The Battle at Horseshoe Bend

by Michael Aye

  This question took Jonah by surprise. First, where had the president heard of the Red Stick’s name for Jackson and second, what did he truly think of Jackson being in overall command? After a long pause to collect his thoughts, Jonah responded, “If I wanted a battle won, I could certainly send mad old Jackson.” Jonah couldn’t resist the use of Jackson’s Indian nickname. “However, I must say he treated the Indians most unfairly.”

  Armstrong, who Jonah was sure agreed with Jackson, started to interrupt, but the president held up his hand, quieting him. “Mr. Lee has the floor,” he said.

  “I feel, sir, you must be prepared for possible fallout from Jackson’s actions if he treats our other allies as he did our Indian friends.” Taking a breath, Jonah exhaled and continued, “I realize, sir, we are living in desperate times. The enemy is virtually at our door. So I must say I think choosing Jackson was not only the right choice, it was the only choice.”

  “I am heartened by your words, Mr. Lee. I will be in touch, God’s will. But for now, I must bid you a hasty good-bye.”

  “Good-bye, Jonah.”

  “Good-bye, Dolly.”

  -

  The men watched as the president and his cavalry escort rode out of sight. Armstrong held his hand out to Jonah.

  “The president has already told you where we’d like for you to go. Just so you know, General Jackson had much to say about your character, all of it good. He said you were a born leader, a fighting man’s man, one who he could count on to give him true counsel. He also said you were not intimidated by him one bit. Coming from Andy, that speaks volumes.”

  Jonah thought for a moment and then said, “If it’s your wish, John, I will accompany Jackson.”

  Moses, who had kept silent for most of the time since they had been in Washington, spoke, “How can we deny a request from the secretary of war.”

  Armstrong smiled but bowed his head. After a moment he looked up. “In all probability, it will soon be former secretary.”

  Lieupo started to say something but, seeing Major Hampton’s faint shake of the head, closed his mouth.

  “Things have been difficult,” Armstrong continued, “but I thought I could help the president and help win the war. I never imagined all the obstacles I’d face. In truth, Jonah, I did not think the British would attack the city. Baltimore is a much more strategic target.”

  “It’s not which was the most significant target,” Jonah said. “They were going after the one with the most semblance, the target that would strike a blow to the general morale of our country.”

  “Well, all they’ve done is piss me off,” Lieupo declared.

  “That’s two of us,” Moses joined in.

  “I think most Americans will feel that way,” Jonah said. “But take heart, John, the only man I know that was perfect was sent to the cross.”

  “And rose again,” Moses added.

  “I don’t know,” Armstrong said. “Take care Jonah, Moses, Captain Lieupo. I appreciate your service and your loyalty.” With that, he turned his horse to ride away.

  “I’ll be along in a minute,” Hampton called.

  “There goes a dejected man,” Moses said. “He’s in a bad way.”

  Major Hampton nodded and then spoke to Jonah. “I have not forgotten about Anastasia. In fact, our search has gained momentum now that a friend of yours has added resources at his disposal to the search.”

  “A friend?” Jonah questioned.

  Nodding, Hampton smiled. ”A powerful friend. Colonel Mentor Johnson is a man who is loyal to his friends. I told you that back at the Thames.”

  “How is the colonel?” Jonah asked.

  “He’s recovering. He’s not well yet, but he is recovering. I had the opportunity to sit down with the colonel a few months ago, and he was most shocked and concerned about Anastasia’s welfare. He started where you left off. He sent men to follow each branch of the river. When he got positive news, he sent a whole squadron of men down the river on the trail. It is now believed that Anastasia is in or around New Orleans. It is feared she is not entirely free to come and go as she pleases. This came from a man in Natchez who spoke rather than lose his tongue. Unfortunately, he did gain another chin.” This was said while making the motion of a knife slitting a throat.

  Lieupo gave an involuntary shudder and said, “Damn.”

  “These men are to locate Anastasia but not try to take her unless her life appears to be in danger. The men have been told you will be arriving in New Orleans with Jackson’s forces,” Hampton said.

  “Hence, my assignment,” Jonah said.

  “We had to find a reason for you to be there, Jonah,” Hampton said. “No one expects you or anyone else to control Jackson. You may have the opportunity to make counsel, advise the general at times. But that’s not your prime objective. You are to go rescue your woman. You are not to put yourself in harm’s way. You get Anastasia and you go back to Georgia. Have a slew of grandchildren for the colonel and Mrs. Lee.”

  Hampton turned to Lieupo, “You are to be my eyes and ears, Captain. I will send you a means by which you can contact me. You may even look over your shoulder and find me standing there. In the meantime, if something is urgent, send it to Colonel Johnson’s home in Kentucky. He will see that I get it forthwith.”

  Jonah couldn’t help but think how Mentor Johnson still had his hand in things, much as he did in the northwest, if not more so.

  “Captain Clark will join you in New Orleans if he recovers from his wounds soon enough. He has thoughts of forming an alliance with the pirate, Laffite. If you take a roundabout trip, you will find the Sparrow pulled up in a creek waiting on your return. I have a man waiting on you at the edge of town to guide you.” Smiling, Hampton continued, “I told him he’d not mistake the three of you. Mostly as Moses would stand out, no offense meant.”

  “None taken,” Moses assured Hampton.

  Extending his hand, Hampton shook each of the three men’s hands and said, “God’s speed. Good luck and give Anastasia a big kiss for me. I expect an invitation to the wedding.”

  “I’ll name my first born after you,” Jonah called as his friend rode away.

  Jonah looked at his friends sitting astride their mounts next to him. “Shall we be on our way?” he asked, feeling for once that there was hope in locating Ana. In the distance, the sound of gunfire could be heard. Washington would be in British hands by nightfall. There was little that could be done about that, he knew. But hopefully Ana would soon be in his arms. There was a lot he intended to do in that regard.

  Appendix

  TREATY OF FORT JACKSON

  Articles of agreement and capitulation, made and concluded this ninth day of August, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, between major general Andrew Jackson, on behalf of the President of the United States of America, and the chiefs, deputies, and warriors of the Creek Nation.

  WHEREAS an unprovoked, inhuman, and sanguinary war, waged by the hostile Creeks against the United States, hath been repelled, prosecuted and determined, successfully, on the part of the said States, in conformity with principles of national justice and honorable warfare—And whereas consideration is due to the rectitude of proceeding dictated by instructions relating to the re-establishment of peace: Be it remembered, that prior to the conquest of that part of the Creek nation hostile to the United States, numberless aggressions had been committed against the peace, the property, and the lives of citizens of the United States, and those of the Creek nation in amity with her, at the mouth of Duck river, Fort Mims, and elsewhere, contrary to national faith, and the regard due to an article of the treaty concluded at New-York, in the year seventeen hundred ninety, between the two nations: That the United States, previously to the perpetration of such outrages, did, in order to ensure future amity and concord between the Creek nation and the said states, in conformity with the stipulations of former treaties, fulfill, with punctuality and good faith, her engagements to the said nation: that more than two-third
s of the whole number of chiefs and warriors of the Creek nation, disregarding the genuine spirit of existing treaties, suffered themselves to be instigated to violations of their national honor, and the respect due to a part of their own nation faithful to the United States and the principles of humanity, by impostures [impostors,] denominating themselves Prophets, and by the duplicity and misrepresentation of foreign emissaries, whose governments are at war, open or understood, with the United States. Wherefore,

  1st—The United States demand an equivalent for all expenses incurred in prosecuting the war to its termination, by a cession of all the territory belonging to the Creek nation within the territories of the United States, lying west, south, and south-eastwardly, of a line to be run and described by persons duly authorized and appointed by the President of the United States:

  Beginn at a point on the eastern bank of the Coosa river, where the south boundary line of the Cherokee nation crosses the same; running from thence down the said Coosa river with its eastern bank according to its various meanders to a point one mile above the mouth of Cedar creek, at Fort Williams, thence east two miles, thence south two miles, thence west to the eastern bank of the said Coosa river, thence down the eastern bank thereof according to its various meanders to a point opposite the upper end of the great falls, (called by the natives Woetumka,) thence east from a true meridian line to a point due north of the mouth of Ofucshee, thence south by a like meridian line to the mouth of Ofucshee on the south side of the Tallapoosa river, thence up the same, according to its various meanders, to a point where a direct course will cross the same at the distance of ten miles from the mouth thereof, thence a direct line to the mouth of Summochico creek, which empties into the Chatahouchie river on the east side thereof below the Eufaulau town, thence east from a true meridian line to a point which shall intersect the line now dividing the lands claimed by the said Creek nation from those claimed and owned by the state of Georgia: Provided, nevertheless, that where any possession of any chief or warrior of the Creek nation, who shall have been friendly to the United States during the war and taken an active part therein, shall be within the territory ceded by these articles to the United States, every such person shall be entitled to a reservation of land within the said territory of one mile square, to include his improvements as near the centre thereof as may be, which shall inure to the said chief or warrior, and his descendants, so long as he or they shall continue to occupy the same, who shall be protected by and subject to the laws of the United States; but upon the voluntary abandonment thereof, by such possessor or his descendants, the right of occupancy or possession of said lands shall devolve to the United States, and be identified with the right of property ceded hereby.

  2nd—The United States will guarantee to the Creek nation, the integrity of all their territory eastwardly and northwardly of the said line to be run and described as mentioned in the first article.

  3d—The United States demand, that the Creek nation abandon all communication, and cease to hold any intercourse with any British or Spanish post, garrison, or town; and that they shall not admit among them, any agent or trader, who shall not derive authority to hold commercial, or other intercourse with them, by license from the President or authorized agent of the United States.

  4th—The United States demand an acknowledgment of the right to establish military posts and trading houses, and to open roads within the territory, guaranteed to the Creek nation by the second article, and a right to the free navigation of all its waters.

  5th—The United States demand, that a surrender be immediately made, of all the persons and property, taken from the citizens of the United States, the friendly part of the Creek nation, the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations, to the respective owners; and the United States will cause to be immediately restored to the formerly hostile Creeks, all the property taken from them since their submission, either by the United States, or by any Indian nation in amity with the United States, together with all the prisoners taken from them during the war.

  6th—The United States demand the caption and surrender of all the prophets and instigators of the war, whether foreigners or natives, who have not submitted to the arms of the United States, and become parties to these articles of capitulation, if ever they shall be found within the territory guaranteed to the Creek nation by the second article.

  7th—The Creek nation being reduced to extreme want, and not at present having the means of subsistence, the United States, from motives of humanity, will continue to furnish gratuitously the necessaries of life, until the crops of corn can be considered competent to yield the nation a supply, and will establish trading houses in the nation, at the discretion of the President of the United States, and at such places as he shall direct, to enable the nation, by industry and economy, to procure clothing.

  8th—A permanent peace shall ensue from the date of these presents forever, between the Creek nation and the United States, and between the Creek nation and the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations.

  9th—If in running east from the mouth of Summochico creek, it shall so happen that the settlement of the Kennards, fall within the lines of the territory hereby ceded, then, and in that case, the line shall be run east on a true meridian to Kitchofoonee creek, thence down the middle of said creek to its junction with Flint River, immediately below the Oakmulgee town, thence up the middle of Flint river to a point due east of that at which the above line struck the Kitchofoonee creek, thence east to the old line herein before mentioned, to wit: the line dividing the lands claimed by the Creek nation, from those claimed and owned by the state of Georgia. The parties to these presents, after due consideration, for themselves and their constituents, agree to ratify and confirm the preceding articles, and constitute them the basis of a permanent peace between the two nations; and they do hereby solemnly bind themselves, and all the parties concerned and interested, to a faithful performance of every stipulation contained therein.

  In testimony whereof, they have hereunto, interchangeably, set their hands and affixed their seals, the day and date above written.

  Treaty with the Creeks, Fort Jackson, 1814.

  Signatories

  Andrew Jackson, major general commanding Seventh Military District, [L. S.]

  TustunnuggeeThlucco, Speaker for the Upper Creek, his x mark, [L. S.]

  MiccoAupoegau, of Toukaubatchee, his x mark, [L. S.]

  TustunnuggeeHopoiee, Speaker of the Lower Creeks, his x mark, [L. S.]

  MiccoAchulee, of Cowetau, his x mark, [L. S.]

  William McIntosh, Jr., major of Cowetau, his x mark, [L. S.]

  TuskeeEneah, of Cussetau, his x mark, [L. S.]

  FaueEmautla, of Cussetau, his x mark, [L. S.]

  ToukaubatcheeTustunnuggee of Hitchetee, his x mark, [L. S.]

  Noble Kinnard, of Hitchetee, his x mark, [L. S.]

  HopoieeHutkee, of Souwagoolo, his x mark, [L. S.]

  HopoieeHutkee, for HopoieYoholo, of Souwogoolo, his x mark, [L. S.]

  FolappoHaujo, of Eufaulau, on Chattohochee, his x mark, [L. S.]

  PacheeHaujo, of Apalachoocla, his x mark, [L. S.]

  Timpoeechee Bernard, Captain of Uchees, his x mark, [L. S.]

  UcheeMicco, his x mark, [L. S.]

  YoholoMicco, of Kialijee, his x mark, [L. S.]

  SocoskeeEmautla, of Kialijee, his x mark, [L. S.]

  ChoocchauHaujo, of Woccocoi, his x mark, [L. S.]

  Esholoctee, of Nauchee, his x mark, [L. S.]

  YoholoMicco, of Tallapoosa Eufaulau, his x mark, [L. S.]

  StinthellisHaujo, of Abecoochee, his x mark, [L. S.]

  OcfuskeeYoholo, of Toutacaugee, his x mark, [L. S.]

  John O’Kelly, of Coosa, [L. S.]

  EneahThlucco, of Immookfau, his x mark, [L. S.]

  EspokokokeHaujo, of Wewoko, his x mark, [L. S.]

  EneahThluccoHopoiee, of Talesee, his x mark, [L. S.]

  EfauHaujo, of Puccan Tallahassee, his x mark, [L. S.]

 
; Talessee Fixico, of Ocheobofau, his x mark, [L. S.]

  NomatleeEmautla, or Captain Issacs, of Cousoudee, his x mark, [L. S.]

  Tuskegee Emautla, or John Carr, of Tuskegee, his x mark, [L. S.]

  Alexander Grayson, of Hillabee, his x mark, [L. S.]

  Lowee, of Ocmulgee, his x mark, [L. S.]

  NocooseeEmautla, of ChuskeeTallafau, his x mark, [L. S.]

  William McIntosh, for HopoieeHaujo, of Ooseoochee, his x mark, [L. S.]

  William McIntosh, for ChehahawTustunnuggee, of Chehahaw, his x mark, [L. S.]

  William McIntosh, for SpokokeeTustunnuggee, of Otellewhoyonnee, his x mark, [L. S.]

  Done at fort Jackson, in presence of--

  Charles Cassedy, acting secretary,

  Benjamin Hawkins, agent for Indian affairs,

  Return J. Meigs, Agent of Creek nation,

  Robert Butler, Adjutant General U. S. Army,

  J. C. Warren, assistant agent for Indian Affairs,

  George Mayfield, Alexander Curnels, George Lovett, Public interpreters.

  Historical Notes

  This is the second in a trilogy based on the War of 1812. It was Tom Gruden’s brainchild that I was happy to be a part of. Tom passed away before the first book was published, but I felt compelled to write the trilogy as we discussed.

  The War of 1812 is often referred to as the forgotten war. The first War of Independence and the Civil War seemed to overshadow the importance of sacrifices made during its brief duration. As the War of 1812 has been overshadowed, so have the struggles and sacrifices of the men fighting the “Creek War;” both red and white men.

  As Americans pushed westward, the Indians were pushed from their native lands. This was especially true for the Creek Nation in Alabama. As the Battle of Horseshoe Bend took place during the War of 1812, and since numerous characters who took part in the battle would be forever remembered in the history of our nation, I decided to center book two of my trilogy around this battle.

  I have tried to remain very accurate to the details and timeline for the events that took place in this book. But, remember this is a work of fiction based on historic fact. I make no claim that it is purely factual.