The Wilmingtonian., 1824-04-22
From the Mobile Commercial Register, March 20
WITHERFORD, THE PROPHET.

This celebrated savage Warrior, IS at length
vanqushed; the destroyer is conquered; the
hand which so profusely dealt death and desola-
ton among ''the whites" is now motoness. He
de, at his late residence near Montpelier, in this
s,ate!on the 9th instant His deeds ofwar are well
known to the early settlers in South Alabama,
and will be remembered by them while the, live,
and be talked OF with horror by generations YET
unborn but his dauntess spirit has taken its
flight" he has gone to the land of his fathers"
Bill, Wi,herford, denominaled the prophet, was
about one.fourth Indian, (some say half breed)
his ancestry on the white side having been Scott
sh 1t has been said that he buastrd of having
no Yankee (meaning American) blood in his
vens.'
This ferocious Chief led the hostile Indian, to
the attack upon Fort Minis (at Tensa) on The 5Oth
August. 1913, which resulted in the indiscrimi.
nate and shocking massacre OF men, women and
children. to the number OF near four hundred.
He was also leader, associated with the proph.
cts Francis and Sinqulster, at the battle fought
on the IS December following, at Echanachaca
or 6 the Holy Ground which had been consider
ed by them. inaccessible to their enemies, and
the grave of white men ! but it proved fatal
deluson. His party suffered great loss OF war,
rors, and all the provisions, munitions of war,
&c. deposited at this place of imaginary safety,
being as they supposed, rendered secure by the
influence of some supernatural agency.
1t is stated, that after being saturated with the
| blood of Americans, and Witnessing the almosl
total extinction of his own tribe, he voluntarily
and dauntlessIy flung himself into the hands OF
Gen Jackson, and demanded his protection. lie
is said on surreaering himself, to have made the
following speech to the General, which looks We
ry little like claiming protection. He displays a
spirit which would have done credit 10 Napoleon
under cimilar circumstances, after the battle Of
Waterloo.
al am in your power, do with me as you please
I am 4 soldier. l have done the White people all
the harm could: If had an army, would ye,
! fight, and contend to the last bu have done
my people are all gone l can now do no more
than weep over the misfortunes OF my nation
Once could animate my warriors to oattlc, but
I cannot animate the dead My warriors can nj
longer hear my voice. Their bones are at Talla
dega, Tallushatchee, Enaucfau, and rohopeca
III have not surrendered myself thoughtlessly
Whilst there were chances of success, neve
left my post, nor supplicaed peace. But m,
people are gone, and now ask il tor my natol
and myself. On the miseries and mistortunes
: brought upon my country. look back with deep
est sorrow, and wish to avert still greater Gala
) mites. II had been left to contend with III
Georgia army, would have raised my corn o
/, une bank of the river, and fought them on tn
, oher; but your people have destroyed my ma
,ion. You are brave man. I rely upon you
: generosity. You will exact no terms OF conquer
: ed people, but such as they should accede to
=. whatever they may be, it would now be nia'ines
, and folly to. oppose. If they are opposed, yo'
q will find me amongst the sternest enforcers q
obedience. Those who would still hold out, ca
: be influenced only by mean spirit OF revenge
B and to this they must not and shall not. sacri'ic
f the last remnant Of their country. You have toll
: lis where we might go and be safe. This is
v good talk and my nation ought to listen to II
r They shall listen to it."
1t is due to the relatives Of the distinguish
barbarian to say. that they were generally frient
ly to the whites, (of the United S,ates) many
whom rendered valuable services to us, Will
EXPOSED, to the combined hoslilities Of both re
/ and auhite SarageS.