins, Thomas, private

Helium, Enos, private Helms, Henry, private


Henderson, Duncan, private

Hutchinson, John, private

Inman, Richard, private Irby, Henry, private


Irby, James, private
Ireson,

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 H., sergeant

Ivey, William, private Jack, William captain

Jackson, George, private Jackson, Henry, private


Jacobs, Richard, private

High, Martin, private


Hill,

James, Abner, private James, Almon, private

James, private

Hill, William, private

James, Joseph, corporal


Jetton, Benedict, private

HiUebrand, Paul, private


Hillis,

John, private

Johnson, Abraham, private

Hinton, WiUiam, private

Johnson, Charles G., captain


Johnson,

Hixon, Daniel, corporal

Hugh

B., private

Hogg, John, private


Hoggett, Joel, private

Johnson, John, private


Johnson, Peter, private
Johnston, William, private
Joiner, William, private

Hogue, William, private Holcomb, Gardner, private

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

181

Jones, Elbert, private Jones, Hardin, private

Lang, James, private Lang, William, private


Langford, David, private
Langford, John, private

Jones,

John H., private

Jones, Josiah, private Jones, Randal, captain

Langham, James, private


Laucks, Michael, private
Laughlin, James, private

Jones, Russel, private

Jones, Stephen, private


Jones,

Thomas, private

Lauson, William, corporal

Jones, Wiley, private Jones, William, private Jones, William, private Jones, William, private Jones, William P., private

Law, David, private Law, James, private


Layson, Robert R.,
quartermaster
Lazarus, Nicholas, private Lazarus, Thomas, sergeant
Leavell, Joseph, private
first

lieutenant-first

Jordan, Zachariah, private


Judkins, John, private

Juvenot, Joseph, private

Leblane, Victor, private


Lee, Charles, sergeant

Kaufman, George, private


Keas, William, private
Keel, William, private

James Bud, private Lee Joseph, private


Lee,

Keen, John, sergeant Kellogg, Theron, first lieutenant

Lee, Robert, private

Lefoy, Mathew, private

Abraham, private Kelly, Benjamin C, sergeant


Kelly,
Kelly, Jesse, private

Lemon, William, private


Lenoir, Robert, private

Leverton, Jacob, private


bri-

Kennedy, Joseph P., captain and gade major Kennedy, William, private Kennedy, William, private
Kerr, John, surgeon
Kief,

Lewis, David, private

Lewis,

Henry W., musician

Lewis, Jacob, musician


Lewis, John, private
Lewis, William,
first

lieutenant

Thomas, private

Lewis, William, private


Lick, William, private
Lilley, George, first lieutenant

Killen, Henry, private

Kimble, Isom, private Kimble, Ransom, private


King, David, musician King, John, private

Linder, Daniel, private


Linder, Lewis, corporal Linsey, John, private

Kingsbury, Daniel, sergeant


Kline, Balthazer, private

Linsey, Robert, corporal

Linton, William, private


Little,

Knight, Andrew
.Knight,

W.

L., private

Henry, sergeant
William B., private

Thomas, private Koen, John, comet Koen, Jonathan H., private


Koff, Peter, private

Littleton,

Lloyd, Henry, private

Lloyd, Samuel, private


Lochridge, Nicholas, second lieutenant

Kregger, John M., private

LaChapelle, Dominic, private

Long, Jeremiah, private Long, William, private


Lora, Felix, private

Lambert, Ashley, private


Lambert, Edward

Lorimer, Charles V., sergeant

l82

Mississippi Historical Society.

Louck, Andrew, private


Love, James, private

May, George, private May, Patrick, second lieutenant


Mayers, David, private

Love, Joseph, private


Love, Robert E., sergeant

Love, William D., private

Mays, Stephen, ensign Mays, William, musician


McAloin, James, private McAlpine, William, corporal McArthur, James, ensign

Low, John, sergeant

Lowman,

Cornelius, private

Lowrey, John, fifer Lowry, James, private Lowry, James, private Lucier, Anthony, private
Luckett, James, ensign

McCabe, James, private


McCaleb, Alexander, private McChesney, David, private

Luker, Isaac, private Luker, Jesse, private


Liker, Joshua, sergeant

McClam, Solomon, corporal McClure, John, corporal

McCoy, William, private McCuUough, David, private


McDaniel, John, private

Luker, William, private

Lumpkin, Hendrick, private


Lunsford, Solomon, private
Lyles,

L3aich,

Richmond, private Matthew, sergeant Lynch, Stephen, private

Madden, James, private


MaJone, Joseph, private Malone, Michael, private

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

Maner, Elisha, private Manichy, James, private

McGohan, Peter, private McGrew, William, second

sergeant

Mannen, Willay, private


Manville, Philip, corporal

Marian, Joseph, private Marquart, George, private


Marrs, Thomas, private
Marshall, Solomon, private

Martin, Aaron, private


Martin, Alexander, private

McGruder, Walter, private McGuire, James, private McKinsey, Levi, private McLaughlin, Charles, private McLendon, David, private McLeod, James, private McLouthlen, James, private

McManniman,

Dennis, private

Martin, Austin, private

Mason, Abraham D., private Mason, Charles, corporal


Massey, Drewry, private
Masters, Baptist, private
Masters, John, 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

McShane, John, private

McWhinney, William,

first

corporal

McWilliam, John, private Mead, Cowles colonel Mead, William C, captain

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

Morrison, Hugh, private Morrison, James, private

Morrison, John, drum major Morton, Hugh, private

Mosely, Thomas, private Mosely, Thomas B., private Mosely, William, corporal

Merson, Emanuel, private


Michael, Francis, private

Micheaux, Daniel B., private Middleton, Hatton, captain


Miller, Jesse, private

Mountjoy, John, sergeant Mulkey, Ellis, private Mullin, Timothy, private Murphy, Benjamin, private

Miller, Joash, private


Miller, John, private

Miller, William, private

Murphy, John, private Murphy, Willis, corporal Murray, Samuel M., private
Murrell, Charles W., private Mygott, Austin R., musician Myles, Isaac A., corporal

Milligan, James, private

Miner, Jacob, private

Minton, Joshua, private


Mitchell, John, private

Myles, John E., private

Mitchell, Nathaniel, private

Myles, Joseph, private

Mitchum, George, private Mitchum, Richard, private


Moncrief, Benjamin, private Moncrief, Caleb, private

Nabb, Charles

B., private

Nance, David, private


Naters, James, private

Neal, James, private Neal, John D., private


Neilson, Jeremiah, private

Monk, William,

corporal

Montgomery, Andrew, first lieutenant Montgomery, Jacob, fifer Montgomery, John, private Mooney, Isaac, private
Moore, Moore, Moore, Moore,
;Moore,

Neilson, John, captain

Nelson, Jesse, private


Nettles, John, private

Boyle, sergeant
Charles, second lieutenant

Edward, sergeant
John, sergeant

Newman, Dixon, private Newman, Hezekiah, private Newman, Jonathan, private


Nicholas, Daniel, private Nicholas, Thomas, private
Nichols, Benjamin, private

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

Nicholson, Peter, private

O'Donnald, James, private Ogden, Alexander, sergeant


Oglethorpe, John N., private

O'Guin, John, private O'Hara, Alexander, private


Oneal, Michael, private
Orear, Robert, private
'

Morris, John, private

Orourk, Timothy, private

Morris, John, private


Morris, Joseph, private

Osbom, Spruce M., second


Osborne, Audley L.,
adjutant
Otis,
first

lieutenant

lieutenant and

Morris, Leroy, private

Morrison, Hans, captain

James, musician

i84
Otty, John, private

Mississippi Historical Society.

Pittard, Abner, private


Pollard, Joseph, sergeant

Owens, Alexander, private Pace, Isham, private


Page, Lewis, private
Page, Nehemiah, private
Painter,

Pollock, Charles, private


Porter,

John C, private

Posey, Thomas, captain


Potter, John, corporal
Potts, Fleet, private

Paimboeuf Lewis, captain Edward, private


,

Palmer, Aaron, private


Parish, Hezekiah, corporal
Parish, Joseph, private

Poupnell, John Vincent, private


Powell, Archer, corporal Powell, John, private Powell, Lewis, private Powell, William, private

Parker, John, private

Patton, James, corporal

Paxton, John R., private


Pearson, John, private
Pearson, Reuben, private
Peet, Curtis, private Penticost, George

Power, John, private Powers, Josiah, private


Powers, Nathaniel, private
Prescott,
Presnall,

Andrew, private
Absolom, private

W., private

Penton, William, corporal


Perkins, Ezekiel, private
Pernell,

Presnell, Elijah, private


Price, Charles, private

John M., corporal

Price,
Price,

Edmund,

private

Perrett, James, private


Perrett, John, private

James, private

Price,

James, private

Perrett, Robert, private

Price, John, private

Perry, Francis, private


Perry, George, private

Price, Jonathan, private

Proctor,

Aaron

B., saddler

Perry, Peter, private


Peters,

Pullum, Levy, private

Thomas W.,

private

Pybum,

Jacob, private

Peterson, David, private Petty, William, private

Rachford, John, sergeant Rains, John, private

Pevy, Nehemiah,

fifer

Pharis, Samuel, private


Philips, Robert, private
Phillip, Frederick, private

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

Phillips, Daniel, sergeant Phillips, George, private


Phillips, Iredell L., private Phillips, Phillips,

Isham

B., sergeant

John, private

Red, James E., private Reed, William, private


Revere, Peter, private
Reviere, john, private

Phillips, Lewis, private


Phillips,
Phillis,

William E., corporal

Jacob, private

Reynolds, David, private

Pierce, Lewis, private

Reynolds, James, private


Reynolds, Reuben,
fife

Pipkin, Moses, private


Pitchford, Augustin, sergeant
Pitner, John, private

major

Rhodes, Jacob, private Rhodes, John, private

Mississippi Territory in
Richardson, Asa

War

of 1812

Rowland.

18s

S.,

private

Sarber, Jacob, private


Sarter, George, private
Savell,

Richardson, Isaac, private

Richardson, Philip, private


Rickards, Archibald, private
Ripley, Samuel, corporal
Riviere,

Moses, corporal

Saxon, Charles, private Saxon, John, private


Scanlon, Patrick, private
Scealy, Gideon, corporal

Henry

L.,

second lieutenant

Roberts, John, private

Robertson, James, private


Robertson, Joshua, private Robertson, Richard, private

Schacht, John G., serj^eant

Schecho, Alexander, musician


Scolfield, Jessee, private

Robertson, Thomas, private

Scott,
Scott,

Abraham M,, captain


James F., sergeant Thomas, private

Robinson, Aaron, private


Roddridge, Joseph M., private
Rodgers, John, private Rodgers, John D.,
first

Scott,

Scotthom, Nathaniel, private


lieutenant

Scruggs,

Edward H.,

corporal

Roe, Benjamin, private Roe, John, private


Rogers, Hendirck, private Rogers, William, private
Rollins, John, private

Scruggs, Richard W., private

Sermans, Edward, private


Shafer, John, private

Shane,

Ofife,

private

Shane, Teddy, private

Roney, John, private Rosheur, David, drummer Ross, George T., lieutenant-colonel Ross, Nimrod, private Ross, Walter R., quartermaster sergeant

Shanover, John, private


Sharp, Samuel, private

Shaw, James, private Shaw, Zacharias, fifer Shepherd, David, musician


Sheridan, Thomas, private Sheridan, William, private
Shilling,

Row, James, private


Rudder, David, private
Rule, William, private

Abraham, private

Rushing, William, private


Russ, Sylvester, private
Russell, Ervin, private
Russell, John, private

Shipton, Peter, private


Shopshire, William, private
Short, Eli, private

Short, James, private Short, John, corporal


Short, Michael, private
Shuffield, Joshua,

Russell, William, private

Russom, Malchiah, private Russom, Wilson, private


Ryals, Archibald, private

drummer

Shuffield, Stephen, private


Shuifield, William, sergeant

Ryan, Edmond, private Ryan, Michael, private Sage, Nathan, private


Sails,

Shull, John, private

Shults, John, private


Sibert, John, corporal
Sillcox,

William, private

Salters, Jacob, private

John, private

Andrew, private Salvage, Benjamin F., first lieutenant Sanders, William D., corporal
Saltgiver,

Silva, Antonio, private

Sands, John B., private Sansom, William, corporal

Simmons, James, private Simmons, Jonathan, private Simmons, Stephen, musician Simms, Peyton, private

i86

Mississippi Historical Society.

Simpson, Charles, private Simpson, John, corporal


Sims, Elias, private
Slater, William, private

Stowell, Abel, private Stowell, Benjamin, ensign


Strieker, John, private

Stringer, William, private

Smiley, Archibald, private

Strong, Cyprian, sergeant


Strother, French H., corporal

Smith, George,

drummer

Smith, John, private Smith, John, private


Smith, Neal, private

Stroud, James, private

Stumey, Peter, private


Sullivan, Daniel, private Sullivan, Daniel, private

Smith, Rees, corporal Smith, Richard L., sergeant


Smith, Thomas, private Smith, Whitmal, sergeant

Swan, Robert, ensign


Swatzfelter,

Adam,

private

Swetland, Daniel, private


Swigley, James, private
Talbert, Lewis, private

Smith, William, private Smith, William, Private

Smoot, Benjamin

S.,

captain

Tarver, Jonathan, private


Taylor, Benjamin, private Taylor, Isom, private
Taylor, John F., sergeant Taylor, John T., sergeant Taylor, Joseph, private

Snead, William H., private


Snyder, John, private

Songquest, Jacob, private


Sorrels, Walter, private

Southard, Joseph, private


Spence, Richard, private
Spikes, Jonas, private

Stanley, Jordan, sergeant


Stark, Christopher, private

Stean, James, private Stean, Newberry, private


Sted, Benjamin, private
Steele, Robert, sergeant

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

Thornton, Mitchell, private


Thrasher, Samuel, private
Tilley, Josiah, private

Steers, William, corporal

Stephens, Hugh, private Stephens, James, private


Stephens, John, private

Tinnin, Alexander, private Tinnin, Asa, private

Stephenson, Isaac, private Stephenson, Jonathan, private


Stevens, William, private

Tinnin, William, private


Tolbert, John, private Tomlinson, Arthur, private

Stewart, James, private Stewart,

Trent, Henry, private


Trinary, John, private

Norman, private

Stewart, Robert, private Stewart, Thomas, private


Sticker, John, private

Trowbridge, John, corporal

Tudeck, Joseph, private


Tuley, John, private

Stinson, Burrell, private

Turner, Joseph, private Turner, Larkin, private

Stocker,

James

S.,

Corporal

Stoker, William, private

Tumey, George,

private

'

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

187

Turner, John, private

Wells, Archelaus, captain Wells, Charles, corporal

Tumey,

Peter, private

Tysch, Jordan, corporal Upton, John, private


Urich, John, private

Wells, Robert B., private


Wells, William B., private

Welsh, James, private

Ussery, Richard, private

Vanesse, Jacob, private

Wentworth, Stephen, private West, Aquilla H., sergeant


Wheeler, Joseph, private

Vantine, John

C,

private

Vamer, John, corporal


Vasbinder, James, private

Whitaker, Abraham, private


White, James, private White, James

Vaughn, John, private Vaughn, Reuben, private Vaughn, Thomas C, ensign


Verdon, Godfrey, private
Villiers, Gilbert,

private

White, John, private White, John, private White, WiUiam, private

private

Vining, John, private


Vintner, John, private

Vinzant, Berry, private


Voials, Benjamin, private

Whitemore, Nicholas, private Whitmore, William, private Whitworth, Abraham, private Wight, John M., sergeant
Wilcox, Benjamin, private

Wade, Henry, private Wadsworth, Theodore, private


Waggoner, Joseph, corporal Waid, John, private
Walker, Alexander, private

Wiley, Thomas, private


Wilkinson, John, sergeant Wilkinson, Thomas, private
Williams, Bird, private
Williams, Isham, private Williams, Henry, private Williams, Herron, private Williams, Jacob, sergeant Williams, John, corporal Williams, John, private

Walker, Andrew, private

WalkT, John,

private

Wallace, David, private Wallace, James, private


Wallace, Oliver, private
Walters, John, private

Williams, John, private Williams, John R., corporal


Williams, Jonathan, private Williams, Stephen, private

Waltman, Valentine, private Ward, John C, private Warner, John D., private

Washam, Jeremiah,

private

Williamson, James,
Willis,

drum major

Washburn, Henry, private


Watkins, David, sergeant

Reason, private

Wilson, Benjamin, 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

Wilson, James, private Wilson, Matthew, private


Wilson, Samuel, private

Wilson, William, sergeant

Windham, Samuel,

private

Wingate, Martin, private


Witherington, Gabriel, private

Wood, John,

private

Woods, John, private Wooley, Stephen, private

i88

Mississippi Historical Society.


Yancey, Thomas, corporal

Wooten, William, private Wooton, Daniel, private


Wright, John, private
Wright, William H., sergeant

Yokum,

Allen, private

Young, George, private Young, Henry, private

6th Regiment (1814-1815) of Mississippi Militia


Anderson, Allen, private
Bass, Alexander, private

Heard, Bailey, captain

Henry, Claiborne, corporal


Howell, Joseph, private

Beard, John, private


Berry, Thomas, sergeant

Bowling, John, private

James, Edward B., private James, Henry, private


Jarvis, Joseph,

Boyakin, Kinchen, private Boyakin, William, private

armourer

Joiner, James, private

Brady, Samuel, private

Jones,

Thomas, private

Brown, Ardin, private Brown, Edward, private Brown, James, private


Bryant, Lewis, private
Callahan, James, private
Carr, Henry, private
Childress, David, private

Keel, William, private

Landrum, William, private


Lefoy, James, private

Lefoy, Matthew, private

Lyon, Spencer, private May, David, private

May, Robert,

private

Chronister, Matthias, private

Cody, John, private


Coker, Bryant, 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

Coulson, Samuel, private

Cox, Collin, private Cox, George, private


Cox, Thomas, private
Crane, Mayfield, private

Curry, John, private

Philips,

Isham,

first

sergeant

Dawkins,

Silas,

private

Philips, John, private

Dew,

Perry, private

Philips, Philips, Philips,

Ransom, musician
Richard L., private

Farley, Elihu, private

Fox, John, private


Gaines, William, private
Galbraith, Nevin, private

Thomas, private

Pollard, Joseph, sergeant

Potter, Robert D., third lieutenant

Gandy, Edmund, private


Gaston, Ebenezer, private

Rankins, James, private Rankins, John K., corporal

Graham, William, private


Hailey, John, private
Hailey, Richard, private
Hall, William, private

Reed, John, private Reeves, Eli, private


Robertson, Aaron, private
Rollins, Isaac, private

Hanes, John, Jr., private Harrison, Samuel, private

Ross, Nathaniel, private


Russell, Irvine, private
Saterthite, Samuel, private

Hays, John, sergeant

Mississippi Territory in
Sauserman, John, private
Smith, Thomas, private
Sneed, William, private
Stanley, Jordan, private

War

of 1812

Rowland.

189

Turner, John, private

Upton, John, private Walker, Andrew, private


Walker, Felix, private Walker, John, private

Stephens, John, private


Sterrett,

Ralph, second lieutenant

Stone, Samuel, private

Wamuck, Wamuch,
Wells,

Francis, private
Jesse, private

Syms, James, private Tanner, John, private


Taylor, James, private

Wells, Byas, private

Thomas, private

West, Aquila H., sergeant


Williams, Joshua, ensign

Thompson, James C, private


Tilley, Josiah, private

Williams, Stephen, private

Tinnin, William, private

7TH Regiment (Perkins' Battalion) of Mississippi Militia


Captain Joseph Acklen's Company Captain Peter Barnett's Company

Captain Samuel Bullen's


Captain

Captain James Burleson's

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

Abanathy, David, private


Acklin, Joseph, captain

Adair, William, private

Adams, Francis, corporal Adams, James, private Adams, John, private Adams, Robert, private
Adare, John, private

Alman, John, corporal Anderson, Daniel D., private


Anderson, James, sergeant
Anderson, Solomon, private Anderson, William, private
Applewhite, Thomas, corporal

Aday, Booz, private Aday, John, private Adkins, James S., private
Agin, William, private

Arbough, Jacob, sergeant


Ard, Abraham, sergeant

Ard, James,

first

lieutenant

Alexander, Jourdon, private Alexander, Mathew, private


Alford, David, sergeant
Allen, Alexander, private
Allen, Eli, private

Ashbam, Lewis, private Ashbom, Aden, private Ashbum, Andrew, private Ashbum, Bird, private
Ashworth, John, private
Aswell, Solomon, private

Allen, Philip, private

ipo

Mississippi Historical Society.


Boren, Mordecai, private
Borsby, Reaves, private
Bosheart, David, private
Bosli, John, private

Atkins, Thomas, corporal

Atkinson, John, private

Atkinson, Littleton

S.,

second lieutenant

Auyan, John, private


Avertegas, Charles, private
Bailey, Zachariah, private

Boyd, William, private


Bradley, Bradford, corporal
Bradley, John M., private

Baily, David, corporal

Baird, William L., private


Baldridge, Francis, private

Bradshaw, Robert, private


Briley, Joseph, private

BaUew, David, second lieutenant


Barber, Samuel, private
Barefield, Roger, private

Britton, James, private

Brooks, John, private


Brooksher,
,

private

Bamel, Joel, private Bamet, Amos, corporal Bamett, Peter, captain


Bass, Frederick, private
Bayless, Hezekiah, private

Brown, Brown, Brown, Brown, Brown,

Elijah, corporal

James, private

John
John,

Jr.,

private
private

Sr.,

William, private

Beard, Samuel, private


Belcher, Branch, private
Bell, Elijah, private Bell, Francis, private

Bruin, Peter, corporal

Bryant, Robert, private

BuUen, Samuel, captain

Bell, Bell,

James H., second lieutenant Thomas, private

James B., corporal Bunch, John, ensign


Bullick,

Burks, Jeremiah, private

Bennet, John, private Bernard, William, private


Berry, Robert,
first

Burks, Rowland, private


Burks, Samuel, private
Burleson, Aaron, private
Burlison,

sergeant

Berry, Young, sergeant

Edward, private

Beysore, John, private


Biggs, David, corporal
Bilbo, William R., private

Burlison, James, captain Burlison, James, Jr., private


Burlison, Jonathan, ensign-lieutenant

Birdwell, George M., corporal

Burlison, Jonathan, Sr., private Burlison, Joseph, Jr., private Burlison, Joseph, Sr., private
Butler, Samuel, private
Butler, Thomas, private Byram, Ebenezer, first lieutenant

Birmingham, Hugh, private


Black, Alexander, private Black, Hambright, private Black, William, ensign

Blackburn, John W.j private

Blackman, Lewis, lieutenant Blackman, Samuel, private Blair, Andrew, private


Blalock, Jeramiah, private

Byrd, Charles, private Byrd, John, private


Cabaniss, Charles, private
Calvert, Joseph, private

Blankenship, Calip, private Blankenship, William, private


Block, George, private
Bly, John, private

Calvert, William, private

Campbell, Adam, private


Campbell, Daniel, private

Blythe, John, private


Boils, William, private

Boling, Wylie, sergeant

Cannady, Josephus, private Cannimore, Abram, private Cannimore, David, private Games, Thomas, private

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

191

Carothers, Robert, private

Coleman, Noah, private Coleman, Richard, private Coleman, Samuel, sergeant


Coley, Zachariah, private

Carpenter, Owin, private Carpenter, Solomon, sergeant


Carrell, Joseph, corporal

Carroll, Carroll,

Benjamin, private Luke, private

Conley, Thomas, private

Cook, Tyre, private

Carson, Andrew, private


Carter, Matia, private

Coolman, George, private


Cooper, Benjamin, private Cooper, John, private

Carter, William, private

Cary, James, private


Castelan, John, private

Cooper, William, private


Corbitt, Walter, private

Caston, Green G., second lieutenant


Catterson, Patrick, private

Corps, George, corporal

Gotten, Peter

I.,

private

Cawley, Jacob, private Chambers, James, corporal

Cotton, James, sergeant

Couch, Thomas, lieutenant


Coursey, William, 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

Coward, Hardy, private


Cowin, John, corporal Cox, Moses, private
Craft, Frederick, private

Craft, James, private

Craiger, John, private

Childres, Lewis, private


Christain, Allen, private

Craker, Abraham, private


Craker, John, private

Cissna, Charles, private

Craton, George W., private


Crisp, Reden, private

Clark, Archibald, private Clark, James, private


Clark, John, private
elect, John, first sergeant

Crossley, George, private

Crothers, William, private

Crouch, David, private


Grouser, Richard, private

Clemm, David, private Clenmi, Mason, private


Clements, Edward, lieutenant
Cleveland, Edward, corporal
Clifton, Alexander, sergeant

Crowley, William, private

Crowson, David, private Crowson, William, private


Cruise, Henry, private

Clonch, Love, private

Cloud, Joseph, private

Clounch, John, private


Cloyd, James, private

Culwell, Absolum, private Cuningham, James, private Cunningham, John, sergeant Cup, John, corporal
Currie, John, private
Curtis,

Cloyd, Samuel, private

Coatney, Jonathan, private

Reuben, corporal

Cobb, Briant, sergeant Cobb, James, private Cobb, Stancil, sergeant Cockram, Burl, private
Coil,
Coil,

Cutler, Robert, sergeant

Dailey, Alexander, private


Dailey, Joseph, corporal

Daniel, Anderson, private

James, private
Samuel, private

Daugherty, William, sergeant

Daughtry, Briant, private


Davidson, Andrew, private

Cole, Stewart, sergeant

192
Davis, EKjah, private
Davis, James, private Davis, John, private

Mississippi Historical Society.

Ellison,

Thomas, private

Ellison, William, private

Enceminger, Samuel, private

Davis, John

J.,

sergeant

Erwood, William, private


Ethridge, Samuel, private Ethridge, William, private

Davis, Samuel, third lieutenant

Davis, William, sergeant

Day, Jonathan, private Debo, Stephen, ensign


Delasmeat, John, private

Evans, Andrew B., private


Evans, Joseph, private Evans, Nathaniel, private

Denman, James,
Derrick,

private

Evans, Thomas, sergeant


Fairbanks, Benjamin, corporal
Farr, Robert, private Farr,

Dennison, Joseph, private

Adam,

private

Derrick, Simon, private

Thomas, private

Derrick, Tobias, private

Felder, David, ensign

Dick,

waiter

Fellow,

Henry

G., private

Dobbs, William, private Doherty, Joseph, private Donaho, William, private


Dorsey, Richard, corporal

Ferguson, Joseph, private


Ferrell, Ferrell,

James, private
John, private

Finch, John, private


Fine, William, sergeant
.

Dowling, Charles, private

Downsy, Robert, private


Dredden, Jonathan, private Drewer, Antonia, private Dugan, Samuel, private

Finton, Matthew, private


Flanigan, William, private

Fleming, William, private


Flippo, William, private

Dupee, Thomas, corporal Dutton, Jerrod, private


Earl, William, sergeant

Forgerson, James, private


Forgett, William, private
Forrest, William, private

Easley, Charles, private


Easley, Joseph, private
East, David, private

Foster, John, private

Fowler, Thomas, private


Frizby, Daniel, private

East, Jesse, private

Fry, Solomon, private

Eckford, John, private

Gage, Richmond, private


Gaither, James, 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,

Thomas, private Gamble, James, private Gamble, William, private


Gaither,

Gardner, Isaac, private Gardner, John, private


Garlington, Edwin, private
Garlington, James, private

Thomas, captain Andrew, private

Garner, John, private


Gassfort, Stephen, private
Gatlett, Mitchell, private

William, private

Elliot, Willis, private Elliott,

John, sergeant

Elliotte,

Amos, private

Gaugue, Aaron, private Gaugue, John, private


Geron, Solomon, sergeant

Ellison, Isaac, private

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

193

Gibson, John, private


Gilbert, John, private
Gill,

Hambrick, Joseph, private Hamilton, James, captain

Thomas, private

Hamner, Turner, private


Hanigan, William, private

Gillen, John, private

Ginn, Jesse, private

Girtman, Bartholmew, private


Glasscock, Elijah, private
Goff, William, private

Hannah, James, private Hannah, John, private Harbeson, John S., private
Hargrove, Andrev/, private
Harkness, Richard, private
Harlin, James, private

Goodsen, Benjamin, private

Goodson, David, private

Goodson, James, corporal Goosean, Charies, private


Gorden, Thomas, private

Harper, James, private


Harrington, Hudson, private
Harris, William, private

Gordon, James, corporal Gordon, John M., corporal


Grafton, James, captain

Hart, William, private


Hastings, Robert, private

Graham, Charles, private Graham, George, quartermaster


sergeant

Grant, Thomas, private


Graves, Thomas, private Gravet, Jesse, 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

Gray, David, corporal


Gray, Jonathan, captain

Hemby, James,

private

Hendrick, Aron, private

Grayham, John, private Grayham, Nimrod, private


Grayson, Lewis, private Grayson, Robert, private
Green, Berry, sergeant Green, James, private
Green, Jesse, private

Henry, John, private

Henson, John, corporal Herrald, James, private Herron, Jacob, private


Herron, Samuel, private
Hicklin, Robert, private

Hicks, John, private Hicks, Richard, private


Hill, Bardwell, private Hill, Eligah, private
Hill,

Green, John, private


Green, Rubin, private
Griffeth, Isaac, corporal
Grifl&n,

Person B., sergeant Abner, private

John, private

Grifl&th,

Hill,

Thomas, private

Groomes, Isaac, private Groomes, Richard, private


Guarrinan, John, sergeant
Guice, Absalom, private
Gullet, Richard, private

Hill, William, private

Hillard, James, corporal

Hillebrand, Phillip, private


Hilton, John, private Hinds, Biram, second lieutenant

Gunnels, Joseph, private

Hines, Benjamin, private

Gwin, Arthur, private Hadden, Thomas, private Hadon, William, private

Hixon, Daniel, private

Hoakes, Samuel, private Hobson, John M., private

Ham,

Harvil, private

Hodge, Hezekiah, private

194

Mississippi Historical Society.

Hodge, James, corporal Hodges, Fleman, private Hodges, Joshua, ensign Hodges, Seth, corporal Holland, Absalom, corporal Holland, Charles M., corporal
Holland, Tilman, private

Johnston, Blassingham, private Johnston, Solomon, private Johnston, William, captain


Jones, Frederick, private

Jones, George, private Jones, Hardin, corporal


Jones, Henry, private

Holla way, John B., sergeant

Jones, Jacob,

fifer

Hohnark, George, first sergeant Holmes, James, private


Holt, "WUliam, private

Jones, John, private Jones, Stephen, private Jones, William B., private

Honey, Thomas, private Horn, Harmon, private Horton, Thomas, private


Hosea, John, private

Jordan, John, corporal


Jordon, Anthony, private Jordon, James, private Jordon, Jesse, 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

Humphrey, William, private Humphreys, Lewis, private


Hunt, William R., third corporal
Hurlong, Jacob, private Huston, Archible, private

Huston, James, private


Ice, Frederick, 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

Inman, Ezekiel, private


Irby, John, private

King, Elisha F., captain King, George, third lieutenant King, George R., corporal King, Henry,
first

Irwin, James, second lieutenant Irwin, James, private


Irwin, William, private
Isaac,
,

lieutenant

private waiter

Jack,

servant

King, James, private King, John, sergeant


Kirklin,

Jack, John, private

Phemas, private

Jackson, Henry, private


Jackson, Hyram, private
Jacobs, Silas, corporal
Jarlinton, Edwin, private

Kirkpatrick, Edward, private

Knight, Andrew, private

Koon, William, musician


Lacey, Bowlin, private

Jenkins, James, private

Jobe, Nathan, private

John,

private waiter

Lamberson, John, private Lancaster, Edward, private Langford, David, sergeant

Johns, James, private Johnson, Luke, private

Langham, Samuel, sergeant Langham, Solomon, private


Lark, Joseph, private

Johnson, William, private

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

195

Lasiter, Jacob, sergeant

Lassley, John, private

Law, Wyatt, private


Lawler, Eli, private Lawler, Isaac, private

Lynn, John, private Mackey, Jonathan, private Mackey, David, private Macoy, John, private Magers, Isaac, private

Lawler, John, sergeant

Mahan, William,

private

Lawrence, Elisha, private Lawrence, Jacob, private Lay, James, corporal


Lay, William, private
Lazrus, William, private
Ledbetter, Daniel, private
Ledbetter, Ephraim, private
Ledbetter, Joseph, private
Lee, Abel, private
Lee, Gershorn, private

Malone, John, corporal Malone, Solomon, sergeant

Malone, William, second sergeant

Mannan, James,

private

Mansin, Nathaniel, private


Marshall, Lewis, private Marshall, Thomas, private

Martin, Jeremiah, corporal Martin, John, private


Martin, Nathan, private

Lee, Robert, private

Martin, Richard, private

Leedy, Henry, private


Legget, James, private

Mathews, George, private


Mathis, Azor, private
Maxville, James, sergeant

Legran, Malechi, private


Lewis, Charles A., private
Lewis, Enuch, private

Maxwell, David, private Maxwell, James, private

Lewis, Isham, private Lewis, Joshua, private


Lewis, WiUiam, private
Light, George, private

May, David, private May, John, private May, Patrick, lieutenant


McAnulty, John, private McBride, Dugal, private McBroom, Thomas, private McCall, Duncan, private McCartney, Andrew, private McCartney, Robert, private McCartney, William, private

Linch, William, sergeant


Linder, Lewis, sergeant

Lindsey, John, corporal

Lindsey, Thomas, private

Lindzey, Elijah, private


Linzey, James, private

Lloyd, John, private

McCay, John,

private

Long, John, corporal Love, John, private


Love, William, private

McClorg, Samuel, private McCormic, Rody, private McCulley, Andrew, private

Lowry, Edward, private Loy, George, corporal


Lucus, John, private
Luker, Joshua, private
Luisk, John H., private
Luster, James, private

McCutchen, Joshua, private McDonald, William, private McDowell, William, private


McDuffee, George, private
McFerrin, William, private

Luster, John, private


Luttrell, Vincent, private

McGahey, James, private McGawen, William, private


McGinty, Reuben, private McGlamery, Loven, private

Lynch, Timothy, private Lyming, Joel, private

McKamey,

James, private

196

Mississippi Historical Society.

McKinney, Isaac, private McKinney, Robert, private McKinsey, Alexander, private McKinsey, John, private
McElneely, George, private

Morgan, Luther, private


Morris,

Edmond,

private

Morrow, James S., sergeant Mowery, John, corporal


Mullins, James, private Mullins, William, private

McLary, William, private McLendon, James, private McLeymore, Presley, private McLin, Alexander, first sergeant

McMahan, William, corpora,! McMahon, William, private MaMane, Charles, private


McMurtery, John, private McNease, Samuel, private McWhorter, Benjamin, private McWhorter, Cyrus, sergeant McWhorter, Hance, private Mc Williams, Andrew, private
McWilliams, William, private

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

Neely, Thomas, corporal


Nelson, James, private

Nelson, Thomas, private

Meaux, Richard, sergeant


Medford, Jonathan, private

Nesmith, Thomas H., private


Nichols, James, private

Megahha, Robert, private Metcalf, Edward, private


Miller, George, private
Miller, James, private

Nichols, Simon, private

Nicholson, John, private Nicholson, Wesley, private

Nixon, Uriah, private


Noblin, William, private

Miller, Joseph, private


Miller, Martin, private Miller, Moses, private

Norwood, Richard, private

Odum,

Parker, private

Milton, Henry, private

O'Neal, Mitchel, private

Minix, Samuel, private

Ooten, Jeremiah, private


Orr, James, third lieutenant

Minor, John, private Minton, Joshua, private


Mitchell, John, private

Osbury, John, private


Ostean, Thomas, 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

Owen, Ezekiel, first lieutenant Owens, David, private


Owings, Calep, sergeant
Pace, Isham, private
Pace, William, private

Page, Lewis, ensign


Parker, David, private
Parker, Isaac, private Parker, Isom, private Parker, John, private

Parker, Joseph, private


Parris, Francisco, private

Paterson, Anejust, private

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

197

Paterson, Dunson, private


Patrick, Jackson, private

Rains, Stephen, private

Rather, John T., captain


Ratliff,

Patterson, Josiah, private

John, private

Patterson, Leonard, sergeant


Patterson, William private

Patton, William, private

Payne, Martin, private


Pearce, Joel, 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

Pence, John, private


Perkins, Peter, lieutenant-colonel

Reynolds, John H., private Reynolds, Thomas, private

Person, William, private


Peter,
,

waiter

Peterson, David, private


Pettis, John, private

Rhea, Samuel, private Rhodes, Hazel, private


Rice, Aron, corporal Rice, Daniel, private

Peyatt, Samuel, private


Phillips, Jeremiah, private

Rice, Joel L., private Rice, John, private

Pickett, Lewis, private

Pike, Jacob, private


Pilaut, William, private
Pirvis, John, private

Rice, Joseph, corporal Rice, Spencer, private


Rife, William, private

Pittard, Abner, private

Right, Richard, M., private

Pittman, Hiram, private Pittman, John, private


Pool, William, private
Poole,

Roach, William, private


Roades, John, private Roberts, Abraham, captain
Roberts, Daniel, private Roberts, Isaac, private Roberts, Joab, private Roberts, John, private

Adam,

corporal

Poole, David, private


Porikett, Jacob, private

Porter, John, private

Porter,
Postell,

John C, private Edward, corporal

Robertson, George, private Robertson, Joseph, third lieutenant


Robertson, William, private
Robinett, William C., private

Potts, George, private

Powell, Joseph, ensign Powell, William, private


Prestidge, Samuel, private

Robinson,

Eli, third lieutenant

Robinson, John, private Robinson, William, private

Provance, John, private


Province, Thomas, private

Roche, John H., private


Rochell, John, private

Purden, James R., private


Qarons, Thomas, private
Quine, Elemuel, corporal

Rodgers, George, private Rodgers, John, private Rodgers, Reuben, corporal


Rogers, James, private
-

Rabom, Mark,

private

Ragan, Benjamin, private Ragen, John, private


Ragsdale, William, private

Rogers, Robert, private

Roland, Thomas, private


Roller, Jacob, private Roller, John, private

Raimer, Adam, corporal


Rainbolt, Elisha, private

198

Mississippi Historical Society.

Rolls, Claudius, private

Sims, Michael, private

Romedus, Joseph, private Ross, Ely K., major


Rotine, Isaiah, private

Sims, Samuel, private


Sively, Jessy, private

Sively, John, private

Rountree, Sebom,

first

sergeant

Skinner, Samuel, private

Rupe, William, private Rush, Elijah, private Rush, Joseph, private


Russell, George, sergeant
Sailing,

Smalling, Robert, private

Smith, Ambrose, private


Smith, James H., private Smith, John A., private Smith, Lewis, private

Henry, private
waiter

Sailing, William, private

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,

Sandell, Daniel, private

Saxon, John, private Scarborough, Allen, private

Scarborough, David, private


Scaton, Samuel, private
Scaton, William, private
Sceal,

Anthony, private

Snow, John, sergeant


Sorrels, Allen, corporal

Sceal, Bluford, private

Seism, John, private


Scott,

Sorrels,

Samuel, sergeant

Thomas, private

Spigel,

David, private

Scott, William F., private Sears, John, private

Springer, John, private

Spurlock, David, private


Standlee,
Steegar,

Seaton, John, private


Sebott, Lewis, private
Self,

Thomas, private Edward, private

William, private

Stephens, Isaac, private

Sellars, Silas, corporal


Sellers,
Sells,

Steward, David, private


Stewart, William, private
Stone, Eli, private

John, private

William, private

Selser, Isaac N., sergeant

major

Stone, Frederick P., private

Sevier, John, sergeant

Stone, Jesse, private


Storton, Jonathan, private
Strain,

Shankle, Abraham, private

Sharp, Archer, private Sharp, Joseph, private

Thomas, private

Street, William, corporal

Shaw, Thompson,

B., private

Stringfellow, James, private

Shell, Jacob, private

SuUivan, Daniel, private

Shelton, Stephen, private

Swaney,

Edmund

A., private

Sherkey, Allen, corporal


Shields, Jonathan, private

Tackett, George, private

Tapley, Evan, private

Shoemaker, James, private


Shott, Caleb, private

Tatum, John, sergeant


Taylor, Argyle,
first

lieutenant

Simmons, John, private Simmons, Jonathan, private


Simpson, William, private
Sims, Josiah, private

Taylor, Brice, private Taylor, Charles, private Taylor, Hardin, private Taylor, Joel, private

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

199

Taylor, Larkin, private

Vandaver, Hollingsworth, private


Vanic, Joshua, private
Vanic, Levin, private

Temples, Loyd, private

Templeton, George, private

Hiram, sergeant Thomas, Charles, private Thomas, John, private Thompson, Alcemene, private Thompson, Coleman, corporal
Terrell,

Vonoy, John, private Vaughan, Robert, private Vaughn, Benjamin, private

Thompson, John L., ensign Thompson, Shem, third lieutenant Thompson, William, private
Thorn, Presly, private
Thornton, Martin, private
Thresher, Robert, sergeant

Vaughn, Melkigah, private Vaughn, Minoah, private Vaughn, William, private


Vickory, Aaron, private
Vincent, Amos, sergeant
Vining, John, sergeant

Vinzant, Berry, private

Waddy, Samuel,

first

lieutenant

Thurston, James, private


Tiegue, William, private
Tinder, Abel, private

Wainwright, John, private Walker, James B., sergeant


Wall, Daniel, private
Wallace, Joel, private
Wallis, Joel, private Wallis, Nazara, private

Tipton, Jacob, private


Tipton, Samuel, private Tipton, Shedrick, private

Todd, James, private

Towd, James, private


Treadwell, Reuben, private Trentham, Robert, private

Thomas, private Ward, Jonathan, private Wardlow, Alexander, private


Wallis,

Warford, Benjamin, private

Trepho, Michael, private


Trimble, Archibald, private Trimble, John, private
Trimble, Moses, private

Warner, Archibald, private


Waters, John, private

Waters, Joseph, private


Waters, Samuel, private Waters, Tilman, private

Trotmon, Samuel, private Trotmon, William, private


Trux, George, private
Tucker, John, private
Tucker, William, private
Tullis,

Watson, William, private Weaver, Daniel, private Weaver, Elijah, second lieutenant

Webb, Jacob,

private

James, private

Wells, Benjamin B., private Wells, George, private

Tumay, Felix, private Tumbow, Jacob, private Tumbow, Robert, private


Turner, Donaldson F., private
Turner, Sugars, private
Turner, William, private

Wentsworth, Stephen, private


Wetherel, Theophilus, private

Wheat, Hezekiah, private Wheat, Joseph, private


Wheeler, Joseph, private White, Isaiah, private
Whitiker, Abraham, private

Turvin, Richard, private

Tweedy, Thomas, private


Tyrone, Adam, private Tyrone, John, private Vance, Samuel, sergeant
Vance, William, private

Whitour, Joshua, private


Whittington, John, private
Wilcox, James, private
Wilkinson, Stephen, private

200

Mississippi Historical Society.

Willbom, James, private


Williams, Bazil, private
Williams,

Woodbum,

James, private

Hemy,

private

Wilmouth, David, private


Wilson, John, private Wilson, Samuel, 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

Windham, Thomson, private Windham, William, private


Wingfield, Austin, private

Winsted, William, private

Wright, William, sergeant

Winston, William H., adjutant


Winters, Daniel, private

Yarborough,

Joel, private

Yates, Lewis, private

Wise, Nathan, private


Witherington, Gabriel, private

Yocum,

Jesse, private

York, John, private

Wood, James B., first lieutenant WoodaU, Thomas, private


Woodard,
Jesse, private

Young, Daniel, private Young, Edward, private Young, Ewing, ensign

13TH Regiment (Nixon's) of Mississippi Militia


Captain John Bond's CompanyLieutenant William Bond's

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,

Addison, Hiram, private


Akin, John, ensign
Alexander, Isaac, private
Allen, Barnabas, sergeant
Allen, Garret, private

Thomas, private Sampson E., private

Ballard, Lewis, private

Ballard, Nathan, private Ballard, Reuben, private

Allgood, Wiet, private

Banks, Levi, private


Barksdale, Collier, private
Barret, George, private

Andrews, James, private Andrews, William, private


Applewhite, Stephen, private

Batson, James, private

Ard, Thomas, private

Batson, Peter, private Batson, Seth, private Batson, Thomas, private Beard, William, private
Beasley, William, private

Armstrong, Abner, private Armstrong, Jesse, private


Armstrong, Jonathan, private Ashton, Henry, private
Askue, Henry, private
Bagley, William, sergeant
Bailey, James, private

Becot, Labon, sergeant


Bell,

Thomas, private

Berry, James, private

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

201

Blue, Angus, sergeant


Blue, Daniel, private

Catching, Joseph, corporal Catching, Philip, private

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

Chesnut, David, private


Cleveland, David, captain

Clower, Daniel, private

Clower, John, private


Coats, Pollard H., private
Collins, Joshua, private

Collins,

Moses, captain

Collins,

Seaboum, private

Cook, Green, private Cook, Green B., private

Brent, John, private


Brent, Merideth, ensign

Cook, Matthew, private Cooper, Hambleton, private


Cooper, John, private Cooper, John, private

Brent, Thomas, private


Bridges, Sampson, private
Brister, John, private

Cooper, Joseph, private


Cooper, William, private Cooper, William, private
Coore, John, corporal

Brown, Brown, Brown, Brown,

Daniel, private

John, private

Moses, sergeant
Robert, private

Cossey, Solomon, private Cothin, Asea, private

Buckaloo, John, private Buckaloo, Richard, private


Buckley, James, private
Bullin, William, private

Crawford, WiUiam, sergeant


Croft, Jesse, private

Cutrer, John, private

Bullock, David, private

Danaway, Joseph, private


Davis,
I.

Bullock, James, private


Bullock, Silas, private

W., sergeant major

Davis, John, private


Davis, Samuel, corporal
Davis, Zacheus, corporal

Burge, Nathaniel, private


Burge, Washington, private

Bums, Reason,

sergeant

Day, James, private


Deer, John, private

Butler, Luke, private

Cagle, John, private


Calbert, Richmon, private

Denman, Joel, private Denman, Thomas, private


Dickerson, Caleb, private

Canady, Nathen, private


Carpenter, John, private

Dickerson, John, private Dickerson, Thomas, private

Carpenter, William, private

Carson, John,

Jr.,

private private

Dickson, David,

Jr.,

surgeon

Carson, John,

Sr,,

Dillon, Clarkson, private


Dillon, Theophilus, private

Carter, Allen, private

Carter, Burrel, sergeant


Carter, George, private

Dillon, Willis, trumpeter

'

Doddle, James, private

Carter, Hardy, private


Carter, Marcus, E., corporal
Carter, Michael, private

Drake, Britain, private

Dukes, Jeptha, private Dukes, Simmion, sergeant

Carter, William, lieutenant

Catching, Jonathan, private

Dunahoo, Daniel, private Dunahoo, John, sergeant

202

Mississippi Historical Society.

Dunahoo, William, private


Dunkley, Richard, private

Dunn, John, private Edmondson, Amos, private


Elliot,

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,

Herrington, Hardy, private


Hill,

Fairchilds, John, private Fairchilds, Lofton, private

Harty, private

Hollingworth, Isaac, corporal

Fatheree, Readen, private

Holmes, Liberty, private

Fatheree, Hilliard, corporal


Fathereee, Levi, ensign
Felder, John, private

Fergerson, Aaron, private

Honea, Wilks, private Hoover, Christian, private Hoover, John, private Howell, Henry, private
Howell, Samuel, private

Fergerson, Eli, private


Fergerson, Moses, private
Fielder, William, private

Hubert, David, private

Hufman, Daniel, private


Hunly, John, private
Isaacks, Elijah, private Isaacks, Samuel, private
Isle,

Flippin, Merrit, private

Ford, David, private Ford, Preserved, private

Foxworth, Stephen, private


Garrel, Horatio, private

William, corporal

Isles,

Demsy, private

Gates, Joshua, private

Jackson, Andrew, private


Jacobs, Walter, private
Jenkins, Allen, private
Jenkins, Davis B., private

Ginn, Jeptha, private


Gipson, James, private
Gipson, William, private
Goff, Nathaniel, 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

Johns, John, private

Johnson, George, sergeant

Johnson, John, private


Jones, Britain, private
Jones, Lewis, private Jones,

Jones,

Samuel W., private Thomas, private

Graves, James, private


Graves, John, ensign

Jones, William C., private

Kinchin, Henry, private

Green, John, private

King, David, private King, James, private King, Jessee, private


King, John, private

Green, John, private Green, Leonard, private


Hains, Noble W., private
Hall,

Wyatt, private

King, John F., private King, William, private

ftambleton, Thomas, sergeant


Harrington, Thomas, private

Kinchen, John, private

Mississippi Territory in
Kinchen, Mathew, private
Kirkland, Obediah, ensign

War

of 1812

^Rowland.

203

Lea, Alexander, private


Lee, James, corporal

Lee, Major, private

Massey, Benjamin, private Mathewes, John, private Mathewis, Shadrach, private Matthews, Silas, private May, Benjamin, private

Lemmons, James,

private

Lenoit, Francis B., captain

Lewis, Arthur, private Lewis, Britton, private Lewis, William, private

Lewis, William, private


Loftin, Ezekiel, 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

McDaniel, John, private McElvin, Moses, private McElvinn, John, private

Love, Robert, sergeant


Lovin, Bailey, 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

McNeal, Hector, private


Merrel,

Edmund,

private

Merret, Joel, corporal


Mikell, James, private

Mikell, John

I.,

corporal

MikiU, John
corporal

I. (see

John

I.

Mikell),

Miller, Jacob, private

Minor, John, private Mitchell, Wright, private

Martin, Cornelius, private


Martin, Derrell, private Martin, William, private

Mixon, Cornelius, corporal Mixon, John, private Mixon, William, private Moke, Andrew, private More, William, private Morgan, David, private

204

Mississippi Historical Society.


Rawls, James, sergeant Read, James, corporal

Morris, Selathiel, private

Moses,

private waiter

Myers, Isaac, private


Netheriin, Levi, private
Netherlin, William, private

Redman, Jesse, private Redmon, Wilson, private


Reives, Alfred, private Reives, John, private

Nichols, David, private


Nichols, Noah, private

Reives, Thomas, sergeant

Nixon, George Henry, lieutenant-colonel


Noble, Levi, lieutenant Noble, Mark, private

Richmon, Andrew, private


Rizer,

Adam,

private

Roberts, James, private

Norman, Hiram, private Norman, James, private


Norris, Acquilla, private

Roberts, Thomas, private

Robertson, Nathan, private

Robertson, Reason, private


Ross, John, private

Oats, John H., private

Odam, William, private Odum, Richard, private Oneal, Ransom, private


Peak, Stephen, adjutant
Pelatta, Francis, private

Ross, Richard, private

Rowel, Lewis, private


Rule, Thomas, corporal

Runnels,

Harmon M.,

captain

Runnels, Hiram G., sergeant Runnels, Howell W., quartermaster

Perkins, Samuel, private

Petty, Presley, private


Phillips, Elias, private

Rutland, Asa, private


Sadler, Isaac, private

Phillips,

James, captain

Sandal, Daniel, private


Sanders, Travis, private
Saville,

Phillips,

Thompson, private

Pleasant, Washington, corporal

Aaron, private

Pope, Benjamin, private

Seale, Daniel, sergeant

Pope, James, private


Prescott, Michael, private

Seale, Eli, fifer

Seale, Lewis, private Seale, William, private

Prescoat, Nathan, private


Prescoat, Willis, private

Shaves, John, private Silmon, Elias, private

Prestredge, Howel, lieutenant


Prestridge, John, private Prestridge, Robert, private Prestridge, Samuel, private
Price, Stephen, private

Prichard, William,

first

lieutenant

Simmons, Simmons, Simmons, Simmons, Simmons,

John, private
Josephus, private

Ralph, private
William, private
Willis, private

Pullin, John, private Quin, Daniel, lieutenant

Simpson, Samuel, private


Sims, Robert, private
Slaughter, David, private

Quin, Henry, captain

Ragland, Henry, private

Slaughter, George, private Slaughter, John, private


Slaughter, Richard, private
Slaughter, Robert, private Slaughter, William, corporal

Raibom, James, private


Ralls, Harris, private
RatliflF,

James, private

Rawls, Briant, private Rawls, Charles, private


Rawls, Jabez, ensign

Smith, Alexander, private Smith, Eli, private

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

20$

Smith, Ezekiel, private


Smith,

Hemy, major

Smith, Hugh, private Smith, Isham, lieutenant

Thompkins, Thomas, private Thompson, Archibald, private Thompson, Jesse, first sergeant Thompson, Simeon, private
Thomhill, William, private
Tilley,

Smith, James, private Smith,


J, Carter, private

Drury, private

Smith, Jeremiah, private Smith, John, private Smith, John, private Smith, Levi, private Smith, Thomas, private Smith, William, captain

Tolar, Henry, private

Tomlinson, Jacob, lieutenant

Tompkins, John B., private Toney, James, private Trailor, Matthew, private
TraUor, William, private

Smith, William, sergeant Smith, William, private

Tynes, Fleming, private Tynes, Minor, private

Sonmer, Owen, sergeant Sones, Henry, private Sorrel, Washington, sergeant


Sparks, Richard, ensign
Spencer, William, captain
Steen, James, private

Vardaman, Jeremiah, private

Vamado, Leonard, private Vamado, Moses, private


Walker, Charles, private
Wallace, Oliver, private
Wallis,

Thompson, private

Steen, Nathaniel, sergeant Steen, Robert, ensign


Steen, William, corporal
Sterling, Allen, sergeant
Sterling, John, Jr., private

Warren, Daniel R., lieutenant Warren, John, private


Warren, John Jr., private Warren, Joseph, private Warren, Joseph, private Warren, Solomon, private Waterhouse, John L, private

Sterling, John, Sr., private


Stigler,
Stigler,

Benjamin, sergeant
George, private

Stone, Marvel, private


Stovall, Charles, quartermaster sergeant
Stovall, Gilbert, private

Watson, Harrison, private Weatherby, George W., sergeant Weathersby, Isham, private Welcher, Duke W., private
Wells, John, private Wells, Nathaniel, major
Westfall, Samuel, private

Stovall, John, corporal


Stovall, Lewis, private

Strickland, Robert, private

Strong, John, private

Williams, John, private


Williams, Reuben, private
Williams, Samuel, private
Williford, John, private

Strong, Thomas, private

Summerall, Jesse, corporal


Tarver, James, private
Taylor, Daniel, private Taylor, John, corporal
Tellis,

Woldredge, William, private


Woodall, William, private

John, private

Tellis, Silas, private

TerriU, Philomon, private

Woods, John, private Wright, Reuben, corporal Young, Green, private


Youngblood, Benjamin, private Youngblood, Henry, private

Thomas, Charles, private Thomas, Daniel, sergeant Thomas, James, private

206

Mississippi Historical Society.

14TH Regiment (McBoy's) of Mississippi Militia


Captain Benj. Dubroca's Company Captain McKinsey's Company Captain Samuel H. Garrow's Company
Captain Chas. L. Aland's
Acre, Samuel, private

Company

Duff, William, private

Alexander, Francis, private


Alexander, Joseph, private

Antonio, Joachim, private


Antonio, Joseph, private
Arrosa, Joseph, private

Dumoiy, Augustine, private Duncan, Alexander, Jr., private Dunwooddie, private


,

Durette, Joseph, private


Durette, Zedon, private

Baird, Joseph B., private

Estava,

Don

McGill, private

Bariow, Aaron, private

Fisher, William, private


Fisher, William, Jr., private

Bamett, Ulysses, private


Barriel, Joseph, private
Blair,

Frazee,

Carman, corporal

Thomas, private

Garrow, Samuel H., captain


Girard, Francis, private

Bloc, Andre, private

Brewer, Cornelius, corporal

Grant, Edward, private


Haines, Samuel, private

Byrne, Patrick, private


Cahall, Barney, private

Hobart, Peter H.. lieutenant

Canadien, Francis, private


Cardenas, Joseph, private
Caro, Sebastian, corporal
Cartier, John, private

Honore, Colin, private

Hope, George, private


Hopewell, William, private

Huston, Robert, private


Jack, George, private

Chance, Henry, private


Chasting, Baptiste, private

KiUen, Samuel H., sergeant


Kreps, Placide, private

Chastong, Zenon, private

Chaston

Auguste, private

Kreps, Stephen, private

Chastong, Eugene, private


Chinault, William, surgeon

Labat,

private

Lalande, Charles, captain

Chistang, Edoi, private

Laurendine, Edward, private

Clements,

private

Loran, Daniel, private


Lucien, Pierre, private

Conway, James, private


Cook, John, private Cook, Nicholas, sergeant major

Damour, Laine, private


Darling, Dennison, private

Lyon, William, private Martin, Domingo, private McBoy, Diego, major

McBoy, William,

private

David, Pierre, private David, Simon, private


Davis, E., private

McCandless, Joseph, private McGuire, James, private


Mclntire, Duncan, private

Denton, Thomas H., sergeant


Devol, Daniel, ensign
Dolives, Sifroy, private

McKinsey, Michael, captain McLoskey, Philip, adjutant


Mitchell, Robert, private

Dubroca, Benjamin, captain


Dubroca,
Eli, private

Mitchell,

Thomas, private

Mottus, Silvain, private

Duces, Pierre, private

Newbold, Thomas G., corporal

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

207

Nicola, Tildea, pri\'ate


Nicola, Cilvain, private
Ortis, John, pri\'ate

Simon, Romin, private Simon, Sylvester, private


Smith, Gabriel, private Smith, John, private Smith, John,
Sr.,

Page, Jacob, private


Paul, Joseph, private
Perault, !Michael, private

private

Soreta, Joseph, pri\'ate

Plumley, William, corporal


Randols, Da\'id, private

Souder, Edward, private

Souder,

Siforier,

private
,

Randon, David, corporal Robinson, David C, private


Roland, David, private Rose, John, private
Saint, John, corporal Savanah, John, first lieutenant

Spillman,

private

Staltz, William, private

Taylor, George, sergeant

Thornton, Joshua, pri\'ate Thornton, William, private


Troulle, Alexis, private

Saxton,

private

Ward, Michael, sergeant


Whitehead, William, private WHkins, Washington, private

Simon, Felix, private

Simon, Maximilian, private

15TH RzGiMEXx (Johnson' s) OF Mississippi Militlv


Anderson, John, private
Green, James, private

Beddingfield, George, private

Green, William, private


Hall, Armistead, private

Boyakin, Soloman, private Braden, James, private


Bradley, John, private

Brown, Bartlet, private


Bninson, Josiah, private
Cassity,

Hammond, Lemuel, private Hammond, Matthias, private Hammond, Sherrard, private


Hajrs, William, private

Hugh, private

Hicks, Matthew, private


Hill,

Cavenah, "VSHliam, corporal

John,

first

sergeant

WHliam B,, private Clingaman, Henry A., private


Clarke,

Colson, Samuel, private

Coxe, William, private


Curtis,

Hogg, John, private Holdman, Joseph, private Hosea, Thomas, private Howel, Henry, private
Jacob,
,

John D., ensign

servant

Daffin, James, second lieutenant

James, Allman, private


Johnson, John, private
Johnson, Thomas, private
Jones, Elbert, private
Kelly, John, private
Kelly, Orson, priv'ate

Daniel, James, private

Deloach, Benjamin, private


Dewitt, James, private

Dorcey, James, private


Easley, Samuel,
first

lieutenant

Ford, James, private


Foster, George, private

Franklin, Thomas, private


Gentr>', James, priv-ate

Kirkham, Benjamin, private Landnmi, Jesse, private Landrum, William, private


Lawrey, John, musician
Luker, Jesse, private

James, private Gray, Bazzel, private


Gill,

Mabry, Walter, sergeant


Matlock, Thomas, sergeant

Green, James, third lieutenant

208

Mississippi Historical Society.


Rabia, Kinchen, private

McCane, John, private McGrew, Alexander, private


McNeill, L. H., sergeant
Milsted, John, private

Mimms, Thomas,

private

Mitchell, William, corporal

Ray, Henry, private Ray, John, corporal Rhodes, John, private Rodgers, Absalom, private Rodgers, Hays, private
Rose, William, private
Short, Michael, private

Mixon, James, private


Montcrief, Caleb, private

Morgan, George, private Mott, Asa, private Mott, Lovelace, captain

Simmons, David, private Smith, Edward, private


Smith, John, private
Smith, Reese, private
Spikes, Jonah, private
Stinson, Burril, private

Odum,

Richard, corporal

Ogwynn, John, private


Ousley, John, private
Pearce, Lewis, private

Vaughn, John, private


Walker, James, private Walker, Matthias, private Walker, Nathaniel, private
White, Pleasant, private
Willson, Matthew, private

Pearson, Leonard, sergeant


Perry, Darling, private

Perry, Francis, private


Pervis, John, private
Phillips, Daniel, corporal
Phillips,

William, private

Willson, William, private Willson, William H., private

James, private Price, Meredith, private


Price,

Wood, John,

private

Prothro, Thomas, private

York, Jabez, corporal

i6th Regiment (Burrus') of Mississippi Militia


Captain Samuel A. Allen's

Company

Captain Daniel Atkins' Company Captain William Crawford's Company Captain

Company Company Captain Greaf Johnston's Company Captain Wm. Moseley's Company
Captain William Evans'
Griffith's

Adams, Benjamin, private Adams, Joseph, private Adams, Thomas, private


Albright, John, private

Atkins, Daniel, private

Babb, Asel, private


Bailes, John, private

Baker, John, private Baker, William, private

Aldridge, William, sergeant


Allen,

John A., lieutenant


Samuel A., captain

Beason, Jahu, private Bennet, John, private

Allen, Samuel, private


Allen,

Berrimon, Burrel, private

Allen, William, private Allen, William S., private

Bigham, William, private


Bird, Isaih, private
Birdwell, Moses, private

Almon, John, private


Arnold, John, private
Atkins, Daniel, captain

Black, John, private


Bledsoe, Lewis, private

Mississippi Territory in
Bloodworth, Timothy, private Boggs, Samuel, private
Bogs, John, private Boggs, John O., private
Boling, Alexander, private

War

of 1812

Rowland.

209

Clem, Benjamin, private


Clem, Jesse, private Clemens, Jacob, private Coal, Martin, private

Cofman, Daniel, private


Coley, James, second lieutenant Connor, Jacob, private

Bonds, James, private Boon, Isaac, private


Boren, John, private
Bossley, John, corporal

Cook, Benjamin, private Cook, John, private Cook, Randal, private Cook, Robert, private
Cooper, George, private
Cornelius, Ira., private

Bounds, Solomon, private


Box, Michad, private
Bradwaters, Charles, private
Brag, Thomas, private

Bragg, Benjamin, corporal

Cotton, Abner, private Cotton, Loftin, sergeant


Cottrell, John, private

Bragg, William, private


Broils, George, private Broils, Jacob, private

Craig,

Adam

H., private

Brown, John, private Brown, Leonard, private Brown, Thomas T., private
Brunson, Larkin, private
Brunson, Samuel, private

Crawford, Alexander, corporal Crawford, William, captain

Crowder, Robert, private


Curuthers, Redrick, private
Curuthers, Robert, private

Bryan, William B., private


Buckner, John,
Burchfield,
first

Cummings, Levi, private


Cuoy, Charles, private
Daley, Joseph, private
Daniel, William, private

sergeant

Buie, John, private

Thomas, private

Burks, Benjamin, private

Davis, John, private Davis, Richard, private


Davis, Samuel, lieutenant Davis, William, private

Burrow, William J., private Burrow, William, Sr., private


Burrus, Charles, lieutenant-colonel
Cain, Samuel, private

Busby, Reves, private


Campbell, John, private Campbell, Theophilus, fifer

Day, David, private Dean, Samuel, private Dearman, William, private Doughty, WiUiam, private
Dublin, James, private

Cannon, Skip, private Capshaw, David, private Carriel, Benjamin, private


Carroll, William, private

Dublin, John, private

Duncan, Charles, private Dunehue, Joseph, private


Dupre, William, corporal
Durkins, Smith, private
Eddins, John, private

Casey, John, private


Cavott, Thomas, private
Chilcoath, William, private
Childress, Jesse, sergeant

Eddins, Theophilus, corporal

Childress, John, sergeant


Childress, William, private

Eddins, Washington, sergeant

Eden, Samuel, private

Clark, Gilliam, private Clark, Samuel, private Clark,

Edmonson, William, second major


Ellington, Garland, private
Elliott,

Thomas, sergeant

Thomas

S.,

private

2IO
Ellison, Lewis, private

Mississippi Historical Society.

Holland, John, private


Holland, Tilman, private Holmes, James, private Holmes, Jesse, private Hood, Frederick, corporal

Emery, John M., private


Erwin, William, corporal
Esters,

Champion, private
Moses, corporal

Evans, William, captain


Fields,

Finch, William, private

French, Amos, private

French, Benjamin, private


Gailey, Andrew, private

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

Gallaspy, James, private

Gambol, James, sergeant Ganda, John, private


Garrett, William, private

Ingram, Samuel, private Ingram, William, private


Isbell, Jabas, private

Gibson, Aaron, sergeant


Gillace,

Dougald, private

Goor, Bledsoe, corporal

Jackson, Jacob, private Jackson, John, private Jackson, Sterling, private Jackson, William, private

Gragg, Henry, private Gray, Thomas, sergeant Green, Benjamin, private

Greenhaw, Jonathan, private Greenhaw, William, private


Griffith, Isaac, sergeant Griffith,

John, Asahel, private


Johnson, Burrel, ensign Johnson, Greaf, captain Johnson, Henry, corporal

Stephen, captain

Grooms, William, private Guin, Henry, private


Guin, William, private

Johnson, Nehemiah, private


Jones, John, private Jones, Moses, private

Hamilton, Asa, corporal

Jourdan, Jesse, private

Hancock, Benjamin, private


Harbin, James, private

Kennedy, Lexington, private


Kent, Elbert, private Kent, William, ensign
King, Abraham, ensign

Hardy, John, private Hardy, Jonathan, private


Hargrove, Valentine, adjutant
Harper, Edward, private
Harper, John, private Harper, Robert, private
Harris,

King, Ehjah, private


King, Henry, lieutenant
Kinsey, James, corporal
Lancaster, Thomas, private

Matthew, private

Landrith, Thomas, private

Hartgrove, James, private

Lasey, Caleb, sergeant

Hatton, Allen, private

Lay, Simeon, private


Lee, Isaiah, private

Hawkins, Thomas, private Helms, John, private Henderson, Pleasant, private


Hester, John, sergeant

Lemon, Reson, private


Lenard, John, private
Leveston, Samuel, private
Levinston, Anthony, private
Livingston, Jesse, private

Hester, William, private

Hitchcock, Denton, private

Hodges,

Allison, private

Loid, William, private

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

211

Loy, Henry, private

Mitchel, Randol, private


Mitchel, William, private Mitchel, William, private

Magby, William, private Manson, William, private


Martin, James, private Martin, Joel, private

Modrell, Robert, private

Martin, Nathaniel, private Martin, Rial, private Martin, William, private


Martindel, James, private Martindel, Thomas, private

More, Joseph, private More, John, private


Morice, John, private
Morriss, Elisha, corporal

Mathews, Mathews, Mathews, Mathews,

George, private

Morrow, James, private Morrow, Thomas, private Morrow, William, private


Moseley, William, captain
Mosier, Daniel, private Mosier, Joel, private

James, private
John, private
Joseph, sergeant

Mathis, George, sergeant

Moys, George C, private


Mullins, James, private Mullins, Thomas, private

Matthews, Charles, private Matthews, John, private


Matthis, George, private

Murfrey, John, private

McBroom, Stephen,

private

McCrachran, Daniel, private McCachron, Veill, private McCain, James, private McCain, John, private McCartey, Jacob, private

Murphey, John, private Murphey, Thomas, private


Murrell, Jeoffrey, private
Murrell, Richard, private

Nabors, William, private


Nelloms, Jacob, private
Nichols,

McCowey, Samuel,

private

Thomas, private

McGehee, Zachariah, private McGlamery, Sovereign, private

Nixon, Uriah, private

McGowan,

Prewett, corporal

Mclfee, Moses, private

Norman, Barney, private Norman, Elisha, private Norwood, John M., private
Ominet, James, private
Paise, James, private

McKinney, John, private McKinney, Lynch, private


McMillan, Absalom, private

Parkman, Joseph, private


Patterson, Archibald, private

McMurtery, John, private


McPhail, John, private

Patterson, Daniel, private


Peer, Daniel, private

McRay, Silas, sergeant Mechum, Banks, private


Megee, John, private
Mendingall, Eliasha, lieutenant

Pennington, Jacob, private


Philips,

Duncan, private

Philips, Parky, private


Phillips, Glen, private

Merrimoon, Woody, private


Michell, James, private
Miller, David, private

Pierce, Richard, corporal

Plant, Charles, private

Garland B., private Miller, Henry, private Millikin, James, private


Miller,
Mills, William, private

Poor, Jeremiah, private Poor, Martin, private

Power, Edgel, corporal

Power, John, private Power, Thomas, sergeant

Milon, Bartlet, private

212

Mississippi Historical Society.

Prewit, William, private


Priest,

Speeks, Willie, private


Speer, Moses, private

James, private
Samuel, private

Priest,

Spurrs, William, private


Staggs,

Raney, Zebelon, private Redding, George, private


Redin, Leman, private

Thomas, private

Stephens, James, private

Steward, John, private


Sulcey, Henry, sergeant

Renno, Robert, private


Rice, Spencer, private

Taylor, Isaac, sergeant

Riddle, George, corporal Riddle, Uriah, private

Taylor, Larkin,
Therill,

drummer

David, private

Roberts, William, private

Robertson,

Eli, sergeant

Rodgers, Lemuel, private


Rodgers, Samuel, private
Rogers, James, private

Thomas, Moses, private Thomerson, John, private Thompson, Swan, private Tidwell, David T., private
Tilman, Daniel, private

Romins, James, corporal


Roper, Green, private
Sanders, Henry, private

Trump, Green H., sergeant

Tumbo, Robert, sergeant Tumbow, Jacob, private


Tyrone, Jacob, corporal

Sanderson, Elijah, private

Sanderson, James, sergeant


Sanderson, Lewis, sergeant
Sasune, Littleberry, private
Scallion, John, private

Vaughn, Robert, private


Vaught, John, private Vaught, William, private
Vickers, Joseph, private

Scruggs,

James

S.,

private

Vining,

Wade

H., private

Sebott, Lewis, private

Walker, Robert, private

Sharpe, George, private


Sheckles, William, private

Weaver, Elijah, ensign


Wells,

Humphrey, private

Simons, Jonathan, private


Shickle, Joseph, private

West, George, private


Wilkerson, Meredith, private
Williams, William, lieutenant

Simmon, Dudley, private


Simons, Zachariah, private
Siscoe, Jacob, private

Williamson, Parkey, corporal

Slaughter, James, private

Wilmouth, David, corporal Wilson, Harden, sergeant


Wilson, John, private

Slaughter, William, private

Smith, Abraham, private

Wilson, Thomas, ensign

Smith, Asa, private


Smith, Isaih, private Smith, Jacob, private
Smith, James, private

Winn, Robert, private


Witt, Lewis, private

Woke, David, private


York, Joseph, corporal York, John, private York, Uriah, private

Smith, Nathaniel, lieutenant


Smith, Robert, private
Speeks, Hiram, private Speeks, Richard, private

Young, Henry, private

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.
private
first

213

i8th Regiment (1814-1815, of Mississippi Militia Captain Joseph Vellio's

Company)
Barabino, T, O., private
Lafontaine,

C,

Bayard, Ant, sergeant


Carragan, James, lieutenant
Carver, Elihu, major
Cibelot,

McCall, Duncan,
quartermaster
Mitchell,

lieutenant

and

private

M., corporal

Morin, Morin,

J. B.,

private

Courteau, Ih., private

Morin, John, private


P., sergeant

Demetry, gunner Domingon, H. T., sergeant


,

Nicaise, Chs., private

Favre, Charles, private

Nicholas, John, private


Petit, T., private

Favre, F., private


Favre, Favre,
I.,

private
B., private

Sancier, P., private


Sancier, Ph., private

I.

Fayard, Laurt, private


Labat,
J.,

Saucier, T., corporal


Saucier, T. F., private

private

Ladner, Bazile, private

Ladner, Carlos, corporal


Ladner, E., private Ladner, F., private Ladner, John, private

Taulme, LB., ensign Turin, Felix, gunner


Veillo, Joseph, captain

Wilkinson, Ths., private

Carson's Regiment of Mississippi Militia


Adcock, John, private
Alexander, Joseph, private Alexander, Jourdan, private
Allen, David, private
Austill, Jeremiah, sergeant

Browning, William, private Buchanan, George, surgeon


Buford, John, private

Busby, John, private


Busclark, William, sergeant

Baimbridge, James, private

Campbell,

I.

H., private

Baldwin, Benjamin, quartermaster


sergeant

Carmichael, William, coporal

Baldwin, William, private


Bates, John, private

Carney, John W., private Carson, Adam, corporal


Carson, Joseph, colonel
Carter, Hezekiah, private

Bazer, Edward, corporal Bazer, Thomas, private

Cartwright, Peter, captain

Bemus, James, corporal


Binge, Harris, sergeant
Bird, William, private
Blackwell, David, private

Cavenah, William, private


Churchwell, James, private

Cobb, James, private


Cochran, William, sergeant

Blackwell, James, private

Coleman,

Jesse, private

Bowie, John, private

Cooper, John, private

Boykin, Burrel, private


Boykin, Kinchin, private
Bridges, Benjamin, private

Cox, Colin, private


Crane, Jeremiah, private

Crane, John, private


Crane, Lewis,
Jr.,

Brown, James E., private Brown, Solomon, ensign

private

Crane, Lewis,

Sr.,

private

214
Curry, John, private

Mississippi Historical Society.

Irby, Charles, private

Curry, Willie, private


Dafl&n, James, private

Irby, James, corporal


Irvin,

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.,

Jenkins, James, private

Johnston, Isaac, private


Johnston, Joseph, private
Joiner, James, private

Keel, William, private

Kennerly, George, private


Ker, Henry, private

private

Dooly, John, private


Dupreast, James, private

Koin, John, private

Landrum, Benjamin, private


Lefoy, James, private Lipscomb, Abner S., lieutenant
Lister, Josiah D., captain

Espey, Wiley, sergeant

Evans, Jehu, private Evans, John L., private

Evans, Josiah, sergeant


Farr, James, private
Fisher, Samuel, private

Foster, Levy, private

Matthews, Samuel, private Matthews, William, private McCarty, Neal, private McCloud, Alexander, private

Fox, John, private


Fox, Washington, private
Gaines, Joab, private

McDanold, Archibald, private McGee, Thomas, private

Garvin, John, private


Gillespy, Joseph, private

McGrew, Bonaparte, private McGrew, William M., private McLendon, David, corporal
Melton, Andrew, private Melton, William, private
Miller, Michael, private
Mills, James, private

Gilmore, James, private


Glover, Richard, private

Gordon, Isaac, private


Graves, Joshua, private
Griffin,

John, private

Milstead, Abraham, private


Milstead, Joseph, private

Griffin,

Moses, private

Grimes, Willis, private


Hall, John, private Hall,

Milstead, William, private

WiUiam, private
John, private

Ham,

Hambrack, James, corporal Hand, John B., private


Harris, Claiborne, private Harris, John, private

Moore, Moore, Moore, Moore,

Charles, ensign

Gibson, corporal

John, sergeant

Thomas, sergeant

Moseley, John T., private

Mott, Asa, private


Murrell, William, private

Harrison, Robert, private

Hays, John, private Heaton, Isaac, private


Helverson, Peter, private
Herrington, Hutson, private
Hillis,

Myles, John, private Myles, Josephus, corporal

Myrick, Lyttleton, sergeant major


Nabours, Lewis, private
Nail, Joel, private

John, private

Hoven, John, private


Hybert, Henry H., private

Newman, John, private Newman, Jonathan, sergeant


Olberson, Joshua, private

Mississippi Territory in

War

of 1812

Rowland.

215

Outon, David, private


Pace, Isom, private

Smith, Daniel W., private Smith, Thomas, private

Page, Miah, sergeant


Patton, Joseph, private
Pearson, John, corporal
Perkins, William, private

Sossaman, John, private


Standley, Jordan,
Stean,
first

corporal

Newbury, private

Sterrett, Ralph, first lieutenant

Perry, Wilson, private

Stewart, James, private


Stiggins, George, sergeant

Pew, Isaac, private Pew, Reison, private


Phillips, Iredal,

Stringer, William, second corporal

second sergeant

Sulivan, Stephen, private


Terrill,

Pickering, Moses, private

Edward

Y., private

Powe, Thomas, private


Powell, William, private
Price,

Thompson, Thomas, private


Tilman, Desire, private
Tilley, Josiah, private

James M., private

Price, John, private

Raglin, David, sergeant

Randon, David, corporal


Rankins, James, private Rankins, John, private
Rankins, William, private
Rawlins, Mark, private

Toulman, Theophilus, ensign Upton, John, private Vamer, John, corporal Wager, David, corporal
Walker, Daniel, private

Walker, John, private Walker, Matthias, private


Walker, Tandy, private

Reed, John, private


Reeves, Ezekiel, private

Walton, James K. T., private

Renfrow, James, private


Roberts, Joseph, private

Ward, Bartley, private Watts, John E., private


Watts, Josiah, captain
Weathers, Henry, private
Wells, Archilaus, private

Robinson, Aaron, private Robinson, Aaron, private


Robinson, Amus, private Robinson, Jonah, private Robinson, William, private
Rodgers, John D., lieutenant
Rogers, Frederick, private

Wells, Charles, sergeant


Wells,

Thomas, private

Wells, William B., private

Welsh, George, private

Rogers,

Thomas

A., lieutenant

and

White, David, ensign


Williams, John, private

adjutant
Rollins, James, private

Williams, Thomas, private


Willson,

Russel, James, private


Saffold,

M.

D., private

Reuben, captain

Shaw, James, private Shoemate, Daniel, private


Sibert, John, sergeant

Woodyard, John, private Woodyard, Walter, private Worley, John B., private

2l6

Mississippi Historical Society.

Colonel Claiborne's Regiment of Mississippi Militia


Captain Gerard C. Brandon's Company Captain William Elliott's CompanyCaptain Philip A. Engel's Company

Captain Jacob Guice's Company Captain Philip Hill's Company

Captain Randal Jones' Company Captain Zachariah Lea's Company


Captain Lewis Paimboeuf 's

Captain John H. Shanks'

Company Company

Abby, Consider, sergeant Adams, Samuel, private


Aldred, Ezra, corporal

Boatright, William, private


Bolls, John, private

Bond, Thomas, private


Bonner, James, private
Boothe, John, private Bower, George Wm., private
lieutenant

Alexander, Michael G., corporal


Alexander, Robert,
Ally, Seth, private
first

Armstreet, Aaron, private

Bowman, Richardson,

first

lieutenant

Armstrong, William, private

Boyce, Peyton, private

Atwood, Thomas, private


Austin, Ozias,
first

lieutenant

Bagley, William, sergeant

Boyd, James, private Boyd, John, private Boyd, William, private


Braden, Joseph, sergeant

Baker, Lewis, private


Baldridge, Alexander, private

Brady, Samuel, private

Baldwin, Hiram,
Barkley, Samuel

first

lieutenant

C,

private

Barrow, Francis, private


Bayley, James, private

Brandon, Gerard C, captain Brant, Lewis W., corporal Brashears, Benjamin, private
Brashiers, James, private

Beason, William, private


Beaty, James

Brasue, Nicholas, private


Brent, John, private
Brice, William, private

C,

private

Beauchamp, Baptist, private


Beckworth, Jonathan, private
Bedlescomb, Jeremiah, private
Bell,

Britton, James, private

Brother, Lewis, private

Drury, private

Bell, Joseph, sergeant

Bell,

Thomas, private

Bell, Wilkinson, private

Bender, Lott, private


Bennett, William, private

Bernard, William, private


Berry, Joseph, corporal
Berry, Martin, private Berry, Young, sergeant

Brown, Brown, Brown, Brown, Brown, Brown, Brown,

Henry, corporal
Isaac, private

John, private John, private

Jonathan, private
Joseph, private

Thomas, private

Bruner, William, sergeant


Brusty, Benjamin, private

Buchanan, John, private


Buckallo, Richard, private
Bucklie, William, corporal
Bullin, David, sergeant

Bethany, Matthew, private


Black, Alexander, private

Black, Daniel, private

Blanton, Benjamin, private Blanton, William W.,


first

Bullock, David, private


Bullock, James, private

lieutenant

Mississippi Territory in
Burke, George, private
Burks, Leonard W., corporal
Burks, "William, private
Burnett, Mark, private

War of

1812

Rowland.

217

Cochran, David, private

Cochran, John, private


Cochran, John, private
Cole, James, private
Collier, Francis, private

Bums, William,

sergeant

Burton, Charles A., private


Burton, Elbert, private Burton, Robert, sergeant

Colvin, Talton, private Colvin, William, private

Conner, George, private


Conner, James, private

Bush, William, private

Bush, William, private


Butler, Burwell, private Butler, Samuel, private

Conner, Jeptha L., private

Cook, Green, private


Cook, John, private Cook, William, private Coon, Jasper
S.

Byrum, George, private


Cable, Christopher, private

M., private

Cain, John, sergeant


Calcott, John, corporal

Cooper, James, private

Cooper, John, private


Cordill, John, private

Calcott, Stephen, private


Calvit, Stephen, private

Corey, Samuel F., sergeant

Canmieron, John, corporal Cameron, James, private

Comer, John, private


Cotton, Able, corporal
Cotton, Haley, private
Cotton, James, 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

Courtney, John, private


Couzins,

Mathew, private

Coward, Needham, private


Cox, John, surgeon
Crane, James, corporal

Crawford, William, private

Carter, Kinchen, corporal

Crow, Clark, private Crow, Levi, private Cunningham, William, private


Dacosta, Nicholas, private

Cason, Charles, private Cason, Henry, private


Cassity, Tacity, private

Cater, Josiah, private

Daenhart, Augustus, private


Davis, Benjamin, private
Davis, David, private

Caves, John, private


Cessna, Culbertson D., private

Chambers, Elijah, private


Chambliss, Peter
sergeant

Davis, James, private


Davis, Martin, private Davis, Martin, private
Decell, George, corporal

C,

second lieutenant

Chambliss, William R., quartermaster Chambliss, William R., sergeant

Delany, John, private


Dell, Jacob, private

Chapman, George, private


Childers,

Ware, private Cissna, William S., private Claiborne, Ferdinand L., colonel
Clark, John, private

Cloyd, Joseph, private


Cloyd, William, corporal

Deloach, William R., first lieutenant Demars, Malcolm, private Dennis, Asa W., private Dennis, Thomas, private Devine, Kinsman, private Dickson, Thomas, private

2i8

Mississippi Historical Society.

Dismuke, John, private


Dixon, William, private

Forget, William, private


Foster, Randal, private

Dobbins, Alfred M., private

Fox, Washington, private


Frasher, Ralph, private
Friley, Frederick, private

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

Gasaway, Nicholas, private


Gibson, Richard, private
Gilbert, Samuel, corporal
Gillaspie,

Duncan, William, private Dunn, James, private Dunson, William, private Dupie, Thomas, private
Durin, Jonathan, private

David, private

Givens, George W., private


Glover, Anderson, private Glover, David, private

Edmonson, Amos, private


Edwards, Edwards, Edwards, Edwards,
Elliott, Elliott,

John, corporal
Joseph, private

Glover, Peter, private

Godley, Slade, private Godley, Thomas, corporal

Nathaniel, private

Thomas, private

Eldridge, Hollam, private

John, corporal
William, captain

Goleman, William, private Goleman, Young, private Goober, Craddock, corporal


Goodale, Samuel, private

Elmore, Joseph, private


Engel, Philip A., captain

Goodrum, John, private Goodrum, Thomas, private


Goodston, Benjamin, private

Evans, Elijah, private


Evans, William, private

Ewing, Robert B., private Fagan, William, private


Fait, Peter, private

Fake, Thomas, private


Falls,

John, private

Fatheree, Hilliard, private

Goodston, James, private Goodwin, Isaac, private Gordon, George, private Gordon, James, private Gowen, James H., sergeant Gower, Elisha, private Graddock, Richard, private

Fenton, John, private


Ferguson, Benjamin, private

Graham, James, private


Graves, James, private

Ferguson, Edward, private


Ferguson, William, private
Ferrell, Daniel, private
Fife, Gilbert, private Fife, Isaac, private

Gray, William, private


Green, James,
first

lieutenant

Green, John, private


Green, Joseph, private
Greer, Aaron, private Greer, Aquilla, private
Grifl&n,

Finnehom, John, private Fleming, John B., private


Floyd, John, private

George, private

Griffin, Isaac, private Griffin, Griffin,

Ford, James, private

James M., sergeant


Robert, private

Ford, Joseph, private

Mississippi Territory in
William, sergeant

War of

i8i 2 Rowland.

219

GriJQan,

Holland, Alexander G., private


Holliday, Richard
I.,

Grissum, Lambert D., private


Groves, James, private
Guest, Samuel, sergeant
Guice, David,
first

corporal

Holloway, Lewis, private

lieutenant

Guice, Jacob, captain


Guice, John A., private

Holmes, Ahab, private Holmes, Drewry, private Hooper, Thomas, private


Hooter, Jacob, private

Guice, John H., corporal


Guice, Jonathan, sergeant
Hall,

Homsby, Joseph, private Hope, Adam, sergeant


Hosey, Branson, private

Mathew, private

Hamberlin, Peter, private

Hanna, Josiah, first lieutenant Hanson, William, private


Harford, Samuel, musician

Howard, William, private Howard, William, private


Howell, Jehu, private

Harold, Thomas, corporal


Harrigill, Joseph, private

Hudson, Josiah, private Hudson, Westley, private


Huff, Benjamin, private

Harrington, Hardy, private Harrington, Jacob, private

Huff, Holloway, private

Harrington, Thomas, sergeant


<

Huffman, Alexander, private Hughey, John, private


Hull, Miles, private

Harris, Levi C., private

Harrison, Nathaniel, private


Harville,

Hunter, Thomas, private


Hurley, Thornton, private

Needham, private

Havard, Elijah, private Heady, Elijah, private Heath, Thomas, musician Helms, Henry, private
Heliums, Enos, private
Helvey, Henry, musician

Hyland, Christopher, corporal Hylands, John, sergeant


Ingles, Elliott, private

Ireson, James, private

Irwin, James, private

Jack, William, ensign

Henderson, Samuel, private

Jackson, Henry, private


Jacobs, Richard, private

Henry, William H,, private


Henson, William, sergeant Herd, Thomas, corporal
Herrin, Henry, private
Herrin, Jacob, private

James, Joseph, private


Jayne, Daniel, private
Jett,

James, private

Johns, David, private Johns, Thomas, private

Herrin, Samuel, private

Herron, Benjamin, private


Herron, John, private
Higgins, Peter, private
Hill, Hill,

Johnson, Peter, private


Johnson, William, corporal
Johnston, John, private
Johnston, Samuel, private
Jones,

Alexander L, private
James, private
captain

Abraham, private

Hill, Peter, private


Hill, Philip,

Jones, Harden, private Jones, James, private

Hilliard,

James, private

Jones, John H., private


Jones, John
S.,

Hilliard, Reubin, private

private

Hilson, Silas, sergeant

Jones, Moses, private

Hixon, Daniel, private

Jones, Randal, captain

220
Jones, Samuel, private Jones,

Mississippi Historical Society.

Llewellyn,

Compton

G., first lieutenant

Thomas, private

Lobdell, James, private

Jordan, Charies H., priva,te

Lochridge, Nicholas, ensign

Juvenot, JosepJi, private

Kean, Thomas, ensign


Keith, Alexander, private
Keller, George, private Keller, Joseph, private

Long, James, sergeant Long, James P., private Long, Jeremiah, private Long, Philip
P., private

Louk, Andrew, private


Love, Joseph, private

Kellogg, Theron, ensign

Kennedy, David, private


Kennison, Nathaniel, private

Kenton, Simon, private Kenton, William, private


Kerr, John, surgeon mate

Low, John, sergeant Lowe, Frederick, private Lowe, Lunsford, private


Lucas, Robert, private

Lucket, James,

first

sergeant

Kinchen, Mathew,

first

lieutenant

Lusk, George, private

King David, musician


King, William, ensign
Kirk, Michael, corporal

Lyon, Spencer, private Lacky, William, private

Kirkham, Spencer, private


Kirkland, Richard, private
Kline, Balthazar, private

Madden, James, private Mann, Simpson, private Mannen, Jeremiah, private Manning, Silas, private
Manville, Philip, private

Knight, Joseph, sergeant

La

Chapelle, Dominic, private

Mark, Samuel, private


Marler, James, private

Lambert, Abner, private Lambert, Ashley, private

Marrs, Thomas, private


Marshall, Reuben, private Marshall, Solomon, private

Landrum, William, private


Langford, David, private

Law, David, private

Martin, Aaron, private


Martin, Christopher, private

Lawhom, John,

private

Layscn, Robert, sergeant major-ensign


Lea, Major, private Lea, Zachariah, captain

Masey, Drury, Jr., private Mason, Charles, private Massey, Drury, Sr., private
Master, Baptist, private
Master, John, private

Leak, Austin, private

Leak, William,

first

lieutenant

Leatherman, John, private


Lee, Charles, private
Lee, James B., private
Lee, James, private

Masterson, Vatchel, private

Mathews, Samuel, private Mathews, Westley, private Matthews, Lyman, private


Maxwell, George, private May, David, corporal

Lee, John, private

Lefoy, Mathew, private

Lender, Daniel, private

May, William,

sergeant

Leonard, Jacob, private


Levertson, private

Lewis, Nicholas, private


Linder, Lewis, corporal

Lindsey, Robert, private

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

Nelson, James, private

McDaniel, Daniel, private McDaniel, John, private

Newson, William, private


Nicholas, James, private
Nichols, Benjamin, private

McGehee, Archibald, sergeant


McGeniss, William, private

Nicholson, Samuel, ensign


Old, James, private

McGhee, James, private McGhee, Samuel, private McGohan, Peter, corporal

Oliphant, James, private

Osborne, James, sergeant


Ostin, Ozias, first lieutenant

McGowen, James, first lieutenant McKean, James, private


McLaughlin, John, private McLaughlin, William, private

Owens, William, private Paimboeuf, Lewis, captain


Painter,

Edward, private

McLeod, James, private McLin, William, private


McMillion, John, private

Pate, William, private

Patton, Francis, private


Patton, William

McNeal, Archibald, private McNeal, William, private McNeefe, William, private


Merriday, James, private
Metts, Jacob, private
Metts, Tobias, private
Miller, George, corporal Miller,

Paxton, John R., private

Payson, Robert, ensign


Pearce,

Edmund,

private

Pentecost, George W., private


Perkins, Isaac, private
Petit, Levels, private

Petty, William, private

Thomas, private

Peyton, Joseph E., sergeant


Phelps, Samuel, private
Phillis,

Minton, Joshua, private Mitchell, Andrew, private


Mitchell, William, sergeant

Jacob, private

Philips,

Thomas, private

Monday,

Littleton, private

Pierce, John, 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

Pinson, Daniel B., private


Pitchford, Augustin, private

Pitman, Julius, private


Platner,

John

L., private

Platner, William, private

Pleasant, Washington, private


Potter, John, private

Powell, William, private


Prestage, John, private
Prestrage, Samuel, private
Price,

Morrison, John,

drum major

Murfee, Morris, private

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

Price, Jonathan, corporal

Quine, Lemuel, private Quine, Mordecai, private

Quine, Robert, corporal


Rains, Stephens, private
Rains, William, private
Ralls, Harris, private Ralls, James, private

Neal, James, private

222

Mississippi Historical Society.

Randall, Hiram, private

Shannon, James, private


Sharkey, Allen, private Sharkey, Patrick, sergeant
Sharp, Samuel, private

Randall, Isham, private

Raybourn, Mark, private


Reed, John, private
Reed, William, private
Reynolds, James, private

Rhambart, Zachariah, private Rheams, Lemuel, sergeant


Rhodes, Jacob, private
Richards, Archibald, private
Riley, Stephen, private

Shaw, Thompson, private Shelby, Moses, private Shields, Benjamin, ensign


Shipton, Peter, private
Short, Eli, private
Shufl&eld,
ShuflSeld,

Isham, private

Kinchen H., private

Ring, Mark, private


Ripley, Samuel, corporal

Shull, John, private


Sibley,

Benjamin, private

Robert, Redding,

drummer

Sibley, West, private

Roberts, Abraham, sergeant

Robinson, Raymond, major Robinson, William, private Robinson, Younglove, private


Rollins, Benjamin, private

Ross, Daniel, private


Ross, Nimrod, private

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,

Row, John, private Rowe, Benjamin, private


Rush, Elijah, private Rushing, Matthew, private Rushing, William, private
Russell,

Hugh, private

Russell, John, private


Salters, Jacob, private

Robert, private

Steele,
first

Robert

S.,

sergeant

Salvage, Benjamin F.,

lieutenant

Stephens, James, private Stephens, John,


first

and quartermaster
Samson, Andrew, sergeant
Sanders, Joseph, private Sanders, Keatland, private

lieutenant

Stephenson, Jonathan, private


Sterling,

James, private

Stewart, John, private

Saunders, James, sergeant Saunders, James, corporal Saunders, William D., private
Scott, Casen, private

Steward, Robert, private


Stockton, Samuel, private
Stoker, Henry, private

Stoker,

Matthew, private

Scott,
Scott, Scott,

James F., sergeant John W., private Nehemiah, private

Stoker, William, private

Stone, Frederick, private

Strange, Littleberry, private


Strodart, George, private

Scurry, Eli, private


See, Howell, private

Stroud, Dixon, private


Stroud, James, private
Stuart,

Seward, Belloup, private


Shafer, David, private

Thomas, private

Shanks, John H., captain

Sugg, William, private

Mississippi Territory in

War of

1812

Rowland4

223

Sutton, Stephen, private

Weatherby, George Wm., first lieutenant


Weatherly, John, private

Swain, James, private

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

Terry, John, private

Tharp, Jesse, 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

White, Nelson, private Whitworth, Abraham, private


Wigley, Job, private
Wilcox, Benjamin, private
Wilcox, John, private
Williams, David, private
Williams, Elias, private

Tomlinson, Jacob,

first

lieutenant

Williams, Jacob, private

Tooten, William, private


Trefox, Charles, private

Williams, John, private

Williamson, James, musician


Willis,

Trimble, Walter, private


Tullis,

Reason, private

Thomas, private

Wilson, Abel, sergeant


Wilson, Benjamin, private

Tyson, Jordan, private

Upton, John, corporal


Urie, Robert, private

Wilson, John, private Wilson, Matthew, private


Wilson, Samuel, private

Vance, William, corporal

Vamell, Richard, private

Wilson, William, private

Vaughn, Thomas C, private


Verdon, Godfrey, private
Vickery, Aaron, private
Vining, John, private

Winnbome, David, sergeant Wood, John, lieutenant-colonel Wood, John, private Wood, William, private
Woods, Joseph, private Worsham, Joseph S., first lieutenant and
adjutant

Waggoner, Joseph, corporal Waid, William, private Walden, William, private


Wallace, Oliver, private

Warren, Daniel, private

Wright, John, private Wright, William H., private

Warren, Joseph, private

Yokum,

Allen, private

Warsaw, John, private Washburn, Henry, private Watson, George B,, private Weaks, Zadock, private

Young, George, private Young, Peter, private


Zeagler, John, private

224

Mississippi Historical Society.

Major Dale's Battalion of


Austill,

Mississippi Militia

Evan, captain

Jetton, Benedix, private

Bedingsfield, George, private

Jones, Absalum, private

Creaugh, Gerard W., first lieutenant DaflSn, James, adjutant


Dale, Samuel, major

Matlock, Thomas, private

McGee, Joseph,

private

Miles, John, private

Dodd, Jessey, private


Dukes, H., private
Elliot, Charles, private

Mosely, Thomas B., corporal Mosley, William, private

Odum,

Richard, private

Finley, Norris, private


Fisher, Charles, private

Pearson, John, sergeant

Rodgers, Absolom, private


Rodgers, Hays, private

Ford, James, sergeant


Foster, William, private

Gentry, Elijah, private


Gentry, James, sergeant
Glass, John, private

Simmons, David, private Schomota, private


,

Talbot, John, corporal Talbot, John


Jr.,

private

Hammond,
Harrell,

Jacob, private
first

Talbot, Joseph, private

Harbert, William,

sergeant

Vaughn, John, private


Wilson, Matthew, private
Wilson, William, private

Hardy, private

Hearn, William, corporal


Hicklin, Robert, sergeant

Wilson, William H., private

Hunt, William, private

Major Shoot's Battalion of


Captain William Bate's

Mississippi Militia

Company Company Captain John Jones' Company Captain Josiah D. Lister's Company
Captain Samuel Dale's
Alexander, Jordan, private
Allen, David, private

Brown, John, sergeant


Brunston, Josiah, private

Allen, Drewry, private

Busby, John, private

Angle, John, private

Chapman, Joseph, private


Christian, Cary, sergeant

Arnold, Jesse, private


Austin, Evan,
first

lieutenant

Christmas, Noel, private

Austin, Jeremiah, private

Baimbridge, Thomas, private

Churchwell, James, private Coody, John, private

Bankson, John, private


Bates, William, captain

Copeland, Isom, private


Grain, Martin, private

Benge, Harris, private


Billow, Hopson, private
Bilbo, James, private

Crawford, John, private


Crear, Jerrard W., second lieutenant
Currie, John, private

Booth, John, private

Dale, James, private Dale, Samuel, captain

Bosworth, Richard, sergeant


Braden, James, private
Brashears, Jesse, private

Brown, James, private

Davis, Simeon, private Denson, James, second lieutenant Drinkard, Allenton, private

Mississippi Territory in
Drinkard, Francis, private

War of

1812

Rowland.

225

McConnell, Thomas, sergeant

Dubose, Amos, corporal

McFareen, William, private

Due, Perry, private Easley, Edward, private


Easley, Samuel, private

McGee, James, private


McLaughlin, Edward, private

McLeod, Alexander, ensign


McNeil, Lochlin H., private
Moffitt, Eli, private

Emmonds, John,
Evans, Josiah,
Figures,

ensign

Evans, Henry, ensign


first

lieutenant

Moody,

Joel, private

Fenley, John, private

Thomas, private

Gates, Joshua, private

George, Reuben, private

Monroe, Neal, private Montcreaf, Benjamin, private Morgan, George, private Morton, Hughes, private
Mosely, William, private
Murrell, Zachariah, private
Nail, Joel, private

Gordon, Alexander, private


Glass, David, private Glass, John, private

Gray, William B., private


Green, Daniel, private Green, James, private Green, James,
St.,

Norris, Notley, private

Ogletharp, John, private

Patton, Thomas, corporal


Pearson, John, private Pearson, Reuben, private
Penticost, G. S., private
Phillips, Daniel, sergeant

private

Green, William, private


Grizzle, Willis, private

Harris, Silas, private

Heard, Bailey,

first

lieutenant

Pierce, John, private

Helveston, Peter, corporal

Pollard, Joseph, corporal

Henderson, Robert, private

Henson, John, private


Herbert, William, sergeant

Randon, Peter, private Ray, Henry, private


Reaves,
Ell, private

Herrington, Isaac, private


Hicklin, Robert, corporal

Reed, John, private


Roberts, Isaac, private

Hogan, Lemuel, private Hoskins, Henry, private


Housley, Charles, private

Roberts, John, private

Rogers, Absolom, private


Ross, Nathaniel, corporal

Hughes, Isom, sergeant Huston, Archibald, private


Jiles,

Sapp, Jason, private


Serrett,

Ralph, ensign

William, private

Short, John, sergeant


Slay, John, private

Johnson, James, ensign


Jones, Efford L., private

Smith,

Edmund,

private

Jones, Elbert, private


Jones, John, captain Jones, Wiley, private Jones, William, private

Smith, Neale, surgeon mate

Smoot, B.
Stafford,

S., major Abraham, private

Terrell, Brian, private

Landrum, Barnes, private


Lary, Daniel, private
Lister, Josiah D., captain

Thede, Soloman, private

Thomas, John, private Thompson, John, private


Thornton, William, private

Matta, Soa, private

May,

Patrick, lieutenant

and adjutant

Tisdale, William, private

226

Mississippi Historical Society.

Tool, David, corporal Toulmui, Theophilus, first lieutenant Vaughan, William, private Vaun, John, private Walker, Felix, private

Walley, Goldsbury, private

Welch, Henry, private Welsh, James, private


White, Drury, private
Williams, George, corporal

Wall, Absalom, second lieutenant

Wall, Thomas, sergeant

Wooten, Jeremiah, private Young, John, private

Lieutenant-Colonel Neilson's Detachment of Mississippi Militia


Captain David T. W. Cook's Company Captain John Joor's Company Captain William A. Lucas' Company Captain Nathan H. Luse's Company

Captain Samuel K. Sorsby's Company Captain Francis Wood's Company

Adams, Joseph, private Adams, Thomas C, sergeant


Aldridge, George, private

Bennett, David, private

Bennett, William, private


Berry, David, private
Best,

Aldridge, Sylvester, private

Abraham, private

Anden, George, private Anderson, Ephraim, private Anderson, Henry, ensign


Anderson, Frederick, private

Betis, Julius, private

Black, Alexander, private


Boles, James, private

Booker, Samuel, private

Anderson, Robert

C,

sergeant

Booker, William, private


Boothe, Shelly, private

Anderson, William, corporal


Armstreat, Philip, sergeant

Bosman, Samuel, private


Bowling, Jesse, private

Armstrong, William, private Arnold, Isham, private


Arnold, Richard, private

Applewhite, James, private


Ashly, John, private
Austin, John, private

Boyd, Augustus, private Boyd, John, private Boyd, William, private


Bradley, Archibald, private

Austin, William, private

Bradshaw, Peter, private Bradway, Ebenezer, private


Brannon, Thomas, private
Brannon, William, private
Brieland, Daniel, private
Briley, Job, private

Bacon, John, sergeant Badgett, David, private


Baldridge, John, private

Baldwin, Levi, private


Barcley, Glass

C,

private

Briscoe, Parmenas,

major

Barkee, David, private


Barnes, Pittkin, sergeant

Brister, George, private

Bams, John, private Barron, Thomas, private


Bass, Jeremiah, private
Bassett, William, sergeant

Baty, Francis, private

Beard, Adam, private

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

Buckman, Henry, private


Buckner, David, private
Burge, Christopher, private

Cook, Abel, private


Cooper, Martin, private
Corbet, Abel, private

Bumes, John, sergeant

Crawford, Richard, sergeant

Bumham,

Gabriel, private

Crow, James, private


Curry, Peter, private
Curtis, Richard, private

Burke, John E., private


Burks, William, corporal

Burton, Charles A., private


Burton, John, third lieutenant

Dancer, Ulric M., private


Dassy,
Silas,

private

Burton, Thomas, private

Davis, Hugh, second lieutenant

Bush, Isaac, private


Butler, Henry, private

Calcoat, Stephen, private

Caldwell, R.

S.,

private

Day, David, private Dean, John T., private Dey, Robert, private Dismuke, Joseph, private
Divine, William, private

Calhoon, John, 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

Cason, Charles, private


Cassells,

Benjamin, private

Cassells,

Reuben, private

Dunn, William, private


Duval, William B., private Edwards, John, private
Egbert, John, private
Elkins, Ralph, private
Ellis,

Cater, James, private

Caton, Michael, private

Chaddick, Richard, private


Chaddick, William, private

Chambers, Elijah, corporal


Chambliss, Peter

William, private

C,

ensign

Ethridge, Godfrey, private


Everett, John, private

Chaney, George W., private Chism, Samuel F., private


Coarsey, James, private

Ewell, James, private

Fake, John, private


Fant, John T., private
Farley, Stephen E., private

Cochran, Edward, private


Collier,

Vines L., private

Collins,

Henry, private

Collins, John, 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

Fletcher, Lemuel, private


Fife,

Fitzgerald, James, private

Flynn, Thomas, second lieutenant


Fowler, William, private

Mason

G., private

Cole, William, private


Colville,

Frank,

waiter

Andrew, private

French, Robert, private

228
Fridley, John, private

Mississippi Historical Society.

Frisby, William, private

Hubbert, James, private Hull, Thomas M., private


Hunter, Field
P., sergeant

Gaines, David, private Gaines, Young, private

Hutchinson, James, private

Galbreath, Lauvhlin, private Galbreath, Robert, private


Gale,

Hutson, George, private

Thomas M.,

private

Hux, Benjamin, private Hux, William, private


Hylan, John,
first

Gardner, John, private


Gardner, William, private
George, Isaac, private
Gibbs, Franklin W., private
Gile, William, private
Gillas,

lieutenant

Inmon, Levi, private Jackson, Henry, private


Jacob,
,

servant

Jacobs, Francis, private

Norman, private

Jansen, Egbert, surgeon

Glover, Matthias, private

Goodale, James, private

Jarome, James, private Jenkins, William, private


Johnson,

Goodwin, John, private Goodwin, William, private


Goodshorn, John, private
Grafton, Daniel,
first

Hugh

B., corporal

Jones, Charles, private Jones, David,

drummer

lieutenant

Jones, Henry, private Jones, Isaac, private Jones, Richard, private Jones, William, private

Graham, Richard, corporal


Griffin,

Isham, private

Guise, Ephraim, private

Guise, John H., corporal

Jones, William, private Jones, William, private


Joor, John, captain

Hadden, Robert, private


Hall, John, private

John E., sergeant Hallowel, William L., private Hammett, Absolum, private Harkness, Henry, private
Hall,
Harrell, James, first lieutenant

Keen, Thomas, private

Hugh, private Kenedy, Cade L., private Kennedy, David, private


Kelly,

Kennison, Nathaniel, private


Kiger, Michael, corporal

Harson, John, private

Hawthorn, William, private Henson, James, sergeant


Herbert, William, corporal

King, Charles, private King, EUsha, private


King, Richard, sergeant major King, Samuel, ensign
Kinnison, Nathaniel, sergeant

Hezekiah, servant

Hickenbottom, William

L., private

Hickman, Isaac, private Hickman, William, private


Hicks, James, private

Kirkham, Thomas,

first

lieutenant

Kitchens, Benjamin, private


Kizer, John, private

Higdon, Daniel, second lieutenant


Hill, W^illiam, private

Hoggatt, Philip,
quartermaster

first

lieutenant

and

Holliman, Jacob, sergeant


Holly, Joseph, private

Knowland, James, corporal Knox, Andrew, private Knox, John, corporal Lamb, Henry, private Lambert, David, corporal
Lambright, David, private

House, Henry, private

Land, Benjamin, private

Mississippi Territory in
Laneheart, Jacob, corporal
Lee, Thomas, private

War of

1812

Rowland.

229

Leek, John, private


Lilly,

MiUs, private

Lohorn, John, private

Long, Jeremiah, private


Love, William D., private
Lucas, William A., captain
Luse, Nathan H., captain

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

Lyon, Daniel, private Manning, William, private Martin, Henry, private

Mowry, George, quartermaster sergeant Murphy, Morris, private


Murrah, Morgan, private
Nathaniel,
,

Mashborn, Enoch, private Matthews, Zech, private Maxey, Radford B., corporal Maxwell, William E., corporal Mays, Stephen, private
McAllister, John, private

servant

Neal, James, private Neal, James, private

Neeland, Middleton, private


Neilson, David, lieutenant-colonel

McAlpin, Alexander, private


McAltie, Thomas, private

Nelson, Hugh, private


Nettles, James, private

McCall, Thomas, private

McCartney, Lewis, private McConnell, Robert B., private McCormick, William, private McDaniel, John, private McDaniel, Jonathan, private

Newman, Hezekiah, private Newman, Thomas, private


Nicholls, Julius, private

Nugent, Lewis, private


Obriant, John, private

Ogden, George, second lieutenant


Oglesby, John, private

McEwen,

Archibald, private

McGee, Jonathan, private


McGinty, Joseph, private
McGlaughlin, William, private

Oglesby, Sabert, private Oglesby, William, private


Oliphant, James, private
Oliver, Robert, private

McCoy, Daniel, corporal McCoy, Jesse, private McKey, Hugh, private


McLoughlin, Charles, private McLoughlin, Patrick, sergeant McMorris, William, private McNeely, Paul, private McNeil, Neil, private

O'Neal, Peter, corporal


Ostean, Gabriel, private

Parham, Peterson, corporal


Parker, David, private Parker, John, private

Peck, Benjamin, sergeant

Penton, William, private


Perry, John, private
Pervis, John, private

McNely, John, private


Merrill, Elijah, corporal
Mills,

Edmond,

private

Pharis, William, private


Phillips, Isaac, corporal

Mitchell, Benjamin,corporal Mitchell, Bluford, private


Mitchell, Joel, private

Pickett, Lewis, private


Plaster,

Thomas

R., sergeant

Montgomery, Andrew, and adjutant

first

lieutenant

Plutner, Stephen, private


Porter, John,
first

lieutenant

230

Mississippi Historical Society.

Porter, William S., private

Powers, Benjamin, private


Prescott,

Simmons, Joseph Y., private Simms, Peyton, private


Sisson, Eldridge, private

Andrew, private

Price, Joseph, private

Sisson, James, private

Prichard, William, private


Prince,
,

Slocum, Charles

C,

private

waiter

Smith, James, private

Quine, Henry, private Quine, William, private Quine, William, private


Ragsdale, Elijah, private

Smith, John M., private


Smith, Samuel, private

Smith, Thomas, private


Sorsby, Samuel K., captain
Spires, Robert, private
Stafiford,

Rankin, Christopher, second lieutenant


Reed, Caleb, private
Reynolds, Thomas, private

James

T., private

Stark, John, private


Steel,

Rhoades, Andrew, private


Rice, Jesse, private

James, sergeant

Stephens, Briton, private

Richards, Thomas, private

Stephens, Daniel, private

Roberts, Robert, private

Sterdwan, Pleasant, private


Sterling,

Robinson, Seth, private


Ross, David, private

James, private

Sterling, Robert, private

Roundtree, Reuben, private


Rushing, Hugh, private Rushing, William, private
Russel, John, private

Stems, Peter, private


Stevens,

Henry W., private

Stewart, William, private


Stiles,

Chilion F., private

Ryan, Cornelius W. B., private servant Sam,


,

Strain, David, private

Strickland,

Henry D., private

Sanders, James, private

Sturdivant, Henry, private


Sturdivant, William R., private
Stutts, William, private

Sapp,

Dill, private

Saunders, Joseph, private

Saxon, Joshua, private

Swayney, Edmond, private


Sweat, Johnston, private

Saxon, Samuel, private


Scott,

Searcy,

Bumberry, private Ransom, private


private

Tanner, James, corporal


Taylor, Isaac, private

Sellers, Isaac,

Taylor, William, private

Segrist, Lewis, private

Templeton, Joseph, private

Sexton, Samuel, private

Thompson, Robert, private


Tichner, Abram, private
Tidwell, John, private
Tillery, William, private

Shannon, James, sergeant Shaw, Saxton, private


Shelly, Lewis, private

Sheridan, Thomas, private


Shilling,

Toney

(negro), waiter

Abraham, private

Tribble,

John M., private


private

Shirky, Lewis, corporal

Triplett, Daniel, private

Shirky, Patrick, corporal


Shropshire, John, private
Shuffield, Stephen, private Shufl&eld, William, private

Tumey, John,

Ursrey, John, private Ursrey, Richard, private

Usher, William, private


Vandevall, John, corporal

Sibley, William, private

Mississippi Territory in

War of

1812

Rowland.
J.,

231

VanHouten, Cornelius, sergeant Vickroy, Nathan, private


Vicks, Burwell, private

White, Richard, sergeant White, Robert, private


Whitehurst,
private

Vining, Jepthah, private

Whittington, James, private Whittington, Willey, private


Wiley, Hugh, private

Vinson, William, private

Waddle, Jacob, private Wade, William C, private


Walker, Alexander, corporal

William (negro), waiter


Williams, Asa, private
Williams, John L., private Williams, Lemuel, private

Walker, John B., ensign


Wall, Elisha, private Wall, Howell, private

Wilson, Samuel, private

Weatherspoon, John, private Webber, Robert, private


Welch, Nathan, private
Wells,

Windham, Stephen,

sergeant

Wise, Brunton, private

Abraham, private

Wells,

Edmond,

private

Wood, Denniss, private Wood, Francis, captain Wood, Joseph, private


Woolforth, Michael, private

WeUs, Noel, private Wheat, William, private


Whitacar, Isaac, private

Wren, John, corporal


Wright, Jesse, private

White, Benjamin, private White, Benjamin, private White, Larkin, ensign

Wright, John, corporal

Wroe, William O., sergeant Young, Samuel, private


Mississippi Militia
,

Major Swayze's Detachment of


Swayze, Nathan, major
Titus,

waiter

Captain John A. Allen's Company of Mississippi Militu


Allen,

John

A., captain

Galyan, Layboum,

fifer

Baker, Nathan, private

Hodges, Elison, private

Baker, William, private


Baltimore,
,

Hogland, Anthony, private


Hooker, John, corporal Houston, James, private
Jones, Jeremiah, private

waiter

Bayles, Jessee, private


Bayles, John, private
Bayles, Wyley,
Bell,

drummer

Samuel, private

Long, James, private McCall, Alexander, private

Bird well, George W,, sergeant


Bland, John, corporal
Bratton, Hugh, private
Bratton, Martin, private

McCall, Robert, private

McKee, Robert,
Moses,

private
,

waiter

Parr, John, corporal

Cheatham, Wyatt, sergeant


Cock, Jessee, private Cock, John, private

Parton, Leonard, private


Paulley, Elijah, private

Riddle, George, private

Cray ton, Gloud W., corporal


Dalton, Samuel, private

Riddle, John, private


Scaggs, Wyley, private
Seals,

Galyan, Abner,

fifer

Anthony, private

232
Seals, Bluford, private

Mississippi Historical Society.


Townsend, Johnson, corporal Vaughn, Peter, private
Walker,
Israel, private

Smith, John A., private

Smith, William, private


Staggs, Zachariah,

drummer

Wells, John, private

Taylor, Harden, sergeant

White, James A., private White, Mitchel, private White, William, private

Taylor, Joel, corporal

Townsend,

Eli, private

Captain Green's Company of Mississippi Militia


Anderson, John, private
Armstreet, Aaron, private
Aswell, Hiram, private

Dublin,

servant

Eby, William, private


Falls,

John, private

Barclay, Abraham, private


Bass, William, private

Fletcher, Lionel, private

Beck, David, sergeant

Freeman, James, private Fuller, Benjamin, third lieutenant

Bob,

servant

Funk, Jacob, private


Galbreath, William, private

Boots, John, private

Bradshaw,

Willis, private

Germany, Washington, private


Gibson, George, private
Gibson, Jesse, private

Brown, Brown, Brown, Brown,

Elisha, corporal

John

A., private

Roland, private
Wiley, private

Green, James, captain


Grimlair, Henry, private
Hails, John, private

Burge, Neil, private

Bums, James,

private

Hamberlin, Jacob, private Hamberlin, Stephen, private

Burton, Charles A., private Burton, Pleasant, private


Burton, Thomas, private
Cain, William, private

Benjamin, sergeant Hawthorn, William, private


Harrigill,

Healy, Daniel, corporal

CalUhan, David M., second lieutenant


Carter, James, private

Henly, Nery, private


Hess, Nelson L, sergeant

Caston, William R., private

Hewitt, Jonathan, private

Clawson, Thomas, private

Cockram, John, private


Cole, William, private

Hogg, William, private House, Henry, private Hudnal, Ezekiel, private


Hutchins, Jesse, private
Irby, Hiram, private
Issue, John, private

Comly, Charles, private


Conner, James, corporal Cotton, Eli, private
Coursy, James, private

Jackson, David, corporal

Crow, John, private Crow, Levi, private


Curry, Jacob, private

James, Edward, private


Jeffries,

John, private
servant

Jennings, Hiram, private


Joe,
,

Daugherty, James, private


Davis, John, third lieutenant
Davis, John, private

Johnston, Thomas, private


Jones, George W., private Jones, Micajah, private

Dickson, Hugh, private

Dixon, Thomas, sergeant

Kay, Gabriel, private

Mississippi Territory in

War of

1812

Rowland.

233

Keller, Peter, private

Pickett, John, private


Price, Martin, private

Kirk, James, private

Knox, Andrew, private Lambert, Abraham, private Landram, Burton, private


Landsberry, John, private

Rawls, Luke, private

Ray, William, private Romedis, John, private

Row, John,

private

Lannagan, William, private


Lehr, John, ensign

Rundell, Joshua, third lieutenant

Long, Jeremiah, private


Love,

Rush, John, private Rushton, James, corporal


Scisson, James, private

W.

D., private

Lum,

Israel, private

Sexton, Daniel, private


Shropshie,' Walter, private

Manning, Jeremiah, private Marlow, Allen, private


Martin, Daniel

Smith, William, private


Sorrells,

Wm.,

private

Walter, private

Martin, John, private

Sparks, Samuel, private


Stokes,

McCaleb, Thomas

F., third lieutenant

Thomas, private

JMcCarrolI, Charles, private

Tankersly, Fountain, private

McCartney, Lewis, private McDonald, Benjamin, private McDonald, Peter, private McDowell, James, first lieutenant

Tedder, William, private


TherreU,

Edmund,

private

Thomas, John, private


Turner, Arthur, private
Turner, Robert, private
Twilley, Joseph, corporal

McGee, Charles, private McKee, James, private McKee, Samuel, private


McLaughlin, John, private Melvin, Daniel W., private Miles, Lemuel, private
Millar, John, private

Usher, William, sergeant

Walton, Timothy, private Westner, Samuel, private


Wheeler, Amos, private

Moore, John, private

Murphy, Wiley, private Murphy, William, private


Neelands, Middn., private

Whipps, Nathan, private White, William, private Whitney, John, private Whitney, John, private
Whittington, Aaron, private

Neighbours, Zedekiah, private


Nelson, James, private

Wigley, Thomas, private


Williams, William, private
Williams, James, private

Newman,

Isaac A,, ensign

Nichols, Henry, private

Wilbourn, Ralph, private


Wilds, John D., sergeant

Odum, Abraham,
Old,

private

Oglesby, James, private

Wiley, George, corporal


Wilson, Daniel,

Thomas, private Osbom, John, private


Parker, Miles, private
Patterson, William, private

Wright, Jesse, private

Wright, Joseph, private

DAVID HOLMES: FIRST GOVERNOR OF


INTRODUCTORY NOTE.

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

eclogue ''Clauditejam rivos,

puer,jam prata biberunt" and I Yours truly dear Sir,

will shut

down.

D. H. Conrad.

Memoranda for Colonel

J.

F. H. Claiborne,

Relative to the

Late Governor David Holmes of


HIS lineage.

Mississippi.^

David Holmes was the second son and


wife (born) Rebecca Hunter.
in the north of Ireland not far

child of the late Colonel

Joseph Holmes of the Grove, Frederick County, Virginia

and his

Colonel Holmes, the father, was born

Holmes a gentleman
all his

of fair property there,

from Londonderry; the son of Hugh and emigrated alone of


(so the tradition of the

family to this country,

many years before the Revolution, when

he was sixteen years of age; in consequence

family goes) of a second marriage of his father

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

toned character, of a high temper, too, and great


are

spirit,

many

things

remembered

of

him

illustrating all these traits,

which need not be

referred to here.
traits to

mark him

His son David inherited enough of his peculiar as a man of scrupulous honor and undoubted

courage, but the sweetness

and gentleness

of his disposition

was

derived from his mother, Mrs. Rebecca Holmes.

She was the daughter of David Hunter, who settled in Berkeley


1 The manuscript is accurately followed in all details. Judge D. H. Conrad, the author was a learned and eminent jurist of Virginia. The paper gives a side of the The writer calls life of the first governor of Mississippi worthy of preservation. it memoranda, it is really a delightful character study.

236

Mississippi Historical Society.

County, Virginia, at a place called "Red House" which has remained


it was sold (or the remnant two great-granddaughters, Miss Fanny W. Hunter and Mrs. Alfred Weeks of Louisiana. Mrs. Holmes was a most beautiful exemplification of the effect of the training of our old colonial ancestors. She lived and died an exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church, a venerated mother of a large family, all of whom to this day, when her descendants are numerous, revere her memory. She died in September, 1806, five days before my father, her attendant physician and son-in-law, departed this David Holmes was born at Mary Ann Furnace, York County, life. Pennsylvania on the loth of March, 1770; died on the 20th of August, 1832, aged sixty-two years (therefore) five months and ten days. His brothers and sisters were: 1. His elder brother Hugh Holmes an eminent barrister. Appointed Judge of the General Court of Virginia, in December, 1805, which he held for near twenty years, dying in Winchester in 1825. Judge Holmes, before he went on the bench, was speaker of the House of Delegates of Virginia. (I have in my library a copy of Mr. Jefferson's Manual, sent by Mr. Jefferson to him while in Richmond, acting as Speaker, with manuscript interlineations in his own handwriting). He was married and his wife survived him, but he never had children. 2. A sister, Mrs. Margaret Legrand, wife of the Rev. Nash Legrand of the Presbyterian Church in Virginia who was an eminent divine, and who survived his wife many years, and was married to a second wife, in Charlotte, Virginia. Judge Hunter Marshall of the Charlotte district is her grandson, and there are many others, grandchildren,

in the family until one year ago,

when

of the large

Red House farm) by

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.

Mrs. Gertrude E. Moss, wife of William Moss, Esq., of Fairfax

County, Virginia, who was for


leaving a very large family
respectable.
8.

many

years and to the end of his

life,

clerk of both courts of Fairfax County.

She died about the year 1825, numerously connected and highly
Rev. Andrew Hunter, his
before that,

Andrew Hunter Holmes

(called after

mother's brother. Chaplain at the


resident at Princeton,
talents.

Navy Yard, and

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.

engagements; especially in one on the Thames, Canada West, where

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

at the unsuccessful attack on that place in

think).

See the Governor's will disposing of the sword voted


It

by the

Virginia legislature to his nearest heir male.

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

HIS EARLY LIFE.

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

he was born, but a frontier

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

of our revolutionary struggle, the precursory mutterings of the storm,

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

He was over seven years of

age when the Declaration

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

Independence was heard through the land.

David Holmes

Conrad.
his

239

under the administration of General Washington


as the

academy

in his native

town could afford

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

education such and as the trusted


made him
all

mercantile estabHshment.

The

effect of this training

through

life

man of businessa man of accuracy in keeping accounts


by

and

especially careful in meeting his pecuniary engagements;

natural disposition, he was rather disposed to neglect this important


requisite of usefulness, in all kinds of business

but
and
of

his mercantile

training always pointed to the system of debtor


ful entries

creditor

by

care-

by which he was enabled


and account

in after life as territorial

governor

to handle safely

for truly, vast


affairs of the

sums

money which
in his

passed through his hands in the


so

Indians that occupied

much

of the Mississippi Territory

and during the war,

heavy disbursements

to troops, called out in the Indian wars;

the time of the battles, near

New Orleans. He
wood

and in was not destined howIn that year

ever to be confined to the ''dead

of the desk" (as Charles

Lamb

called

it).

He was

a merchant until about 1790.

his father. Colonel


legislature;

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

tradition of his career as

240
expressly

Mississippi Historical Society.

by Judge Carr for

fear of giving offence.


life

But now that

all

parties have passed off this transient stage of

there can be no rea-

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

the heart, will be recognized as a


gifted

happy

likeness

from one

of the

most

men

ever born in our land.

In the very next sentence Mr. Wirt

(going over the Winchester friends of the

new

chancellor,

whom

Mr. Wirt knew


his

there) goes

on to speak

of another.

My reverence for
memust

memory

my obligations

to his fatherly kindness to

David Holmes
be

Conrad.

241

my excuse for putting it in here,

the subject of your history.


nection:

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

seen or read of any character that comes near


the Chevalier Bayard.
If

my idea

him except

he had lived in the age of chivalry, he

would have been a knight

of the first order."

HIS CONGRESSIONAL CAREER.

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

Johnson, Esq., then a


in

rising barrister in Staunton), to

show the estimation

which he was

held

by

his constituents
is

and

his political views.

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

state of the country,

looked into the history of our country,

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

the nation then and now.

This paper speaks of fifteen miUions of

revenue as being increased above the legitimate annual receipt by the amount of outstanding bonds of previous years ^four times that

revenue is regarded as a very moderate income for our great republican

empire

now
is

and

five or six times that

amount,

it is said,

has been

absorbed in these times of peace.

There

something peculiar to our view, now, in

this

mode

of

addressing the electors

by

their public servant.

not general, or confined to the public prints,

These addresses are but a copy was sent to

each one of his constituents that he chose to make his correspondent


for the occasion, thus ensuring their general diffusion

among

the

people

the newspaper
it is

in those

days was not the universal visitor of

every house as

now.
little

Besides, there

was a

respectful recognition

of the relations between the parties, as electors

that has for me, no

charm.

and public servant, There was an individual courtesy

in the practice that approves itself to

my taste.

I well

remember when

a boy
to
sit

barely able to write legiblyhow proud I was to be allowed


at the table

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

kindness never soured in his


in

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

found anywhere. I may have occasion

show

this,

by

instances the

most demonstrative,

in the course of

this sketch.

After the session of Congress ending

March

4,

1809,

Governor Holmes, as Territorial Governor, went to Mississippi.


HIS
I well

REMOVAL TO

MISSISSIPPI TERRITORY.
just fifty years ago,

remember the time


I

when Governor
territory of

Holmes
sissippi.

left his

native place for the then


to

unknown

Mis-

mean unknown

most

of his friends here.

There had

been no such intercourse between the valley of Virginia and the


recently purchased country at the

mouth

of the great river as there

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

every year were driven

from Tennessee laden with

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

Though not always


was not as
safe,

necessarily hostile, the travel through that region


it is

nor as comfortable as

now through
title of

the territories

west of the Mississippi held by the


then holding the Alabama country.

relics of these

formidable tribes

The

the

New Region was


The

not in the

common

parlance Mississippi, but the Natchez.

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

Several highly respectable families were induced to remove to the

South, chiefly because he was about to

make that rich region his future

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,

not brought about.

But

in those

days such a movement was for that

distance not only a rare thing but a serious undertaking.

The

sub-

sequent prosperity and eminence of

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,

but not their hearts

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

for their rise

and advanceits

The

conditions of that country at that day,

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

years and which was exasperated

South and winters in Washington as Senator and and panting with asthma, he returned to his native
bones

after

five years of protracted suffering

and

confinement, in the old church yard where his ancestors and


other near relatives were buried.

many

CHARACTERISTIC TRAITS.
In your
letter of the 13 th, received

on

this 21st of

March, acknowl-

edging the receipt of

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

relating to the early

too minute or too light for biography."


regard, even to reverence, for the

Your manifest
I

memory

of this

uncle of mine, chimes in so harmoniously with

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-

Governor David Holmes was


is

his

cool moral courage which

as far

possession forsook him.

father on the road to Bath.

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

sums which he had


it,

to disburse during the

war

chiefly

under the conduct of


Jackson.

with the Indians and British by General


of the State residing at Winchester,

Judge Carr, then a Chancellor

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.

There was a passivity


requiring active
skill.

of disposition

proceeded in some measure from his inaptness in

about the Governor which all accomplishments

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,

He was in look and

small in structure, utterly unfitted for any athletic exercise or bodily

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

to the great amusement of the crowdbut redeemed by


his

the graceful good

humor with whch he joined in the merriment. remember hearing my mother tell of an incident illustrating

helplessness, as
his elder brother

contrasted with the active stirring adroitness of

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,

overhauled by them, horse and vehicle ranged straight across the


road, the horse's head over the fence, eating the growth of the fence

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

Judge, "let us see

self in

the matter.

248

Mississippi Historical Society.

On

this

same

visit to Virginia, as

was always the

case,

many

of the

Governor's friends were invited to dine with him at his brother's,


festivity

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,

or serving part of the dinner, diverted attention

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

could detect the

first,

distant breaking of

ground, in his intended circumvallation.

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.

The Governor seemed


and put
in a

to

be very much interested


descriptive

in the Major's details,

word here and there

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

clearly his wishes as to his family servants Jack,


will.

Nancy,

Lewis, whom he mentions in his

I observed that

Manuel, who had

250

Mississippi Historical Society.

been married in Winchester and

left his

wife and family, was well

known

to be at a certain place in Pennsylvania,

and that while

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

who had him alone

to be free, he has only anticipated the time a little."

I can under-

stand this better

now than

ment

at an exhibition of

was dumb with astonishforbearance and forgiveness, that I was unI could then. I
its full disinterestedness,

able to comprehend then in


orders,

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

tingle for rash talk

about others.

Some

of the best

lessons ever received

by me

to put a bridle on my tongue, to speak

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

HIS LAST VISIT TO VIRGINIA.

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

disease of the lungs, which terminated in

an internal abscess that

rendered his breathing to the last degree laborious and painful.

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

discharge the accumulated matter of


well

it.

He

told this to his patient,

knowing

his firmness,

and wishing

to give

him time

to arrange

his affairs.
ness,

He

received the intelhgence with the most perfect calm-

but immediately insisted that he should be put into a carriage,


carried to the Berkeley Springs, thirty-five miles
his physician,
off.

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

needful or possible conveniences under the circumstances, placed


in
it,

him

and went himself

in his sulky

with him, and sure enough

the result was as he anticipated

before they had gone far the dreaded

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

my brother and myself in July, 1827in a comfortable


went from Winchester
to

carriage prepared for his condition,

meet him

in Baltimore.

Not

apprised of our intention, he had hired a hack

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

responsibility, and, without his knowledge, wrote a note to

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

Cumberland, the directors came over

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

acts of courtesy done to others, but those extended to himself, he

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.

Shortly after his settlement in his lodgings at the hotel, in Win-

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

which he spent, almost entirely in


spirit.

his

room, were

rendered endurable by his cheerful, patient


lighted to visit him, he enjoyed their

His friends deconversation.

company and

His speech was affected and his side hopelessly paralyzed, though he

would sometimes walk a


sedan chair
rad,

little

with assistance and be carried out in a

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.

His faithful surviving

254

Mississippi Historical Society.

melancholy half death nor any


sad
infliction, so

of that dementia, ^'quae nee

nomina

servorum, nee vidtum agnoseit amieiJ^ I have seen

many
it

cases of this

common

to gifted

minds that

has been called

"the lawyer's last disease," and hence so humbling to


intellect.

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

seemed to conquer the invader

of

half of his nervous system, with the other half. tion

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

mistake the sensation of numbness for pain; when he gently intimated


to

me

that he had experienced pain enough in his

life,

to

know what

pain was.
I can
life

remember and might here

cite,

many anecdotes of his secluded


room a place of pleasant and my apology is two-

in the hotel in Winchester,

showing these bright gleams of the


his sick

failing

lamp

of

life,

which made

sojourn; but I have already been too diffuse,


fold, first

because I have not had time to condense but have written

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

laden the faculties of the humble believer


like

however imperfect and weary and heavyseemed to be as


childit

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

his manifest eagerness to drink of that fountain of

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.
'

Not found with

these papers.

256

Mississippi Historical Society.

The reason was known

to very few.

The

entire history of 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.

Governor Holmes was in the days


to be married to a beautiful

of his early

manhood engaged

and engaging young

lady, the protege of

her aunt, the wife of one of the wealthiest gentlemen in Virginia.

The young lady

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

one ever heard of

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.

REMINISCENCES OF THE CLOSING DAYS OF THE WAR OF SECESSION.


By William
The mere mention
is

A. Love.

of the

War of

1 861-1865

by an

active participant

but a prelude to confessing that he

is old,

yes, as old in years as

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

tragic incident showing the hasty conclusion reached

by General

Forrest under provocation and consequent excitement.

As

there has been


is

much said,

but

little

written, of that unfortunate

tragedy, there

therefore great diversity of opinion as to the real

facts in the case.


bers, gives

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.

the facts leading

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.

"Where the war drums throb no

longer

And

the battle flags are furled."

As already

stated, General Forrest


if

was making a forced march to

intercept General Wilson en route

possible with part of his

command

while the other was expected to occupy and

make

defensible the

works

in front of Selma.

If successful in that,

defeated, he probably

would follow

in the
it

wake

and General Wilson of General Sherman

and and
Lee

if

pursuit was determined upon,

might take General Forrest

his

command beyond

the bounds of his Department, perhaps

ultimately to unite with General Johnston in the Carolinas, or General

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

prolongation of the unequal struggle.

26o
It
is

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

overt act of disloyalty displayed.

On

the contrary, the boys were


it

ready for the fray whenever, or wherever


General Forrest succeeded in getting

might be staged, and had

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

tion with its attendant penalty.

he could not dispense with his services without great


cause, for

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

hand that they may may desert the army.


promptly punished, same."

be ready to pursue and capture any


If the first
it

men

that

party of deserters can be caught and

will

perhaps deter others from doing the


this in

Whether General Forrest had


considering
it

mind

is

of course, not

known;

the probabihties however, are that he acted upon his

own

initiative,

a military necessity.

In either event
for,

it

was an unlucky

meeting, an unfortunate circumstance of war and perhaps not entirely


justifiable

under the peculiar conditions,

"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

ship growing out of the rivalries of

but the joyous

spirit of soldier

boys can only for a time be subdued,

a suitable occasion never failing to give expression to sentiments


otherwise dormant, as the following incident will illustrate.

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

ing his horse, he led

it

with his own into the woods, then hiding

himself nearby awaited developments.

Soon the head

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,

but the climax was

reached when an over-enraged comrade essaying to


exclaimed,
stop,"

make a

speech

'General Forrest, or no General Forrest, this thing

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.

for a fight or a frolic.

Passing through Tuscaloosa on the morning of April

i,

all

was

excitement and confusion, the

enemy

being expected hourly, yea,


tree lined street
stile

momentarily.
versity, there

Going down the broad

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

the walk to the

"headed for Selma," he


country to the
to get
east,

said, ''the

enemy

is

scouting

all
if

through the

and your capture will be certain

you attempt

by them."

fatherly advice, for he seemed to be of mature years,

While in conversation, or rather listening to his and the wish has

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

and with but one

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

enemy, returned and dismounted at camp.


farewell
after

Bidding the Colonel

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

thus seeking a place to sleep, the hoofbeats of a horse were heard

approaching at a gallop.
challenge

Coming nearer and soon

near, the usual

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

and thereby eliminating


fight at Selma.

his division

and

artillery as factors

impending

General

McCook
and

not only drove

off

the guard at the bridge, but

crossed over
after a little

felt for

General Jackson.

Finding him in force

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

lections of soldiers generally,

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

worn sandy road with high stake and

rider fences

264

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

moment a whole regiment

over the

hill

that were also

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.

Granting that the "Katydids," or Cadets,

the

first

term

is

object-

ionable, failed to hold the bridge, they at least

made a masterly retreat

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

While at the Sipsey Mill bridge command coming from

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

was not modish, or at

all

conciHatory in character.

The
by

major's strenuous protest was not so

much

against the necessity of

unconditional surrender, but the humiliation of being barked at


"nigger-dogs."

But, returning from this digression, on the day that


holding back General Jackson at the Center2,

General
ville

McCook was
i.

passing the fortifications at Selma.

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

General Wilson's forces

266

Mississippi Historical Society.

had been taken, even


son's order at

to ordering every

man

regardless of person or

position to fight or go into the river, thus dupUcating General Jack-

New Orleans fifty years before. Undaunted in the very


"Wizard
of the saddle"

face of disaster the

fought this last battle


other
fields.

with the same determination that

made him famous on

"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

the hoofbeats of one seemed the tattoo of ten."

In fighting his

out an even thirty

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

his first fight in 1861.

under him makes a record unsurpassed by any


the four years of war.

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

not employed as a convenient poetical phrase, but

rather in a true and literal sense as the following statement will


attest. Our Company, H, 6th Mississippi Regiment of Cavalry when mustering its full strength numbered one hundred men rank

and

file,

seventy of
little

whom

were under twenty years of age, and their


liberal use of

average age a

over eighteen years, which forcibly illustrates the

miUtary demands of the South in the

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

of its provisions, thereby setting

examples to be avoided rather

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

"Strange," said his companion, "you, once a soldier

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

adopted slogan "made in Mis-

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

river we are nearing, are thronging to the shore,

To

shout our safe arrival,


the weary weep no more."

Where

ROUTE OF DE SOTO'S EXPEDITION THROUGH LOWNDES


COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI.
By William
It

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

But when we take

read,
It

and by some made the subject


a mistake to imagine that
serious
it

of critical study.

is

requires a genius, or one possessed

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

of a specially finished educational training to be

De Soto's route. Any

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-

liminary to this brief discussion


clers themselves,

we

shall consider the

De Soto

chroni-

namely: The Gentleman


first

of Elvas.

published in 1557, then followed other reprints and translations both in French and English, the latest being by

His account was

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

Guatemala and Peru.

in 1881.
268

&HAe4<.A^a^^7^

Map

of

De

Soto's route over South

Alabama

Trail.

De

Soto's Expedition

Through Mississippi

Love.

269
for the

Lays Hernandez De Biedma was Factor or Commissary,


presented to the King of the Indies in 1544.
lation

expedition and wrote his narrative after reaching Mexico, which

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

The first EngHsh transBuckingham Smith also made a

No

attempt

made

to give the order in which they appear, nor will they be

specially referred to only as bearing of the

upon a

certain restricted portion

De

Soto route, as already indicated:

Dr. Edward Gaylor

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
*

recent appearance in the Mississippi Historical Society's

PubUcations, Vol. VI, of an article by Dr. Theodore

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.

contribution was the late Prof. H. S. Halbert, for years an enthusiastic

though painstaking student of

Having been

for

sometime

past an employee in the Department of Archives and History of

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."

Later he conceived the idea of writing an article on


route from Coosa

De

Soto's

Town

in

Alabama

to Chisca
is

Town

in Mississippi,

and aware

of the fact that the writer

somewhat

familiar with the

topography of Lowndes County, Mississippi, as well as of traditional


roads and river crossings, he solicited aid in the
in these particulars.
free

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

material used concerning the route in


reciprocal courtesy.

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

traveler returns, thus depriving the

State of his birth,

the State of his adoption, Mississippi,


further contributions to their history

pen.

What became

of this, perhaps

his last paper, is not


failed to elicit

known

to the writer.

Repeated inquiries have

any information as

to its existence or location.

judging from his well

known

readiness to advise

But and co-operate in

every endeavor looking to the preparation and preservation of Southern history, he would doubtless sanction even this bel^-ted and un-

assuming
of

effort in that direction.

Following up the conclusions then of several of the investigators

De Soto's route, we find him and his army at


ii, 1540, at

the present Alabama-

Mississippi line dividing the Counties of Pickens

and Lowndes on

December

a point six miles west of old Yorkville,

now

Ethelville in the former

and ten miles east

of

Columbus

in the latter.

This paper starts out with the assumption that

De Soto's
is

route lay

through Lowndes County.


in the light of personal
tical

The

present purpose then

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

they will not stand the test of time.

We

commence now our


if

investigation, first
is

by laying down
it is

as a

predicate that

there

is

one thing that

perfectly clear

that

De Soto,
Indian

as well as other explorers in their marches traveled along

trails.

And

second, that the territory through which he passed

was not a
trails,
trails.

trackless forest,

but traversed by main

trails

and many

cross

so one could travel throughout the country

by

following these

Any

investigator then

who
is

places

buffalo path through a canebrake in

De Soto and his army in a Lowndes County in December


lost.

hunting for a ford for his pigs,

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.

Next was the

trail

from the Tennessee River to the

lower Choctaw settlement in Mississippi, which later become the


basis of the Jackson Military

bearing that name.

And last
to

saw Nation southeast


Tombigbee.

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

evidence to support this con-

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,

army was then

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,

the expedition, both state that the Spaniards spent


17 in crossing the river.

Now the question naturally

could the

army have covered


instant, to

the distance from the point of

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

with a competent guide and ready to march;

its

objective point

being the Chickasaw towns in Pontotoc County at or near the present

272

Mississippi Historical Society.

Red Land.
known

Passing over a gently undulating country for say, six


is

miles to the north, the Luxapalila River


as the

reached at a point locally

Reuben Sanders Ford and below the influx of it and Yellow Creek.
the eye of an observant person
is

Mill,

one and a half miles


first

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.

After leaving the river


mile,

still

in

a northern direction about one


at right angles with the old

an intersection
trail,

is

made almost

Indian

then the Jackson Military road,

now

the improved

Jackson Highway from Nashville to


five miles to

New Orleans at a point known as

Bennet Place. Crossing this the trail led in a northern course for a most prominent antiquity known as the Neilson mound.
is

This

situated in a level field

and
feet

is

oblong in form, with basal

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

remarks about the natives.

De
is

So:o, not unlike his predecessor in former explorations, Herof

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

"Are they here

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

steel bridge, this like the

Luxapalila

was well known

in pioneer

days and doubtless existed even

in

pre-Columbian days.

Here

too, the village site is in evidence

and

within very recent years a collector could find


of

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

to Mississippi's history, legis-

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

to strengthen the contention that the route just described is

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

Pontotoc County, the one of course, nearest the


another party of horsemen arrived and
arrived.

river,

twenty-eight miles away.

On December
baggage-carriers

17,

it

was

perhaps the next day before the remainder of the army, the infantry,

and hogs

274

Mississippi Historical Society.

Leaving
towns,

De

Soto and his army

now

quartered in the Chickasaw

we

return to
trail,

prehistoric

mentioned namely, the Chickasaw, leading to the southeast.


to describe the last

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,

bearing date April

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

Returning again to the main subject,

of all their iron,

and perhaps had occasion

to use these
it is

cannon

balls

as well as parts of their useless small arms, for

stated that they

made

all their

iron stirrups into nails to be used in

making the brigan-

tines on the Mississippi River for shipping themselves out of this

country.

So the reader can form


Yorkville "find"
is

his

own

conclusions as to whether the

De

Soto or early Alabama pioneer reHc.

The

276

Mississippi Historical Society.

next to be considered

is

a Spanish halberd which was found several


It

years ago a few miles from the Luxapalila crossing.

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

habitation, but immediately in the track of the Jack-

son Military Road, and was evidently lost there by some traveler

and there remained


route through

until unearthed

by the farmer's plowshare.

In justice to readers holding the Claiborne theory of

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

about eighty-five miles, too great a

dis-

tance to be covered within five days


soldiers,

by an army of

sick

heavy laden baggage

carriers,

prisoners,

and wounded many of them

chained together, and droves of hogs.


encountered, the sluggish Sipsey with

Then
its

the physical obstacles

broad swamp and dense

canebrake; the Lubbub, Cold Fire and


yet an average of seventeen miles per day

Magbee
is

Creek, and last

Luxapalila River, meaning in fact a crossing for each day's march, and
said to

have been made.

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

gravel discharge which

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

Lowndes, Clay and Chickasaw counties.

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

illustrating the Biblical assertion that

'Faith without works

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.

Mrs. Peyton of Copiah County had been writing a number of letters


in the

Jackson Clarion favoring the creation of a college for young

ladies in the State similar to the University of Mississippi for

young

men.

She wrote over the name "Mississippi Woman."

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

sought to have co-education

made

effective at the University of

Mississippi and Colonel Reynolds was doing what he could to secure

recognition of such at Oxford through legislation.

Meanwhile Mrs. Olivia Hastings


education for

of Claiborne

County had been

writing a series of articles in the Jackson Clarion favoring industrial

women

in Mississippi.

She wrote over the name

"OUve."

The

articles written

by the two

ladies

above named attracted

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

and thus a very wide

field for

information was opened.

1 Since this paper was written the name of the institution has been changed to Mississippi State College for Women.

277

278

Mississippi Historical Society.

As was the

case with

members

of the legislature, every

Saturday

evening to go home, I returned to

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

to the depot I overtook Colonel

mean

that she favored the opening of a wide field for in-

dustrial education for


college education;

young women in Mississippi along with a he repHed that he believed she did and suggested

that I spend a day at his wife's


following

home on my way back

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,

I read it over carefully to

Mrs. Hastings, asked


industrial education

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

and next day, going


bill

into the

old law libary in the old capital, reformed the

only so far as

providing for the directors of the College.


Agricultural

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

original draft provided that the College should be

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

the time the

bill

was prepared

so

happened that the

of

counties

was being

called for the introduction of local bills.

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

The bill passed

House on as
It

a vote as

passed the Senate,

there being only two majority.

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

Mississippi Historical Society.

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

to that standard which,

made

it

the leading institution for the education of

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

him by the bearer


will

of this article.

dupHcate of these pictures


dustrial Institute

designed for the President of the In-

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

and College and

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

with Corn, encounter 36-37; Weatherford at Fort Mims, 46n;


59, home of, 64. Bailey, 1st Lieut. James, 38; at massacre of Fort Mims, 47; in command at Fort Sinquefield, 59. , Baker, Capt. 119. Baldwin, , at battle of Burnt

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

37. Asia, British frigate, loi. Atkins', Capt. Daniel, 208.

Com,

Beluche, Capt.

113.

Benton,
55-

Thomas H., duel with Jackson,

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.

Mississippi Historical Society.


of,

troops from,

?^4*-

Blanchard, Charles K., aide-de-camp


to Gov. Holmes, 90.

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

river crossed Soto, 271; beauty of, 273.

by

De

100.

Bond, Capt. John, 200. Bond, Lieut. William, 200.


Bourne, Dr. Edward Gaylord, of Yale
College, cited, 269. Bowman, 1st Lieut. Richard, 38.
Cadillac,
84.
,

erects Fort Toulouse,

Caesar, negro, in Dale's famous fight,


65.

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,

Ensign William S., 38. Browne, Gov. English governor,


Britt,

34-

Carroll,

Gen.

ordered to

New
ball

Bruinsburgh,
i4n.

store

of

Jackson's

at,

Orleans, 108; commands line at battle of New Orleans, 134, 137.

Bryant, William Cullen, poet, cited, 272-273.


Bullard,
,

Carson, Miss A.,


sent to, 152.

invitation

to

at

battle

of

Burnt

Corn, 37.
Bullen, Capt. Samuel, 189. Bullet, William, on staff of Gen. Coffee,

i3Sn. Burleson, Capt. James, 189.

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,

of company of, 163. , Cathell, Mrs.

widow,

from

Georgia, 42n. Cato's fort, location of, 4in.

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

devotion to government of, 124;

command

of

river

Chesapeake, attack upon, 241. , English governor, Chester, Gov.


Chicasa, forced

bank by, 145; sketch of 153. Claiborne's Regiment of Mississippi Militia, officers and men of, 216223.

march

to, 273.
trail

Clanton, Dr. A. B., cited, 5 in.


from,
Clarion, 277. Cleveland, Capt. David, 200.

Chickasaws, traits
271.

of, 20.

Chickasaw nation, main

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

Codrington, Rear Admiral Sir Edward,


British officer, loi. , reinforces Claiborne, Coffee, Gen. 55; at battle of Tallussahatchie, 67; at battle of Horseshoe Bend, 80-81; in attack upon Pensacola, 98; ordered to New Orleans, 108; commands left of Jackson's army at New Orleans, 119; ordered to

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,

turn British right flank, 120; 135;


137.

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,
,

236; skill of, 251.

between Hinds and Floumoy, 58;


orders evacuation of Fort Madison, 61; statesmanship of, 62; desires to rid country of Indians, 66; receives orders from Floumoy, 70; letters from, 71; plans to attack Creek capital, 71-72; conquers the Holy Ground, 74-77; letter from, 78; regard for Jackson of, 83; ill health of, 90; sketch
of, 154.

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

Mississippi Historical Society.


Dale's Battalion of Mississippi Militia, officers and men of, 222. Dangerfields, family of, 244. , Daniels, Private escape of from massacre at Fort Mims, son.

Cornells, Jim, half-breed scout, 44.

Cortez, Hernando, comparison of, with De Soto, 272. Cotton Gin Port, Choctaw trail to, 271; advance division of De Soto
at, 273.

Covington, Alexander, of Washington,

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

Confederacy, description of, 33-34Creek Nation, assistance of British


^

to, 88; pitable conditions of, after defeat, 88-89.

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.

Creek Indian war,


21;

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

Croghan, Col. Croxton, Gen.

Cunningham,

237. 264, 265. , commands Lieut.


,
,

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

Dunn, Capt. Henry,


Dyer, Col.
67.
,

attacks Littefutche,

Madison, 147; 174, 224.

Index.

8s

Eaton, cited, 96, 150. Econachaca, fort erected by Weather,

ford, 71-72.

Eighteenth

Regiment of Mississippi and men of, 213. Eldridge, Capt. Thomas, 189.
Militia, officers
Elliott, Capt.
Ellis,
Ellis,

Judge

William, 216. , of Winchester, 249,

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.

Encyplbpedia of United States History,


cited, 22.

Engle, Ca/>/. Philip A., 38, 174, 216.


Ethelville, Alabama, relic at, 275. Evans, Capt. William, 208.

Farrar, Capt. Benjamin, of Mississippi

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,

Regiment of Mississippi Volunofficers and members of,

174-188. Flaugeac, Gen. Garrigues, command of battery 6 by, at New Orleans,


133.

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

patch from, 263. Fort Barancas, at JPensacola, 99, 100.

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

Mississippi Historical Society.


Halbert, Prof. H. S., historian, cited, 23, 36, 39n, 43, 44, 44n, 49, 5on,
68, 86n-87n, 269, 274.

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

Harper's Encylopedia of United States


History, cited, 22.

Harper's Magazine, cited, 277, 278. Harris, L. C, wounded at battle of

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.

Heard, 73. Henderson, Col.


,

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-

Henry, Patrick, Jackson compared


118.

to.

Henry, Capt. William, 174, Hermes, British sloop, attack on Fort

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.

appointed chief justice of orphans

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

Holmes, Judge Hugh, difference from


brother
239,
of,

234; sketch of,


of,

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.

anecdote of, 248. Holmes, Col. Joseph,

Holy Ground,
victory Hood, Gen.
of, 261.

battle
,

of,

effects

of

of, 77.

disastrous campaign

Hopie Tustanuggee, cited, 44n. Horseshoe Bend, battle of,


slaughter at, 82.

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.

Com. John, 14th Regiment, Mobile county, 90.

Howell, William B., marriage of, 56. Hull, Gen. William, surrender of, at
Detroit, 2on.

History

Historical Memoirs, cited, 123. of United States, by

Henry
Burnt

Humbert, Gen.
Orleans, 145.

at battle of

New

Adams,
Hollinger,

cited, 92n.
,

at

battle

of

Com,
Holmes,

37.

Capt. Andrew Hunter, inspector of regiment, 28; sketch of


237.
of, 11;

Holmes, Gov. David, patriotism

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,

Hunter, Col. David, cited, 234; sketch


of,

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,

Tustunnaga, Creek warrior, 46n. In Clarke and Its Surroundings, cited,


Iffa

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.

International Encyclopedia, cited, 11. Irving, Theodore, 269.

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.

Jack, Capt. William, 38, 174.

288
Jackson, Gen.

Mississippi Historical Society.

Mississippi

Andrew, campaign in Territory begun by,


in
of,

12; where married, 14; lives "Old Greenville," 14; sketch

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

Johnson, Sailing Master , 106. Johnston, Gen. , army of, 258,


250.

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

H., wounded Orleans.

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.

determination of, to resist British advance, 130; discovers British


plans,

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

Dragoons, 55; sketch of, 55n, 157. Col. Reuben, pursuit of


of,

British by, 144; sketch

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.

Jim Boy, Creek


of,

chieftain, 32; sketch

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

Soto through, 268-278.


of Mississippi, 279. Lucas, Capt. William A., 226. Luckett, 2d Lieut. James, 38. Luse, Capt. Nathan H., 226. LuxapaliJa river, crossed by De Soto, 271; location of, 272; relic found at, 276.

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.

McCalebs, old home

McCaskey, John,

Layson,

ist Lieut.

Robert, 38.

Lawrence Maj. William, defender of Fort Bowyer, 94-96.


Lea, Capt. Zachariah, 216. Lee, Robert E., comparison of Jackson
with, 152;
of, 236.

army

of 258; 259.

McGillivray, Lachlan, father of Alexander, 2 in. McGillivray William, descendants of,


70.

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.

McGuire, Edward, of Winchester, 236. McGuire, Mrs. Elizabeth, sketch of,


236.

McGuire, Hugh Holmes, eminent physician, 236.

McKee,

, Col. secures attachment of Chickasaws, 62. , 206. McElinsey, Capt. McQueen, Peter, Creek chieftain, 32. McRea, Col. 119.
,

Martin, Hon.

J.

McC, True History

OF Incorporaton of the Industrial Institute and College,

290

Mississippi Historical Society.

Located at Columbus, Mississippi, 277-280.

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.

Moniac, Sam, trip with Weatherford,


44n.

massacre at Fort Mims, son. Maumee river, battle on, 13.


escape of, from Maurice, sacre at Fort Mims, 5on.
,

Morancy, Mrs. Jennie,


279.

state librarian,
in, 273.

mas37.

Monroe county, Indian mounds

May, May,

at battle of Patrick, 73.


,

Burnt Com,

Monroe, James, express from, announcing declaration of war with Great


Britain, 26.

Mays, Ensign Stephen, 38. Mazant Lieut. commands


lery at battle of
38.

artil-

Montgomery, ist Lieut. Montgomery, Maj.


Horseshoe Bend,

New

Orleans, 134.
colonel,

A., 38. , at battle of 81; first to mount

Mead, Cowles, commissioned

38; defeated for congress, 38n; 174. Meek, Judge , cited, son. Middleton, Capt. sent to Fort
,

Mead, Capt. William C,

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,

to advance, 145. Lieut.-Col. Com. Jordan, i8th


ist Lieut.
J. A.,

Regiment, Hancock county, 90.


William, 38.

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.

ness of, Jackson, 131. Mississippi State College for

devotion and faithfuli22n; high praise of, by

Moss, Mrs. Gertrude E., sketch


237.

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

Horseshoe Bend, 81.

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,

in annexation of Mississippi Territory, 12; Spaniards at, 275.

included

Muscogee Nation, sketch

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,

Mad-dog, Indian chieftain, 69. Madison, President James, requisition


for troops made by, 94; notification of victory of New Orleans

Nichols, Col. guest of Spanish at Pensacola, 98.


,

Nixon, Col. 56. Nixon, Lieut.-Col. Com. George H., 13th Regiment, Marion county.
,

sent to, 147.

90; officers
,

and members

of regi

Malcolm, Rear Admiral


oflScer, loi.

British

ment
Norris,
134.

of,

164-174.
,

Norge, British frigate, loi.

Manadere,
90.

Lieul.-Col.

loth Regiment,

Com. Henry, Warren county,

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.
,

Manae, Saml., Manique, Gov.

half-breed, cited, 290.

Nuniah Waiya, sacred mound


Choctaws, 34, 34n.

O
Ogden, Capt.
,

Marchand, Capt.
2in.

French

officer,

135.

Marschalk, Adj. Gen. Andrew, 90. Marshall, Jiidge Hunter, of Charlotte,


Va., 236.

Oglethorpe, treaty with in 1732, 32. Ohio, army in, 13. Old Greenville, during colonial period,
12;

name

of, 14.

Martin, Gen.

Joseph, Indian treaties negotiated by, isn.

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,

279, 280. ist Lieut.

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
.

Regiment, Amite county, 90; reinforcements of, 146.


Neilson, Capt. John, 174. Neilson's Detachment of
Militia, officers

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

, Capt. no. Orleans, battle of, 11,

19-146;

Patterson,

136-145; British losses at, 141 celebration of victory


last
of,
;

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

Mississippi Historical Society.


chieftain, 19; assistants of, 22; remains friendly to whites, 54; visits Fort St. Stephens, 62; exults over victory of Burnt Corn, 70-71; at the capture of the Holy City, 73, 76. Put-in-Bay, battle of, 2on.

St. Philip, 114; report secretary of the navy, 128129; 143 Patton's fort, location of, 42n. Patton, Lieut.-Col. Com. James, 9th

Pushmataha, Choctaw

Regiment, Payne, Dr. J.

Wayne county, 90. W. W., of EthelviUe,


275.
of,

Alabama,
beauty

Pensacola, Spanish possession


of,

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

, British officer of naval attack upon

Ramilies, British frigate, loi.

Fort Bowyer, 95-96. Percy, Thomas, aide-Kie-camp to Gov.

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.

Richardson, Capt. J. G., of Mississippi Dragoons, 56, at battle of New


Orleans, 135, 157.

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

in, 271, 273.

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

Robinson, Lieut.-Col. Com. Raymond, Sth Regiment, Claiborne county;


90.

Rolls of Mississippi Commands in THE War of 1812, 157-233Ross, Col. Orleans,


battle of
,

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

Sixteenth Regiment (Burrus') of Mississippi Militia, officers

and men

208-212. Sizemore, Absalom, 47n.


of,

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.
^

quartermaster, 38. Sargent, Winthrop, administration


12.

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.

levies negro troops,


38, 174.

no.
Scott, Capt. Scott, Col.

Abram M.,
,

sent

to

Fort

St.

Stephens, 39. Schuyler, Capt. , commander of Fort Stoddart, 4on.


Sea-horse, British frigate, loi.

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.

93. Sessions, Joseph, aide-de-camp to Gov.

Holmes, 90. Seventh Regiment (Perkins* Battalion)


of Mississippi Militia, officers

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,

Mary, third wife

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,

Sherman, Gen. William T., army

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-

sented by, 154.


Sixth

Swan, 2d Lieut. Robert, Swayze, Maj. S7


,

2,^.

Regiment

of Mississippi Militia,

Swayze's

officers and men of, 188-189. Sixth Mississippi Regiment of Cavalry, Confederate, 267.

Detachment of Mississippi Militia, officers and men of, 231.

Sykes, Judge E. O., of Aberdeen, 279. , of Columbus, 280. Sykes, Senator

294

Mississippi Historical Society.


Tippecanoe, battle of, 2on. Tohopeka, See Horseshoe Bend. Tombigbee, settlement of Mississippi
Territory, 18.

Tallassees, tribe Stick," 32.

belonging

to

"Red

Tallussahatchie, battle of, 67. Tate, David, half-brother of Weatherford, 46n.

Tombigbee

river,

Choctaw

trail

from,

Tatum, Maj.
cited, 266.

116.
of,

Taylor, Gen. Richard, escape

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.

Tensas, settlement of Mississippi Territory, 19.

Vega, Garcillasco
of

Tenskwatawa, brother of Tecumseh,


i9n.

De La, cited, 268. VeUio, Capt. Joseph, officers and men


company
of, 213.

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.
,

at Fort St. John,

men
Thlanie,

200-205. Sapoth, second Weatherford, 47n.


of,
,

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,

Tandy, daring backwoodsman, 4in; story of, 63.


of 181 2, Mississippi Territory in the, 11-233.

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

of Mississippi Territory, 25.

New Orleans,
Thornton,
tle of
,

i3on.

New

British officer at batOrleans, 118, 142.


Bill,

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;

, ordered to New Orleans, 108; ordered to be vigilant,

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;

Witherspoon, Lieut.-Col. Com. Robert, nth Regiment, Franklin county,


90.

Whitney, J. J., state senator, of son county, 279.


Wilkins, Col. of, 146;

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.
, ,

Woodbine, Bowyer, 96. Woodruff, Maj.

at defense of Fort

, in attack upon Pensacola, 98. Woodville, during colonial period, 12.

Woodward, historian, Woodward, Gen.

cited, 30, 89. cited, 44n.

F
336 M77 V.4

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