Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-10-05

HIS uuIlOll, anu WHO udu dlllple Op-
portuniEes of judging, testifes,
"That art and dissimulation formed
no part of his character; his bear
ing was marked by nobleness of
purpose, and his conduct was al
ways honorable"
His uncle, the celebrated Nc
Gillivray, was the founder of an
United Greek Confederacy. and has
been styled by historian the In
dian Tallyrand of diplomacy. He
it was who instilled into his young
relative vindictive feelings against
the Americans, and who assisted in
placing him in the position of
leader of the whole Muscogee nation.
1t is thought that at one time he
was opposed to hostilities on the
part Of his people, but not being
able to stem the torrent Of hatred
directed against the settlers, he de-
termined to lead the contemplated
movement; for his intrepid disposi-
ton would not permit him to be
second where his talents enabled
him to be first. The opening en-
gagement between the whites and
Indians was fought at Burnt Corn
creek, thus inaugurating the bloody
series Of battles called the Creek
war, and which terminated in the
utter destruction of that brave and
undaunted race.
1t was Weatherford who planned
the fearful attack upon Fort Minis;
and it is no reproach to his memory
to record that his cunning and skill,
united with his valor, outwitted
the rash confidence Of the com.
mander of the fort, and reaped fol
his warriors laurels that should
have been won by the soldiers of the
doomed post.
Many a time before, a mere
handful of armed men, within theil
strong stockades, had kept at bay
u powerful force Of Indians, anC
Major Beazeley, who neglected his
duty and left the gate of the fort
ress defantly open, is more deserv
ing the appellation Of murderer O.
Fort Minis than the gallant chief
tain who took advantage Of hi
enemy's fatal rashness.
He asserted afterward that h
had tried to check the fearful mas
sacre in the fort, but his ferc'
warriors, having once tasted blood
n were like famlshed wolves, an,
would not be satiated. While urg
" ing them to desist, many a toma
hawk was raised above his hea
and many a threat made agains
his life-and thus he found that
although he had raised the storm
E, he was powerless to quell its fury
81 However, after that dreadful da
Of the 3Oth August, 1913, the dc
Y sire of revenge for the slaughter {
their countrymen awoke a fearIr
spirit Of retribution on the part {
= the Americans, which, directed b
ia the stern will of Jackson and tn
m strong arm of Claiborne, soon al
ID initiated the brave warriors Of I'll
st Greeks.
4 We need not follow the Red EagI
of in all his desperate attempts to 70
ut the whites, nor in the wonderfl
4. escapes by which he eluded captur
Of although in every engagement
10 was understood that his nam
b. formed the watchword and war-cl
Is of his determined enemies.
e. After the defeat at Ecoauachat
r Holy Ground), Weatherfocd, bein
Is deserted by his forces, pushed hal
for his own safety. He was noun
10 ed, as usual with him, upon fiji
r., gray horse, who seemed to share h
N masters spirit and his fears. Beir
he closely patsued along the bank
Nv the Alabama, he suddenly plRng;
nj over a bluff nearly twenty fe
De high, rode rapidly down its preciI
he logs sides for a short distance, al
in then leaped iptg the stream belo'
For an instant, both gallant hgr
"a, and rider were lost beneath I
e. waves, but they presently 70
. again, the chief holding tRe MAI
d Of his horse in one hand apd b
Iso ride high above his head in t
"a, other, SWIMMING the river,
rn dashed up the other side, q
of shouting back defiance, he disa
IN. peared from sight.
or At the battle of Tohopeka, viii
lb- put an end to the hopes of Weat
egforl, he also made his escal
lat Favored by the intense darkness,
his foated down the river with !
,u- horse, until below the Americ
er- lines, and then reaching the shol
made his way safely to the hig
Of lands south of the Faliago9sa.
on After this, The last and most d,
at perate Of the Greek battles, I
ZEN hostile indians generally game
his and surrendered to Jackson. D.
M ing the engagement, when all he
seemed lost, Jackson, unwilling
ght destroy so brave people, sent tn
ye, word to con6de in his clemency a
IL NfAJ ll..,-l~-o, ,,,,;,oro,e of n