Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-06-08


Hickory
The battle OF Tohopeka. or the
Horseshoe. is one OF the most noted
sn Indian warfare, On a bend OF the
Taliaroosa. the Creeks. who had long
waged an indecisive warfare, took
their stand. resolved TO risk all In
final engagement Tecumsehs bro
Their had visited the Greek nation sew.
eral months before, and had declared
to their prophets that the flower of
their people should assemble and give
battle TO the palefaces. and a victory
such as they had never known should
crown the day.
The prophets proclaimed this to the
warriors, telling them that cloud
from heaven would be the signal that
the Great Spirit would send that their
deliverence had come.
The entrance to the peninsula was
strongly fortified. and Gen. Jackson
himself advanced upon these breast
works, but Gen. Coffee. with his
mounted men and the Cherokees who
served under Jackson. had forded the
river and. advancing up its banks. cut
off the retreat of the Creeks in that
direction.
But the willy Cherokees soon discov-
cred the canoes OF the Creeks. half
hidden IN a fringe OF bushes. and
their swimmers brought them across
the river. Their gallant chief. Rich
ard Brown. leapel into a canoe, his
braves and Capt Russeil's company OF
scouts swarming after him. and amid
rifle balls and arrows. which showered
among them, they made their landing
They at once set fire to a cluster Of
wigwams near the water. and the
dark column of smoke. rising above
the trees. was the signal 20 Gen. Jack
son that they had crossed the river
His men were eager TO advance. but
their brave leader held them back I'M
I'll he had caused the Creeks to re-
move their women and children TO "a
place of safety.
Then the brcastworks were stormed
and the young ensign. who fought his
first battle that day. was one OF the
first 10 Chamber over. Calamity lead
ing his men. he was struck by a
barbed arrow. and retired for a few
moments TO have his wound bound up
Seeing him I'm the surgeons hands. the
general ordered him TO the rear. but
the young officer rushed again 10 the
combat. where HIS friends. the Chero-
KEGS. who had known him so long in
peace. regarded his daring deeds with
wonder and admiration. This disobe-
dience OF his endeared him for life to
the iron heart OF his commander.
Two bullets. which. at the same in
slant shattered his right arm and
lodged ip the shoulder. put an end to
his career as soldier for many years.
and nearly put an end to his life.
When, after months Of suffering. he
was on his way TO rejoin the army, he
was met by news Of the battle Of New
Orleans. and the war was over.
No doubt Il was a source OF keen
regret 10 the young soldier that he
had not shared the glories OF that
victory. lie did not know then that
day would come when he would act as
commander in battle as brilliant and
as decisive as that one fought at New
Orleans.
changes came into the life OF the boy
who was willing 20 work all day that
he might run across the field and spell
with HIS class an the closing lesson.
lie became distinguished as a lawyer:
he was made governor Of Tennessee.
and afterward be paid a long visit TO
his adopted father. the venerable
Oolooteka
After that he went 20 Texas. intend
ing TO spend his days in peaceful re-
tirement on cattle farm. But some
men call for places. and some places
call for men," and that dream OF a
herdsman's quiet life was never rea-
lied.
Texas was on the verge OF a revolu-
tion, and instead Of the Mexican prov
ince OF New Estramadura was des-
tined TO become a separate republic.
The newcomer was invited 20 place
in her councils and after three years
the sword OF commander-in-chief OF
her forces was rendered him.
The storming or the Alamo and the
inhuman hatchery Of its gallant de-
tenders was quickly followed by the
massacre of Goliad. where 500 brave
men were slain in cold blood after
their capitulatioa.
Meanwhile the Texan general. with
his sad and disheartened followers.
was pursuing that mastery retreat
that was to eliminate in a browning
victory at San Jacinto.
But OF that victory you all have
read in the history of Texas; how zoo
Texans faced Santa Anna with his
1900 trained soldiers. and how the
glories OF that day made a hero OF
every patriot who fought there. and
shed a luster upon the name of their
leade~-Gen. Sam Houston, OF Texas.