The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-06
PIONEER DAYS
BY MARY COR DON DuFFEE.

The following account of the visit OF
General Lafayette, the illustrious friend
of Washington, and of the patriots in
their heroic struggle for liberty during
the American revolution, is from the
pen of Brig Gen Thomas s. woodward:
1.-The entry of General Lafayette into
Alabama was the most imposing event
that 1 witnessed while l lived in, the
state. In 1924 General Lafayette was
looked for in Alabama. l was the first
and Oldest brigadier general in Alabama,
after it became q state. Gen. William
Taylor, I think. was the Oldest major
general, and Israel Pickens was governor.
There may have been his equal, but there
never has been his superior, in that OF
flee. General Taylor, being absent IN
Mobile, Governor Pickens instructed me
to take an armed escort and conduct
General Lafayette through the Creek
Nation. as the Indians were little
soured (displeased or offendeD from a
treaty that had been, or was being,
made with the Georgians The Hon.
zines Abercrombie then commanded the
ltgomery troop, and General Moore OF
bourne commanded the Monroe troop,
of which volunteered their services.
re the escort left Alabama (Which
al extended only to Line Creek, Cen
eral Taylor arrived and took the COM
mand. There were heightened men in the
crowd, and genuine patriotism, for there
were between 200 and 300 persons, all bear
ing their own expenses Some, in going
and coming, had to travel 400 miles, and
none less than 200 miles. Besides the mill
tary. there were a number of the most
respectable citizens OF Alabama, among
them Boiling Hail. ex-member of Con-
gress; Ex-Governor Murphy, John D..
Bib, John W. Freeman and Col. James
Johnston, one OF the best men that ever
lived or dieds If there are any such
men these days have not had the pleas
ure of their acquaintance. Our trip to
the Chattahooche river was pleasant in
deed. We made our headquarters three
miles from Fort Mitchell. on Big Uchee
creek, at Haynes Crabtree's. After some
three or four days stay at Crabtrees, we
learned that General Lafayette had
passed White Water, and we thus knew
at what time he would reach the river.
The Indians seemed to take as much Ia
terest in the matter as the whites. All
hands mustered on the west, on Alabama
side where we could see the Georgia es-
cort approach the east bank of the Chat
tahoochee river, with their honored ana
beloved hero. On the east bank General
Lafayette was met by Chilly Mcintosh,
son of the Indian general, Mcintosh, with
and legs were stripped naked and finely
painted They had a sulky (the old-fash-
toned name for a two-wheel vehicle, con-
tanning a seat for only one person,
mounted high up on springs, and drawn
by one horse. In early days 1t was a
swift and popular mode of travel, and
was a favorite one with Gen. Andrew
Jackson, prepared with drag ropes such
as are commonly used in drawing can
non. The general was turned over by
the Georgians to the Indians. That was
the greatest show ever saw at the cross
ing of any river. As the ferryboat reached
the Alabama side the Indians, in two
lines, seized the ropes, and the famous
general, seated in the sull<y, was drawn to
the top of the bank, some so yards, where
stood the Alabama delegation.
At proper distance from the Alabama
delegation the Indians opened their lines
and the sulky halted. Everything, from
the time the general entered the ferryboat
until this moment. had been conducted in
the most profound silence, but as the
sulky halted the Indians gave three loud
whoops. The general then alighted, took
off his hat and was conducted by Chilly
Mcintosh few steps, to where stood Mr..
Boiling Hail. with head uncovered, white
with the frosts of age l knew Mr.. Hall
from my boyhood. and he always showed
we'll in company; but never did l see
him look so finely as upon that oc-
casion. He looked like himself, what he
really was, an American gentleman AS
Mcintosh approached Mr.. Hall he said
General Lafayette, the American
friend. Mr.. Hall of Alabama" pointing
to each as he called his name. Mr.. Hall,
in a very impressive manner welcomed