The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-11-08
M s O Z I. L A n E 0 U S
From the N. Y. Times.
WEATH EREORD.
A LEGEND OF THE CREEK WAR.

A LEGEND OF THE CREEK WAR.
Several historians in narrating the events
Of our second war with Great Britain,
have expressed surprise that the grand at
tempt to gain possession of New Orleans
was not made sooner. But, in truth the
auemp, was being made to entire years
earlier than the date usually given in his
tory. With the declaration of war itself,
the court of St. James organized master
ly, but most infamously cruel scheme OF
combinations to grasp the Crescent City
the commercial crown and military key
to the Mississippi Valley; and with the
organization they also began the execution
of their plan, of which the landing Of the
mighty armament at Bien Venn, on the 3d
Of December, and the assault on the glori-
GUS 9th of January, were not the first, but
only the last and least bloody steps.
The primary and most important move
ment was to excite the southwestern In
dians TO hostility against the Union, so as
to occupy the unerring riflemen of the
circumjacent states, and thus leave the en-
porum of the west in manner totally de-
fenceless. Accordingly, in 1912, an En-
glish trader, named Elliot, accompanied by
8 chief of the northern tribe of Pottawa-
amies-the far-famed Tecumseh-visi:ed
the Alabama savages, and, by means OF
large bribes paid down in British gold,
and delusive promises of plunder and ex-
tented domain, these emissaries finally sue
ceeded IN cementing the formidable Creek
confederacy, actually comprising 10000 OF
the bravest warriors, and directed by the
unparalleled genius Of Weatherford, one of
the most remarkable prodigies that ever
appeared in the annals of mankind.
Like the ancient Gauls, the Greeks of
that period might be considered under three
divisions. One of these inhabited the Ala-
bama, another the Coosa, and the third
the Tallapoosa. The two latter rivers are
the upper and main forks of the Alabama.
The section of the Coosa was much the
strongest and stretched westward beyond
the Tombigbee.
The neighboring settlements saw the
omnious cloud gathering, but could con-
ceive no means of shelter from its te rrors,
or safety from seemingly inevitable des-
trucllon. As temporary relief they flew
into small forts. What, then, delayed the
dreadful blow? What chained for time
the lightnings of the storm, all ready TO
The great generalship of Weatherford was
unquestionable. Why, then, did not the
Indian Hannibal, who afterwards almost
proved match for the genius of Jackson
pour his ten thousand desperate warri-
ors at once In a resistless torrent of ruin
over the Mississippi territory, before the
American government could even issue
single order! Had he done so, New Or
leans in ali human probability would now
be part of the British Empire. That
such cloud should go on accumulating
and blackening, without bursting, even for
months, presents a mystery which the sa-
gacity of no historian hitherto has been
able to solve. Little did the many minds
mooting this riddle dream that ii involved
a secret of natures own thrilling romance,
as strange as it was unspeakaoly mournful.
AS the present writer was travelling last
summer through Alabama, he learned the
following solution from an old farmer of
Horseshoe Bend, at whose house he
CHANGED to stop over night. 1t agrees so
perfectly with the well known character of
Weatherford as to demonstrate its own
truth priori, very nearly to the exclusion
Of every other possible supposition.
Fort Mimms was situated in vast for
est, near the forks of the Tombigbee, OH
the left bank of the Black Warrior. A
quadrangular wall of enormous pine logs,
aud protected at the four corners by four
strong block houses, it might have been
deemed secure against any force destitute
OF artillery. 1t was impregnable to other
arms if properly guarded. Its garrison
numbered two hundred and seventy of
whom nearly one half consisted of women
and children. having left their homes for
'nis unfortunate asylum.
1t was bright noon-day the 18th of Au-
gust' 1918, and Fort Mimms had not yet
experienced an alarm, although it had now
oeen manned for two long months. The
SCOUTS mad reported no signs of Indians for |
se'erai weeks past and hence a fatal feel
ing OF security had possessed almost every |
one. There was one heart within how.
ever throbbing fearful forebobings.
Seated on wooden stool, in the com.
pany of some dozen others of both sexes
beautiful young girl was seen, whose
pale and troubled features attested the keen
anxiety of her soul.
That ails my fair flower, Lucy Dean,
day!-Has she seen ghost, or been
aFeaming about Indians!' asked a fine