The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-02
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,CopyriGhted S96 by Everett Tomlinson-,
Gen. CIaiborne's little army OF thou
sand men had come to halt. FOE many
days they had been marching through the
forests and swamps of Alabama, anu the
rains OF December, 1913, had made tie
ground unusually soft. The appearance
of the men was hi .gafd AND ther c!oth"is
was worn, and the mud and filth WIN
which they were spattered would almost
have prevented their mothers from recog-
MIXING them.
And vet these men were am ong the BRAY
est OF our soldiers IN the war OF 1872.
The uprising OF the Creek Indians had been
brought about by the British and Span
iards, who had furnished arms and prom
ised a reward OF SIS for every scalp brought
to Pensacola, whether it was of man,
woman or child. Tecumseh and his brother,
with thirty OF their warriors, had made he
long journey of a thousand miles from the
Northwest. and by their stirring appeals
had aroused many ofthe Creeks to enter the
contest. and attempt to drive the hated
white men from the homes their fathers
had left them.
Massacres horrible beyond description
had followed, and the frightened settlers
had fled 10 the forts and blockhouses for
protection, and then the men began to
rally to drive back the fierce savages, and
protect their homes and families from their
cruelty. And Row this army of ClaiboTne's
WAS OH its way TO attack one of the strong
holds of the Creeks.
For nine long days they had no meat,
and parched corn and roasted acorns had
been their only food. They sent in long
petitionto their commander mott . lie ad them
into the Greek country, for they all feared
that with their inexperience and insuf-
ricient food they would prove no match for
the willy foes: but Claiborne was determined
and his army had followed willingly, but
with many misgivings.
THE HOLY GROUND.
I'VE amt very far from the Holy Ground,
are we?'' said young John Fletcher, one
of the Mississippi volunteers, to George
Gatlin, his companion in arms.
About ten miles," replied his friend .
"Gen. Claibone has had his scouts out and
have just been talking with one OF them.
He says this Holy Land is on bluff of
the Alabama. and that there isn't path
or trail leading to 1t. The Indians call il
The Grave OF the White Men, and their
prophets declare that If a pale face steps
his foot over the wizard circles they have
drawn about the place, he will fall dead.
They have a big square in the center of
the town where they burn their victims"
"Horriblel'' said John, with shudder
ole In Iat
bullets will rlatten right over and do their
warriors no HARM" continued George; but
they've taken pains to drive lot OF
stakes all around the place, and have car
ried their women and children across the
river; so / reckon they mean to be on the
safe side"
what do they call the place.
"Econochaca,' replied George. There
are about a thousand warriors there now Z
But never you mind" he added. as he
saw how downCast his young companion'
was Wen be enough for them
rs Weatherford there?" asked John.
Yes: Billy Weatherford is the leader
But one man doesn't make an army,
though | will say he's the best man in,
ali the Creek nation But then, he's half
white, you know. His father was white
man, and somehow he's different from
most of the haIfbreeds, for he seems to
have Inherited the best, not the worst,
from ed1n size. lEtbIslSeI ndN 10 "olk
with him a long time before he could get
him 10 20 in AT all l reckon he knows
how this affair is likely to turn out. He's
Il magnificent locking man. He stands
six feet four in mis- stocking feet. aud is
a. brave as Hon
But the conversation was interrupted
by the call to fall in and the little
army was soon In motion The marshes
Increased in number, and the report that.
there We're deep ravines about the HOr
Ground added to the fears: but the sol
diers kept steadily on, and when they
halted Econocbaca was only two miles
away.
The plan is to surround the town, so
that none Of the Creeks can escape said
George, a little later. Three divisions
have been made. and Col. Carson is going
t. lead ours to the upper part of the
town In n few moments the colonel
had given the word, and the Mississippi
volunteers had begun their advance The
air was chilly. and the men soon were
wading through the water that covered
the level ground to the depth of several
inches. but at last, when they reached
the higher ground, they could hear the roll
of the Indian war drums and the shrll
cries of the prophets mingled with the
yells OF the warriors. Johns face was pale,
but the calmness of his companion aided
him, and he kept resolutely on with the
soldiers. Suddenly n volley was fired BIZ
some OF the Creeks, who had formed an
ambush.
A MEDICINE MAN.
1.-The fights begun Growled Gatlim.
keep close to me, John" and the SOL
diers advanced steadily, returning the fire
They lodged behind trees and stumps, an!
nearer and nearer forced their way, but
Weathcrford's warriors were also fighting
stubborDly, and trying to hold their places
Suddenly from behind the warriors who
had guns there arose cloud of GROWS.
They haven't many guns, ] reckon v
said GatiiD, land those arrows all go
over our heads. Wen have 'em pretty
soon. John, LOOK at that prophet over
there among the redskins with the boy.s ~
John peered from behinn his tree and
could see an Indian, evidently. i ned
cine man or prophet rushing about
amoDgs the men, shouting and waving