The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-02

Of those within the fort having miracu-
lousy escaped
The Indians probably never committed
a more horrible butchery of the Amer
leans than was that at Fort Mifs. Chill
dren were killed by seizing them by the
heels and beating their brains out against
the stockading. Mutations of bodies
too horrible to relate were perpetrated.
But Weatherford was not present when
these atrocities took place. He plead
with the warriors that the lives of the
women and children be spared and up
braided them for their barbarity; but
many clubs being raised over his head
by the wildly excited and ferocious saw
ages, who threatened instant death TO
him, he was compelled to retire. NO
thought of that bloody occasion ever
arose, in after years, in his mind. with
out causing him the deepest anguish lie
had raised the storm but he could not
control it."
The fall OF Fort Minis brought the
speedy invasion of the Creek nation by
the various armies from Tennessee IN
der General Jackson. from Georgia under
Generals Floyd and Pickney, and from
Mississippi under General Claiborne, re-
sulting in the rapid succession of san
culinary battles, which in few months
ralmost depopulated the nation
WEATHERFORD'S FAMOUS LEAP
Weatherford did all ne could to encour-
age the Indians. He had strongly forti-
fed, in the Indian manner, Econachaca
(Ifoly Ground. now in Lowndes county
on the Alabama river. a place considered
by the Indians on account of being so
assured by their prophets, which would
cause instant death to the white man who
came near it The Indians, headed
by Weatherford, fought furiously for a
short time, but soon fled with great rap
idity. Tt was at this time that Weather
ford made his famous leap Seeing that
his warriors were deserving him, he be-
gan a struggle for his own safety. Kid
ing with great speed along the bank
of the Alabama. on a magnificent gray
horse, he at length came to a sheer bluif
10 or Is feet above the water. Pitching
over this with mighty bound the splen-
did animal and the gallant chieftaoin
whom he bore both went out of sight De-
Eeath the water They rose, presently.
the rider graspng with one hand the
horses name, while with his other hand
he firmly held his rifle. He regained
his seat upon the noble steed and was
borne safely to the opposite side Of the
river.
At this tome Weatherford and his Red
Sticks-the Indian war party OF the
Creeks were called Red Sticks, be-
cause their war clubs were always paint
ed red-were able to check the farther
advance of the whites in the nation. and
in few days cause them to retreat
BATTLE OF HORSESHOE BEND
Rapidly approaching. though was
Weatherford's last battle 1t was fought
at Horse Shoe Bend, a place equally
adapted by nature for security or de-
siruction according as it was well or
pcorly defended The Tallapoosa here
farmed a peninsula which contained
al 1ut 100 acres The Red Sticks had built
breastworks of logs across the neck
of this peninsula in such way that
their enemies in attacking them would be
exposed to a cross fire. The warriors
from seven towns were concentrated up
on this extraordinary peninsula. The
savages displayed the greatest possible
bravery, attacked by General jackson
in front, who mad gotten possession of
their breastworks, and assailed from be-
hind by Coffees troops, who had just
burned their village, they asked no quar-
ter. but each warrior sold his iife as
dearly as possible. General Jackson be-
ing DESTROYS not to exterminate this brave
race sent messages to them assuring
them of lenity if they would surrender
Shouts of defiance and shots from their
guns were their only replies to the mes
sengers.
Late in the evening when the terrible
battle ended, of the 1000 Red Sticks en-
gagged. 557 lay dead on the peninsula
Coffee's troops killed about the same
number while they were attempting to
cross the river. hence it is safe to state
that not more than 200 were left alive.
After this the Red Sticks, having become
dspirited. made very few attempts to
assemble their forces. Many surrendered,
the larger portion, however, escaping
to Florida Chiefs came and submitted
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