The Columbian Highway: A military history of the Natchez Trace - part 5, Conclusion

Cotton bales and Cannonballs

"View of the Battle of New Orleans" by Jean Hyacinthe Laclotte, 1815.
The artist was one of Jackson's engineers present at the battle.

In April of 1814 Napoleon capitulated to the Allied Powers of Europe enabling England to shift the resources of thousands of battle-hardened veterans to America.  On the advise of Vice-Admiral Cochrane, the War Ministry of England would mount it’s most ambitious campaign yet against the American south.  The goal at this point was to end the war on favorable terms.  If England could take New Orleans, it would secure a major port of entry into the United States whereby the military could… “occupy some important and valuable possession by the restoration of which we may improve the conditions of peace, or which may entitle us to exact its cession as the price of peace.”  Jackson received word from Secretary of War James Monroe in October elucidating the mounting fear that, should the British capture New Orleans, they would be free to move into the interior of the country and sever the United States.  The British were coming, and it was up to Andrew Jackson to stop them.  Although various actions occurred all along the Gulf Coast during England’s amphibious campaign of conquest, the affair, as speculated, was decided at New Orleans.  After several smaller actions, the British Army launched their main attack on January 8th of the new year, 1815.  Jackson’s force of regular army, militia, volunteers, free blacks, allied Indians, and pirates dealt a crushing defeat to the guardians of the British Empire that had vanquished Napoleon. 

The Battle of New Orleans by Eugene Louis Lami, 1839.

The battle was overwhelmingly one-sided.  Waves of red-coated British regulars repeatedly tried to breach the earthworks and silence the guns placed on cotton bales from behind which the American line held firm and shot down their attackers without regard.  Total American losses were reported at 333.  The total casualties, including three generals, for the British was 2,459 of which their Commanding General, Sir Edward Pakenham was among the slain.   The Treaty of Ghent, which had actually been signed on Christmas Eve of 1814, was finally known to the combatants in mid February.  The British abandoned the recently captured Fort Bowyer and sailed off to the West Indies.

Going Home

Once again the Natchez Trace echoed with the footfalls of thousands of soldiers as they returned to their homes in the Mississippi Territory, Tennessee, and Kentucky.  The passing phalanx of men and animals is best described by one who witnessed it.  The Methodist Reverend John G. Jones lived on the Natchez Trace at the time and recorded his impressions for posterity… “Mail was limited and newspapers few, so by concert signal, guns were fired at given points along the Mississippi River all the way to Natchez to let the people know of the victory.  The news went from mouth to ear all the way to Alabama, and was soon followed by official news of a permanent peace, then word of “soldiers return.”  First came the heavy brigade of Tennessee infantry; then came regiments of mounted riflemen, and squadrons of light dragoons of various sizes, followed by smaller detachments of both infantry and cavalry, and last came the sick and their attendants, and for months (I) seldom looked up or down the Natchez Trace without seeing passing soldiers.  The war was over.”

The Columbian Highway: A military history of the Natchez Trace - part 4

Tennesseans, to Arms!  

Tennessee Volunteer Infantry in line of battle.
Horseshoe Bend National Military Park. Painting by Keith Rocco.

Within forty-eight hours of the Duck River Massacre, General Thomas Johnson with an detachment of 500 men of the 6th Brigade, Tennessee Militia had taken the field.  A second force under command of Colonel Pillow from west Tennessee also set out in pursuit of the Creeks.  Neither met with much success and was forced to abandon pursuit after a short time.  The only casualty suffered on this punitive expedition was the shooting and subsequent scalping of a lone Creek warrior by Pillow’s men.  An act that accomplished nothing militarily but did serve to exacerbate an already tense situation.  The ineffectiveness of the brief campaign of reprisal was likely due to the fact that the Tennessee Militia at the time of the massacre was without it’s commanding General, Andrew Jackson.  Jackson had been in Georgia on personal business when the Creeks struck the Duck River settlement.  Making a hasty return to his state, Jackson fired off a letter to Governor Blount in Knoxville seeking authorization to lead a full-scale military expedition into the Creek nation to “ demand the perpetrators, at the Point of the Bayonet, if refused, that we make reprisals, and lay their Towns in ashes. . .I only want your orders, the fire of the militia is up, they burn for revenge, and now is the time to give the creeks the fatal blow, before the[y] expect it.” 

 Although it would be a year before Jackson would lead the campaign he envisioned, the stage was now set.  The immediate crisis was diffused by friendly Creeks wanting to avoid an actual war.  The perpetrators of the Duck River killings were executed by fellow Creeks.  The situation went from bad to worse.  Now Civil War broke out among the Creeks.  The Red Stick faction among the Creek Indians had long wanted a war and now they had one.

Major General Andrew Jackson
Ca. 1814

The Creek Campaign, the War of 1812 and the making of Andrew Jackson

The atrocity visited on the Manly and Crawley families the previous spring was still fresh in the mind of Tennesseans when word came that America and England were once again at war.  In the summer of 1812, the Madison Administration, pursuant to a long record of grievances, formally declared war on Great Britain June the 18th.  Initially, the theater of action was in the north centered around the struggle for Canada.  Invasion followed by folly best described the American effort to conquer the neighbor to the north.  Acts of individual bravery and heroism on both sides marked the war’s early campaigns but as a cohesive military effort, it was lacking as things began to stalemate along the border between Canada and the United States.  In the south, the war was limited to recruiting and one small military expedition by Major General James Wilkinson against Spanish held Mobile in present day Alabama.  However, in July of 1813, militia from the Mississippi Territory intercepted a party of Creeks returning from an expedition to gather arms and munitions from the Spanish at Pensacola.  The small skirmish at Burnt Corn Creek resulted in an Indian victory after the militia were driven from the field.  The larger significance was what followed as a result. 

The Creek onslaught breeches the walls of Fort Mims.
Horseshoe Bend National Military Park.

On August 30, emboldened by their recent victory, a large force of Creeks attacked militia and civilians held up inside Fort Mims on the Alabama river roughly 45 miles north of Mobile.  The killing was indiscriminate with only 36 survivors out of roughly 550 soldiers, men, women, and children inside the fort.  The devastation panicked the Southwest and a call to arms was raised throughout the region.  Andrew Jackson had already taken the field the previous January at the head of the Tennessee State Militia bound for Natchez to await further orders.  When the only order was to disband or for Jackson’s men to reenlist as regular army under General Wilkinson, Jackson defiantly ordered his men to remain under arms.  He personally led his army the 500 miles back up the Natchez Trace to Tennessee.  This show of stubborn frontier character earned him the epithet “Old Hickory” a nickname that would serve him well throughout his life.  When news of the Fort Mims massacre reached Jackson at Nashville, he immediately mustered 2,500 militia and volunteers and rode off to war.  By October Jackson’s army was on campaign descending deeper into present-day Alabama.  The Tennesseans were part of a three column strategy that never fully materialized.  At least not as planned.  For most of the campaign, Jackson’s Division went it alone, fighting as they marched, and almost starving by late November having never yet seen a supply column.  Only Jackson’s sheer determination and personal grit kept his men in the field during the fall of 1813.  In late winter, events began to turn in Jackson’s favor and 1814 would be a much better year.  In February Jackson’s Division was reinforced by the 39th Infantry of U.S. Regular Army.  They provided a disciplined corps that Jackson needed desperately. 

The U.S. 39th Infantry charges against the Creek barricade.
Horseshoe Bend National Military Park.  Painting by Keith Rocco.

The Battle of Horseshoe Bend

By March, the division was once again moving against the Creeks and caught up with them as what became known as the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.  At 4:00 a.m. on March 27, 1814, Jackson's army was encamped about six miles from the place known to the Creeks as Tohopeka, the more common name being Horseshoe Bend.  Jackson arrived on the field later that morning and at about 10:00 o'clock began bombarding the Creek position.  After a lengthy firing of the cannon, General John Coffee described what followed.  "The firing of [the] cannon and small arms in short time became general and heavy, which animated our Indians [allied Cherokee], and seeing about one hundred of the warriors and all the squaws and children of the enemy running among the huts of the village which was open to our view, they could no longer remain silent spectators, while some kept up a fire across the river (which is about 120 yards wide) to prevent the enemy's approach to the bank, others plunged into the water and swam the river for canoes that lay on the other shore in considerable numbers, and brought them over, in which crafts a number of them embarked, and landed on the bend with the enemy."  Shortly after noon, Jackson ordered a general advance on the enemy's works.  As the drummer of the 39th sounded the advance, Major John Reid recalled; "Never were men more anxious to be led to the charge than both our regulars and militia.  The long roll was beating, & the troops in motion.  It was not fear, it was not anxiety or concern for the fate of those who were so soon to fall, but it was a kind of enthusiasm that thrilled through every nerve, & animated me with the belief that the day was ours, without adverting to what it must cost us."  The two forces were joined and the killing soon became general and in earnest.  Both sides seemed to want to see the thing played out to the last act.

The impressive defenses built by the Creek Indians ultimately
became a barrier that trapped them in and prevented escape. 
Horseshoe Bend National Military Park.  Painting by Keith Rocco.

The action lasted into the night until it simply became to dark to conduct any sort of cohesive maneuver.  On the next day, Andrew Jackson road over the battlefield as victor over the vanquished.  His cost in the battle had amounted to just over 200 casualties of which 70 were among the allied Cherokee and friendly Creek.  With the defenders it was a far different story.  The Creeks suffered a crushing defeat losing over 800 out of 1000 effectives engaged.  Though it wasn't known immediately, the Red Stick faction of the Creek nation had been broken.  By late summer the Creeks admitted defeat and signed the treaty of Fort Jackson on August 9, 1814.  By the end of the month Jackson had moved his headquarters to Mobile.



To all:
By way of explanation, I would like to extend my apologies for so long a time passing between the now memorable events of last January 2015 and the posting of this open letter to all those involved in the efforts of the Columbia Light Infantry during the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans. This heartfelt letter was intended to be posted shortly after the event.  However, though my interest is that of the early 19th century, I am at the mercy of technology of the 21st century.  Laptops crash and pictures are lost.  So, as they say, better late than never.  

Warmest Regards,

Jeffrey L. Brewer
Capt. Columbia Light Infantry

CLI as the 1st Company, Tennessee Volunteers holding the line at the High-Water mark of the English advance.

Men and Ladies of the Columbia Light Infantry

Frozen and numb, the CLI march out to battle yet again.

This past week, given the limitations placed on our little “band of brothers” by time and distance, we achieved something quite remarkable.  First, like those original volunteers, we came together of our own free will to engage in a challenge of our own choosing.  That challenge was of course the reenactment of the battles for New Orleans, beginning December 23^rd 1814 and culminating the 8^th of January, 1815.  While I must say, we in no way will ever understand the rigors of what those original combatants endured, as far as reenactments go, this was no easy task.  Unlike 200 years ago, we did not experience the pain and suffering associated with linier combat, we did however, experience the “unseasonably cold” temperatures those men endured two centuries ago (I almost froze my brass buttons off sometime between Wednesday night and sunrise Thursday morning) and we definitely were victims of the “fog of war.”  Uncertainty ruled the day during our recreation which, having the benefit of hindsight was probably the most realistic aspect of the entire recreation.   

Colonel Abolt often addresses assembled reenactors as “my brave comrades” which I think is a manifestation of his genuine appreciation for those present.  I, however, will refrain from using the epithet “brave” because simply speaking; it takes no courage in a recreated battle to oppose a recreated enemy that can do you no harm.  Although I have served in two separate branches of the military, it appears at this point in my life, it has not been my lot to risk the supreme sacrifice for my country.  As I have the most respect for those who have, those men, and now women, are the brave, not me.

With regard to comrades, this I fully embrace.  Each and every one of you has made me, and I know I speak for Bryant Boswell as well as Tony Turnbow, extremely proud!  Furthermore, you should be proud of yourselves.  With no more preparation than we had, and the last minute imposition of Smyth’s Manual of Arms in place of Von Steuben’s Rules and Regulations; we adjusted as required and by my observation, was as good as or better than any other unit I witnessed in our Brigade.  Congratulations on a job well done!

Acting 1st Sergeant Bryant Boswell.

In recognition of each of you; To Bryant Boswell, you are a driving force and your passion and commitment is indispensable.  While it may not be blood, I do know that you have sacrificed greatly of your time and personal resources.  It is an honor to know you.  

Steve Myers.

To Steve Myers, you are a solid individual that is much more knowledgeable regarding all aspects of our common passion than I was aware of.   It is a genuine comfort to know there are others in the ranks that can provide technical and moral support amid the “fog of war” that comes from the confusion that reigns in events like this.  I appreciate you and look forward to joining you in future events.  

John Hess

John Hess, you deserve my heartfelt appreciation for simply being there.  You had double-duty caring for your ailing wife as well as nursing a nasty cold yourself yet you still came.  Thank you. 

Parson Jeff Sinclair belting
out the Gospel to a camp of
hardened sinners.              

To the whole Sinclair family, Jeff, Cheri, Elisabeth, Matthew and John, thank you all.  Jeff, thank you so much for your obvious concern for the proclamation of the Gospel and your visible love of the Lord.  The “impression” you do as Parson is something completely authentic to the time and place of those early Americans collectively known as Brother Jonathan.  I salute you and thank God for your willingness to be part of our endeavor.  

Elizabeth and Cheri Sinclair

Fifer John Sinclair taking
his place in line with musket.

John Sinclair was 
a Godsend this weekend.  You, John, I watched as you patiently assisted your elders as you saw need as well as shepherded my little Samuel.  In battle you filled in as needed from closing the files to eventually taking your place on the firing line, 
thank you John.  

2nd Platoon Sergeant
Matthew Sinclair

Matthew, it is a genuine pleasure to watch how you and Nathan are forming a bond of friendship as well as an eager acceptance of your role as a Sergeant in our recreated Columbia Light Infantry.  When I was “felled” by John Bull during our inglorious retreat on the West Bank, you took what was left of our company and got them safely to the rear.  Play, yes, but being thrust into a leadership role unexpectedly is a challenge in any circumstance.  I am proud of you Matthew. 

1st Platoon Sergeant
Nathan Brewer

Nathan, my own son, you have brought the most delight to your Captain and your father as I watch you mature into a man.  I am all too aware that in the world in which we live, you, as well as Matthew as well any or all of your younger brothers may one day be tasked with laying aside your muskets, drums and flags as you take up arms for real.  It is a dangerous world.  I am comforted that I was able to be there for all of you and hopefully instill some understanding of military life and concern for those around you and commitment to something larger than yourselves.  Learn from your elders you have been blessed to be surrounded by in our unit, they have much to pass on and are eager to convey their wisdom to your generation.

Ensign Jonathan Brewer

To Jonathan Brewer, my second son, I am so proud of you and also extend my thanks to you for adapting to the situation with maturity that becomes a reasonable and thoughtful young man.  On day one you were informed that you would not be given the honor of carrying our standard into battle as company flags were not to be allowed in association with the battalion flag.  Disappointed, nevertheless you took your place at the back of the company and served to help hold the place between second platoon and the 2^nd Company of Tennessee Militia in addition to assisting your Captain wherever you could and for that your Captain thanks you son.

Drummer Samuel Brewer

To Samuel Brewer, my third son, I am so very proud of you!  With no formal training and no guide to instruct you other than some recordings from Colonial Williamsburg’s Fife and Drums, you disciplined yourself and learned to the best of your ability the basic tunes that were required of you.  After meeting John Sinclair and under his care, you made me very proud as the two of you provided the only company level music in the militia early on and finally as part of the music of the battalion.  Thank you son!

Alan Fitzmorris and John McBride

To our newest recruits Alan Fitzmorris and John McBride; thank you.  This was very much a new and strange experience to you both.  However, each time I conversed with you or glanced your way in line you were attentive to orders and during the battles excited and filled with enjoyment.  A pleasure it is to have you both! 

Mike Bowman, Tom Watts, Jim Wallace, Sid Stoffels, Marty Aubuchon, and Ed Scholl.
Columbia Light Infantry's "Old Guard" veterans of Lewis and Clark fame.

To the “Old Guard” of the recreated Lewis and Clark expedition; Mike Bowman, Tom Watts, Jim Wallace, Sid Stoffels, Marty Aubuchon and Ed Scholl, I salute you.  All of you gentlemen since your Lewis and Clark days, along with Bryant, have displayed a selflessness in promoting the history of this nation that far surpasses anything that the “professionals” would attempt to do with public funds and never do at their own expense.  Mike Bowman, I appreciate your commitment to the unit.  Since meeting you for the first time at Colbert’s Ferry, you have been present at each gathering of the Columbia Light Infantry.  This is in and of itself commendable coming from such a long way as in fact so many of you do.  Thank you.  Tom Watts, I have enjoyed getting to know you.  As former military, I thank you for your humility to lay aside your former commission to serve in a reversed role under a once enlisted man now playing the Captain.  Thank you.  Jim Wallace, thank you for your wisdom and proficiency with the tools of our trade.  It is no small thing to have our very own artificer to help with the maintenance and repair of our weapons.  I also take note of your kindness toward the younger ones in our camp.  I appreciate that on a personal note since you, and indeed all of our elder men in the company, can be a grandfatherly influence on my sons that they no longer have on my side of the family.  Sid Stoffels, often you extended your thanks to me for instructing and “putting up” with you.  Sid, I appreciate you sentiment but the honor is all mine.  Thank you for your commitment and willingness to learn.  To Marty Aubuchon, thank you for being you!  At times this event was stressful to which we can all attest.  However, in my weaker moments, you must have taken notice as you would address me from the rear rank, “Captain, are you having fun?”  If I wasn’t, seeing your inquisitive smile as you asked, instantly reaffirmed that I was indeed having fun!  Also, thank you for your encouragement on the dance floor.  You are quite the specimen of grace in the ballroom sir and I hope to emulate you soon.  To Ed Scholl, Colonel sir you are an inspiration!  At 84 years of age and after 30 years in the United States Army, you went over the works and took your place in line with fellow soldiers 68 years your junior!  All at the Quick Time!  Watching you scrambling forward sir, I could not help but note you looked quite the young man full of vigor and energy.  During a formation the next morning, I recounted what I had witnessed to the company.  I compared you to the men I had seen several days earlier in the WWII museum storming the beaches of Normandy.  To which Tom Watts replied, “I think Colonel Ed was one of those men storming the beaches of Normandy.”  We all had an affectionate laugh at your expense.  Again, you are an inspiration sir.

Jeanne Anderson

I want to make special mention of Jeanne Anderson.  Jeanne, along with my wife Teresa and Connie Jeans, took care of all the preparation for the event at the Bosque House in the French Quarter.  In addition, on two separate occasions that I’m aware of, Jeanne quietly loaded cartridges for the men of the company to replace the ones that we were rapidly expending in the field.  Thank you Jeanne for all you have done in the past for the Lewis and Clark Expedition and all you do for our newly formed Columbia Light Infantry.  I also would like to thank Connie’s husband Hal Jeanes for graciously opening up the Bosque House to us all. 

Our Commissary crew, Rick Pennington
and Rick Pennington Jr. 

A special thank you to Mr. Rick Pennington and Rick Pennington Jr. of our Commissary Department.  Napoleon was aware that an army marches on its stomach.  No different the reenactor although I doubt the former French Emperor ever imaged such robust stomachs!  Regardless, Rick and Rick Jr kept us fed and in less than hospitable weather conditions.  Not only did you two men feed us, you took care of the little things such as having hot water on the fire with which to clean muskets when the company returned to camp and hot coffee as a bulwark against the cold.  A sincere thank you to you both.

My littlest soldier, Ethan.

Another thank you that needs to go out is to my littlest son Ethan.  Unknown to the company, while the camp was abandoned at various times, my little Ethan kept the fire going.  He told his Mama he was not going to let that fire go out.  He is a precious child that can’t wait to grow up enough to fall into line with the rest of us but for now, he does what he can where he can while his big brothers go off to fight.  Thank you Ethan, I love you.

Tony Turnbow, the originator of the
drive to bring Living History to the
Natchez Trace Parkway.

Now I come to a very special thank you that I believe, without this person, none of this would have happened.  To Mr. Tony Turnbow I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Tony is truly unique and he has a passion for Tennessee history that I simply haven’t seen in another.  He selflessly commits a tremendous amount of time and resources doing the background foundational work that moves this enterprise along.  I and my family consider Tony a true friend and no event seems complete without seeing Tony peering across the camp from behind a telephoto lens.  I would also like to complement Tony in my honest sentiment that I believe if he ever gave up the practice of Law, he could find work as a freelance photographer.  His self-taught skill is with his camera is remarkable and the quality of his photo are, if not professional, something very much like it.  Thank you Tony.

My lovely wife at the Victory
Celebration Ball.

Finally, I want to give my most appreciative thanks to my wonderful wife Teresa.  She cooks, she cleans, she takes care of me, she raises and home-schools all four of our boys.  Never an easy task and certainly not when you add the rigors of taking all of this on the road to living history events and reenactments.  My appreciation for this period was heightened on the dance floor at the Victory Dinner held at Antoine’s.  Thank you Marty once again for encouraging us to attend the dancing.  Your encouragement resulted in memories that will last a lifetime.  What a magical night with such a beautiful lady.  Thank you Teresa, I love you.

Maj. Robert Nichols, Lt. Pat Milton, and Sgt Major Daniel;
Leaders of the Tennessee Militia Battalion 

In closing, to all of our new friends, Major Robert Nichols, Sgt. Major Daniel, Lt. Pat Milton, and all the rest of whom I can’t simply recall there are so many, thank you for the time and effort you put forth to make this event happen.  

"Foreign Policy"

Additionally, a special thank you to Major Alan Earp of the 1/95^th Rifles, a truly charming “chap” that does a credit to his uniform and the mother country; Major Earp, I was pleased to meet your acquaintance.  


Of course, a special thank you to Colonel Steve Abolt, the driving force behind all of this.  It has been an honor Colonel to get to know you over the last few years.

Colonel Steve Abolt, the driving force behind the Bicentennial
event of the Battle of New Orleans. 

Thank you to all of you for your time and effort in participating in a truly once in a lifetime event.  The memoires will last forever.

In Respectful Admiration,

Jeffrey L. Brewer

Captain, Columbia Light Infantry

The Columbian Highway: A military history of the Natchez Trace - part 3

Go West, young man, go West and grow up with the country — Horace Greely

As the 18th century faded into history, into old Southwest began a steady stream of settlers originating from the eastern southern states.  Tennessee, originally considered as part of North Carolina, was opened up to settlement for the country’s war veterans of the Revolution.    Likewise, the Georgia frontier became the Mississippi Territory for the same purpose.  Having no means of rewarding the soldiers who actually established the nation, those seeking such, could obtain land as their reward for service to their country.  Westward was the natural route of migration largely due to the fact that, as English colonies, the boundary of the British American Empire extended from the Eastern Seaboard all the way to the Mississippi River.  Beyond that lay the possessions of his most Catholic Majesty the King of France.  To the south, the Floridas, East and West,  were the dominion of the King of Spain.

 An Uneasy Peace

Period satire showing the sentiment of the national

consciousness regarding the proxy-war that was being

waged against Americans by European enemies.

 

As the population of Anglo-Americans began pushing westward, ancient rivals saw little difference between these new Americans or the English from which they came.  Both France and Spain had been ancient enemies and bitter rivals of Great Britain for the New World and neither wanted to accept that England had won that contest.  Equally hard for the English to accept was the fact that they too ultimately had lost that fight  to Brother Jonathan after suffering defeat in the American Revolution.  Whether the goal was to contain American expansion as with the French and Spanish, or set the stage to ultimately repossess it’s former North American colonies as with the English, all antagonists waged a silent war by the same strategy, employ America’s native population to do the fighting for them.  Such had been the case since the 1600’s along the East Coast.  Now, that tactic would be employed all throughout the south.

  

‘God willing and the Creek don’t rise.’ - Benjamin Hawkins

An illustration from the Colonial conflicts, this scene is reminiscent

of the horror experienced by Mrs. Manley and Mrs. Crawley when

their farmstead on the Duck River was savagely attacked by Little

Warrior and his followers.  

 

In May of 1812, John Crawley and Jesse Manley had been away from their homes together on a journey to obtain corn for the planting season.  Upon returning to their homes along the Duck River, they soon discovered life as they knew it had ended in an afternoon of horror that would eventually lead to the complete expulsion of native people from Tennessee.  A war party of Creek Indians led by the reprobate Little Warrior had attacked and brutally murdered members of Crawley’s and Manley’s families including several children.  Little Warrior was a willing disciple of the great Shawnee Chief Tecumseh as well as a vocal advocate of Tecumseh’s proposed Indian Confederacy that would restore the Indian nations to their former glory.  The previous year of  1811 saw Tecumseh on a pilgrimage among the Five Civilized Tribes of the South.  At the village of Tuckaubatchee in present day Alabama Tecumseh stirred the soul of a warrior nation...

The Muscogee was once a mighty people. The Georgians trembled at your war-whoop, and the maidens of my tribe, on the distant lakes, sung the prowess of your warriors and sighed for their embraces...Oh! Muscogees, brethren of my mother, brush from your eyelids the sleep of slavery; once more strike for vengeance; once more for your country...War now! War forever! War upon the living! War upon the dead! Dig their very corpses from the grave. Our country must give no rest to a white man's bones. This is the will of the Great Spirit, revealed to my brother, his familiar, the Prophet of the Lakes. He sends me to you. All the tribes of the north are dancing the war-dance. Two mighty warriors across the seas will send us arms. Tecumseh will soon return to his country. My prophets shall tarry with you.  They will  stand between you and the bullets of your enemies.  When the white men approach you the yawning earth shall swallow them up.  Soon shall you see my arm of fire stretched athwart the sky. I will stamp my foot at Tippecanoe, and the very earth shall shake.  

A Creek Warrior, ca. 1812

Whether or not Little Warrior was in attendance at Tecumseh’s speech is unknown.  What is known is that Little Warrior was returning from a great council of war in the north called by Tecumseh when he and his warriors fell upon their hapless victims along the banks of the Duck River in Tennessee.  The Creek warriors had drawn first blood in the prelude to what would become all out war the following year. Tecumseh’s call for blood in the south had gone forth.  Now the men of South would answer.